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.

Bitchin' Band Name Ideas: (I don't think they've been taken)

Devil's Lantern

Kicking Against the Pricks

Cereal Killers

Collars What You Will

Bridle Your Passions

Mother's Milk

Cousin's Lips

Widow's Lover

The Bishop Ricks

Scripture Mastery

Police Officers+Segway Scooters=Gimme a F*$@ing Break

Look, this is not a COMPLETELY terrible idea. But is this really

where my tax money goes ?($7,900 each) Oh what? They are

using STIMULUS money for these? Magic money. Oh, OK.

Nevermind then. My bad.

(I thought stimulus money was supposed to create jobs)

"It's just another tool in the tool box."- Gary -Segway of Utah.

I couldn't have said it better myself Gary! ha ha

I will NEVER name my baby...

Braxton

Braden

Weston

Connor

Skyler

Jaxon

Jayden

Braken

Akon

Britton

Cholera

Ashley

I WILL name my baby:

Sebastian

Lucian

Atreyu

I LOVED this performance!

Thanks Adam for this submission! This performance gave me so many ideas and busted me out of a creative rut! This is what drums are all about. Great performance. Check it out.

OUTTA TOWN!

I'm on my way to a weekend of river rafting! Should be fun! Gone till Saturday June 27th! Laters!

KISS Tribute show Thursday Night in Ogden!!

Kamikaze's- Corner of Adam's ave. and 24th in Ogden!

Kiss tribute show- $7 doors @ 8pm. Thursday June 25th.

NEW DREAM THEATER!!! This just in! Latest Video!

Whoa! Talk about a CURVEBALL at about 1:22-Threshold

Not too shabby!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Nelson Twins-Matthew & Gunnar

Some of my favorite words

Libation.

Wasatch.

Insatiable.

Cusp.

Relinquish.

Enriched.

Quench.

Calabash.

Pernicious.

Apple-bottom Jeans.

"Indie" rock and "Record Labels"- Some Clarification

I have had some EXCELLENT response to the last post about the "Performance Tax," as well as plenty of questions. First off, the post in question was admittedly broad in some of its statements and makes some significant generalizations for the sake of brevity. Second, while I am in complete opposition to the performance tax (although it's not like commercial radio is without its flaws as well), I not only recognize, but also respect the need for artists to be able to create but then to protect and control the distribution of their work. That is why I am writing this post. To clear a few things up...

It all begins with whose side you are on. If you are for the artists, then the good news is that it has never been easier to create success as an independent musician! The "gate-keepers" to distribution and "middle-men" are fading away. Opportunities that once belonged only to deep pockets are now available to anyone with the drive to do all the work themselves that until now, was done by the major labels.

Major Record labels are not all inherently EVIL. In fact, several larger labels are proactive, innovative and forward-thinking. If not for their expertise and leverage, we may not have had moments in time like Led Zepplin or AC/DC Live At Donington. If not for his patron, Tchaikovsky wouldn't have given us the Nutcracker. But, the game has changed... the power has shifted and it is hard to argue that the needs and wants of the artist and their audience at large are best served by major record labels anymore.

"The system, which used to be closed off, is now wide open for anyone who wants to participate. The traditional players in the music industry were like tollbooth operators, and the price of admission was your music. Now, you don't have to ask anyone's permission, and the cost is minimal."-The Indie Band Survival Guide pp. 1.

It is also important to recognize that most of these discussions are in reference to "major" record labels as opposed to "indie" labels or just record labels in general. But I'll tell you RIGHT NOW that most of the labels you think are "indie" may have at one point been but, due to the structure of the industry, were probably forced at some point to sell themselves to the BIG BOYS. For real, I can't tell you how many times I have been sure that a label is "indie" only to find that, on the brink of extinction, Warner Music Group scooped them up. These days, major labels have teams of experts doing whatever it takes to look as "indie" as possible. But, among the thistles, there are innumerable indie labels and bands that are innovative, honest and have creativity and art in their hearts and priorities.

