April Fools and Eggmen....

 

So, this was kind of fun/funny to do, of course on of all days, today.

And the subject just crossed my mind, today should be an annual day to listen to that Fair to Midland tune.

But, I've been meaning to write something more about Social Media, specifically YouTube. The etiquette and maybe a few other housekeeping items,

When someone sees your channel or a video you post, especially in the case where they themselves have a channel of their own. They may subscribe and leave comments and like. If they are a YouTuber themselves, they know part of what is beneficial is to comment and like.

But I just know there's plenty of YouTubers and even just people on the different Social Media platforms that do not do this. It's mostly just a 1-WAY STREET.

They want you to watch their videos (or just follow or like their posts on other socials), subscribe, like and comment. But it does seem others like myself have to almost blatantly spell it out to gain their attention to even be aware of my channel or socials. And even if I do that, they may subscribe and maybe they will comment and like (if watch) 1 or 2 videos or for like a week or 2.

And in many cases, they don't even do that.

Unless they see your channel (or Social Media account) as more impressive or bigger and something that if others are giving you attention, than they may as well.

But when you don't have the large numbers of subscribers or followers, they don't necessarily.

That is PLAYING THE FAVORITES.

It's selifish, or lazy, or judgemental, or just kind of passive-agressive.

Social Media and it seems a lot of YouTube should be A GIVE AND TAKE.

I scratch your back, and you scratch mine. 

But if you don't have "status" to be appealing enough to them (1000 or even way more subscribers), it really doesn't seem to matter how many times you like, comment and even pass their videos along (and how much detail your comment has), they still don't give a shit enough about YOUR channel to follow-suit.

I mean I will confess, there are people who have subscribed to my channel who I check out their own channel and I don't subscribe. But almost all of those cases, either the content on their channel doesn't appeal to me (and is next to nothing like my content), or their content is very limited anyway.

But I'd say at least 3/4 of the time someone subscribes to me, and I look at their YouTube page and they include something I remotely can relate to or enjoy, I will subscribe.

And I would say I do make an effort to leave them comments on topics I can comment about.

But there are several channels I comment on, or did comment on, pretty detailed and somewhat regularly, who have yet to ever leave even 1 comment on any of my 776 Videos. And even in some cases, the subject matter (mostly music and Prog), they have made videos themselves about. And in at least 1 or 2 examples, I noticed said music (band/album), done after I talked about it.

In other words, they are mooching off my work, my channel, etc, and yet I've never seen them once admit or acknowledge that. It's like it would kill them to do so, because they don't like to admit that a smaller channel actually introduced them to something.

I mean it could be that they just don't like to give credit to other channels. I can only half understand that per the whole idea of  "well, if I shout out this channel, well then I have to shout every other channel" chore. And then they'll forget people.

But, that doesn't change the fact they are finding something and telling YouTube about it, and not being fully honest how they found it. Maybe the *how* shouldn't really matter? I just see it as lazy if not practicing being a favorites player.

"You know it wouldn't take a lot for people to help other less successful people easily, but they often don't" -J. Rudess (on "The Great Escape" on KFAI radio in 2002)

You know, and it does extend beyond YouTube. Go back to twitter and 89.3. I was talking about Local Natives and Warpaint long before most there, and yet never even once got any kind of due. It's lame, unfair, and something that I will never consider justified. But its happened and will continue to happen.

I would even say, many channels and Social Media I continue to comment-to or like on, that I guess I don't expect as much from given my feeling about the people. But I'm not certain how long or consistent I will continue to do that just based on the fact they don't reciprocate back to me. Not enough.

It really should be a GIVE and TAKE. But so many people, some I do have closer relationships with and want to help them out as much as I can genuinely, I don't think see using YouTube and Social Media that way.

They don't see it like a Social Contract to be using and trying to promote their own content. They see it as, ok, here's my video or post, please like it and share it, etc. But thanks for doing that, however the thought never crossed my mind to do the same for you who chimed in.

Maybe it's a lack of time? I dunno, but at some point, I have to draw a line and just say, sorry, I can't anymore. I have done that with some. But I also feel like given I'm at 776 Videos. Once I hit 1000 Videos, I may just to do a HIATUS for at least long form videos until I hit 1000 Subscribers.

No exceptions. 

Sorry, I've made 1000 videos, I deserve 1000 subscribers. And until that happens, my focus may be other outlets like this and the Substack. I might do Shorts or TikTok as I've mentioned. Or I may do an audio and/or video podcast. Mixcloud, Soundcloud, or just on Substack even. Unsure.

I mean it's 224 videos away, so that is probably over a year, maybe 2. And that may be enough videos and time to finish some of these projects I've done, I dunno.

But at least my feeling is given the lack of GIVE-AND-TAKE and reception/attention/recognition for my YouTube channel, if I put the time and effort into making 1000 fucking videos, I should be able to at least get 1000 subscribers as well. (probably way more actually, but I'm trying to be as realistic as possible).

Foals @ First Avenue 4/30/19

I saw Foals for the 3rd or 4th time last night, headlining at First Ave's Mainroom.

Set List below of course.

This concert will be remembered by me for a few different things. Probably first and foremost from my commute down to First Ave. I'm driving West on I-94 and it's raining out. Not heavily, but consistently coming down like it did all of yesterday.

I get to around the area of Huron Blvd and suddenly a somewhat sizable Yellow SPIDER drops off the Ceiling right in front of me on the driver's side.

I was beyond startled, but I immediately slowed down and blew at it as I had no interest in touching it with my bare hands.

The Spider I may have killed or it may have wandered off. I saw it in the little hole on the inside of the Driver's side door near the door handle and power window control.

I hope it's gone, but the experience and idea of what was avoided thankfully never left my mind the whole night, feeling like I dodged a bullet in some ways.

The show though it self was another epic, energetic fiesta of a kind that only Foals does so well. Yannis back when I saw them last at First Ave (2013), at least once walked throughout the mainroom's floor and upstairs to the 2nd level where I sat.

Well he didn't quite do that, but multiple crowd surfing moments of ecstasy, and the climax was him climbing to the 2nd level bars in front of the left side of the stage and basically doing a TRUST FALL into the crowd.

Very much in the vein of Paul Meany from Mutemath or even Darroh from Fair to Midland, almost going for the daredevil antics to great success.

The set list was great as they did a lot of the Everything Saved Will Not Be Lost Part 1 music. Syrups probably being my favorite, although I kind of feel as incredible as the ending of that track is, I could see at least live having them extending the build more and more live to go on for at least a couple more minutes. Even if Yannis just sings "Na Na Na" or "La La La" without any lyrics.

Spanish Sahara is always a showstopper, Black Gold as well of course. The What Went Down tunes I had yet to see were as if not more heavy live. Yannis pulled off some immense screams on them.

And then anything from Antidotes I'm thrilled with. Two Steps Twice is their classic show closer (when Yannis did the Trust Fall). The energy, groove, intensity, etc never fails to grab me.

While I don't know if I think this show was better than the 1 in 2013, they very much seem to  taking the baton from Mutemath to be a consistent great live band who are almost a can't miss.

