Friends, sorry for the inactivity here. As you may know, APril is hard at work at Columbia University so BLX is down.
Im slowly working on a new band entitled: THE DAMN LOW. More on that to follow once we get our touring legs etc.
THE DAMN LOW song titles:
Big Intro
Hush Hush Hush
The Devils In The House Tonight
My Shotguns Loaded
Untitled
Untitled
Untitled
Big Outro
Busted (cover. also done by J. Cash and R. Charles)
THE DAMN LOW:
AP Schroder: Vox and guitar
Steve Hash: Drums and Vox
There is some serious talk about doing the first DL show in Greenpoint Bklyn for new years eve. Once all of this is firm ill surely post it and move on to more formal promotional avenues.
Doing touring and recording bands is some weird business. Ive personally got about a half dozen releases under my belt, and roughly 3 worn the fuck out vans in the grave yard somewhere that got me to this point. I guess the cool point of my lineage so far is that I have never had to put a down payment on any of the vans that I have travelled in. Ha. Fuck it. AND all the people that did put the payment in on the van(s) are now retired of touring bands. Go figure.
I take a moment to say thanks to you guys. Thanks for putting up with my stilted optamistic late night drives and and my persuasive booking endeavours... all be it super fucking risky and rambunctious, we had a rad time, and some of us got out alive. (there is stuff here i wont type b/c of the code of the road).
Looking on tho, fair reader, I tread much lighter in my musical quest lately. If we show up late to a rehearsal i wont fret out loud. I may even cancel a rehearsal b/c i got a case of camo high life at my feet.
Lately I am not the once militant young man band leader i once was. This is a new approach. It will be fun, in fact it already is fun as hell.
FOR THE FANS OF BLX: I AM GOING TO KEEP WRITING HERE, MEMOIRS OF LIFE IN NYC AND NEW BANDS... there will however, be a THE DAMN LOW BLOG ETC going up but with little to no text, so keep coming back here if you care about my late night rants etc.
BLAH BLAH BLAH i might know of a few people that read this blog, and a few subscribers. Thanks. It is a late night here in BKLYN and I am all alone w nothing but a 30 pack of beer. Its really not so bad.
Moving on...
APril and I had a great career as BLX. We recently got a letter from Jello Biafra telling us to "not give up". Ha. That says it all I think. One of the first great shows I remember with April was at Devils Point in Portland where we opened for some strippers. It was funny b/c at the time i wasnt involved romantically with her and honestly having strippers flaunt in front of us, as band members, was kind of strange. At that point I wouldnt let myself think of April that way. This show happened at the end of a west coast tour and we were on our way back up to Seattle. Back then we toured the west coast every 3 months or so. It was pretty ambitious.
Back in those days it was super fun to do BLX b/c to me, i was just practicing for all of The Building Press tours that were happening. I really enjoyed those early days with BLX. Also, APril was so focused on the songs she had written for BLX that I couldnt refuse any idea she had. It was pretty special.
The spirit that April has about her music is the only thing that keeps me moving in the whole BLX realm. I have always loved to watch her sing, especially when I am playing guitar.
I remember answering an ad she put up in the stranger (a seattle weekly paper) asking for a 2nd guitarist.
Well, I made contact with her and met her for the first time at a little coffee shop out in front of the old BLX rehersal space, the named "the chop house". She was sitting outside, all golden and glowing..with a coffee and her guitar case propped up against the buillding waiting for me. Nice.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
30 pack
Summer is fucking brutalizing me here folks. Swelter, sultry, un-relenting, bullshitted-ness. There is nothing like a NYC summer. Sure, I have never been to Vietnam, or say, Alaska, but this is one for the ages.
The funny thing about the NYC summer, to me (its my fucking blog here anyway), is that most of the businesses etc are hot inside. The A/C doesnt work, and when one inquires as to why this fucking A/C dont work you always get the same half assed "it`s working, cant you feel it?" or, my personal favorite, "if It is turned down any lower it will freeze up because it is so powerful".
I stand in awe of these people`s responses. They probably dont know any better.
I was raised by good, honest, hard working folks that finished the job that they started and stood by the finished job/task what have you. This is sadly missing amongst most of the work force here in NYC proper.
So, following the example of the very hard working folks and relatives I have in the great state of Montana (people who finish the shit they start and stand by their work), I have begun carrying around a COOLER FULL OF ICE FUCKING COLD BEER....to help me through this trying time. Fuck it, I`ll just be numb through the rest of the season. You can call me a pussy or whatever, but i bet you wont to my face. AND, in the same breath you will probably ask me for a cold one. See how you are? See how I am? Mates!!
This shit, however, doesnt seem to have any affect on Chaz or Wednesday (my cats). Actually they WANT to go outside into this swelter. I have tried explaining to them that once you go out there, inevitably, you will have to find a gainful employment...as this has been my experience.
Bah, fuck it.
