My sexy overhead shot! Finally! I got a “decent” one.

We threw down the scratch tracks for the guitar and then I went to work. After setting up and tuning and working around with the mics, I must say…

Each and every one of you guys that gave me support, tips, and head suggestions…I owe you so much. The sound, just stock, straight out of the drums themselves provides such sounds that I never thought I would be able to hear without any EQing or any extra.

My tuning was complimented by Jordan, our studio guru (Since he’s the lord and master, and he’s also helping us with virgin ears on everything and calling us out when and if we need it!). My kick only needed a tweak on two rods!

The coated heads made a major difference. It was so long since I played on coated heads, I could tell right away what everyone was talking about. The snare (batter) is the Evans reversed Power Center, which is the Evans version of my Remo standard, and it sounds virtually the same. The Evans just has an overall THICKER feel. It plays different too, even at the same tuning. It seems to have more of a bounce to it. It’s beautiful either way.

Moving on down the list. We recorded our first track, Echo Plasm. Which, up until just now, the tracks we were recording were a secret, so there’s a freebie from me.

We usually play it rather fast. We played around with the tempo at our “normal” speed ranges and kept slowing it down. We hit 190 and that was the groove spot. It felt good. It felt right. I think it was the idea of the first time recording with a click track, an hour and a half of sleep, and dropping it down to “that slow” compared to how we’ve been playing it since it’s inception.

I ate up 3 and a half hours. Dialing everything in and making sure everything was spot on. There were a lot of takes where I was either in front of the click or behind it. When I found the sweet spot I made it work for a bit until I would slowly end up creeping back up to normal speed.

After it was all said and done, I came in, and I was beyond aggravated, but Jordan and the guys were just smiling. They kept encouraging me throughout all of it, and they told me good job. Jordan cleaned it all up, and we went through it. I was amazed. We picked apart some of the double bass blasts that I got sloppy on, and at the end I was so into it, I completely left out the double bass and grooved on with the single.

We fixed that too. Cut and paste, and then a little tweaking to add and create the normal beat I usually use on the outro. I know a lot of people are against that and consider it cheating, but me? Pft. I know I can do it. I do it all the time. Just not at that pace, and why waste time when it can be manipulated to have it right and perfect.

We played around with some kick filters and we even put a flag up and a couple of measures of layered kick to mix it down for him to remember later as he’s kicking us out so he can do HIS end.

All in all…I’m in awe.

I love it. Pissed off? Certainly. Just at myself. But playing around at that pace, it is to be expected, plus tiredness, and everything else.

BUT DAY ONE IS DOWN!!!! Echo Plasm’s drum tracks are complete! Now, onto the next two!!!

~M

That’s right! Warehouse 86 is hitting the studio the week of the 12th to record
our E.P.!!! You can preorder it for $3.00!!! You can do this by
getting a hold of any of us or leaving a comment/message on here and
we’ll get in touch with you! You can also email us at “preorder at
warehouse-86 dot com”!

We can take cash in person, money order or checks via USPS, or Online,
where we can take credit cards as well…. Get this in your hot little
hands! The preorder price is $2.00 below sticker price! Now, you may
ask yourself, why should I give you money now, when I can just give
you five bucks when it drops?

The answer is simple!

Bonus content!

Preordering will net you quite a few goodies:

The Digital Advanced Copy. On the day we have it; the day you have it.
It contains the complete E.P. in 320kbps format, all album artwork,
and bonus content such as pictures, and video clips during the making
of the album! This special edition advanced will also include the
instrumental tracks as well!

When we get the packaged copy in hand, we will ship/hand deliver it to
you as well. For $3.00, you can’t beat it, granted there will be a
shipping charge, but it’ll be negligible. Plus there is talk of
including one more special bonus as well. What is it? Who knows. It
should be interesting though.

We hope you guys will sit in with us on this ride and enjoy the
outcome as much as we’re going to. We’ve worked hard to make it this
far, this quick. It’s going to be one hell of a ride! We’ve got a lot
of ground to cover, and our friend at the studio is doing everything
in his power to help us take our drive and level of commitment and
push it even further! We know we’ve made the right moves when people
are getting in touch with us saying that a song we played has been
stuck in their head all week. That’s an honor. We think you’ll enjoy
the album as much as we enjoyed creating it!

~M

He was an asshole. A dick bag, and a fucking douche at times, but he did have a good heart somewhere in there. Sometimes his family got to glimpse it….but not often.

When our neighbor fell off his roof and landed on a concrete cistern, my dad was there using shit he learned ages ago in the boy scouts, keeping the man alive and ordering everyone else what to do. The man didn’t make it, but he fucking tried.

