Tell Gravity to Let Go of My Ears

Gather 'round! Bring the disinfectant wipes...

I am sick! Sick in the head? Maybe, but that's not the question of the hour. Am I illin'? Yes I am. I have the wonderful, ninja-germ: the common cold, which not-so-wonderfully keeps changing it's make-up (why we can never find a final cure for it!)...My internal and external balance is completely fucked and driving in cars makes me feel like I've been on a merry-go-round one too many times.

Procrastination is in full force tonight. I'm being a horrible individual and I'm missing class on Monday and most of Tuesday so I'm kind of in the "why do it?" mode. I will do my work, just not tonight. Nope.

I'm still on the lookout for a record player decently priced.

This post is kind of list like but that's alright, because I really don't have anything to post tonight. Just trying to not fall asleep and it's slowly not working out.

One of the assignments I'm putting off is finding Hip-Hop lyrics to analyze. I personally am not the biggest fan of hip-hop and I think my professor is just trying to give us an assignment "on our level"...but this is not on my level.

Ok so I have to make an edit to this blog. I decided to search for lesser known hip-hop artists for my assignment. I stumbled across OHHLA.com and these lyrics from Code Poets. I've never heard of them and I haven't listened to the song but here's the link to the lyrics I chose, and I dig them. Here they are.

INSTEAD, I'm going to leave you with these videos and lyrics and music I would rather spend time listening to:


(I don't know why this video won't re-size, but watch it anyhow)






Vitamin C to the rescue,
Love,
Napalm

Breakfast In A Box

Sorry my lovelies!

I know I have been horrible these past...6 days! And should have gotten a post to you. To quickly wrap up my weekend: Friday night called for Chicago Uno's -with a waiter more delicious than any dish they serve- and an ice cream on the beach from the Banana Boat (Revere Beach that is. Been there forever, go.). Saturday I went to IHOP with some friends from Maine and a few Massholes. They staff already had their hands full until all 7 of us decided to show up. Caught up with one another since it had been about a year or two since we all last saw each other then we booked our asses up Route 1 to Michael's Arts & Crafts. Didn't get anything there but a friend and myself snuck into DSW next door and made away with a pair of heels each. Sunday I found myself in Framingham, MA at another friend's house for some poolin' and pastries. Breakfast that morning was provided by Spinelli's -a potato and cheese panzarotti and an eclair. Sunday night, got home sun drunk and looking to play computer games until I passed out.

But what was I up to today? PACKING. Horrid way to spend a Monday if I say so myself. I'm not a fan of packing- unpacking, I can do. I will be back on the UNH campus on August 27th (10 days and counting), and someone told me I should start packing- I said I would if they helped me- they agreed, so I was stuck packing today. I usually wouldn't begin until oh, the 25th or so. Today was one of those days that you sit on the toilet longer than necessary because the bathroom is the coolest room in the house. I'm not ready for the drama of campus, not at all, here in Boston I live relatively drama free. Here, it's also easy for me to tell those who bring drama with them to fuck-off. They are easily avoided, not-so-much on my campus.

Well that's all I have for you tonight. I'm in the middle of the daunting task of weeding out the bad eggs from my digital music collection. I'll have a better post for you tomorrow with more rhyme and reason. Go listen to some Rancid, make me happy...

Until Tuesday.

Hold your head up high
Love,
-Napalm

Rancid: Never fell in love until I fell in love with you...

Post Recap of July 28, 2009

Computer problems delayed this post, more will be explained in tomorrow's blog.

What did you do on Tuesday? I went to the House of Blues on 15 Landowne St. Boston, MA to see what you all know as the loves of my life. Well my musical life. RANCID. My day started off slow with about an hour delay of the Green Line trains. All branches because of a disabled train at one of the other stations. I LOVE the MBTA, I rely on them, but the Green Line is the enemy. Just a useful enemy. Walking around the corner towards Lansdowne street showed the flocks of Red Sox fans making their way to Fenway which is right across the street from the HOB. This would be a good time to tell you that the Sox game started at 7 and the doors opened for my show at 6:30. I showed up at 2:30. At 2:30 I met 4 other people also waiting as early as I was, two of which had just moved to my home/hometown of East Boston. The lead singer of Billy Talent was parading up and down the street but of course I didn't know who the fuck he was, BECAUSE I barely know anything by Billy Talent. Later on, a few of the guys were playing wiffle ball across Lansdowne and Mr. Tim Armstrong (Rancid) joined in on the game. I have met Mr. Armstrong so when I and others tell you he is extremely down to earth, willing to talk with fans, and quite gentlemanly I might add. Believe it. This man is my hero if I ever decide to have one.