Now we can just anticipate Everything Saved Will Not Be Lost Part 2 coming in September and hopefully no more spiders creeping me out in my car while I'm driving to Foals concerts.

also the 2 openers, Omni and Preoccupations has some moments. Preooccupations used to be known as Viet Kong, sound familiar and I mean to check out now. Their sound, especially the style their singer has stood out in some ways. The last song or 2 they did I was getting into as it was kind of epic. The synths almost reminded me of Wolf Parade and even some of the Cale Parks Indietronica stuff I've been vibing on lately.

On the Luna
Mountain at My Gates
Snake Oil
Olympic Airways
My Number
Black Gold
Spanish Sahara
Syrups
Providence
Sunday
Red Socks Pugie
Exits
In Degrees
White Onions
Inhaler

Encore:
What Went Down
Two Steps, Twice

Mew - King Christian

So there's this cool new Podcast per http://MewX.info with a 4-person group discussing in-depth 1 Mew song for over an hour on each episode.

Anyway, the episode they shared this week is about this early Mew track "King Christian."

Long story as short as possible: When I 1st checked out Mew in 2006, really when I was won over, it was And the Glass Handed Kites and especially Frengers (Frenjers). I then of course checked out their back catalog learning they had a similar history to Fair to Midland or even Kevin Gilbert in that they wrote and recorded and then re-recorded many songs that ended up on Frengers.

But their 1st 2 albums, A Triumph of Man (1997) and Half the World is Watching (2000)
I think i downloaded along with a boatload of demos, unreleased tracks, etc per their fansite "The Evil Office"

I eventually picked up the Remastered-with-Bonus-Tracks-versions of both of those CDs which may now be kind of hard to come by (I don't regularly check Ebay and Amazon Marketplace for that stuff, but I just recall seeing somewhere they were either really spendy to import, etc, which I likely did back around 2008, 2009).

Anyway, so I listened to both of these versions of "King Christian" just a bit ago.

The 1st/longer one, holy shit that song is catchy! I don't recall being grabbed by it back in the mid 2000's. It says 1998 there on the video though, which makes me wonder if it was a demo or extra on A Triumph of Man, but just looking at the track list(s) for that album, it's not on there.

So this must have been unreleased and then showed up on Half the World.

Now the 2nd video is a shorter track and video. It's similar with a similar chorus, but it doesn't have that 50/early 60's Power-Pop element like the 1st/long version.

And Mew I guess played the 2nd  version live a few months ago, which I've never seen that or any of those early tunes live sadly.

The other odd thing, my wife actually likes the 1st/longer/power-poppy version, lol.

I think of some of the following tracks:

King's X - American Cheese, Mississippi Moon
Genesis - Misunderstanding
Kevin Gilbert - Finally Over You
Kimbra - Cameo Lover

Now I highly question she'll care for many if any other Mew tracks, but 1 is more than she did before.

For me, I probably need to revisit those remastered versions of Triumph of Man and Half the World is Watching, although I recall like Fair to Midland, many of the versions of those songs I found inferior. However, I just checked out the Half the World version of 156 and some of that is pretty sweet. Also "Am I Wry? No" has a cool synth part about 3:20 in that is not on the Frengers version.

REACT TO: Radical Research: Episode 10 GINNCORE

I want to say before getting into the Reaction-To, I am really glad they made this podcast about this style of rock music as I wish more podcasts, youtube videos, articles and discussion took place about it.

And I do enjoy both of their opinions and these discussions as I not only have checked out this one, but a few older ones (the 1 on Italian prog for example, and Ulver both were enjoyable discussion topics).

Radical Research Episode 10 Podcast Link

Cave In
Glassjaw
Mew
The Mars Volta
Deftones
Coheed and Cambria
Three
dredg
Fair to Midland

mentioned but not in detail:
Circa Survive
Jolly

dismissed:
System of a Down
Oceansize
Protest the Hero-too metal/metalcore?

I could make this an extensive criticism if I wanted to and found the time, and even the fact they recorded their longest podcast at nearly 2 hours for this topic, but I will try and limit this Reaction-to as much as I can (or maybe do a 2nd? lol..more likely a spinoff and/or a podcast of my own which could go on for 2 hours as well, but I probably would burn out after no longer than 45 or 50 minutes only due to the fact I was just talking to myself for that long).

First off, I agree on the time frame for the most part, as the bands and this very hard to describe style of Rock and Pop music really came to be in the 2000's. Now semantics of course, but like words like "pretentious" and "listens"..using the term "Oughts/0ughts" is frankly poor use and rather annoying. It is only 1 level removed from "naughties/noughties/n0ughties" blech.

For the love of God, please Call the fucking decade "THE 2000's/TWO-THOUSAND's."

But of course they won't and so much media won't maybe for decades to come when they finally get it.

. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ,.-‘”. . . . . . . . . .“~.,
. . . . . . . .. . . . . .,.-”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“-.,
. . . . .. . . . . . ..,/. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ”:,
. . . . . . . .. .,?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\,
. . . . . . . . . /. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,}
. . . . . . . . ./. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:`^`.}
. . . . . . . ./. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:”. . . ./
. . . . . . .?. . . __. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :`. . . ./
. . . . . . . /__.(. . .“~-,_. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:`. . . .. ./
. . . . . . /(_. . ”~,_. . . ..“~,_. . . . . . . . . .,:`. . . . _/
. . . .. . {.._ ;_. . .”=,_. . . .“-,_. . . ,.-~-,}, .~”; /. .. .}
. . .. . .((. . .*~_. . . .”=-._. . .“;,,./`. . /” . . . ./. .. ../
. . . .. . .\`~,. . ..“~.,. . . . . . . . . ..`. . .}. . . . . . ../
. . . . . .(. ..`=-,,. . . .`. . . . . . . . . . . ..(. . . ;_,,-”
. . . . . ../.`~,. . ..`-.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..\. . /\
. . . . . . \`~.*-,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..|,./…..\,__
,,_. . . . . }.>-._\. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . ..`=~-,
. .. `=~-,_\_. . . `\,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .`=~-,,.\,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\


2nd point, "Ginncore" while they explained how the term came up per Hunter Ginn's name and they couldn't really find a good word describe these bands. I guess based on that, the style could be just called Allmediareviews-Rock or Allmediareviews-Rock for the 21st Century, lol.

It's purely arbitrary and more or less in no way describes the bands sound or even aesthetic really other than the word "core" referring to coming or having elements of Hardcore Punk Rock.

The bands also that fall-into "Ginncore" and don't? So Deftones, Glassjaw and Circa Survive do  but System of a Down and Oceansize do not? eh, okay.

I would argue being "progressive" or even having a "prog rock" sound/style/influence etc, SOAD and Oceansize find that territory A LOT MORE than those 3.

Cave In? meh, maybe. I can follow why some consider them having progressive elements, I just never could get fully into them. I recall liking either 1 of their EPs, or a few of the songs some of the Kaddisfly fans suggested. But then when I checked like Jupiter it may have been, I was a little underwhelmed. I dunno, they may be a band I could check out again and enjoy more.

I do like some of the names they brought up, the DNA having Faith No More and Jane's Addiction. And even Jeff's point about bands from the late 70's like 10cc, Crack the Sky? (I should hear more from them I guess) and some others who combined pop/power-pop with progressive and/or art rock well.