My dad threw down in the middle of my second grade class because my teacher’s husband was having a heart attack.

He taught me how to swim by throwing me into the 12 foot side of the pool and saying sink or swim during a hot summer day. :rofl:

I got into computers during 6th grade. Ultimately it became an obsession I guess. My dad was always into electronics. I would lug this huge ass fucking server case with my bad ass Cyrix 686 down to his apartment every weekend. I would show him how it works, we would work on it together. One of the few things we clicked on. Father and Son.

He jumped back into college after he couldn’t repair cars anymore and went for computers. That was a proud moment.

I’m pissed off that for a man who we all swore was too fucking mean to ever die got taken out by fucking accidentally ODing on his medicines. Sometimes I wonder, when I stopped in that morning to talk to him, did he realize that he missed being a dad when I was a kid and doing it on purpose? Or was it an accident? Like they said?

Each good memory I protect in a fucking iron box to keep out all the bad memories that can taint it by his drug abuse when I was growing up. I take them out every once in a while to show myself what he was like on the inside, and how he really was.

I miss that old bastard.

Dad was a drummer. I’m a drummer. My brother’s a drummer. My daughter has a kit picked out for her 7th birthday next month.

I got my dead ass into college finally, I’m doing well with my band, and I’m a Daddy to my daughter. He’d be proud.

The day started off kinda shitty though. Sexton didn’t show up on time…we’re waiting on him…and he finally get’s here.

We go to hook up and jam really quick.

The moron leaves the fucking power cable plugged in and someone pushed CJ’s cage all the way back…

CHEW CHEW

I about bit it right there….I was so fucking pissed I almost straight just passed out.

I spent our rehearsal time cutting, and splicing and ordering people around. I got the power cable working and we were packing up and sending shit out the door.

So much for practice.

Sexton didn’t bring the fucking P.A. either. He took it to a gig with him, under the idea that he was going to come the next day (Thursday so we could get a little practice in….but he just. couldn’t. wake. up….)

Josh and I have decided that he’s banned from taking our p.a. because of it…

We walk into this gig not knowing what to expect.

Only two bands “officially signed up”. We were the first. This other band is trying to sell us on using their fucking gear. They go so far as to fucking take me out to their gear and show me their kit.

Not interested.

Nice…but no. Not my kit…I don’t play on it.

Guess what? Josh forgot the rod to my hihat stand at the house…grrrrrrr

I borrow a hihat stand. After a year of adjusting it fits fairly well. Good thing it’s a two leg.

I’m trying to set up and this fat old fuck comes up and tries to bully us…..bully me.

Telling me I’m going to have to let his band use the kit because they don’t have time to tear my kit down and all that. Or else I can just start clearing off now…

I look at him and tell him “Look you wrinkly old fuck. I don’t know who the fuck you think you’re messing with but I’ll prop your old ass up on my fucking ankle as I shimmy your asshole past my knee and deep within your colon. Get the FUCK out of my face and get the fuck off of our stage or I will FUCK. You. Up. You disrespectful cheese dick, smegma eating cuntblock.” Fucking unprofessional piece of shit. Seriously? Christ…

Then I went back to setting up.

We played our set, and added a couple of covers. 1979 by the Smashing Pumpkins was just Sexton and I. Accoustic. Then He threw down a Staind cover. Then we played OUR acoustic.

We took it out with Infernal Goodbye (Played perfectly because the height on my throne was fixxed!!!) and Negative Zero was too, my shoulder behaved!

We got a lot of ovations.

I stood up in the middle of them and asked if they were cheering because the song was over or because it kicked ass….

We kicked ass….

Tomorrow we have a nice meal planned and we’re going to discuss our Multi-Benefit Show; LiveStock, and our Recording Goals.

I’m fucking beyond excited.

We hit our A-Game. We’re riding it. And no matter how much shit was thrown at us today we slammed it back down the throat and jammed music down with it!!!!

We were told that we not only kicked ass, but we were nothing but professional.

That’s worth it’s weight in gold with us. I love it!

I stopped playing everyday. Eventually, a couple of months later I broke the kit down and stored it. Crying the whole time. Then, eventually, the temptation was too great…I sold it. Then I sold my little entry level kit because everyone came in one day and caught me setting it up. It was like a fucking drug addict being caught with a needle in his arm.

Over time the urge disappeared. The drive died.

My spark faded. My heart dropped. My life began to atrophy. My life wasn’t as bright…it was corroded and tinged.

I got to where I could look at them….the drums. Through the window, or at Mom’s Music and sigh forlornely. Not only wishing I could play, but wishing I had my band back.

