USA Soccer Fever

I'm saddened to see the USA knocked out of the World Cup but satisfied with the fact that they made it so far in a tournament dominated by countries that truly revere the sport. I consider myself a huge sports fan but only possess a limited knowledge of soccer. Personally, I prefer the NFL version of football, as opposed to the more international sport of futbol. 

From a point of high naivete, I've made some observations that deserve comment:

1. Admittedly, the sport requires a vast amount of athleticism, but also calls for some serious dramatic ability. I'm amazed by the acting skills displayed by players attempting to draw the official's attention by exaggerating an injury. 
2. For a sport with relatively simple rules, what is it with the complexity of offside? Apparently the referees even have difficulty determining the offense. Surprisingly enough, the valued authority Wikipedia claims that the infraction is rather difficult to call.  Where the heck is the "line of scrimmage" any way? 
3. What is with the biting? In a half century of watching sports, I only remember biting as an issue once and of, course, that was in boxing.  I'm sure many of you remember that one! (Hey Mikey).  Now I hear that Luis Suarez has been suspended for the 3rd time for biting an opposing player. I can only imagine the shame his momma feels. 
4. When did the United States jump on the bandwagon? I've observed a large number of rather enthusiastic fans who seems to actually know little about the sport. 
5. Many of the fans are either insanely "HOT" or just plainly insane!  Here are samples of each!
   
   
   
   
   
   

All in all, I rather enjoyed observing this wild cultural phenomena and feel relieved knowing futbol's ability to distract from the boredom of Wimbledon.  I hope in today's easily offended, politically correct society that most of you are able to detect the "tongue in cheek" nature of this nonsensical article, although I'm interested in discovering the volume of hate mail I'll receive. 

Hats off to USA Soccer! You represented well.  Better luck next time around! 

Hopefully by my next rambling on soccer, I'll learn how to add the accent mark above the "u" in futbol! 

Top 10 Reasons Why RG3 Should Request Trade to Bucs

Hopefully, Robert Griffin III (RG3) will fully recover from his recent knee surgery and continue to dominate football as one of the NFL's most exciting players ever. But is he safe in the hands of greedy Redskin's owner Daniel Snyder and "win at all costs" coach Mike Shanahan?

With Josh Freeman's contract up for renewal, I feel now is certainly the time for RG3 to request a trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and my Top 10 reasons are below.

10. The weather in Tampa is considerably better than in Washington, DC, particularly during the harsh months late in the football season. Injuries and bruises heal faster in Florida.

9. Ronde Barber would decide to stick around another year to be a London Fletcher type of mentor.

8. He would no longer be confused with Cedric Griffin. Coach Schiano does not tolerate drug abuse. Just ask Aqib Talib.

7. The Bucs' groundskeepers keep the playing surface in top condition, unlike the field at FedEx Field which receives little maintenance.  Because Snyder had spent too much on gourmet food for the owner's box, the Redskins could not re-stripe and paint fresh logos on the field for a nationally televised NFC Playoff game.

6. Doug Martin reminds me a lot of Alfred Morris.

5. Rather than slur indigenous people, Bucs' fans head to the Hard Rock Seminole Casino after the game to hand them their money.

4. Tampa fans could care less about politics and do not realize the geographical difference between Washington DC and Washington State.

3. Rebecca Liddicoat would enjoy the pristine beaches over the dirty city, and with better schools and churches, Tampa would be an ideal place to raise children.

2. RG3's orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, owns a home in Florida and practices in Gulfbreeze one day per week.

And the #1 Reason: Unlike Mike Shanahan, Coach Schiano would always protect his long term investments and would never sacrifice a star player's career, particularly with a 14-0 lead!

And many would ask, since the Redskins virtually sold their soul to acquire RG3, what would this deal cost?  I think it would take a trade for Eric Wright and Vincent Jackson, two second round draft picks, and a boatload of Adderall.

As you can see in the photo below, the last time Robert Griffin III visited Tampa, he asked the Buccaneers to pray with him for this trade to happen!

Are Guns Really the Problem?

We recently witnessed the most horrific of tragedies, one that defies belief or explanation. Twenty first grade schoolchildren and seven adults were shot down by a crazed gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. I've silently observed as many climbed their social media soap boxes to advocate their belief in either protection of the 2nd amendment or the need for strict gun control.

Please stop using human tragedy as a fuel to feed political posturing.

Senseless violence existed on earth far before firearms were invented (see Cain and Abel Gen chapter 4). We as a society must realize that guns are not the issue here. The problem lies much deeper and stems from an increasing societal dysfunction involving mental health and human depravity.

Modern medical convention dictates that we diagnose and treat symptoms as opposed to delving deeper into the root and determining the cause.  Naturally, this philosophy spilled over into the psychiatric community as we watch an over medicated population cope with the increased pressure and stress from surviving in an over stimulated society.

