Lunch Time Perfection – A Tutorial

I received a lot of positive feedback from my “Walk With Me” blog post so here is another installment. Instead of walking, we’re eating. And instead of idly standing by and watching, you can participate. Follow these easy steps to the best in brown bag lunching.

Start with your basic ingredients. This is really all you need to have the top of the tops.

The first step is pretty freaking easy. Just slap two slices of bread on your napkin or plate. Go with wheat. Don’t skimp here. Don’t even fool around with wonderbread.

Then slap some peanut butter on BOTH pieces. I like Teddie brand. Unsalted, crunchy or smooth is fine by me. My recommendation is to spread a lot of peanut butter on one and just a little bit on the other piece. It’s important to have peanut butter on both slices in order to seal the next ingredient in place. You don’t want these bad boys sliding around.

Now peel that banana.

And cut in half.

Then cut those halves lengthwise. Now you’ve got quarters.

Then place the banana quarters on one slice of bread. Make sure to squeeze them all on there. Spoon them in nice and tight.

Press those slices together…

… And you’ve got yourself a freaking sandwich!

Add that Cherry Coke Zero, and go to town. One of my favorite lunches. Get into it.

Let’s Go For A Walk …

The last time I tried this, my co-worker rolled up in his brand new BMW M3. So let’s try this again. We’re walking, we’re walking.

It’s still summer at my work. Otherwise, that fountain in the background would be shut down and drained. Summer rules! Never mind those fall flowers they just installed. Still summer, folks!

The weather was kind of sucky today so I had to hustle my way down the street. I play that game sometimes, “Can I walk there and back before it rains?” I haven’t lost yet, knock on wood!

In case of fire, hang out near this red poll.

In the background, you can see my mall. It’s aight. I hang there a lot. Plenty of walking at lunch right through the heart of it. Nice floral arrangement in the foreground too.

At this point during my walk, someone usually stops to ask for directions to either a) the lahey clinic or b ) the marriott. No directions given this time. Also note the sign about fire lanes and handicap parking. There are definitely no fire lanes marked on the street, and there are definitely no road side handicap parking spots. Why is that sign there? No friggin clue.

Almost there. If I walk alone, I cut through that triangle thing. If I’m walking with co-workers, I’ll hit up the crosswalks. They aren’t so quick with heads on swivels and usually make comments about getting run over. No one needs that.

Stopping at the red light so I don’t get run over. Those are my sneakers. I’m bored while waiting for that red light. Must get across the street, must not get run over.

Oh shit. I’m there! You thought I was going to D’Angelo, didn’t you? Hahah.

One amusing story. While I was in the Starbucks, the barista manager kept waving my cup around and saying “how much? How much?” I had no friggin idea what she was talking about. Then I realized she was talking to two regulars sitting at the table behind the bar. Apparently they have been trying to track down a cup like that for months without luck. Not for sale. Sorry dudes.

Good walk. Now I’m chilling. Peace.

Radio Silence

Do you remember how excited you were when rumors started leaking about Blush’s American Hardcore book? I know I was pretty amped. But then I got it, and realized it was written by this farty old man who had no friggin clue what was going on in the scene (or world, for that matter) anymore. It was page after page of drivel, really. Some cool facts but not what I had dreamt it was going to be.

Radio Silence is the antithesis of that book. Instead of page after page chock full of bummer stories about hardcore dying in 84, Radio Silence features over 500 pages of rich pictures that will capture your imagination. It’ll probably also capture a piece of your bank account as you scour ebay for that elusive object from your past.

Also of noteworthy importance, AP isn’t a farty old dude. Not even a little. In fact, he still attends shows, puts out records and owes me an In My Eyes shirt or two (heheheh). He also realizes that hardcore is alive and kicking. Radio Silence doesn’t attempt to eulogize hardcore, but it does do a fair job of cataloging some awesome moments in time.

Head over to amazon and pick yours up today! They’ve already started shipping so don’t delay. Also, keep tabs on their website as they’ve been announcing release parties and gallery openings. It’s the real deal, yo!

