REACT TO: That Drummer Guy's Top 350 Albums

So at https://www.thatdrummerguy.com/, That Drummer Guy did what is an updated version of his favorite albums of all-time. I say that in that he has posted at least once or more an all-time list. At least on Mike Portnoy's forum many years back.

And his list has changed since then, I think as much as the albums he chose, than bands. Although I think the list he made on mp.com may have only been 100 rather than this list below of 350.

But he used the same rules I think: 1 album per artist, no live albums or compilations, or ep's.

Now mind you, Josh's taste is incredibly deep with Hard Rock and especially Metal. And with those, it often seems a plethora of styles of Metal largely from the last 20-25 years.

I.e. Metal of the 21st Century.

But to summarize this massive list of Josh's, saying it's all Metal isn't true. There's a lot of Prog and Prog Metal in there, especially recent Prog.

Some names like Mew, Kaddisfly, Oceansize and Bend Sinister I don't know if I would have expected to be included (whereas some others not included such as Angra, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Transatlantic, Liquid Tension Experiment, The Gathering, Vektor, Black Sabbath, Avenged Sevenfold, Necrophagist, Orphaned Land, Unexpect, Savatage).

I imagine it was not easy reducing a list of artists down, inevitably, even with 350 artists, there will be many not included.

But also interesting how Josh picked stuff like Ocean Machine, We're Here Because We're Here, Kezia, and Gretchen Goes to Nebraska; all of which I would pick as MY favorites actually. Whereas in the list he chose in the past, he had others. Terria I recall was his favorite album of all-time for many years, from Devin Townsend who I believe still is his favorite artist of all-time.

But stuff like Machine Fish from Galactic Cowboys, and Autotheism from The Faceless are not typical favorites from fans, but I know Josh often will prefer many less common favorites. To that I can relate to him (Relayer being my favorite Yes album for example).

Seeing and thinking about his list, it might be another fun project, exercise to list 1 favorite album from 350 or 500 artists. I guess I kind of tried to do that with some of my React-To lists from 89.3's 893 Countdowns, but this would be more in-depth and might be a little easier given only 1 is allowed.

Ranking? Josh did it here, but I just can't see myself being able to. An Alphabetical Order makes more sense for me.

350-326
350.) My Chemical Romance- Welcome To The Black Parade (2006)
349.) Metallica- Ride The Lightning (1984)
348.) Rishloo- Eidolon (2007)
347.) Mew- No More Stories... (2009)
346.) Sons of Aeon- Sons of Aeon (2013)
345.) Vital Remains- Dechristianize (2003)
344.) Peeping Tom- Peeping Tom (2006)
343.) Burning Inside- Apparation (2001)
342.) Wilton and Akerstache- Storm Corrosion
341.) Dave Brockie Experience- Diarrhea of a Madman
340.) Widowmaker- Blood And Bullets (1992)
339.) Karnivool- Sound Awake (2009)
338.) Vertigo Steps- Surface/Light (2012)
337.) 1349- Demonoir (2010)
336.) Shai Hulud- Misanthropy Pure (2008)
335.) Burst- Lazarus Bird (2008)
334.) Pelican- City of Echoes (2007)
333.) Twelve Foot Ninja- Silent Machine (2012)
332.) Acid Bath- When The Kite String Pops (1994)
331.) Thrice- The Artist In The Ambulance (2003)
330.) Mr. Bungle- Mr. Bungle (1991)
329.) Levi/Werstler- Avalanche of Worms (2010)
328.) Kaddisfly- Set Sail to Prairie (2006)
327.) Portal- Vexovoid
326.) Goo Goo Dolls- Dizzy Up The Girl