So, in music news as it affects me, and I affect it, I have been writing a shit ton. Lots of new BLX songs in the toaster (so to speak heh), and an overload running off into a new project I am slowly starting up. You see kids, i have this sort of time to do 2ish bands. Working a fuck ton here to compensate for the outrageous fucking rent prices in this recession (really?), i still have time to make way fucking more. Everything always starts as a hobby to me and then I turn it into a fucking revolutionary and soulful career. Thats what you get for being born under a bad sign I guess. Actually I know NOTHING about the zodiac or anything. So never listen to me about that sort of thing. But keep reading.
I played through a JCM 800 the other night and I FUCKING HATED IT!!! Slick gain british tone but I couldnt pull a good tone out of it to save my ass. Never been a fan of this amp. AC/DC et al always sounded great through it, but me, never. I even brought out some modded OD pedals, both re-issue and vintage but still I couldnt work through it. I dug deeper into the cooler of beer. Ill take a minute and dig right now. Where are you?
Im waiting for this supposed storm thats supposed to happen here today. They said it was supposed to happen yesterday, but still I wait. There is this cold front that is provoking it. The pressure is killing me.
I finished this great book "The Worst Hard Time", by Timothy Egan. I really enjoyed it. Super depressing stories about the "dirty 30`s" dust bowl era etc. It kind of helped with the weather issues I have had as of late. Fast read too. Hard living people. Loyal. A good bit about "Black Sunday" too. I cant even imagine.
April starts school at Columbia University in a couple of weeks. I am so proud of her. I wonder what her first few days will be like. She can definately handle it. She can handle anything. Solid as a fucking rock. I have always admired that about her. Her schedule isnt too hectic so this shouldnt affect BLX too much.
April and I have been getting tattoo`d much lately. Lots of pain around the apartment lately.
Im shouting out to my bros here: Carson James, Steve Hash, Thad Sand, Spam, OJ, Chaz, Chico, John Goettle, Brent Gonzales, Joel Hill, Brian Force, Dave BKL, Mike Hill, Gospel Gossip, Erock, Jefferey, Jim Aquavella.....yep. Come by and get a cold one brothers. I got em waiting for ya.
RIP Les Paul.
30 Pack
The funny thing about the NYC summer, to me (its my fucking blog here anyway), is that most of the businesses etc are hot inside. The A/C doesnt work, and when one inquires as to why this fucking A/C dont work you always get the same half assed "it`s working, cant you feel it?" or, my personal favorite, "if It is turned down any lower it will freeze up because it is so powerful".
I stand in awe of these people`s responses. They probably dont know any better.
I was raised by good, honest, hard working folks that finished the job that they started and stood by the finished job/task what have you. This is sadly missing amongst most of the work force here in NYC proper.
So, following the example of the very hard working folks and relatives I have in the great state of Montana (people who finish the shit they start and stand by their work), I have begun carrying around a COOLER FULL OF ICE FUCKING COLD BEER....to help me through this trying time. Fuck it, I`ll just be numb through the rest of the season. You can call me a pussy or whatever, but i bet you wont to my face. AND, in the same breath you will probably ask me for a cold one. See how you are? See how I am? Mates!!
This shit, however, doesnt seem to have any affect on Chaz or Wednesday (my cats). Actually they WANT to go outside into this swelter. I have tried explaining to them that once you go out there, inevitably, you will have to find a gainful employment...as this has been my experience.
Bah, fuck it.
So, in music news as it affects me, and I affect it, I have been writing a shit ton. Lots of new BLX songs in the toaster (so to speak heh), and an overload running off into a new project I am slowly starting up. You see kids, i have this sort of time to do 2ish bands. Working a fuck ton here to compensate for the outrageous fucking rent prices in this recession (really?), i still have time to make way fucking more. Everything always starts as a hobby to me and then I turn it into a fucking revolutionary and soulful career. Thats what you get for being born under a bad sign I guess. Actually I know NOTHING about the zodiac or anything. So never listen to me about that sort of thing. But keep reading.
I played through a JCM 800 the other night and I FUCKING HATED IT!!! Slick gain british tone but I couldnt pull a good tone out of it to save my ass. Never been a fan of this amp. AC/DC et al always sounded great through it, but me, never. I even brought out some modded OD pedals, both re-issue and vintage but still I couldnt work through it. I dug deeper into the cooler of beer. Ill take a minute and dig right now. Where are you?
Im waiting for this supposed storm thats supposed to happen here today. They said it was supposed to happen yesterday, but still I wait. There is this cold front that is provoking it. The pressure is killing me.
I finished this great book "The Worst Hard Time", by Timothy Egan. I really enjoyed it. Super depressing stories about the "dirty 30`s" dust bowl era etc. It kind of helped with the weather issues I have had as of late. Fast read too. Hard living people. Loyal. A good bit about "Black Sunday" too. I cant even imagine.
April starts school at Columbia University in a couple of weeks. I am so proud of her. I wonder what her first few days will be like. She can definately handle it. She can handle anything. Solid as a fucking rock. I have always admired that about her. Her schedule isnt too hectic so this shouldnt affect BLX too much.
