Max Power's After Hour Thoughts

John K Samson March 19th - Edmonton, Alberta - SET LIST -

2010-03-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

One Great City!

Plea From a Cat Named Virtute

Night Windows

Cruise Night

Bigfoot!

Reconstruction Site

Elegy for Gump Worsley

Pamphlateer

Heart of the Continent

The Last And **

The Reasons

Utilities

History to The Defeated

Left & Leaving

Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure

None of the Above

Tournament of Hearts

Benediction

My Favorite Chords

** new song as performed in Germany (The Last And)

Since no one will really read this I won't go on and on about how great this show was but to anyone who claims to love music should've been at this show. This was proof and evidence as to why John K Samson is going to be a Canadian legend, adding to his already legendary status his show was heart warming, calm and just pure brilliance.

He hopefully will be touring around more this year... DO - NOT - MISS - HIM.

The End

some random neat picturesI took of Vancouver

2010-02-03T22:23:00.000-08:00

Granville, with new Vogue sign and new tube lighting, looks beautiful

Lunar Fest on Granville

Granville Street with some nice colors

Vancouver Art Gallery

New art in English Bay

Hey Vancouver what happened to our suicidal pregnant teens?

2010-02-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

Isn't it kinda funny how the skytrain has all of a sudden lost all it's ads for suicide, teen pregnancy and finishing high school. Obviously the Olympic sponsors are paying out their ass so we know what the newest phone is how fries will make you a gold medalist and how to become a pizza face, but now I'm lost. Where am I supposed to get my grade ten, not kill myself and raise my daughter? (our baby daddy left us for a Swedish curler named Oskar)

all in all I can't wait for the regular skytrain ads to come back so we can get back to killing ourselves, having babies at 16, being stuck at grade nine all while holding a delicous Coca Cola!

say what you will about Fergie and U2 but this kicks ass

2009-12-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

if you don't like this, you don't like music. period

Don't Walk, Beautiful

2009-11-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

A story I wrote some time ago, can't remember exactly when but it's been edited and re-written for a contest I entered with the CBC, can't say they will exactly enjoy the content but it was worth a shot. Please feel free to leave your thoughts...

-Don't Walk, Beautiful-

I hate crosswalks, from their stupid lines to their stupid rules. Don't walk until you're told and walk within a certain amount of time or you're toast. Don't follow these rules and you're hit with a ticket, taken to jail.a criminal for life, no more trip to Hawaii because you couldn't follow a couple of simple rules. I hate when you hit a cross walk and had a good walking pace, then all of a sudden it's over, forget about setting the 10 block walking record today, you've hit a cross walk. I hate the sounds, the beeping audible signal for the blind.how do they even know which way the robotic voice is telling them to go? I hate the awkward moment of walking by someone on the other side of the street, you don't know if you should make eye contact, smile, or pretend you see a bird in that tree behind them. Maybe they have some weird bump on their face, a burn from a car accident or they're just having a really bad fucking day and the last thing they need is some punk kid looking them in their eyes to see the years of suffering, divorce and child support they can't afford. I really hate crosswalks, they're supposed to be a traffic calming technique but really they're just the calm before the storm.

Five seconds are left on the walk sign, the minimum amount of time for people to daringly run across the street and risk becoming splatter cakes, just to claim the simple prize of getting to the other side. I almost trip over a girl's foot standing next to me as we both decide whether or not to go. Looking over at her makes me feel like Adam the first time he must've laid eyes on Eve. There isn't enough time for me, not even close; I'd need her number, to hear her voice and maybe even get her name all before crossing this potential death trap. When four seconds are left it's obvious neither she nor I are going to risk it. Hell, I can't even risk saying Hi. Even after she gives me a nice look up and down, an inviting smile; almost as if she was begging for me to say something...my tongue just freezes. The last few people waiting on the corner dash across the street, barely avoiding being crunched by some cars trying to turn before the light changes. Who would have thought four thousand years on this planet would result in humans being controlled by blinking lights? With three seconds left only maniacs or people already halfway across the street already could make it. This proves she isn't a maniac because she is still standing very close and her beauty still radiates from the corner.