Stefan Sonic x The Collection Space …

Stefan Sonic has seen it and done that. He’s been collecting since before you were born. While I was collecting matchbox cars, he was collecting Misfits singles. His Cough/Cool was certainly more awesome than my 82 Trans Am miatchbox. He probably never played his Cough/Cool while singing Michael Jackson Beat It ,though. Maybe you’ll get lucky. His daughter is probably going to attend college in a few years. Maybe you can score some gems. But don’t expect any bargains, his collection is way ABOVE the dollar bin. Read up and learn more … then go visit his collection on thecollectionspace.com

Yo dude, how’s your edge?

My edge is excellent. I got it back in 1998. Before that I was not so straight edge…

I began donating blood that year, and never looked back. I am a frequent blood donor. A healthy person can donate blood every 8 weeks (56 days). I try to spread the word to who ever will listen. My wife always donated, but I couldn’t then, but I sure do now, and I’m back on track and strong for the last 10 years. I have donated over 60 times since. It’s 1 pint each time for whole blood. Do the math on how many gallons I’ve given…

How and when did you get into hardcore? Metal head, skate punk, a cool neighbor …

I got into hardcore because it really was a progression from punk. I had always like rock music ever since I was just a kid. I bought my first record album in 1974, was influenced by my father, he was always playing music around the house. When disco hit in 1977 I was one of those kids who wore a disco sucks t shirt to school, and I was sent home because of it. From liking Elton John and Wings in 1976, I went to Kiss and Led Zeppelin in 1977, then at the end of the 70’s discovered Bowie, Sex Pistols, Clash, and the CBGB scene: Johnny Thunders, Ramones, Plasmatics, etc. Through 1983 I broadened to the west coast bands like Flipper, X, The Go-Go’s, and Dead Kennedys, and some UK goth bands that began as punk bands: Siouxsie, Joy Division/New Order, Human League, and Lords Of The New Church. In 1984 when New York punk band Kraut disbanded and reformed as Cro-Mags, the sound was a little too metal for me, and I fell out of the New York scene. However, I did go see 2 memorable shows at The Rock Hotel in NYC: G.B.H. / Murphy’s Law, and Toxic Reasons/T.S.O.L. At one of those I met Ray Beez, very big very scary looking guy, didn’t know until later that he would reach icon status. Rest In Peace Ray. Thanks for your contribution to NYHC.

How involved are you in your local scene now? What local bands do you wish were getting more recognition currently?

Unfortunately I am not involved in my local scene at all. Having a full time job and a family really doesn’t give me too much spare time. There is a small scene currently with bands like Billy Club Sandwich, Four In The Chamber, Step 2 Far, Maximum Penalty, but I prefer the current scene in Baltimore with such bands as Pulling Teeth and Ruiner. Being friends with the guys in these bands helps my involvement a lot. I could live without the 3 hour drive down there from Brooklyn every time there’s a show there.

Break down your current top 5s (some stumpers here!):

I can’t say that I have one favourite EP or LP, but I will try to answer each entry by bands I listened to the most during that time frame: Basically I get to listen to music when I go to the gym for a 60 minute aerobic work out on an elliptical machine. I bring one of my favourite compact discs down with me, put on a pair of headphones, and just concentrate on the music. The top 5 album cd’s I usually bring with me are: Heartbreakers “LAMF”, Plasmatics “New Hope For The Wretched”, Sex Pistols “Never Mind The Bollocks”, Pulling Teeth “Martyr Immortal”, Slumlords “On The Stremph”.

Releases ’84-87: During this time in my life I was greatly into Siouxsie & The Banshees, Jesus & Mary Chain, New Order, The Mission, and Gene Loves Jezebel.

Releases ’91-98: This was a very dark time for me in my life. I had fallen out of music once my daughter was born in 1993, and my work situation was on a downward spiral. I took a 2nd job in a record shop, and one day some Skrewdriver records showed up. I got into that type of music because at the time I had not heard anything like that, and the music just moved me like nothing else within the last 10 years. I actually had a small cd distro going which helped me get by financially for a while. I kind of went off the right track, people make mistakes sometimes, we’re only human…

Releases ’02-07: I got out of that whole other scene I was into, thankfully, got a real job, and picked myself back up on my feet. Currently, besides all the old bands listed above I now listen to Slumlords, Pulling Teeth, Iron Age, Mind Eraser, and Cold World.

Let’s discuss your collection: When and how did your collection begin?

