Saturday, February 28, 2009

In the defense of the Spanish 2

ok, it went from civil to stupid....REAL FAST.

His reply:

"I agree, I disagree.well first off I like being a part of the land of the mutts.What other country would you live in?And dont say Canada thats such a cop-out.I also believe that along time ago my family made a lot of sacrifices to get to this country, including leaving the rest of my family in Ireland and also giving up the language they spoke Gaelic. Now I dont know where your heritage comes from but I'm willing to bet they sacrificed a lot of the same concepts, for a better life. Now I understand you believe a bilingual nation would be a great step in evolution to this country, but heres the joke, how are we going to have evolution from third world countries Latinos dont even speak proper Spanish, Its slang. And yes If I were a Native American I too would say the same thing fuck you Im not speaking English, which Im sure they did. Isnt this the analogy of whats happening today?If you were a Native would you say the same thing to the English or would you simply just say Oh its ok its going to make our country better.Now look at history the English have branded themselves as the ass holes for what they did to the Natives.I know I dont want assholes in my country. No ones pulling any wool over my eyes, Latinos want things they're way. So what now I need to learn Spanish to get a job, do you speak Spanish fluently everyday, do you have a bilingual job? Is that what you want, knowing another language doesnt make you smarter it makes you more knowlegable. Big whoop.
"

By the way, this guy's grandparents were even born in the US....ughhhh

All I could say is that it was the kind of idiocy I just don't have an answer for. Bumping his head into a wall has a better chance of changing his mind than I do. Ugh.

Friday, February 27, 2009

In defense of the Spanish...

I have a myspace, I'm sorry....

Now that's out of the way, so we can move on...a bulletin was posted by a man I went to highschool with. No name will be revealed, but I can say that he is a very nice guy from what I remember, and is now a proud father. This is, in no way trying to instigate anything, but I figured it would be posted in it's entirety so people can chime in with their own 2 cents:

BULLETIN:

SUBJECT: Welcome to America!

BODY: Now speak English! If you go to France what language are you going to learn before you get there? Hmm, French. If you and your family decide to move to Germany what language are you going to at least try and learn?GERMAN. How about if you were thinking about moving to Italy or even vacationing there what language do you suppose you might want to speak?Hmmm, Italian. If you go to Spain what language do think you should speak?Spanish, I think ya get the point. WHY CONFORM? WHY CONFORM? WHY CONFORM? Why should we conform to them? because they're too lazy to learn? Is it because they dont want to learn? Is it because they dont feel American enough to give the rest of the country the respect of knowing what they're saying? I say FUCK YOU. Now hear me out , other than the Native Americans, any other immigrant that ever came to this country learned English for the good of the cause.For example theres hundreds of thousands Asians in America, you dont hear for Chinese press 2 now while you wait on hold do you? NO because they have enough respect to become "Americanized" Its about fucking respect for our country. If you agree or disagree i would like to know, so please respond and thanks i needed to vent. peace.

MY REPLIES:

........ god forbid America ever become a bilingual nation... I say, let it happen. Let the Spanish come and speak their language. What bad is it doing to you or me? I don't care that I live in America...I don't need my ass kissed because I happen to be born on one strip of land as opposed to the other. It's all pointless nonsense assigned other pointless nonsense in the interest of promoting some petty national pride so that the wool can be further pulled over our eyes while the "patriots" in government hop in bed with big business to bolster their bank account at the expense of humanity, and as you can see, our wallets. This kind of shit is exactly why every other country hates our guts and the very reason why if George Washington were alive today, he'd tell you to run, don't walk to another country...because this one has gone to the dogs. Also, just remember that when we came here, we didn't bother to learn the language(s) of the natives...in fact, we just wiped them out and stole everything out from under them...Why would you expect the Spanish/French/Italian/Asian/Russian/Arab communities do the same for us? my other thoughts are more from an economical and educational standpoint: If we as a nation adopt Spanish as our second language, there will be more opportunities for Americans and immigrants alike: If our children are taught Spanish and other languages from a young age, which the majority of educational professionals agree is the best time for anyone to learn, there will be more career paths for them. Also, if these immigrants are immersed in their language along with English, they will learn it, which from what I gather, is your desire. Also, your children will be able to speak with them as well. Immigrants, who for whatever reason cannot learn English, and therefore could not get a better paying job, will now be able to, thus boosting our economy as a whole. And as far as travel: Italians don't really care if you speak Italian over there. They are, in fact, very helpful. Been there myself...had a tough time with some aspects of the language. Many told me it was ok, they didn't mind speaking English to me, so my time there will be easier. German's prefer if you speak it in their country, but won't go nuts about it. The French are assholes...if you fuck up even a pronunciation, they will not sell to you, serve you, or talk to you. My only conclusion can really be that these people should not only be allowed, but encouraged and integrated.