Senseless violence cannot be cured by increased gun control or by overtly touting the 2nd Amendment.  The resolution of this deep seated problem lies in developing a mental health profession that recognizes moral absolutes and is capable of diagnosing and treating problems at the root.

Cinnamon - Miracle Cure for Hypertension?

Blood pressure tends to rise in many as we eclipse middle age. Many factors contribute to this phenomena including decreased activity and the accumulation of a life's worth of bad eating which leads to hardened and partially blocked arteries.  Essentially, as the pathways narrow, the body forces the heart to work harder to achieve ample circulation.

Like many, several years ago my physician diagnosed me with mild to moderate hypertension and prescribed hydrochlorothiazide.  Unable to accept the reality that I needed medication, I paid little attention to the doctor's warning and left the prescription unfilled. My attitude adjustment occurred after an accident which forced a hospital stay for a week with several broken bones and a punctured lung.  The adrenaline spike and additional stress to my body caused my blood pressure to skyrocket and I finally heeded the good doctor's advice.

I purchased a blood pressure sleeve and  began regularly taking my required dose of medicine. I highly recommend the iHealth app for iPad and the blood pressure dock accessory. It enables simple testing and tracking of one's blood pressure over any period of time.  My blood pressure in the hospital registered 167/94 and after several weeks, the medication at it's best only lowered it to 153/85. For that modest improvement, I suffered severe headaches, frequent urination and general overall lethargy. The cost far outweighed the benefit.

I stopped the medication and my blood pressure stabilized at the improved level but I occasionally experienced spikes as high as 153/101. Quite by accident I stumbled upon a remarkable cure!  I began ingesting healthy amounts of cinnamon and observed amazing effects.  I sprinkled it on oatmeal in the morning, toast for lunch, and either cottage cheese or yogurt for a healthy dessert.  After seven days, my blood pressure fell to 115/81.  The only change to my diet or daily regimen was the addition of large amounts of cinnamon.

After a month, I slowly reduced my intake to approximately one teaspoon on oatmeal in the morning and my blood pressure has stabilized around 126/78, an incredibly astonishing improvement over previous levels!

I must disclaim that I am not a healthcare practitioner and have no education or training that would allow me to dispense medical advice.  In other words, I am not a doctor.  I only play one in my mind! So please take this information for whatever it's worth and only cautiously apply this dietary change to your life's situation.

I only felt compelled to share this information with any that may be suffering from the same diagnosis of mild hypertension followed by severe side effects from the prescribed "cure".

Change Not So Good for Musicians

Early in my life, as the Beatles crossed the Atlantic, I developed a passion for music and all that the industry encompasses. As I child I spent a brief period on drums then as a teenager switched to guitar, and later learned enough bass to enable me to earn a  living. During the apex of big hair metal and the dawn of grunge, I spent several years playing bass for 12 Gauge, a popular touring band in the Pacific Northwest.  During this stint, I observed and experienced most of what the music industry offered at the time. I understood the perseverance necessary for booking gigs, the long hours spent practicing parts, the tedium of life on the road, as well as the exposure to unscrupulous promoters, club owners and record executives. On average we received approximately $100 per night per man, a food and beverage tab, and a place to sleep, whether a band house or hotel.  As a four piece band we learned to maximize our earnings by running sound and lights from the stage and booking all of our own gigs.

In 1988, I left the music biz, moved from Seattle to Florida, started a business and a family, and for many years afterward only dabbled in music.  I would occasionally sit in on bass if needed, participate in the worship band at church, or run sound for special events.  

After selling my business, finding myself involuntarily single, and suffering a nearly fatal accident, I, during my physical and emotional recovery, found myself smack dab right back in the middle of the music industry. As a result of the subconscious marriage that occurred between my acumen for business and my passion for music, I found myself a sought after commodity by both bands seeking promotion and venues weary from sifting through musicians in an attempt to discover talent. I briefly managed a rising country music star out of Nashville which led to booking arrangements with over twenty other acts and the exclusive representation of several venues within south Florida.  Now, sitting in a chair at a desk looking back over the past 30 years, I cringe at the detrimental change to musicians that has occurred. 

Thirty years ago, we had no internet, no cell phones, no personal computers, no home recording, no digital cameras, no camcorders, no low cost printing, no CDs, and no social networking.  We booked gigs in person or over a land based telephone, and we promoted ourselves by producing flyers, posters and cassette tapes (yes cassette tapes) as inexpensively as possible.  Clubs promoted almost exclusively through radio and low quality industry related magazines.  DUIs were rare so bands had followings and groupies that would travel great distances to see their favorite.  Prior to karaoke and the huge growth of DJs and dance house, the law of supply and demand heavily favored the musician. As a musician with only average talent, I enjoyed decent salary as well as a great deal of respect from both fans and the people paying us. 

