V.I.A

I came across this site, and I think it's actually pretty neat.

Vancouver is Awesome.

Carts of Darkness- A must watch documentary.

This is a video called Carts of Darkness. It is a must watch.

In the picture-postcard community of North Vancouver, filmmaker Murray Siple follows men who have turned bottle-picking, their primary source of income, into the extreme sport of shopping cart racing.

Enduring hardships from everyday life on the streets of Vancouver, this sub-culture depicts street life as much more than stereotypes portrayed in mainstream media. The films takes a deep look into the lives of the men who race carts, the adversity they face, and the appeal of cart racing despite the risk.

Click here to watch the video.

Tom Gabel of Against Me! Interview.

To get things rolling here, how are things going?

Things are good. My wife and I just moved to St. Augustine, FL. Which, if you didn’t already know, is the oldest city in North America. We haven’t had a home in a little while so I’ve just been enjoying getting moved in, hanging out around the house. We started practicing as a band two weeks ago, working on a new record. I’m excited about new songs, a new year, a new president.

What was it like breaking into the music scene?

I’m not sure. I don’t think of music like that. I think of it more in a “I think therefore I am” type of way. I play music, therefore I am in the music scene. What’s it all really mean anyways?

What is it like writing music in the political turmoil of today?

I’m optimistic. I think you have to take what the news feeds you with a grain of salt, you shouldn’t change your approach to life/music based on abstract concepts like politics. So we have a new president taking office, a president that feels like a dramatic step up from the last 8 years. It’s not like that means that it’s vacation time. I still think there’s tons of work to be done, tons of songs to be sung.

What do you think about guitar hero/rock band and the impact it has on music today?

I think it’s a fad. I read an article the other day online about how the music genre of video games has hit it’s peak, sales are slowing down. It’s certainly not the future of music. I also think to imply that it has had an impact on music is a little misleading. It has had an impact on the music industry, sure. It’s had an impact on the video game industry, sure. But I’d be surprised to here an actual musician say they changed their perspective on songwriting because of Guitar Hero.

With that train of thought, do you think it may help out kids to actually go get a real guitar, and would you ever want to see an Against Me! song in one of the games?

Well, I think that if it does make peopl go out and but a real guitar that few of them would actually be the type to stick with the instrument and actually learn how to play. That’s what makes Guitar Hero/Rock Band fun, you don’t have to be musically talented to play the game.

What are some problems you've faced as a band with 4 members?

We’re a family, every family has problems. Actually, I’d compare being in a band to being in a sexual relationship, playing music being the sex. You have your ups and downs, especially if you’re in the relationship as long as we have been. And I’m truly thankful for the experience of being in a band as I think that I’ve learned a lot about how to be married from it. I’ve known James since I was 14 years old (I’m 28 now). Has there been times were I’ve wanted to punch James? Sure, and I’m sure he’s wanted to punch me. But would I take a bullet for him? Without thinking.

What were/are some influences that helped inspire your music?

My influences are constantly changing, and probably don’t make anysense to anyone else but me. I’d say that Tom Petty has been as big of an influence as Crass, who were as big of an influence as Madonna, who was as big of an influence as Tracy Chapman, who was as big of an influence as Nirvana, who was a big of an influence as the Doors, who were as big of an influence as Bob Dylan.

How would you compare the Canadian Music scene vs. American Music scene?

Well I think that Canada has more of a TV market for music with stations like Music Plus and Much Music, which actually still play videos (or at least they did last time I checked). That’s all over in the U.S. But as far as an underground goes I’d say it’s pretty much the same worldwide.

How would you compare the Canadian fans vs. American fans?

One thing I’ve learned for certain in all of my years traveling is that people are people, no matter where you are.

What was it like performing with Tegan Quin on Borne on the FM Waves of your Heart?

I think that both Tegan and Sara are two of the most talented songwriters/performers out there in the world today. To have had the chance to duet with Tegan was an honor. She has an amazing voice, and a great personality.

Why did you guys choose to film the music video for Borne on the FM Waves in your Heart in black and white, and how did you guys come up with the concept for it? It was different, and I really enjoyed watching it, which is rare for me and music videos.

