The Fire Still Burns – Keeping Hope Alive – Blackout Records 081 – 2005

I recall seeing The Fire Still Burns play with Bold at their first reunion show circa early 2005. At the time, I was surely perplexed how this unknown band (at least to me) got on such a killer show. After watching their set and seeing the 6 kids who were really into it, I basically wrote off the band. The music didn’t grab me; I didn’t feel the need to hear more.

Fast forward 6 months or so. I get a CDep in the mail. Straight from Invisible Youth PR. I had received the follow up to their demo. 6 fresh tracks recorded at the Big Blue Meenie studios. It’s hard to mess up that track record.

I popped in the cd and was really impressed with the first track. The second track too. It was like taking Good Riddance, adding Lifetime, and heaping on a ton of rock n roll soul. Imagine if The Enkindels (not Enkindel, but rather The Enkindels) hadn’t broken up and released an EP in 2005. This is probably what it would have sounded like. My only beef is that the third through sixth song sound like rehashes of the first two songs. I understand that is how punk rock goes, but if I’m listening to something with pop, it better have hooks. I don’t think I can honestly tell the difference between the tracks, even after a few listens.

Regardless, the next time I get the chance to see this outfit, I’ll be paying more attention. I may not be the guy in the front row singing along SUPER loudly, but I’ll be paying attention.

Wow, this article speaks to me …

They’re young, smart, brash. They may wear flip-flops to the office or listen to iPods at their desk. They want to work, but they don’t want work to be their life.

Read the rest in this article.

Let me just say, this article speaks to me. Seriously, that has me written all over it. Well, minus the flip-flops. I did think about trying to get away with wearing blue Nike Wovens, though.

That’s work appropriate, right?

Benefit for the Team Neale group + Bane pre release vinyl = Awesome Times!

Ok, here is the deal. Bane vinyl is in, but the boys are leaving for Europe on Sunday. When they get back, expect a record release show for the vinyl. However, you can be the first kid on your block to own the vinyl. One complete set (3 factory sealed lps) will be auctioned off benefiting the Team Neale charity. You may recall that Steve left us a few years back. He also left two awesome kids who need to survive and go to college. You can help by bidding on this vinyl. For now, all you get is a teaser pic. Expect the auction to go live on ebay before the end of the weekend. The auction will last 7 days, so you’ll have plenty of time to bid. Remember, all the money raised is going to charity so bid hard. Now for the pic.

note: The ebay auction will have non teaser pics and will contain the exact pressing information.

Overheard in New York City

A thugged out girl tests all of her ring tones as loud as possible for a solid minute.

Preppy girl: Are you serious with that? Can you do everyone a favor and stop?

Thug girl: I know you’re not talking to me. You messed with the wrong girl.

Preppy girl: I’m sorry, I can’t hear you. Your screaming phone made me deaf.

Thug girl: I’ll f her up. But then she’ll call the cops; her people love the cops. Go back to where you came from!

Preppy girl: I’m trying to. That’s why I’m on the train, you stupid bitch. Look, you got a new cell phone and that’s great, but figure it out at home.

Thug girl: I’ll f you up. You’re f-ing with the wrong girl. Don’t be fooled by the pretty face.

Preppy girl: Pretty face? Where?

–N train

For more like that, check the site, Overheard in New York.

Guns N Rosa Parks – Antifreeze EP

A few things:

1. These dudes are from Fort Collins, CO. That’s where my boy Rod is living now. That dude is cool. And he says his city is rad. Lots of outdoorsy shit. That’s cool in my book.

2. The note that came with the EP is perfect. I will quote it exactly (spelling and grammar included) and not say another word about it.

DUDE!
HOW'S YOUR EDGE!
OUR'S IS FUCKED!
PLEASE REVIEW US THOUGH -
WE'LL SEND YOU A CHAIN CREW
7"
  AWESOME
   THANKS
    LOVE
    GNRP

3. Rosa Parks passed away just two days ago. Seems a little eerie to me.

4. They cover a Mental Abuse song.

5. The album is 22 minutes and change but has 18 songs. That I love.

6. There is a song called, “Ballad of C.R.” I really hope that is a reference to the PA band.

7. They also have songs called “I Hate Assholes” and “Fuck You, Dude.”

Fast, thrashing hardcore. Get into it.

You can check their shit online at MySpace or the official web site.

Wow, Steven Seagal, hire somebody professional …

I’m not sure, so correct me if I’m wrong on my Steven Seagal facts.

a) has starred in a ton of high grossing action films.

b) is a ninja.

c) doesn’t spend his money on hookers or blow.

d) thinks it is 1996.

Summary: can afford a professional web designer. Please view the site if you want to cringe or have a flashback to the days of pages viewed on the Mosaic browser. Hell, I suck at web design, and I’m positive that I could do a better job. I would at least make it appear to be a 2005 job rather than a 1995 job.