Today, we possess the technology and ability to promote efficiently and inexpensively. Yet as a result of the popularity and influx of karaoke and dance music, we see an unusual degradation of the industry even considering that the skill level and number of players has steadily increased.  

I find these changes in the industry both shocking and appalling:

1) The average pay per musician per night remains the same as it was in the late 1970's. Factoring in consumer price increases, inflation, and the value of the dollar, pay should have increased 3 to 3.5 times just to maintain pace with the economy.

2) Venue owners place almost the entire burden of promotion and fan draw on the artists themselves. Bands are no longer judged by talent or originality but by their ability to draw.  Since club owner's would rather hire a mediocre cover band with a following than a very unique original act, musicians now tend to all sound much the same even acknowledging the fact that skill level has increased. 

3) Bands lack individuality and originality.  With increased skill level and virtuosity, one would expect original sound to abound but unfortunately we fail to see that.  Too many artists feel compelled to emulate their idol as opposed to discovering their uniqueness. With no one to copy, legends like Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page had no choice but to develop their own sound. If they had felt not the desire to pioneer but only to imitate, rock music would still sound like the delta blues.

4) With the advent of powerful technology like email, texting, and cell phones, I find it ironic to observe that many musicians fail to possess the basic skills required to effectively communicate off of the stage. With increased competition for gigs, I would have assumed that this ability would have increased.  

5) Another irony exists as a result of low cost home recording equipment.  With increased skill level and access to recording, one would expect superior sound yet  I observe the unfortunate deterioration of the quality of product.  Although the path to market has shortened, the over saturation  has led to inferior recordings and a steady decrease in music sales.

6) This decrease, fueled by free downloads and file sharing creates an environment in which recording artists find themselves forced to continually tour to earn a living.  This seriously contrasts the old philosophy that break even touring promoted new record sales.  Now break even record sales support touring.

7) Due to takeovers, mergers, buyouts, and consolidation, the media is now controlled by 6 major giants, Time Warner, Walt Disney, Viacom, News Corporation, NBC Universal, and CBS Corporation. In 1983, there were over 50 different companies controlling this information.  This consolidation makes it nearly impossible for rising artists to gain radio airplay.  Play lists are established electronically nationwide making it nearly impossible for a local DJ to spin a local favorite.  

I realize that this article will enrage musicians and club owners alike.  No one wants to assume responsibility for anything.  Please believe that I am a huge proponent of live music and care deeply about the quality of life afforded to musicians.  As a result, I will only let this article serve as a vehicle to motivate me to write more offering up my insight on how musicians may book more gigs, promote better, gain radio airplay, and achieve a modicum of success.  Writing this article served primarily as a wake up call to me.

As a disclaimer, please realize that I possess no real credentials as an expert on this subject.  I work in the music industry and I thoroughly enjoy it. The subjects I tend to write about are heartfelt opinions, not necessarily substantiated facts.

Whirlwind Life of JJ McCoy

Nashville recording artist and resident of Lake Placid, Florida, JJ McCoy expressively claims "For the last few months, I've felt like I'm living in a hurricane. Things are just moving so fast and every day looks different."

Since JJ's December 15th release of his debut solo EP, "Redneck, White and Blue", life has accelerated to mach speed for the normally laid back, burly singer/songwriter and lead guitar player.  Laying down tracks in Nashville's Beaird studio last summer, witnessing the simultaneous electronic and physical release during late autumn, transitioning from studio mentality to the reality of putting a touring band together, then hitting the road to promote the new work has left McCoy both physically and mentally drained yet spiritually and emotionally uplifted in all aspects.  He's been especially pleased by the public's response to his first single, "Sunshine State", a powerful tune about a homesick soldier exposed to the terrors of war in the middle east, a piece that brings a tear to the eye and a patriotic tug to the heart.  McCoy says, "I never realized how writing a song about a soldier who gave his all before returning home could affect so many people and so many lives.  Almost everyone can relate to it."

JJ and the newly formed touring band, The Shurkan Playboys, have quickly transitioned from a south Florida honky tonk band to one of national prominence with appearance requests pouring in every day from all over the country. JJ has surrounded himself with a world class wall of sound consisting of Leo August on bass and back up vocals, guitarist and singer Rob Tolp, Mark Sturman on drums, and Charlie Brown wailing on the pedal steel.

During the the past week, JJ McCoy Music entered into a collaborative management agreement with RWB Promotions and i2 Visual, Inc. to handle the day to day business operation allowing JJ and the band creative time to focus on new music and the perfection of their chops.

