Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater
- "Bother" by StoneSour
Sunday, November 27, 2005
A beautiful rant by Mr. Taylor
What a skeletal wreck of man this is
Translucent flesh and feeble bones
The kind of temple where the whores and villains try to tempt the holistic tones
Running rampant with free thought to free form, in the free in the clear
And the matters at hand are shelled out like lint at a laundrymat to sift and focus
On the bigger...better...now...
We all have a little sin that needs venting
Virtues for the rending and laws and systems and stems that riff from the branches of office
Do you know what your post entails?
Do you serve a purpose? or purposely serve?
Wind down inside adivistic galore
The value of a summer spent and a winter earned
For the rest of us there is always sunday
The day of the week that reeks of rest but all we do is catch our breaths
So we can wade naked into the bloody pool
And place our hand on the big black book
To watch the knives zig zag between our aching fingers
A vacation is a countdown
T-minus your life and counting
Time to drag your tongue across the sugarcube and hope you get a taste
What the fuck is all this for? What the hells going on? Shut up!
I could go on and on, but let’s move on...shall we?
Say, you’re me and I’m you and they all watch the things we do
And like a smack of spite they threw me down the stairs
Haven’t felt like this in years
The great magnet of malicious magnanimous refuse
Let me go and plundge me into the dead spot again
That’s where you go when there’s no one else around
Its just you, and there was never anyone to begin with, now was there?
Sanctimonious pretentious dastardly bastards with there thumb on the pulse and a finger on the trigger...
Classified my ass, that’s a fucking secret and you know it.
Government is another way to say...better...than...you...Its like ice but no pick, a murder charge that wont stick
Its like a whole other world where you can smell the food but you cant touch the silverware...what luck
Fascism you can vote for...isn’t that sweet!
And we’re all gonna die some day, cause that’s the American way
And I’ve drunk too much and said too little
When your gaffer taped in the middle, say a prayer, say a phrase, get yourself together and...
See what’s happening...
Shut up! Fuck you, fuck you!
I’m sorry, I could go on and on...
But it’s time to move on...so...
Remember...you’re a wreck: an accident, forget the freak - you’re just nature
Keep the gun oiled and the temple clean, shit snort and blaspheme
Let the heads cool and the engine run
Because in then end everything we do...is just everything we’ve done.
What a skeletal wreck of man this is
Translucent flesh and feeble bones
The kind of temple where the whores and villains try to tempt the holistic tones
Running rampant with free thought to free form, in the free in the clear
And the matters at hand are shelled out like lint at a laundrymat to sift and focus
On the bigger...better...now...
We all have a little sin that needs venting
Virtues for the rending and laws and systems and stems that riff from the branches of office
Do you know what your post entails?
Do you serve a purpose? or purposely serve?
Wind down inside adivistic galore
The value of a summer spent and a winter earned
For the rest of us there is always sunday
The day of the week that reeks of rest but all we do is catch our breaths
So we can wade naked into the bloody pool
And place our hand on the big black book
To watch the knives zig zag between our aching fingers
A vacation is a countdown
T-minus your life and counting
Time to drag your tongue across the sugarcube and hope you get a taste
What the fuck is all this for? What the hells going on? Shut up!
I could go on and on, but let’s move on...shall we?
Say, you’re me and I’m you and they all watch the things we do
And like a smack of spite they threw me down the stairs
Haven’t felt like this in years
The great magnet of malicious magnanimous refuse
Let me go and plundge me into the dead spot again
That’s where you go when there’s no one else around
Its just you, and there was never anyone to begin with, now was there?
Sanctimonious pretentious dastardly bastards with there thumb on the pulse and a finger on the trigger...
Classified my ass, that’s a fucking secret and you know it.
Government is another way to say...better...than...you...Its like ice but no pick, a murder charge that wont stick
Its like a whole other world where you can smell the food but you cant touch the silverware...what luck
Fascism you can vote for...isn’t that sweet!
And we’re all gonna die some day, cause that’s the American way
And I’ve drunk too much and said too little
When your gaffer taped in the middle, say a prayer, say a phrase, get yourself together and...
See what’s happening...
Shut up! Fuck you, fuck you!
I’m sorry, I could go on and on...
But it’s time to move on...so...