I.e. bands who weren't pure prog rock, but used it within their songwriting to be melodic and yet artsy.

Those traits didn't begin with Radiohead and Tool really..look at King's X or Jellyfish or Kevin Gilbert or XTC or Tears for Fears (even U2 in some ways), and yes, go back to the 70's, even some of the 60's to a point.

Art-Pop-Rock?

Maybe 1 good way ti describe this stuff is "Art Pop/Rock?"
and for the 2000's, call a lot of it Heavy Art Pop-Rock?

dunno.

The names they included, The Mars Volta, dredg, Three, Coheed, Fair to Midland, and Mew even who maybe a bit of an outlier among that group, all fit/make sense. However maybe not now, but later tonight, I will try and come out up with 10 or maybe even 20 others that I would consider essential among this stuff.

anticipate an EDIT?


I think 1 or 2 that totally would make sense are Oceansize and The Dear Hunter (and TREOS even). Why they didn't mention The Dear Hunter? maybe they don't like or even know them. And I suppose they also have found more attention in the 2010's (TWENTY-TENS) I guess. But this decade, they can be argued to among if not the most important band in this style (Heavy Art Pop/Rock or my term PCR=Progressive College Rock.......or PCPR= Progressive College Pop-Rock ?).

Also the lack of "Post Rock" (and "Math Rock") is surprising, but perhaps they will do another podcast about that or the umbrella of this style.

Okay, so I've selected 10-15 bands/artists of both decades this Century beyond the 6 names they included in their podcast that I consider essential (dredg, The Mars Volta, Mew, Coheed, Three and Fair to Midland).

Obviously there are many others I could include (The Decembersists, Karnivool, 22 and many more).
I guess I think of these artists as important and at least somewhat prolific other than say The River Empires

edit:
2000's (Two Thousands)
Anathallo
Apes and Androids/Call Florence Pow
Godspeed You Black Emperor
Kaddisfly
Kiss Kiss
Muse
Oceansize
Ours
Porcupine Tree
Pure Reason Revolution

2010's (Twenty-Tens)
Anathema
Bend Sinister
Bent Knee
The Family Crest
Foals
Kimbra
Major Parkinson
Pepe Deluxe
Janelle Monae
The Reign of Kindo/Kindo
The River Empires
Small Leaks Sink Ships
Steven Wilson

Fair to Midland - Say When (String Quartet Tribute)

This is lovely.

Coheed and Cambria w/ The Dear Hunter @ First Avenue 5/13/17

Photos per Nate W on Instagram

So this show was a big deal to me given Coheed played Good Apollo 1, my favorite of theirs and a 5-star record, etc.

And with The Dear Hunter of course, And great to see them together, a billing that happened maybe 2 or 3 times historically, but I'm not sure if it's happened in 5 or 6 years.

First Avenue: I arrived 1 hour before the 7:30 PM listing online for the doors. I was maybe behind 20 or 30 people. Did my usual walk straight upstairs once I get inside, hunting for a chair so I wouldn't have to stand for 4+ hours.

No chairs on either side available. It seems nearly if not all of them were taken by Coheed's VIP members, at different levels.

Luckily though, I managed to snag one from 1 of the tables wayyy off to the obstructed view area. And I managed to move it to an area I could hear and see the stage, but not on the rail/front in the balcony.


Now I met a bunch of very cool people there, as I often do, which seems almost a very high percentage at concerts I attend, are not from the Twin Cities.

-A few guys from Duluth waiting in line.

-A couple from Iowa who I sat behind, and were nice enough to save my chair while I went to get Merch (which I picked up some of the Coheed Amory Wars graphic novels involving Good Apollo, and Act IV Score Book, which I hope to show in a video soon).

-2 guys at the Merch table who were huge TDH fans, which was kind of rare surprisingly. The line for Coheed Merch was like 20 people long, But there was no one in line at TDH table. Although they had no cds to sell which was odd.

Travis and I forget the other guy's name. But Travis I think is the fella whose also into Cloud Cult and I may see at the Northrop show coming up next month. And I also mentioned to 1 of them, I think it was the other fellow TDH fanatic about The Family Crest show at Turf next Saturday. I think he told me he lives in Mankato. But a few hours for TFC, if he enjoys them like I do, might still be worth it.

2 TDH fans (a couple I think) from Winnipeg as I was walking to my car. They did see the show at Fine Line I missed, I asked the guy I was chatting about if he knew the band The Psychics who are from Winnpeg, but he did not. But he was a Porcupine Tree fan (but didn't know Marillion, which I shared my Chicago story with him while waiting for the light to change).


Coheed did not have, or had sold out of copies of Good Apollo 1 Vinyl  when I got to the front of the line, which to go along with getting shut out on Record Store Day for it, is a 2nd strike. I am going to have to monitor many sites soon for a copy as I really need a copy on vinyl of that album.


About the show:

Clip per The Dear Hunter's twitter 

The Dear Hunter: This was likely the largest crowd to ever see them perform in Minnesota, which beyond anything else is a good thing. Also Gavin Castleton was with them as he was last September (the show I missed), and I was happy to go up and meet after the show. Very cool guy, who I name dropped probably a dozen bands, many of which he knew which I found cool. He's a sElf fan, per the fact both him and Matt Mahaffey are multi-instrumentalist songwriters (like Casey too of course). Kevin Gilbert of course didn't ring a bell, but he doesn't to many.

But TDH's actual performance was quite good as always, albeit shorter than I'm used to. The big issue though for me was the MIXING. I could barely hear the vocals at times. Now part of that could have been per there were 2 or 3 Coheed fans behind me who talked literally during 75% or more of TDH's set.

Although I still suspect the fact I heard a lot more bass and guitar and the vocals seemed buried, even with those babblers in my ears, I wonder if the people behind the board may not have been aware of the balance (or lack-of).

Set list? I totally get that it's a set list Casey and the band want/like to play, etc. And it's as an opener/support so not as much ground was covered (even playing a 10+ minute track like "The Night on the Town" etc might not have worked for this tour per that reason).

Mostly songs from Act IV and V logically, along with 2 or 3 songs from TCS and and Act III. And it was neat to hear that Beatles outro at the end.


As for Coheed, I adore Good Apollo 1. It is such a melody/hook and energy fest, it never gets old. I am a sucker for incredible hooks. And the band had a very cool Video for each and every song which added a lot frankly.

Although I will try and make a video or 2, getting more into this show and maybe Good Apollo 1, but I can say, the concept about a playwright of some kind being self-tortured either in his story/trying-to-write the story, and/or real life experiences kind of hit me more than it ever did before. Almost that I really want to read those GA Amory Wars Graphic Novels I bought.

But at the same time, for the year 2005, I can't place it #1 still because as progressive as it is, when it comes down to it, the meat of the album is major-key melodies, which I love immensely when done well and strongly, but compared to some other 5-star records, I don't see it as quite as unique or adventurous.

Mind you, I still find the album and tons of things about it very progressive and appealing, but I can follow why say in 2005, I look at Between the Heart and the Synapse being slightly better. I almost see GA1 like Fair to Midland's Fables from a Mayfly, strong  melodies and energy hitting you left and right. But that's the biggest takeaway from it.

