My new zine is finally out! It's called Cat Plaza. Inside, you can find a short story that I wrote, music/ movie reviews, poetry, and all sorts of other stuff. Dude, it's like being in my head for a half-hour.
If you want a copy, contact me any way you know how. I'm selling them for a buck in person, but if you want me to send one in the mail, consider sending me $2. Yes, I'll put a copy aside for you if that's what you want.
Look at the cover!
I'm going to start work on #2 soon. If you want to submit something, get at me. Panther1215@hotmail.com. I'll take fiction, poetry, opinion pieces, record reviews, drawings, photographs, whatever. If your shit is good, I'll print it. Simple as that.
My band, Random Candy, just did a new EP called "Buddy, I Drove You Here." Andy Nelson at Bricktop recorded and mixed it in June 2009. You can download it for free by clicking on the link below.
When you go through your closet, and thinking about the day to come, choose to wear a shirt or sweatshirt with a band logo or image on it, you shoulder exciting and basically unspoken responsibilities to that band, that band’s fans, and music fans in general.You are obligated to talk about the band whenever another person approaches you with the intent to talk.
He or she (usually he) could say something as simple and harmless as dude, nice shirt.In this case, you ought to say thank you or hell yeah! depending on your mood.After all, the compliment-payer might be a norm, in which case he probably just likes the graphic or something.
In the event that the compliment-payer says great band, you should reciprocate with enthusiasm.In this case, hell yeah! is more acceptable than thank you.Frankly, thank you doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
It doesn’t happen a lot, except for maybe at shows, but when a person comes up to you and wants to strike up a conversation (or even a friendship) with your band shirt as the lead-in, you must have at least some opinion about the merits of that band’s work.It will usually go something like this:
Compliment-payer: Love the shirt, brah.What’s your favorite (let’s say) Saves the Day (but New Found Glory, Slayer, Nas, etc. would all work fine) record?
Well, well, well Wearer-of-band-shirts, the burden now rests with you.Tread lightly.
Answer #1:Through Being Cool, of course!
Analysis: Good answer.You stuck with a fan-favorite and older record, a good strategy with most bands.The compliment-payer should react positively, and if spirits have been served, you two might get involved in a wee sing-a-long.“Holly Hox” anyone?
Answer #2:I like the newer stuff a lot, maybe even more than the old stuff.
Analysis: Whoa, dude.You’ve just entered no man’s land.On the one hand, your loyalty to a great band is commendable.On the other hand, you’re wrong.If compliment-payer doesn’t clown you, you’re sure to hit it off.
The point is, don’t ignore someone if they like your shirt.This especially applies if the shirt is from an obscure band.Remember that music people are some of the best people out there.For every geek waiting in wings to discuss the American Nightmare demo, there are countless others who can get all-up-in-your-face, and guess what?They want to talk about The Fray.Be thankful that you’re in-the-know and you’re not alone.
Sincerely,
Cat “Why don’t you want to talk about the Descendents?” Plaza
Last year, I gave you some advice about how to spend your precious weekends in Chicago. This year, I have constructed a tidy list of dos and don't s to help make P4K extra special!
DO - See the National. They haven't put out a record in a long time, but this new video of a new song suggests that their new record will be more of the same. IOW, awesome.
DON'T - Wear jeans, long sleeves, carry an unnecessary umbrella, or act like the Coachella Wizard.
DON'T - Forget to drink water. Especially whilst under the influence of magical mushrooms.
DO - See Mew. Their record Frengers is seriously awesome. Here's an example. They will most likely kill it, as opposed to...
DON'T - See Japandroids or The Very Best when you could be watching the Thermals. You should probably skip The Walkmen, The Black Lips, Beirut, and basically every other band in order to watch the Flaming Lips, M83, and Vivian Girls. But wait, you're saying, doesn't Vivian Girls sound a lot like some of the aforementioned bands? Yes, they do, but this is my blog, and if you want to write about one of the other thousand garage revival bands out there, be my guest.
DO - Go to the first day. Obviously, it's going to be sweet.
Lollapalooza looks pretty dumb. Won't be going. It sucks to miss The Beastie Boys. How bad are Silversun Pickups and Thievery Corporation? Enough. Have fun.
P4k - July 17-19, Union Park, not a whole lot of money Lolla - August 7-9, Grant Park, a whole lot of money
In late 2008, Matt Pond PA released The Freeep. A free digital download from their website, the Freeep felt like a new page for the band. With three instrumental tracks/ nine tracks total, it's some of the best stuff they've put out in years. Some of these jams borrow from the post-rock annals, while others could have been released on any one of their last three pitchfork-hated albums. BTW, what's up with all the hate over there? What a bunch of dorks. Dude's need to step down and shelve their St. Vincent records indefinitely.
So it's summertime and you're laying out by the pool, the burgers are on the grill, cold ones are in the cooler, the wirly girlies are taking a dip, the ice cream man is coming, and everything is just perfect...except you got no tunes. Instead of reaching for your copy of Legend, you know, the one your mom scratched to hell, why not give Bunny Wailer a try? He jammed with the Wailers on their best records, and Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae is one hell of a solo effort. Think mid-80s synth/production mixed with classic 70s reggae, and bingo. Go out there and conquer, bitches.
I don't have a lot of knowledge of Japanese hardcore, but I know that Bastard's Wind of Pain is one of the best examples of it. Wind of Pain rages for its full duration (just under 17 minutes). My favorite parts include the first riff in "Never Change," the opening riff in "To the Stumped Underdogs," and the final minute of "Truth." Thanks to John from Weekend Nachos for turning me onto this awesome band. The first two songs posted from WN's new LP are on a total Bastard tip, so check those out. Hopefully, they play some Bastard covers in the future.
My new zine is finally out! It's called Cat Plaza. Inside, you can find a short story that I wrote, music/ movie reviews, poetry, and all sorts of other stuff. Dude, it's like being in my head for a half-hour.