Remember...you’re a wreck: an accident, forget the freak - you’re just nature
Keep the gun oiled and the temple clean, shit snort and blaspheme
Let the heads cool and the engine run
Because in then end everything we do...is just everything we’ve done.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Rude Boy and Rude Girl's Night Out
After picking up my DSL reimbursement from Len's place, Lyn and I decided to take a detour to Tiendesitas to check out the reggae show (courtesy of NU 107 and the various sponsors) last night. We were repeatedly hearing the radio ads for the event on our way to Boni so we thought it would be a shame to miss it.
We missed the last few songs of the second act (as far as I could tell) because the place was packed without a parking slot in sight. We eventually parked near the Ortigas Ave exit. I was expecting the setup to be the full-fledged concert type where there was an open lot and people sprawled on the ground smoking pot or whatever. It turned out that the main area (about half the size of a football field) had tables and chairs for eating/drinking while the different food stalls were located along the sides. The well-lit stage was in the center back portion.
By the time we arrived, the Brownbeat All Stars were starting their set. I had heard good things about these guys on the radio and in print (Pulp magazine) a few years back, but didn't really pay any attention to their singles when they were still being played on NU 107. In fact, I found their songs to be a bit annoying at the time since I couldn't appreciate the whole ska/reggae genre just yet. But as with many good bands, hearing them live changes everything. I think the real ability of a band can be judged by how well they play live. Sure, your songs could sound great on CD, but that's because you have have the luxury to re-taking, editing and tweaking all the little flaws you'll come across while recording in the studio. But when you're on stage in front of the crowd, that's something else. Anyway, their set rocked - all the instruments came together, with Skarlet doing awesome vocals. The trumpets and sax were great, complementing the keyboards, drums, and bass - not to mention the trademark ska guitar arrangements.
NU 107 jocks Andy and that guy from Against The Flow were the hosts for the evening. They did some mini-contests between sets to give the bands time to set up their equipment. It was nice and a bit weird to finally see the faces behind the voices. I would always hear their disembodied voices on the air, and seeing them on stage was a bit surreal.
The other acts in the lineup that we caught were Reggae Mistress and Mishka Adams. When Reggae Mistress came on stage, I wasn't expecting the singers to be on the heavy side. To be honest, I was a bit thrown off because of that and was a bit distracted. But they were really good, so after a songs into their set, it didn't really matter what they looked like. Here I am hating overrated boy bands on account of their sparkling smiles and conveniently polished looks...while judging genuine musicians based on what they looked like. Tsk tsk. It's the music that counts right? So yeah, they were good and even played a burning version of No Doubt's "Underneath It All".
Thoughts on the whole thing: seeing all the sponsors' banners and products being displayed in the general area, it felt a bit demeaning to see them plug their stuff when all I came for was the music. It felt a bit icky seeing the commerical machinery in action, with those GSM Blue girls going around promoting a product they probably could care less about. But then it would be impractical and unfair to feel that way. As someone put it, money makes the world go round.
I would like to say that music should be an outlet for social reform, breaking down the status quo and all that other lofty stuff I assumed to be true back in high school and college. But the fact of the matter is that music is still business, a.k.a. a means of sustaining one's self by selling a commodity or service. Given that fact, it doesn't mean that music can't be true, pure and honest. You need someone with the capital, facilities and financial means to get your music off the ground and into the people's ears. There are sell-outs (read: Pinoy Ako, Pinoy tayo), but there are honest, earnest musicians that need sponsors so they can be heard. Quid pro quo right? Nothing wrong about that.
About an hour and a half into our stay, we finally found a table so we could sit down and eat. I was surprised to run into my classmate from high school who turned out to be the owner (or manager) of the place we ordered our sisig from.
All in all, it was an enjoyable night...I wish we could have stayed longer and caught the other bands that played. We should have brought a camera - we were pretty close to the stage so we could have taken good shots of the performers. I wonder if the bouncers would let us take pictures right near the stage though.
This is all I can show for all the great music we heard:
If you look real close, you'll notice the smudged signatures of the band. They were selling their EP album at the venue so we thought of getting a copy. Lyn convinced me to go backstage and ask one of them where I could buy their CD. I felt very nervous and felt like I had a big "L" on my forehead as I walked towards the people (it was dark so I couldn't see who they were really well). I think it was Fern, the bassist, who I asked about buying a copy. He said we would have to wait for their manager who took a quick restroom break. So I waited right next to the backstage entrance and Fern finally came over and gave us a copy. We felt a bit bold and asked him if we could have the band sign our copy to which he gracefully agreed to. So there it is: pure, raw music in its unadluterated form, hot in my hands. I can imagine what they had to go through just to get their CD published. There was some purity to it, giving my money directly to the band - and not to some pirate or middleman. Thanks NU, I came out of it with a rekindled love for music.