As I stood outside with my new "I'm only here for Rise Against" friends, I also explained to them, I only showed up for Rancid. Word for word, I get as a response- "Well I don't know about Rancid fans but Rise Against fans are absolutely insane". I just shrugged and said, I wouldn't know- knowing in the back of my mind that they weren't ready for Rancid fans. After sweating for four hours outside and then another 30 minutes in the hallway, we were finally allowed into the venue. I stood through Billy Talent, quite still I might add, still enough to get a video for a friend who is a fan. Crowd was quite dull except for a few fans who occasionally pushed me forward once or twice. The lead singer is very energetic and it would be a good show for those who enjoy their music.

Rancid was second of the night, which I still don't understand HOW they could be just a supporting band, in my humble opinion. First chord played and hundreds of bodies pushed forward. The guy in front of me obviously didn't want to be touched and continuously tried to push us all back. He was just met by a stronger push, slamming him into the barricade each time. If you can't handle being in front for all of the crowds, just not the band you want to see, I personally say- get lost. Leave the front for someone who cares. One song alone, I counted 21 crowd surfers to be picked off by security guards. Yes, I made sure to count- just for you my dear blog readers. Matt Freeman even broke out the pure white stand-up base for "Civilian Ways" from their new album Let The Dominoes Fall. Go look it up. People were being asked to be pulled from the crowd because the force crushed all the air from their lungs. I stood on my toes, letting the pressure from the bodies around me hold me up, and belted out every song. Old and new. My official statement: Seeing Rancid in concert is better than sex. Period-ended. No one will ever know how much their chords, their words, all their songs mean to me and what they have helped me through over the years. I feel like Tim Armstrong took my life and put it on every CD they have made. I don't remember the entire set but I do remember "Bloodclot" and "Nihilism" thrown in with "Fall Back Down" and "Last One to Die". An overall great mix of music from albums over the last 16 years. Including my personal favourite which they have played every time I've seen them- "St. Mary".

Just as soon as it began, it was over. Supporting bands not getting enough time I think they deserved. Sweating, panting, legs wobbling I pushed my way through the crowd -wetter than I was at Warped which was outside in the pouring rain. I walked right out the fucking door without looking back. No Rise Against set for me or the other 50 or so people who left with me after Rancid's set. I hope your Rise Against crowd was good guys 'cause now you know how Rancid fans show their love for their boys.

I froze my ass off on the train, in the most glorious pain there is. Rancid, by far, the most amazing band I have known in my time. Of course that is just my opinion and it works for me. Go see them live if you like any of their music, even if you know one song, go, you will not regret it. That's all I have for you tonight my friends. This post cannot contain the excitement and emotion I wish it could.

"Here it is
Here I am
Turn it up
fuckin' loud"

Until next time darlings.

"When I got the music, I got a place to go."
Love,
-Napalm

Daunting Tasks and Children in Heat

Boston Logan Airport Temperature as of 15:31 - 91 degrees Fahrenheint.

What task have I set out for myself today? Book cataloguing. How does one accomplish this in a house full of books? Slowly. You can imagine the actual number of books we own if I feel the need to know what's what and where (including a Boston Public School Book of Poetry for Children from more than 100 years ago). We have at least one bookcase in every room, including the bathroom. One room is lined with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a few others of the same size are sprinkled around our 5 1/2 room first floor home. We're also planning on having a yard sale so we figure we'll get rid of the duplicates we already know we have plus the ones we probably didn't. so if you're looking for a book, hit me up. Good chance we have it.

Also you probably won't get a post from me tomorrow, once again, unless it's late. I will be at the House of Blues Boston for a show I will recap in my next blog.

I have currently taken over the living room to watch a movie while I have the place to myself. The Reaping full of biblical references that I doubt most people would recognize.

