The More Things Change

Saw DOA last nite. Joey Shithead (though now he goes by Joey Shithead Keithly- a nod to his political career) looked great, a bit greyer these days, but lookin’ healthy in his torn and patched jeans and sleeveless denim jacket (the Canadian Tuxedo). Thankfully, the band blazed (Joey even played geetar behind his back and with his teeth- holy guitar hero, Batman!). Joey was as unintelligible as ever (think of a Grizzly Bear singing) and the old and newer songs sounded great. I think I first saw them as a tyke in ’81, and it’s probably a small miracle that they are still a-showin’ and I’m still a-goin’.

And then tonite, the Angry Samoans are playin’! I would have liked to have gone to that too, but I’m lazy, it’s a Sunday nite, and besides, “Breaking Bad” is on. Yeah, white and lazy.

Speaking of which, the one show I woulda loved to have gone to was The Replacements re-union at Riot Fest a couple of weeks ago. Though, imma not big on this reunion talk, since imho the ‘Mats were done when they threw smokin’ and drinkin’ Bob Stinson out and the band became a Paul Westerburg solo project.

But, dang if I wasn’t weeping like a little girl and pogoing at 3 am, watchin’ the ‘Mats footage from the show. “Bastards Of Young”, “Left Of The Dial”, “Takin A Ride”, “Color Me Impressed”, “I’m In Trouble”... something about seeing that vidage & hearing that toonage reduced me to my 18 year old ghost.

That’s an emotional response I didn’t expect (especially as I wasn’t there in person). 

But that’s what music can do to ya. It was fun yellin’ out the songs with Joey at the DOA show, and I am sure my visceral reaction will be the same seeing the Keith/Dez/Chuck version of Black Flag this Thursday. BF & DOA were huge bands for me back in my yoot.

However, something snuck up on me watching that ‘Mats show. 

I watched the crowd singing along to every song- yeah, some people were probably really annoyed by that.

All I felt was envy. Wow, to be part of a huge crowd where everyone was feelin’ it. And yet, even as part of the teeming masses, you would still have this personal stake and response to the songs. 

What a rare privilege that would be.

  

Wanted: Martyrs

With the Occupy Wall Street movement spreading to other cities, the media is paying a modicum of attention. Unfortunately, peaceful demonstrations are not going to get anything accomplished. Now that some Unions are involved, hopefully there will be some long term organization and goals. Demonstrations at the Koch brothers and Rupert Murdoch's mansions are nice, but burning em down would be better.

However, what will really get the media involved will be violence. As abhorrent a concept it is, cracked skulls and riots will be what really starts the ball rolling.

Bloody violent revolution- telegenic and exploitative.

That's what will get heads turning.

Talk minus action equals nothing

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Give Waterboarding A Chance

The country is abuzz with the debate over Waterboarding and whether or not it constitutes torture for our former "guests" (ie prisoners of war).

Excuse me, but they were enemy combatants, weren't they? We were trying to get information in the interest of saving American lives, weren't we?

I eagerly await the reports coming out of how many American lives were saved.

So, what's the problem? War is fought with the goal of killing or disabling your opponent to save your own country. What's the difference between shooting, bombing or waterboarding?

Our enemies have shown no interest in negotiation or ceasing hostilities. There are no treaties to be signed. Their only goal is the destruction of our way of life. When given no option of ending hostilities, what is the USA supposed to do; say "pretty please don't attack us again"?

Bullshit.

The only way that we are going to survive this is if we prove to be as much a bunch of maniacs as they are. That's what ended the cold war. Russia built up their defenses in response to our insane President (Reagan). Libya stopped with the terrorism when we bombed Quadaffi's home.

It's unfortunate, but some enemies only respect force. We cannot afford to take the higher road. This cannot be a nation of pussies. Any military leader that does not use every available weapon to defend their country is derilicting his duty and is guilty of treason. I work in New York City. When do we end this nonsense, when we get attacked again?

This "War On Terrorism" should have ended on September 12th, 2001; with a few well placed nuclear bombs taking out the caves in Afghanistan.

Why are we wasting money and American lives in a ground war when we have superior weaponry? Our enemies would certainly use anything at their disposal to destroy us.

End the debate now. Bush and Cheney did very little correct during the past 8 years. Waterboarding is on the short list of things they did right.

Never Forget! Never Forgive!

Toonage:

Misfits - Hatebreeders (demo)
Black Flag - Revenge
The Weirdos - We Got The Neutron Bomb
John Lennon - Give Peace A Chance (acoustic demo- unreleased)
D.O.A. - War

Meet The Mets, Beat The Mets

The greatest collapse in regular season history. A bunch of f#cking chokers. The team had no heart. Congratulations to the New York Mets. You are now the official laughing stocks of baseball.

Toonage:

Grateful Dead - Loser (live 4-7-72)

DOA - 001 Losers Club

JodyFoster's Army - We Know You Suck

The Hellacopters - Long Gone Losers

Furious George - Sorry Ass Suckers

Taking off to the great green north

Take Off,

To The Great White North

Take Off,

It's A Beauty Way To Go

I gotta work on my Canadian dialect. Hey hosers! (or is that "un-PC"?). Headin' up to Canada for the Montreal Beer Festival and some well deserved r 'n' r. Which of course gives me an excuse to post some tunes from some of the cream of Canadian artiste's. Sorry folks, I don't have any Triumph or Bryan Adams!


We originally wanted to take the William Shatner tour; but can you believe it, they don't offer one! The shame of our neighbor's to the north is that they have NOT made William Shatner into a national icon. From what I heard, they don't even close the schools in honor of his birthday! At least Canada has it's national "Geddy Lee Day". What? They don't have that either? WTF?

At the very least, we're looking to take in a couple of Expo's games at Jarry Park, so at least we have that going for us. Does this guy still pitch for them?

Well, if you happen to be in Montreal this week and see some drunk guy in a Ramones T-Shirt...well, buy him a beer!

Toonage:
Rush - The Spirit Of Radio (live)
Martha & The Muffins - Echo Beach
DOA - All Apologies (Nirvana cover)
Neil Young - Roll Another One (live) (june 18, 1984)
The Kings - Switch Into Glide
New Pornographers - My Slow Descent Into Alcoholism