I'm Not Done with This Blackmore's Night thing

I just barely noticed this video and it is by far my favorite one so far!

Especially when Ritchie plays the electric parts on the lute or whatever stringed instrument he is tickling.

Do you love The Princess Bride as much as I do?

Ritchie Blackmore.

That seems to me to be the most appropriate place to start this wonderful journey. If you are like me, the name doesn't not ring much of a bell at first. What about the band Rainbow? No? That's fine... for now. But if you have ever claimed to be a metal-head or rocker while watching Bill & Ted's or playing RockBand or Guitar Hero with your hipster friends, this is a good place to start backing-up all your talk. Turn down your Bon Iver or Mates of State CD or push pause on your super niche Fiest album that makes you feel like such a trend-setter. Rock 101 is about to begin.

The video below is from Ritchie's latest project Blackmore's Night. Watch it. Now, before you start laughing, a little history on Mr. Blackmore's resumé.

Richard Hugh Blackmore was born 14 April 1945 in England. He was a founding member of both Deep Purple and Rainbow. Now Deep Purple need little in the way of introduction. But what some people don't know is that at one point or another, David Coverdale (Whitesnake) and Joe Satriani (Taught Satan himself the guitar) both served time in the band. Now not as many people have heard of the band Rainbow, but I'll tell you who has: Ronnie James Dio the alleged inventor of "The Slayer," (hand gesture made by making a fist, then raising your pointer-finger and pinkie) and front man of Black Sabbath. Last but not least, Ritchie was ranked number 55 on the list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Side note: He also won the Dave Boyd Chester the Molester Mustache Award for 2003-2006.

Guilty Pleasure Bands-I'm a bit ashamed of...

These are the bands that I rarely admit to liking. These are the bands that embarrass me every time they pop up on my shuffle in the car. These are the bands that I secretly enjoy when all the lights are down and nobody is around.

1. Nickleback- Need I say more? Yeah, I have a couple of their songs on my iTunes. And when I'm alone, I crank 'em up and I love it. I started with their first two albums back in 2001. I still like some of that stuff.

2. Static X- Nothing like a bit of Push It in the morning. Or a bit of Cannibal to break the ice on an awkward first date. Ha! Nobody that I am close friends with like Static X as much as I do, so I usually enjoy them when no one is looking.

3. Evanescence- I know, I know. But they are SO close to being good. I definitely had better luck enjoying them B4 I heard Lacuna Coil. Basically, Lacuna Coil is everything that Evanescence tries to be. But there are some times when a little Evanescence is the only thing that will cure my itch.

4. Fergie- I guess I am not THAT ashamed that I like Fergie. I am not bashful when it comes to declaring my love for her... just her music.

Bands that I USED to HATE

1. John Mayer- I hated that guy and his stupid "You're body is a Wonderland," song. Then I saw a live performance and found out how talented he is on the guitar. Now I dig 'em.

2. Incubus- "Pardon Me," was my worst enemy in the year of 2000. I would hear it everywhere and I thought it was stupid. Then my girlfriend at the time made me watch their DVD, and I was sold. S.C.I.E.N.C.E. is one of my favorite albums to sing or play the drums to.

3. Metallica- It was a very long time ago that I was riding in the car with my then Foster-Brother Mike. I was in 5th grade it think. Mike was listening to Metallica and I was so pissed! I thought it was "devil-music." Mike, I was young and stupid. Now I'm older, and stupid... and past Metallica and on to Killswitch.

4. Godsmack- I'm still tempted to hate them, and when asked, I hesitate when saying that I enjoy a handful of their songs. What got me interested in them? I watched a few videos online of their drummer Shannon Larkin. That guys plays like his life depends on it. I respect the hell out of that.

5. Hoobastank- I still hate these guys from time to time. But once upon a time, a roomie of mine bought a new ipod and used MY computer to load it up with his CDs. Hoobastank was one of them and I was slightly intrigued. I definitely like these guys the most when I am locked in the drum room with the black lights on. Pretty fun stuff to play to.

