CONTINUUM..........the evolution........or a short account of an attack.....

Unable to sleep, i stepped out onto the front deck........i noticed how cool and clear the air was, wishing momentarily for a jacket, but too lazy to go back inside to retrieve it.......i made a quick inventory of my surroundings......the large moths splayed out against the side of the house beneath the porch light........the bat making wide arcs around the utility light in the yard....the emergence of the spiders in the cool march night(around here they nearly envelope the house in silk this time of year)......i have to brush away errant web from my face.....a pair of nightengales calling to each other through the woods........the halo around the moon.........

I lit a cigarette and tried to think.......many things on my mind that were keeping me from sleep.........dangling in front of me and cluttering up the works to ward off my fatigue.......my life was on the edge of great change.......a new job awaited in the wings.........and with it, a great many worries.........a great many things that could go wrong.........i was leaving behind the known and taking on new challenges........i was in no small amount of fear.........and no small amount of excitement..........this all added up to lots of anxious energy............and i could not lie still in bed.....so nicotine was in order.......

I pulled from the cigarette and felt a shiver rise up my spine like a virus......i noticed the air go still..........the nightengales went silent..........i looked up and the bat was no longer dive-bombing insects under the utility light......the moths were gone from beneath the porch lamp............

It was upon me in an instant.........before i realized the full weight of the beast, i was on the way to the floor of the deck,off balance.........it seemed a tornado of fur,fangs and claws.....a violence(as violence can so often seem)so sudden as to defy written description.........the air left my lungs as i hit the deck, the creature(dog,wolf,bear,pyschopath...i dunno) tore at my back.......i was now being savaged........white hot pain shot through my back and i was briefly aware of warm moisture running down my right side as flesh was ripped from my back above my shoulder blade......the growls drove me to panic as consciousness faded away to a pinpoint.........i remember thinking how heavy upon my back the weight of the attacker seemed and how fast it took me down..........it had cleared the railing of the deck without a sound.......and that was a good 16 foot vertical leap.......i thought........."the NBA could use this fucker".........and i was out..........

I awoke covered in the morning damp.....and loads of spiderweb.....my dog Mudd licking my face...........and despite the damage that should've been done to my body, i felt strong and good.........there was dried blood all about.........but all i could think about was going to Waffle House for a bloody steak dinner.........oh, i'd order the eggs to go with it of course...........but i was only gonna eat that steak...............


Rock it like you're posting your drafts.....mistakes be damned..........

Stak

IN KEEPING WITH THE THEME,WE'RE NOW SHAPESHIFTING.......or life in transition if you would........

I'm watching SOPHIA COPPELA'S MARIE ANTIONETTE tonight.........i have enjoyed to this point the juxtaposition of an 18th century period piece with 80's era underground music.....the SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES song HONG KONG GARDEN was especially tasty........

This all bodes well for me...........my past is mashing up with my present in delightful ways............i'm sure with far better outcomes than the be-headed cake eaters/wild eyed gambling pussy loving cocaine aristocrats..............

Here's what i know for sure.............

I've taken a new job............it has infinite possibilities for improvement of the organization as a whole...........it will benefit from my clinical experience.........it needs my desire to have at least one portion of my life organized on a seriously military level.............and it needs me to bring some joi de vivre................i'm bout to bring epic change.............and IT'S GONNA BE FUN!!!............

So let the loonies eat cake!!!!.........for now............because the stability of my expertise is about to bring them a balanced diet of red kool-aid.........we gonna rock on from this point...........with a seismic raise and a whole lotta love for my family...........btw.......HONG KONG GARDEN is based on 4ths thematically.........that's speaking in musical terms,yo............

Rock it like you're at peace.........Look to the swans.......

Stak

BIG HAIRY DREAM........or how i met a werewolf at age 6..........

This is a recollection of the thoughts of my mind at age 6........i cannot attest to the accuracy of said thoughts.........i only know that this freaking weird episode made a big impression on me and that the memory of these events has not left me all the way up until now...........having said that, you are all aware i'm sure how time colors memory.............but i swear that the basic story is true to actual events........details are another matter...........on with the story.......

When i was 6, it might be said that i had a fascination with classic horror films......i spent many weekend nights sitting up with my Grandma Lou(short for Louise) watching SHOCK THEATER or THE NIGHT STALKER...........for me, that shit was the height of entertainment......it moved me...........