She has slick, stylish glasses, the kind that show she's with "it"; I never really got "it" and even if I took a course on "it" I don't think I would ever know what "it" is. She looks sparkly, clean, with blazing red hair in that way that all girls want and spend hundreds of dollars to have. She isn't wearing any make-up, which speaks volumes about her being comfortable with being totally natural. There was always something that bugged me about girls who covered their faces up with piles and layers of makeup. I much more preferred the raw emotion of a clean face, what you would look like when you died and slowly decayed, what you'd look like when you show up to heaven's door, I don't really think God would care if you were wearing mascara or not, even if it was Cover Girl. She isn't skinny, which says to me she knows how to eat a good meal, and conversely, not fat either, which tells me she knows how to not eat too many good meals. She isn't short, isn't tall, her lips look as soft as marshmallows and she's just a degree away from perfect, if I'm being completely honest. Two seconds remain on the light, and we stand there together, but not actually together. I still have about a minute and a half to find out who she is before the light said walk again, before the chaos of the crosswalk kicks back in.

She holds her hands behind her back and sways her body back and forth like a flower, one you'd see in a bush that you can't help but stop to smell, but before I could lean in to smell this beautiful flower I notice she's humming a tune. There is something familiar about it, but I can't quite put my tongue on it. How perfect. This could be the perfect opening line to at least discover what kind of music this perfect girl likes and is proud to hum in public. I think it's the Dirty Projectors. I was so self conscious I wouldn't even listen to the music in my earphones at any level above 5, scared of the reaction I might get if someone recognized a song and didn't like it. Then the light changes, and the little man that means walk pops up across the street, in the direction I have no desire to go. Everyone but us leaps forward to walk across, and once again, it's just me and her, standing, waiting, me and her. Me, with my worn out shoes, because they're my only pair, my big winter jacket, because it's freezing, and my messy hair, because I don't know how to use a brush. Maybe it's just my wishful thinking...but I could swear she keeps looking at me, in a very subtle way, her green eyes connecting with my blue eyes, split seconds at a time.

I look away from her to pinch myself on the cheek, to make sure I'm not in a dream. Maybe I crossed the street already, boarded the train and fell asleep on my way to the destination I had no desire to get to. It's not every day a beautiful girl is showing any kind of interest in me let alone standing within feet of me. Who knows when this chance would come again, I have to work up the courage to say something. My cheek is stinging from the pinch in the bitter cold, I hope she didn't see that; standing there wondering to herself what kind of guy just pinches his cheek on the corner of the street. My cheek where I had pinched is even redder now; I must look a bit like a homeless clown. I turn back to make sure she is still there, not a fable or a figment of my imagination. At that moment just like what the sun must've looked to the first human eyes her red hair hits me, her green eyes look in to mine and I am sure this is the moment. I can still see my breath on the cold winter air, but inside my jacket is the epitome of global warming.

Everything about the situation is stupid, but I never expected something as stupid as what I was about to say to ever come out of my mouth.

"You dropped a penny," I say in her direction.

She stops humming, the swaying flower comes to a halt, and she tilts her head down. There are obviously no pennies, no rocks; there is nothing but pavement and snow.

"I don't think I was carrying any pennies" she replies.

Holy Shit do I feel stupid, not since the cavemen has something so incoherent and confusing been said from one human being to another. How did I manage to make myself believe that would work? Oh well, at least I know. I know her voice sounds like a well played violin that could play inside my head all day without getting annoying and she doesn't carry pennies around, so she isn't a bum. What stupid logic. I can't believe I actually thought what I was thinking was true. I also can't believe it was ten seconds since she last said something to me, it's below freezing outside but inside my big winter jacket I feel like I'm in the Arizona Desert. The light is going to change again, she'll be gone, and I will forever just be the guy who just used pennies to try and pick her up.

"Thanks anyways", she says sweetly, a smile on her face as she gave me a soft, polite punch on the shoulder.

My pants feel lighter, my feet go numb, my head feels higher and my heart races at hummingbird speed. She is polite, cute and doesn't even care that I am such an idiot. I am blushing, but luckily, it's so cold outside she never does notice.

She shivers her face a little bit, obviously affected by the cruel, cold, crisp weather. Obviously she's trying to keep her tongue in her mouth and seal her lips tight to not freeze and get annoying chapping. But then her mouth opens, the condensation of air blows out of her mouth, and a dense cloud comes out. I'm so hypnotized by this I miss what actually happens...I think she speaks, possibly says her name or maybe something else. My head is somewhere else, I may as well be in space, I have no idea what just happened and then the cloud of warm breath disappears.