I came up with the concept. Making videos has been a process with many trials and tribulations thus far for us, we started a band to play music, which we practiced for all along the way. Making videos is an art we’re just getting into. It took me a second to realize that with videos you have to be just as bullheaded as music, don’t listen to anyone elses opinions. For the Borne video I just wanted to make a simple video that was along the lines of Guns N’ Roses’ video for Sweet Child Of Mine. Just a band in a room playing a song, and I was insistant that we did actually play the song. We weren’t lip synching, all our instruments were plugged in, the power turned on.

Has anyone in Against Me! taken any sort of music lessons of some sort, whether it be vocal, guitar, etc. If so, has it helped at all?

I took guitar lessons from when I was 8 years old to 14. I think James took some as well when he was younger.

When Against Me! first formed as a band, did you guys have a goal to show/present with your music? If yes, did you guys accomplish it and has it changed over the years?

Absolutely, and yes the’ve constantly changed. I think that has to do with one of the reasons we’ve been a band as long as we have. We always set realistic goals which we reached, so playing music has been a rewarding experience. When I first started using the name my two goals were to play a show by myself and release a demo tape. I reached those goals, and set new ones. That’s the way it’s always been .

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In ten years I’ll be 38. If I’m still playing music, if someone still cares enough about the music that I’m making to ask me some questions about it I’ll consider my life to have been a success.

Your band is widely considered a punk rock band. The word "punk" has almost become a certificate of authenticity in rock music, and as such it is thrown around quite a bit. Considering the mixed messages that have evolved over the last 30+ years, do you think that "punk" is still a relevant way to classify a band?

I stopped caring about stuff like that a couple years ago. Punk is just another club to kick people out of and I’m not interested in belonging to such rigid, exclusive, organizations.

Where is your favourite place to perform, and why?

Australia, hands down. It is the most amazing place in the world. Beautiful cities, beautiful people, and great weather. I’d move there if I could.

With these interviews, do you ever regret saying yes to agreeing to do them? Also, with that in mind, do you find people ask the same questions over and over again?

I never regret to agreeing to do them, we’ll maybe that’s not true, sometimes I regret agreeing to do them after I read the questions some people have to ask. I respect journalism as an art and most of the people out there trying to pass themselves off as journalists are a disgrace. The answers to most peoples questions can be found out by doing a google search, most questions asked have no humanity to them. But I think it’s an extremely important thing to answer someone’s questions if they have them to ask. How’s the saying go? “There’s no such thing as a stupid questions…” . That’s all fine and great, but there’s definitely such thing as a lazy question.

What's Warped Tour like from a performer’s perspective?

It’s drainging. The length of the tour, the drives, sitting in a parking lot all day, constantly surrounded by noise, it takes a toll on you mentally. I think people who are social people by nature have a lot more fun on it than people like me who like to be withdrawn and introverted.

Any bands/artists you think some people should check out?

There’s an endless supply, I wouldn’t know where to begin.

Compared to when you first started out, and your views on music then. Have they changed since then, if yes. How so?

In some ways yes, in some ways no. I’ve always loved playing music, that’s never changed.

How has Against Me! changed the way you see, and go about life? If it even has.

I’m not really sure to be honest, it’s hard to have perspective on something like that. At this point I’m not sure I know the difference.

What are some things you enjoy doing outside of music?

I like to read books, I like to watch movies, I like to ride my bike, I like to hang out with my wife.

What are your goals with the Against Me! street team?

No real goals, it’s just one of many ways for people to interact with the band if they want to. It’s really just a website people can go to, register at and get some free stickers sent to them.

Do you think Myspace is useful tool for new bands to help get exposure? What about bands that have been around for awhile now and are already 'big'?

I go back and forth on myspace all of the time. I think any tool of communication is usefull, but at the same time I worry that communicating on myspace is a little too unnatural. It’s like this, with social networking sites like myspace and facebook I often times get emails from people I went to high school with, sometimes younger, who I have fallen out of touch with. There’s nothing wrong with falling out of touch with people, you shouldn’t have to remain friends with everyone you ever meet, and before these kind of sites finding people you’ve fallen out of touch with wasn’t as easy. Is the world any better for it. The same theory applies to bands. Is it always a good thing to have that much access to a band? I’m not sure. I’m a little hypocritical about it all. I mean, I’m pretty active on our bands myspace page, I make sure it’s regularly updated. At the same time it really bums me out that bands I loved when I was a teenager have myspace pages. Like it doesn’t seem right that Conflict has a myspace page, it doesn’t seem right that the Beatles have a myspace page.

