Against Me - The Original Cowboy

Against Me!
The Original Cowboy
Fat Wreck Chords

This record breaks my heart in so many ways it's not even funny. My first listen to it, driving around suburbia was that this was nothing more then a money grab, facilitated by whom I don't know. I don't want to point fingers here. I've been an ardent fan of The Eternal Cowboy since it's release and maintain it's the last good album Against Me has left in them. But at first spin this collection of demos just felt cheap to me.

Then I listened to it again and it really made me sad. I'm not going to lie, I tried really hard to stick with this band as they rose from basement shows to opening for the Foo Fighters. But New Wave is a shitty, mid-tempo, boring rock record that this band is so much better than. In fact it is The Eternal Cowboy that proves this and these demo's just remind me of that fact. In their some what more raw and unpolished form, this is the album they should have released. I don't fault them for signing with Fat and reaching for the stratosphere. I think it's a fair goal to have. And even when they signed to a major, I hoped that they would make a really great album again because Searching for a Former Clarity had some great songs, but it was sagged down by a cloud of pot smoke and self pity. New Wave for me was just proof that the nail had already been driven into this bands coffin.

Now it's been announced that drummer and all around nice guy Warren Oaks has left the band to be replaced by George Rebelo from Hot Water Music. A more hard hitting, consistent drummer is not to be found in the swamps of Gainesville, but he's got no funk in his beats. At least not as far as I can tell. And despite everything, that funk is still there. I'm not sure a middle aged post hardcore drummer is going to save this band for me. And so when I listen to Oaks smack around on the skins during this informal session I just get sad once again.

If this session was the rumored record recorded for No Idea (the band and Fat state it was the demo's, but conversations I've had lead me to believe otherwise) it would easily have been hailed by the underground kids that quickly turned on Against Me. And I'm not sure why, because The Eternal Cowboy is a much better album. The polish and shine they added transformed this band, even if only for 25 minutes, into something to hope for. Which The Original Cowboy just continually reminds me of too. It's a hard pill to swallow because I so want to love this band again, the way I did when I saw them in a church "back in the day". I would have been happy had they continued down this path and still achieved what they did. And I do truly believe they didn't change to be rock stars, I think they just burnt out really quickly. The Original Cowboy reminds me of what once was, but I don't think I really wanted that reminder.

Ender

Ender
Originally uploaded by goodgovernor

Lots and lots of new photos exist at my flickr site. I am hoping to shot at least one show a week. Hopefully more. We shall see. I'd like to get into doing some portraits too. Anyway, come to the flickr site often.

Thanks.

Slingshot Dakota

Slingshot Dakota put this album out last month it seems. I wish I could say I was on the first wave bandwagon, but it is my sincere hope that after posting this blog post on my blog where I post stuff that other people will get into this band. Comprised of Keyboards and Drums with a lady and a dude that both sing, the Matt and Kim references are not that unfair in that both bands totally fucking ROCK with what would appear to be minimalist instruments. (To be fair I think that DC's highly over looked Aquarium was the first keyboard/drum duo as they have been kicking it low-key since 2001). But the set up of the band pretty much ends the comparisons between Brooklyn's finest. Slingshot Dakota are driving melodic post hard core breakdowns but they reveal the poppy prettiness of it all. Carly Comando soars rather then yells or barks. They grew up on punk rock, pop, early nineties emo, all the good music no one is listening to. But no doubt they will infect your soul should you allow yourself the sinful injection.

The band is full on DIY, releasing their self titled album which you can pay pal order through their myspace site. If funds are tight though, pick up their new three song demo at If You Make It. It features their cover of Fugazi's "Waiting Room" which wins the Franconia Station award for being the one and only band that has successfully covered and there for is allowed to cover a Fugazi song. They don't quite adopt their own melodic leanings to the track, which after hearing more of their music is a bit of a shame, but it's a fun cover and sounds totally awesome.

So deffinately check out this band. I know you think I am a fucking dick nob, but no joke, this shit would slay even the dickless fucks at Pitchfork. Luckily it's too DIY and off their radar. Remember you heard about them here first. Check out the videos below.

Slingshot Dakota Waiting Room

Shared via AddThis

Slingshot Dakota - Until the day I die from If You Make It on Vimeo.

A Lot of Ground to Cover - Lets Go!

Paint it Black
Amnesia
Bridge 9 Records

Pretty much after New Lexicon last year I figured it would be a while until I got to check in with my favorite hard core band. But I guess the new line up is really clicking and Paint It Black drop five fast and furious songs on the public. Amnesia doesn't fuck around and though it's only five songs, it's kind of rad to have a band contain themselves a bit by a classic format. This of course is classic hardcore. People seemed to love Paradise (which I too think is awesome) and if you thought they couldn't do it again Amnesia will prove you wrong. 5 songs, ten minutes. This band is brutal. We get chugga chugga verses, hooky break downs and a three minute thirty one second epic closer track, "Bliss" where the band has hit a peak. There is a promise of another joint in September from this session. I personally can't wait. Those two releases combined could easily make for a "Record of the Year".