325-301
325.) Exhorder- Slaughter in The Vatican (1990)
324.) Solstafir- Köld (2009)
323.) Egypt Central- Egypt Central (2008)
322.) The Exies- A Modern Way Of Living The Truth (2007)
321.) Cephalic Carnage- Anomalies (2005)
320.) Fear My Thoughts- The Great Collapse (2004)
319.) Izah- Sistre (2015)
318.) Judgement Day- Peacocks/Pink Monsters
317.) The 11th Hour- Burden of Grief (2009)
316.) The Kris Norris Projekt- Icons of the Illogical (2009)
315.) Primal Rock Rebellion- Awoken Broken
314.) Wolves In The Throne Room- Celestial Lineage (2011)
313.) OSI- Free (2006)
312.) Gridlink- Longhena (2014)
311.) Goes Cube- Another Day Has Passed (2009)
310.) Hella- Hold Your Horse Is (2002)
309.) Red Fang- Whales and Leeches (2013)
308.) Miss May I- At Heart (2012)
307.) Spiral Architect- A Sceptic's Universe (2000)
306.) Hate Eternal- Upon Desolate Sands (2018)
305.) Earshot- Two (2004)
304.) From Autumn To Ashes- Abandon Your Friends (2005)
303.) Mercenary- The Hours That Remain (2006)
302.) D.R.I.- Danger Zone (1989)
301.) Mercyful Fate- Melissa (1983)

300-276
300.) The Man Eating Tree- In The Absence of Light (2015)
299.) Badlands- Badlands (1989)
298.) Slayer- God Hates Us All (2001)
297.) Queens of the Stone Age- Songs For The Deaf (2002)
296.) The Human Abstract- Nocturne (2006)
295.) Ghost Bath- Starmourner (2017)
294.) Cryptopsy- Once Was Not (2005)
293.) Gorefest- Rise To Ruin (2007)
292.) A.F.I.- Sing The Sorrow (2003)
291.) TesseracT- One (2011)
290.) Winterfylleth- The Dark Hereafter (2016)
289.) Mnemic- The Audio Injected Soul (2004)
288.) King Parrot- Bite Your Head Off (2012)
287.) Dekadent- Veritas (2015)
286.) Type O Negative- Life Is Killing Me
285.) Subterranean Masquerade- The Great Bazaar (2015)
284.) Mutemath- Mutemath (2006)
283.) Megadeth- Rust In Peace (1990)
282.) Spock's Beard- Snow (2002)
281.) Warbringer- Woe To The Vanquished (2017)
280.) Star One- Victims Of The Modern Age (2010)
279.) Rosk- Miasma (2017)
278.) The Mars Volta- Deloused In The Comatorium (2003)
277.) Dynazty- Titanic Mass (2016)
276.) Vallenfyre- Splinters

275-251
275.) Soulfly- Prophecy (2004)
274.) Against The Wall- The Truth (2009)
273.) Horrendous- The Chills (2012)
272.) Arctic Sleep- Arbors (2012)
271.) Pig Destroyer- Phantom Limb (2007)
270.) Vaura- Selenelion (2012)
269.) Nailed To Obscurity- Black Frost (2019)
268.) Alter Bridge- AB III (2010)
267.) Saor- Roots (2015)
266.) Bison- Dark Ages (2010)
265.) Minus The Bear- OMNI (2010)
264.) Suicidal Tendencies- Lights...Camera...Revolution (1990)
263.) Oceansize- Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up (2010)
262.) From A Second Story Window- Conversations (2008)
261.) Probot- Probot (2004)
260.) Kyuss- Blues For The Red Sun (1992)
259.) Grave Digger- Healed By Metal (2017)
258.) Sonata Arctica- Reckoning Night (2004)
257.) Falloch- Where Distant Spirits Remain (2011)
256.) 96 Bitter Beings- Camp Pain (2018)
255.) Bad Religion- New Maps Of Hell (2007)
254.) Meshuggah- Destroy, Erase, Improve (1995)
253.) The Haunted- rEVOLVEr (2004)
252.) GWAR- Lust In Space (2009)
251.) Harakiri For The Sky- III: Trauma (2016)