Also "The Telling Truth," specifically the 1st 4 or 5 minutes and then the end is really a Reprise/Coda or Overture of 3 or 4 of the main themes/melodies which I guess I never consciously thought-about or realized.

And a song like "Ten Speed (of God's Blood and Burial)" and maybe "Crossing the Blade" sound an awful lot like Iron Maiden at times, specifically the song "The Trooper" which Claudio I know has admitted to enjoying and maybe even covering.

"Mother May I" might be my favorite track on this record now. Love it to bits.

All in All, an epic show that I sweated buckets at and was very happy to get to witness.

I would like to see In Keeping Secrets live someday, but I dunno if it'll happen again. And at First Avenue? I am not sure I can handle another Coheed-mob there again, but who knows how I'll feel or even if they will end up there if they do come back again to do it.

1 of 5  of my 5-star records I've now seen live. Which I should post a list soon about (not just 5-stars, and include even Tributes).


The Dear Hunter
Regress
The Moon / Awake
Wait
Mustard Gas
The Revival
The Most Cursed of Hands
Echo
Is There Anybody Here?
This Body/She's so Heavy (The Beatles)


Coheed and Cambria
Keeping the Blade
Always and Never
Welcome Home
Ten Speed (Of God's Blood and Burial)
Crossing the Frame
Apollo I: The Writing Writer
Once Upon Your Dead Body
Wake Up
The Suffering
The Lying Lies & Dirty Secrets of Miss Erica Court
Mother May I
The Willing Well I: Fuel for the Feeding End
The Willing Well II: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
The Willing Well III: Apollo II: The Telling Truth
The Willing Well IV: The Final Cut
Bron-Yr-Aur (Led Zeppelin)

Encore
Island
Delirium Trigger
In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3

Songs That Should Have Been Hits (Part 1)

Not gonna blurb with these per time of course, but I personally both love all these songs, but also feel it's an incredible shame they never found a wider audience or became "Hits"..I suppose "Bug Eyes" and "Trains" and even "New Mistake" were MINOR hits, but not nearly enough people got to hear them when they should have.

I'll try and do another one or 2 of these hopefully, and actually it seems like a good forum topic to create. Maybe based on responses, some of those I might add.

























Kaddisfly - Empire from Jeremy E. Jackson on Vimeo.


OURS "Worst Things Beautiful" from jonathan becker on Vimeo.

PROG Awards and PROG Magazine Video [Part 1?]

So to follow up my sharing of the stream of the 5th Annual PROG awards from a few days ago, I have meant to make an actual video about PROG Magazine and the Awards show.

And truth be, I didn't have down a laundry list of names to bring up on a dime like I would, which is why I may actually make another video or 2 about this hyperbole soon.

That being said, the jist of my rant is in there and supports my feelings about PROG magazine and the Awards.

Perhaps on the next 1, I will try and include some props aka the magazines, etc.

uneXpect - 1996-2015 (R.I.P.)

Montreal based Experimental/Exteme/Theatrical/Progressive metal band uneXpect are calling it a day, at least for the time being.

I guess I can't be totally surprised by this, per the length of time between their records and a lot less activity the last 3 years. Their last record, Fables of the Sleepless Empire came out in 2011, and I remember it took awhile and they had to do a lot to get it out.

However, I was actually anticipating a new album from them next year, just given how long it's been since their last work. But given their lack of activity on social media, it's not all that unexpected really, but still it is sad as they were quite a unique and original band. Blending genres well, often when you wouldn't think they would work. And they included a female singer who growled which is somewhat rare, especially when they did it.

I did get to see them live once at least, which was quite a memorable show at The Entry. I want to say in either 2008 or 2009. I remember they played in Minnesota at least 1 or maybe 2 other times, one was at the Flight of the Valkyrie's Female Metal festival at Station 4, that fell on the same night Fair to Midland was playing at The Rock and I had to pick which show to see.

I ended up seeing Fair to Midland, who are also sadly no more, but given how many times I saw them, maybe I should have gone to see uneXpect instead, I dunno. Then again, festival vs a headliner plus a couple of openers? The Rock vs Station 4? etc it's all in the past now.

Also a little ironic how they are now broken up, and yet SikTh are back together? It would have been cool for the 2 bands to do a bill together? who knows. I may have to check out some of the projects the members are doing now/in the future linked below.



Facebook post

----------French version lower in the text---------

Greetings everyone !

We realize it's been more than a while since we last gave some official news about our current endeavors. Like most of you probably noticed, in the last three years, we've been mostly inactive and gave rare news. To make a short story, we thought a lot about the band's future over those last three years and though we're still all good friends, we felt that it was time to put the key under the doormat of our laboratory and experiment different paths.

We now all have personal projects that needs attention and takes time and we feel that we need to focus on those for the time being.

We want to warmly thank everybody who followed us through our musical journey over the years and who helped us in any ways. Our music has always been done out of passion and a profound belief in musical integrity, and in all of our travels/tours were we got to meet our public, that's what we felt more than anything... a passionate crowd. You guys gave us an incredible and memorable ride!!

On another note, some of us have been keeping themselves busy musically:

You can follow Chaoth's project 'Vvon Dogma I' on Facebook :

https://www.facebook.com/VvonDogmaI

...and see a video of some rehearsals and writing process for their first album coming up in 2016 !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzOUBRKQJGM

As for Landryx, he joined the band Decadawn :

http://www.decadawn.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAjCSXCUBsk

...and is now part of a project named Endvade :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckkhH45Wtwk

So thanks again for those epic years of musical adventures and keep on encouraging open-mindedness in all its forms !
Peace !

- Unexpect

------------------------------------------------------

Bonjour à tous !

Nous réalisons qu'il s'est maintenant passé bien des lunes depuis nos dernières nouvelles à propos de nos activités. Comme la plupart d'entre vous l'aurons probablement remarqué au courant des 3 dernières années, nous avons largement été assez inactif et n'avons donné que de rares nouvelles. Pour faire une histoire courte, nous avons pensé longuement au futur du groupe pendant cette période et bien que nous sommes tous de très bons amis, nous avons ressenti qu'il était temps de mettre la clé sous le tapis d'entrée de notre laboratoire et d'expérimenter d'autres avenues.

Nous avons tous des projets personnels qui demandent de l'attention et du temps et nous considérons que nous devons nous concentrer sur ceux-ci.

Nous tenons à remercier chaleureusement tout le monde qui nous a suivi au travers des années de notre périple musical et qui a pu nous aider d'une façon ou d'une autre. Notre musique a toujours été conçu passionnément avec une croyance profonde en l'intégrité musicale, et dans toutes ces tournées/voyages ou nous avons pu rencontrer notre public, c'est ce que nous avons ressenti de votre part...des individus passionnés. Vous nous avez offert un parcours incroyable et mémorable !!

Sur une autre note, certains d'entre nous sont restés occupés au niveau musical.

Vous pouvez suivre Chaoth et son projet 'Vvon Dogma I' sur Facebook :

https://www.facebook.com/VvonDogmaI

...et voir un vidéo de pratiques/processus de création pour leur premier album dû pour 2016 !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzOUBRKQJGM

Pour ce qui est de Landryx, il s'est entre autre joint au groupe Decadawn :

http://www.decadawn.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAjCSXCUBsk

...et fait aussi parti d'un projet nommé Endvade :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckkhH45Wtwk

Encore merci pour ces épiques années d'aventures musicales et continuez d'encourager l'ouverture d'esprit sous toutes ses

formes !

