Last night at about 3am I offered to buy my roommate a banana. I am a man of my word. And I am also a man that loves shopping stupid drunk at 3am with Frank Sinatra in my ears.
What I bought:
(2) Bananas - (2) Plums - Frozen Burrito - (2) Bags of Ruffles - (2) Boxes of Pasta - Pasta Sauce - Potato Salad
Don’t act like you’re not impressed.
A little taste of what I’ve been busy working on in the studio. This was my first project all by my lonesome. I did everything, tracking, engineering, producing, mixing and mastering. It’s a little silly for one set of ears to do everything but you gotta learn somehow, right?
Welp. Anyways, here is Trenchtown covering ‘Family Tradition’ originally by Hank Williams Jr.
Enjoy!
It has come to my attention… how wonderfully amazing my life currently is…
- I am attending the most amazing school known to man. I could have never guessed I would be this floored by an educational institute. I can’t seem to pull myself away from this place… Yesterday I spent 13 hours straight at school and was completely stoked about it.
- At this amazing facility I have been allowed sudio time in numerous multi-million dollar studios. Free reign to plug things in, turn knobs, move faders, play with mics and all sorts of outboard gear, proccesors, effects….. I could go on and on for days. It is just amazing the opportunity I have been given to be able to take my life of music to the next level and really just spend every waking second learning about something that I love.
- Epitaph Records. I mean c’mon. I intern at one of my favorite record labels. I’ve got to be a part of some of my all time favorite releases this past year. Working with many talented people and really taking in everything that goes on behind closed doors in the music industry. Not to mention the connections and friendships I’ve made and getting to meet many A-List punk rockers and musicians that have inspired me. Truly amazing… without words.
- And yes the girl of my dreams. Who would have ever thought a random trip to Vegas for one night would lead to meeting the most beautiful and absolutely perfect girl in this world. I wouldn’t know where to start with how fantastic she really is. She is the catch. The love of my life. She makes me unbelievably happy in all aspects of my life and our friendship is a bond I could have never even imagined. She is my bestfriend, my lover, my pretty little peach, my australian beauty……..
- Life is splendid.
- Next step is finding a home in a studio. Time to work on starting my career and making them dollars….
I don’t know if anyone else has this same weird characteristic but there are certain albums, certain songs that will bring me to a very distinct smell that leads to a picture perfect moment in my life. It happens every time I hear one of these songs. No matter the situation, the place, who I’m with, it’s always the same smell and memory. They bring me to a specific, not so much significant time when that album or song was hugely influencing me.
It makes me wonder what will be next? What am I listening to today that is making a huge impression on me? What song will I hear in seven years and immediately remember a smell and time in this point of my life? It’s creepy wondering this and honestly not having a clue. No idea of what is influencing, no idea of influencing anything, I’m clueless right now.
I blame it on money and post graduation anxiety syndrome. I have absolutely no clue where I will be in a month. This moment I’m in right now is completely gone. There is not one answer for one question I need answered. Where will I get my next rent check? How am I going to pay this phone bill? Where am I going to live? What the FUCK?
It’s funny how that one small aspect of life can completely take control over everything. Completely smother all the other ups and downs of life out. Money is the most addictive and deadly drug in mankind. That’s fucking philosophical. Jesus Christ.
Some one needs to write an article about that. MONEY IS THE MOST ADDICTIVE AND DEADLY DRUG IN MANKIND!
Pride: It’s like diving headfirst into an empty swimming pool, yet knowing you’re still going golfing in the morning.
I am not good at blogging. It’s like trying to pick a cow out of the sky during a tornado. There’s so much debris soaring through my life and I can never find a place to start a story. Every story runs in and out of another long, overly drunk and obnoxious story. But I can tell you that life is beyond amazing right now. It is considerably the most confusing and stressful point of my life thus far and for strange reasons I’ve never felt better.
I will be graduating in five short weeks and I have no cement plans for work, money or school. I am enrolled in another nine month program but am planning on de-enrolling (ha) and playing the game “living on the edge” instead. I know for absolute certainty I cannot afford to be alive after September is over and can only hope wonderful things fall into my lap. It’s not all a shot in the dark, we’ve all got plans and goals, we all strive for something that’s just a little out of reach. And if you don’t you’re a fucking idiot. (point made)
The jobs I’m trying to land right now are dream jobs. And that’s possibly why this is an extremely frustrating time. These jobs don’t come but maybe once in a lifetime, especially only being 23 and feels weird to say this but after ten or so years playing music, I’m still a rookie in the industry.