250-226
250.) Insect Warfare- At War With Grindcore (2005)
249.) Polkadot Cadaver- Purgatory Dance Party (2007)
248.) Sabaton- Primo Victoria (2005)
247.) We Sell The Dead- Heaven Doesn't Want You And Hell Is Full (2018)
246.) The Dear Hunter- The Color Spectrum (2011)
245.) Wearing Scars- A Thousand Words (2015)
244.) The Sword- Warp Riders (2010)
243.) Wintersun- Wintersun (2004)
242.) Trivium- Ascendancy (2005)
241.) Overkill- Ironbound (2010)
240.) Hurt- Vol. 1 (2006)
239.) Zimmer's Hole- While You Were Shouting At The Devil... (2008)
238.) Machine Head- Burn My Eyes (1994)
237.) Cold- Year Of The Spider (2003)
236.) Abigail Williams- Becoming (2012)
235.) Destrage- Are You Kidding Me? No. (2014)
234.) Power Trip- Nightmare Logic (2017)
233.) Corrosion of Conformity- No Cross, No Crown (2018)
232.) Tribulation-  Down Below (2018)
231.) Johnny B. Morbid- Fall of The Cicada (2015)
230.) Hail of Bullets- III: The Rommel Chronicles (2013)
229.) Kayo Dot- Hubardo
228.) Celtic Frost- Monotheist (2006)
227.) Exhumed- Gore Metal (1998)
226.) Queensryche- Operation: Mindcrime

225-201
225.) Obsidian Kingdom- A Year With No Summer (2016)
224.) My Dying Bride- Feel The Misery (2015)
223.) Horse The Band- A Natural Death (2007)
222.) Threat Signal- Under Reprisal (2005)
221.) Shadows Fall- The Art Of Balance (2002)
220.) Akercocke- Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone (2006)
219.) Weezer- The Blue Album (1994)
218.) Lamb Of God- As The Palaces Burn (2003)
217.) Terror Syndrome- Terror Syndrome (2008)
216.) Mono- Hymn To The Immortal WInd (2009)
215.) Sevendust- Seasons (2003)
214.) Iron Thrones- The Wretched Sun (2010)
213.) World Under Blood- Tactical (2011)
212.) The Ocean- Pelagial (2013)
211.) Muse- Absolution (2003)
210.) Sentenced- The Funeral Album (2005)
209.) Napalm Death- Utilitarian (2012)
208.) Obituary- Obituary (2017)
207.) Bolt Thrower- For Victory (1994)
206.) Sonic Syndicate- Confessions (2016)
205.) Selpultura- Chaos A.D. (1993)
204.) Yob- Our Raw Heart (2018)
203.) Armored Saint- Symbol Of Salvation (1991)
202.) Intronaut- The Direction of Last Things (2015)
201.) Falconer- Black Moon Rising

200-176
200.) 30 Seconds to Mars- A Beautiful Lie (2005)
199.) Moron Police- Defenders of The Small Yard (2014)
198.) Pyramaze- Immortal (2008)
197.) Suspiria- Attitude (2009)
196.) Pantera- The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)
195.) Kalmah- Seventh Swamphany (2013)
194.) Dying Fetus- Wrong One To Fuck With (2017)
193.) Ramallah- Kill A Celebrity (2005)
192.) Iron Maiden- Dance Of Death (2003)
191.) Hypocrisy- The Arrival (2004)
190.) Eluveitie- Spirit (2006)
189.) Junius- The Martyrdom Of A Catastophist (2009)
188.) Protest The Hero- Kezia (2005)
187.) Cattle Decapitation- The Anthropocene Extinction (2015)
186.) ICS Vortex- Storm Seeker (2011)
185.) Candiria- While They Were Sleeping (2016)
184.) maudlin of the Well- Leaving Your Body Map
183.) Converge- Jane Doe (2001)
182.) Exodus- Tempo Of The Damned (2004)
181.) Judas Priest- Angel of Retribution (2005)
180.) Last Chance To Reason- Level 2 (2011)
179.) Destroyer 666- Wildfire (2016)
178.) The Black Dahlia Murder- Everblack (2013)
177.) In Vain- Ænigma (2013)
176.) Bend Sinister- Animals (2014)

