4.26

Straylight Run broke up last year but I just found out recently. What a total bummer, I mean even if their last album wasn't too great I still enjoyed their first album and EP a lot. Everything about those records is really really good.

Straylight Run formed when John Nolan and Shaun Cooper left Taking Back Sunday in 2003. Their departure is rumored to be due to Lead Singer of Taking Back Sunday cheated on John's sister Michelle Derosa (who would go on to join Straylight Run.)

The band then released an album on Victory Records with a good response from the rest of the world. I remember being a young kid when "emo" still wasn't a household name and seeing their videos on MTV. The song "existentialism on prom night" became an over night hit. The band never really got past that. Being very experimental, they never really tried to write another hit single.

They released one more album on victory but then went on to self release EPs. I didn't mind, they may not be the best as I said before but they're enjoyable. It's weird to have even seen Michelle Derosa leave the band right before their break up.

Now John Nolan and Shaun Cooper have rejoined Taking Back Sunday. Playing shows littered with not only old TBS songs but also a few Straylight Run songs. I wish them all the best in the future.

4.25

On one of my favorite forums today, someone brought up having your mom throw away your stuff. Lists were posted of mint Star Wars figures being chucked since "they were never played with." Entire record collections thrown away because it was taking up space.

One story that was posted was really interesting. The story began with someone trading a really rare record and never getting their trade back. Months later he got a letter from the kid who owed him a record. The letter went on to explain that he had been kicked out of his house and went on a couple months of being homeless and when he returned all of his records had been thrown away.

I always wonder why parents don't ask before they throw things away. Mine have always done so and saved me the agony of losing things worth money. I'd be very upset coming home to my record collection (worth almost a thousand dollars now) was completely thrown out. Heh, to be completely honest I might even cry.

There's got to be even worse stories, ones of entire super nintendo collections being thrown away. If only we could find out and add up all the totals of it all. I wonder what it'd amass to.

Do you have any stories of things of yours that have been thrown away? I'm really interested, there should definately be a book written on it. Maybe, i'll even write it haha

4.24

Over the last two semesters i've written a variety of articles for the Bergen Community College newspaper "The Torch." It's been a very nice experience and I have no negative things to say about it. I've gotten paid for all of my articles and it's kept me from having a job (sort of.) The only thing I can complain about is the fact that I don't really like writing about anything than music and that I don't enjoy journalism classes. At times they can be fun but at others it's just very repetitive and boring.

I'm very confused over whether or not I want to stay as a journalism major or not. My other option would probably be switching to a music engineering major. That way I could learn to use mixing boards and learn how to record music properly. In all honesty, i've always enjoyed playing music more than i've enjoyed writing and it just makes more sense.

Another thing that weighs toward the Music Engineering side is that there are a lot more job oppurtunities. Many venues always need sound guys and i'm very experienced in setting up bands equipment and making it all sound right. I feel like i'd be naturally good at a sound board.

This is my dilemma of the day or the month even. It's just very hard, all of this school stuff. I feel like I am way too much of a free spirit for most of this stuff. Am I just being immature and trying to avoid growing up? Who knows, i'm just ranting and talking too much. Thank you world for listening.

4.23

The playstation network has been down for a few days now already. Supposedly a couple hackers all decided to hack it all at once. Forcing the online community to cave in. The hackers also have supposedly stolen personal data from most profiles. Many users of the network are very afraid that this means their credit card data was also stolen.
While Sony has yet to say anything to their consumer base, many users are already complaining. These complaints are most questions on how the Network was hacked so easily and how could such a company like Sony not be able to defend against it. The companies' reponse will probably make or break most users devotion to the Playstation Network .
Many fans on message boards don't mind all the problems. Stating that even though it sucks that the Network is down they would still rather have free online gaming than have to pay for it as Xbox Live Users have to . Most are just worried about their financial information getting out.