April and I have been getting tattoo`d much lately. Lots of pain around the apartment lately.
Im shouting out to my bros here: Carson James, Steve Hash, Thad Sand, Spam, OJ, Chaz, Chico, John Goettle, Brent Gonzales, Joel Hill, Brian Force, Dave BKL, Mike Hill, Gospel Gossip, Erock, Jefferey, Jim Aquavella.....yep. Come by and get a cold one brothers. I got em waiting for ya.
RIP Les Paul.
30 Pack
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
playlist 7/28
Bob Log 3- My Sh*t is perfect
Hank Williams- Gold
Charles Caldwell- Remember Me
Electric Six- Fire
Dexter Romwebber- Blues That Defy My Soul
HILLSTOMP- One Word
John Lee Hooker- Boogie Chillen (almost got this one totally covered)
Pink Floyd- Animals
Santana- 3 (seriously this rules)
Van Halen- 1984
Lee "Scratch" Perry- Black Ark in Dub
Jerry J. Nixon- Gentleman of Rock`n` Roll
Jim Reeves- RCA Country Legends
The Modern Lovers- S/T
Johnny Cash- The Sun Years Vol. 1
Hank Williams- Gold
Charles Caldwell- Remember Me
Electric Six- Fire
Dexter Romwebber- Blues That Defy My Soul
HILLSTOMP- One Word
John Lee Hooker- Boogie Chillen (almost got this one totally covered)
Pink Floyd- Animals
Santana- 3 (seriously this rules)
Van Halen- 1984
Lee "Scratch" Perry- Black Ark in Dub
Jerry J. Nixon- Gentleman of Rock`n` Roll
Jim Reeves- RCA Country Legends
The Modern Lovers- S/T
Johnny Cash- The Sun Years Vol. 1
Monday, July 27, 2009
Late post
Hello Friends. Tons o shit happening.
First, Great ass tour hit our clan, and thank you so much. Great turn out. You probably seen the live footage of the st paul show on www.cakein15.com thx to them for digging it and digin the vibe we have been puttin out.
Dammit if i havent been puttin so many jammin ass blues rock tunes as of late. Come check it out this saturday at union pool here in brooklyn. I dunno what has come over me but ill take it. sometimes it just comes down from up above or wherever and you get these great songs to play with no notice or thought. yeah. take some on saturday.
SHIT YEAH!
other than that.. been spendin some time at the ranch outside of Helena mt. Breakin ground at Brooklyn Label here in greenpont.
check out the garagepunk.com podcasts. righteous stuff happening there. and all free!! esp get drunk and play records. one of my favorites. Looks like some blx stuff got played there too.
summer shit ness. so fucking hot here, and SULTRY. the hair dont even lay right ya know?
so, se you saturday right?
AP
First, Great ass tour hit our clan, and thank you so much. Great turn out. You probably seen the live footage of the st paul show on www.cakein15.com thx to them for digging it and digin the vibe we have been puttin out.
Dammit if i havent been puttin so many jammin ass blues rock tunes as of late. Come check it out this saturday at union pool here in brooklyn. I dunno what has come over me but ill take it. sometimes it just comes down from up above or wherever and you get these great songs to play with no notice or thought. yeah. take some on saturday.
SHIT YEAH!
other than that.. been spendin some time at the ranch outside of Helena mt. Breakin ground at Brooklyn Label here in greenpont.
check out the garagepunk.com podcasts. righteous stuff happening there. and all free!! esp get drunk and play records. one of my favorites. Looks like some blx stuff got played there too.
summer shit ness. so fucking hot here, and SULTRY. the hair dont even lay right ya know?
so, se you saturday right?
AP
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tour
Wednesday A.M. we leave for the next tour. You get to meet FRank this time too.
The good news is that we have copies of our very pro longed 7" "Fuck Yeah We`re Going To Changri-La". They came in the mail yesterday. The shit is loud and good. I want to drop a big prop to Paul Salt right here, right now for making it so.
Dont be a stranger when you see us. Mix tapes are always appreciated.
AP
The good news is that we have copies of our very pro longed 7" "Fuck Yeah We`re Going To Changri-La". They came in the mail yesterday. The shit is loud and good. I want to drop a big prop to Paul Salt right here, right now for making it so.
Dont be a stranger when you see us. Mix tapes are always appreciated.
AP
Thursday, June 11, 2009
late night in brooklyn
im waiting for APril to come home. she has been averaging 3-4 am lately and I have tomorrow off so I am attempting to greet her as she comes home. I dont know if I will make it.
I have been drinking lots of earl grey tho. I never have caffeine. Im saving that tip until I am way older and can in no way make it off of the couch. Coffee has always been a last result for me. My "ace in the hole".
I do plan on getting addicted to it at one point tho. I understand the appeal, shit, I make a living off of it. You people are WORTHLESS before the first 16oz or so in your day. I see it every day. I like you guys tho. Ill help you through.