I apologize for the lame post with lack of opinion but I don't know where my emotions have strayed to today. I will see you all soon, lots of love, feed on my last few posts.

Here's looking at you kid,
-Napalm

Sunday: I Feel Ambiguity

No blockquote! Surprise!

I know, that's a first, isn't it? Today finally feels like summer which makes me extremely happy. I'm ignoring all the outside pressures and anxieties I have for a while (even though they are picking at me somewhere in the back of my mind) and not worry about anything until at least Wednesday night. Why? Because Tuesday I will be at the House of Blues on Lansdowne St. in Boston enjoying myself as Rancid sings all my troubles away. The headliners are Rise Against, who are being supported by Rancid (which makes NO fucking sense to me, I think RA should kiss the soles of Tim Armstrong's converse) and Billy Talent but I got tickets just because Rancid is playing. Honestly, I couldn't even remember the names of any Billy Talent songs.

Enough of that, I returned to the movie theatre this weekend after many beach-at-night exploits as my weekends usually consist of. My friend and I decided to see The Ugly Truth with Gerard Butler. Now let me say this before you groan and roll your eyes at me, I already knew how the story was going to play out just by watching the previews/trailers. So I wasn't expecting a life changing plot and ending, not at all [but Gerry is a wicked actor!]. On the other hand, it was pretty funny- after I yelled at some loud mouth asshole behind us to shut his fuckin' mug. Movies are great- too bad they couldn't come up with a device that weeds out the assholes and puts them all in the same theatre with each other. Assholes, theatre 6. Let everyone in theatre 11 enjoy their movie. All the mothers with babies, theatre 14. See how much they enjoy being in a room with 50 others just like them and what that will do to the next time they decide to go see a movie.

I don't have much for you this Sunday, I didn't accomplish much over the weekend, other than having a good time. AND, I think that's what it's all about. Too many people let the stupid shit get them down. I have clothes on my back, a roof over my head, and food in the fridge. Singing to myself, life is good. Fuck the world.

I love you all.
Live it up.
-Napalm

Who's Shapiro? Warped Tour 2009: Just about what I expected...

Sorry for the wait. Post recap of: 21 July 2009

And what did I expect? Not much. Out of the numerous bands there that day, I was determined to see three of them. The rest, I couldn't have cared less if they were playing at all. For the line up - Check out www.warpedtour.com

Now don't get me wrong, it was great for a lot of people and I'm glad. I also love the idea of Warped Tour's festival style with the ridiculous amount of bands that do play. I just personally disliked most of the bands -felt like so many just sounded all the same- and also felt like years past have been multiple times better. And some guy at South Station was rambling on about "Shapiro" to a person in the seat across from him that only he could see. Who the hell is Shapiro?

It rained like a motherfucker! And that is no lie. Every inch of me was soaked, including my electronics. This is why you get this post so late, I was PISSED all morning. I had photos and videos of three bands I wanted to see, total number of all media on my camera when I left the venue: 222 The number of photos that were uploaded to my computer before the camera had an error and deleted practically everything: 61

All anger aside- Bad Religion, NOFX, and Anti-Flag completely kicked my ass, PWND me, and all that other shit- they were wicked. I went to Warped in'04 and missed Anti-Flag, so getting to see them front and center was pure sex. They played around 2:55, mixing old and new into their set, keeping everyone happy. All the 12/13 yr olds who only knew of their last two albums eyed them, confused, as the rest of us broke out, chanting along to "You gotta die, gotta die, gotta die for your government, gotta die for your country, that's shit!" They were an amazing, amazing, wicked awesome, best part of my day by far. Chris #2 (Barker) is always the highlight of my life. Talk about some fucking energy, that guy has it. The vocals, the moves, the usual jumping into the audience, and of course, the wall of love. You have to be there to know. Also, you have a few photos of him here from the performance because (he is THE MAN) they were the only ones that survived from the bands I enjoyed :( but hurrah for AF. They rocked my world.