Peace !

- Unexpect

Fair to Midland - Walls of Jericho (Unofficial Fan Made Video)

This was posted/shared on YouTube it appears going back to 2010. Maybe I saw it or even posted it before? I don't recall.

At any case, 1 of the best Fair to Midland tunes to me, and one I always felt should have been released as a single, but I don't think was.

The video I guess was shown on Showtime and may have been related-to if not part of DEXTER, per some comments. It is a dark video, but it does sync-well and fits many of the themes, moods and even lyrics from Walls of Jericho.

Anyway, for those who never saw this, it's worth passing along certainly. Well made.

Fair to Midland - God Help Us (unreleased demo)

God Help Us demo from the Arrows & Anchors writing sessions I found on an old hard drive. I'm pretty sure it was the only copy that existed at that point. It would be a shame if it was lost and nobody ever heard it. I always really liked this song. I believe this is all Andrew but I could be wrong. Anyway, enjoy! :)

Pretty nice, and it hardly sounds like something from the compressed mix of that record. I just dunno if it ultimately would have ended up with what sounds like a looping digital drum track. But the vocal harmonies and piano are haunting.

Twin Cities Metal Blog

http://twincitiesmetal.blogspot.com/

At the Between the Buried and Me concert a few weeks ago, I met a guy who like me, keeps a blog about the music he feels deserves some recognition. Music, specifically Metal hence the name. He was kind enough to pass a link and write a little bit about myself on his blog here:

http://twincitiesmetal.blogspot.com/2013/10/all-media-reviews-blog.html

And so I am returning the favor. As his "About" mentions, he used to publish a physical zine that I imagine covered a lot of what this blog of his now does. And it received a fair amount of distribution, being at places like Hot Topic, Virgin Megastores and Tower Records among others I imagine. I suppose I wonder if he was based in another town at 1 point, or like my friend That Drummer Guy, maybe he published and covered a lot of music that wasn't necessarily based in Minnesota. It's just he was, and thus the zine was made here.

But in that sense, I get the sense he can relate to me, unlike many other (music) blog writers in Minnesota, in that he covers a lot (maybe mostly) music/Metal that isn't from here. And the local connections are mostly from THE TOURS that do come to town.

Which is one thing I never got about all-local music radio shows and sites like http://mplsmusic.com at least considering INCLUDING LOCAL EVENTS even if the music is not from artists that are/were from Minnesota. Because for whatever reason, a lot of the best music I and a lot of other folks enjoy, tour here, but aren't from here. But because they at least PLAY LIVE HERE, and in some cases QUITE OFTEN (Fair to Midland for example), they should be regarded as PART OF THE MUSIC EVENTS/SCENE HERE. At least in my mind, and I suspect in the Twin Cities Metal Blog owner's mind.

That's not saying there is not a lot of good local music in Minnesota, including Metal, such as bands like After the Burial, Deretla, Iron Thrones (RIP), The Royal Veil, Maeth, and others. But when referring to the music people are into here, including Metal, it's silly not to also include the live shows/tours and radio shows like The Root of All Evil (and Locust Lecture on Radio K, although that may not be around anymore sadly).

Anyway, it's cool to have met and made a contact with someone else in town blogging about music, and not catering what he includes to be about what's popular or hip, even in Metal circles. That Drummer Guy I'm sure knows him and it would be fun to see them both at some event and talk. Perhaps even on an Epic Rock Talk. Unfortunately, TDG has been battling some medical issues the last couple of months, and his activity and stuff like his radio show and the little podcast we have tried to do, have to likely be put on hold until things come around on his front (and mine in terms of free time I suppose).

But hopefully I'll run into the TC Metal Blog writer at another show or 2, even though my focus doesn't include that much Metal comparably to his or That Drummer Guy. But still enough where I might still see him, or even just be in contact online. I dunno, for even suggested music. I wonder if he's a fan of East of the Wall and heard their new album for example (I will admit, I still have not).

Fair to Midland News (NOT EXACTLY OFFICIAL)

I came across this yesterday per the dredg fans forum topic about Fair to Midland. And I am friends with Brett on FB, but I must have missed this post a little while ago. But it was just fwd-ed along to a private Fans group on FB for FtM.

The financial issues, while it saddens me to see, I am not entirely surprised by unfortunately. I posted on the group hopefully the band will weather this storm of issues and at least continue to make music in the near future. They could take nods from some other artists of late, rather than breaking up, use things like Bandcamp and the Fan-Funding sites like Indiegogo or Pledgemusic to help still make music, or even tour (see Mercies for example).

The touring is a big deal, as Fair to Midland has come to be known maybe 1st and foremost as a live band, having seen them 11 times I believe in a 5-year period myself.

But their website is down and the fans forum apparently as well. That alone is sad to see, but hopefully the band's future work, still will come sooner rather than later.

From Brett's Facebook Page

"Lately, a lot of people have been asking me if I know anything about the current situation with Fair To Midland. I'm by no means an official source of info, but i'll tell you what I know because I feel like the fans deserve to know what's up.

First off, even before I was no longer in the band, FTM was in quite a bit of debt. This, I'm certain, only got worse as time went on. Second, as far as I know, FTM currently have no label or official management. Third, without getting too much into anyone's personal life, I can say at least a couple members have expressed to me their frustration about lack of communication by certain other members of the band. Finally, the current members of FTM are spread out all over the country at this point. I would imagine that would make getting together for rehearsals/writing prohibitively expensive. (Plane rides, gas, accommodations, etc... you get the picture. Hell, it was hard enough when we were all in the relatively small area of Dallas/Commerce/Sulphur Springs.)

Read into the fact that nobody bothered to renew the band's domain name what you will. (which actually kind of upsets me. there was a lot of FTM history on those forums)

With all that said, like most of you, I sincerely hope that the guys are able to turn things around. Even though I was a member for 10+ years, I was a fan first. I'll be cheering alongside you if a new tour/album/whatever is announced, but i'm not holding my breath."

Coheed + Between TBAM + Russian Circles Winter 2013 Tour

1 link

Dates:
Feb 04 2013 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Feb 05 2013 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Feb 07 2013 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
Feb 08 2013 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
Feb 09 2013 – Chicago, IL – Congress Theatre
Feb 10 2013 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Feb 12 2013 – Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
Feb 14 2013 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
Feb 15 2013 – Salt Lake City, UT – SaltAir
Feb 17 2013 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Feb 18 2013 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
Feb 19 2013 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Feb 21 2013 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theater
Feb 22 2013 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Feb 25 2013 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Feb 26 2013 – The Marquee – Tempe, AZ
Feb 27 2013 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theatre
Mar 01 2013 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s
Mar 02 2013 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
Mar 03 2013 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
Mar 05 2013 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
Mar 06 2013 – Saint Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
Mar 07 2013 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues
Mar 08 2013 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore
Mar 10 2013 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
Mar 11 2013 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
Mar 14 2013 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
Mar 16 2013 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall*
(NYC going on sale the following week)

This isn't exactly the newest of news, as I recall seeing this at least a few days ago in an email from the Coheed email list. What I wasn't aware of, was it coming to Minneapolis. And 1st Ave, lol. Now Coheed has played there a few times I recall, but Between the Buried and Me?