Monday, November 14, 2005
No-Brainers come in two's
Two Names You Go By
1. Mark
2. Kuya
Two Parts of Your Heritage
1. Filipino
2. Spanish
Two Things That Scare You
1. Flying cockroaches
2. Regan Teresa MacNeil
Two of Your Everyday Essentials
1. Food
2. Sleep
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. white old navy shirt
2. orange shorts from Cebu
Two of Your Favorite Bands or Musical Artists (at the moment)
1. Incubus
2. Dream Theater
Two of Your Favorite Songs - at the moment
1. Anti-Gravity love song
2. Broken Sonnet
Two Things You Want in a Relationship (other than Real Love)
1. understanding
2. physical intimacy
Two Truths
1. You can put the pieces back together, but you can't undo the cracks
2. There is no truth, only that which suits your taste
Two of Your Favorite Hobbies
1. listening to music
2. writing
Two Things You Want Really Badly
1. Peace of mind
2. An inexhaustable source of income
Two Places You Want to go on vacation
1. Chico, CA with Lyn and Dan
2. Anywhere in Japan
Two Things You Want to Do Before You Die
1. Leave enough money for my next of kin to live on
2. Play in band and get a standing ovation
Two Ways that you are stereotypically a Chick/Guy
1. I couldn't dance if my life depended on it
2. My seething hatred for boy bands
Two Things You Normally Wouldn't Admit
1. I often get tongue-tied on the phone (read: bulol)
2. There are a few select pop songs that I do like
Two Things You Are Thinking About Now
1. Is Dan going to be alright?
2. This band isn't bad at all
Two Stores You Shop At
1. Shopwise
2. Tropical Hut
Two people you haven't talked to in a while:
1. Jamir
2. Carlo
Two Names You Go By
1. Mark
2. Kuya
Two Parts of Your Heritage
1. Filipino
2. Spanish
Two Things That Scare You
1. Flying cockroaches
2. Regan Teresa MacNeil
Two of Your Everyday Essentials
1. Food
2. Sleep
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. white old navy shirt
2. orange shorts from Cebu
Two of Your Favorite Bands or Musical Artists (at the moment)
1. Incubus
2. Dream Theater
Two of Your Favorite Songs - at the moment
1. Anti-Gravity love song
2. Broken Sonnet
Two Things You Want in a Relationship (other than Real Love)
1. understanding
2. physical intimacy
Two Truths
1. You can put the pieces back together, but you can't undo the cracks
2. There is no truth, only that which suits your taste
Two of Your Favorite Hobbies
1. listening to music
2. writing
Two Things You Want Really Badly
1. Peace of mind
2. An inexhaustable source of income
Two Places You Want to go on vacation
1. Chico, CA with Lyn and Dan
2. Anywhere in Japan
Two Things You Want to Do Before You Die
1. Leave enough money for my next of kin to live on
2. Play in band and get a standing ovation
Two Ways that you are stereotypically a Chick/Guy
1. I couldn't dance if my life depended on it
2. My seething hatred for boy bands
Two Things You Normally Wouldn't Admit
1. I often get tongue-tied on the phone (read: bulol)
2. There are a few select pop songs that I do like
Two Things You Are Thinking About Now
1. Is Dan going to be alright?
2. This band isn't bad at all
Two Stores You Shop At
1. Shopwise
2. Tropical Hut
Two people you haven't talked to in a while:
1. Jamir
2. Carlo
Sunday, November 13, 2005
"Seasons change, and so can I"
- A Change Of Seasons, Dream Theater
Towards the tail-end of this 22 minute behemoth of a song, that line is heartily sung, glam rock style. It's a shame I only got into this band very recently. Some of my other friends have been raving about them for years, and it's only now that I finally got to appreciate them (the band, not my friends - they're all far away).
But I digress. The reason for quoting that line is because, in my own interpretation, I can relate to it. Those words, imortalized in sonic glory, strikes a chord within me. You know that feeling when you hear the lyrics of a song, and you can soooo relate? I'm feeling that right now.