(5:55 p.m.)Bad Religion was in fine form, no matter how many jokes they make about their age, they still own you on stage. An awesome performace of Generator, one of my personal favourites, got the crowd moving. I had great footage that was lost, video of "Sorrow" and even a guest appearance by NOFX's lead singer Fat Mike, joining in for the chorus of "21st Century Digital Boy" [<- there are parenthesis in there somewhere but I'm too exhausted to remember]. After the BR set, NOFX took over, also in fine form but in a more intoxicated manner. Fat Mike enjoying Vodka & milk from a red solo cup on stage. An "old man's drink" as he says. The set was covered in rainbow flags as the guys played on the idea of this being one of the more liberal states in the nation. The boys being ridiculously, and humorously liberal themselves, meant no offense and anyone who took any are assholes. "Bob" was a crowd favourite of the night, as well as The Racist Joke Song. They also graced us with a new song they had just written in the bus about Massachsuetts, I loved it, I agree...it's too fucking cold here. Probably one of my favourite in the NOFX set was their cover of Rancid's "Radio", but that's just because Rancid are the loves of my life. After NOFX, I said FUCK IT. Skipped out on the 2-3 other bands I didn't want to see and waited on the warm, dry bus to take me back to Boston.

Well that was most of my Warped! There was more to it but I don't want to own your life by having you read anymore of this blog....BUT! I am now the proud owner of two RANCID tickets for TUESDAY, at the House of Blues [Boston] with Rise Against and I believe Billy Talent (I didn't know BT was still around) so I am a happy narrator. Until next time, where I may share more Warped with you.

Keep it wet.
Love,
-napalm

An AntiClimatic Morning

Just a little note: If you do get a post from me tomorrow -Tuesday the 21st- it's going to be another late one. I will be at Warped Tour tomorrow and don't know when I will be back or if I will want to write at that time.

Evening you delicious people! You have no idea what me and the internet have been up to today. Buy, sell, trade, tickets- it's all about tickets! I'm too addicted to my music to stop! I'm trying to see Rancid & Rise Against next week all the while trying to hook up with some kid who wanted to buy a Warped Tour ticket for TOMORROW! It's all quite insane but hey, whatever happens - happens. Also got my loan today, approved, so now I can go to school and be in debt some more! Fun fun.

I honestly don't have any inciteful reviews for you today. I could review a new movie I watched earlier or talk about some music but this morning has jsut been too stressful. There may be a chance I have the urge to post later, and if I do I wil be right back here typing. Tomorrow night or Wednesday will sure to have a much longer post seeing as I will have to tell you all about my Warped exploits. Hit up www.warpedtour.com to check out the line-up [which I'm not too happy about] or for more dates.

"God bless the concrete and chaos it keeps."
Until further notice.

Don't forget the streets.
-napalm

Surprise!

Low and behold my darlings!

I have returned, I guess. Yes, it has been quite a long time and I have lost many readers...BUT I will still blog along in my own little world until someone stops by to glance at my ramblings. Now for a little on where I have been.

College. The end.

No, but truthfully - while I was on campus I had no desire to blog when I had time and therefore I trailed off into procrastination, my favourite hobby. It is the summer and college is still ruling my life. Currently applying for student loans and working on my Russian review which I volunteered for. I DO NOT have a summer job because the economy hates me, I believe it. I DO however have a job for when I return to campus. I will be your lovely Academic Adviser at the UNH Center For Academic Resources. Stop by and I'll give you advice and shit.

In other news... RANCID -the loves of my life- are recording a new video for the song "Up To No Good" from their new album "Let the Dominoes Fall". I'm sure somewhere in my last posts before I fell off the face of the earth I mentioned how impatient I was for the CD. Well, OWNED, caressed, loved, and listening to it constantly since it came out back in June. TO keep up-to-date with the shoot and other Machete crap, keep your eye on the Machete MFG Blog here:

http://machetemfg.blogspot.com/

The RANCID/RISE AGAINST show for Boston is sold out and I'm hitting the pavement to get tickets. So email me and I will buy those motherfuckers.

What else? A friend of mine is considering starting a blog for his ramblings, and hell I am SURE he has a bunch of them. Remember my Soapbox Preachers post? That's all I have to say. I'd post his email here if I was cruel and have you all send him convincing messages. If he goes through with it I will post the link here and send you all his way.