I bought my first rock album at age 11, in 1974 (do the math for my current age = old) It was Greatest Hits by Elton John. I was influenced by my father, he was always playing music around the house when I was young. I have since inherited his vinyl albums and my mother’s singles from the 1950’s. There was a Bill Haley “Rock Around The Clock” in that box! I am still buying records to this very day. I try to buy with my head and not over it since I have a daughter who is about to enter 10th grade, and looking at New York University as a college of choice. So I either have to start saving and buy less, or begin to liquidate to help fund her education. Although I think I’m safe because I have a financially practical wife. I’m one lucky guy.

Estimate if necessary, what is the size of your collection?

I don’t know if it’s necessary to estimate the size of my collection, but I would think I have between 3000 and 4000 different pieces of vinyl within the walls of my little 4 room apartment.

What is your favorite piece?

All of my records are my favourite pieces! Though I must say one of my favourite pieces is a UK promo 12″ single by Sisters Of Mercy titled Lucretia My Reflection. I absolutely love the Sisters. This record was a gift to me from a dude named Simon Waterman from Surrey, England. I met him through correspondence in a UK magazine titled Record Collector. Before we were married, my wife and I took a trip to London in July 1987, took a box of records along to trade, made some trades, bought some stuff, and one day made a side trip to Surrey to meet him in person. I have since lost contact with him, but thank him for this item. It comes in an embossed snakeskin sleeve and is a black label promo (test press?) and has no indication on it whatsoever as to what it is.

My other most favourite pieces have to be without question a bunch of acetates recently acquired by The Plasmatics. 9 X 7″ single acetates of individual songs from The New Hope For The Wretched LP and 8 X 10″ single acetates of individual songs from the Coup d’Etat LP.

What is your most limited piece?

My most limited piece has to be any of the many pressing plant mix ups I am fortunate enough to own, leave it to Musicol to not clean out their vats after they do a pressing. Any of the Dead By 23 swirls is rare, then I have some test presses that are limited to 12…I also have a (Johnny Thunders & The) Heartbreakers withdrawn single on Track Records UK titled It’s Not Enough b/w Let Go with a picture sleeve. I have a German Sex Pistols Anarchy In The UK, but that has since been reissued (thanks Germany), another prize possession I have is a US Test Press for Sex Pistols Never Mind The Bollocks LP. Then the acetates mentioned above.

Which would you guess is the most valuable (ebay standards)?

My most valuable record in my collection has to be either the Youth Of Today “Can’t Close My Eyes” orange vinyl 7″ with Batman Stamps /100, or a Warzone “Lower East Side Crew” clear vinyl 7″, probably both can fetch $750 each. For the record, let it be known that I used to own every original single by The Misfits, with the exception of NOTLD. I had a Cough/Cool, and I also had a Nirvana “Love Buzz”, so either one of those would have been my most valuable record. But who would have known those titles would have blown up so much? They have been traded away long before they exploded as they did…

Funny story about how I got my Youth Of Today single on orange: Remember my trip to England in July 1987? Well, John DeSalvo, bassist of legendary CBGB NYC band The Tuff Darts, who works in Bleeker Bob’s Golden Oldies Record Shop, asked me to get him a few things while I was there. He asked for shaped picture discs, and anything I could get by Skrewdriver. Now mind you I had not heard of Skrewdriver to this point, so I had no idea what I was in for when I went around London record shops asking for Skrewdriver. I found one shop that had their first single and their first LP. When I brought those back to John at the record shop, he quickly handed me a Minor Threat “Filler” single with the green cover, mint as could be (ask Sean O’Donnell of Youngblood Records because he now has that record because I traded it to him, but have since replaced it), and a Youth Of Today on orange vinyl with batman stamped blank white B side label and batman stamped dust sleeve. Only problem was there was no cover. John told me to come back in one week because the dudes who made these records were going to bring the covers in at a later time. I went back every week for a month, and the covers never showed up. Some years later, the same Youth Of Today single was hanging on the wall; I told John to let me have the cover. I took it across the street and made a Xerox copy for myself. So I actually have the right record without a batman stamped cover. It’s always something with Revelation…

Tell one funny story involving tracking down that one “crucial last item” as part of your collection. What piece was the hardest to get?