One summer night that year i had a dream.........in the dream, i was at school, but it was night outside.......this made some sense to my first grade mind as schools at the time were so over-crowded locally that kids went to school in split shifts.........there were times when i it was getting dark outside when i got off the bus..........but i digress.......the point is i was out of school but out of place in a way(psycho-analyse me later)......i looked out the window and saw a white van.......the back doors opened and a werewolf waved to me........i was not afraid.....he seemed friendly and made me think of my dad

One point you must understand here is that fact that my mom and dad were divorced by now and i saw him on the occasional weekend..........i think i may have missed him alot..........

The werewolf from the white van waved for a bit then got back into the van and drove away............this is where things grow super fucking weird..........

I woke up..........but i wasn't in my own bed........i had sleep walked and was now in the bed with my sister(cool your fucking jets perverts.......6 years old,sickos)....i was a little confused for a moment and freaked out by the dream........as i pondered getting up and going back to my own bed, a very muscled and extremely hairy arm reached across my chest and began to shake me as if to wake me up...........this scared the shit out of me(especially after the dream)........so i played dead...........for a full five minutes the scary,hairy arm(i assume attached to the werewolf)tried to shake me awake..........i did not want to die so i waited it out.............after awhile, the scary,hairy entity left.........i got out of bed and snuck to the window only to see a white van driving away........

Completely freaked out, i ran to my mother's bed and asked whether someone had been out of bed besides me or had tried to wake me from my sister's bed........she said no...........

Years later, i came to live with my father.........at that time,he drove a white Ford Econoline..........

Make of this what you will...........

Stak

STEVE OVER AT THE SNEEZE REALLY OUTDID HIMSELF.........

Consider the cat orgasm............best post by Steve since "Steve,Don't Eat It".........




http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/000627.php


Go......Read.......

Stak

OKAY THIS IS JUST FLAT OUT AMAZING!!!!.........

While this guy states he plays neither the drums nor the piano, clearly he has a pretty good bit of musical intelligence.......i mean he would need it to bed able to put these sounds together into a meaningful musical statement,right?..........and the tune itself is catchy as can be.........i can't imagine how much time it took to edit this all together........





Rock it like an amateur.......with glee and reckless abandon.......

Stak

HAHAHA!........I LIED.........but i hung out with a rock star last night too..........

So i put myself under too much pressure apparently.....because i just don't wanna do what i said i'd do........i don't wanna tell you bout any of the stories i said i'd tell you about........but hey, it's my blog and i'll lie if i want to....lie if i want to......lie if i want to.........

On a different note, i hung out with JASON ISBELL from THE DRIVE BY TRUCKERS last night..........very easy going,approachable cat.......and his southern accent is as thick in his speech as it is when he sings............nice guy...........

Right now i'm watching the remake of CASINO ROYALE............and i'm inclined to think it is the most kick ass bond flick EVER............

Tonight imma rock out with THE DIRTY LEFT HAND...............

I just got a kick ass new job that i wanted badly.............and it comes with a raise the size of Alaska.................unhunh...............I am officially kicking ass and taking names...............go me!!!............go nursing career!!!.........

Rock it like a rock star........live like me...........

Stak

IN THE MEANTIME..........here's a piece....of something,i dunno what........

perhaps a bit pixilated here............some pen and ink stream of consciousness abstract masturbation............

Stak

I PROMISE..........IMMA GET A ROUND TUIT........

OKAY OKAY OKAY!!!!...........i have reports forthcoming.........and some good stories..........but first i gotta get past Augusta's best empty excuse to get blind running drunk...........unfortunately, i'm required to entertain on this occasion........so i don't get to be as dumbass retarded drunk as everyone else in the city..........i am however excited by the fact that AMERICAN SKIN is required to play some irish drinking songs Saturday night.......so we're covering "Kiss me I'm shit-faced"............can't beat it with a blarney stone..........

My recollections of one incredible show at THE SOUL BAR(last sat. night) and our celebration of my betrothal(is that a word?) to Trixie.......and our vertigo filled trip to the mountains...........and maybe my early childhood werewolf encounter for Rhi............i got those on tap, I SWEAR IT!!...........but i've been too busy to write lately............so i'll catch you all up in short order...........hold on to your panties,Rhi.............

Rock it like you are either busy or the world's greatest procastinator.........put that shit off!!!!..........go get yourselves a taco in the meantime............

Stak

THE ON DECK CIRCLE...........or quite simply, the previews.........

