Today I thought I would share some humorous Calvin & Hobbes comics after I shared them with one of my co-workers who said it gave her a pick-me-up. I figured maybe more could use a good laugh today…
Enjoy!
Punk + Rock + X-Mas = Jingle Cats???
Many of you know I do not call the birthday of Jesus by it’s common name. I skip out on tradition mainly from over exposure of retail during the holiday season. I see how people really are before the big day. I have turned away last minute shoppers from buying just one more thing that is not necessary to give. I have seen nice turn to pure evil in .00056 seconds. It’s tough being in retail. I am glad I am out of it and I do not miss it one bit.
I am sure many of you have heard this before but if not, I call this day of giving some refer to as Christmas or X-Mas simply J-Day. It stands for Jesus Day, you know, the whole reason the day exists for all you religious type out there.
My wife and I are not religious though we do respect people’s beliefs. We actually see J-Day a little differently than most mainly because J-Day is the day my wife and I hooked up. In fact this J-Day will mark 4 years.
Impressive.
We met at a punk rock x-mas party. I will never forget the night. We both had rough days and randomly ran in to one another at party my friends threw. She was actually friends with my best friend’s girlfriend at the time and I remember I kept asking him before the party if she was coming. They told me she was coming and I figured it was a good day to talk to her. Good conversation, endless cans of gross Natural Light, and the rest is history…
So what does this blog have to do with punk and rock and x-mas? Well I have a certain little compilation I listen to every once in a while during the holidays I thought I would share with some of you. It is a compilation for all you punk rockers out there who like tradition and also like a little out of the ordinary. The CD really reminds me of the night of the party I met my wife at not because that music in particular was playing but more so the reminder of the combination of punk and holidays.
Track Listing:
1. Punk Rock Christmas, (It’s Gonna Be A) – The Ravers
2. Silent Night – The Dickies
3. Hooray For Santa Claus (Theme From “Santa Claus Conquers The Martians”) – Sloppy Seconds (CD only)
4. F*ck Christmas – Fear
5. Merry Jingle, A – The Greedies
6. There Ain’t No Sanity Claus – The Damned
7. Homo Christmas – Pansy Division
8. It’s Christmas – Bouquet Of Veal (CD only)
9. Merry Xmas Blues – Celibate Rifles (CD only)
10. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight) – The Ramones (UK single version) 11. Deck The Halls – Metal Mike/Alison & Julia
12. Feliz Navi-Nada – El Vez
13. Run, Run Rudolph – The Humpers (CD only)
14. Daddy Drank Our Xmas Money – TVTV$ (CD only)
15. Here Comes Santa’s Pussy – The Frogs (CD only)
16. Christmas Christmas – Mojo Nixon
17. Mr. Grinch – D.I.
18 White Christmas – Stiff Little Fingers
Choice tracks on the CD would have to be of course The Ramones, Mojo Nixon, and D.I. I originally bought this on cassette when I was 17 and played the hell out of it. It was not until a few years back at The Exchange (no way they would ever ever fire me on the day after x-mas) for $5.00. Worth every penny of it!
So check it out if you dare, or not.
There again if that is too much for you there is always Jingle Cats
In case you are wondering, yes I own this CD too. Well actually I took it away from my old co-workers at a certain little music store one year because they played it daily.
Just in case your sick sick mind wants to know what Jingle Cats sounds like I found a clip:
Coheed & Cambria Neverender Box Set
For all you Coheed & Cambria fans:
Neverender was the landmark event where for the first time ever, Coheed and Cambria performed all four of their concept albums in entirety over four nights. Now for the first time, you can re-witness this incredible journey through an amazing box set containing not only a DVD and audio CD of each night’s performance, but also a must-have photo book and documentary DVD that captures the journey leading to this spectacular event. In addition, the limited edition deluxe NEVERENDER: CHILDREN OF THE FENCE EDITION box set also contains a collectible dragonfly.
Set includes:
– 4 Live DVDS
– 4 Live CDs
– 1 Documentary DVD
– 10 x 10 hardcover photo book
– Custom metal dragonfly keepsake piece 7.5 x 5.5
Plus if you pre-order before 12-16-2008 your name will be printed in the special “Children Of The Fence” section of the book. If that is not enough, the first 3000 pre-ordered box sets will be signed by the band.
