Tomorrow marks ten years since that date in 1994 when major-league baseball's player's union walked off the job, cancelling the '94 World Series, peeving this writer off in a very big way and sealing my budding cycnicism towards pro sports at the tender age of fourteen - and oh by the way destroying the Montreal Expos permanently, according to this article, which has former players and other affiliated types reminiscing about how friggin' good the Expos were that year. 74-40 as of August 12th, with probably the best all-around team in baseball. The outfield consisting of Larry Walker, Moises Alou and Marquis Grissom was easily baseball's best, the infield was solid, and Pedro Martinez anchored a starting rotation that was so good, kids, I'm telling you. The Expos would almost assuredly have won the Series that year, ensuring stability and a long future. But no. Greed won out. I'm still bitter, and I've been a Toronto Blue Jays fan my whole life. That should tell you something. Oh, and an interesting side note: the general manager of the team in 1994 was Kevin Malone, and where he is now? Working at a Christian university out in California. How 'bout that!
Anyway. Enough of that. On to the music.
Essential listening for August 11th is one glorious slice of hardcore heaven: Stretch Arm Strong's 2003 record Engage. I never did get around to reviewing this, and it's pretty much useless to do it now since I imagine a new one will be coming soon, but it's so good, kids. Seriously.
Fear Before the March of Flames are one of the most innovative hardcore bands I've heard(not that I'm a professor of the genre or anything); Odd How People Shake, besides being named in honour of an episode of The Simpsons, was a great album, and they have a new record called Art Damage coming out September 7th. This article brings y'all up to speed on one of the Denver area's best rising bands. Word.
Anyone catch NOFX on Late Night with Conan O'Brien last night? They did 'Franco Un-American', and I bet the network told them not to say certain things contained in said song, and they went and did it anyway. Hilarious to watch. Wonder if Conan is gonna take all kindsa heat for it. I particularly enjoyed the robot pimp on keyboard. From the lads at punkhardcore, as a supplementary opinion: "The band won't say what they'll be playing but we've been assured that they will 'do some additional rocking against Bush.' We're crossing our fingers for the full eighteen-minute version of 'The Decline'; nobody cares about what Seth Green has to say anyway." That's gold.
In somewhat related news, Anti-Flag are allegedly being offered major-label money in excess of half a million dollars(no typo, people), half a million dollars, for a one-off contract. If this band, vehemently anti-corporate in everything it's about, does this, the world is officially coming to an end. aversion]
Due to the departure of their bassist, who left the band to focus on family(good man), Social Distortion have found themselves a pretty good replacement to take over: Rancid's Matt Freeman - who is incredible, for those who don't follow these things. Freeman's top priority will remain the Bay Area legends, but as it says here: "'Rancid is always going to be my priority,'" Freeman said in a statement. "'But Tim has the Transplants and Lars has the Bastards. I like to think I have a pretty cool side band now too.'" Um, ya think? Social D's new album drops September 28th.
The Warmth of Red Blood. Get used to that name, kids, because it's the new incarnation of the departed Shai Hulud. Vocalist Geert(that crazy Dutchman!) is history, and remaining members Matt Fox and Matt Fletcher have yet to name a new singer. They'll still be amazing though.
This link right here contains new video footage of kingpins Every Time I Die as well as New Jersey punks Life In Your Way, who I was supposed to interview a long time ago, and it never happened. Probably my fault entirely. Anyway, enjoy the clippage. [punkhardcore]
Skatefest happens shortly down in Worcester, Massachusetts, and this year's lineup is a beast. Check this out:
Norma Jean, Fear Before the March of Flames, Boys Night Out, Spitalfield, The Early November, Throwdown, Catch-22, From Autumn To Ashes, Codeseven, Silverstein and Murder By Death. I'm not taking the time to html-italicize all those names. Screw yas all! I wish I lived near Worcester, Massachusetts.
Some .hopesfall news for ya(I see you Veronique!): the band's new album is called A-Types, and it'll be out November 2nd on Trustkill Records. I devoutly hope the production is better than their last record. The Satellite Years was great songs kinda wrecked by the studio geniuses. And it was the guy from Hum who did it! How could this have happened?? Anyway. [noisetheory]
Behold: coverage of one of the few screamo bands I truly enjoy, Funeral For A Friend. And they're from England, no less! Check out the article. FFAF are so tight. '10.45 Amsterdam Conversations'...what a hook....mmm....yeah. Oh, and I learned that the band's name was derived from a song by Planes Mistaken For Stars(another Denver band woohoo!). I did not know that. Props to me for making Johnny Carson references!
Done.
Posted by mike at August 11, 2004 06:10 PM