175-151
175.) This Will Not End Well- GOFUCKYOURSELF (2009)
174.) Hope Drone- Cloak Of Ash (2015)
173.) Goatwhore- Constricting Age Of The Merciless (2014)
172.) So Hideous- Laurestine (2015)
171.) Aborted- Terrorvision (2018)
170.) Cage- Hell Destroyer (2007)
169.) Behemoth- The Satanist (2014)
168.) Leprous- Bilateral (2011)
167.) Fallujah- The Flesh Prevails (2014)
166.) Kataklysm- Serenity In Fire (2004)
165.) Municipal Waste- The Art Of Partying (2007)
164.) Into Eternity- The Scattering Of Ashes (2006)
163.) Tokyo Motor Fist- Tokyo Motor Fist (2017)
162.) The Mantle- The Mantle (2017)
161.) Unearth- The Oncoming Storm (2004)
160.) Insomnium- Across The Dark (2009)
159.) Pagan's Mind- Heavenly Ecstasy (2011)
158.) Circus Maximus- Nine (2012)
157.) Frank Zappa- Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
156.) The Mute Gods- Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth (2017)
155.) S.O.D.- Speak English Or Die (1985)
154.) Inter Arma- The Cavern (2014)
153.) Alice In Chains- Dirt (1992)
152.) Helmet- Meantime (1992)
151.) Gojira- Magma (2016)

150-126
150.) Evans Blue- This Pursuit Begins When This Portrayal Of Life Ends (2007)
149.) Wolfheart- Constellation Of The Black Light (2018)
148.) In Mourning- The Weight Of Oceans (2012)
147.) Cauldron- In Ruin (2016)
146.) Periphery- PII: This Time It's Personal (2012)
145.) Prong- Ruining Lives (2014)
144.) Arcturus- Arcturian (2015)
143.) Sybreed- Slave Design (2004)
142.) At The Gates- Slaughter Of The Soul (1995)
141.) God Forbid- Gone Forever (2004)
140.) Bloody Hammers- The Summoning (2019)
139.) Freak Kitchen- Organic (2005)
138.) Anaal Nathrakh- The Whole Of The Law (2016)
137.) 3- The End Is Begun (2007)
136.) Orange Sky- Dat Iz Voodoo (2008)
135.) Kamelot- Karma (2001)
134.) Journal- Chrysalis Ordalias (2018)
133.) Obscura- Akroasis (2016)
132.) Anthrax- We've Come For You All (2003)
131.) King Crimson- In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969)
130.) Oceans Of Slumber- The Banished Heart (2018)
129.) Fear Factory- Archetype (2004)
128.) Carcass- Heartwork (1994)
127.) Pain- Coming Home (2016)
126.) Distorted Harmony- Chain Reaction (2014)

125-101
125.) Lantlôs- Melting Sun (2014)
124.) Primordial- Redemption At The Puritan's Hands (2011)
123.) Deafheaven- Roads To Judah (2011)
122.) Shining- Blackjazz (2010)
121.) CKY- Infiltrate.Destroy.Rebuild (2002)
120.) The Faceless- Autotheism (2012)
119.) Revocation- The Outer Ones (2018)
118.) Sum 41- Chuck (2004)
117.) Atheist- Unquestionable Presence (1991)
116.) Scar Symmetry- Pitch Black Progress (2006)
115.) Kyng- Trampled Sun (2011)
114.) Stolen Babies- Naught (2012)
113.) Amorphis- Skyforger (2009)
112.) Demians- Building An Empire (2008)
111.) While Heaven Wept- Fear Of Infinity (2011)
110.) Alcest- Les Voyages De L'Âme (2012)
109.) Textures- Drawing Circles (2006)
108.) Cannibal Corpse- Kill (2006)
107.) Dog Fashion Disco- Adultery (2006)
106.) Dark Tranquillity- Character (2006)
105.) Head With Wings- From Worry To Shame (2018)
104.) Darkest Hour- Undoing Ruin (2005)
103.) Scale The Summit- The Collective (2011)
102.) Emperor- Prometheus-The Discipline Of Fire and Demise (2001)
101.) Necromancing The Stone- Jewel Of The Vile (2016)