I actually went to great measures to intensify the quality of our coffee for you people. I was standing in front of a roaster, in Portland, excellent strong brew in hand, watching it all go down. A great day. Tho after the cupping it took an hour so at the Thai restaurants bar across the street to bring me back. Preddy intense. ask anyone who knows me.
If ur in BKLYN come by for a taste. You will definately like it. We run this cafe in Greenpoint.
We also do this sleazy slide punk band named Black Horse that will be going on tour very soon.
Both projects, we take very great care in. Making sure BOTH are best as we can get them.
Grab a cup.
I have been drinking lots of earl grey tho. I never have caffeine. Im saving that tip until I am way older and can in no way make it off of the couch. Coffee has always been a last result for me. My "ace in the hole".
I do plan on getting addicted to it at one point tho. I understand the appeal, shit, I make a living off of it. You people are WORTHLESS before the first 16oz or so in your day. I see it every day. I like you guys tho. Ill help you through.
I actually went to great measures to intensify the quality of our coffee for you people. I was standing in front of a roaster, in Portland, excellent strong brew in hand, watching it all go down. A great day. Tho after the cupping it took an hour so at the Thai restaurants bar across the street to bring me back. Preddy intense. ask anyone who knows me.
If ur in BKLYN come by for a taste. You will definately like it. We run this cafe in Greenpoint.
We also do this sleazy slide punk band named Black Horse that will be going on tour very soon.
Both projects, we take very great care in. Making sure BOTH are best as we can get them.
Grab a cup.
Monday, May 11, 2009
last night
hey. thanks sooo much for last night. i felt like it went off like we wanted. sorry for the folk whom missed us, the times got pushed ahead for once. there is more coming.
yo, listen, we just want you to have a fucking excellent time when we are around. thats it. we love you guys. seriously.
you were always on my mind.
AP
yo, listen, we just want you to have a fucking excellent time when we are around. thats it. we love you guys. seriously.
you were always on my mind.
AP
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Weight
Hey. The work load has been heavy lately. We have been rehearsing so much and trying so many different things. The vibe in the practice space is anxious and tense. I have been spending off nights learning cover tunes for our host of live shows April has been booking for us. Its going to get busy.
I burned out a bunch of gear during all of this madness. Its been expensive. Im waiting for the Twin to come back from the shop. I bought up a few mods for the doods at Main Drag to throw into her. I hope its done before Saturday when we ROCK Matchless. I got my `91 SG tweaked out so i can shred the slide all over its blx ass. The Contessa hollow body was just too much to handle live. I tried. We did this show in Asbury Park NJ last Wed. and I used April`s Hughes & Ketner head w the fender 2/12" cab. Not bad. I burned out the DD6 which was my stereo out to the bass amp. See what I mean? All hell broke loose on stage. NRVS.
I was reading this blog where these nice folks talked about us. One comment was, "It`s like easy listening for bad people".
Yessssssssssss.
I burned out a bunch of gear during all of this madness. Its been expensive. Im waiting for the Twin to come back from the shop. I bought up a few mods for the doods at Main Drag to throw into her. I hope its done before Saturday when we ROCK Matchless. I got my `91 SG tweaked out so i can shred the slide all over its blx ass. The Contessa hollow body was just too much to handle live. I tried. We did this show in Asbury Park NJ last Wed. and I used April`s Hughes & Ketner head w the fender 2/12" cab. Not bad. I burned out the DD6 which was my stereo out to the bass amp. See what I mean? All hell broke loose on stage. NRVS.
I was reading this blog where these nice folks talked about us. One comment was, "It`s like easy listening for bad people".
Yessssssssssss.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
GAY FOR JOHNNY DEPP
Here I am with Frank wrestling down Sid Jaggar from Gay For Johnny Depp. Our love goes deep my friends. Dig the PBR can. What the fuck is that coming out of my nose? Come to Matchless on the 8 May when we play with these solid motherfuckers.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Trouble For Me
It took me like 2 years to get my bearings musically after the break up of TBP. I moved across the country. Waded through shit filled waters of work, some of which i was gladly fired from.
I experimented with many a modded drum machine then. BLX went over seas.
I thought about wanting to make something for my bros and family etc to jam to for a couple of hours a day. Maybe if im lucky, late into the night time hours.
I dont like dance music. The kids like dance music now. i cant dance and im sure im not "cool". I knew i was fucked.
I tuned my guitars down and open. All 5 of them. Got them modded to the specs i wanted. Cleaned the twin up too. Found this wiley drummer around the neighborhood to back the shit up.
Id feel like a poser calling myself a bluesman, but i love those old guys. I spend most of my time listening and hunting out the likes of the under sung blues players from 1980 on back.
The shit just translates to me and my buddies.
