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 Your Hey Mercedes weblog. The Cast: Robert Nanna Damon Atkinson Todd Bell Michael Shumaker Dan Keehn Chris Bickert Norman Arenas Ryan Snyder 
Ebay: Bob Damon Todd Mike Ryan Go Clock Go: absolute punk all music guide alton brown art of the mix awkward pirouttes bipolar braid heaven c & c drums cadmium chicago shows! critical darling dullest dvd file ebay google news grandtheftautumn invisible city kempa look like kenny michael moore my friend goes left the new top ok plus three panaphobic pirate smiles pitchfork punk news quoc machinery recwreck rocket fuel the scout theme park thieves trouble vagrant weasel manor who would buy work of fiction you look good hallelujah it's the indieblogs webring list random previous next |
May 19, 2001
mark: J-it's so good to see you bloggin'.I don't know how I got hooked on this thing either(I blame Nanna)I wish I had something to report,but alas,I do not.Back to my guitar.I'm trying to make it gently weep,but so far all I've done is make it a bit testy.
j.: Christ, am I doomed to blog forever? Hey Mercedes, what hast thou done to me? Burning Airlines is in Verona tonight (home of "Three Gentlemen of ..." and other Shakespeare greats), playing alone in a giant converted cold-storage warehouse. And loving it. The last couple of days were rainy and cold, we played in Berlin and Munich (Julia wants an email, Mercedeses!), and last night was one of those incredible Europe tour gifts that makes you realize why you go on tour in the first place - we played in a tiny town in Slovakia, Ilistra Bistrica, with a band from Zagreb and an American performance art experience called Melted Man (they have a website I think, www.meltedman.com), which was a total (friendly) assault on the audience and it completely rocked my world. I won't even try to describe it. But it was well worth the 6-hour drive. And now the sun is shining here in beautiful Italia. All right!
Robert: 227 Anesthesia - Bad Religion Today I should be outside enjoying the weather... but instead it's going to be clean-house day. The trick is not to be afraid to throw stuff away. I've got a problem with that...
Robert: So I guess no one's around. Darn. I'm listening to Pele - The Nudes. What an incredible album. Maybe i should try going back to sleep. I'm sick of looking at this screen.
Robert: Janet Catherine's sleeping in. I think bad dreams are nature's way of forcing you to go to sleep only when you're tired. Confusing? Yes. It's 2 AM and i'm awake listening to the First Love, Last Rites soundtrack. Is anyone else awake? ... How bout that clock above? Do you even see it? I saw it while at work, but it doesn't want to work on the big guy here at the apartment. (Clock has been taken down - will be put on a separate page...) May 18, 2001
Todd: Listening to the new Burning Airlines. Wow! How about that drum intro on Identikit? Smokin'! And then even more crazy drummy intro on Tastykake. Go Pete go! I forgot to mention that 'Cactus Club' Justin, Mark 'Farm' and myself 'Unemployed', went to see Memento last night. It was really good. I enjoy concept movies, and how can you go wrong with Carrie-Anne Moss? Hello!? I give it a 7.5 out of 10. Easily a thumbs-up. Who is more of a record collector sucker than myself? Find out here. Ebay wins again (don't they always?). If it ain't on Ebay, I don't need it..
dan: oh man do I love me some sea & cake....sooooo goooodd.....oh my goodness.... all the photos my favorite..awesome!! totally awesome...I just deposited my paycheck and it's off to the lake to catch me some walleye or perch..which ever , litely breaded with a garlic herb rub...I love those hand claps in that song...sorry, anyway..1 and a half hours left till my weekend starts..CAN"T WAIT...tonight it's off to hartfest or heartfest, whatever that is, to drink some adult beverages and have a brat or burger..yum, hey guys? It's sooo nice outside, coarse I wouldn't know cause I be all workin' all day n shit..what to do for the next hour...? it was nice seeing my friend pete come in today..we chatted it up, I wish it would've been over a few ceeold ones...hey pete..? I'll possibly chime in later depending on how things are going.. remind me to tell you the story of the bearded long haired balding guy on a spree.... please...