While I was over-analyzing this turn of events, I completely miss the light change, and by the time I notice she is already halfway across the street. Before I can call out, or even think about what to say if I did call out, a sudden shriek of tires fill the air. Before my eyes or ears can make sense of what was happening, the beautiful red headed girl is on the ground. There is no movement except the slow creep of blood from her head. Traffic lights no longer matter. Everyone stops; everyone is shocked. Several people pull out their cell phones to call an ambulance, including the driver of the skidding car. By the look of it, they are a little too late. The pool of blood has welled up bigger and thicker, and no one wants to get any closer, for fear the sight would make them vomit. It is kind of funny, considering only three minutes ago I was up close and personal with this beauty. Now her appearance induces the complete opposite reaction. Two minutes later the ambulance shows up with three paramedics. They quickly clear the small crowd, which includes me, from around the body. They check her wound, and try to find a pulse, but finally have to turn to us and say she's gone, in a very soft and sombre tone. As quickly as the shriek of the tires and the dull thud of flesh against metal had been heard, weeps and whines come into my hearing from all sides. No one believes that someone so young and vibrant has just died before their eyes.

"What is her name?" I say quietly. Funny enough this experience has lasted almost 5 minutes and I still didn't know, how pathetic.

The paramedic then reaches over to the bag she was carrying, the bag which I haven't even noticed before which was surprising because I had noticed every other small detail about her. The medic's gloved hand pulls out a wallet and opens it up saying "Dave Wilkinson?" Quickly, he reaches in and pulls out 3 more wallets and read out the names:

"John Rolston," "Mike Anderson," "Bill Ash" and then the one that makes my heart stop. "Oskar Ellis"

I frantically grab at my sides to feel if my wallet is there, and sure enough, it isn't. She robbed me. She was beautiful, cute, polite and innocent in looks and manner. but she was just a thief. She had stolen my heart the second I laid eyes on her, and my wallet a short time later. I am shocked, heart-broken and disappointed, but one question still swims laps through my mind, as I walk to the other side of the street, did she steal my wallet before or after I told her she had dropped the penny?

What is wrong with the world today?

2009-10-15T22:55:00.000-07:00

I know the world has been fucked up for quite some time, considering someone like perez hilton can be considered a "Celebrity" and for some reason our armies are still in counties they don't belong. But a few things really caught my attention recently, thought I would share my disgust, maybe we can have a group vomit session

Man attempts to circumcise his own son after giving him wine and promising "Ice cream and movies"
Old news, but finally found guilty, thank fuck.

"Balloon boy" was actually hiding in attic because his parents told him to do it "for the show"

...and finally, which may piss some people off (no one reads this so i dont care) but now certain people are allowed to bring KNIVES in to Olympic venues during the 2010 Olympics? Now, what these religious people want to do in their churches and own time is their own business, I couldn't care less but Vancouver isn't exactly a "calm and collective" city, especially not our police force. (see also: Robert Dziekanski) I mean, unless I am going to be allowed to bring in my kitchen knives to cut up my hot dogs while I watch Curling, no one should be allowed to. Why exactly would you need one anyways? All this will do is cause more problems than there already will be rather than appease some "god" or what ever it is these people believe in...

now excuse me while I projectile vomit

Katy Perry - Unplugged or Undressed?

2009-10-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

I’ll be honest; I’ve been known to turn up the sound on my Zune or the radio when ever Katy Perry comes on, usually when I’m feeling brain dead after a long day of work or have had so many Dill Pickle Crispers I can’t move my hand to change the song. But that aside, her songs are catchy, she’s cute and obviously after listening through her CD “One of the Boys” this little pistol whip has a lot on her mind, unfortunately there’s nothing worth mentioning. This former Gospel singer may have the radio stations and teen boys around the world confused about her sexuality, but not me. I am fairly capable of telling when someone is trying to sell me music but the talent, emotion and basic concept is completely “dressed all over” by sex. Which is why I find it fairly disgusting when I hear Katy Perry will have her very own MTV unplugged session actually it makes me more than just disgusted ,but I don’t really have that much time to go in to my digestive pattern. Now I don’t think MTV unplugged is some kind of “marquee” performance where GREAT and AMAZING artists should only be performing but Katy Perry?! C’mon (wasn’t elmo available?)