Lotus Fucker
Answer - Bloodwashed Noise
Demo

I have this friend John Seager who plays in this band. I never get to talk to him because I lost his phone number in some old phone and his emails get bounced back to me. But I saw him earlier this year and he told me he was in this band called Lotus Fucker which is the greatest band name ever. I found their demo online (not sure if this is sanctioned boys so sorry if it's not) and it fucking rips. I wish I was better tapped into the sludgy, dirty, way under ground side of punk rock. You know bands that don't have myspace pages and put things out only as demos or 7"s because Lotus Fucker is amazing. They actually make a lot of other heavy music sound boring and reserved. Parts noise, parts old school hard core, Lotus Fucker deliver. One of these days I will run into John again and maybe even get to see this or one of the other nine bands he's in. He still owes me a copy of Agahst's Deformed Frogs record that came out forever ago. I need to get unlame and start buying vinyl and get hip to the scene.


Street Sweeper Social Club
Self Titled
Some Major Label of some sort

Look, I really did not want to buy this album. The curiosity got the better of me. I mean shit, Boots Riley from the Coup dude. I love the guy. And I always feel like maybe one day Tom Morello will live up to his potential. I rocked Rage Against the Machine when I was in high school. I'm not gonna front on that. But that dude has been pulling the exact same riffs for 15 years or more now. Tom, fucking work this shit out man. Basically this was probably gonna be a new Rage album, but every one else balked so Tom got Boots to rap over his distortion funk music. I love hearing Boots Riley and he doesn't disappoint in this context, but not even he can make Mr. Morello's music sound new and exciting. 15 year old kids who think the world sucks will be way into this, and if Boots can show them the light, I can't harsh too bad on it, but this was definitely an impulse buy and not something I endorse at all.

Various Artists
Pretend Record
No Idea

You can download this sampler of new music released or distributed by No Idea records. If you're looking for some new punk rock bands then this sampler might help you find something new. Dear Landlord has a new song from their debut album Dream Homes (which I pre-ordered and still haven't gotten - grrr), there is also a song from Pink Razors which is off their album that No Idea is issuing on CD. Tracks by No Friends, North Lincoln, Screaming Females (who are gonna be huge next year) and some other stuff.

Sonic Youth released their 10 billionth album The Eternal which features the first time Thurston and Lee sing on the same song. It's not as awesome as I hoped, but after 8 trillion years, it's about time. Pretty much if you love Sonic Youth you''ll probably be into this album. It has some nuances as usual and some of there most energetic music since Dirty. I'm not totally blown away on the experience, but it's consistent with everything they've been doing over the last decade. Pick it up if your into this sort of thing.

Mos Def also dropped some new science with The Ecstatic which actually is a good complementary album for The Eternal and because they were released on the same day I have been listening to them together like some nice binary star type thing. If I had more time, energy and brain power I would probably dissect the two together but last time I wanted to do that I went crazy and couldn't write on my blog for a month. Any way this album is pretty solid and has some wicked shit going on. Dude samples some Bollywood tracks on here. Talib Kwelli makes and appearance over one of J-Dilla's finest beats, as does Madlib on a few tracks, including "Whaid" which is a great fucking song. This shit should be played at parties and in your car. Get into it.

Lastly for this week I want to steer people towards Statehood. Last week the world lost Clark Sabine to an intense battle with cancer. Clark was an intelligent, intense, funny and amazing person. I have said a lot of words about this dude to a lot of people. The loss I feel in my life because this man is no longer on this earth is very intense and I think a lot of people feel that way too. I knew him only peripherally through the DC independent music scene, but he was such a kind and passionate guy that his energy being taken from this small planet is immense. While Clark was known locally for his antics with the short lived, and underrated Motor Cycle Wars, Statehood was the beginning of Clark blossoming into a full on force to be reckoned with. Their debut album Lies and Rhetoric was self released late in 2007 is an energetic explosion that only hints at what this band would have been capable of. There are more fitting eulogies for Mr. Sabine, this barely touches on the man, but for anyone out in the world who reads this blog I urge you deeply and passionately to check out Statehood in honor of Clark. You will be missed dear friend.

Please read below

Please read below
Originally uploaded by goodgovernor

I posted this picture because last night at the Black Cat, after 16 years of taking photos, for the very first time, someone told me midway through Frodus' set, that I wasn't allowed to use flash photography. This of course is about the dumbest rule ever in the history of dumb "rules". The employee that asked me to stop pulled at my shoulder and then, when my finger slipped and took this well framed shot, started to get all agro on me. Way to act like a cop. So this photo will be the last time I shoot a band at the Black Cat. Since they do not feel what they do is worthy of documentation I will no longer extend the offer.

The older I get, the LESS tolerant of clubs I get. The rules they impose on patrons add to the division between band and fan and help to facilitate the rock hero worship bullshit that kids grow up to have. Add the barriers to the alcohol consumption and there you have less of musical journey but a typical act of consumerism.