Robert: Wow! It's a shame i missed out on one of the Magnolia frogs on Ebay. Look up "magnolia frog" in completed auctions. The splattered ones went for lots of money. Still not enough to buy Rickles. AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHH! Who in their right mind is bidding on this?!?!. (WWBT)
Robert: I’m not feeling too well. It’s hot in here. No ventilation. I’m seriously surrounded by stacks and stacks of boxes. I’ve downed about 4 cups of the good good stuff. Now I don’t feel too well. I’m sweating. Shaking. Need to grab some lunch or something… but I’m not really that hungry because of all the extraneous food day snacking. Woe. I’m always worried that I’m not complaining enough. Sure, it’s Friday and I should be all happy and glowing and yahoo and all that, but when you’ve been out of the race for awhile, the weekdays and the weekends blend together like an hour of M2. So this could really be any day, and that’s a bit depressing. But just imagine the joy you’d get, singing to the dog – “Why ya gotta be a pug-a-boo, a pug-a-boo.” If I had a puppy EB, I’d most certainly name him Rickles. Not after the entertainer, per se, but after the telephone-involved defense move that has been mistakenly named after him… as in “Don’t make me give you the Don Rickles!” At that point, buddy, you better start running. And as someone might say, “I will camp the f*** out of that site.” Sitting on the burner? Careful not to scald your ace.
Todd: Just a reminder, the 2nd annual Hey Mercedes camping trip is entering confirmation.. Currently known as secret operation "no accident". Or secret OPna. More to be disclosed at a future date..
Todd: Coffee etiquette. Yup, If I were you Bob I would'nt worry about Mr. Harrumphing giving you the hairy eyeball about taking the last cup. He probably would've poured it out anyways if he was making two fresh pots o' coffee. Kinda like your dad does everytime I make coffee at the Nannas. I think the guy just started off having a bad day, and because of this.. you should torment him all day.. thats right.. I said it.. Plus! Bob, if he only knew how you make coffee, I doubt he'd be giving you the business.. Speaking of coffee I'm enjoying some fine Alterra brew right-a-bout-a-now-a. Breakfast blend. Sitting on the coffee warmer. Listening to the Minutemen. Things are pretty good, I made a concious effort to not put any pants on until after noon today. 12:10pm and I decided it was a good time. Aint it the life? Gotta call Damon today about going to a music store, maybe we'll grab a late lunch? If I named any domesticated animal "Pugaboo" I'd have to kick my own ass.
Robert: I’m glad I’m getting back to the really important questions in life: Another coffee or another donut? It is a dreaded food day here at the grind (And when I say grind, I mean that in the most fun “mtv-dance-party” kinda way. Yes ma’am, I’ll get back to my reports nowsville.)… I’m proud to say that it took almost 2 years of swiping the keycard here for me to actually bring some food to a “food day”. Usually it’s all take take take. Donut here, potato chip there, Twizzler here, eieio… I brought a nice big container of dry roasted peanuts that I found in the pantry. Loaded with gelatin. Again, is gelatin really necessary for peanuts?! Anyway, I’m pleased because they’ve already been busted into. Phew. I was starting to feel like that kid at the birthday party who always gave the worst presents… Tangent. When I was a kid at birthday parties for classmates, whenever they got around to opening the gift from me, I’d get up and go to the bathroom, because I didn’t want to bear witness if they disliked it. Wussy, I was. I drank weak coffee back then. Co-tangent. I have actually been drinking coffee for a long long time now. I’m not exaggerating when I estimate my binge beginning around 3rd or 4th grade. My family would always hit this corner restaurant by our old house after church… and they let me drink coffee. Yum. I loved it. I would drink coffee, eat my side orders of bacon and toast, and fall asleep in the booth. The restaurant is located on the corner of Fullerton and Central, across the street from Hanson Stadium, part of the park where my bike was ruthlessly stolen by a bunch of hoods. The place used to be called George’s, but I’m not sure if it still is. Right after we moved, the roof of the place went up in flames. Cocoa-tangent. So now after damn near 15 years of swilling down the brew, I’m trying desperately to kick the habit. Two tours ago, I drank none of it, thinking that a cup of coffee in the morning would somehow negatively affect my voice in the evening. I don’t know what I was thinking. This past tour, I religiously started every morning with a fresh cup, and I was fine. Even during recording, I enjoyed my fair share of java… Now here at work, it’s just out of control. I can’t get enough of the stuff. I guess I’ll ride the wave until I start shaking too much. And then I’ll quit. And then I’ll start again. And then I’ll quit. Ad. Nauseum. Shirley really liked the song “Quit”. I do too. We’ve never played it live. That’s all about to change.