When you guys perform, what are some challenges you guys face. That can be from fans, to screwing up a note. Share some stories of such events?

Sometimes it’s a challenge just to remember the words.

Got any tips and advice for musicians or people just trying to start a band?

Play for anyone who will listend regardless of age, race, class, hipness. Play for anyone and play your heart out every time you do so.

Have you ever faced a huge challenge in Against Me! and just wanted to say 'fuck it' and give up? If so, how did you overcome it?

No retreat, no surrender.

Do you guys think one day you'll explode, so say, and become big? Like have a large, more so, huge fan base and play a lot more gigs in larger venues. Would you guys even enjoy that at all?

Again, if in ten years from now there’s any size audience still interested I’ll be thankful.

Any last words?

Up the punks.

Thanks,

Ryan Rose.

Against Me! Website

Lights Mini Interview.

How did you come up with the name Lights?

Lights is my legal first name!

How did you come up with the idea for the new February Air video?

It was meant to be a sequel to the Drive My Soul video. I wanted the video to take place once I was already on the planet, and there was a little drama between me and the astronaut. I had to get a message to him and the message was ultimately the song that I wrote, which printed from my keyboard-like-song-writing-machine and then I folded it into an airplane which formed the means of getting the message to him. I liked the juxtaposition of the primitive paper airplane versus the futuristic environment of the video.

What made you want to do this as a living?

It was just what I was made to do, and I can't go denying fate!

When you go to perform live, what do you do before you go on stage to prepare yourself?

I dance in the back room for five minutes!

Have you ever had a weird encounter with a fan?

I've been so blessed with the most amazing fans, everyone is someone I'd want to be friends with.

Thanks for doing this, and have fun performing at your future shows.

Thankyou so much!! See you at another show I hope!! xoxo

Light's website.

Ryan Russell Interview

What camera do you shoot with?
I have about 40!

Why did you get into photography?

I just liked it, I never got a camera until I was in college and when I did it was pretty fun and seemed very natural.

Why do you shoot mainly film?

I just like the way it looks for the most part, I can always spot a digital photo from a mile away

What is it like going around with sweet bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara,

Paramore, etc, and shooting photos of them?

It’s pretty fun, most of the bands I shoot photos of are bands I actually like a lot. I usually wont shoot any band that I don’t personally like so its been working out rad!

What was it like

to be with Tegan and Sara for a week shooting photos for their new photo book?

It was scary going into it, I literally knew the girls about 3 weeks before we did it. We spent 3 hours doing a photosh

oot for Macbeth and that’s the only time I had ever hung with them. I was terrified of making an ass of myself (and I did) but hopefully they still think I’m the bees knees (do people still say that? Hahahah). They were so, so nice and I hope their fans know that of all the bands I’ve shot, theyre up there in being one who really cares about their fans as actual people. I’m so grateful I got to work with them and become friends.

Can you tell me, and their fans any more about this photobook?

We spent a week in New Orleans, enjoyed the city and for the most part they worked on demos together in the same room which they had said has never happened. There’s a ton of hilarious stories that happened, but we’ll have to wait for the book for those ;)

Who is your favourite artist/band to shoot?
Tegan and Sara for sure and also Death Cab for Cutie!

You also shoot for Macbeth shoes, what's that like?
It’s amazing, It was the only company nowadays who made shoes I liked. They ended up seeing a photo of MCR I shot with the shoes in them and offered a pair in trade and then a couple months later and I was asked to be sponsored and then they were like you wanna be our photo dude. They’ve all been so amazing.

Got any advice for people who are into photography, and want to progress their hobby further?
Just keep enjoying it as a hobby, if you love something and do it enough itll usually evolve into something more if it’s meant to happen. Just don’t be a slacker about it!

I see you shot photos with Bam Magera? What was that all about, and what's his house like in person?

OK literally, I was going to Fred (ex-TBS)’s house in West Chester and he asked if there was anything I wanted to do specifically while there and I made an off hand joke, oh you know go to Bam’s house and do a shoot. He and his drummer at the time Steve were actually good friends with Bam and when I got to West Chester they were like alright let’s go. Bam and Missy were so nice in person, seriously!