Hey local Minnesota Music Media and Hipsters:
Your favorite venue is going to have a genuine, self-indulgent/wanky PROG METAL band play in the MAIN ROOM. Yeah, Opeth have been at First Ave, The Mars Volta as well, and The Dear Hunter played there once as an opener. But overall, as far as Prog and ProgMetal, and not really Pitchfork-approved, this is finally something.

Maybe since Dream Theater was there in 1997 or King's X in 2002?. Porcupine Tree never played there, nor did Fair to Midland. dredg? nope. It's a long list of bands who arguably were big enough, but that place refused to book.

I suppose it would mean a lot more if BTBAM were actually headlining there. But so be it.
Some predictions to make, right now, on November 8th, 2012:

-Citypages WILL NOT include this show in their "Sunday the 10th Live Music" feature.They may not even list in their music calendar as they have failed to do so multiple times with recent shows (Gotye and Mayer Hawthorne to name 2).
-It will get no mention (nor music from Coheed and BTBAM on the air of course) on 89.3, nor Radio K (although Radio K does play Russian Circles, but Coheed and BTBAM? maybe like 10 years ago, lol).
-Vita.mn will be the only publication that will include a story/write up about it.
-Chris Riemenschneider and Jon Bream might mention it, but not favorably
-If there is a sizable crowd, some of the local stores will finally start carrying BTBAM Vinyl.

Now, the truth for me is, while I wave the flag and fight for these bands, and Coheed and BTBAM new albums I like some of, it's not like I've rekindled my love for their latest music as much as I would have liked.

But I have still not seen Coheed live, and it's been awhile (Progressive Nation 2008) since I've seen BTBAM.

Russian Circles? meh..I suppose they are better live, but they have just mellowed too much (or sounded a bit too much like Explosions in the Sky) since Enter. But I did see them, and recall enjoying that show.

And the show in looking at the Calendar, is on a Sunday night, which barring some kind of blizzard, is in my favor as I loathe trying to go downtown Minneapolis on a weekend evening. I may have to ask for the next day or morning off though.

edit:

lol @First Ave about Between the Buried and Me
 http://first-avenue.com/performer/between-buried-me
 (or the blurb they passed along from some guy who writes for Alternative Press).

Between the Buried and Me have not made a name for themselves through playing it safe. Pushing the envelope of heavy music with each successive release, they have continually evolved in thrilling new directions while maintaining the honesty and integrity that has connected with so many listeners. With The Parallax II: Future Sequence, the first concept album of their career, the North Carolina based unit have delivered their most complex, ambitious, and accomplished work to date. "We're certainly not the average metal band - we write what we want to write, and we've never really tried to fit in anywhere," states guitarist Paul Waggoner. "With this record we held nothing back. We were excited to experiment and see where it took us, and working with a concept was a really interesting new challenge."

apparently the writer doesn't consider Colors (nor The Great Misdirect, or even Alaska) a concept album, lol. ewwwkay.

Fair to Midland - Live at Andy's Bar [DVD/CD] (2012)

1. Amarillo Sleeps on my Pillow 

2. Well, Well, Well (Cover) 

3. A Loophole in Limbo 

4. John Wayne Gacy, Jr. (Cover) 

5. Dance of the Manatee 

6. The Wife, and the Kids, and the White Picket Fence 

7. Hope There's Someone (Cover) 

8. Musical Chairs 

9. Golden Parachutes

Live @ Andy's Bar. Acoustic album recorded March 31st, 2012. This DVD/Audio Recording will include the Violitionist sessions and many other behind the scenes features.

http://www.fairtomidland.com/merch/

Damn, I'm curious about some of these covers, namely "John Wayne Gacy Jr" which I suspect is a cover of the Sufjan Stevens tune.

Fair to Midland live DVD/Tour dates

This was just sent in the newsletter. I'll probably pre-order the DVD. The Arrows & Anchors double vinyl? sadly, no. But I would understand why others will.

Their tour isn't coming here, but after 11 shows in 5 years, I'll probably be okay. Cool they are going down under and supporting Dead Letter Circus as DLC did for them last December.





We couldn't be more thrilled to announce another round of tour dates including an East Coast US run and our very first Australian tour. On top of that we are about done editing video and mixing audio for our live concert DVD Live From The Machine Shop. Below you will find a new trailer and a link to our special pre-sale packages. Make sure to pick up yours now. That's not all... we are also making double vinyl for Arrows & Anchors! Order yours now as we are just making a few hundred copies total.

HEADLINE TOUR DATE AND FESTIVAL
Friday, March 2 @ Jake's Sports Cafe in Lubbock, TX - ALL AGES 
Saturday, March 3 @ The Cotton Gin (Texas Independence Festival) in Maxwell, TX 
US EAST COAST HEADLINE TOUR w/ Dead Letter Circus and Lionize
CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL VIP PRE-ORDER NOW. Regular pre-orders will start on Monday, Feb 27.
April 5 @ The Parish at House of Blues in New Orleans, LA 
April 6 @ TBA 
April 7 @ TBA 
April 9 @ The Pit in Jacksonville, FL 
April 10 @ Masquerade in Atlanta, GA 
April 11 @ Ground Zero in Spartanburg, SC 
April 12 @ Local 506 in Chapel Hill, NC 
April 14 @ Empire in Springfield, VA 
April 15 @ The Note in West Chester, PA 
April 16 @ The Studio at Webster Hall in New York City, NY 
April 17 @ Middle East Downstairs in Boston, MA 
April 18 @ Les Foufounes Electriques in Montreal, QC 
April 19 @ Wreck Room in Toronto, ON 
April 21 @ Club Diesel in Pittsburgh, PA 
April 22 @ Agora Theatre in Cleveland, OH 
April 24 @ The Golden Gnome in South Bend, IN 
April 25 @ The Vernon Club in Louisville, KY 
April 26 @ Newby's in Memphis, TN 
April 27 @ Clicks Live in Tyler, TX 
April 28 @ Schotzi's in College Station, TX 