I know and have known many people that work at the Black Cat and it has historically always been a place I have felt welcome and because of that been treated very well. And despite the fan boy poses, I feel like what I do with my camera offers a service at NO CHARGE to that club, the bands and the fans. While I am no Glen Friedman, people do view these photos and ask me about them. People want to remember the shows and see the bands they love captured by the lens. It helps feed the economy of independent music. This extends to the venues that hold these types of shows. I have never been, nor will I probably ever be paid for what I do. It's a labor of love, one part of an awesome whole that makes up the community of punk rock. But last night I no longer felt that way, again after 16 YEARS of taking pictures. You will no longer see photos from me at this venue.

If anyone from the club would like to have a dialog with me, please email me at goodgovernor@yahoo.com.

Hannah Jones - Ghost Mice

Hannah Jones - Ghost Mice
Originally uploaded by goodgovernor

This is just a small taste of what I will be witnessing over the next two or three days. It is very early. I should be sleeping, but I am too excited to see Heathers and Ghost Mice and spend some time with these lovely people over the next few days. If you didn't see Heathers last night (and I suspect you did not because I would have seen you) then you totally fucked up your life and I really feel so sorry for you. If they are playing anywhere near you, you pretty much need to go. This show last night was fucking amazing. And I can't wait for it to happen again tonight.

Bike Punk Day #47

It's been raining a lot in Dixie. It kinda sucks. I feel like I should move to Forks and take advantage of stupid teenage girls by pretending to be a vampire. I mean if I am going to have to have my life ruined and my emotions fucked with by rain I might as well ruin other lives too. So I haven't ridden my bike much over the last few weeks. Last weekend was really nice, but I moved some friends to a new apartment so that pretty much killed it for me. This weekend however, the rain was supposed to let up so I made a plan to wake up kinda early, check out the movie times at the closest theater to me and make a plan to ride.

After my last post, my friend Blake told me to ditch the water bottle (I didn't), get a Chrome bag (which I did) and welcomed me into the world of biking. I jammed some books into the bag, my keys and wallet and hit the road. I decided today I would explore the mostly forgotten bike trails that exist in the massive subdivision landscape that exists across the street from my house. I gave my self two hours to get to the theater and eat some food. I wasn't sure if I should eat and then ride or not. I seemed to do okay with it. But those trails, well they are a little advanced for me. You see I resemble more a bean bag then a human being with my rotund mid section. The shit jiggles when I ride and the extra weight is hard as fuck to pull up hills. So after the second massive hill I just walked up the steady incline for about ten minutes. Next time I do this I'll take the straightforward way. Even though it's shorter I need to build up to the hard shit.

I got to the theater in about a half an hour. This is three times as long as by car. But I actually felt good. I watched the marquee and saw that Hangover was playing. I had set out to watch Drag Me To Hell but it was a half hour later and I figure I can go see it my next weekend and plan a little bit better. The Mediterranean place I wanted to eat at was also closed (LAME) so I went to a sandwich shop where I spent way too much money for not that much food. But it seemed to satisfy my basic need and I got to waddle through a few pages of The God Delusion.

Hangover was good after I finally go through the endless commercials and previews. All of which I forgot. It was so damn long wading through that crap that I actually forgot what movie I was seeing. I started to relax and laughed my ass off from beginning to end. Todd Phillips does well with the genre and getting some lesser known comedians to pull out great performances. I hope my Vegas trip in July is just as fucked up.

After the credits rolled, I clanked my buckle against all the plastic chairs and headed out for my bike. As I made my first pushes up the small hill I realized my legs were kinda sore. I am probably gonna hurt like a mother fucker tomorrow. Worst still I have to go into the office. But I have already decided that rather then drive I am going to bike to the metro and take my bike around Arlington for a bit. I'm still pretty terrified of cars. Some asshole in an F-150 making a left turn into my path didn't give me the right of way that was clearly mine. This is suburbia too. All my veteran bike friends are probably rolling their eyes at me now, the visions of being doored, sideswiped or nearly killed by maddened Metro Bus drivers fresh in their heads. I know I know, I am a rookie, but those stories had an impact on me. I try to be a more cautious driver. Plus, I purposely bought a bike to drive less. So that rather then going to the movies in my car, I have to kinda work for it. I feel more satisfied by the whole experience. Even the chain store sandwich and Fiddy Cent promoted Vitamin Water tasted more lively after my ride.

If I am feeling feisty I may ride to the library today. I doubt it though. I enjoyed the outdoors fully and I am fully sweaty and resembling jelly both in appearance, movement and feeling. Plus I just dominated a beer while I wrote this. I must undo what ever it is I do. Such is life. Biking is fun as shit though. The dropping hill I took, the wind slapping my face and the water splashes from the puddles I ran over was a sense memory I had abandoned. I will not grow old. I will not give in. Fuck that shit.