6. Rage Against the Machine- You couldn't pay me enough to listen to them in high school. I actually didn't ever get into them until Audioslave came around. I loved Audioslave and couldn't find enough of their music to make me happy so I went back to RATM and found a bunch of songs I really like.

7. Journey- I still only have their Greatest Hits album, but I wouldn't even have that if it weren't for the show they played with Def Leppard in about 2007. I was definitely there to see Def Leppard rip it up and figured I'd just go a bit late to miss Journey's set. I wasn't late enough and caught the last 2/3 of their show. They blew me away! I had no Idea how talented Neal Schon is. I love him now.

8. Radiohead- I have no excuse. I was just a dummy. All I really knew was Creep. I still don't really like that song.

9. Maroon 5- I just really love jamming on the drums to these guys! Great beats.

10. Nirvana- I still hate Nirvana. Overrated and dumb. I love Dave Grohl though.

Been Sick! :(

Back from Mexico... But Sick as a dog! I'll be posting some pics from the trip here Very Soon. And hopefully back to normal.

OUTTA TOWN! Again!

Try not to take it too hard. I'm sure there will be plenty of other things going on this weekend.

I'm headed to Mexico for the Weekend. I'll be back on Monday July 20th. Lot's to look forward to.

Love ya! Hugs and Kisses!

15 songs that Turn Me On in 15 seconds or LESS!

TMI you say? You'll live. And you will hold the key to happiness. And if you ever use this information against me... you will be punished.

1. Fleetwood Mac- Little Lies

2. Sade- Cherry Pie

3. George Michael- Careless Whisper

4. David Bowie- As The World Falls Down (Labyrinth-Masquerade Scene)

5. Enigma- Sadness

6. Chris Issac- Wicked Games

7. P.M. Dawn- Set Adrift On Memory Bliss

8. Duran Duran- Come Undone

9. Sade- No Ordinary Love

10. Slaughter- Fly to the Angels

11. Saigon Kick- Love Is On The Way (underrated one-hit wonder)

12. Def Leppard- Love Bites

13. Boy George And Culture Club- The Crying Game (Don't think about it too much)

14. Mr. Mister- Take These Broken Wings

15. Limahl- The Neverending Story Theme Song

Lock the doors, Draw the curtains, Get into the Tub with a Roast Beef Sandy and Enjoy.

Good... Not Great: Within Tempation

I have tried to get into Within Temptation for quite a while but I had a hard time finding anything that I was REALLY excited about. Until... This song. Pretty good. Not my favorite. But worth a listen. Then, I stumbled upon Within Temptation's "Black Symphony," and fell in love with the track: Overture (Live). The rest is okay.

Anyway. This is a decent song with a decent video. So, enjoy.

My Drum Cover #2 -NIN

Rock Bottom- Motivational Thinking

Just when you start to feel like things couldn't be any worse, one of your friends takes a picture of you like this little gem. Go ahead and take a second to process some of the details. For instance, I am on a school bus. Note the way I greedily clutch the pizza box to my body as I snore a bit and begin to spill my soda on the seat. Keep your chin up. No matter how bad things get... it's probably worse than you think.

Jenny Lewis/ Bon Iver Show @ the Gallivan

I think this picture of Josh and Co. says it all. Now I knew from the beginning that this was not my "style" of music. And to tell you the truth, I was VERY impressed by Jenny Lewis' performance. Lots of talent and energy. But Bon Iver was Bo-ring for me. And it's not like I can't appreciate slower more mellow music. I LOVE Brandi Carlile, David Gilmour and Faunts. So, I left and got sushi. Just look at the expressions on their faces! They are children for crying out loud!

This is a picture of my view for a majority of the show. Bear in mind that I was standing on a 6-8 inch concrete step at this point. So, this guy is pretty tall. I should have been flattered that he insisted on standing directly in front of me instead of even a couple inches to either side. There is something about the shape of this head that calls for punching.
If I had a penny for ever v-neck in this crowd I'd buy myself the most tricked out PT Cruiser on the block! Nice kids, and while they might smell better than the crowd at Cruefest (arguably) this is definitely not my crowd. As I had imagined from the beginning, the highlight of the event was spending time with my good friends and seeing some that I don't get to see very often. All in all, fun night.