So i'm about to go away from computers and people other than my wife and blogitis and all that implies...........so i thought i'd list for you what's on my plate upon my return from vacation..........

1. a quick run-down of the big redneck party at the lake..........hopefully with incriminating photos of various public figures.......

2. a report from R&R land....or me bragging about how much better my week was than yours........

3. the possible childhood werewolf encounter encased in a dream trilogy.........

4. a report of the big JOE GRAVES AND THE DIRTY LEFT HAND show at THE SOUL BAR next weekend........

5. the story of my journey into Normaltown........or "Deliverance on a Big Ass Biscuit" if you will........

Rock your coming week like you were me............you know you wish you were,puddin'.....

Stak

LOUIE LOUIE..........OH OH........WE GOTTA GO!!!!........

i'm going on vacation...............i need a break..........not a bathroom break.......a REAL break.......imma sit in a hot tub in the mountains........imma sit in a sauna..........imma watch satellite TV whilst pleasantly sedated by adult beverages............imma do "It" about 3 times a day........this MUST happen..........but first, imma have a great big redneck party.......see you all on the other side.................

Rock it like you're going on vacation...........feel the tension drifting away...........


Stak

to quote Wilco........OKAY ALRIGHT OKAY ALRIGHT!!!..........

This is what my sunday evenings have been looking like lately..........and i curse the fucker that invented the mexican restaraunt........on sundays in the bible belt, they are one of the few places one can go to drink a beer.........here's the catch........the best deals on beer are 32oz mugs........after a few of those, the food is a complete afterthought.........the next time i have to crab-walk out of Teresa's, i'm swearing those places off forever.......anyhow........i got tagged by Rhi and i've been putting off responding, because i just don't like blog devices....to me they're like painting by numbers.........but i'll give Rhi the benefit of the doubt.........but i refuse to tag anyone else.........

1. Height?
I'm 5'6".......and there are those who say i have a Napolean complex.....frankly, i think i could beat Napolean to a bloody pulp then whiz all over his mangled body.......you know what?......those assholes who say i have a Napolean complex might be onto something.........

2. Have you ever smoked heroin?
What kind of fucked up question is that?........who thought up this frigging meme?..........and why would they expect an honest answer to this question?........oh yeah imma talk about my prodigious drug use so my momma can read all about it.......ooops......cough cough........nothing to see here......move along....

3. Do you own a gun?
Hell yes.........i live in Edgefield County,South Carolina......cept here we call em loaded burglar alarms.......and if you come in my house uninvited in the middle of the night, imma make multiple holes in you with my 30/30..........

4. Who would you let eat crackers in your bed?
Nobody eats in my bed but me.........did i say that?.......am i drunk again?......

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
No........i avoid doctors like the plague........and me an RN..........

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
to the tune of "Do Me Baby" by BELL BIV DEVOE.......i can eat em in the morning, i can eat em in the night........i aint scared.........

7. What’s your favorite Christmas song?
12 Bands of Christmas has really grown my appreciation for Christmas music.....my favorite.........probably "The Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas Medley" by THE HELLBLINKI SEXTET........i enjoyed working on that project.......

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Whiskey........straight........no chaser........

10. Is your bathroom clean?
Imma a musician......my wife is a musician......what do you think?......

9. Can you do push ups?
I can probably do about 50 in one go........i like to think the drumming keeps my upper body in shape........and the 12oz curls i do so often have to help as well......

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
I have a necklace beaded with tiny fired clay skulls that i bought from an artisan at Arts in The Heart several years ago.......

12. Do you like painkillers?
They make me pukey.........

13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
It's no secret......imma a musician......

14. Do you have A.D.D.?
To the hilt!........

15. What’s your name?
Stak........another stupid question.........

16. Middle Name?
Cheese and Crackers who cares?!?!.....

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
i hate memes.........can't wait for the party this weekend........can't wait to go on vacation........

18. Name the last 3 things you bought:
Supplies for the party(lots and lots of beer)
A pair of Doc Martens
a meal at Teresas


19. Who is your favorite visual artist?
I like Jason Engle and Brom......

20. You're stuck on an deserted island with two other people, who would you want to be stranded with?
my wife and Patterson Hood from THE DRIVE TRUCKERS........we could entertain ourselves by starting a band.........

21. You've won a major award and have thanked your family, who else would you thank?
you know the standards......Jesus Christ who gave me the talent and strength to overcome.......all my fans and e'rybody what bought my new joint......my posse.......and all dem muthafuckas in the AUG.........keep ya head up,ya heard.........WORD!!!.......