Each year for three years, for a couple of months at a time, different members would battle the Warehouse 86 is back rumors. It would tear me apart to say that we were not back, we have no intentions of coming back.

Finally we met this time to decide how to fully handle them this year because they had already started..and talking with them…something clicked…

WISH I COULD PLAY? MOTHER FUCKER! I CAN PLAY. WISH I HAD MY BAND? THEY’RE RIGHT HERE!!! The world started taking on a brighter shade…my hopes started to build…my spark began to expand and brighten.

At the music store, after we decided we were going to come back, and just play whatever came out instead of trying to focus on a genre, I sat at so many kits and played around a bit. Felt good…but I didn’t put too much into them. I’d know which kit was it when I found it….

I was so scared as I stared out at Josh and Sexton as we were getting ready to play around. I kept wondering if I really did know how…if I still could….

My back is getting worse without the goddamn drumming. Why should I suffer and not be myself and live while I can, as my body betrays me? FUCK THAT. If I’m going down…I’m going to go down happy and not with out a fucking fight…

*Name Respectfully Removed To Abide By The “RULES”* just is not the same when you can’t feel the urge to purge with the force of a hurricane being shot out your ass and any orifice near your ass (yes this includes your urethra and/or womanal piss valves).

Sadly, I no longer have the scouring pads for my eyes. The butt plugs, the cock hammer, drill or fake pussy accompanied by bleach at hand. I no longer fear *Name Respectfully Removed To Abide By The “RULES”* and what it contains there in. Dare I say that this may be that the *Name Respectfully Removed To Abide By The “RULES”* go’ers of old have lost their touch, or that a newer generation has moved in and not yet met the standards of of the days of old. The need to drink myself into a stupor is no longer prescribed upon accessing these threads.

Long live the Queen “Bee”, and may one day *Name Respectfully Removed To Abide By The “RULES”*’s name be relinquished from these pussies running it today.

Love,

The Captains of Crunch <2

Not even ourselves.

When we left the stage that night we had no idea it would be our last. We were full of energy. Sweat poured out of us in handfuls. So did this uneasy, creeping sadness.

A few hours later it was decided that we had to walk away before we imploded. Before we ruined something we worked so hard for.

3 years later.

3 years later my foot touches upon that same piece of wood. My muscles and tendons flex as I lift myself up. I’ve got the shakes. My nerves are going full bore. The jumps, arm swings and stretches did their job. The blood is flowing.

The adrenaline is flowing.

I spin to face the crowd. They face right back. I see faces I’ve not seen in three years. I see faces I see every day. I see friends, family, neighbors, members of a previous band. All here to support this.

As I walk down and kneel to adjust my kick pedals, a couple of friends in our crew hangs our banner up behind me. As soon as it’s fully posted up someone from the middle yells “YEAH! THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!!!”

I’m starting to feel that blood that pumps in beat.

I place a kiss on the canvas and leather stick back that was my fathers and is now mine. I hang it off my floor tom, and pull my weapons of noise ordinance violations.

My shoes and socks come off. For some reason this feels right. It feels like I’m more of a part of a machine when I touch the pedals.

I push my glasses up on my nose and spin my PDP hat around.

My feet touch the pedals and I find the sweet spot instantly.

Instinct and Love are taking over.

I look up at my bass player who nods, and then start spinning my stick.

As each twirl moves in a rotation, the nervousness escapes through it. I look to my guitar player.

They’ve finished checking their tuning.

Normally we do a sustain on the guitar and then after a silent count, we come in. This time it didn’t happen. The crowd took over.

They’ve waited 3 years. They’ve waited through two previous bands. Could they wait through an 8 count? The bodies out there with the silent adrenaline bursts suggest otherwise.

We didn’t even count it.

We were home.

*BOOM*

We rip into our first song, “ECHO PLASM”.

Nothing like the old music. Nothing like the old us mostly.

What did stay the same was the stage presence.

The “monkey” came out in me.

During the drum and bass break of the first song, someone yelled out “YEAH! MONKEY ARMS IS BACK!!!”. I was standing up and swinging my arm around in the air doing a silent count while pointing at the crowd with the other stick. The bass player, Josh, was pumping his fist.

When we came back in we both LEAPED up into the air. His feet hit the floor as his fingers hit his strings and I flammed, double kicked, and my ass hit the throne as we took it home through the rest of the last chorus and outro.

We finished out our set, and at the end of it we heard nothing but whistles, calls, and screams and claps.

I am me again.
My spark shines brighter.
I am complete.
I am home.

The best part about it. The absolute best was when my 6 year old daughter, who pulled a chair right up front, jumped up with this big grin on her face and was clapping as hard as she could as we hit the last note to one of the songs. I jumped up and was almost crawling over my kit with anticipation and she timed it with mine exactly. I made eye contact with her and I never felt so complete in all my life.