dan: I'm only happy when this pain in the rear right portion where my neck meets my skull is shooting up my head...It must be normal, cause it happens every few days or so..maybe it's too much of one or two things..I should try and cut those things out for at least a few days..It usually goes away after I shower or " hit the rain room" so it's not that bad, I'm just a whimp..take a little pain! suck it UP..! beautifully sunny today, yesterday I placed some wood chips around my yard and made some obsticles so notorious would stop Running in the same spot so much..so I've got these little wire tomato metal circular stick-in-the-ground things with little pink strips of a wash cloth that used to be red but was washed in bleach..they add a nice soft touch to the backyard.. whats more, they even prevent gretta from running full speed into the tomato wire metal hoop things that stick in the ground..that's great.. the angel is still running..totally swept out from the woody wood chippy chip chips... '2 loked out, gangsta set trippn' jeez...'
Robert: Can I get a briefing on office coffeemaker etiquette? Let’s say I drained the last of the coffee out of one of the pots. Would it then be appropriate for me to start up another batch? The reason why I ask: As I was sauntering into the break room this morning, empty mug in hand, I walked in on a man-gone-ape session. A fellow employee (if you’re reading this, don’t worry it’s not you. Ok, I’ll get back to work.) was slamming cabinets, slapping down styrofoam cups, harrumphing up a storm, all because – both pots of coffee had a little less than an inch of brew in each. So he was none too happy to be the guy that had to make more… So while he was fussing about, I slipped by him, took the remaining coffee that was in the pots, and hightailed it outta there. He wasn’t too pleased. Was that wrong of me to do or should I have come back when the new brew was done? Have I broken some rule that I was never informed of? I mean, I wasn’t the guy who left the coffee in such a dire state… An interesting aside to all of this: I have been the guy who takes the last of it on more than one occasion… so I only thought it right that I make another pot. However, every single time that’s happened, my coffee ends up getting dumped out because it’s too strong for all of these wussies (again, not you, right – back to work I go.)… so what’s the point, really? The guys in my band like to poke fun at my family’s morning breakfast routine, especially my dad’s fondness for muddy strong coffee. “Diane, who put this filter in here?!?” Oh, but he’s a big sweetheart… that’s gotta have his strong brew. Are you brewing?
Robert: By the way, yesterday's song was: 229 Clifton Wall - Soulside And today: 228 A Letter to Elise - The Cure I did a little switcheroo by the links, because in all reality, i read pf way more than i do salon... even if they are a notoriously saucy bunch. Never happy during the week. Update every day. May 17, 2001
Robert: Asian Book of Wisdom: It looks as though our old pal Kenoki has become quite the Lushy McLush-lush-lush. Don’t worry, though. As long as you don’t start making ridiculous bets like seeing who can drink 24 beers in the course of 24 hours – you’re in the clear. By the way, that bet happened. It was our old pal, the funniest man in Chicago. You know him, Kenoki. He was my old (and future) roommate… You should really start drinking the NA. It’s not as bad as you remember… Amplified: M2. I agree how so many videos are just interchangable. You mentioned the played out OJ car chase (in my favorite Nelly song’s video no less). You know what I’d like to see more of? Burt Reynolds / Cannonball Run – themed videos. HM should start the trend… although, when you start putting cars in videos, you’re asking for trouble. Not to mention the cost, which skyrockets well past the price of a litter of puppy English Bulldogs. So is it worth it? By the way, thanks to David for mailing me the DVD of Stroker Ace. I swear I’ll get around to watching that sooner or later. Bipolar: Beware of the pizza, my friend. Lots of cheese = stomach issues. Trust me, I know. Also, I love my MTV and like my favorite Weezer song is like that one “Half Pipe” cause it’s like about skating. I wonder if lobster babies are as cute as EB puppies. My guess would be no. They’re a lot cheaper, though. Boy Project: Needs to update. I know for a fact you’ve been at some shows in Chicago. How bout a review or sumptin? Cheap Seats: For shame, you will let