22. Current worry?
What?........me worry?.........

23. Current hate?
i hate haters.........dey always be sippin on the haterade, trying to crush my groove..........damn, when did i turn gangsta?......

24. Favorite place to be?
Close to my friends and family......otherwise i woulda left this town in my dust decades ago.........

25. How did you bring in the New year?
Well........Trixie's head hit the pillow around 10pm.........so my New Year's Eve was a non-event in the most true sense of the term.........

26. Where would you like to go?
I have always wanted to visit Spain........i dig that country's outlook on life......siesta in the middle of the day.....light supper after work.......off to the club............i especially dig the nap in the middle of the day part......

27. Do you own slippers?
Naw..........but i got two pairs of flip flops...........

28. What shirt are you wearing?
Plain white T-shirt........

29. Do you burn or tan?
Burn..........and who cares?........fucking retarded memes........

30. Favorite color(s)?
Green and black........black where clothing is concerned......

31. Would you be a pirate?
I played drums for THE HELLBLINKI SEXTET for about 3 years.........i AM a pirate.........now gimme your booty!!......

32. Are you gay?
Nope.......but this question is......

33. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I don't usually sing in the shower......but i'm a rock star in my truck.......

34. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
Werewolves..........i'll have to tell the whole story at a later date, but i had what my 7 year old mind believed was an encounter with a werewolf.......these days i have nighmares about squirrels.......God i hate squirrels.......

35. What’s in your pockets right now?
Lint..........

36. Where are you?
Off somewhere in my mind where i don't have to answer this stupid question......

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
The ones that said "Fuck memes" over and over again.........

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had?
As a toddler, my right leg caught on fire climbing up on the counter to get Flintstones vitamins in the middle of the night........i accidently started the stove top eye with my foot or something.........full thickness burn.........i still have a pretty significant scar........

39. You're on a trip around the world and have to select five landmarks to visit, what would you pick?
The Great Barrier Reef
The Amazon River(for fishing)
Your Momma's house
Bourbon Street.....went once pre-Katrina....great trip...
That's all i got.........

40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
One
41. Who is your loudest friend?
Probably my cousin Scott........after a few cocktails......

42. Who is your quietest friend?
No idea..........i don't roll with low talkers......

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
?

44. Do u wish on shooting stars?
Yes i do............

45. What is your favorite book?
Anything by Christopher Moore..........that guy has consistently kicked my ass since i started reading his books.......

46. What is your favorite candy?
Toblerone.......no contest......

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding?
We Won't Get Fooled Again by THE WHO.......

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
A recording i performed on maybe.........i don't know......

49. What were you doing at 12AM last night?
Running my wife out of the bed with my snoring........

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Oh shit!..........

There!!!!..........i did the stupid meme...........more posts to come on the big redneck party coming up this weekend...........

Rock it like a rapper........give those haters what for.........

Stak

STATUS UPDATICUS MACH TRES...........or how i'm avoiding responding to being tagged by Rhi........

Did i mention that i hate memes?...........anyway.........big brewins on the horizon here in Stakdilyicious land..........here at Mission HQ, we are immersed in plans for a big shindig honoring the fact that Trixie and I are married and haven't done anything to celebrate that fact yet............well, celebrate we will.........we're gonna have this huge,ridiculous,redneck party at our boating club up at Clarks Hill Lake(locals wouldn't be caught dead referring to it by the name Strom Thurmond Lake).....we hired a TREMENDOUS band by the name LOCH NESS JOHNNY from Columbia,SC.....they play that lovely hillbilly/celtic/folk/punk blend of music that gets everyone in the whole world dancing(except TUPAC fans....they don't dance, they just wave their gats from side to side while smoking a blunt)....on the food front, we're laying down a Low Country Boil(don't skimp on the crablegs......everybody loves those)..........and of course there will be ridiculous amounts of intoxicating beverages..........hence, there will be ridiculously enebriated people to make fun of.........it's gonna rock,good fashion.............wanna come?........sure you do......and you might...........did i say that?..........let me know.........

After that silly event, Trixie and i are off to the mountains to do absolutely nothing in a huge log cabin with a pool table,hot tub and satellite TV..........

Then we're gonna come back to Augusta to play a show at THE SOUL BAR(Sat. March 10th) with DISTAL and THE EMOTRON..........THE EMOTRON might set his junk on fire.......that's how his shows usually end anyhow..........