100-76
100.) Galactic Cowboys- Machine Fish (1996)
99.) Godspeed You! Black Emperor- Raise Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven (2000)
98.) Dark Funeral- Where Shadows Forever Reign (2016)
97.) James LaBrie- Static Impulse (2010)
96.) Story Of The Year- Page Avenue (2003)
95.) Daylight Dies- Dismantling Devotion (2006)
94.) Candlemass- Candlemass (2005)
93.) Lords of Black- II (2016)
92.) Toothgrinder- Phantom Amour (2017)
91.) Riverside- Love, Fear, And The Time Machine (2015)
90.) Testament- The Gathering (1999)
89.) For The Imperium- For The Imperium- (2012)
88.) Being- Anthropocene (2012)
87.) Mutiny Within- Mutiny Within (2010)
86.) 6:33- Deadly Scenes (2015)
85.) Magic Dance- New Eyes (2018)
84.) Ancient VVisdom- A Godlike Inferno (2011)
83.) Novembers Doom- Aphotic (2011)
82.) King Diamond- Abigail (1987)
81.) Sanctuary- Refuge Denied (1987)
80.) Fates Warning- Theories Of Flight (2016)
79.) In Flames- Clayman (2000)
78.) Paradise Lost- Tragic Idol (2012)
77.) Boris- Pink (2005)
76.) Redemption- This Mortal Coil (2011)

75-51
75.) Skull Fist- Chasing The Dream (2014)
74.) With The Dead- Love From With The Dead (2017)
73.) Native Construct- Quiet World (2015)
72.) Thulcandra- Ascension Lost (2015)
71.) Clutch-  Earth Rocker (2013)
70.) Symphony X- Paradise Lost (2007)
69.) Cloudkicker- Beacons (2010)
68.) Raunchy- Death Pop Romance (2006)
67.) Black Crown Initiate- The Wreckage of Stars (2014)
66.) Ayreon- The Source (2017)
65.) Ghost- Opus Eponymous (2010)
64.) Blind Guardian- Imaginations From The Other Side (1995)
63.) Torche- Meanderthal (2008)
62.) Bloodbath- Nightmares Made Flesh (2004)
61.) Panopticon- Roads To The North (2014)
60.) Faith No More- Angel Dust (1992)
59.) Body Count-  Bloodlust (2017)
58.) Amon Amarth- With Oden On Our Side (2006)
57.) HIM-  Razorblade Romance (2000)
56.) Fleshgod Apocalypse- Veleno (2019)
55.) Rivers of Nihil- Where Owls Know My Name (2018)
54.) Loch Vostok- From These Waters (2015)
53.) Demons And Wizards- Touched By The Crimson King (2005)
52.) Iced Earth- Burnt Offerings (1995)
51.) Vattnet Viskar- Settler (2015)

50-26
50.) Dillinger Escape Plan- Ire Works (2007)
49.) Gruesome- Savage Land (2015)
48.) Haken- Affinity (2015)
47.) mc chris- mc chris is dead (2008)
46.) Within Temptation- Hydra (2014)
45.) Borknagar- Winter Thrice (2016)
44.) Rush- 2112 (1976)
43.) Ne Obliviscaris- Citadel (2014)
42.) Shaded Enmity- Forsaken and Forgotten (2013)
41.) Cynic- Traced In Air (2008)
40.) Pallbearer- Heartless (2017)
39.) Omnium Gatherum- The Burning Cold (2018)
38.) Swallow The Sun- Songs From The North (2015)
37.) Baroness- Purple (2015)
36.) Zeal and Ardor- Stranger Fruit (2018)
35.) Fair To Midland- Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True
34.) Ihsahn- After (2010)
33.) The Contortionist- Language (2014)
32.) Katatonia- Last Fair Deal Gone Down (2001)
31.) Enslaved- RIITIIR (2012)
30.) Agalloch- The Mantle (2002)
29.) Toehider- Good (2017)
28.) Killswitch Engage- The End Of Heartache (2003)
27.) Mastodon- Emperor Of Sand (2017)
26.) Nevermore- Dead Heart In The Dead World (2000)