EDIT 4.27: Since I had written this on the 23rd in my journal, many updates on the story have come up. Sony has Issued a large statement on what PSN users should do to protect their financies. Admitting that mostly all of PSN users data has been stolen which could possibly include their credit card information.

4.22

E-Books have recently been on the rise. People appreciate their small size, large memory and their ability to download books very cheaply. At the same time many readers are not participating in the rising trend of E-Books such as the nook. I am split in the middle there are things I like about the E book and things I do not
I don't like the idea of things becoming digital or being able to lose it along with my kindle. Also, anyone with a book collection can tell you how nice it looks and feels to have one. I enjoy mine a lot and can't imagine replacing it with a small tablet that stores all the words digitally.
There also good things about the E-Book though. The fact that most of the time authors are making more money through the system than they do with publishing. Not needing to worry about covers and all the rest they can make more money from the three dollar fee than they will from a seven dollar one.
Other than those two reasons I just feel ostracized by the idea of e-books. It just doesn't feel right watching technology take over. It's not like i'm trying to fight the future or anything. I just like the idea of holding something in my hands. The idea of going to the library. The ability to be able to access everything our world has to offer from behind my computer disgusts me.

4.21

Wrought: Ironsmile is one of my favorite bands of all time. They were primarily active in the mid to late 90s. Their sound was sort of a combination of early R.E.M and raw 90s emo.
During their time together they did not release many records. Only three 7"s or 45s and two cassettes. One of the cassettes being a split with a small band called The Warsaw Union.
While they were together they didn't gather much exposure but in the last few years (with the help of blogs and forums of course) they've become a staple in the 90s emo scene. None of their records are really easy to find either, so collectors are always keeping an eye for them .
It's strange to think a band like Wrought Ironsmile could be so good. With such a catchy sound and an awesome blend of singing and screaming it's weird that they never really toured more than once either. When you look at back at the times though (1997-1999) it's a bit understandable. The radio waves were dominated by nu-metal. Jimmy Eat World hadn't even released Bleed American yet, so emo was definately not a household genre either. Wrought Ironsmile was simply before their own time sadly.
I wonder what the members are all up to nowadays. There are no online profiles for the band

4.20

The world today celebrated the annual day of smoking Marijuana. It's funny to see the different reactions from people. Some are either holding it like it's their 2nd christmas and others complaining about how pointless it is.

Why do people celebrate 4/20 though? It started as a bunch of hippies smoking near a statue that was marked 4 20. Next, it began to be celebrated as an earth day before earth day. With many people wrongly believing 4 20 to be earth day.

I feel like now, people just smoke as a reason to smoke. It's funny to see how many people participate also. During the day I sat outside a barber shop near an intersection. My girlfriend and I went on to count how many people we saw walking around or even driving really stoned. The funniest part being how obvious they all were about it.

All I have to say is I guess it is fun for people who enjoy using Marijuana. I don't particulary care about the situation or mind. People who drink have St. Patricks day so I guess it makes sense for Marijuana users to have 4.20.

I could also use this time to say I believe Marijuana should be legalized. As a drug it has no physically addicting qualities and has been shown to help many people with their ailments. Marijuana could also help the economy, with the example being the states where Medical Marijuana is legalized. Those states are currently making millions of dollars off the Marijuana industry due to it being such a cash crop.

Sadly, the times we live in show that there are still enough closed minded people who want to bring the legalization of the drug to a stop. In my opinion most of these people are just uneducated on the situation or just fascists who don't want to see the U.S law weakened in a state or form.

4.19

New York Hardcore in the 80s was one of the most notorious eras of music. Many bands that played small shows back then have become milestones in metal and hardcore history. This includes Youth Of Today, Antidote, Judge, Project X and Cro Mags. One thing that came out of this era of music is a gem known as Chung King

In 1989 Judge returned to Chung King studios to record their 2nd Lp with them. The Lp was to be called "Bringing It Down." When they showed up at the studio, they were put in the worst equipped sound room with a coke head for their engineer. Now, as most people know Judge was a straight edge band and they were very unhappy with this. Judge recorded their LP or at least tried to anyway.