--Where do you stand on this?--

Thursday, February 26, 2009

YOU AREN'T CLAPTON!

Dear tone questers at local music stores:

hi there,

I know you've sunk tons of money into your guitar set up....you paid big bucks for that Clapton, Rhodes, or Malmstein signature model guitar...you spent your hard earned money on that vintage tube amp...you know...the one from that song that everybody likes...you have an effect rack that would make even the most seasoned modular synth programmer cry...you use just the right strings with just the right pick...you have a $50 strap so you can be as comfortable as possible while you and your cover band crank out the hits at 11...and I won't forget those cables you swear by, either...

Hey, that's great...I'm glad you like what you have. I just need one small favor from you: Please stop fucking telling me that my setup is "all wrong" and that my rig doesn't "have enough tone". You want my honest opinion? I don't give a fuck! I'm not a guitar player, I'm a synth player...you know those things you probably thought were invented in 1980 and have since been discontinued? Yeah, those things that were invented in the 1940s and are still huge today...Even if I was a guitar player, I'm not going to sit there pouring over spec sheet after spec sheet in the hopes I can get THE ULTIMATE TONE. You know why? I'm focused on playing the damn thing. My band can be ready to go and sound fine in 10 minutes...you can get your reverb in check in that amount of time if you're lucky.

I'm also not foolish enough to believe that I can be an amazing guitar player by having all the best gear. Case and point: Slash...do you think he really used all that expensive shit? The answer is no...he used cheap, shitty, copies of guitars...the difference between Slash and you is not the $$$...it's the fact that instead of beating to guitar magazines, he focused on playing his instrument...try it sometime, instead of giving me shit for my guitar set up that didn't cost me tens of thousands of dollars.

Thanks,

- ry

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

God Hates Fags pt. 2

So, I took a peek to see what Mr. Fred "I have a church in Topeka where I talk about Matthew Shepard burning in hell and pretend people give a fuck" Phelps' web page "God Hates Fags" for a laugh and just to see what this beacon of bullshit was up to...

Well, not much has changed...apparently, god still hates fags according to Reverend Rump Rider, and Mr. Shepard is burning in hell along with all other sinners. Oh, and Obama is the antichrist, apparently...

While I don't condone the use of drugs, I certainly feel that Fred should make like another famous Phelps and have a hit from the pleasure pipe...and a dick...sorry.

One phrase that made me step back on his site was a sign that said "America = Fag Nation".

Wait, America is fag nation? Why wasn't I informed???? THIS IS GREAT! I mean, assuming fag nation looks something like Provincetown, MA....let's get this party started! I've got the Village People LPs and pink duct tape!

Think of the marketing angles you could get at: America: Home of the Faggot! or, "What happens in America, stays inside of another man's asshole until it eventually drips out."

Why not replace the stars of the flag with pink triangles???

How about new restaurants? Burger Queen, Skin Taco Bell, McDykes, Wendy's (eat pussy great, even late)

Toys R Us? How about Boys R Us? LGB Toys, FAO Schlongz.

Jump on this, America! Assuming you're man enough for it....can you handle all 8 figures in you?