We had the loudest crowd. We had the biggest crowd. We had all the crowd participation we could ever hope for. Especially for a first show!

I hopped off stage and the drummer for the band that was up after us asked if he could use MY kit instead of his. He had a Yamaha Stage Custom. Ironically it was similar in color. A red fade. Not a sparkle like mine, but it looked similar. I asked him why? Are you running short on set up time?

No.

“Your kit is the best sounding kit I’ve ever heard in a long time!!! Seriously! It sounds good up front. In the back. There isn’t a spot where it sounds bad at all!”

Seriously. Ego Boost. PROPER!

I asked him the main questions. “Do you have the money to replace anything if you break something?” “Yes.” “Ok, I’m holding you to your word…”

At this point the other drummer from one of the first bands was coming near the stage to help us offload my kit. I told him that he’s going to use mine, and he said:
“Good! That’s one hell of a kit you have there. I love the sound of it. You should be proud!”

“I am…”

We walked out towards the entrance to grab some drinks and a couple of little girls asked for some sticks. I gave them to them. I’ve got plenty. I’m in a great mood. I’m honored.

I was more honored when they come back about ten seconds later with a sharpie and ask us to sign them. “And put your band name too, because you were our favorite!!!”

We also helped out and for every donation in our donation jar, they got a free button! We’ve made a nice chunk for a very cool disabled guy, as well as donating our cut from the entry fees!!! I’m proud.

It was such a great show. It was perfect. That made it BEYOND official. Warehouse 86 is back! Full Force! We’ve got the power. Like He-Man, we’re channeling Castle Greyskull!

Let’s take a look at this, in depth, from a fellow Independent Band stand point…

The physical side of things…the goodies…THE MERCH:

A banner for when you play live is so cheap now that if you’re considering seriously gigging it’s a must.

Buttons are cheap and are good freebies to give out at shows and to quite a few others. You can also sell them cheaply to recoup cost.

Stickers? There are many types. The decal types for cars and such are the best route to go if you can do single color designs such as your logo. Regular stickers are good if they’re not going to be weathered. The price varies, but once again, like in the case of buttons you can give some out…you can sell some.

Shirts, if you can find a local screen shop can be of a great asset. The person who is wearing your shirt is a walking billboard for you. You want to make sure the shirt comes across as clean, smooth, and sharp as you can. You want your band name very prominent. Across the front,top of the chest is a perfect spot. Across the shoulder blades, or just above them on the back is good as well.

If you cannot afford much, just use your bands logo on the front. People will still want them. If I goto your show and you put out your absolute best and you play it like it’s your last gig, I’m going straight to your merch table to buy a shirt. This is because A.) I want to support you, and B.) I want to spread the word about this awesome band I just seen.

You do not have to get overly fancy if you’re using a design, either. Less is more in the case of up and coming bands. You’re coming out of your own pockets for this, you want it to rock. You can do so by not over-complicating it. You want to be cost effective as well. The thing you want to remember most of all is not to slap your name on the shirt 4 times.

If you use a design with your logo in it on the front, use the back for something like a lyric quote or maybe even leave it blank. If you can, separate the design and the logo so you can split it front and back maybe? Let your imaginations run wild…it’s where the good ideas come from!

Hats, Beanies, Skullies, etc.

I know I want to promote my band and I love hats during the summer, and skullies during the winter, but these are a big NADA during your up and coming. They are easily the most expensive thing, and no matter how awesome they look they won’t sell to everyone. If your shirts are ten dollars, and your hats are twenty…everyone will buy the shirts.

Now granted if you have a little money on the side for your band (In my case 3 members) and say 3 more so we get a nice round number you’re looking at:

$14.00 (give or take) per hat
$20.00-$60.00 digitizing fee for your logo
$0.20 and up for extra stitching (per 5,000) if your logo is overly complicated.

These numbers are entirely based on my information gathering and quotes from various companies. I used a Flexfit Hat and the logo was just our abbreviated Circle 86 logo in orange.

That’s well over $100.00 (plus shipping if it’s not local) just for SIX hats!!!

That money could be well spent toward new cymbals or sticks. Picks or strings.

Do NOT be afraid to shop around! Go prepared for local hunting. Take a jumpdrive and a cd with your artwork on it. Know what you’re looking for. Have how much you’re WILLING to spend in your head and start talking to them. Be confident and upfront. If you think they sound high, tell them that it’s a little too steep for you and ask what you guys can work out. You’d be surprised how many local places will be willing to work with you when you tell them that you’re playing out pretty consistently. They know what that means for them as well…free advertising when people ask who did the shirts!