25-1
25.) Witherfall- A Prelude To Sorrow (2018)
24.) Steven Wilson- To The Bone (2017)
23.) "Strapping Young Lad"- Alien (2005)
22.) Soilwork- Stabbing The Drama (2005)
21.)  SikTh- Death Of A Dead Day (2006)
20.)  Evergrey- Recreation Day (2004)
19.) Opeth- Blackwater Park (2001)
18.) Astronoid- Air (2016)
17.) Between The Buried And Me- Colors (2007)
16.) Porcupine Tree- In Absentia (2002)
15.) Death (Official)- Leprosy (1988)
14.) Avantasia- Ghostlights (2016)
13.) Witherscape- The Northern Sanctuary (2016)
12.) Triptykon (Official)- Melana Chasmata (2014)
11.) Long Distance Calling- Avoid The Light (2009)
10.) King's X- Gretchen Goes To Nebraska (1989)
9.) Edge of Sanity- Crimson (1996)
8.) Anathema- We're Here Because We're Here (2010)
7.) Pain of Salvation- In The Passing Light Of Day (2017)
6.) dredg- Catch Without Arms (2005)
5.) Dream Theater- Images And Words (1992)
4.) Nightingale ( Approved by Swanö )- Retribution (2014)
3.) Woods Of Ypres- Woods V; Grey Skies and Electric Light (2012)
2.) Green Carnation- Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness (2001)
1.) Devin Townsend- Biomech: Ocean Machine (1997)

Tax the Heat - Change Your Position (2017-2018)

So That Drummer Guy mentioned this UK band to me earlier today, per an interview he did with 1 of the members which is below.

I've of course never heard of them; and I checked out 1 of their most popular tracks from their last/debut album from 2016, and it's really quite good. Full of energy, riffy blues rock that reminds me of the likes of Wolfmother or White Denim as he compared them to.

Anyway, so this new album Change Your Position comes out on March 9th and I will definitely look to checking it out just hear that track below and the album preview.



Preorder link

Release date March 9, 2018


1. Money in the Bank
2. Change Your Position
3. Playing With Fire
4. All That Medicine
5. On The Run
6. The Last Time
7. Taking The Hit
8. My Headspace
9. We Are Consumers
10. Cut Your Chains
11. Wearing A Disguise
12. The Symphony Has Begun

Audio Recordings for YouTube? (All Media Reviews Podcast)

11/14/17
edit: unfortunately, my address in ebay hadn't been updated since I moved, and the recorder shipped to my old apartment ironically. Hopefully it'll be forward-ed to my current address in the next day or 2.

11/9/17
So however short or long this will be, here's the deal.

When I moved out of my apartment back in July, I obviously found myself challenged as to not only when but WHERE I might be able to make YouTube Videos, at least in the short term.

So it just occurred to me, giving Podcasting another shot might make sense again. And this time, to use YouTube, at least initially as my hosting site.

PODCASTING: My history is basically this.

In 2006 or 2007? I tried making audio recordings with an iRiver I had with a microphone. Similar to some of the Man-on-the-street recordings and even interviews I had done years before, for KFAI and just for my own documentation/future nostalgia and boredom, etc.

But it never really went anywhere, largely per I wanted to use music, but of course the issues of copywright and file-sharing, etc. So I never did use music, but found it was more work than I wanted using Audacity software.

I recall making little recordings for the "All Media Reviews Essentials" which I forget the hosting site I used now. But those were short-lived for maybe a year/year-and-a-half.

Psych Fans Podcast/Psychic Crapfest: Of course my friend John and some others did make this podcast with the microphones on my PC and Audacity software, which was fun, albeit troublesome and tedious among other issues. The quality of the sound was hit and miss, although it wasn't at least for a lack of effort. In the end, we did make a Podcast for nearly every  episode, but most of them are not available now. Had I thought about it, YouTube or maybe even archive.org would have been a better platform, but that would not have mattered a ton per the low-fi fidelity of them, and just the way we did them. I would imagine our podcast could have found more of a following though. And I've thought for a few years, to when the time may be available, to try and upload them to YouTube now. (or Archive.org and/or as well).