- ry

Music music music

New power jack for the synth: $30
Modifications for another synth: $50 +
New pickups for hot pink flying V guitar? Priceless.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

More UK bullshit

First off, go here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/19/britain-bans-us-cleric

ok, if you're unsure how I feel, there was a similar incident a while ago in the UK in which a German figurehead was denied admittance to the UK to show an anti-Muslim film, and as much as I personally don't like the message one fucking bit, he should be allowed to show what he wishes...

As much as I hate that idiot and all of his too stupid to be heartfelt ideas, you should let the man protest.

Freedom of speech goes two ways. You may not like it, but then again, you don't have to listen....or you can walk by and tell him to "fuck off".

Next, by banning this guy, you're just fueling him. You're giving his followers more reason to be angry.

Speaking of followers....this dumbass owns a SMALL CHURCH IN THE MIDDLE OF FUCKING NOWHERE! MOST OF HIS CONGREGATION AT HIS CHURCH IS HIS FAMILY!!! By acknowledging him and taking action to prevent his entry, you, a rather powerful nation, are saying "we fear what this insignificant homophobic and a few of his inbred followers have to say."

And really, have you been to his website? Godhatesfagsdotwhateverwhogivesafuck

I remember when I was younger I used to go to that site to laugh hysterically at that nonsense in the same way I go to The Onion or MarkDay's youtube page.

Anybody with a few brain cells active know that guys like this are better at being punchlines than inspiring speakers.

If you really wanted to have fun, greet him at the airport and tell him he is allowed entry only under the condition that he is given a necklace of little plastic dicks to wear...each dick will have a speaker in the head and a little hole where the fun shoots out....in the balls, there will be a micro SD card slot...and in that card will be the ENTIRE VILLAGE PEOPLE DISCOGRAPHY SET AT MAX VOLUME ON REPEAT. Lock that thing around his neck and make sure it can't come off or be destroyed very easily and set him loose to spread his anti-gay nonsense. Oh, and maybe put some pink LEDs in the dicks to make then flicker pink light in time with the music....

Let's see if he would ever come back to the UK after that!

Thai food...blog later...

BHfodd

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Greatings make wonderfuls day!

It's no secret I love synthesizers...I recently made a patch for a board from the early 80s in my possession called the "Poly 800 MKI" by Korg. The reason this one was special was because of the fact that few would believe such a sound could come from this board. If you want to hear it, click the video:

Poly 800 Wall Breaker Bass Patch Demo plus Gary b acid surprise





Rather impressive, considering the typical timbre of this synth. If you don't know, 80s ahoy!

But what really made this topic post worthy, was when I went to share it on Vintage Synth Explorer and a nice fellow from France replied to the post with the following:

"Well, I used to replace my P800 MkII battery some monthes ago, then the memory went empty.
I spent one whole week last days with him, and I can tell you that this little beastie really has loads in his bag!!!!
Marvellous evolving leads, nice sparkling or dark strings, great fat basses!!!!!
I made 3 mods on mine: Moog Slayer, FM800 and a noise pot.
I'll soon post here the sounds (I fulled the memories up during that week) without using the mods.
And you'll tell..."

I am in no way making fun of this guy...He's doing his thing and was able to reply to my post and make me understand his thoughts. He's from France and clearly English is not his strong suit right now, but he's doing it. I just liked the sentence. It made me laugh.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

speaking of NIN and media sources with questionable motives.....

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/149194-trent-reznor-announces-possible-end-of-nine-inch-nails-tour-with-janes-addiction

(for those who just want the text)

Today, Trent Reznor posted a note on the Nine Inch Nails website announcing that NIN will tour with Jane's Addiction this year. And that this will possibly be the last Nine Inch Nails tour, ever.

In the post, titled "A note from Trent and a wave goodbye," he wrote, "In NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases. I've been thinking for some time now it's time to make NIN disappear for a while. Last year's 'Lights in the Sky' tour was something I'm quite proud of and seems like the culmination of what I could pull off in terms of an elaborate production. It was also quite difficult to pull off technically and physically night after night and left us all a bit dazed. After some thought, we decided to book a last run of shows across the globe this year."

No dates for the NIN/Jane's trek have been announced yet. NIN are currently on tour Down Under and are scheduled to play Bonnaroo in June.