The hardest pieces to get in my collection were all Sonic Youth items. One would think that their items would be easily available in New York City since they are from New York City. Finding these few rarities proved to be extremely difficult for me. I began collecting SY in 1990 (a bit late I admit), learned of their back catalogue, and began searching. Locating their 1st single, which is actually not even their 1st release, proved difficult. It’s a record on the Forced Exposure label, which is also a fanzine. 1246 copies made, and I finally had to beg a fellow record store employee to sell me his copy. I have since seen the record at WFMU record shows, and on ebay for a lot less than what I paid. I even scored a test press of this record (see my entry at thecollectionspace.com). I had doubts about the test press’ authenticity once I got it, but the etchings on both records are identical, so if it is a bootleg, then it’s a damn good one…

Another early release by SY is the “Flower” b/w “Halloween” single. There is one 7″ version and four 12″ versions. The 7″ version I got through the Usenet SY news group, before there was ebay. Funny thing is that the person who sold it to me was Barry Henssler, singer for the Necros. I sent him a personal check and he cashed it, obviously, somewhere I have his cancelled check with his “autograph” on the back! Two of the 12″ singles were readily available: a gold vinyl UK version, and a black vinyl US version. However, there is a 12″ version supposedly withdrawn by SY: the B side is titled “Satan Is Boring” which is basically just 15 minutes of noise recorded live in Europe in 1985. Unhappy with this version, it was withdrawn. Next is a single sided 12″ of the first mix for the song “Halloween” and the B side has etching by Savage Pencil. There are supposed to be 100 made signed and numbered by Pencil. I have # 75/100 signed, and I have one unsigned. How many are there out there unsigned? I’ll never know…I wound up finding both of these one day apart in 1999, one in a used bin at Second Coming Records in NYC, and one by mail order from London, took me 9 years to find the 2 most rarest records by them.

The other hard to find record comes courtesy of my friend John DeSalvo from Bleeker Bob’s Golden Oldies record shop in New York City. Continuing from the above story about my trip to London, he asked for a picture disc of a girl in an SS uniform. He said if you find me this record you can have anything in the store! The record in question is by a German techno/disco outfit called Ryker, the song was called Funkmeister. I couldn’t find it on the London trip. He still said if you can find me one, you can still have anything you want in the store. Well, 10 years went by, online came along, Usenet newsgroups found me someone who had it. Got it, brought it in, he told me he had just gotten one like
the previous week. I hadn’t told him I was getting it because I wanted it to be a surprise. I was crushed. I still have the record.


Front


Back

What (if anything) else do you collect? Do all of your collections get equal love, or is one definitely your “first love?”

I also collect books by the author Dean Koontz. I really like his stories. I have many first edition books by him, some personally signed to me, Stefan Sonic, very early science fiction paperbacks, and even almost every book he’s written under pen names. It’s impossible to get every book ever because books are printed so many times, at least in paperback, it doesn’t pay to get the same book just for a different cover. Wait, look who is talking: the multiple collector, me. See books are cool, but records are cooler. I always say once you get a book you can’t even read it because once you crack the spine the book is worthless, so it just sits on a shelf. But with a record, you can “hang out” with a record. You put it on your turntable, it plays, you mosh around to the music, you play air guitar, bass, and drums, you sing at the top of your lungs when no one else is around, you look at the insert and read along to the lyrics. You can’t do that with a book, especially a book made by Charnel House, look them up, their books are hand made, and crazily priced, but to some it’s worth it, I’m not rich enough.

Thanks for taking time for this interview. Any closing shout outs, words of positivity or parting shots?

You are very welcome. The first thing I want to say is thank you for wanting to interview me. I am very flattered that you asked to interview me; no one’s ever done that before. I am very happy to have been able to share some stories and share my photos with you. Thanks to my wife for putting up with me, and not throwing me out of the house and not putting me in divorce court. Thanks to the labels I currently collect and to the dudes who run them: Dom Romeo at A389, Sean O’Donnell at Youngblood, Alex DiMatessa at Grave Mistake, and Mike Riley at Firestarter and Toxic Pop. Thanks to whomever I’ve met at shows and whomever I’ve traded with on How’s Your Edge; you are all listed on the top of my page! Words of positivity: never think you won’t get that item that you really want: I always wanted a God Save The Queen by Sex Pistols on A&M. When I saw one in 1981 for $1000, I was just a kid in high school and couldn’t afford it then. Since their reunion in 1996, it has now skyrocketed to over g-d knows how much and certainly can’t afford it, but did get a test press for NMTB. Had they not reunited, maybe their image would have diminished and I would be able to afford it now. I have parting shots to 3 labels I used to collect, they know who they are, but my wife says I should not mention that here…