Ask if they’d like to sponsor you! Broad move? Maybe? Can it work? YES!!! For an exchange of knocking a chunk off the price, let them screen the shop name on the sleeve. Watch how fast that price comes down. Tell them you’re willing to put a small banner under yours during live events (If you’re willing to go that far!). Create a sponsor page on your website and social sites that say sponsored by: , and create a link back!!! You’d be surprised how many local companies will jump at a chance! You’re opening up a new broad spectrum of potential RETURN customers for them!!!

All this goes for the other merch as well:

Stickers, Buttons, Etc!

Search online for banner makers and button maker companies. Do the graphics yourself using their templates and you’re ready to go! Same for the sticker makers once you decide on which type of stickers you want.

They also have little picture keychains out there as well. Also good for a keep sake!!

Shop around online and start by emailing each company. You’ll get a representative who will be more than happy to assist you. Tell them who you are. Go into a little detail about your band and what you’re looking to do. Tell them how you’re wanting to use them and what the main focus will be. Giving them away? You may want to get smaller buttons so you can get more of them. (Alternatively you could purchase a button maker and supplies fairly cheap and you could make them yourself!!!)

If your banner is going to be used for indoor shows as well as outdoor you’ll want an all purpose/all weather as opposed to a lighter weight indoor only. Are you going to be handing buttons out at shows to the front row people and the people who get into it, as well as selling them online? You may want to get around the 1.25 inch and 1.50 inch. They are the sizes that are standard for band/artist buttons, and they have the captive back hook for the pin as opposed to just the built in one for the smaller sizes.

Don’t be fooled. Stickers can get expensive as well. There are numerous types, and sizes. Die Cut Vinyl Stickers are usually my fall back, as they can take one heck of a beating from the weather and still look pristine. You can pretty much put them anywhere, except concrete. Once they’re on…they’re on! They’re great for logos, and maybe neat designs as long as it’s not to intricate! They come in numerous colors, and you can even get fade and sparkle stock too.

Most companies I know are willing to do multiple colors for one design. If you’re wanting a good set of everyone pleasers, you can go with Black, and White. In my case, my band’s name is Warehouse 86, and the original logo started off as a rusted spray paint color. That doesn’t translate well, but the next best thing is ORANGE! Orange is my color anyway so it got mixed in our set of stickers.

So you have Black, White, *and another color possibly*. You just expanded your merch shop THREE TIMES. If you get car friendly stickers, you can get 30 of them for about $40.00 on up. This, of course, is depending on size and design. Don’t be afraid to talk to them and see what can be done!!! Nothing can spread the word like a finely made vinyl sticker on the trunk of a car!

Your Merch and How to protect it!

You’ve spent a lot of money on your stickers, buttons and shirts; you don’t want someone slipping a hand up behind you and taking something. Think is if they got away with it once, they’ll keeping trying. They probably will not take just one either. You need to be prepared!

Let’s start with the money. It get’s hard to keep track of all the money. You don’t want to throw it all in a jar because you may need to count out change. Shoebox? You’ve got to be kidding.

You can protect your return by investing just a bit more! For 20.00 at an office supply store you can pick up a small cash box. It has a removable cash/change tray, three number combination lock, and it’s sturdy. Not to mention small and easy to carry around with all the other stuff. It also has a handle itself!!!

One of the quickest ways to lose merch to greedy people is to drop it while you’re loading/unloading and carrying it to the site. Most people will be honest and bring it to you unless it’s a button or a sticker, but if you’re dropping 20 or 30 buttons and 4 stickers it can get to be expensive. You also want to make sure you have it all ORGANIZED as well!

Your best bet would be to get a couple of Rubbermaid style tubs. Maybe a 20-30 Gallon tub. You could fit the shirts, folded nicely in the bottom and on top of them put smaller tubs of the buttons and stickers. Then you pop the big lid on and you’re ready to go!

Keep Everything In The Tubs At All Times/How to Display Your Merch

But how am I going to sell anything if they can’t see what we have to offer?

Easy. Here’s where you think about YOUR trips to see your favorite bands!!! You want a merch board! It can be cheap, and easy to make! Most of all…it can be fun! Imagine, a blank board just waiting for your loving paint!!! Or, you could keep it blank for that streamlined look. It’s up to you! You could also use peg board, metal gridwork, whatever! It’s all up to you!

Just have it all set up and ready, and post your shirts up. You want one with the front, one with the back! Then a little sticky note with the price written out in sharpie! The stickers? Hahahaha. Fun part! You get to tag your own board! Then do the same thing with the price! Buttons? You COULD do that with the buttons, or you could get a bit of customer interaction!