Today, i2 unveiled the new JJ McCoy brand/logo displayed below:

Yesterday, Kix Country 92.9 in Port Charlotte featured an interview with JJ and his hit song "Sunshine State" during the Country Top 40 countdown with DJ Dave Darrell. JJ's tune "Redneck, White and Blue" is also pitted against three others on the same station for the Red Hot Spotlight Battle Zone for January. Please log onto http://www.wikx.com/pages/davedarrel.html and show your support by voting for JJ at the bottom of the page.

Tomorrow, JJ will interview with DJ Tina Passatino, the host of Josie's Hard Country of the The Southern Star Network, the largest independent artist site in the world, with an audience of over 3 million listeners, for a show that will air on February 9th.

On Saturday JJ and will play the Homestead Rodeo Dinner and Dance near Miami.

After fulfilling currently booked gigs,  JJ and the band depart early March for a tour of north Florida, and Georgia, with a special appearance March 12th at Tootsie's World Famous Orchid Lounge on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee behind the infamous Ryman Auditorium.

McCoy announced yesterday that he has written enough material for a new album and by burning the candle at both ends, squeezing in studio time while touring, he anticipates the release of the full length title on August 1, 2012.

For updated information, news and current schedule, please visit www.JJMcCoyMusic.com or call RWB Promotions at (615) 257-1961.  Join the website mailing list for updates and incredible prize giveaways.

Enjoy this "bootleg clip of JJ and the band debuting "Taking These Boots to Texas" from the upcoming full length album.

Happy Birthday Janis!

Janis Lyn Joplin, born on this day in Port Arthur, Texas, burst into musical prominence in the early 1960's during a very tumultuous time in American history.  The country simultaneously fought am unpopular war in Viet Nam while dealing with tremendous internal strife in regard to civil rights and the equalities that our nation was founded upon.

Janis, along with others like Joan Baez and Jimi Hendrix, symbolized a new generation, one in which man idealized peace and love, as well as the optimistic possibility that we could inhabit earth in harmony with one another.

Janis' gut wrenching, bluesy vocal prowess influenced many others who followed, even after her untimely death in 1970 from an overdose induced by alcohol and heroin.

Happy Birthday Janis on what should have been your 69th!  Rest in Peace, we miss you!

Enjoy this clip of Janis performing "Piece of My Heart"

Expect Big News from JJ McCoy

A grinding rumor mill indicates that Nashville recording artist and Lake Placid resident, J.J. McCoy of "Sunshine State" fame plans to announce some major news sometime within the next few days.  JJ gained national prominence recently with the single "Sunshine State", a song from a soldier's perspective in the middle east anxiously awaiting his return home to the good times awaiting him in Florida.  This song has provided inspiration for multitudes of young men and women deployed overseas facing the rigors of fighting a tough war in a harsh environment.  Many rank JJ as one of the finest voices currently performing in the country music genre.

You may find his debut EP, "Redneck, White and Blue" available on iTunes and Amazon for what most find an extremely reasonable price, or pick up an copy autographed by the band at any live show, or send me a message and I'll get one mailed to you for $10 plus shipping.  

Stay tuned and follow JJ at http://www.jjmccoymusic.com

Queen Dementia - Condemned

What would happen by mashing up the thrash metal guitar of Metallica with the ethereal, soaring goth vocals of Lacuna Coil along with the lyrical depth of Staind? I believe the result would sound a lot like Queen Dementia, the hard hitting goth metal trio from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Difficult to top what they already say about themselves, I submit this quote from the band's Facebook page:

Queen Dementia offers a sound that's aggressively passionate, soulful and intelligent, yet beautiful. Best known for creating a unique sound which stems from a myriad of musical influences, Queen Dementia successfully synthesizes various aspects of psychology, the human condition and emotion into an abstract, often comprehensible musical format that catches you off guard.

Queen Lana takes you on a roller coaster of emotion with her unique vocal style which sets her apart from all other female front women and has been hailed as “One of the finest front women I have ever heard” - (Outloud Magazine). Drawing on influences ranging from PJ Harvey to Maynard Keenan (Tool) makes her sonic range versatile and unpredictable. Lyrically, she explores subjects such as human emotions, loss, politics, religion, cries of the soul, and the trials and tribulations of daily life and in an abstract fashion. The combination of her vocal melodies that rise above her throbbing bass lines defines her as a musician.

Joseph dominates as the only guitar composer of the trio, able to use his prowess to create a wall of sound with his crushing riffs, unforgiving chord progressions and symphonic solos. Drawing on influences ranging from Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) to Adam Jones (Tool), Joseph has formulated a style all his own which has resulted in the band’s signature sound.