The box set is scheduled to be released on 03-03-2009.
I may have or may not have pre-ordered one… I am a pretty big fan of them you know…
…and for the record this is one performace I wished came a little closer to my home so I could have see it live in the flesh. I kick myself for not making arrangements to travel to see it. It is one of those one in a life time things I missed out on, but with good reason. I am a working man you know. I am just glad they are releasing the DVD so I can at least say I saw it, even it I was not there.
Tim Barry – Manchester – CD Review
What do you do when you wake up one day and find yourself a little older, a little wiser, and still broke, even after you spend most of your life fronting a punk rock band? Chances are, if you are like Tim Barry, you keep doing what you do when you can just so you can get by and love every minute of it. The Avail front man recently has released his third solo project titled Manchester
again on Suburban Home Records and I must say it is outstanding.
Tim Barry rubs off more as a folk singer on Manchester, even though he is mostly known for being part of one of the more important punk rock acts from the 1990s. Still touring with Avail but not as a fulltime gig, Tim Barry also performs on his own with family members and close friends. I still have yet to witness a live show and after listening to Manchester I really hope he comes to my neighborhood again.
Currently residing in Richmond, Virginia, the carefree musician has his day job, loves his beer, and continues his passion with music. With help from friends and family Tim Barry has recorded a personal album that displays his thoughts as well as encourages you to think for yourself.
Not knowing Tim Barry had a previous solo album this was the first time I heard him minus Avail and I had no idea what to expect. Opening track “Texas Cops” immediately perked my ears with a more personal track about the law, not missing home, and admitting that having a “bad time is better than no time any day”. This track really reminded me of Hank III with the tough lyrics and fun country twang.
“On And On” is not as fast paced as the first track, but more a slowed down folk hymn. I really could feel the emotion in this track. The backing music was just amazing as well complimenting Tim Barry’s gruff voice. “South Hill” was one of the few songs that I have heard where I actually got angry while listening. The track tells the tale of a young soldier thinking he is fighting the good fight, only to return home not knowing right from wrong. I seriously was angry with the outcome of this story turned song and it was not because Tim Barry sung his beliefs, he left that up to me.
The cover of Avail’s “This November” was just awesome and sounded just as good slowed down a tad with the same message, take a breath and deal. “Sagagity Gone” was fun jam about not caring what one more drink will do to you.
The album has its ups and downs midway through but Tim Barry really keeps up with his personal lyricism on all. In “Tile Work” Time Barry declares “consider where I been” possibly letting everyone know why he is the way he is. Slow jam “222” was very sad, yet passionate about not feeling alone, and was one of my preferred tracks on the disc.
For a guy who has been in the punk rock scene for years, it is great to see him continue even if it is a tad slowed down. Where I am a fan of Avail, I can say I am even a bigger fan of Tim Barry’s solo material. It strikes me stronger with his approach at life and personal battles.
With so many artists recording material on their own, some may say that this is a trend. For Tim Barry that is not the case at all as you can almost hear in each song that he is doing it for the sake of recording music, something you can tell he truly loves. His mix of punk and folk throughout really is appealing and begs to be played over and over again. The CD is genuine, honest, and a must have for any aging punker out there who is finally coming to terms with themselves that maybe it’s time to slow things down a little.
Want a taste of the CD?
If you really want to hear more proof why I love the CD so much, click on Manchester
Head over to his website for some more music and info: http://www.timbarryrva.com/
Deftones Bassist Chi Cheng Remains In Coma
Rough times still for the Deftones and their fans as it was announced recently on Deftones.com that Chi Cheng, bassist for the Deftones, remained in a coma after being involved in an accident November 3rd.
I found the following while checking out the Deftones’ blog:
Chi remains in a coma, and as of this morning there’s been no significant change in his condition. Last week he was moved out of the Intensive Care Unit and transferred to a brain rehabilitation hospital in Northern California. The hospital specializes in the care and management of traumatic and non-trauma related brain injuries with a team of highly skilled therapists, nurses and consultants. He’s in great hands.
It’s always tough to see a rock star involved in something so tragic. Not only is Chi Cheng a member of the very important heavy rock act, he is also involved in his community helping the homeless.
My thoughts go out to the big guy and his family.
The band’s sixth studio album titled Eros is set to be released early 2009.
For more updates on Chi check out the Deftones’ blog.