I dont know if these songs will work on you or not. We are about to play the fuck out of them everywhere that will have us.
i just want to give a virtual shout out to the old guys that made this shit possible for me to learn from. Guys, i am forever indebted to you. This stuff has helped me through some hard ass times, well for me anyway, and i just want to thank you by trying to give it some modern day justice.
Forever in blood.
AP
I experimented with many a modded drum machine then. BLX went over seas.
I thought about wanting to make something for my bros and family etc to jam to for a couple of hours a day. Maybe if im lucky, late into the night time hours.
I dont like dance music. The kids like dance music now. i cant dance and im sure im not "cool". I knew i was fucked.
I tuned my guitars down and open. All 5 of them. Got them modded to the specs i wanted. Cleaned the twin up too. Found this wiley drummer around the neighborhood to back the shit up.
Id feel like a poser calling myself a bluesman, but i love those old guys. I spend most of my time listening and hunting out the likes of the under sung blues players from 1980 on back.
The shit just translates to me and my buddies.
I dont know if these songs will work on you or not. We are about to play the fuck out of them everywhere that will have us.
i just want to give a virtual shout out to the old guys that made this shit possible for me to learn from. Guys, i am forever indebted to you. This stuff has helped me through some hard ass times, well for me anyway, and i just want to thank you by trying to give it some modern day justice.
Forever in blood.
AP
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
VANISHING POINT BKLYN CLOSED
Hey everybody. As we posted earlier Vanishing Point is CLOSED, and WE ARE NOT PLAYING THERE TOMORROW.
Thanks for asking about it, and blogging about it. PLEASE DO NOT GO THERE TOMORROW, WE WILL NOT BE PLAYING THERE.
The venue had gotten shut down..there is some stuff about it on the web if you are really interested why. Hopefully they can get going again.
Tho, we have many shows coming up around NYC and the rest of the U.S.
Come see us then!!
Also, soon the "FUCK YEAH WE..RE GOING TO CHANGRI-LA" 7" split w/ "Thad Sands One Man Band" will be ready. There is a coolaborative track entitled "Changri-La" on the record. .. all courtesy of Nowhere..s End Records.
-this is limited to 300 copies, in premium embossed blood red, satan black ink...
side A- Black Horse "they..ll run you down in the streets like a dog"
side B- Thad Sand..s One Man Band "Breaker Breaker 1-9"
BLX/TS1MB "Changri-La"
PLEASE DO NOT GO TO VANISHING POINT TOMORROW FOR THE SHOW, THE VENUE IS CLOSED.
get on down with your bad selves
BLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLX
Thanks for asking about it, and blogging about it. PLEASE DO NOT GO THERE TOMORROW, WE WILL NOT BE PLAYING THERE.
The venue had gotten shut down..there is some stuff about it on the web if you are really interested why. Hopefully they can get going again.
Tho, we have many shows coming up around NYC and the rest of the U.S.
Come see us then!!
Also, soon the "FUCK YEAH WE..RE GOING TO CHANGRI-LA" 7" split w/ "Thad Sands One Man Band" will be ready. There is a coolaborative track entitled "Changri-La" on the record. .. all courtesy of Nowhere..s End Records.
-this is limited to 300 copies, in premium embossed blood red, satan black ink...
side A- Black Horse "they..ll run you down in the streets like a dog"
side B- Thad Sand..s One Man Band "Breaker Breaker 1-9"
BLX/TS1MB "Changri-La"
PLEASE DO NOT GO TO VANISHING POINT TOMORROW FOR THE SHOW, THE VENUE IS CLOSED.
get on down with your bad selves
BLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLXBLX
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday
The show in bklyn for thursday got cancelled because of the trouble the venue had with the cops. Drag. It got moved to MATCHLESS MOTHERFUCKER!!! Yeah. Its in may tho. Sick. You know how we love matchless. Gay For Johnny Depp agreed to play too. You lucky bitch! You know we are gonna tear this bitch up...and it will be our first show in NYC since we went all badass heavy metal slide blues and shit, and started playing all over this USA. The shits gonna be awesome. Look around W`burg and G`point to see some wack flyer shit we are putting up. XXXX Rated!
We picked up a show in Asbury NJ w The Pack A.D. we are fans. You dont even know yet.
THEN we play w the Vandelles in Manhattan! Dark surf punk garage rock. I own their records. Stoked.
April and I went to Salt Mastering the other day and watched the, now titled, "Fuck Yeah We`re Going To Changri-La", split 7" w Thad get cut. We were able to get the whole thing at 33rpm too. The art work is sick. Im super happy. Well, im not ever really happy,but ill take it on the productive end. The shit should be avail at our shows from here on out. This label named "No Wheres End" has a good hand in it.
Yeah, so ill put up another track on our www.myspace.com/blackhorse page when the bklyn show gets close. It shreds and april and i are all gang vocal about fucking over "the man". you know how we do.
I want to send out some good VANLIFE vibe to our Bros in TOMBS now whom are fighting out the storm around I-80 midwest. "tough guys fight it out on slippery roads in the spring"-Steve Brydges.