Introducing – The Collection Space

Over the years, How’s Your Edge? has grown and shifted focus a few times. We’ve always been about shirts and trading, but some of you may recall a certain notorious list. Some things have changed and those changes reflect my life and the needs of the scene. Over the last few years, I’ve seen a surge in swap lists and a larger desire to see collection based content.

Obviously, swap is king, but people LOVE looking at collections! At this point, I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome a new friend to the family, thecollectionspace.com. Their purpose is to host and display all your favorite collections — from records to shirts to kidrobot toys to … you name it! And the beautiful part? I don’t have to do all the leg work. Previously, dudes would email me their pics, and I would have to upload and tag them all. Thanks to the cspace, you can do all that yourself! Instead of me misnaming shirts, you can feel free to go buck wild on your descriptions. They also have a great tagging and search feature in case you forgot where you saw that Release Windbreaker!

So starting today and here on out, I will be forwarding all collection requests over to thecollectionspace.com. But that doesn’t mean your affiliation with How’s Your Edge? has to stop there. Hell no. Make sure to tag any of your images with the key phrase “How’s Your Edge?” And then BOOM, check it!.

To coincide with this introduction, I’m also starting a new, regular feature. Each week, I plan on interviewing a How’s Your Edge? collection contributor. Same run down as most of my interviews, even if you aren’t edge (psssshhhhhh)! All you have to do to be considered is add the tag “How’s Your Edge?” to your pictures. I’ll then pick a user and interview from there.

In fact, head over to the interviews section RIGHT NOW to see the first installment! After you finish reading that, head over to thecollectionspace.com and start uploading your own collections! While you are there, check out all of my collections.

PS. You’ll notice a lot of friendly faces behind the scenes at the cspace. Namely, Mr. Chris Casali. You may all remember him as an original How’s Your Edge? co-founder. You may also recognize a fellow Murphy name. That’d be my wife. And even if I didn’t love these individuals to death, I would still send all of you over there because their site is killer.

Hardcore "Must" Reads …

Before REALLY starting my day, I like to catch up on what’s going on with my friends and hardcore. Here is my list for daily must reads. Of course, I have a few other gems, but you’ll have to find them on your own.

First up is Dobek’s blog. This guy is a NBG (name brand geezer). He lived in Poland, then in the UK and now in Japan. Over the years, him and I have traded a bunch of gems. He’s got a lot of cool shit to say, and for a point and click kind of guy, his photos always seem to capture moments well. Give him a shot.

Next on the docket is another foreign blog. This one coming from the UK and the record archive of Marcus Andrews. His record collection is astounding and his thoughts on most vinyl usually has me laughing. I have even used his site as a pretty good recommendation guide for music. He doesn’t often miss.

Once again, we have another NBD. Larry Ransom. This guy … this guy. Yeah. Dude is ill. When he’s not posting ill videos of Youth Of Today or “The Archive,” he’s posting ill photos and video of Mike V or Tom Green. Definitely worth bookmarking. It also makes me wish there was a Jersey Mike’s in the northeast!

Double Cross Webzine is a daily no brainer. For anyone who loves minutia and well written details about shows and hardcore, this is your site! Tim and Gordo somehow manage to interview everyone worth hearing from. Your mind will be blown reading some of these posts. NYHC to So Cal to even Arizona. Who knew?

To round it out, there is the Livewire Records board. I start the day and end the day on this board. You can usually find at least 4-5 interesting stories or some crazy obscure video or mp3 upload by Ben Alvie. So many gems on this board through out the years. Definitely well worth reading.

There you have it. The “Must Reads.” Get digging. Also, feel free to point some other great daily readers my way. I’m always down to read up.