People change over time. We all pass through different phases in our lives, with each passing one changing us for the better or for the worse. It's true what they say about the majority of one's life heavily depending on how you react to it. I'm feeling a little introspective tonight, so I feel like looking back on the recent years of my young life. The last few years that have passed feel like eternity strecthed thin. I've gone through so many trials and tribulations, that sadly, have partially left me bitter and jaded about how the world works. Not to mention a crash course in the following: The Breakdown Of Human Relations 101™, and Picking up The Pieces After Estrangement 101™, and Stop Being So Pissed Off 101™.
As of this writing, I'm anticipating a a change of seasons once again, although I'm not absolutely sure just yet. Give it a few days, and I'll know for sure. If it is what I think it is, then it will be another test of my mettle. Take it as it comes they say. Yeah, we'll see.
Paying your dues. Seeing the long line at the PRC office made me think of a few things. IMHO, all of us line up to carve out a dream we have within ourselves. It can be any field, whether legal or illegal. So we have to sweat it out with other hopefuls, the brooding masses that happen to have the same dream as ours. Then it boils down to having to stand out from the rest, perform with flying colors, save the world and ride off the into the sunset. Well maybe not the last two, but you know what I mean right?
It feels like a movie actually. There are certain archetypes that you, the Naive Newbie, are bound meet along the way, such as the The Jaded Veteran and The Evil Rival Determined To Make your Life Hell. It reminds me of those overly romanticized movies where the common street gangster rises to the ranks to become the crime boss- or those singing contests/fashion model reality shows/artista search drivel shown on TV.
Of course, there's the token snotty judge who's usually an overbearing bitch or a drag queen on PMS. They dish out the usual, I'm-such-an-established-power-figure-in-the-world-you-chose-to-get-into-and-you-shall-kiss-my-egotistic-ass-lest-you-fail-miserably kind of lines to give the viewer the impression that they're really someone you should fear.
Ok, I think my little ditty on life is turning into a downward spiral isn't it? I can't help being sarcastic after a few sentences I guess...
- A Change Of Seasons, Dream Theater
Towards the tail-end of this 22 minute behemoth of a song, that line is heartily sung, glam rock style. It's a shame I only got into this band very recently. Some of my other friends have been raving about them for years, and it's only now that I finally got to appreciate them (the band, not my friends - they're all far away).
But I digress. The reason for quoting that line is because, in my own interpretation, I can relate to it. Those words, imortalized in sonic glory, strikes a chord within me. You know that feeling when you hear the lyrics of a song, and you can soooo relate? I'm feeling that right now.
People change over time. We all pass through different phases in our lives, with each passing one changing us for the better or for the worse. It's true what they say about the majority of one's life heavily depending on how you react to it. I'm feeling a little introspective tonight, so I feel like looking back on the recent years of my young life. The last few years that have passed feel like eternity strecthed thin. I've gone through so many trials and tribulations, that sadly, have partially left me bitter and jaded about how the world works. Not to mention a crash course in the following: The Breakdown Of Human Relations 101™, and Picking up The Pieces After Estrangement 101™, and Stop Being So Pissed Off 101™.
As of this writing, I'm anticipating a a change of seasons once again, although I'm not absolutely sure just yet. Give it a few days, and I'll know for sure. If it is what I think it is, then it will be another test of my mettle. Take it as it comes they say. Yeah, we'll see.
Paying your dues. Seeing the long line at the PRC office made me think of a few things. IMHO, all of us line up to carve out a dream we have within ourselves. It can be any field, whether legal or illegal. So we have to sweat it out with other hopefuls, the brooding masses that happen to have the same dream as ours. Then it boils down to having to stand out from the rest, perform with flying colors, save the world and ride off the into the sunset. Well maybe not the last two, but you know what I mean right?
It feels like a movie actually. There are certain archetypes that you, the Naive Newbie, are bound meet along the way, such as the The Jaded Veteran and The Evil Rival Determined To Make your Life Hell. It reminds me of those overly romanticized movies where the common street gangster rises to the ranks to become the crime boss- or those singing contests/fashion model reality shows/artista search drivel shown on TV.
Of course, there's the token snotty judge who's usually an overbearing bitch or a drag queen on PMS. They dish out the usual, I'm-such-an-established-power-figure-in-the-world-you-chose-to-get-into-and-you-shall-kiss-my-egotistic-ass-lest-you-fail-miserably kind of lines to give the viewer the impression that they're really someone you should fear.
Ok, I think my little ditty on life is turning into a downward spiral isn't it? I can't help being sarcastic after a few sentences I guess...
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