Jav holds it down on drums as the backbone of rhythm for Queen Dementia. Utilizing pounding patterns in contrast with intricate, creative beats complements the melodies, bringing it all together as the glue for the band. Drawing on influences that range from Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) to Lars Ulrich (Metallica) Jav successfully blends old school techniques with modern day style which delivers yet another unique element to the band.

Formed in late 2009, Queen Dementia has since rocked audiences from West Palm Beach to the Florida Keys participating in notable shows such as Kryptonite Metalfest, Xtreme Annual Music Festival, and Femme Fest. “Queen Dementia is getting rave reviews as a creative metal band” -(Florida Rock Stars) and successfully have made a name for themselves in the local South Florida scene. With the latest addition of Jav on drums, the band has positioned itself to establish a footprint beyond hometown boundaries. Queen Dementia is female fronted, melodic metal at its best.

I certainly look forward to experiencing this band live in the near future.  Enjoy this clip released New Year's Eve of their most resent single, "Condemned."

FlipBoard - Incredibly Cool New iPhone/iPad Ap

Quite by accident yesterday while exploring Twitter, I discovered a new iPhone/iPad app that I felt deserved a test run.  I downloaded the free application from Apple's App Store and browsed the set-up help to dial in my preferences.  Within a matter of minutes, I consolidated my Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts into one very user friendly interface, and allowed news feeds from various sources.  Elegant in it's simplicity, FlipBoard allows users to basically "Flip" through their vast network of social media outlets by emulating turning the pages of a book.

For anyone desiring access to all of their social media accounts and news feeds with one touch to the screen, this app completely serves the purpose.

I highly recommend this app to anyone with an iPhone or an iPad as a step in the right direction to eliminate clutter and some chaos from the intense, overwhelming media blitz that we encounter each day.

David Crowder Band Release Final Album

Unfortunately, today marks the final chapter in the evolution of the David Crowder Band.  At midnight, they released their finale, "Give Us Rest" or by the secondary title in typical Crowder humor (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys]).

Two things happen almost immediately when I crank up David Crowder on my iPod.  I can't help but think of the auto ads from the 1980's that state, "This isn't your father's Oldsmobile".  David Crowder Band is certainly not your father's brand of worship music.  Secondly, I enter almost immediately into a deep state of worship.  I'm not exactly sure how or why but it happens every time.  I guess that indicates a meaningful annointing from God placed upon David and the other band members.

This final release from the band delivers in typical DCB fashion.  The eccentric, eclectic, group of young musicians with the crisp sounding unique guitar tunings and the truly soulful vocals and modern harmonies bare their souls and offer up a fragrant aroma, pleasing to the Lord.

DCB broke down many barriers 14 years ago with their indie, folk, bluegrass, alternative version of worship so don't expect anything groundbreaking here although this well produced, perfectly executed collection delivers the experience that all fans expect. Whether unleashing a uniquely created original tune or adding their twist to a traditional hymn, the enunciated guitar, laden with banjo and fiddle, along with the unique sound effects invented by drummer Jeremy Bush, and the powerful yet quirky, Crowder vocal delivery offers everything one would expect from this group of highly talented individuals.

Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. Requiem Aeternam Dona Eis, Domine
2. Oh Great God, Give Us Rest
3. Lux Aeternam Shine 
4. Come Find Me 
5. God Have Mercy (Kyrie Eleison)
6. Why Me? 
7. Fall On Your Knees
8. A Burial 
9. Let Me Feel You Shine
10. Reprise #1 
11. Blessedness of Everlasting Light
12. The Sound of Light 
13. Interlude 
14. Sequence 1 
15. Sequence 2 
16. Sequence 3 
17. Sequence 4 
18. Sequence 5 
19. Sequence 6 
20. Sequence 7 
Disc 2:
1. Reprise #2
2. Oh My God 
3. I Am a Seed
4. After All (Holy)
5. The Great Amen 
6. There Is a Sound 
7. Oh, Great Love of God
8. Our Communion 
9. Sometimes 
10. A Return 
11. Oh, My God I'm Coming Home
12. Leaning On the Everlasting Arms / 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (Medley)
13. Jesus, Lead Me to Your Healing Waters
14. Because He Lives

Enjoy the band performing the title track from the album at the House of Blues in Houston last September.

 

Van Halen New Single - Tattoo

Maintaining the tease that began New Year's Eve when they released their new album cover for "A Different Kind of Truth", continued as they debuted the band reunited with David Lee Roth at the 250 seat Cafe Wha in Greenwich Village, released 2012 tour dates with tickets going on sale this morning, leaked track listing from new CD, launched teaser video on YouTube, and now today, officially release their first single from the same, "Tattoo".