More Band Name Ideas:

1. Varicose Vain

2. Outercourse (tribute to Provo kids)

3. Dangling Baby (tribute to Michael Jackson)

4. Mountain Earring (Mountaineering? get it?)

5. Fleshy Anvil

6. Massacre-few

7. Wizdumb

8. Stones to Follow

Have a safe weekend.

Apparently this video is blocked in Some Countries-

So Be Grateful.

Just decided where I want to be married!

Check this place out! Are you kidding me?

The Sedlec Ossuary is a small Christian chapel, located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints in Sedlec, a suburb of Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic. The ossuary contains approximately 40,000 human skeletons which have been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel.

You Remind me of the Babe!

If you love the Labyrinth... and I know you do. Then sit back, Forget about the Baby, and enjoy this most triumphant video.

Bear with me... I actually do throw some real drum fills in at about 1:05, 2:06, 2:25 and 4:00.

Blind Guardian- Another Stranger Me

This is definitely a new sound for Blind Guardian who is usually considered a Speed/Power Metal band. There is something about this video that I kind dig. I've watched it like 7 times now! Haha.

My Summer Playlist: Rock & Hair Metal

This is a list of some of my favorite summer time Rock tunes:

1. Summer Nights- Van Halen

2. Lonely is the Night- Billy Squier

3. Coming Home- Cinderella

4. Heart of Sould- The Cult

5. Photograph- Def Leppard

6. Just Like Paradise- David Lee Roth

7. Hole Hearted- Extreme

8. Last Mile- Cinderella

9. Home Is Where the Heart Is- Firehouse

10. Paradise City- Guns 'n Roses

11. Down on Me- Jackyl

12. She Sells Sanctuary- The Cult

13. I Pledge Allegiance to the State of Rock n' Roll- Kiss

14. River of Love- Lynch Mob

15. Mama, I'm Coming Home- Ozzy Osbourne

16. Trying to Make a Living- Firehouse

17. Dance- Ratt

18. Where Eagles Fly- Sammy Hagar

19. Tease Me, Please Me- Scorpions

20. I Remember You- Skid Row

21. Yesterdays- Guns 'n Roses

22. Gettin' Better- Tesla

23. Dance the Night Away- Van Halen

24. Feels So Good- Van Halen

25. Rock 'n Roll Overdose- Kix

If you are looking for some new music or just to relive some great memories, this playlist should help out a bit. You'll find some forgotten favorites and maybe some new ones!

Sushi and Jazz!!! Great night!

I was invited out to sushi night with my friend Vince. Several others cam along and we headed out to Naked Fish sushi on 100 south in Salt Lake. Food was good but I was surrounded by so many attractive women that I would have enjoyed eating the shag rug from my parents room. It's a real cool place and I'll go back for sure.

Next, we stepped next door to a little place called "Speakeasy." I fell in love instantly. Live jazz music on Thursday nights! They have a small patio out back that is perfect for transitioning a lovely lady from the more noisy main floor into a more intimate place to take care of business. The look and feel of the place is clearly in a 1920's vein. The bartender wears a cap and suspenders. It's just dark and warm enough that it kind of reminded me a bit of the red light district in New Orleans. I can't wait to go back asap! I loved the look and feel of the place from top to bottom! Seriously, I could spend hours just sitting back and taking it in.

Pardon the Departure- I'm in a mood

Myself and many of my close friends have spent considerable time in Brazil. Specifically, some of us had the pleasure of living in Rio De Janeiro. I will never be the same. There is something about Rio. It's in the food, the juice, the air, colors, sounds, sunrises, sunsets, and if you don't know what I am talking about, the MUSIC will take you there. At least partially. It's magic... seriously. It will literally possess you. Right now, I'm feeling a bit sentimental and I miss Rio more than all my married ex-girlfriends combined. For those who may not have the opportunity to experience Rio in the next years... this one is for you.