some music ezine make you question your site! I’d like to see John Dark (obviously a pseudonym) try his hand at it. Actually, when you think about it, Pitchfork is nothing but one big blog. They review records and give the news, I talk about dogs and review blogs. Interchangable as a block of M2 videos. You know what mom would say, “If some website told you to jump into a lake…” Crisis Center: “Real World Pie” is pretty rotten at the moment, Ginger. So for now, I’m hitting the other side – the internet side. My one link to the real world while I’m doing the robot. And it’s pumpkin. Always pumpkin… And it’s a fact that one tends to write less when happy. So in that sense, when people don’t update – you and I should be psyched, cause it just means they’re extra happy. CNN: They are never happy there. DVD File: Requiem for a Dream unrated DVD comes out 5/22 with lots of extras. I still haven’t seen it. Make it a priority to rent. Mental note: probably not a good date movie. Glue Factory: Kevin’s been bad at updating, cause he’s been so happy seeing Reel Big Fish. It’s OK to like them, Kevin. I won’t tell anybody. Oops. It’s nice to keep up with you. I expect a full review of that Weakerthans show, and see if Chris (DC) would mind if there was a EB puppy on our bus. Heart Murmur: One of the reasons I started doing websites was to procrastinate school work. It’s a shame I didn’t blog back then, or else it would only consist of lists of all of the “important” stuff I have to do. But it seems like you’re pretty relaxed about the whole thing, which is good. Some good advice would be to stretch, prioritize, drink lots of water, and call me in the morning. Next. Since when has AYWAW become Talk Soup for Blogs? Blog Soup. In Circles: If you venture into the Dead Author’s Club, let us know. Hopefully they don’t have cheesy punny names for their drinks. I won’t even go there. You should be thankful… You’ve picked some very good records there, my friend. That RHP album is one of my all time faves. Kempa: Adam seems pretty happy. He hasn’t updated in a week. Where are you? Why does your site always funk with my windows? It’s fine at home, but here AW it’s like a bomb. And here I’m trying to be all stealth. (Attention workers: don’t fret. I blog while I wait for the machines. Making full use of time. Need raise.) Kickbright: Jawbox at a thrift store. Huh. So that’s where J is… I have yet to hear that Boyz in the Hood / Modest Mousey song… but I am glad that the Josh Dodes Band got kicked off and Soul Cracker didn’t. I know SC is just terrible, but the ratings, the ratings! We need something to get upset about. Let’s rally. Kings Nuts: The folks at KN were really happy there for awhile. I don’t blame em – They’re all fresh outta school for the summer. Is Italy that much cooler than Normal? Need more. Life During Wartime: But how do you really feel about the guy? Easy now! Maybe you’ve been reading too much EAP! Unfortunately, I know more than a few people in a similar situation and it can be rough. How do you approach an issue like that? Sure, blogging about it helps, and you get some support, but how can you help feeling the way that you do? It’s not like a switch. Good luck to you, dear sir. Know you have concerned readers. Holy lord, somebody smells good here at work. Who just walked by?!? Listen Missy: Missy’s got some good links up – I actually read about the tattooed pigs a few days ago. Apparently, the guy buys pigs that were to be destroyed and uses them to practice tattooing. Ethical? Well, he is saving their lives, I guess. But what about the poor pigs with the botched tattoos? Or even worse, the ones with the bad metal tattoos? Marvelous: Blogging at work. It’s nice, I have to admit. (Of course, during the designated breaks, he he.) I suggest getting a little notebook (see Crisis Center). So if you get a great idea for a blog or some drum beat, just jot er down between the 6th and 7th hole. Careful for the sandtraps and wear sunscreen. Running out of steam. Next Blog Soup, I’ll start from the bottom. Miette: GO WISH HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hurry before she ends up with my sister, napping on a bar! Monosyllabic: Nick is really happy. I don’t remember CU being that fun! Oh yeah, it’s not, cause he’s outta there. Congrats. It’s a shame I didn’t get to meet you at the show. My Friend Goes Left: Jen is looking for trouble in Normal? What you need to do is jog-walk really far northeast. 