Regardless of what you think of Trent Reznor's music, the man gave his all in his live shows, pulling off some pretty amazing feats of endurance on stage. It's sad to hear that he might be retiring from the stage, but understandable. And we highly doubt this means he's finished with music in general.

Full text of the "note from Trent" below:

2.16.09: A note from Trent and a wave goodbye

Towards the beginning of my career in Nine Inch Nails, our biggest break came in the form of an invitation to perform a series of shows with Jane's Addiction. These performances essentially created and defined the term "alternative" rock in the US, created an ongoing festival franchise that is still thriving (Lollapalooza), set the stage for Nirvana to shift popular taste a few months later, and were really fucking FUN to play and attend - truly the best times I've had. The shows were epic. So epic, they propelled NIN to the "next level" (whatever that means), but caused Jane's to implode. The band broke up at the end of that tour.

Fast forward to the present. Corporate rock STILL sucks. A friend tells me they saw the original Jane's lineup play a tiny show in LA that was unbelievable. I break out my Jane's records and am amazed by how vital they sound. These guys were the real deal and in this current climate mostly dominated by poseurs and pussies it was refreshing to hear something that sounded dangerous, volatile, beautiful and SINCERE.
Emails were sent, phone calls were made, dinner was arranged, ideas were discussed and the next thing I know we're in the studio experimenting. We laugh, we get to know each other, we cry, we yell, we almost quit, we record LOTS of guitar solos, we discuss, we actually begin to all communicate, we yell some more, we become FRIENDS, we laugh again and we do some great things. I get to see first hand why they broke up all those years ago but I also get the chance to see four distinct personalities that become an INCREDIBLE band when they're in the same room.

In NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases. I've been thinking for some time now it's time to make NIN disappear for a while. Last year's "Lights in the Sky" tour was something I'm quite proud of and seems like the culmination of what I could pull off in terms of an elaborate production. It was also quite difficult to pull off technically and physically night after night and left us all a bit dazed. After some thought, we decided to book a last run of shows across the globe this year. The approach to these shows is quite different from last year - much more raw, spontaneous and less scripted. Fun for us and a different way for you to see us and wave goodbye. I reached out to Jane's to see if they'd want to join us across the US and we all felt it could be a great thing. Will it work? Will it resonate in the marketplace? Who knows. Is there big record label marketing dollars to convince you to attend? Nope.
Does it feel right to us and does it seem like it will be fun for us and you? Yes it does.
Look for tour dates soon and I hope to see you out there.

Trent


---from Pitchfork Media


Let's celebrate some NIN with videos, shall we?

Nine Inch Nails - Me, I'm Not live in Europe Aug 2007

NIN - 1,000,000 Live at Rehearsals, July 2008

Backstage in Sydney

NIN - Discipline (Official Video) (ha)

Trent Reznor: Steal it! - Recorded by Ryan

Trent Reznor Year Zero Interview


Monday, February 16, 2009

not veg, but definetly awesome...

http://lifehacker.com/5153826/create-skittles+flavored-vodka

that's all....enjoy your night.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Crimson Mars

On a day I decide I'm going to relax, I generally take in a lot of music. Today was filled with the sounds of King Crimson. And with every King Crimson I hear, I inevitably think of The Mars Volta. After making my way through "Beat", "In the Court of the Crimson King", and "Starless and Bible Black", I began to think "Why do I even like The Mars Volta? They're clearly ripping off damn near everything I just heard!"

This always is a bit confusing to me...I mean, not every lo-fi electro band can be Suicide, but how many of those types do I have in my record collection? The Faint, a band sounding an awful lot like the first Duran Duran record (the one with Planet Earth, Girls on Film, etc), The Varukers with their rather "familiar" punk sound, Black Dice, who sounds like they know every movement in every Tangerine Dream album, and so on...

I certainly dislike unoriginal acts...in fact, if you've gotten to know me well enough, when it comes to music, that's all I bitch about. Cinema, art (paintings, sculptures), video games, writers, all the unoriginal ones really get my blood boiling.

So what is it? Am I a huge hypocrite?? Idiot?? Past the age of caring about that stuff??