What's your favorite stuff to shoot?
Just stuff when I’m driving around, I do that a lot. Just drive around and stop and shoot and get back in the car and drive.

What are you other hobbies that you like to do?

I am obsessed with Xbox and Call of Duty.

Any future project worth mentioning?
The new Maylene album artwork!

Last but not least, any last words?

Burritos!

Thanks a lot!

Ryan Rose

Check out his site: http://www.ryanrussell.net/

AC/DC Black Ice Review!

I thought I'd wait for it to be finally out to actually do a review on it.  It's a damn good CD. It's been eight years since their last album release. Fans have been waiting, and finally they have it! Black Ice is a 15 track album that was recorded in Vancouver, BC. AC/DC's sound hasn't changed, nor it ever will hopefully. From Angus to Phil to Malcom, to Cliff and last but not least, Brian. Their sound just clashes together for such a unique good sound that fans thrive off of! I'll review each song like it's meant to be. 

Rock 'N Roll Train: This was AC/DC's first single of this album and they let it out to the public in August on their MySpace. It's a great song, and a great single. This song is 'AC/DC. Has their original sound, has Angus thrashin' riffs and his solo is above par. It'll be a chart topping hit. 

Skies on Fire: For sure different then Rock 'N Roll Train, but still a good one. Has a more softer/bluesy feel to it, well for me anyways. Not much else I have to say about this track.

Big Jack: It has a good up tempo beat to it. Angus pulls of his thing in it, laying riffs on top of the chorus for a good sound. Brian, well you know he always does a good job. The name is cool too, I knew I would like it when I read the name of the song.

Anything Goes: It has a nice sound to it, with some nice guitar riffs that flow well with each other. A simple, but good song.

War Machine: This was the other song that got released on their MySpace for people to preview. It's damn good too. Has a cool bass line, and a dope solo in it. It's a catchy song, with a good beat that you will feel throughout the song.

Smash N' Grab: Not one of the best, but still a true AC/DC song. A little to plain for my like, but I can listen to it over and over still. Overall a decent mid-tempo rocker.

Spoilin' for a Fight: Are you spoilin' for a fight? I sure am! This has a good guitar riff, like most AC/DC songs(Angus Shreds!). Brian howls the lyrics in this song, it's definitely a good track.

Wheels: I love this song! Again, Brian howls in this song, like no other on this album though. That's the thing. This is something straight out Highway to Hell! Angus tears it up, again.

Decibel: Another good song. Has a nice bluesy feel to it, which I love. Strong stuff all around, from the guitars to drums to vocals. 

Stormy May Day: I love the intro to this song, it just pulls me into it. I don't know why, but it does and I love it for that. Johnson has done it again on this album with some wicked vocals. Angus shows off his talent once again. I think I talk too much about Angus and Brian in this review? Ah, who cares.

She Likes Rock 'N Roll: Has a funky bass line in the beginning which is something I like. Deff a winner of this album. Does she really like rock n' roll though? I sure hope so!

Money Made: It's a little slower than the average AC/DC song, doesn't have that fire that we've all grown to love. Nothing much else to say to this song.

Rock 'N Roll Dream: One of my favorites of the album as I'm too trying to live a rock 'n roll dream. Well maybe not too, as they most likely are, but I wish I could too. It has a different feel to it then most AC/DC songs which captures me and pulls me into it. Has some awesome riffs, and also has a ballad type feel to it in parts. 

Rocking All the Way: I spent about 30 seconds into this song before I started to air drum. Right when you think rock can't get any better then this, the solo comes in, and it's time to ride this one out.  

Black Ice: Another top on from this album. The intro, everything to me is just right on this song. Title track of the album. I can for sure see this as a chart topping hit. Phil Rudd does this thing on the drums, just like Angus pulls it off on guitar. What a song. Black Ice!

For the age AC/DC is, which isn't really that old, they still have it together! I hope they have it together for their tour! AC/DC November 28th GM Place, I'll be there on the floor! Watch out! AC/DC said let there be rock, and AC/DC let it rock! So for those about to rock, we salute to and that's AC/DC!

Overall 4.75/5

Review by 

Ryan Rose/Dotca

Credit to Colin for the Money Made review.

AC/DC Black Ice

The CD is SICK! I'll post up a review in the next week or so.