I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS SICK SHIT!!!
APril 29 @ Asbury Lanes (NJ) BLX w/ www.myspace.com/thepackad
May 9 @ Matchless BKLYN w/ www.gayforjohnnydepp.com
June 18 @ The Annex NYC BLX w www.myspace.com/thevandelles
Im getting some tour dates in w Minneapolis and Chicago. Milwaukee,get back!
AP
We picked up a show in Asbury NJ w The Pack A.D. we are fans. You dont even know yet.
THEN we play w the Vandelles in Manhattan! Dark surf punk garage rock. I own their records. Stoked.
April and I went to Salt Mastering the other day and watched the, now titled, "Fuck Yeah We`re Going To Changri-La", split 7" w Thad get cut. We were able to get the whole thing at 33rpm too. The art work is sick. Im super happy. Well, im not ever really happy,but ill take it on the productive end. The shit should be avail at our shows from here on out. This label named "No Wheres End" has a good hand in it.
Yeah, so ill put up another track on our www.myspace.com/blackhorse page when the bklyn show gets close. It shreds and april and i are all gang vocal about fucking over "the man". you know how we do.
I want to send out some good VANLIFE vibe to our Bros in TOMBS now whom are fighting out the storm around I-80 midwest. "tough guys fight it out on slippery roads in the spring"-Steve Brydges.
I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS SICK SHIT!!!
APril 29 @ Asbury Lanes (NJ) BLX w/ www.myspace.com/thepackad
May 9 @ Matchless BKLYN w/ www.gayforjohnnydepp.com
June 18 @ The Annex NYC BLX w www.myspace.com/thevandelles
Im getting some tour dates in w Minneapolis and Chicago. Milwaukee,get back!
AP
Sunday, March 29, 2009
In Dreams
My grandmother LOVED this song. I remember her laying in bed with the record player spinning (she had a back injury) and this song playing.
A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper
Go to sleep. everything is all right.
(cue the fucking drums and rhythmn section)
I close my eyes, then I drift away
Into the magic night. I softly say
A silent prayerlike dreamers do.
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you.
In dreams I walk with you. in dreams I talk to you.
In dreams youre mine. all of the time were together
In dreams, in dreams.
But just before the dawn, I awake and find you gone.
I cant help it, I cant help it, if I cry.
I remember that you said goodbye.
Its too bad that all these things, can only happen in my dreams
Only in dreams in beautiful dreams.
this one is for Shirley Zeski. Beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, school bus driver, and all around proper lady. I miss you every day.
A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper
Go to sleep. everything is all right.
(cue the fucking drums and rhythmn section)
I close my eyes, then I drift away
Into the magic night. I softly say
A silent prayerlike dreamers do.
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you.
In dreams I walk with you. in dreams I talk to you.
In dreams youre mine. all of the time were together
In dreams, in dreams.
But just before the dawn, I awake and find you gone.
I cant help it, I cant help it, if I cry.
I remember that you said goodbye.
Its too bad that all these things, can only happen in my dreams
Only in dreams in beautiful dreams.
this one is for Shirley Zeski. Beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, school bus driver, and all around proper lady. I miss you every day.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Check the wild donkey photo. cool shit. I was looking into Antigua, where there are apparently tons of these creatures just roaming around doing donkey stuff. rad.
the new stuff is working. come check it out. im putting shows together all over the country now. we played in richmond va last sat. really really nice. jefferson plane crash rules. so does carson james from tombs. i love you brother.
i just want to write songs for my bros to jam to. that means you girl.
it seems that it is working.
im going to the mastering session of the long awaited 7" split with Thad Sand`s One Man Band on wednesday. The art work is set and it fucking rules. Rock to it. "Changra La" is the track on the record where we colaborate w thad. Fuck yeah. 300 copies folks. get some. we dont have the capabilities to make more. This will be avail on the may tour im setting up. it will be something like: chi, minn, indy, cleveland, philly.
its a booking frenzy around here lately. feels good.
we are really into the cheeseburger stuff around the apartment here lately. if you have seen the show "super jail",(adult swim) they did the theme song. this pretty much sums up the vibe.
we take brooklyn on april 9.
im feeling a little nervous about this blog lately. you have no idea how many things i have erased on this post alone. hope this will pass.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
spring
hey man. we are getting shows sorted out. all over. im stoked to show you the new blx songs and line up.
the first will be in richmond, va.. next week. this will be in the best of company. come early if you are in the area. the talent will be thick, as will be the audience. Sat. March 21 AT NARA SUSHI.
We have been working on the live stuff so much lately. Frank is a monster. Lots of tape, sweat, resonation... at this point im so close to it that im ambivolent.
I only want you to be happy.
the first will be in richmond, va.. next week. this will be in the best of company. come early if you are in the area. the talent will be thick, as will be the audience. Sat. March 21 AT NARA SUSHI.