The music industry is an interesting and chaotic son of a bitch and I am completely enthralled by it. Like an overnight love with an english girl. It’s complete angst and it’s completely beautiful. I am infatuated with everything in my life right now. It’s a fucking disaster and I’m detoxing. Fuck.
I’m gonna stop rambling. Because my lips move like lies, or whatever you call it. Maybe I’m just still torn about society and how people don’t get it. You people. All of you. No one fucking gets it. What is it? I don’t know. But whatever it is, no one is getting it.
The next month is going to be vigorous. Relentless. Timid. Ballsy.
I need to lose this monkey on my back and I need to quit antagonizing cab drivers. I’m gonna tell you a story. Keeps your eyes open.
Another slightly interesting weekend. I got out of work Friday and knew that I had to immediately find something to get myself into. I didn’t really care with who or what it was I just needed to find something to do, because at this point I had no plans. Turns out that half of my friends were either still working or out of town. I decided to just take the loser cruiser (city bus) down to Southbay.
When I arrived the sun had gone down and it was a little chilly. Of course I didn’t bring a hoodie, lucky for me the bus drops me off at the Southbay Galleria. I went into five stores and did not fund one hoodie I would wear. That’s sad. I finally went into Pac-Sun and found a thin teal hoodie for $15. Sold. As soon as I walk out and put it on I realize it was faded light teal to dark teal and I hate it. Fuck.
I walk to the Wiggler Mansion and enjoy some pre-drinking with Shaun, Ashley, Burlett and Eric. We went into my old bedroom which is now called “My Bar” and starting playing a drinking game called Links. Good times. Vodka and beer and I am just about drunk. Some of Eric’s friends from back home were in town and they stopped by then took off to the Hermosa Pier. Burlett, Ashley and I decided that we should follow and took a taxi down.
Hermosa was packed as it always is on weekend summer nights. We went to the Lighthouse where I guess all my good luck with getting into clubs for free ran dry. The door guy apparently didn’t like me. I was wearing purple shoes, that may have had something to do with it. Burlett and Ash-Hole get in for free and I get stuck paying $5. There was live music so I deemed it understandable but was not happy.
I came out of the restroom to a shot of tequila and a Blue Moon waiting for me on the bar. Cheers. The band was alright but at this point I wasn’t really sure if I liked them or not. The night continued as most bar nights do. Shots and beers. I met a cool chick from Norway and she kept filling my beer with hers and her dude friend kept buying her new ones. She was awesome and also very interesting. We chatted while I was sinking into my Friday evening drunkenness.
This is when the band got good and we were rocking the dance floor. Good times, good music, good friends. Blaze showed up after we had been kicked out with a case of Heineken and I rode with him over to his place. We entered his apartment to a waiting crowd of sorts that had apparently broken in. Stupid door locks that don’t work. We smoked, drank and chilled. Everyone headed out so Blaze and I do what we do best and smoke some more then hit the foosball table. Two minutes into the game we realize we are way to fucked and just need to pass out. Goodnight.
I am awoken bright and early by chainsaws roaring. Not happy, but there was a nice cool ocean breeze blowing through the windows. I took a picture of the ocean and realized maybe it wasn’t so bad to be awake this early. Shortly after Blaze’s new roommate Dave came out and we chilled while we waited for Blaze to get around. Smoked a couple bowls then headed off to Manhattan Beach for a huge six man volleyball tournament and a surf competition.
Holy fuck. Literally thousands upon thousands of people. Guessing well over 10,000 covering the entire beach. Completely insane madness. We head to a market to grab sandwiches and liquor then head down to an open spot on the beach. We chill out for about an hour and enjoy the ocean and the sun then Dave and I head into the middle of the madness. I mixed up a nice strong Vodka and Monster and started enjoying the sights. Ass n titties, ass, ass n titties. Oh, how I love living in Southern California. It was so insanely crowded it was hard to really do anything, everyone was wasted and it was solid good fun. After a couple hours of just chillin’ we headed back to Blaze’s and started in on shots, beers and foosball.
I had to go back to Hollywood for a show and I absolutely didn’t want to take the bus. I started calling anyone I could think of that might agree to give me a ride. No luck. Blaze and Dave were headed out to the No Doubt / Paramore show so I grabbed a ride from Perez, Shaun and Mike back to the Wiggler Mansion to continue my search for a ride. I got a hold of Dallas and convinced him with a 20 dollar bill to come get me. I continue drinking. HA.