Rock it like you're a blacksmith........keep those irons in the fire............

Stak

BURN BABY BURN!!!.........or my interview with BRN BRN who's not a disco inferno......

So it's not often one has a world traveler in their livingroom..........tonight, i have just that........allow me to introduce Mr. Brian Smith......affectionately known as BRN BRN to his friends..........aside from being a charming boy, he's also a learned man who lives in a log cabin in South Cakkalacky, enjoying the benefits of exceptionally good taste in beer,music,the universe and everything........i just HAD to get this guy on record for all the world to see what a gift and curse retarded genius entails..........here's da intaview..........

S: You've travelled the world........which part has the shittiest food?

B: I'd say the worst is in some of the remoter areas here in the US. Nebraska and Iowa wore pretty thin. Gas stations and fast food places with no other choices to speak of. Too many gas station ham sandwiches. A whopper gets to be a treat after a while. buh.


S: Have you ever actually turned down a dish involving,say, penis of some kind?

B: Funny you mention that... I was on a trip in China and a bunch of us were eating at some Chinese restaurant, and the locals ordered a bunch of stuff, and there was this glass lazy susan where we spun all the food around for people to pick stuff off of. I ate some bacon looking stuff that wasn't too bad, and Mr. Wong perked up and asked "Oh, you like that?" I told him it wasn't too bad, and he says "Oh! That part of camel!" From that point on my friend Patricio kept trying to convice me that I'd eaten camel dick.

S: What do you think of the current state of affairs in the Augusta music scene?.........

B: There's so much that goes on that I never see. I don't get out so much. But I have seen some realy good shows here. There's a lot of groups that stick around here that I like.

S: Who's your favorite Augusta musician?..........Which Augusta band rocks the mostest?.........

B: The Philip Experience. 'My Baby's On Crack' and "I'm Gonna F You Up the A' are total crowd pleasers.

S: What movie would you say is best to share with a guest......unexpected or otherwise?.........

B: I'll get nailed for this form folks that know me, but I'd say Escanaba In Da Moonlight. Probabbly Jeff Daniels' best work. Quirky as hell but honest. A good gauge for what folks find funny or profound.

S: What's your idea of the perfect evening?........Does it involve sex?........Does it involve alcohol?........Does it involve music?.......do tell,whore........

B: First-date sex with my future ex-wife after a bonfire. With calypso music playing in the background. On absinthe.

S: Finally, give us your desert island list of must haves, music and otherwise......

B: James McMurtry, Voivod, Drum tobacco, Maker's Mark, Samuel Adams Oatmeal Stout, a magnifying glass, Scarlett Johansenn would be nice.

Unhunh!!!!!!............God bless his bursitis ridden elbow.............

Rock it like you got a genius passed out dead drunk on your couch tonight........fart on him while he's unconscious............

Stak

INVOKING THE MUSE........or the 4 beer buzz interview with Trixieipecac..........

What better to do on a Friday night whilst toting a mild buzz than interviewing the person you love the most in the world......so without further adieu........HEEEEERRRREEE'S TRIXIE!!!..........

S: So chica, what do your guts love the mostest?

T: besides your guts? fun, things that lead up to & have to do with fun. most of them can be found in a bar, like music, beer, pool, darts, & silly people. of course the most impotant thing you can't find in a bar: the little boy, the prettiest thing without teeth. P.S. the folks I refer to as the York St Crew, to name a few: Brian Smith, Furman Fowler, Philip Baldy, Patrick Arnold, George Morris, Amy Lane.

S: What's going on with your musical budding music career these days?

T: its getting better all the time, we're playing shows more often, the soonest one being march 10 at THE SOUL BAR, I have a couple of new songs in my back pocket that I can't wait to get started on. I'm also looking forward to working with Henry Wynn III(the newest member of JOE GRAVES AND THE DIRTY LEFT HAND). I'm sure he'll bring some excellent flavor to the group.

S: Who's rocking your mp3 player lately?

T: shuffle. I listened to the first straight through album today on it(a self titled record by an artist called Spot). He was one of or at least hung out with the crew that started SST. I saw him play with Mike Watt in 2001 then later found the record in Athens for $.99. I didn't like it at first then later fell in love with it, I get cravings for it from time to time.

S: Who makes you laugh like a hyaena huffing whip-its?

