A couple pics from the latest Mexico Trip

So, from time to time I have the opportunity to join my friends of The Kaiizen Foundation for a road-trip down to Baja, Mexico to visit a local orphanage to hang with the kids and do some work. It's a great time and I usually come back a slightly less selfish and possibly, a slightly better person. Needless to say 17 hours straight in a car listening to the latest round of hipster-approved "underground" music that nobody knows about (except everyone that has ever seen an iPod commercial in the last 5 years), can take it's toll on a metalhead. But, I am quick to recognize that I am probably the only one in the car who wants to listen to Hotwire by Kix. So, I just wait till everyone is asleep to satisfy my rock-tooth.

This is called my favorite thing ever! Tacos al pastor with a Mexican Coke. It really doesn't get any better than this. I am a virgin so I can say that with the utmost sincerity.

This is just one of the kids at the orphanage that, for his age, can hand me my a$$ on a platter on the drums. Haha for real, these kids are pretty solid. Not to mention this kids grasp of self-branding. Enough to make Gene Simmons grin.

It gets hot on the way down. But it's nothing a little My Girls by Animal Collective can't cure (please kill me know).

Last but certainly not least. A rousing game of guess what just smacked the windshield. Heather won this round cause she had the best view. It was, at one point, a bird. So...

Your Mission: DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW! It's FREE!

While I made my regular stop by Lacuna Coil's official website, I checked the tour dates, and to my dismay, the closest they would be coming to Salt Lake City was their show at the House of Blues in Vegas (Would be such a cool place to see them). So, I resigned myself to the thought that I would have to got another couple years without ever seeing Lacuna Coil in concert. Now, just so that we are all on the same page, I LOVE Lacuna Coil. They are not in my Top 10... but definitely Top 25.

Well... Dare To Dream! Lacuna Coil is coming to Salt Lake City! AND... It's FREE! Yeah, I know! This next Wednesday August 12th, at the Gallivan Center. Now, most of my closest friends are not Metal Heads, and do not enjoy the same music that I do (but some do... the awesome ones do). They prefer the Regina Spektor and Imogen Heap (more like EMOgen Heap) to Black Label Society and Sevendust. That's fine. But, I think it is fair to say that all my friends that don't love metal DO love Depeche Mode... right? Nod your heads. Yeah, everybody who wants to be considered cool by the hipster royalty will at least claim to like Depeche Mode. Well here is a great opportunity to expand your horizons. Or, if you are awesome, and you already like Lacuna Coil... See you at the Show! Ladies and Gentlemen... Lacuna Coil's cover of the Depeche Mode classic "Enjoy the Silence." Pretty Damn Good if you ask me.

Running Up That Hill- Metal meets the O.C.

If you are like me, you couldn't help but feel the raw emotion during the final season of The O.C. when Ryan, after Marissa's death, was FORCED to engage in the dark and violent cage-fighting underworld of Newport. If you did, you may also remember the song that was playing during that sequence. I remember it. And, I remember thinking to myself: "that's a cool song." Well, it is. And, while the original version is by Kate Bush, there are quite a few covers of it. My favorite is the "Placebo" version.

I found this version intriguing simply because it is by Gothic Metal band "Within Temptation." Not my favorite band in the world, but pretty good. As far as this version/video... when it fired up, right out of the gate I was thinking: "this really sucks." But, I kept watching. And now, after watching it 5-6 times, my conclusion is that it's walks very close to the edge of sucking... but it doesn't fall off. I dunno. I think it's an interesting take and is not the worst ever. I actually kinda dig it. And, I'm going to give "Within Temptation" the benefit of the doubt and assume that they have already thought of most of the criticisms I may come up with. I am also assuming that this version is exactly what they wanted it to be. In that case, if every aspect of this song is intentional and they liked it that way, it's interesting to get a peak into their style and interpretation of this song... blah blah blah... watch the video.

Great Local Band! Radio Rhythm Makers! Loved this show!

These guys put on a great show! Check 'em out if you ever get the chance!

Whoa! When did Saruman the White Join a Band?

If you are awesome, then you love LoTR and Metal and anything pertaining to Wizards and Druids... and you are probably Single. Which is great! That means you have time to read my blog and watch this video!

Hold on my magical/social recluse friend! You are 41 seconds away from the answer to your pagan prayers! Metal+Saruman plus Weird Al Yankovic Hair cuts= What I did this Saturday night...

Go Ahead... drink it In...

It's too bad that Tenacious D can write better music as a total joke, than some bands can on their best day! Ladies and Gentleman... The Greatest Band in the World:

(*Warning* This video is not for children and does contain Rock and Roll)

Need a Band Name?

If you are looking for a band name, help yourself to these. All I ask: please tell me about your band so I can brag about naming it. This is from a list that I am keeping on my iPhone that I update any time the muses choose to bless me with inspiration:

1. Happens Dance (say it fast)

2. Shardines

3. Spoon Shank

4. The Dick Taters

5. Mayonasia

6. Pimp's Armoire (Not mine... thanks Zack)

7. Elixr Pump

8. Swoobs (Thank you Trixy for showing me the meaning of life)

There you go kids... go at it. Reach for the stars and have a safe weekend!

Is this real?

If this is real, it makes me want to punch kittens in the face. I consider watching this, the closest I have come to a near death experience. After my seizure settled down, I decided to share this with all of you. Enjoy?

Uh...

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.