If this chick wasn’t so confused as to whether or not she was a bisexual, asexual, or a friggen gopher, no one would even know who she is; I kind of wish I still didn’t know who she was. We’ve gone from incredible and honest performances like Pearl Jam, Nirvana and even Jimmy Page with –motherfucking- Robert Plant all the way down the spiral to the boobs, sparkles and make up of Katy Perry. I mean obviously her brilliant lyrics to the song “Ur So Gay” can’t even hold a candle to songs like “No Quarter” or “Pennyroyal Tea” and definitely out-shines the pathetic and “emo” lyrics of “Black” ….right and maybe monkeys will fly outta my butt. I don’t think she has any place on that stage and based on watching her trailer, I would be surprised to see her pick up and play that guitar for more than 5 minutes, and I don’t expect any solos or for her to play anything besides 3 chords (that she probably learned from Billy Joe Armstrong) I’m not gonna deny she has a great voice and can actually sing, which is a plus in music today (how sad) but if I want a great voice and a cute girl on stage I’ll gladly take Norah Jones, Tori Amos and even to a lesser extent, Christina Aguilera. (PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT) I really hope one day Katy Perry uses her talented voice for good and produces some listenable music that not only induces boners (see example here), but some brains as well. She has the potential, but it’s not there yet and I refuse to let anyone fast forward to the “top” and grace the MTV Unplugged stage just because of a nice rack.

Anyways…Katy Perry if that IS your real name (it’s not see also: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson), I will watch your unplugged session, online and for free…but with the sound off, since the only real reason to watch will be your tits, because without them we all know you’d be stuck between a cock…err I mean rock and a hard place!

Check out the trailer for Katy Perry’s “MTV Unplugged” (may as well be titled “undressed”) below.

Thom Yorke - Happy Birthday I guess?

2009-10-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

I won't lie, I don't like to make big deals out of celebrities birthdays and get in to the whole "stalker" area of being a fan, and had no intention of making a Thom Yorke related post today, but I just couldn't help myself.

I finally got around to listening to the songs Thom debuted at his gig with Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers, ever heard of them?) and Co. a band with no name, in LA. To say I was blown away is an understatement, the mere fact that he not only takes a super band like this with his long time producer and legend bass player Flea to play a small as shit venue just shows he isn't about the celebrity lifestyle either. This show could have easily sold out a stadium to tens of thousands...yet he keeps it to under 500.

It's hard for me to not like what Thom does, his voice is soulful and real, he sounds like you picture yourself sounding in your head in the shower. These songs and videos must be heard, so I'll post a few of the new "Thom Yorke" songs he did, follow the youtube links to find more videos from the set including the band playing Thom's entire solo CD "The Eraser" and then some goodies at the end, Thom Yorke you cheeky wanker, happy birthday I fucking love you.

I also love just before he starts this song he says "if you wanna have a chat, fuck off outside... o'course you won't get back in"

enjoy:

Top 20 Live songs I've seen....

2009-09-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

ok so not all the videos are from the actual show I was at (i tried my best) but here we go!

1. Radiohead - Paranoid Android (in Vancouver while the rain poured, during the "rain down..." part was the most religious experience of my life - you can hear some idiots chanting for idioteque because Thom actually gave us the choice of songs to finish with through applause, now im not saying idioteque is a bad song but this was just a perfect way to finish a wet wet amazing evening)

2. Tool - Lateralus (from the Lateralus tour, this song really changed my life when I saw it at Rexall)

3. Roger Waters - Sheep / Great Gig in the Sky (from the DSOTM tour, just incredible, although almost every song from that night could be on this list - also made all the more special because i grew up listening to this because of my dad and i was able to take him with me to this show)

4. Tragically Hip - Fiddlers Green (just an amazing song, have seen them do it twice, each time more beautiful - oh and my bday is september 17th! the first line of the song)

5. Jay Z - 99 Problems/Back in Black (Pemberton festival, say what you will about Rap but this was pure rock and roll, great song and great mix and just great performance by the whole band, it was too much fun)

6. Matthew Good - Symbolistic White Walls (from his acoustic show at the Myer Horowitz *i think*, incredible performance)

7. Nine Inch Nails - Starfuckers (this show was epic, the With Teeth tour amazing set up and video/light show, we broke the barrier and Trents best quote was "hey, dont boo me, youre the crazy fucks that broke the barrier")

8. Modest Mouse - Bury Me With It (saw them live with the national and REM, outdoors in Vancouver, one of the best line ups for a regular concert I've ever had the pleasure to attend also one of my favorite lines from a song ever "Life handed us a pay cheque and we said, we worked harder than this")

9. The National - Geese of Beverly Road (not at the same show as above, but my second day in Vancouver I was able to go see them and this song was something else)