"Tattoo" proves itself classic Van Halen, reminiscent of their first release, "Van Halen", from 1977.  If you're musical taste have evolved into the numetal or matalcore genres, this music may be too tame for your taste.  However, if you love classic rock but tire of the same AC/DC and Led Zeppelin tunes blasted from your radio, then this tune's for you!

Browse this site for other articles which include all North American tour dates and track listing from, "A Different Kind of Truth".

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Friday marked the birthday of one of rock music's greatest but most overlooked pioneers, the deceased Syd Barrett, original member and founder of psychedelic innovators, Pink Floyd.

Syd founded the band along with Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright in 1965.  Originally, Barrett fronted the band and wrote most of their material until 1967 when due to mental illness and heavy use of LSD, he acted very erratically and unpredictable. He would at times play one chord through an entire show, or slowly detune his guitar while playing, and at other times wander around the stage aimlessly. The band brought in David Gilmour at that time to compensate for Barrett's lack of dependability, and to fill in on guitar and vocals as needed.  Eventually, according to Gilmour, the band just stopped picking Syd up for gigs.

After his departure from Pink Floyd, Syd never returned to the limelight but instead focused on painting and gardening until his death in 2006.  The band paid tribute to Barrett often, most notably with 1975's smashing album "Wish You Were Here". 

Enjoy David Gilmour below playing "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", an incredible tribute to friend and Pink Floyd's founder, Syd Barrett.

Van Halen New Album Track Listing

Slowly leaking bits and pieces of their new album with David Lee Roth and upcoming tour, Van Halen today released this track listing for "A Different Kind of Truth" which hits store and download outlets on February 7, 2012.

"A Different Kind of Truth" Track Listing

1. Tattoo
2. She’s The Woman 
3. You and Your Blues 
4. China Town 
5. Blood and Fire 
6. Bullethead 
7. As Is 
8. Honeybabysweetiedoll 
9. The Trouble With Never 
10. Outta Space 
11. Stay Frosty 
12. Big River 
13. Beats Workin’


A few hours later, Van Halen leaked this trailer of a video for the tune "Tattoo"

Riverside Church Takes on Pro Wrestling

Curiosity tugged hard on my psyche yesterday as I flipped through a community magazine, "The Corridor", and landed on a rather unusual full color, full page ad promoting a professional wrestling event at Riverside Church in Fort Myers, Florida.  What an ironic combination I thought!

The intrigue won out and I attended today's event, a benefit for Verity Pregnancy and Medial Resource Center.

Never much of a wrestling fan, I still must admit that today proved to be extremely entertaining and the outdoor event lent itself as an excellent opportunity for a good, clean, fun family outing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the personas and characters created by the wrestlers and laughed hysterically at the performance they employed.  I found it rather astonishing that so many of the fans appeared to take the fighting seriously, although many of those were kids.

The event promoter, Kingpin Promotions, ran the day as a Kingpin Cup Tournament with eight wrestlers. Local comedian, Jordan Owens, served as the event MC.

In the first round, Bully Bob Bronson defeated Omaha Hustler Funky Fresh, Jerome Hendrix beat Michael Patrick, Frankie Ciatso whipped Milo Beasley, and Superstar Steve Boz won by disqualification when his opponent, Tokyo Monster Kahagas, started beating him with a giant stick.

Enjoy the video below as Tokyo Monster Kahagas beats Superstar Steve Boz with a stick!

In the semi-final round, Bully Bob whipped Jerome Hendrix, and Superstar Steve defeated Frankie, the King of Florida Ciatso.

In between tournament rounds, we enjoyed a special Turbo-Weight Division match-up between South Florida's Joker and James "G.I. Jamm" Anthony.  For most of the fight, Anthony appeared to have the upper hand but after a few long two counts by the cute ref, Leva, the Joker managed to turn things around and pin G.I.

Enjoy the video below of the match between South Florida's Joker and James "G.I. Jamm" Anthony

Finally, in the hard fought final match, Superstar Steve Boz decimated Bully Bob Bronson to win the cup and end the eventful day.

Not exactly my cup of tea, but certainly an entertaining afternoon of time well spent.  I would highly recommend this fun filled family event, especially to parents of pre-pubescent boys.  The young boys seemed to enjoy the sporting more than any others.

Van Halen Announce Tour and Album Title

Gaining marketing momentum as a result of the album cover unveiling billboard in Times Square during New Year's Eve festivities, and culminating with the intimate concert tonight in the 250 seat Cafe Wha in Greenwich Village, iconic rock band Van Halen reunited with David Lee Roth announced the new album title and outlines the dates for the upcoming 2012 tour.  The new release, "A Different Kind of Truth",  the first with Roth since 1984, will hit stores and electronic download outlets on February 7, eleven days before their tour kicks off in Louisville, Kentucky.  Tickets, through Ticketmaster and others go on sale beginning January 10.