110 miles or so… It’s good to see that your newfound lack of computer will not keep you from chiming in… Was that bizarro-Jen at the Coffeehouse with the pillow under her shirt? OK Plus Three: Don’t make me eat there! Maybe I’ve just become a restaurant snob or something, but LOOK AT THE PLACE! Please, someone take a picture of that shacky shack so we can take votes on who would dare to actually step inside, much less ingest anything that is created there. Yuck! … I’ve been meaning to get in touch regarding your yoga escapades. I think I need to get involved somehow. I bought this tape, but the “teacher” is just so laughable. I think I blogged about it a long time ago. I’m not even going to link to it. Harumph… While all of you are ill from the RK, I’ll be living it up with Sapporo and Horseradish Tofu sauce down the street at FTG. Ahh. Lengthen the spine. Panaphobic: Zach and the boys must never be happy cause they win the grand prize for most beefy updates (dime). Bravo… It’s a Shame About Ray is one of my favorite albums of all time. Did I miss that damn Evan Dando Double Door show? I’m clueless. Did they turn up the heat in here? Sweat. I just got asked to be on a bowling team. Rockout: Still on Douglas Adams over there. I did read “Life, the Universe…” but I was a youngun and I don’t remember any of it. I should track it down before they ruin it with a movie. By the way, I’m nearly finished with Less Than Zero. Salon: Never go there anymore. I should take it down. Saturn: Good to see Jack back in action. He’s moving, so I’ll let him slide on the update lag. I hope he’s happy. Scallen: Great shots of Joe of TDP and Tim K. What a great site. Shawn, you’re the best. Do you happen to have any puppy bulldog shots laying around the house? You may want to check under those atari games… Us Against Them: Lotsa good tidbits up today. I’m still waiting for Mr. Dawursk’s review of Amnesiac! Also, that soundtrack at Basement Life is pretty rad. And I’m not just saying that because my band is involved! Who Would Buy That: Some good stuff today, including this very odd auction. Tito? Yahtzeen: No update yet today, but yesterday had a nice little column on feminism. You Look Good: I’m getting tired and it’s too hot in here. Hope Greg’s having fun in Boston. I’m not sure I want to know where those search terms came from. And that's it for Blog Soup. Stay tuned for the next episode sometime before July 26.
Robert: I’m doing the robot. But I ain’t dancing. Veggie chili (heavy crackers) and Sprite. The lunch of champions. Oh, how I’ve missed thee, after many nights of those cold veggie dogs. Dogs… Thanks to everyone that has emailed regarding my new fascination with the English Bulldog. My favorite dog was always the Bassett Hound, but the EB is giving him a run for his money. His money = $2000. Darn. Sean emailed me a picture of an adorable EB puppy named Darla. Thanks. Thanks a lot. Just makes me want one more. Also, Rhonda emailed me an interesting fact about male Ebs – due to their short soft palate, they can pass out from getting aroused! Thanks for the safety tip… I’d also like to mention that I am well aware of Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith. This is the second time today that my neighbor’s radio is playing “While You See a Chance” by Steve Winwood! Is this a sign that I should get into my car and drive over to Petland right now? Soon – my sidebar link review.
Robert: Happy Birthday to my sister, at whatever bar she's presently napping on. You know that Simpsons episode where Homer joins clown college? After he sees that billboard, everything and everyone he sees are somehow clown-related (including a guy on fire at the plant!) ... Well, let's just say that there is an English Bulldog puppy sitting at the desk next to me working on some reports. Hello to everyone here at work who may have stumbled upon this page. I was certain that no one would see it, but while I was on tour, a fellow employee emailed me saying something like - "I read that you're sick and had to cancel a show! Don't sweat it, things are going to be OK..." At first, I sat back and thought, "Oh that's nice of her to do" and then came panic, "Argh! She could have only read that in one place! Here!" So if you're reading, you'll be happy to know that I am getting right back to work, pronto. I'm just taking a small blog break. If i'm not mistaken, each employee is allowed 15 minutes blogtime twice daily (not including lunch). I'm pretty sure i read that in the manual. Alright, bulldog, see you bulldog.