10. Iron & Wine - Naked As We Came (Vancouver folk fest on Jerhico beach with the sun setting...enough said)

11. Weakerthans - Night Windows (see above)

12. Dillinger Escape Plan - 43% Burnt (you just need to see it to believe it and appreciate it, and not to sound gay but when i saw them at one point i had to hold on to the singers arms to keep my balance, i thought i was holding on to a tree trunk the guy is insane)

13. Converge - The Saddest Day (chaos)

14. ...and you will know us by the Trail of Dead - Days of Being Wild/Richter Scale Madness (the most fun i've ever had while a bass drum comes flying at my head)

15. Dredg - The Canyon Behind Her (drove to Bellingham WA to see these guys play a small club with literally 40 people in it? they usually would play to 500-1000, it was an intimate great experience and drinks with the guys after was amazing, 2 dollar tall boys? yes please)

16. Pearl Jam - Do The Evolution (very last minute I bought a 40 dollar ticket from a scalper and was sure it was a fake, but it wasn't I had terrible seats but it was an experience I won't forget!)

17. Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss a Beat (lollapalooza, so much energy, even though it was like 38 degrees and I couldn't even drink, this song got me grooving)

18. Asher Roth - I Love College (I actually missed most of this song cause i had to pee so bad, but he needs to be on this list cause his show was amazingly fun, for a white rapper, he can put on a god damn show_

19. Peter Bjorn & John - Nothing to Worry About (was sooo pumped about them @ Lollapalooza and they came on and did NOT disappoint, killer show from start to finish, this is the start)

20. Radiohead - Faust Arp / Reckoner (of course Radiohead would be on here twice, this was an incredible performance because Thom first, sounds amazing and even while putting a twat in his place continues and sounds beautiful all the way through & Reckoner, just one of the best songs, period)

random thought: death and popularity.

2009-08-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

....it is so ridiculous and stupid how everyone all of a sudden loves someone as soon as they die, I never heard one person mention DJ AM's name beyond who he was dating, his plane crash (which he ALMOST died, which is why we heard about it) and his one scene in entourage until today. I didn't know dying was so cool and popular maybe I will try it...

Though I will say RIP Adem Goldstein as you gave me one of my favorite songs for 5 minutes and I grew out of macho rap-rock for good.

songs I am currently in love with!

2009-08-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Celebrity Twitter Death Match Perez Hilton Vs Travis Barker

2009-08-04T10:19:00.000-07:00

So, I don't know about everyone else but seeing how stupid these two look on Twitter makes me feel better about myself, a LOT better. Even celebrities who are so looked up to, catered to and pretty much ushered around like a different "higher" class of people can be complete retards and here is the proof. Unfortunately I have no idea what the back story is but you don't need it, just read the high school drama fight between Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and the only "Blogger" fatter and gayer than me, Perez Hilton (ps im actually not that fat....or gay)

start from the bottom and go up.

trvsbrkrCHINOXL@trvsbrkr fuck @perezhilton he/she hides behind a computer and talks shit........2 minutes ago from web

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr I did. And you Tweeteed it. "Who is @Sliimy?" Thanks again for that, sugar. xoxo2 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

trvsbrkr@PerezHilton Yeah, u asked me to TWEET SLIIMY u fat bastard, suck a dick, jerk off a child molester, eat a fist. haha5 minutes ago from web in reply to PerezHilton

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr Really? Then why did you email me to "thank you so much" for posting that video? I may be a bitch, but I don't lie. Suck my dick!8 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

trvsbrkr@PerezHilton I don't want you posting shit about me, don't want anything to do with a bitch ass motherfucker like you.10 minutes ago from web in reply to PerezHilton

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr Tommy Lee did this first http://bit.ly/1KSoUQ And he did it BETTER! xoxo10 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr Sounds like a plan! And since we're all about revealing shit now, I love how your publicist BEGGED me to post your drum solo!12 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

trvsbrkr@PerezHilton Well it's done now, Im back in LA in 3 months. Talk shit 2 me then tough guy.13 minutes ago from web in reply to PerezHilton

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr From one media whore to another, thanks for all the attention you're giving me today. Check mate! ha ha ha15 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

trvsbrkr http://bit.ly/h2kJl Remember this ????18 minutes ago from web

trvsbrkr@PerezHilton Oh, you releasing naked photos with Shanna and planning it all out was a classic bitch move, good job buddy.18 minutes ago from web in reply to PerezHilton

