Friday, August 28, 2009

Straight Edge


Controversial? Sure: the lifestyle, the trend, the tattoos, the scene. But the claims are simple and the belief grounded. Even though many kids who claimed to be straight edge at one time (when they weren't even at legal drinking age) have "changed their minds" and accepted smoking and drinking, there is still an international movement to be true to the "edge". Straight edge is simple, they don't drink and they don't smoke. The once major movement in the hardcore scene is today seen as a cheesy trend, but I think individuals who stand up for something they believe in are awesome and should be admired. 

I don't claim to be straight edge, and I don't alienate myself to people who hold the same beliefs like many edge kids do, but I don't drink or smoke. I believe that those things influence your life in a negative way: it inhibits your ability to think clearly, it causes you to act differently, its addictive, and its unhealthy. I have seen too many lives destroyed by alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. My friends make fun of me for "being straight edge" and they joke about straight edge tattoos. I would never get a straight edge tattoo, but I know that I could get one and not regret it or want to cover it up because if I believed in something enough to tattoo it on myself I better be a person who can back it up with my lifestyle

Straight Edge is not "cool" and it's not what 21-25 year olds are into. People at this age are at the bar. Does this mean you alienate yourself? No. A belief, like believing in redemption through Jesus Christ, does not mean you alienate yourself from those who do not believe what you believe, in fact it draws you closer. I don't drink or smoke and I've never been closer to people who do. I believe in straight edge and I want to influence others with it. I hope that people will see the stand that I've made and that it would at least cause them to consider what they are doing in their own lives. I dont turn my back on it, like my stand for Christ, I am a Christian and I would never deny that or live otherwise, people don't question whether or not I love Jesus, in the same way people don't wonder if 'tonight will be the night that Rachel drinks' because I'm not going to. I've made a decision to live a certain way and because I so strongly believe this way I can't live otherwise. It has nothing to do with three x's, music, or a scene. I do things for myself. I live how I want to live and if that makes me something, than fine, but something doesn't make me who I am. 
XXX

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

A NEW LOVE.....





She's an old school Schwinn.
She's my buddy.
My Pal.
We spend time together everyday. 
I never knew this little chili pepper could be such a big part of my life. Thanks J.B.G.!!

Sassparilla Jug Band

www.myspace.com/sassparillajugband

IT'S BANJOS
IT'S HARMONICA
IT'S FIDDLES
IT'S WASHBOARDS
IT'S SUITCASES
IT'S CIGAR BOX GUITAR
IT'S BROOMS
IT'S PERCUSSABASS

.....IT'S WONDERMENTASTIC!
GROOVY. BLUES. GYPSY. CLASSIC. JAZZ. FOLKROCK. BIG BAND. AMERICANA. PUNK.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Mugison: my new favorite music







Mugison ("Moogieson") is an Icelandic musician and singer. Mugison means 'son of Muggi' (his father).  His music is abstract (hence, iceland) but also dedicated to lyrics and a mixture of folk-pop and avant-garde or experimental material. His ernest vocals bring to mind Iron and Wine or David Bazan. 
"Mugiboogie is an exercise in emotional indie that de-crescendos from brooding psychedelic thrash metal to indigenous melancholy ballads without hesitation." Popmatters 
He must be amazing, have you ever seen an artist with photos THIS awesome?!
www.myspace.com/mugison

House projects are the best projects, you enjoy the finished project for years and years

Karen and I are working on my soon to be new room one we get all this wallpaper off and patch the walls. Maybe i'll paint a mural of Portland on it. And I'm totally not kidding. This is what we're doing when I'm not working working. It's going really well. I cant wait for it to be done!!!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Tombs, Wolves in the Throne Room, PELICAN!

I went to an awesome show at the Hawthorne last night. Lots of Doom Metal. Tombs started it off with songs from their album Winter Hours. The three piece band creates an amazing depth to their music. To add another member would most likely take away from their awesomeness. 
www.myspace.com/tombsbklyn

Next Wolves in the Throne Room played, who I was very excited to see. They are insane live. They're so cool that they even had a fog machine. WITTR is a must see band because their sound LIVE is a complete experience that will let you die happy. 
www.wittr.com

Pelican closed the line-up with their sludgy, repetitive songs that last ten minutes and I just can't get enough of them. You should already know about Pelican, but in case you dont -
 www.myspace.com/pelican

For a well written and accurate review please visit my friends blog at niclazz.blogspot.com

Sunday, March 29, 2009

May I present Mr. John G.

I have a particular friend 
who i consider to be the most spectacular human being on this planet. 
(Spectacular like Switzerland, 
not like the song in Moulin Rouge).
His personality and spirit are even more captivating than his photos.
He is an expert axeman, 
an amazing chef, 
fluent in italian (accents),
bowls at 25 miles an hour, 
and is the Lord of the Ducks.
It is said that his enemies would go blind from over-exposure to pure awesomeness!
And now
he is blessing Louisiana with his Awesomeness.
What they deserve that Oregon doesn't,
i have to wonder.
John, you are missed!