Robert: I left the song list at home, so you won't know the real one until i get back there... so for now, it's going to be a song that really should be on the list, but because of a momentary lapse of reason, it was forgotten. The song is "Deadbeat Club" by the B-52's. Wow, what a great song. You may scroll down and see Todd yakking about some dart games that he won at Madison's infamous Lava Lounge. Well, this is my excuse - i was too busy being enchanted by that wonderful song. Even though the track was done about 2 minutes into my first doomed game and the jukebox had already moved on to heavier pastures (Shout at the Devil), i was still reeling from the tune. Mark it in the books. It is the first forgotten favorite of the bunch. I'm sure there will be more. I'm back at work and amazingly, i feel OK about it. Give me a week and i'm sure i'll change my story. Everyone here is so happy to see me. Feels pretty good. Feeling dumb this morning. Need (better) coffee... Did I mention that it was the cutest darn english bulldog you ever did see? May 16, 2001
Robert: It's 9:33 PM. I'm sitting at my home computer. I'm eating whole marinated mushrooms. My sister's 21st birthday is tomorrow. Miette's 21st birthday is tomorrow. I'm pretty tired. My roommate is watching a movie in the living room down the hall. The Notwist are an excellent German band. I am psyched about this tour, more specifically, this part. Tomorrow I will start working on a redesign of the website using elements that will be featured in the artwork for our new album. Our new album is complete. It is called "Everynight Fire Works" and will be released on July 24, 2001 on Vagrant Records. It contains 11 songs and is approximately 43 minutes long. The day after the release date, we begin our part of the tour - the one that i am psyched about. When we are done with that tour, we will tour more with some other band and hit all of the cities that we'll miss the first time around. Some of these cities include: Denver, Salt Lake City, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Katmandu, Rantoul, and the entire northeast (including Canada). We like touring, can you tell? I don't feel like talking. I received a large framed award in the mail today from SESAC. The 2000 National Performance Activity Award. I graciously accept your award and thank everyone who made this possible. You like me, you really... etc etc.... An adorable English Bulldog puppy! I mean, this little guy was amazing. That face. Those huge paws. Sliding around the little "petting" area. Do you know how much an English Bulldog puppy costs? Huh, do ya? Well, I'll give you a hint: It's between $1999 and $2001. And not only do i NOT have the finances, but i don't have the necessary housing, lease-wise. I'm moving. I'm moving July 1st if i play my cards right. My lease ends here August 1, so that means i'll be paying double rent for that month. Have to do it. Gonna be gone! I want a nice big room with a big new bed. A place for my stereo. A place for my dvd player. And maybe a place for an English Bulldog puppy. A separate place so as not to disturb any roommates. It's 9:58. I'm going to sleep. I have to go back to work tomorrow, so you may bear witness to renewed intense blog patterns from my direction. It's just a shame that Pumpkin Muffins are out of season. And one last thing: Nanette, have you lost your precious mind? The River Kwai?! As a fellow blogger and lover of all things flat top, how can you stoop to that level? Sure, the place has oodles and oodles of charm (trust me folks, the place looks like a small Midwestern farm shed after a major tornado), but wasn't it recently closed due to massive health violations? I swear I drove past it and saw one of those health code stickers. The real tragedy, is that Flat Top is a few short blocks down the street. I don't believe it. I can't ever eat there. Don't make me!
dan: you are no good....you are no good.. Today is boring here at work...can't even get into the bloggin' mood..nothin happenin'..waiting for the clock....already red the paper..tour dates are lookin' good...camp sites will be booked tomorrow foo..!.. * hey..exciting news...is no where to be found.. oil change in the soob..gas in the gas tank..I'm driving the spanish angel home tonight..it's been awhile, I just got a new (used) windshield for 79 bucks no cracks..If I could only find time to look at the gas pedal cause it kinda sticks...automatic cruise..for free..you just gotta be careful..I can't wait to listen to the radio..it sounds really good believe it or not..If it only had a cd player or tape deck for that matter..I've always got 91.7fm peace out-
Robert: 230 Chemicals - Notwist It feels good to be home. Actually, I'm not home yet. I'm doing a few short hours of house-sitting. Actually, I'm just taking advantage of some free laundry facilities as i wait for inbound Chicago traffic to ease up. I'm going to give it another hour or so. By the way, i was part of a pet-store puppy search today and found the most adorable baby English Bulldog. I want it. But i just can't have it. Do they allow puppy bulldogs on tour buses? May 15, 2001
dan: our kids need something to do... pick something up besides a beer or a doobie... bros. albumn... so I'll be going to hartford wi tonight to see my sister julie play in her band..it's jazz..She's got me workin' merch..she's 16..rock!