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr Your kids must be SO PROUD of you right now! See, I can go below the belt too.18 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

trvsbrkr http://bit.ly/h2kJl Remember this ????19 minutes ago from web

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr See you soon, cupcake! xoxo21 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr PS Slick move bringing Carrie Prejean's name into this, you media whore.21 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

trvsbrkr@PerezHilton FUCK YOU!!!!!!!! See u in LA26 minutes ago from web in reply to PerezHilton

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr How are you making the situation with your kids better by going to war with Shanna through Twitter? THINK about it!27 minutes ago from web

trvsbrkrAnybody have that footage of Perez getting his ass kicked a month ago? i think he forgot the right time to shut his mouth? WILL I AM???28 minutes ago from web

PerezHilton@trvsbrkr No, he shouldn't have beat me. No one deserves that. Not me. Not even you and your stupid ways.28 minutes ago from web in reply to trvsbrkr

trvsbrkrkaratepantsRT @trvsbrkr: http://bit.ly/jHkUI- I was going to warn you to stay off Perez this morning... dude's a bitch. Play him off.30 minutes ago from web

trvsbrkrFUck @perezhilton UNFOLLOW punk motherfuckers that hide behind a computer taking shit.32 minutes ago from web

trvsbrkr@PerezHilton Apparently you do. Will I AM should've BEAT YOUR ASS! PS , i have your emails between you and Shanna setting up Carrie Prejean.34 minutes ago from web in reply to PerezHilton

trvsbrkrexpensivetasteRT @trvsbrkr http://bit.ly/jHkUI . <--FUCK PEREZ HILTON & ANYBODY ELSE THAT HIDES BEHIND A COMPUTER & TALKS SHIT. HELLA WEAK.34 minutes ago from web

trvsbrkr@PerezHilton Fuck off, u support Dead Beat Moms & child molesters.39 minutes ago from web in reply to PerezHilton

trvsbrkr http://bit.ly/jHkUI .41 minutes ago from web

PerezHiltonTravis Barker threatens me! http://bit.ly/iD76K Because I called him out on his Twitter stupidity! PS I'm not scared of you, boo. xoxo

The day Tom Delonge writes anything Pink Floyd-esque....is the day well ummmm.....I'll think of something

2009-08-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

I think it would be more likely that a master race of raccoons rise up from the woods and imprison us all as their slaves and within 2 years we are all hailing "King Rat"(ps this is a link to the new Heath Ledger directed Modest Mouse music video) and Heath Ledger comes back from the dead and is saved by aliens so he doesn't have to become a slave and can live the rest of his life directing music videos for DJ aliens on Jupiter. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Christian Bale and JCVD eventually all suit up as hard core, gun toting, ripped super heroes who defeat the master race and save us all from slavery except the seniors who were all put in a spaceship and sent to the moon.

This is all WAY more realistic than what Tom Delonge from Blink-182 said about his band "Angel and Airwaves" new album "Love"... read and LOL here

"Speaking of the album in a recent interview with Billboard, DeLonge called it “the biggest release of [his] life” and “the pinnacle of [his] creativity.” Love was compared to Pink Floyd’s The Wall in terms of scope and ambition, and words like “super-conceptual,” “highbrow,” and “artistic” were used to describe it.
“It’s like blending Radiohead and U2 together with these kind of Pink Floyd movements,” DeLonge explained. “Things happen unpredictably and take you to these epic soundscapes. It’s very much in the spirit of Angels & Airwaves, but it sounds way, way more thought out and way more ambitious.”

Now to get that thought out of our head, some much needed Pink Floyd

Rough outline of my Lollapalooza weekend schedule

2009-08-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

After much thinking and listening and drinking... this is what I think to be a fairly good agenda of bands for the weekend of Lollapalooza, hoping to see a full 6-8 acts a day and maybe some after shows...doubtful on the after shows though. Will post mega reviews and pics etc etc after the weekend, if I survive...anyways, time spent at work and not working is time well spent!

Trent Reznor needs to SHUT THE FUCK UP about Twitter.

2009-07-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Alright, seriously Trent Reznor that is enough. Nobody cares why you "quit Twitter" for the second god damn time. Why don't you explain why your music quantity has doubled in recent years yet the quality has drastically dropped. The man who wrote, performed and lived "March of the Pigs" somehow morphed in to a money hungry, pop-rock machine of making AVERAGE music at best, best exemplified with "Only" or even the completely embarrassing "Hand That Feeds" with catchy choruses and verses sounding like they were written by who ever writes Lady Gaga's music, which even by her ridiculous explanation of what "Poker Face" is really about, shows more depth and originality than anything Reznor has done in at least 7 years.