SLEEPWALKER AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES SUPPORTING DEAD LETTER CIRCUS
Tickets on sale 27/02/12 - Also performing will be Twelve Foot Ninja
Thursday 10th May 2012 @ Prince of Wales (41 Stephen Street, Bunbury, WA) 
Friday 11th May 2012 @ Metropolis (58 South Terrace, Fremantle, WA) 
Saturday 12th May 2012 @ The Capitol (393 Murray Street, Perth, WA) 
Wednesday 16th May 2012 @ CSU (Charles Sturt University - Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2012)Tickets: CSU student sales only. 
Thursday 17th May 2012 @ Ferntree Gully Hotel (1130 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully, VIC) 
Friday 18th May 2012 @ The HIFI (125 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC) 
Saturday 19th May 2012 @ The Gov (59 Port Road, Adelaide, SA) 
Wednesday 23rd May 2012 @ The Patch (Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow (Wollongong), NSW) 
Thursday 24th May 2012 @ Zierholz @ UC (Building 1, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617) 
Friday 25th May 2012 @ The HIFI (Building 220, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park, Sydney, NSW) 
Saturday 26th May 2012 @ The Entrance Leagues Club (3 Bay Village Rd, The Entrance, NSW) 
Sunday 27th May 2012 @ The Cambridge (789 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW) 
Wednesday 30th May 2012 @ The Hoey Moey (90 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour, NSW) 
Thursday 31st May 2012 @ Hotel Great Northern (35-43 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, NSW) 
Friday 1st June 2012 @ The Spotted Cow (296 Ruthven Street , Toowoomba, QLD) 
Saturday 2nd June 2012 @ The HIFI (125 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane, QLD) 
Thursday 7th June 2012 @ Brothers Leagues Club (99/105 Anderson Street, Manunda, Cairns, QLD) 
Friday 8th June 2012 @ The Venue (719 Flinders Street , Townsville, QLD) 
Saturday 9th June 2012 @ Magnums (366 Shute Harbour Road, Airlee Beach, QLD) 
Sunday 10th June 2012 @ Kings Beach Tavern (43 Burgess Street , Caloundra, QLD)

LIVE DVD PRE-SALE AND ARROWS & ANCHORS VINYL
Pre-Sales are available now for our DVD we shot in Flint, MI at the Machine Shop on the 17th of December. It looks amazing!!! You can grab your own copy on Facebook or the website so go check it out. We also made a limited press of 250 Arrows & Anchors albums on Double-Vinyl so check that out too. 

Fair to Midland: Ryan Collier (ex-Opus Dai) to fill-in for December dates

facebook post

12/01 Mesa, AZ – The Underground
12/03 Bakersfield, CA – B Ryders
12/04 Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades
12/06 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
12/07 Seattle, WA – Studio Seven
12/09 Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue
12/10 Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
12/12 Cedar Falls, IA – The Wheelhouse
12/13 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
12/15 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
12/16 Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
12/17 Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
12/19 Akron, OH – Musica
12/21 St. Louis, MO – Firebird

good to see they have someone to fill-in. I am a fan of Opus Dai, and in fact have been wondering what their status is, since they have posted stuff off and on since their last EP in 2008?

But when Ryan was with them? he may have been with them the show I saw in Minneapolis I want to say the fall of 2006? But I guess he never recorded with them.

He will be on the DVD that Fair to Midland are filming in Flint, MI. I'd love to go, but too many other things to pay-for and do, etc.

I wonder if he may join them full-time, perhaps this tour will be a bit of test? reminds me a little of when Kevin Moore left Dream Theater and Derek Sherinian came on board. Although who knows if Ryan is looking to join the band anyway.

I did read Fair to Midland received around 150 applications last week, lol. Good to know there's interest.

Fair to Midland News: Bassist Jon Dicken leaves and..

from the band's blog on wordpress

After 7 amazing years of playing with Fair To Midland, our bassist Jon Dicken has decided it was time for him to move on. We appreciate his hard work and dedication to the band, we love him, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors. Moving forward, we are excited to continue touring and making music.

Unfortunately, however, this has resulted in the cancellation of our European/UK dates in November. We want to send our sincerest apologies to our European friends and fans from across the pond. We will be regrouping in the following weeks and in the meantime we thank you all for your patience and understanding.



Like Johan Hallgren of Pain of Salvation, writing about someone leaving a band I have great interest and personal experience with, probably is not justified in a short amount of time doing so. But I guess the most I can add about this is this is sad in many ways, but not incredibly surprising. I'll admit, though, among the band, Jon was the one I had the least amount of experience hanging out with. Although I did get to talk to him on occasion, just my memory is spotty from those (compared to some of the conversations I've had with Cliff or Darroh for example).

But he was the newest member of the band, yet still 7 years, and 3 releases and all those concerts (10 of which I attended) is still a lot of history. He will definitely be missed, but hopefully his future projects, music or otherwise, will be successful. I read something on the FTM Fans forum about him mentioning in an interview with Cliff, that he had a project in the works with one of the members (or former members?) of the band Timeline. Who are not a band I've listened to, but do recall their name mentioned on the FTM fans forum a few years ago.

I may be confusing Timeline with another band, but I recall a prog metal band of that or a similar name. The project that he may end up making with said musician, who knows what it'll be like. But it should be something to keep in mind in the coming months/years at least.

As far as Fair to Midland, they announced on facebook their upcoming European Tour in November is canceled due to Jon's departure. Which really sucks for the folks in Europe, but hopefully the band will find a way back there soon, perhaps in 2012 at least.

Fair to Midland's scheduled American Tour with Australia's hardrock/collge-prog/Tool-influenced band Dead Letter Circus is still scheduled to happen in December. Although I imagine finding someone to play bass for that tour is a top priority for the band at this time. Maybe they have someone already in mind, but have not been able to announce it yet. Someone on the fans forum suggested their original bassist Nathin Seals could come back. I would expect sometime in the coming weeks an announcement will be made though.

And I guess Jon told them he was leaving a few months ago, at least, as one post on the Fans Forum mentions it back in August.

But the band also have a plan to record a live DVD at the Flint, MI show on December 17th as Cliff alludes to in this video.



however, that video came before Jon announced he was leaving, and of course it sounds like what they wanted for that show in terms of contributions, live footage and whatnot is already past?

I guess that should be something the band will also announce relatively soon. Along with Cliff mentioning the interest to re-release both inter.funda.stifle and the long out-of-print and desired-by-hardcore-fans The Carbon Copy Silver Lining.

Now, I wonder if the format of those would be VINYL. I know I will buy them one way or another, assuming the prices aren't outrageously expensive.

Some other items mentioned on the Fans forum that could come soon:

-an EP of B-sides, likely from the demo-ing/recording of Arrows & Anchors
-A Vinyl release of Arrows & Anchors

Although a b-sides thing was talked about likely coming after Fables and it didn't happen. Although that may have had a lot to do with their label situation. But I know some of it was feelings about said b-sides within the band. But hopefully history won't repeat with the potential of a b-sides.

However, personally, I can't avoid concern with probably most if not all the content recorded recently due to the compression mix of the cymbals on most of A&A, including the Itunes bonus track "Pour the Coal to 'er."

A revisiting should be required on my part with the new record, but I guess given I've been through this before with other albums/bands, I am content, even with a band like Fair to Midland who I've been addicted/attached to for a good chunk of time. Not every record by every band you love will be re-listenable, at least for awhile. Rush's Vapor Trails for example.

But I certainly will post something and will want to check out any b-sides or other unreleased music from these guys, clipping-cymbals included.

I guess certainly the show at the Varsity Theater on December 13th will be even more significant with all this news coming out about the band. It will be weird to see them without Jon on stage, but the same can be said about a lot of bands with lineup changes.