Shoot outs to Jay Bil, Kevin Ma, MorGODo, Klint, Cris-One, Adam, …

Apologies …

I need to apologize for neglecting all my people. I have updates to post, but I’ve been hella busy. For the last month, I’ve been working Saturdays and at least 50 hour weeks. And then for the last week and a half, I’ve been driving into Cambridge every morning for 7am (leaving my house around 6am) and then leaving at 7pm and arriving home for 8pm — long days certainly. So I apologize, I apologize.

Here’s a story from my morning that I found heart warming. Yeah, I’m turning mushy in my old age.

I’ve been driving into Cambridge early in order to beat traffic. Most mornings, I arrive before 7am. But testing doesn’t begin until 8:30. So that gives me some time to walk around Cambridge. Some mornings, I sit on a bench and people watch. This morning, I walked down to the Cambridge Bike Store and back. Lots of fixed gear bikes up in there, including the Obey X Fuji fixed gear. Looked weird in person.

After that, I walked back to the Clear Conscience Cafe (part of the Harvest Market) which had just opened. They guy behind the counter and I were discussing my hard plastic Starbucks cup. He was angered by Starbucks practices, but like me, was truly amazed by the cup. Great cup. In his amazement, he ended up pouring me a hot americano even though I specified iced.

At this point, an older Cambridge native was in line behind me. He had a pretty long beard, was pushing 60 years old and looked like he spent a lot of time reading novels by Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre. The counter guy apologized for pouring me the wrong drink and was going to pour it out for himself. The older gent behind me asked what it was. Realizing it was exactly what he was going to order, he told the guy to pour it out for him. The counter guy said it was on the house. I then ordered 2 vegan scones. One for me, one for the older gent.

Needless to say, the older guy was truly amazed. He was a little confused, but I gladly and willingly offered him a scone. So he got a free americano and a scone. He commented on how everyone was so generous today. I told him to pay it forward and at that exact moment, I think his eyes got misty. It was like his faith in human kind was restored.

He then went on to tell me how he was going to visit his daughter today, and he was sure it was going to be a great day. It started off so nicely that I have to agree with him. Today is a good day. Life is good. Enjoy it. Peace.

The First Step Last Show …

It’s a sad day in hardcore. The First Step is hanging up their boots. As one of the bands who carried the straight edge flag through the early 2000s, their presence will be sorely missed.

Be at their last show. Don’t miss this one. Show them how grateful you are for carrying that torch.

THE FIRST STEP LAST SHOW

September 6th 2008
Championship Records
52 Rear Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
http://www.championshippa.com/
7pm

THE FIRST STEP
Get The Most
Hostage Calm
Mindset
+more TBA

http://www.thejourneyofathousandmiles.com
http://www.myspace.com/thefirststep

Ur Moshin.

Shout outs to Steb, Aaron, Aram, Greg, Fred and the huge cast of characters that made that band what they are today. Peace.

Cosmic Balance

Today was, without a doubt, a shitty day. The weather sucked, my alarm going off at 5:15am sucked, my one day weekend sucked, … lots of things sucked. Highest on the sucking meter was working from 8:30am until nearly 8pm. That’s just not cool. Especially when I leave my driveway at 7:20am and pull back in at 8:30pm. Just not cool. Things just felt off all day long. And I don’t know why.

Then I come home to find an empty house. Actually, two sleeping dogs and a noisy bird. But I also come home to a package from a friend. Earlier in the week, he told me to watch my mailbox as he was sending me something. He also didn’t mention what was in the package. Just said to keep an eye out. Well, today, it arrived.

That’s right. Homeboy sent me a Bane tshirt. And not just any Bane tshirt. The first WHITE Bane tshirt the band ever made. And shockingly, this one is STILL white, despite being 9 years old. This shirt is fucking cool, in my book. I’m planning on enjoying the hell out of it. The note was pretty amusing too.

Mr. Murphy
Hope this finds you well. Consider this a gift. No, it’s not Anthrax or a trip back in time to the Anthrax, nor a show featuring Scott Ian’s Anthrax. I know you’ll appreciate it. But as the ol Godfather saying goes, “one day, you may be called on to repay this favor.” HAHA, seriously man, enjoy!
Stay True”

So there you have it. A cool free shirt, and an uplifting note. My chi and all that shit is now realigned.