dan: I've found something to keep me in shape while I'm not on the road..it's called tree trimming..have you ever tried to hold a 60 ft pole with a saw on the end and then try sawing 50 ft up in the air on a tree..? anyone..? well it's a good work out for your shoulders, arms and back too..I'll be buff whoopin' ass by the time my party starts... don't these lame ass cruisers have anything else to do..? The only time I cruised in highschool was out to the country to suck a 12 pack with some of my buds ..lets cruise down main st and look at the people going by and if they look..start talkin' shit..StUpid..idiots.. Yeah so my party is gonna be on..I've got a barrel all set aside and grilling ..don't even get me started with what I'm gonna be throwing on the barbie..
Robert: 231 (What's So Funny Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding - Elvis Costello I'm done with vocals. Finally. That's Right, I Said it. Vagrant has put up all of the VAGRANT AMERICA tour dates. Go look!
Todd: Beautiful day in the studio finishing up a song then it's onto the last song "Wearing a Wire". Wow. It's actually hot in Madison today. Hard to believe by late tonight I'll be home for a little bit. We went on tour March 16, and I've been home maybe 7 days since then off and on. I think we are all ready for a little break before the Vagrant tour. Last night we all met up with some pals and went to the "Karaoke Kid" needless to say, we got out of there quick.. we where all pretty siked on the idea at first, us fellas all getting busy on the mic, but after seeing the crowd as well as how crowded it was, we got out. Ended up at the Lava Lounge down the block for a few coctails to take off the edge. Bob's edge might of been a little more off than usual, I beat him in darts twice.. rematch? Listening to some jams on the basement life website. Good stuff. Everyone should go there and sample the Burning Airlines song if you have'nt already heard it or bought their record. Hot!! Hot! I think I'll give Roy a call today @ Parasol and see about some new rekids. Maybe we can even work out something on the barter system, I know he's been frequently bidding on this ebay gem, but i think it's a little out of his price range.. Anyone want to make a really nice guy exstatically happy should win it and send it to him. May 14, 2001
Todd: Gee Mark you must be going bananas, after all you spelled it wrong.. Dang! After a few helpful emails and a little surfing, I've found out a little more about this film called Our Burden is Light which Nate Mendel has a role in, as well as doing part of the soundtrack and the score. The score is what i'm interested in, aparently he's recording it with an orchestra.. interesting.. Also on the soundtrack Foo Figthers and Victim's Family? Where've they been for 8 years? Have'nt heard anything from them since Germ came out in.. what? 92? More about this movie at the film's website here. Bob is doing more vocals and we just got through messing around in the studio with effects.. total hilarity. I think it's just getting late and everyone is tired and starts goofing.. Argh!
mark: I gotta tell you.I really am digging my Refused cd right now.It's exactly what the doctor ordered.I can't wait to get out of the studio.I don't mean to sound ungrateful,but I want to just sit at home(MY home)for a few days.Maybe order a pizza(Lisa's)or go to Beans&Barley and hit a bar or two with the last scragglers of my friends.Over the past couple years ,it seems like they are slowly moving away.Hmmmm...maybe it's my time?We'll see.I am pretty excited to see the Comet kids.I feel like I've been gone for 2 months.Oh yeah,i have.I never thought I'd say it,but I miss everyone.I'm sure it'll wear off in a few days.After I hit the Foundation(too bad I'll miss Tiki Tuesday)I should be all set.It's weird how you miss stupid little things.I think I'm going banannas,so I'll stop here.