Below are the 2012 North American Tour Dates

2/18 – Louisville, KY | KFC Yum! Center
2/20 – Detroit, MI | The Palace of Auburn Hills
2/22 – Indianapolis, IN | Bankers Life Fieldhouse
2/24 – Chicago, IL | United Center
2/28 – New York, NY | Madison Square Garden
3/1 – New York, NY | Madison Square Garden
3/3 – Uncasville, CT | Mohegan Sun Arena
3/5 – Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center
3/9 – Buffalo, NY | First Niagara Center
3/11 – Boston, MA | TD Garden
3/15 – Montreal, QC | Bell Centre
3/17 – Toronto, ON | Air Canada Centre
3/21 – Ottawa, ON | Scotiabank Place
3/24 – Atlantic City, NJ | Boardwalk Hall
3/28 – Washington, DC | Verizon Center
3/30 – Pittsburgh, PA | Consol Energy Center
4/1 – Rosemont, IL | Allstate Arena
4/10 – Fort Lauderdale, FL | BankAtlantic Center
4/12 – Tampa, FL | St. Pete Times Forum
4/14 – Orlando, FL | Amway Arena
4/16 – Jacksonville, FL | Jacksonville Arena
4/19 – Atlanta, GA | Philips Arena
4/21 – Greensboro, NC | Greensboro Coliseum
4/25 – Charlotte, NC | Time Warner Cable Arena
4/27 – Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena
5/1 – Tulsa, OK | BOK Center
5/5 – Tacoma, WA | Tacoma Dome
5/7 – Vancouver, BC | Rogers Arena
5/9 – Calgary, AB | Scotiabank Saddledome
5/11 – Edmonton, AB | Rexall Place
5/17 – Winnipeg, MB | MTS Centre
5/19 – St. Paul, MN | Xcel Energy Center
5/22 – Kansas City, MO | Sprint Center
5/24 – Denver, CO | Pepsi Center
5/27 – Las Vegas, NV | MGM Grand Garden Arena
6/1 – Los Angeles, CA | STAPLES Center
6/3 – Oakland, CA | Oracle Arena
6/5 – San Jose, CA | HP Pavilion
6/12 – Anaheim, CA | Honda Center
6/14 – San Diego, CA | Viejas Arena
6/16 – Phoenix, AZ | US Airways Center
6/20 – Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center
6/22 – San Antonio, TX | AT&T Center
6/24 – Houston, TX | Toyota Center
6/26 – New Orleans, LA | New Orleans Arena

A fan tweeted tonight from Cafe Wha, "It was like a VH bar gig before their 1st album. At one point DLR randomly did an impression of Jim Morrison singing "Stairway to Heaven""

To Edward, his son, brother, and black sheep Diamond Dave, we wish you the best. Rock on!

Every Time I Die - Ex Lives

Today, after releasing the terribly teasing trailer on January 1st, Every Time I Die publicists announced through Alternative Press Magazine that the new album, "Ex Lives" will release on March 6th.

Here is a track listing:
1 Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space 02:43
2 Holy Book Of Dilemma 01:49
3 A Wild, Shameless Plain 01:49
4 Typical Miracle 02:25
5 I Suck (Blood) 02:55
6 Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow 03:12
7 The Low Road Has No Exits 02:51
8 Revival Mode 03:46
9 Drag King 04:11
10 Touch Yourself 02:17
11 Indian Giver 04:09
12 Grudge Music (bonus) 02:24
13 Business Casualty (bonus) 02:45
14 Starve An Artist, Cover Your Trash (bonus) 02:53

Vocalist Keith Buckley wrote, directed, and produced a video for the song, "Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space" posted here for your enjoyment.

NDAA 2012 and Martial Law Hype

As a result of my zealousness during the 2008 elections, I'm known and respected as a political blogger, but I actually prefer writing about music, concerts, sporting events, muscle cars, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.  I've delved into a few political issues this year but must admit that I rarely watch television and for the most part I've acquired an absolute naivety regarding politics.

So imagine my astonishment when a friend, politician, and icon in the community asked my opinion regarding the recent passage of the National Defense Authorization Act 2012.  I admitted my lack of expertise in the matter then dove into the subject for many hours of intense research.

I know that we are currently seeing a ton of sensationalism and hype on the internet regarding the passage of this bill and how it limits our civil rights so please take the time to read my interpretation in the following letter in response to my friend:

Hi Rodney,

Thanks for looking toward me for help on this matter and I apologize for my naivety yesterday in regard to it.  Please keep in mind that I am not a lawyer nor a politician.  I'm just a guy with an inquisitive mind that likes to study controversial subjects.  I lean conservatively politically and I am a fundamental Christian so unfortunately my opinions are tainted and biased a bit as I am only human, although I do try to stay objective.