Put them in a small jar on the front desk with the price on the jar! They pay you, they pick their own out. You just have to watch and make sure they just take one though!

If you have more than once shirt design, put a letter beside the prices. That way they can just say “I’d like A, in XL!!”.

When they request something that is kept locked down, the person just reaches into the bin and pulls it out! Simple. Easy. Safe!!!

Manning the Merch!!!

Here, you already know what you want: Someone trustworthy, honest, and really digs the band! It could be a wife, girlfriend, friend…you name it. I would suggest maybe even manning it yourself every once in a while. That shows the fans that you really care about them too! Hell, make it through the crowd after your set giving out some stuff and announce you’re going to be at the merch table. You may even have to sign some stuff…You never know…

Always be prepared.

When it comes to the merch table, the best advice I can give is always do it in pairs if possible! Two sets of eyes are better than one. They can work together to serve up that piping hot goodness, and if it gets busy, they aren’t going to get totally stressed out. When it’s dead they can keep each other company!

In Closing…

I’d like to say that there are a ton of ways to get your name out there, spread the love, and spread the word, but nothing beats an old fashioned piece of swag. The banner behind you while you’re playing gives your fans a sign to rally under and your band members a call to arms. You know that if you get done with a set, you’re all hot and sweaty instead of taking off, you go out and mingle with the crowd handing out buttons, stickers and maybe even t-shirts that YOU CAN BET you’ll give them something to remember, and I’m not just talking about the merch!

The Merch Table can be a band’s best friend and it’s worst enemy at the same time. You do not want to buy things that will not sell because they’re too expensive. You always want to be prepared, and bring about $30.00 in change in your cash box.

Even though you paid money for them, do not be afraid to hand a few out! The scene is littered with bands vying for peoples attention. What a lot of them do not realize is that people can be fans of multiple bands! You could be the best at the show and if you act like an ***, people aren’t going to want to deal with you, as opposed to the band that had sound trouble but worked their arses off and then got out there and hand freebies out even though the same things could be purchased at their merch table!

However! Please be ready for the scavengers to come out of the woodwork! You’ll never realize you had so many friends, fans and supporters! Do not let your merch, which is a form of musician currency in it’s own way, get away from you!

While it’s okay to give your wife or girlfriend one, you can’t AFFORD to give your Great Uncle Marcus Twice Removed one. Or that friend of a friend. If they really want one, tell them to come out and see you perform. Then they can decide if you, your band, and your music is worth the small amount of money to support! You’ll be surprised. You can SELL more merch by asking them that. You can turn a beggar into a buyer!

The absolute BEST advice I can give is: HAVE FUN.

So am I.

The last thing I put on my kit is my Dad’s stick bag. I gently kiss it..the same spot every time..on the leather outer pocket and gently unzip it. I place the leather cords around the lugs and spin to face the crowd. The anticipation for them is as almost as bad as us…

I pull my sticks out and place my feet on the sweet spot of my Cobra Pedals and do a gentle roll as I test the placement of each of my instruments. I remove the snare’s dead ringer. I do a few double stroke rolls as I glance over the crowd. So many eyes I know by heart. Friends, Old and New have come to see me and my band, 3 years in the grave/now resurrected. Members from other bands cast their eyes and nod in appreciation. It’s a special camaraderie that bands share with each other. The new comers have heard only rumors of our past reign.

Everyone is curious.

Do they still sound the same? I heard they scrapped their old songs! Does their new shit measure up? What about the new singer? Who IS the new singer? What will it sound like?

I’m thinking all that and more as I make eye contact with my boys. My brothers. My band. Will they dig it? I don’t know.

I line up my stick placement and nod to them as I start slamming the sticks on the high hat. My game face comes into place.

One Two Three Four

Hey guys, Damn! It’s been a while. I dunno. Nothing really interesting has happened lately. I have gotten addicted to a game. Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain. Very kewl, and very kick ass. Lets see? Oh yeah..i bought 7 cd’s in 3 days. If you haven’t heard of the band Downer, get their cd! Hell fuck that. I’m gonna be putting up some “clips” maybe. : ) Reading a novel based on StarCraft also. Been pretty good so far. A Diablo novel is out soon, if it isn’t already and it’s on my list also. I think i’m the only person to have all the books based on really good games. I’ve gotten the Doom series, Resident Evil, Star Craft, Unreal, and soon to be Diablo. Lets not forget my most prized one of all: Ninja Gaiden. It kinda strays from the story line, but it’s good none the less. I’m thinking about going down to see grampa and surprise him with a fishing trip this weekend. I really don’t like fishing all that much, but grampa makes it so much fun. Somthing that he did meant alot to me. While i was down last time, he asked me to get the cd player. (I bought this for him and granny so they could hear the bands demo cd) and I did so. He only had one cd, so I kinda knew what was going on. But after we played it for uncle scott, (his son) he proceeded to brag on my drumming. Which made me feel really good. For those of you who’ve met my grampa, and know him, it isn’t his type of music. But he said it makes him proud that I can put my heart into it like that. I’ve also recently donned a necklace, it has a neat tribal design, just thought i’d let ya know. I spotted a Soul Reaver figure, i’m going to get too! For those of you who don’t know me very well. I’ve got quite a collection of game figures. my most prized ones are my FFVII figures. they’re great, but very very brittle. I’m eagerly awaiting october, so my preordered MetallicA figures come in!! YEAH!!!