T: a cat(dude, whatever) named Patrick Arnold. a member of the York St crew, he likes to crack you up when you happen to be eating or drinking something, sometimes I think he's trying to kill me.

S: Which local band excites you the most currently?

T: Our band. Its the only one I get to see on a regular basis, plus I just like it the best. That's the great thing about making music, it fits your taste perfectly.

S: Who would you most like to share the stage with?

T: realistically or fantasically? r: HELLO LEFTY or maybe THE DECREPITS. f: THE BREEDERS or SONIC YOUTH.

S: Tell us about your favorite author?

T: right now I guess my favorite author is CHRISTOPHER MOORE. I've got a favorite that's only put out 3 books that I know of: PC Hodgell, but there's not much to tell there. Christopher Moore is just one of the funniest guys to tell stories about the supernatural, freaks, & general weirdness. He's taken the ball of yarn from Douglas Adams, Tom Robbins, Terry Pratchett & improved upon it. Great imagination & hip to the current crap to be hip to.

S: How is motherhood treating you thus far?

T: its easier than I thought it would be. I think it has something to do with the baby.

S: Is that boy really a "stink-bug" or is he just stinky?

T: well he's only got 2 legs so technically "bug" is just an affectionate second syllable to stink. Yes he does stink, but only for as long as I let him sit in his own feces. Which for the record is not long, I usually put him in his changing spot as soon as I hear the tell-tale pooping grunts, & let him finish up business & then I get that shit out of there ASAP!

S: You were nominated for favorite bassist and favorite local female at the recent LOKAL LOUDNESS CHOICE MUSIC AWARDS.........were you disappointed that you didn't win?

T: not so much, I was amazed I was even nominated in the 1st year that I've been playing. Other than being a barfly I didn't really know anyone knew who I was, I can thank Steven Uhles for including me in his "Women Who Rock" article. I was a little relieved that I didn't have to make a speech.

S: I've heard alot of folks say how much fun that evening is each year. What moment of this year's show was the most memorable to you?

T: When Stoney's wife & daughter professed their love for me in the bathroom, after they figured out who I was.

S: You were accused of being a chick who "rocks" by several people that night. What do you think that means?

T: "chick" meaning I have na-na instead of a pee-pee, & "rocks" meaning I got up on stage & played the bass the way they liked to hear it, & maybe they were a little drunk & so was I. I had great fun & was happy to see other people enjoying it too.

S: Finally, how do you see your life playing out, both in public and private life, over the coming year?

T: Honeybun, I can't see into the future, I'm just enjoying how great things are now. I tend to worry over silly stuff when I think of what might happen, so if I stay in the present I can't over-think my next move.

S: Thanks for giving me your time this evening,baby.........want another beer? maybe watch a movie?.........do it maybe?

T:tee-hee-hee!



Rock it like you're Bawbwa Wawtahs.........except without all thay crying foolishness....

Stak

OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT.......HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.......

PHOTO BLOG..........awards show pics courtesy of RHI.......

WELL HERE YA GO,THEN...........i'm like GW........

Because i won...............tons of folks bitch about the results of the LOKAL LOUDNESS CHOICE AWARDS....."it's a travesty that so and so didn't even get nominated"........."i voted for so and so at least a thousand times"...........WELL FUCK YOU TWICE WITHOUT LUBE,YO...............there were implications that the whole thing was rigged.........there were questions about the vote count.........people pissed and moaned that their FAVORITES were not even nominated...........i can't speak one way or another about that.........the voting process was IP autenticated......and while some hacks complained that there easy ways around that, i for one don't have the time, know how or inclination to fool with that mess.........i just don't care enough...........the honors are great......but i like to come by em honest.............that's why it was extremely redemptive when AMERICAN SKIN mowed over the highest voted act on our way to the AUGUSTA CHRONICLE SINGER-SONGWRITER championship...........that's saying something for a straight rock band rough around the edges..........

The local radio station took pains to report that AMERICAN SKIN was beat out for Favorite Local Band by THE EDISON PROJECT...........except they reported it as "Best Local Band"..............don't get me wrong........THE EDISON PROJECT straight up ripped shit up last night........they're an incredible live experience.......they've got the energy...........they're electric.......if i had one criticism, it would be the fact that(as the A&R reps are so fond of saying) I don't hear a hook.........HOWEVER............if the hosts of the local/regional radio hour felt compelled to mention us as being one upped by THE EDISON PROJECT, then AMERICAN SKIN must be doing something right............