This bill that was recently signed by the President is essentially the same Defense Authorization Act that's been signed by the President every year for the last 48 years although some significant changes were implemented after 9/11 in regard to Al-Qaeda operatives specifically and the military was granted the ability to detain them almost indefinitely.

This Bill was huge (565 pages) and I waded through it a bit last night and a little more this morning.  Everything was handled in typical political fashion regarding compromise and edits.  The original bill introduce in the House was 29,542 words, grew to 230,298 words when it hit the Senate, and ended up a whopping 245,071 words when Obama signed it.

It appears that what most people seem upset about are some news articles and blogs that were published while the bill was still in the Senate being revised.  I hate to say this because I align with him well ideologically but it looks like the Ron Paul camp actually perpetuated the propaganda.  The president, as well as the governor of every U.S. state has always been authorized to implement martial law and suspend habeus corpus.  It has happened numerous times in history most notably during reconstruction after the Civil War, in the state of Hawaii during all of World War II, and in Louisiana after the devastation and chaos created by Hurricane Katrina.  

What a lot of people are upset about now is Section 1031 of the Senate version of the bill which ended up actually being Sections 1021 and 1022 of the Act signed by the President.  This occurred when Ron Paul subversively announced that this was contrary to the Bill of Rights and gave the President the right to implement martial law.  But the President has always had this power.  

Obama increased the tension and anxiety over this controversy when he made some incredibly stupid comments right before he signed it.  As much as I dislike his policies, I feel that in this particular situation after he had threatened to veto the bill, he was trying to play along and be non-partisan since an overwhelming majority of both the House and the Senate approved it.  

There are at least 10 mentions in the entire Act that exclude American citizens and legal residents, twice mentioned in these two controversial sections, but the wording is ambiguous and the grammar is poor.  I could see the possibility of things for this to be read out of context and the President insisting he has unlimited power to implement martial law but that's certainly not the intent and I cannot imagine that happening on our soil although I do recognize that things like this have happened throughout history. 

This excerpt from the law in the controversial section 1021 seems very clear to me:

"Nothing in this section shall be construed

to affect existing law or authorities relating to the detention of

United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States,

or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United

States."

The U.S Constitution, The Bill of Rights and more than 200 years of other laws and case precedence would have to be somehow overthrown or overturned before any President of our country could obtain absolute power.  

If we desire true change for our country, then I feel that our energy may better be expended by seeking a candidate that has the potential to beat Barack Obama in the next election.  He's performed poorly, most educated and informed people predicted it, and now it's time for his replacement.  

I hope this helps.  If you want me to dig into this any more, please let me know.  

Sincerely,

John

Every Time I Die Video "Teaser"

On January 1st, Epitaph Records released an extremely short "teaser" video promoting Every Time I Die's first release since September of 2009 which should hit the stores and iTunes some time this winter.  Evidently, all recording has been completed and the final mix is now occurring.

I will provide updates through this blog as well as http://ramblingsofjohn.tumblr.com/ as I receive more information or have the opportunity to conduct interviews.

Here is the 18 second video:

Buc's Press Conference After Firing Morris

The Glazer family scheduled a press conference today at 3:00 PM to release the facts and plans regarding their release of Raheem Morris earlier in the day after losing 10 games in a row.  Team co-chairman Joel Glazer announced that the team is currently assessing the situation and deciding the direction that the team needs to move in regard to a new coach.  Glazer stated that the family will do whatever it takes financially to win.

The Buccaneers plan to interview many coaching candidates before making any decision.  Glazer praised what Raheem Morris contributed to the team and made note of the class that he portrayed throughout his tenure.  He also indicated that the team planned to re-build primarily through the draft but will not rule out trading for free agent veterans, and that he's confident that they will get the ship (I like that pun) headed in the right direction.  Glazer refused to let any reporters nail him down to a timetable regarding the decision.  Joel stated that the long term objective of the team is winning as opposed to creating hype to sell a few tickets quickly in the beginning of an announcement.  General manager Mark Dominik will lead the search for the new coach and formulate the plan for the same.

At 3:14, Glazer turned the mic over to Dominik for continued questioning from reporters.  He indicated that he has spent considerable time reviewing team film in an attempt to analyze and evaluate the problems from this year.  Dominik said that Raheem Morris acted the true gentleman and accepted responsibility for his own part in the Buc's horrible season.  He stated that the team still believed in Josh Freeman and felt confident about the maturity of the linemen and their ability as leaders.  He also added additional confirmation to Glazer's comments regarding the fact that the team is committed to do whatever it takes to win.

Dominik stated that the team did not participate much in the free agent market this past year because of the limited time available after the strike and the strength of the young players that the team already on the roster.