Fair to Midland/Dead Letter Circus December 2011 Tour

"Tour Dates are now available for our December US tour with Fair To Midland (official page). Tickets go on sale tomorrow!"
Dead Letter Circus Events List on Facebook

Dec 01 The Underground Mesa, AZ
Dec 03 B Ryders Bakersfield, CA
Dec 04 Ace of Spades Sacramento, CA
Dec 06 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR
Dec 07 Studio Seven Seattle, WA
Dec 09 In the Venue Salt Lake City, UT
Dec 10 Marquis Theatre Denver, CO
Dec 12 The Wheelhouse Cedar Falls, IA
Dec 13 Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
Dec 15 Subterranean Chicago, IL
Dec 16 The Rave Milwaukee, WI
Dec 17 The Machine Shop Flint, MI
Dec 19 Musica Akron, OH
Dec 21 Firebird St Louis, MO

I'm finally going to get to see DLC, and FTM are finally returning to the Varsity Theater after 7 straight shows not there. Why they're not at First Crapenue still baffles me, but whatevah.

Fair to Midland - Arrows and Anchors (2011) (1.0)

7/11/11 12:30AM

here's the shitty web stream

I suppose for those who don't read the board religiously (who may only find this blog, which as I've said before, is rather scary and frightening to me, but 80-90% of those finding this blog I suspect are only looking for a leak/link which they won't find of course), it's worth passing along.

I could have a lot to say about this, good and/or bad. But as I posted on twitter, my fears and now just acceptance of the production issues with it sound true from it. No matter, I shall be purchasing a copy at Cheapo on Tuesday (along with the new Yes album, and cost-free thankfully, thanks to the gf's bday gift).

no matter how good or bad it is, i am excited about my 10th time seeing them in concert in Minnesota on Saturday July 16th. Despite the sauna at Station 4 and not spending the evening with my best friend on his bday (we'll be hanging during the day at least).

5/31/11 8:14PM

Samples of every song including the Bonus track "Pour the coal to Er"

Or someone needed to webrip them and throw them up on Youtube of course.


I'm gonna be brutally honest here. And this is a BROKEN RECORD of course since I've been suffering/saying/noticing etc yadayadayada this since 2008. Here's what I posted on the Fans forum a bit ago.

CLIPPING FROM COMPRESSED SPLASH AND CRASH CYMBALS.

So many modern rock and metal albums have to varying degrees, this problem, that can stand out like nails on a chalkboard for me.

I sincerely hope (pray) the frequent cymbals clipping evidence on many of these is purely a result of the Compression from the mp3's. I.e. the final LOSSLESS versions, the tambourine-toned cymbals will be scarcely heard if at all.

I REALLY hope this album doesn't turn out like Karnivool's SOUND AWAKE.

But the jury is still out, as compressed samples from Amazon could quite possibly have something to do with that. However, the clipping is darn clear on the mp3 download of Amaraillo, so I'm not sure how much these clips on Amazon actually could have to do with it, which worries me :x :cry:

So, my prediction now, is the production at least on a percentage of this record, will hurt if not entirely ruin a number of these songs for me. O well, glad I'm aware of that now instead of when I 1st, 2nd, 3rd time hearing it.

But to say its Album of the Year chances has dropped a lot would be an understatement. So be it, I can't do anything about it now. I'm sure there will be a lot of music on it I'll love regardless. There was on Sound Awake as well, it still didn't avoid the Turkey Blog territory in 2009 though. I guess the jury will be deciding more of this stuff soon as the drop date is not much more than a month away. I'm skeptical many if anyone else will share the same issue with the cymbals as I do, like many didn't/haven't with Sound Awake of course.


5/19/11 11:37AM


My latest twitter post:
new @Fairtomidland song "amarillo sleeps on my pillow" downloadable http://ftmband.com/

4/28/11 1:50AM

this is apparently the official track list for 1 version that is being sold in Europe. Which has now been modified to a July 11th release date.



1 Heavens to Murgatroyd 0:44
2 Whiskey and Ritalin 3:37
3 Musical Chairs 3:32
4 Uh-Oh 4:16
5 Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow 4:42
6 A Loophole in Limbo 3:39
7 Typhoid Mary Sends Her Best 0:56
8 Short Haired Tornado 4:19
9 The Upset at Bailey Bridge 0:52
10 Rikki Tikki Tavi 3:25
11 Golden Parachutes 3:44
12 Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools 3:57
13 Coppertank Island 3:10
14 Three Foolproof Ways to Buy the Farm 2:47
15 The Greener Grass 10:57
16 Pour the Coal to 'er [bonus track] 3:32


Pour the Coal to 'Er = MIA. But a few comments on the fans forum suggest that track may still be included on one of the versions (or at least a b-side).

edit: Pour the Coal to 'Er: Bonus Track
4/25/11 12:41AM

The Street Date has apparently been pushed back to July 12th.

post on their site

although this link lists a street of June 20th. But maybe that's for Europe?

edit:
July 12th = US.
June 20th (my bday, lol) = Europe



a listed track list from some DJ who received a promo THIS IS NOT FINAL.

1. Whiskey and Ritalin
2. Musical Chairs
3. Uh-Oh
4. Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow
5. A Loophole in Limbo
6. Short-Haired Tornado
7. Rikki Tikki Tavi
8. Golden Parachutes
9. Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools
10. Coppertank Island
11. The Greener Grass 10:58
12. Pour the Coal to 'Er


but a comment with that on their fans forum suggested "Pour the Coal to 'Er" is not going to make it based on how the Musical Chairs single mp3 is tagged with a "Track 3."

4/4/11 5:08PM
Musical Chairs: nice added guitar solo, but not so nice tambourine-toned cymbals in spots. I'm hoping it's due to compression of the stream and now how the finished product will sound.

no embed at this point.

Musical Chairs by Fair to Midland @ ARTISTdirect.com

3/8/11



article

Top 15 Unofficial Rumored FTM Album Titles

1. “Courtiers and Cutthroats”
2. “Azullorojo Dream”
3. “My Mother Took Two”
4. “I Have Reason to Believe She’s Make Believe”
5. “I Like That Panda!”
6. “I Have Disabled The Robot Professor And This is My Victory Dance”
7. “The Epic Odyssey Of A Tapdancer With A Grudge”
8. “Rumors and Whispers: The Title of Mystery”
9. “The Title That Can’t Decide Itself”
10. “Wheels in Place of Horses”
11. “Man Made Moon Lander”
12. “How To Destroy a Band”
13. “A Thousand Sons”
14. “Weights and Projectiles”
15. “Powerfist”

there's supposedly some video that confirms the release date of June 7th (same day as the The Dear Hunter The Color Spectrum EPs and Battles album Gloss Drop).

I'd love to find a link to said video, and when I finally do, I'll have to add it here. But this was announced last Friday I guess. I saw their post about the album titles that didn't make it, but it took me going to their fans forum to finally see it posted/confirmed officially, lol. Can you say CRYPTIC?

Well, regardless, the title is nice to be shorter. That article/interview with Darroh has me curious how different some of these songs will sound, even from the live versions. "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow" in particular, they stress about.

But as far as the songs on it, 11 of these titles below, in all likelihood will be on it. here are are the bolded tunes in a playlist (assuming it's still up)

"Pour the Coal to 'Er"
"Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools"
"A Loophole in Limbo"
"Musical Chairs"
"Rikki Tikki Tavi"
"Uh-Oh"
"Coppertank Island"
"Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow"
"Bravo Sierra"
"The Greener Grass"
"The Dead Sea"
"Golden Parachutes"
"Whiskey"