May 5th

Yo! It’s been a while since I’ve been in here. Just wanted to say, things are going pretty good. I picked up the TMNT Movie DVD! Very VERY PIMP! Also found out that hasbro is putting Transformers back out! MAXIMUM PIMPAGE! Also done reading my newest Lovecraft book, and I’m now starting on StarCraft. very kewl. L8r!

April 30th

Today is a good day. It’s slow at work, and I seen the funniest thing this morning! Nobody was hurt, which is good but the dumb ass pulled out infront of a car this morning and BAM! Got broadsided. He had a bumper sticker on that said “Lights On: For Safety” and when the other person read that, he said “LIGHTS ON FOR SAFTEY MY FUCKING ASS!” It was funny. I also took some pictures, hopefully get them developed this week sometime. L8r all!

~Smalls

April 28th

Today is BLAH day. I did get my MetallicA import, which is a plus, but I’m at hell desk, which is a negative, but i’m getting paid, and it’s slow, so it’s two pluses! Tired, Screwed with my computer until 2 am this mornign with windows 2000, stupid fucking intergrated hardware! Anyway..L8r!

~Smalls

April 27th

Well, today is going ok. I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock, and immediatly silenced with a well thrown shoe. Now, as if it still works, I don’t know, but it was silenced. I’d be alot better if I could get rid of this DAMN COUGH! STUPID ALLERGIES! My ankle is recovering (ever so slowly) from a recent binge off the curb of Schlotzsky’s. Landed on it wrong, buckled and I managed to spin on it, set my root beer down, before I fell on my ass. I have a good sense of balance..but geeze I have sucky luck. It was rather funny, but alot of pain. The swelling is finally going down! Overall it is starting out as a good day, no calls in que, wearing my TMNT shirt, oh yeah! One thing that did piss me off was the fact that some old woman was in the fast lane….and when I goto get in the slow lane to show her how to drive, some little prep punk prick decides to zoom up and ride in my blind spot for about 3 miles..so i was stuck doing like 57 in a 65 (<–80 in smalley terms). Until I dropped back behind the prep and his little honda with my truck and acted like I was going to run my bumper, (which was about as high as his trunk) into his car. Then he sped up. It was rather amusing…well…L8r!

~Smalls

April 25th

Well, today is going good, I can’t get rid of this damn cough, and congested feeling. DAMN ALLERGIES! And if you’re wondering what I was talking about on the front page update, a friend was threatened with his job for the Wal*Mart 101. Which of course is ridiculous. Of course we’re going to handle this manner like gentlemen, and dedicate a whole section of the web site to good ole Wally World! The way I see it, there’s this thing called freedom of speech, and as I said before they can bite it. It’s all in good fun. And what usually happens when ya are havin a good time? RIGHT! Some big gay ox comes to ruin it for ya! Well..this time I plan to trip them up! HAHA! I expect to be carted off anymoment to a padded room, i’m so strung out on allergy medication, pixi-stix, sprite, pepsi, and chocolate it’s not funny. They’ll probably find me in the break room, ODed on sugar babies or somthin! : P L8r!

~Smalls

April 24th

Today is pretty decent. Except for the stupid users. I’m working on making an Excuse Calendar for us tech types. I’m sure everyone will see fun in it! : ) I’m planning on working some insane amounts of overtime this week. Hopefully I can get my schedule changed to either grave, or earlier in the morning. Somthing different ya know? L8r!

~Smalls

April 21st

Well…today is pretty good. Work is decent, not too much to think about, except I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE PUT PEANUT BUTTER IN THE DAMN REFRIDGERATOR!!! Have you ever tried to spread cold peanut butter over a slice of bread? DON’T! I ruined 4 slices of bread the other night before I gave up. And belive me, I was COMPLAINING THE WHOLE TIME ABOUT MORONS WHO PUT IT IN THE FRIDGE!@!!!Any way..lol..L8r!