We have been working on the live stuff so much lately. Frank is a monster. Lots of tape, sweat, resonation... at this point im so close to it that im ambivolent.
I only want you to be happy.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Whitewater
The song Whitewater by Tortoise is playin here now.
It reminds me of the last time I was in Chicago. It was late and we were walking through that park by the lake. There was nobody there, just us and the chilly night weather and wind. Thats chi town for you. We were miles away from where we were staying. Suchlike. It really wasnt that long ago. Tho, it seems that way mostly.
It`s funny about all of this because my soul brother, Chaz, has been getting up and down my lap since I started this blog post. Maybe Tortoise makes him uneasy, as he keeps biting my hands etc. I doubt this track will make anyone, man or animal, uneasy.
Chicago, I`ll be back soon. Matter of fact i just dropped an email to the bottle.
AP
It reminds me of the last time I was in Chicago. It was late and we were walking through that park by the lake. There was nobody there, just us and the chilly night weather and wind. Thats chi town for you. We were miles away from where we were staying. Suchlike. It really wasnt that long ago. Tho, it seems that way mostly.
It`s funny about all of this because my soul brother, Chaz, has been getting up and down my lap since I started this blog post. Maybe Tortoise makes him uneasy, as he keeps biting my hands etc. I doubt this track will make anyone, man or animal, uneasy.
Chicago, I`ll be back soon. Matter of fact i just dropped an email to the bottle.
AP
Thursday, February 5, 2009
final recording day
Ok, so we are about an hour away from being done with the nex BLX recordings. I wanted to take a minute to give some praise to Alex Newport.
Alex has first off been a damn good friend and neighbor to me over the last 2 years since he has moved here to NYC. The fact that my band, BLX, has been able to develop a relationship with him into recording/capturing our sounds has made this xtra special. We have done, i think, 3 sessions now w him.
Its to the point where, esp during this session, after we are done doing the live "takes" i pretty much just leave the mixing almost entirely up to him. I mean, we probably didnt even need to come here for the mixing days. TOTAL TRUST.
Alex is a true master of his trade. I HIGHLY reccomend him to anyone whom wants to record their music in any context.
Studio name: Future Shock
Engineer/Producer name: Alex Newport "badass nice guy"
Im going to be the first to review our new music. Stay close to us friends.
Alex has first off been a damn good friend and neighbor to me over the last 2 years since he has moved here to NYC. The fact that my band, BLX, has been able to develop a relationship with him into recording/capturing our sounds has made this xtra special. We have done, i think, 3 sessions now w him.
Its to the point where, esp during this session, after we are done doing the live "takes" i pretty much just leave the mixing almost entirely up to him. I mean, we probably didnt even need to come here for the mixing days. TOTAL TRUST.
Alex is a true master of his trade. I HIGHLY reccomend him to anyone whom wants to record their music in any context.
Studio name: Future Shock
Engineer/Producer name: Alex Newport "badass nice guy"
Im going to be the first to review our new music. Stay close to us friends.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Death Calls My Name
They tracked him through the mountains
and they tracked him through the fields.
He`s looking through the window
and I know just how he feels.
I heard the wind
calling through the trees.
There`s a killer on the loose and
He`s coming for me.
Laid them down
in the ground today.
There`s a killer on the loose
and He`s calling my name.
And I hear him calling.
I slept with one eye open
and a shotgun in my hand.
When the horses get restless,
then I know this is the end.
and they tracked him through the fields.
He`s looking through the window
and I know just how he feels.
I heard the wind
calling through the trees.
There`s a killer on the loose and
He`s coming for me.
Laid them down
in the ground today.
There`s a killer on the loose
and He`s calling my name.
And I hear him calling.
I slept with one eye open
and a shotgun in my hand.
When the horses get restless,
then I know this is the end.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Recording Session day 2
Its day two here at Future Shock Studio here in Greenpoint Brooklyn NYC. We are almost done tracking xcept for 2 songs, which I hope to be done by lunch time tomorrow. Then VOX.
I like what I am hearing. This is BLX first all analog recording. Its nice to NOT look at a computer screen between takes and just listen. It all has a nice feel to it. Sometimes slow and sleazy and sometimes brash and in your face.
I have used several guitars and different distortion pedals throughout this time. The Contessa hollow body, `77 Les Paul Custom, and my old `71 SG I just had re-wired for this occasion. Its funny I waited 10 or so years to dig the `71 out of the closet. It fucking shreds. Alex (engineer) also busted out this great "big jam" distortion for me to use. It looks to be from the early `80`s.
Some shows are starting to pop up for us. Its that time again. Winter is almost over.
I took a bunch of photos earlier. Ill get them up here or there later.
I like what I am hearing. This is BLX first all analog recording. Its nice to NOT look at a computer screen between takes and just listen. It all has a nice feel to it. Sometimes slow and sleazy and sometimes brash and in your face.