UPDATE! He has officially started his blog. Check out It's such a wealth of information, why are you so poor? Here: http://www.socialtreason.blogspot.com

Speaking of blogs, I have DELETED Playing With Napalm for those of you who cared. I didn't anymore and you can get all your facebook/myspace addictions somewhere else. NAPALM AND GRAPHITE has also been DELETED because I've realized to be kind to my original blog, this one, I need to focus only on one. Plus, the others didn't really matter. If you miss NAPALM AND GRAPHITE and all my drawings, email me and I will direct to an album of my things.

Anyone going to Warped Tour this year? Convince me that I should go.

All my love and bootlicking,
-napalm

P.S. WTF MICHAEL BISPING? You are NOT supposed to get knocked out. Ever.

Internet Window Shopping: My Musical Loves

I usually never read the band descriptions on interpunk.com...I don't even have a credit card to buy anything off of interpunk but I was sticker searching (Because I'm a sticker/patch whore) and decided if there was a band I'd click on...it'd be OPIV

Operation Ivy

I don't remember exactly how I met him; he was just that bouncy, floppy kid who always had a smile and some excited words for everyone that first spring at Gilman. I knew he'd played in a band called Basic Radio, and I knew that he was bummed that they'd broken up. Then I went away for three months, and when I got back the first thing I heard was that there was this great new band at Gilman called Operation Ivy and that they were playing that night. When I got to Gilman, there was Tim out front, only now he wanted to be called Lint, and he was more excited than I'd ever seen him. "I got a new band, Larry. It's called..." Yeah, you got it. I went inside and watched one of the most amazing shows I'd ever seen, and when Tim got off stage and asked me what I thought, I said, "Let's make a record." At the time there was no Lookout Records, and I didn't have the slightest idea how such a record would ever come about, but I just knew it had to. How important were Operation Ivy to Lookout Records and the whole East Bay scene? I kind of doubt we'd even be here without them. Tim and Matt went on to form Rancid and gain even more fame, but they never forgot their roots: listen to them sing about the Operation Ivy story on the Rancid song "Journey To The End Of The East Bay," where Tim proclaims about Gilman: "That place was sacred ground to me." But though Tim and Matt are the Op Ivy alumni that everyone knows about, it would be foolish indeed to forget Jesse Michaels, who not only penned their brilliant and evocative lyrics and sung them in a passionate, instantly recognizable voice that could soar from throaty growl to angelic innocence in the turn of a phrase, but also created all the artwork that now adorns punkers' shirts and packs around the globe. Anchored by the seemingly effortless, but never less than excellent drumming of Dave Mello, Operation Ivy came and went with the fleeting incandescence of a comet that will remain emblazoned forever on the consciousness of anyone who ever had the privilege of witnessing them in their glory. They stand, and undoubtedly always will, among the handful of bands that truly matter.

Anticipations kills!! When?!? Tell me when!!

RANCID ENTERS STUDIO
[parts excluded]

Band teams with Long-time Producer Brett Gurewitz to Record Follow-up to 2003's Acclaimed Indestructible


(Los Angeles) The incomparable punk band Rancid began recording today in a studio on the California coast with long-time friend, producer and label president Brett Gurewitz, who has worked with Rancid on virtually every record in their extensive, accomplished career.

...a new Rancid record is different -something special, never hasty or perfunctory, as their fervent, untiring fans have learned over the years. A Rancid record is an organic thing, not cultivated, but rather harvested wild; filled to the brim with all the living done in between stints in the studio. This record will be no different. Sweated over, hammered out and brought forth, the yet untitled release will have all the hard knocks and big wins of lives lived prodigiously...

...Slated for a release later in the year on Epitaph/Hellcat, the new Rancid record promises to be a phenomenal addition to a consistently exceptional career.

For full article, see: RANCID's MySpace Band Profile

Waiting patiently since 2003,
-Napalm

Set Off A Spark

I watched a video on the net today (which I take no credit for) that got me thinking. Now it's nothing too philosophical - you know, how humans are the dangers to themselves or what we can do to save the ecosystem. It was simply a musician talking about his life, what he loves, where he comes from and I just wanted to say it's amazing how one musician can touch the life of some kid he may never even hear of during his time on this earth. Listen to what he says...think about it. I feel where you're coming from Tim, thanks for remembering us. And thanks for taking a few minutes out of your day to spend it with me. I'll never forget.

Take care.
-Kristiana



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0PGTClWa1Y







photo taken by some girl on Lansdowne St. Drawings by me.