All I can really say is maybe Trent Reznor should go buy, download to his apple iPhone which he also never shuts up about and listen to "Hooker With a Penis" as Maynard James Keenan really puts it quite beautifully, some advice that may have saved Reznor all this pre-teen dramatic bitching and crying.

"So I've got some
Advice for you, little buddy.
Before you point your finger
You should know that
I'm the man,

If I'm the fuckin' man
Then you're the fuckin' man as well
So you can

Point that fuckin' finger up your ass.

All you know about me is what I've sold you,
Dumb fuck.

I sold out long before you ever heard my name.
I sold my soul to make a record,
Dip shit,
And you bought one.

All you read and
Wear or see and
Hear on TV
Is a product
Begging for your
Fatass dirty
Dollar

So...Shut up and
Buy my new record
Send more money
Fuck you, buddy."

Alberta finally out does BC

2009-06-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

Kudos Alberta, your Virgin festival this year is definitely much more worthwhile than BC's with acts like Metric (puke), Broken Social Scene (bring pillows) and no one else even worth mentioning who would make me want to travel out to Deer Lake Park, as beautiful as it is.

Pearl Jam alone trumps the BC Virgin Festival period.

Have fun Alberta, wish I could join you.. but I'll be here ;) (although my picks are still being decided)

LOLLAPALOOZA 2009 CHICAGO, IL

Please don't blur my face Google!

2009-06-17T13:40:00.001-07:00

I've been fascinated with the Google Street View since it arrived on the web, and one day strolling down Beatty St in Vancouver, I saw the Google truck with the camera roll by. Quickly and swiftly I jumped hopefully being caught in the street view and my legacy of someone who can jump, to live on...for ever. Take that, NBA

Anyways, Google is vowing to blur faces, obviously for privacy blah blah blah. But if you're caught coming out of a 25 cent peep show porn shop, you deserve it! Don't ruin my fun damnit!

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/06/17/tech-google-street-view.html?ref=rss

Lollapalooza schedule!

2009-06-17T08:21:00.001-07:00

I'm going to create my own a little bit later... quite excited! Like a little girl, except I wasn't touched by my dad!

http://2009.lollapalooza.com/schedule

Whatever happened to...?

2009-06-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

Whatever happened to...?

Girlalicious? Who cares, just thought of them reading a previous blog of mine thinking their name would still be relevant in the music business...shame on me.

Simple Plan, besides that brutal attempt of playing a rock version of the old CBC (now property of CTV and on TSN hockey nights) hockey song and playing Virgin Festival Montreal alongside Black Eyed Peas and New Kids on the Block (maybe this festival should be called the where are they now festival, or at least buy a time machine to go back to when the bands playing were popular) Simple Plan proves what I knew all along that these “pop punk” what ever bands eventually all fade in to oblivion, destined to eventually work selling cars or ice cream, soon to be included in this category....Ten Second Epic, Hedley (also playing the where are they now festival) and Stereos, the worst thing to come out of Edmonton since...me.

Limp Bizkit, as a music enthusiast first and foremost and not concerned with the "look" of a band I am happy to see these guys returning to the stage playing a bunch of European festivals, notably you can see the entire set Download Festival, and you can clearly see the guys are back and better than ever. Nostalgia may be the word to describe this fascination with the comeback, but whatever it is at least it’s not cheesy and over done. I will definitely be seeing this tour when it hits North America.

Faith No More, on the same note as Bizkit, Mike Patton and the original Faith No More line up is also kicking ass in Europe but unfortunately that may be the only place they do it... for those of us not lucky enough to live over the pond, there is a great set of videos from their performance at Download Festival.

Deftones/Chi Cheng, the great news is that Chi is no longer in ICU and is resting that is very happy news as a long time die hard Deftones fan and hope he keeps getting better. On a side note I would like to commend Dredg for dedicating their latest album to Chi Cheng and such an emotional great album about death and life if you believe in that kind of thing could have a little to do with Chi’s recovery. I think we should show the band the same respect they’ve shown Chi and check out their amazing new song “Information” and if you like that, go ahead and purchase the album dedicated to Chi (as well as the late great and hilarious George Carlin) “The Pariah, The Parrot and the Delusion”