I guess that it really just depends on what it is that you are looking for. Many bands and musicians will only ever feel like they've succeeded if they are opening for Brittney Spears and on the top of the "Billboard" charts. Or for others, the true mark of success is getting "signed." That is fine. There is nothing wrong with that... seriously (Most of my favorite bands are). AS LONG AS YOU UNDERSTAND THE PRICE. First, do yourself a HUGE favor and read "The Problem With Music," by Steve Albini HERE. It may be a rude awakening for you. BUT, the good news is that once you get past the fear that: you can't do it without them and their money- you will see that the forecast for indie music is not only bright, but in many ways BETTER than any contract they may try to sell you. We will definitely continue to discuss this topic as well as other related topics in future posts, but for now, consider the following examples:

How many times during your younger years would you parents enforce their policies with the phrase: "While you are under MY roof..."? Lots? Enough that you'll hear it in TV, movies and other popular media until the end of the world. Why? Because that is how it works. When you rely on someone for something you couldn't or didn't provide for yourself, they are entitled to a certain amount of control over you. And if you step out of line, there is the very real possibility that they will take it away.

What about this picture? You are recently married. Your parents are of a more humble background while your spouse's family is significantly wealthier. Rather than starting from scratch, you opt for the assistance of their family. Their parents end up providing you both with your first car and perhaps even a house. Often times they do this because their son or daughter (your spouse) is their little angel and deserves the best. You feel at times that you have "stolen" their precious angel and wonder if they will ever really find you worthy. Driving their car and living in their house, you wonder what it would have felt like to have started your own life with your spouse in your own house (while perhaps much less extravagant). Well, you better believe that come holiday time, or naming the baby time that many important decisions are frustratingly out of your hands. You find yourself longing to establish some boundaries and declare your independence. (Maybe not! Maybe everyone is always on the same page and you are living the dream.)

Well, if you think that working to be worthy of the attention of major labels to someday be chosen for their money and power (what a weird way to look at it!) is any easier... you're wrong. If you're "lucky," they may invite you to their party... but the price of admission is: your music, creative control and the rights to copy and distribution FOREVER. Ever heard of Courtney Love? She said: "The band owns none of its work... they can pay the mortgage forever but they'll never own the house."

This involves all of us! Including YOU! Performance tax

I am so sick of stuff like this!!!!

Get the facts HERE: http://www.noperformancetax.org/issue.asp

I am tired of old industries refusing to fully adapt to their changing markets! This is their JOB! We pay them to stay on top of their game. You wonder if the Major Record Labels are outdated? They are still called "RECORD" labels for crying out loud! Now that the rules have changed, they cry fowl and want government money!!!! Enough is enough.

Not unlike some auto-makers, some major record labels have refused to accept that things have changed. What WE want and how we get it is not up to them anymore. In the past, those with the most money and power decided who got played on the radio and who was 'popular.' Indie bands could never have afforded to record and distribute their own albums. They would never be able to afford to pay radio stations tens of thousands of $$$$ to play their music. And without the funds to tour, no one outside of their home town would ever know that they existed! So, deep pockets would choose which bands deserved to record, tour and get played on the radio. Anyone else that was not 'chosen' by record companies was forgotten.

Now WE decided who we want to hear. With the advent of the internet we listen to whoever WE want, whenever WE want. The cost of recording has come WAY down and distribution is free! ANYONE can post their music or videos on myspace or youtube. Which means that bands who could have never toured in the past ARE touring any time anyone clicks their music or video online! A guy in his basement in Farmington, Utah is being noticed by people in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I know because they have emailed me! And as far as record sales, most would rather buy 2 or 3 songs on iTunes than purchase the whole album on a CD. Any band can upload their music to iTunes and distribute it themselves.

The execs have lost control, and rather than adapt to the needs and wants of their customers, some major record companies want to continue doing everything on their terms at their price.

How? They want to TAX the radio stations that are playing THIER music! Gimme a Break!

It's called: "Performance Tax."

Quick Economics lesson: IF you want to discourage something: TAX it. If you want to encourage something: Subsidize it. Why would Record labels want to TAX their distributors?

What is a performance tax?
A performance tax is a fee that record labels want the government to impose on local radio stations simply for airing music free of charge for listeners.

In recent years, the record labels have seen sales of albums decline as more listeners opt for digital downloads. However, radio remains the number one promotional vehicle for music – it’s not responsible for the label’s resistance to the digital age, and it shouldn’t be on the hook to fix it. Radio already provides between $1.5 to $2.4 billion dollars annually in music sales for artists and record labels. By pushing a tax on local radio, record labels are biting the hand that feeds them.

-taken from the website: NoPerformanceTax.org.

Get all the info HERE. The SITE is awesome. It won't take long... but it involves all of us!