Once they got back the master tapes, they felt that what came out was quite far from what they expected. Angry, they attempted to return the tapes and records and get their money back. Their attempt didn't work though and they were stuck with 110 copies of "Bringing It Down" on white vinyl.

Instead of simply releasing this as "Bringing It Down." The band decided to rename the LP " Chung King Can Suck It" as a fuck you to the studio. All 110 copies were sold immediately as pre-orders to the fans and was met with warm regards. Later in the year, they would go on to re -record the Lp as "Bringing It Down" but still the "Chung King Could Suck It" version would gain notoriety.

Nowadays, the Chung King LP goes for more than 3000 dollars for one copy. The owner of Revelation Records (The Label that put out the release) has a gatefold copy that is worth even more. The record is now a NYHC gem that is now highly sought after. The reason being that it encompasses the anger and upfront attitude of the NYHC scene. That and the fact that it could probably pay for a few months rent too.

4.18

Once again blog, I am sorry for my lack of updates, i've been unable to get online for the last few days. Thank god for free wifi, am I right? Anyway here I am, posting about 4.18

The creator of the Megaman X character's Keiji Inafune recently quit Capcom. In case you don't know Megaman X was the darker spin off of the original nintendo Megaman games. Each game was known for their intense storylines, and character designs. Keiji Inafune was in charge of both of these.

Keiji quit because he felt the need to begin his life from a new leaf. When Keiji left, he left another Megaman spinoff in the dark. This spinoff would be Megaman Legends Three, a game created with the idea that the fans could help design the game online. Keiji leaving the project meant that it would be started from scratch.

Now, the underground gaming world is watching in fear for the Megaman Series. Keiji Inafune helped with each series even though he primarily worked on the X, Zero and Legends series. Many fans feel that most games released now will be very lackluster without his influence. The fans mainly feel this way about Megaman Legends Three due to it's restarted development.

In my opinion I feel the series will suffer. No one can ever recreate what Inafune brought to Capcom. I have an open mind to the idea of Megaman Legends 3 being continued without him. My only hope is that they will follow whatever notes Keiji left behind, and go forth as Keiji would.

How would Keiji have gone forth though? He always made it apparent that the story was the most important part. The man even gave up Megaman x6- x8 because he felt he had already finished the story by Megaman X5 and didn't want any part in continuing it. This more than a video game to Keiji, it's a child and it's important not just to him but the fans also.

4.17

It's insane how we all grow up in such different houses. I don't mean how our houses seem from the outside, but for the heritages each of them hold. Today, i experienced passover with my girlfriend for the first time. Of course, she's jewish, since I am not.

The family held the holiday very highly. What they do is read the Seder as an introduction to the meal that they're serving the family. The Seder being a sort of long explanation of the entire holiday as a whole and the suffering of the jews due to the Egyptians. As you can imagine this takes quite a long time. To me it felt like hours but I think it was only one and a half. The seder involves everyone drinking a lot of wine and eating a bitter herb which really is bitter.

The meal itself consisted of matza, corned beef, turkey and a lot of potatoes and spinach. Definately, a little bland but I didn't mind. It was fun not only to be allowed to drink wine but also to really bond with everyone. The holiday was told to be mostly about freedom and family and i think that got driven home for me.

4.16

I was a huge fan of arrested Development. Hell, even now when i'm not doing anything else, i'll go out of my way to watch it on netflix instant stream. It's just one of those shows that doesn't really get old at all.

A few months ago I managed to find a picture on the internet of a movie poster for a continuation of the series. It turns out that the ending of the show wasn't so much a joke as it was a reality. In recent weeks even Michael Cera has decided that he will be reprising his role on the show, along with the rest of the cast.