Of course Dallas takes forever, like always and finally shows up with a full car. Only Dallas’ crew would want to go on a silly road trip on a Saturday night just to pick me up. Say hello’s, say goodbyes and on the road we are.
I get dropped off on Hollywood and Cahuenga and meet up with Ms. Laura Slade to smoke a quick bowl before we head down to Hotel Café. My buddy Jamie Meyer was playing tonight and he had guest listed so I could hear his Vegas song. The show was fun. He had a nice story about me and my Vegas trip before “I Left My Heart In Vegas”. It seriously gave me the chills. Fuck, what has Vegas and this beautiful girl Australian girl done to me. I miss her. Anyways the show was fun. Laura didn’t seem to enjoy it as much as I was. Oh well. I walked her to her car and decided I was gonna stay and have a drink with Jamie instead of going out to a party with her.
Hotel Café is a fun place to gather and have drinks. I enjoyed myself and made some new friends. Jamie introduced me all night as the Vegas guy and people seemed enthralled by my Vegas stories. After a couple vodka tonics I headed out to the Cantina to meet up with Dallas and the Can Crew. They were all doing the usual. Sitting around the bar hoping for free shots. It was closing time for the can so we headed out to Dallas’ apt.
I got a hold of my friend Steffanie and was informed she had alcohol that I needed to drink. I agreed and grabbed a cab to 7-11 then to her apt. It was just her and her roommate Danessa hanging out being silly girls drinking wine. It was fun, I had my first glass of Sake. Quite enjoyable I must say. We chilled for a little bit, I was to exhausted to hang for long so I caught a taxi back to my humble abode.
Here I am Sunday morning. What to do?
I woke up Wednesday and decided that I was going to miss my first class and a job fair that were both currently happening two miles down the road. I laid around in bed and finally brought myself around to do some Contracts homework after a much needed pep talk with my favorite girl Mary Jane. Today, minus the fact I had to sit in a two hour Contracts class was going to be a beautiful day, thanks to a little band called I Wrestled A Bear Once. After school I walked down to my good friend Dallas’ place to smoke and chill. We eventually headed down to CVS to purchase some Bacardi and 7up, this was going to be a Vegas styled evening. Our passes fell through so we just decided to buy tickets before it sold out. Dallas ordered two one for him and his friend JC and I ordered one. Drinks were drunk, weeds were smoked and in the cab we were.
The Key Club seemed to be filled and as it turns out it was a good thing we called because the show was now sold out. We finally figured out how the line was working and made our way to the front, only to see a big black line through IWABO on the set list. No! The new media dude from Century Media was walking by and informed us that they had just cancelled due to a family emergency and were already on a flight back to Virginia. We were super bummed and figured we would try to get our money back. Dallas lucked out and his credit card didn’t take, so they were no tickets waiting for him. Myself on the other hand was stuck with a $22 ticket. Seemingly how the show was sold out Dallas couldn’t even get a ticket, we decided to scalp it.
Little did I know I was walking into a feeding frenzy of eager kids trying to get a ticket and sold it easily for $30. I could’ve probably gotten around $50 but I felt like an ass, I handed the ticket to the kid that had 30 bucks in his hand and felt somewhat satisfied on making $8. Woot Woot.
JC had just dropped around $25 for a cab ride and didn’t just want to ride back down to the Cantina, for this to be a wasted trip. We walked next door to the infamous Rainbow Bar on Sunset. We walked in and walked back to the patio bar to order strong beverages. The bartender was a rock n rolla to the max and a cutie as well, I ordered a Makers and Coke. Mmmmm. We went to get a table and I noticed Cisco, Shwayze’s producer and band mate was having dinner and drinks with a friend. Hi Cisco.
We sat next to the Century Media folk who also seemed upset that we were not watching IWABO right now and we proceeded to drowned ourselves with heavy intoxicants. My drink tasted a little funny so I slammed it and walked back to the bar. In a long discussion with this amazing bartender about what she should make me someone returned a Jack and Coke. She said perfect added an extra shot on top and I once again somehow managed a free drink. Never ends. On my way back to the table I noticed Cisco had been accompanied by his partner in crime Shwayze. I wanted to say hi and have a drink with them but they looked to be in some sort of business chat. Drinks continued to go down and I was officially drunk.