No...I have the answer...and it came in the most unlikely package...an obnoxious Icelandic singer named Bjork...

Why don't I like Bjork? Wonderful pop sensibilities, great techno style courtesy of some of Europe's finest DJs, well performed vocals that few can hope to hold a candle to, rich layering of symphony quality sounds performed by some of the best in their field, John Cage esque layering of unique tones not traditionally used in music.....what's wrong here? This looks like it should have my name written all over it....I even love The Knife...

The problem comes from the fact that the music, from what I know, is rather dishonest. It's forced. Not to mention I've heard that she is possibly one of the most evil, manipulative, and vindictive people ever. I feel that when music is produced from such a thing, it comes into the music itself. It's one of those things I just feel like I can sniff out a mile away...What she's doing is in fact, original...probably more so than many of the bands I enjoy...but this doesn't matter.

A statement that comes to mind to support this is from the Nine Inch Nails frontman, Trent Reznor. On the subject of creating music and how original thoughts are produced, he said (I'm paraphrasing) that you should do what you want...even if you take somebody's idea, it will never be the exact same thing. Who you are will come through no matter how hard you try. So even if you're lifting an idea, just go for it...the results will probably be different.

To me, this makes perfect sense...after all, Trent's favorite models for his music happen to be Prince, Madonna, and C & C Music Factory (from what I've heard), and you can tell that he has some of their style, but NIN in no way sounds like that....

It comes down to why you're making the music you are...if you're doing it to be famous, make money, get laid, or to gratify an ego, most people can tell. Some don't care...others, such as myself, have a big problem with it. When I can sense it, I have no desire to listen to the music associated.

Just as I'm told Sarah Palin is hot, I don't agree....to me, she looks like something pulled from the bowels of Margaret Thatcher. I would sooner get it on Ted Kennedy...or Condoleezza Rice.

But, I think in all fairness, bands should be given many chances....I mean, Refused was a rather sub-par DS-13 knockoff until the end of their career, only to release one of the greatest albums ever made in any genre, "The Shape of Punk to Come". Truly a testament to the amazing heights music can reach when the full talent of the individuals is applied without the restraints of conventional thought. Not to say that they didn't have some great songs before that record, and "Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent" was a pretty good album, but nothing compares to that record they released at their end. Of course, any fans should always think of the EP they released after with one of the better known songs from the album "New Noise", two unreleased tracks (Blind Date and Poetry Written in Gasoline), and the "Bomba Je" remix of a song from a song from TSOPTC called "Refused are Fucking Dead", which surprised even me who is not a fan of remixes, with rare exceptions...this being one of them.

What about The Locust? A band I think very highly of in terms of originality and talent to burn...they started off, in the words of JP (bass/vocals for The Locust, bass for the hardcore act, Some Girls, and vocals for the no waveish, punkish, electroish, All Leather) "...just to be a band that sounded like Crossed Out..." Fast forward (no pun intended*) to today, where they make some of the most mind blowing songs at 550 mph that most bands would like to be able to do at 55 mph with no regard for 4/4 timing...making their job even tougher...but they pull it off better today, just as they have for many albums in the past.

Music, to some, may just be background noise that keeps them from killing their coworkers as they grind through another nine to five workday, for some it's an excuse to dance and have fun, to some, it's like mathematics, and for a few, it's damn near religion. In the end, I can't say there is a "right" or a "wrong" side to all of this...all I can really promote is an understanding of the various sides in this debate.

Oh, and never write a band off....you may miss something good. I'm certainly waiting for the new Depeche Mode album, even though the last two were just awful. I also found myself liking the new Morrissey album, despite the fact I do not care for him in any way. I even tried to like that Lil' Wayne rock album...no such luck there.

Enjoy your nights, and enjoy your records.

Get to know your captain

That would be my most active project, known as Black Steel Peacock.

www.myspace.com/criticalmassconsultingfirm

And hey, wouldn't you know it? I have a show coming up at The Rabbit Hole Books/Vinyl.

Stop by...say hi. All you have to lose is your hearing.