The internet reaction to the movie hasn't been very welcoming though. Many die hard fans fear that the series' reputation will be tarnished by the movie. Most of these claims due to them thinking that it will be lackluster and also because of the rumored Jennifer Aniston role.

In my opinion, I feel that it's just internet skepticism. People fear change, they fear something new, that they know nothing about. It's all understandable from a certain point of view I guess.

The movie is getting a lot of positive hype though. Many fans are actually excited to see where the script goes and what happens. I mean if all the actors signed on, it can't be that bad can it?

We'll see.

4.15 late

My friend Russel recently finished printing out a zine that I was involved in making. The zine is called "Doom Town" and this is the first issue. It features interviews and articles on the bands' Weekend Nachos and New York Hardcore's "NOMOS." Not only that but the Weekend Nachos article also features a tour diary, that my friend did while he was traveling with them on their most recent tour.

The first twenty five copies are on red and the second will have Navy covers.

Why such a small run of issues you ask? Well, because it's supply and demand. Why print more than we can sell. Why spend money we don't have?

In a world where journalism is becoming a smaller and smaller real opportunity, we are thinking smart. That and also, once these run out, they are gone for good. Once they are gone for good, a demand will start for more issues. People want what they can't have, and this will open the doors for either a limited reprint or a second issue.

Either way, we're almost sold out 30/50 sold in a day. It's good to see such demand. Hopefully one day the capitalist journalism world will learn from the DIY mindset and maybe we can save this beautiful industry. That would be a much better plan of action, much much better than just putting everything online for free.

4.14

The notable rapper Earl Sweatshirt has been gaining much popularity in the rap scene and independent music scene in recent months. Most of his hype comes from the fact that when releasing his first album, he was only sixteen. Once he released that and his also very hyped video for the Title Track "EARL".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78_loMbmKJ8

Which contains some notably gruesome scenes of drug use and self mutilation for a rap video. His mom originally saw the video and sent him off to boot camp. With Earl in boot camp the rest of his rap group "OFWGKTA" started a FREE EARL campaign stating that they didn't know where Earl was but they want him back.

The site Complex Music posted a story about how they found him yesterday night. The result of which would become an entire hyped up discussion on many forums across the internet. The Discussion was whether or not the news was real. With pictures of Earl on the U.S Ambassador's page from a visit to his bootcamp seemed to prove them .

Leader of "OFWGKTA" Tyler The Creator at first knocked the blog and denied the claims of Earl being in Samoa but in the end, he caved in. His statement was that he wanted it to stay private. Now, what will happen? What will the OF kids do to Free Earl?

4.13

My band recorded a song today here it is.

http://inmydungeon.tumblr.com/post/4597018117/this-is-fischer-we-would-love-to-meet-you

There are only three of us in the band. I play guitar, Konrad plays drums and our newly added friend KT plays Bass. The band originally started as a totally different project known as "Griptape." Griptape was somewhat of an screamo influenced hardcore band. We definately were going for a mid 90s sound if anything. Griptape also had a lot of members at one point I remember 7 of us playing one song.

Okay, maybe not seven at once but at times, there was like three of us playing guitar, a bassist, a screamer and a drummer. There were so many of us and it was so much fun. We barely had written two songs at once. Each practice was mostly spent jamming with a rotating line up.

As time passed eventually we began jamming separately, beginning two separate bands. One of which would go on to become "Fischer," our current project. Griptape began to dissolve after our drummer moved to another town.

Our drummer also named Tyler had lived in a house that was quite small. Despite it's small size at least two of us would always be there at all times. Basically all of our group basically slept and lived there. Once he moved "Griptape" as a band and as a group of like minded individuals slowly dissolved.

I will finish the story of Griptape and our gang THC in another post.

Anyway, after the dissolving of Griptape. Fischer formed with a new screamer Derek,our previous screamer Wesley on vocals, Me on Guitar, Konrad on drums mostly and sometimes guitar and our other friend Tyler sometimes playing drums. The band was a total overhaul from Griptape. Totally full of melody and not really fit for screaming. Months passed and passed. After which Konrad and I decided against having screaming in our songs. Tyler after moving was barely around so Konrad totally took full control with drums. Kt joined shortly after all this playing drums. Fischer was set.