So here's the breakdown...........


I got my props for favorite drummer..........truthfully, the other nominees are scary good............but the fact that this contest is based on favorites, it could be assumed that the winner has served the song the best in a percussion sense throughout the year........least i'd like to think so.........

AMERICAN SKIN won for favorite song with TOBE HOOPER.......that's the second time this song has gotten us recognition..........that's encouraging considering our songwriting has matured lightyears past this tune in the past year........

AMERICAN SKIN won for favorite new local band.........gee, why wasn't NOEL BROWN nominated in this category(inside joke.....really)........go figure.........

I'll take it.......and to those who complained about the results this year......GET THE VOTE OUT NEXT TIME............there were over 10,000 ballots cast this year.......that old internet is a big old world.........don't be a sore ass LOSER.........you didn't hear me bitch when i got beat out for favorite drummer last year,did you?.............i just took that shit as motivation and got to work making music in two bands...........imma keep working until i can no longer pick up a stick.....i love the creative process involved in playing original music......and imma keep helping to bring that big rock hook............haters be damned.......

Rock it like you won it.......because you did..........and don't give a damn about silly critics who complain because they have bruised egos..........they'd be bitching anyway..........

Stak

GET YOUR ROCK ON............or some music you might appreciate.........

Have a good weekend folks............imma rock out with my junk out.........

Stak

MIGHTY POWERFUL..............beauty in sadness.........

I don't buy as many new cd's by current artists anymore..........alot of what's being released these days sounds so repetitive and bland to me........i like the new stuff by SPARTA.........and i recently picked up a good record by a band called BRAND NEW..........but for the most part, i despise the nu metal crap on rock radio......and the stuff the kids are doing these days bewilders me(i must be getting old)......i mean, i have zero tolerance for some 115 lb twit screaming his lungs out over incessantly re-hashed pop-punk guitar riffs.....all while wearing his girlfriends jeans,a white belt,a t-shirt 3 sizes too small and eyeliner.......

Above is a pop-punk band that found the next level...........MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE has released a thing of beauty........channeling QUEEN they have realized one helluva concept album in THE BLACK PARADE.......the vocal melodies alone are worth the price of admission.........this record is smart.......very smart........and i highly recommend it........

I've heard tell that their original fanbase has been complaining that the band has abandoned them........idiots.........i know that for me, the music on this record has helped me get past some of my prejudices..........eyeliner's okay i guess....just rock the fuck out..............

enjoy the vid.............i think the song is just gorgeous........


Rock it like those MCR boys........haters be damned........

Stak

BRAGGING RIGHTS.............who's gonna get em this weekend?...........

Above are my two bands................top photo is JOE GRAVES AND THE DIRTY LEFT HAND............the other is AMERICAN SKIN..............both bands and certain personnel in them got nominated for numerous awards..............you see, here in Augusta, there is an online zine devoted to local music called LOKAL LOUDNESS............at the end of each year they open up voting for two months to select favorites in various categories................then in february they have a big show and pass out awards to all the winners.........it's great fun..........for some reason, when all the local musicians gather in one place, the vibe is just capital...........great feeling of comraderie.............the fact of the matter is we rarely get to see each other because all always off playing somewhere...........so it's nice to hang for a bit.............

At any rate, these are the categories in which we have a vested interest................

Favorite Drummer:ME

Favorite Bassist:my wife Tracy(DIRTY LEFT HAND)

Favorite Vocalist:Brian Panowich(AMERICAN SKIN)

Favorite Local Female:Tracy

Favorite New Band:AMERICAN SKIN and THE DIRTY LEFT HAND

Favorite Band:AMERICAN SKIN

Favorite Song:AMERICAN SKIN for TOBE HOOPER.........DLH for SAME OLD FABLE

Favorite CD:DLH for SAME OLD FOIBLES

The LOKAL LOUDNESS CHOICE AWARDS SHOW is this saturday night(2/10) at the back bar of 1102 DOWNTOWN...........it starts at 8pm..........both of my bands are playing the event along with other nominees............THE LIVINGROOM LEGENDS, THE JOSH PIERCE GROUP,ALLISON FOSTER, HELLO LEFTY and THE EDISON PROJECT............the doors open at 8pm..........

Judging by the list of nominations we racked up,we must have done something right this past year............it's been fun..............i hope we get a trophy or two........

Rock it like it's the Academy Awards and they really,really like you........thank 500 people in your acceptance speech............

Stak