My friend Jenny randomly called me and asked where I was, I informed her I was outside at the Rainbow, she was right outside… random. I went out to say hi and learn that she was attending the Weakerthan’s show at The Roxy. I had completely forgot about this show, I was so excited about I Wrestled playing that I had not even realized this was going on. I asked if she could run inside and see if anyone from Epitaph could help me out with a pass. A few moments later Jeff walks out and hands me a ticket and a VIP band. Perfect. I say my goodbyes to the former group and enter The Roxy minutes before The Weakerthans take over the stage. $3 Brandy and Cokes don’t mind if I do.
I sat in the VIP with a few people from Epitaph and watched an absolutely amazing set. The Roxy is a fun place to catch a good show, its somewhat small and very intimate. During a slower number where only the lead singer is on stage a drunken soldier in the crowd screamed “Yeah Diabetes” right after the line “your diabetic moon” and the crowd and people on stage had to stop and laugh it off before the song could continue. Good times. They played for a good hour, maybe an hour and a half and all of it was solid and satisfying. I had been so down about missing the other show but now all was well.
Jenny gave me a ride to Sunset and Highland and I started walking towards Hollywood Blvd when I noticed some filming going on. I find myself right in front of a camera and people screaming at me that I will be on you tube. They told me a site to check, but lets face it I was shit hammered and have no clue what it was. I call Dallas and meet up with him and JC at El Scorpion with the rest of the Cantina Crew. We smoked in the back and chilled out before it was time to make my incredible two mile hike back home.
I’ve officially been out of the hell whole kids call Jackson, Michigan for six months.
I’m slowly realizing that maybe old friends will just be that, old friends.
I was so stoked to fly home a few weeks ago, but that will probably be the last time for awhile that I’m excited for that trip.
I don’t even really want to go home for the holidays, but some things need to be done for the family.
This month has been the strangest and most off centered month of my life. I will post an entire blog about it soon, still trying to finish writing my vegas stories out.
I feel like a completely different person, than when I left Michigan. Maybe it’s just LA taking over my head, but I really feel I’ve grown and changed a lot.
I keep looking back on friends on Facebook and I just keep thinking, when are they gonna wake up? When are they gonna snap out of this misery they all live in? It confuses me so much that my friends are so satisfied with that lifestyle, being drunk and partying with the same people night after night.
What ever happened to being kids with dreams?
What ever happened to wanting to follow those dreams?
My ride needs to get here so I can stop typing this insaneness.
I met a girl.
She has been making me wild.
She’s on the other side of the world and she’s all I can think about.
It’s an out of the ordinary feeling.
Something that is a first.
FUCK. The new All Time Low is actually really impressive I think.
Fuck you, for being a stereotypical hater of pop music.
Just assuming.
Assumptions are kings wearing crowns.
Maybe it’s not my weekend, but it’s gonna be my year…………….
I’ve had the pleasure to attend four ball games already this year. Below is a little recap of the games. Hopefully there will be more still to come. Check it before you wreck it.
Friday May 1st I got another amazing phone call from Korey informing me he yet again had an extra ticket. FUCKIN A! I was stoked. We got there an hour or so before first pitch so we got started on the free booze and food and got to watch batting practice. Gotta love catching the warm ups. The game was good 0-0 until the bottom of the 9th and the Dodgers won by one. We drank entirely too much. I’m pretty sure we consumed every last drop of alcohol in the suite. Started with shots of Jameson and then onto Jack and cokes. When that was dry I moved to beer. That didn’t last long and I then went onto margaritas. Once again we consumed all of that and then went to tequila and cranberries. This was when we ran completely out of alcohol. Holy Drunk! Korey was good and drunk and it was a hell of a night. I ended up heading back into Hollywood after the game and continuing my drunken rampage. Oh how my head felt this morning.
Thursday April 23rd the Angels were playing Detroit in Anaheim. My buddy Jason and I decided to make the trip to meet up with our buddy Gonz and his roommate, they were in town from Vegas. We smoked a mean blunt on DANKENSTEIN and got straight stupid on the ride there. The game was alright Detroit got stomped but it was a game and that is all that matters. It’s a little weird watching Detroit away after watching them in Detroit for all these years. But still a good night. We had a couple drinks and then smoked another blunt of that crazy shit on the way home. Just stupid high.