4.12 RTF FEST

This year will be the 2nd Annual RTF Fest. I was at the original RTF Fest and can vouch that it was an awesome time for everyone involved. This year is an even bigger deal though because of the two reunions that will happen during it.

Forward To Death (Who broke up very recently) and YOU AND I (New Brunswick Screamo heavyweights.) will both be reuniting for one time only. This is really exciting because both bands had made it clear that neither would ever reunite. Patrick Gerity the event's promoter and creator must really have a way with words. Right on either way.

The Reunions aren't the only things to get excited about Ampere, and Local kids Seasick seldom play shows around New Jersey. Even though Seasick is pretty local, they barely ever play shows and Ampere just has a hard time getting booked.

The other bands are very different from one another. GDP is a rapper from Montclair and Pianos Become The Teeth are a slow screamo band from Baltimore. A warm welcome also goes out to Dystrophy and Old Wounds both being New Jersey locals who are pretty new to the scene. Right on.

4.11

People are still collecting money for Japan to help the recovery from their natural disaster damage. It's really strange to think just how long people will be collecting money for. Even though, all of us in America have seemed to begin forgetting, they are still suffering. Thousands and thousands of people still suffering. I hope things get better sooner than later and hopefully that isn't unrealistic.

This country is a hard place to live in sometimes. Our people are so dull, we only care about things when they are in our faces. Once they've lost the spotlight we begin to forget. I'm going to try and donate some extra money i've just made to a fund but i'm not sure which yet. Just so I don't feel as hypocritical about the subject.

In positive news, it's begun to get warmer finally. This winter was a cold one and knock on wood hopefully it doesn't come back again. Seventy Seven degrees, oh how I missed you so~!

April 10th

Today I went to club Europa in Brooklyn, New York to see the band Tigers Jaw. Tigers jaw are from Scranton, Pennsylvania (hometown of the popular sitcom " The Office." They are compromised of five kids ages ranging 18-20. Instead of the usual five piece tonight they were only four. Their lead guitarist couldn't make it, but that was okay

The show opened with Big Eyes from Central New Jersey, who were a great opener. Their songs sometime blend into one another but that was fine. The second opener was a band called Bridge and Tunnel. I had never heard of them before except for a small conversation with someone who told me that they were a good live band. Without a doubt, they surprised me, and that's strange since i'm somewhat of an elitest. They talked about issues such as health care and when they played songs they were very very complex and had a really awesome raw feel to them. The one thing that stuck out was they had three of the members doing vocals either together or at different times. Each singer played an instrument at the same time.

Tigers jaw then came on stage, and being one of my favorite bands i was really excited. Sadly since they were not with all their members they played only six songs. It was a good time still, and very cool to see that even missing a member they sounded really tight. The crowd was really really strange, it was obvious that they were no longer playing to the independent/ hardcore music scene anymore. Many kids ranging from ages 14 to late 20s made up the crowd. A bunch of teeny boppers stood in front of me, and even stage dived. Believe me, I felt old being 19 and did my best not to push them too much.

Isn't it strange how we're all getting older and feeling more and more awkward around younger kids. Hell, I remember being fourteen stage diving and moshing at any show possible. Hardcore or not, I always lost it to any band I enjoyed. Now, i'm the guy hanging out in the crowd with my girlfriend with the occasional moment where I come out of my mosh retirement* or when I stage dive.

*Mosh retirement is something that us hardcore kids that have somewhat grown out of moshing call it when you don't mosh for a long time at shows.

4.9 late post

Dear blog, i'm sorry that I keep forgetting to update you. I always write these things in my notebooks but then forget to go put them on here. Oh, if we were a relationship you wouldn't trust me. You'd say things like,

"I know you're writing in that notebook again~"

Thank god you are a machine and I am a man. Otherwise this would be so much more difficult.