I have used several guitars and different distortion pedals throughout this time. The Contessa hollow body, `77 Les Paul Custom, and my old `71 SG I just had re-wired for this occasion. Its funny I waited 10 or so years to dig the `71 out of the closet. It fucking shreds. Alex (engineer) also busted out this great "big jam" distortion for me to use. It looks to be from the early `80`s.
Some shows are starting to pop up for us. Its that time again. Winter is almost over.
I took a bunch of photos earlier. Ill get them up here or there later.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
to the brothers/sisters
friends. its cold here tonight so we stay in. maybe not as cold as some of my buds out in minneapolis or omaha told me of earlier, but i walked in the snow today to old bkl (my work).
so, i got some roast a roastin`. our little apt goes well with the oven hovering around 400-300 f. its ok to stay in tonight. chaz and wednesday (our cats) are dug into the blankets next to APril better than i ever could be. Well, maybe.
Also, I put some Charles "Cadillac" Caldwell on repeat...it echoes through the apartment. I might have a PBR in hand while watching the root veg brown up all carmel like. Maybe definately.
I wont talk of the interworkings of black horse tonight. I treat today like Christmas eve. Its warm here. Inside. I may get a call from a friend from far away.
When I slice into the roast later, (not too much later), i will think of some of the folks that would make this night much better by their company alone. ha. I hope i worded that right.
find someone close tonight friends. get to it. drift off.
xoxo
AP
so, i got some roast a roastin`. our little apt goes well with the oven hovering around 400-300 f. its ok to stay in tonight. chaz and wednesday (our cats) are dug into the blankets next to APril better than i ever could be. Well, maybe.
Also, I put some Charles "Cadillac" Caldwell on repeat...it echoes through the apartment. I might have a PBR in hand while watching the root veg brown up all carmel like. Maybe definately.
I wont talk of the interworkings of black horse tonight. I treat today like Christmas eve. Its warm here. Inside. I may get a call from a friend from far away.
When I slice into the roast later, (not too much later), i will think of some of the folks that would make this night much better by their company alone. ha. I hope i worded that right.
find someone close tonight friends. get to it. drift off.
xoxo
AP
Saturday, January 3, 2009
a beer and a smoke
the holiday break is over and we are back at it. my mother gave me a nice leather bound journal. i have been using it a lot.
finally we got some recording time to print up the stuff we have been working on over the last few months. the first of which will be the 7" w thad sand. i feel like the song we are putting on it is our best so far. i was kind of reserved about using it here for this and to save it for a title track or something but what the fuck. this shit may be over in a nano second so why not go for it right? anyway the track that thad is contributing is called breaker 1 9 and it is fucking solid. i needed to bring out some of my best if i am to compete w that.
all of my gear, well the stuff that i use w blx is getting repaired so the last rehersal was kind of funny sounding but in a good way. i broke out the old `71 sg and the `81 gretsch and ran through franks fender combo 10". not bad. so many options. i may very well incorporate the barrage of guitars into our tour next time. i will most likely bitch about bringing too much stuff when you see me next. fuck.
i have been spending my time learning ccr covers. along with, of corse, new blx stuff. i hope to have a few songs in the belt when we tour next to mix it up a bit. "commotion", "bootleg", and "dont look now" might be in on the next blx set.
brooklyn is looking pretty good lately underneath the frigid air and occasional snow. i fear the harsh summer that is inevitable. maybe we will go to europe then to avoid all that bullshit.
so anyway the three of us spent the end of last night at matchless laying out tour plans for next year. we will come to arizona and new mexico this time out. hopefully the new shit will be out for the sxsw folk to consider. you cant rush progress, as we all know.
damn, we are lucky sometimes.
finally we got some recording time to print up the stuff we have been working on over the last few months. the first of which will be the 7" w thad sand. i feel like the song we are putting on it is our best so far. i was kind of reserved about using it here for this and to save it for a title track or something but what the fuck. this shit may be over in a nano second so why not go for it right? anyway the track that thad is contributing is called breaker 1 9 and it is fucking solid. i needed to bring out some of my best if i am to compete w that.
all of my gear, well the stuff that i use w blx is getting repaired so the last rehersal was kind of funny sounding but in a good way. i broke out the old `71 sg and the `81 gretsch and ran through franks fender combo 10". not bad. so many options. i may very well incorporate the barrage of guitars into our tour next time. i will most likely bitch about bringing too much stuff when you see me next. fuck.
i have been spending my time learning ccr covers. along with, of corse, new blx stuff. i hope to have a few songs in the belt when we tour next to mix it up a bit. "commotion", "bootleg", and "dont look now" might be in on the next blx set.
brooklyn is looking pretty good lately underneath the frigid air and occasional snow. i fear the harsh summer that is inevitable. maybe we will go to europe then to avoid all that bullshit.
so anyway the three of us spent the end of last night at matchless laying out tour plans for next year. we will come to arizona and new mexico this time out. hopefully the new shit will be out for the sxsw folk to consider. you cant rush progress, as we all know.
damn, we are lucky sometimes.
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