Robert: Well, I'm presently doing my last bit of vocals - for the song "That's Right, I Said it". I've done 4 run-throughs and they are now being compiled into one "best of" take. I did it this way for the last half of the Pachyderm sessions, and it works out so well! You'd think someone would have tipped me off sooner, but oh well... As soon as i'm done, i'm planning on eating something with cheese on (or in) it. Pizza? Tortellini salad? Blintz? Oh by the way, OP906 has captured the man himself, Butch Vig. The man behind all of the gold and platinum records hanging all over this place. In my vision now: Smashing Pumpkins "Pisces Iscariot" (platinum), Everclear "Sparkle and Fade" (plat), various Garbage stuff (including an MTV award for "Best Breakthrough"), a plaque for the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack, the 1997 Grammy Nominees album, and many many Nirvana "Nevermind" accolades... I hope to get my picture taken with that MTV award. I guess this means you like me. You really like me.
Todd: It's difficult to take a "welcome back" prompt after logging in when the blog has been so moody lately.. Good to be realtime for a change. We are at the studio burning a rough order/sequence for the album. Think it's going to be purty shweeht. We've changed our minds a few times but I think this one is best so far, guess i'll wait to hear it in order before I judge though. We still have two songs to mix for later use, one of which Bob has to do some vocal stuff on later toinght if we have time, or possibly in the morning. Yesterday was pretty nice out, Dan Keehn and Choice Joyce came over from Milwaukee and we all had a BBQ. Andy and (holy) Sam (dude) stopped by and even Susanne from Flower came up from Chicago to hear some of the mixes and hang out.. Don't let Dan fool ya, he's a carnivore but a madman with the grilled veggies. If you get the chance, ask him for tips on the propers to good "asparagus on the grill" etiquite. We followed up our little gathering by the 9pm new episode of 'bands on the run'. How can something so laughable to the modern day touring rock band be so entertaining? If I only knew.. not much else, just killing time.. more later.
dan: nothing like going to work on a rainy monday..I had a great weekend filled with fire and more fire..fire on the fire that we had saturday night after I got done running the fog for the moraine symphony orchestra..fire in the grill on sunday while I was grillin' out..it was awesome..gotta take notorious out while it's not raining..
Robert: 232 I Melt With You - Modern English The old version! Well, we've got two more days left here (3 songs to mix), and not that sleeping in Andy's scary basement isn't "all that", but i'm starting to miss my apartment. Just a little. I've got a lot of cleaning house to do before I move (July/August), and i want to get started pronto. For now, I'll hang out here until Mark shows up with his mixing cap on, reading Less Than Zero, drinking coffee, doodling in a notebook. Doodle. And another thing, don't expect any future shows with the Josh Dodes Band. It just ain't gonna happen. May 13, 2001
Todd: Just sitting around on a lazy Sunday. Listening to some records I ordered from Parasol.. Speaking of music, has anyone heard about Nate Mendell doing a soundtrack for an indie film that is coming out soon? I'm really curious to here this stuff, I forget what the project is called. Any information, please email me. Thanks. Been spending a good amount of time playing on the computer and surfing the intra-net. Man, I love Ebay! I'm thinking about bidding on this or possibly, just for fun, one of the funniest things i've found on Ebay in a while here. Read carefully, it's pretty funny. Dan "the man" Keehn is supposed to be here this afternoon. Looks like he'll be the grill-master transplant from Milwaukee again. A beautiful day in Madison.
j.: Hey Bob - I'm always thanking DeVlerk, silently. But DeVlerk is actually closed down now and the new place they've got (all the same people, new venue called the Waterfront) is AMAZING. We're playing tonight with Blue Tip in Groningen, way up North in Netherlands, another paradise of a wenue. Paul says hi, everyone's in good spirits, and I'm off to scarf some Vla.
Robert: 233 Do You Still Hate Me? - Jawbreaker Woke up in a bad mood again. I'm going to work through it. I think i can. I think i can. Go bid on Philip Seymour Hoffman's outfit from Flawless or a copy of PT Anderson's first "film" - Cigarettes & Coffee or that photo signed by Rue Mclanahan to "The Watson Family." Real cheap. |