Anyway, the other night, everyone in the world though that the government was going to go out of buisness. All I have to say is why was I the only person who was thinking about this? No one in my classes cared, nor knew what it meant in the least bit when I asked them. Hell, even I didn't really really know until I researched it since the news was being so broad.

It just goes to show how disconnected from reality most of us are. Even at the age that it starts to become important, most young adults becoming adults are still so swarmed in facebook, twitter and other unimportant things that we forget about reality. Luckily, the situation worked itself out but what about next time? When we all wake up the next day in a world we don't recognize, all because we took no effort to be involved or try to know what's going on around us. we must wake up before it's too late.

4/7 late post

My Own Pine Box was a band that came out the Kalamazoo, Michigan emo scene. They played a jangly jazzy version of emo that they could honestly call their own sound. Coupled with voice harmonies, when I think Kalamazoo emo band I think of this band and their corny lyrics.

"I want to see the ocean, I want to feel the sky. "

Emo flourished in the 90s in a very under the radar sort of way. Many bands such as agna Moraine's Autobiography, Constatine Sankathi, Ordination Of Aaron and Bev Clone. They were all known for their different styles that always kept the same DIY aspect of the music alive. The recordings were low budget, the guitars sometimes sounded like they were falling apart and the lyrics were beautiful and overdramatic. Most people may read that and scratch their heads but honestly it's truly something beautiful to listen to.

-4/7

Review The Body

I am reviewing a few tracks by the band "The Body" in this blog entry. Jesus christ, this band is a complete punch in this face. Slow brutal songs that meander for over five minutes each. Truly something that is an acquired taste, but without this band I would never be able to do a single paper.

The band is becoming well known for their live shows. Which usually have their guitarist playing out of multiple eight foot cabs with his guitar tuned as low as possible. The vocals can be described as screeches that you'd hear from an insane asylum, accompanied by slow drums

http://vimeo.com/14328326

That video is a perfect example of the body. A sickening effort truly, a spit in the face of the music industry. For a band like this to be selling out records and having them now go for over a hundred dollars on ebay is a perfect example of everything that bands outside the mainstream do right.

The body is playing music that would puzzle the normal human being. It's aimed and marketed at a certain audience. An audience that is loyal to what it likes because it's not fake or distilled. This is reality, and these are the real sounds that these bands make. The mainstream is failing though. Why is it that an entire industry is failing while a two piece band of shrieking and eight minute songs flourishes?

It is because they are constantly chasing something. Chasing that idea of reality, and relating to their audience. This is why they will never catch up. The music industry and almost every other media industries will fail because they are constantly chasing something that they aren't. If these companies or even just the music industry truly worked on their own maybe they would get somewhere. Now though, they just sign anyone who sounds like the last person to sell records. You will never have loyalty through this because your fans and followers are just zombies who just follow what you put in front of them. They are comparable to children with A.D.D in the fact that they cannot pay attention for too long and once you lose them for a second. BAMN ! they are gone for good.

I've degressed a bit haven't I ? My apoligies dear reader. I will type more on the body and the importance of diy and punk rock tomorrow.

- tyler burns 4/4

4/3 late post

This blog is for a school project that I have to do for a communications class. In a way it feels a bit awkward, and forced. I'd rather we strayed from that though and and concentrated on other things.

My weekend was a bit of a blur, it's strange to already not enjoy parties as much as I used too. Not only that but when i'm there, there is no point of starting conversation. Why? Well for some reason most of my generation doesn't know much about anything. With no opinions other than liking Obama at the most. When I ask most peoples favorite books, it's always returned with a bland answer with something they'd half read in high school.

How is one supposed to respond to these sort of things? When I say anything, I get the entire "you're being a snob" look from people. Maybe i'm better off keeping to myself and using it to my advantage.