Stabbing Westward, surprisingly I randomly saw their song “Save Yourself” on a Rolling Stone current TOP 10, which seemed like a mistake, alongside Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Animal Collective etc etc. They had some excellent rock songs back in the day and an image that attracted young kids looking for a gateway in to hard rock. Not sure how their name got on that list, but they are due for a comeback tour or album. Anyone who likes industrial-esque hard rock, should definitely check in to their music.
And most importantly in my mind, whatever happened to

TRENT REZNOR... the once dark, confusing and mysterious front man of the band Nine Inch Nails (notably not playing the where are they now festival...yet) has completely tarnished any image he had previously by not only taking Nine Inch Nails to an online and much more user accessible image and sound has also made his personality seem as dull and boring as a soccer mom watching the view. He continually takes to his Twitter page to talk about his personal life, his love life and seemingly acting like a high school kid using the internet for the first time in English class and sending dirty messages to his friends over email. Then to follow up epic albums such as the Fragile or Downward Spiral with album after album after digital download after album after EP after digital download full of mediocre boring music. Nothing new, nothing exciting and nothing that should be associated with the words Nine Inch Nails. I can only hope that Trent Reznor will either put Nine Inch Nails to sleep before their name becomes associated with money making albums and remix albums ala Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers or 50 cent...shudder.

Flight path to Lollapalooza

2009-06-16T17:54:00.001-07:00

the terrific flight plan to lollapalooza and back, by me.

*please note, hours do not take in to account time zone changes, not very bright on my part

More bike adventures, a bit less liquor!

2009-06-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately didn't have any booze on this bike ride, this would be a perfect location. Near G-ville Island, a beautiful grassy hill and no roads in sight for the fuzz to come around and bug you. Not to mention the beautiful views!

Bike adventures with liqour

2009-06-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

Enjoying a beautiful Ocean view with a delicious Bud Light Lime.

Modest Mouse fall tour dates

2009-06-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

new Modest Mouse tour dates:
Monday 08/17/2009 Halifax, NS
Wednesday 08/19/2009 Montreal, QC
Thursday 08/20/2009 Kingston, ON
Friday 08/21/2009 Toronto, ON
Monday 08/24/2009 Columbus, OH
Tuesday 08/25/2009 Chicago, IL
Tuesday 09/01/2009 Salt Lake City, UT
Wednesday 09/02/2009 Denver, CO
Thursday 09/03/2009 Billings, MT
Friday 09/04/2009 Missoula, MT
Saturday 09/05/2009 Spokane, WA

For anyone who can make it, I would highly suggest the Toronto or Spokane date, I will be trying my best to visit Spokane for this show. One band I've always loved and just happened to see them open for REM/The National and was absolutely blown away, if you're a fan at any level this is a show NOT TO MISS.

Projectile Vomiting and Hardcore

2008-09-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

I think it's time for Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and John Lennon to all roll over a few times in their grave, music has officially just purchased it's burial plot next to all of them and it needs room!

Watching TV before bed and a video comes on "A Day To Remember - Since U Been Gone" Thinking back to other mock covers of pop songs like Travis and "Hit Me Baby One More Time" or even the Israeli Yael Naim and her version of "Toxic" both originally "written" and performed by Britney Spears (I can only hope she will be using her burial plot next to Marilyn Monroe sooner rather then later)

....back on track
I was expecting a new original take on the already catchy song and hopefully some new exciting twists from this "post hardcore" which should describe someone as being experimental and fresh. A Day To Remember seems to be the complete opposite just piggy backing on the success of a corporate America developed artist like Kelly Clarkson. They also for some reason try to mock the Kelly Clarkson video which I'm sure she had contractual obligations to do, they didn't. Now without doubt in my mind thousands of "Hardcore Kids" around the world are criticizing the open minded pop-loving Kelly fans while buying their hardcore 7" LP's and spending hours listening to every hardcore band ever so they can sing along to every word at their next gathering without looking like a fool in front of the "scene"

Hardcore from growing up meant to me a "from the heart, brutal and honest" kind of music with a punk influence. This band and that song has flipped that completely around showing that like any other genre of music and fad that comes along they are willing to adapt and sell out to make a buck.

I have no problem with a band paying homage to a song they like and putting their own spin on it, but this has disgusted me to the point of turning on my old Limp Bizkit CD's and even worse... Creed. At least they had some flavor, some originality and weren't using a previous success to boost their record sales and fill their concerts with even more annoying cargo wearing, bandanna fronting try-hards who are just there to be seen by the scene.

Good job "A Day To Remember" now you will be remembered... for ripping off a perfectly good pop song and making it your own pile of garbage. Can't wait to hear your Girlicious cover!