~Smalls

April 18th

Granny is finally at rest. It’s a good day. Actually..it’s bittersweet. I’m happy she’s out of pain..but i miss her so much. She knew, and she was ready, and that’s all that matters. Trying to use the rest of the film in this damn camera so I can get the damn pix developed and scanned. Well..My btother is in dire need of a new program…it’s called ASSKICK 2.0! L8r!

~Smalls

April 16th

It’s been one of those weekends. But it’s getting bettter. I found quite a few places driving the past couple of days. All nice and calm and such. I can’t wait to share them with someone.. : ) Well..as much as I hate to say it..and those of you who know me…it’s going to shock the hell out of you…but I ACTUALLY MISS WORK! *GASP!* Yep that’s right…Smalley’s gone insane! LOL I’m working on a current project of drawing maps of the current PIG STAKEOUTS, for popular drives (from bedford, to madison, from bedford, to carrollton, ect.) They’re going to be in my school of driving…hey….don’t laugh..just because i’ve totaled 3 cars don’t mean a damn thing! : ) well all..take it easy!

~Smalls

April 14th

I love my job! I really do! But now…I’m loving it even more because, I’ve finally been “Bastardized”. That means that I’ve come to hate users. The people who call up because something is “wrong with the network”. Which is usually thier fault! I realized that I became the leader in THE HELPDESK FROM HELL, when I asked myself….”Shouldn’t I be taking calls? I mean..the que is really high..but I’ve got 15 minutes until I go home….” and then…somewhere in the back of my mind….I heard an evil laugh…..on that mark…I went home early thinking “AHAHAHA SUCKERS!” And now…which brings me to another great part of my job….blaming someone else! MUAHHAHAHAHA!

~Smalls

April 11th

I swear if I get one more damn “WARNING! FINAL CHANCE TO UPGRADE: Termination of Free Counter Service” email from Mycomputer.com I’m going to do some research, get thier customer support email address and sign them up for a ton of spam! As I count back through all of my old email, I see NO LESS than 17 “FINAL” warnings. Ya know…if I gave a shit, I would’ve done somthing about it on the arrival of the first email. Oh well….assmunches can’t ruin my mood today. Heh. Ahhh shit! My foot just fell asleep and I can’t move my big toe! AHHHHHH That means I’m temporarily immobilized, which is not good…not good at all. You see, I am very, very thirsty, and sustence is just a mere few footsteps away. Have you ever tried to walk when one or BOTH of your feet are asleep? You might as well save yourself the humiliation and wait…You’ll gimp your way about 3 steps then tumble down and look like a dipshit. And if you ever decide not to heed my warning. Tell me first….so I can be there when you fall. And I SWEAR, if you even LOOK like your going to make it…I’ll trip your ass! : P

~Smalls

April 10th

It would kinda be humorus/wierd/sad if two people contracted the HIV virus by sharing insulin needles.

~Smalls

April 9th

This past weekend I had some things happen that irritate me, but I think one of the worst is when someone pulls out in front of you, and then decides to slowly speed up to 45….IN A 65MPH ZONE!!!! To make matters worse she was on a cellphone, and weaving back and forth. My opinon is simple: People that do this should be beaten with a very VERY heavy led pipe…..and they’re apendages should be tied to hot exhaust pipes while you do so. It’s just my opinion though. : )

~Smalls

April 4th

Today is a really good day, to spite the fuzzy head feeling my allergy medicine gives me. Better than the other side effects that my old medicine had, but we won’t go into that lol! Today was the first day in a long time that I’ve woken up in a great mood. But how could I not? Everythings going good! : ) Expect the Album section to be up by tomorrow. Dylan and I are going to stay up late and take care of it! Warning Though: Expect some Wierd Thoughts and Additions to the Graffitti Board, because he’s sick and my allergies have gotten me pretty messed up. Plus it’s going to be done at about 1am. Muhahaha!

~Smalls

Also, I finally decided to post somthing that bugs the crap outta me. People have no respect for common bathroom ethnic anymore! Click Here to see what I’m talking about. I’m sure you’ll agree!

April 3rd

This has been one of the things that bug the hell out of me. Video games, and music causes violence. I, personally think that it’s pure crap. There is violence in our society. We’re humans, there is violence in our nature of being. If a person decides to go out and hurt someone or do somthing violent. Our society can’t take it, they have to blame somthing, be it games or music. I say if a person can’t distinguish the fantasy land of games, and music (seeing them as entertainment) and reality, they don’t need to be playing/listening. Period, end of story.

Classic Gaming did a very good article on the subject. Click Here to view it.

~Smalls