Epic Rock Talk: This was a Podcast that I tried doing with some friends, That Drummer Guy (Josh Rundquist) and some others, often at KFAI. They were as the title said, "Epic" i.e. 2-3 hour recordings just shooting-the-shit about music I and Josh and the others on there, were into. Going down to KFAI, at the time, seemed like a reasonable thing to try and do, but it increasingly became more difficult with schedules and what not. Plus, I feel terrible about this, but I felt like I talked too much, which I had a bad habit about, especially about music. And I was so bad about rattling off names of bands, that the listener might have grown frustrated if/when they heard them.

I think a return to this could happen, but I think it may have to be done like Pardon the Interruption on ESPN2 where each guest has like 1.5 minutes to speak and then a bell goes off. I dunno. Josh and I do enjoy chatting about music, obscure music of course. I just find when we made these, he should have done more speaking and me less, even if it means giving some kind of time limit.

But this will likely only happen when time becomes more available. Possibly through Skype and/or on his radio show. But he's so busy with those, I don't know when that will come. It might want to be just an ANNUAL or BI-ANNUAL thing, given 1 or 2 times a year, we could plan it in advance.

So I posted this on FB a bit ago.

Audio Recordings for YouTube? = i.e. a Podcast likely only shared on YouTube.
Just purchased (arrival pending) a fairly inexpensive hand-held digital recorder which I am looking to use for these.
more in the blog in a bit...

The whole point being, my absence from YouTube may not need to continue so much given it is largely due to where to film, and the amount of time it can take between setting up, recording, watching the recording (and making sure it looks and sounds okay, and often I don't say something that I wished I hadn't or can't remember something I couldn't remember, etc), and then uploading with the all the tags and everything.

By making AUDIO only recordings, some of that time-consuming process is removed/reduced. And of course WHERE I record isn't so dependent on what it looks like.

Plus, the recordings can and are often anticipated/expected to be longer. How much longer? I dunno, but at least a 30 minute audio recording is smaller in size and very likely will take less time to upload onto YouTube.

So the hope is, to try and make a Audio Recording/Podcast more regularly, such as once a week or maybe more often. They may be made in the car like I've tried to do with Videos. It may be in some other places.

And they may be short or long, not sure.

My only real hope is to make them and in some ways, organize them. Have a few things written down or pulled up in my Laptop to go over.

I may still forget things, which, yeah, I very likely will. Or say a thing or 2, a name, fact, date, etc that is off, but I can imagine the ability to remake or even possibly edit it out will be easier/quicker than on Video.

What this means for Video? I still plan to make them, and of course show Vinyl and cds, etc, but I am hoping until I find a regular location to do that (when the wife and I find a new place to live?), these audio/podcast version of my activity on YouTube can fill that void.

In looking back on it, I do really wish I had considered this years ago. Sure, they may come across as Babble-fests or Diarrhea-of-the-mouths, but I have noticed with YouTube and even now, compared to 5-10 years ago, using Social Media, you can reach more people potentially than back then, which gives me encouragement.

When will they start? if the Recorder arrives in the mail by say Monday, I could see trying to make 1 or 2 even next week, if not sooner.

Top 10 Musicians (per That Drummer Guy)

My friend Josh aka That Drummer Guy it appears is starting a new series of podcasts/recordings of LISTS. And he's totally right about LISTS and how everyone loves them...although as I have said way too many times to remember, I actually happen to not LOVE them, or rather MAKING THEM, choosing something I enjoy over another thing I enjoy.

But they are a necessary evil, and can't deny enjoy reading others and even reading my own after I make them.

Of course if I'm gonna post this in any timely fashion right now, Blurbs ain't happening.

Afa That Drummer Guy's list, I could have predicted most of it, but not 100% A little surprised Steven Wilson wasn't in there, but I suppose he would have come close.

10. James Hetfield
9. Ihsahn
8. Gene Hoglan
7. Daniel Gildenlow
6. Tom Englund
5. Arjen Lucassen
4. Dan Swano
3. Mikael Akerfeldt
2. Mike Portnoy
1. Devin Townsend



The ole gun-to-my-head, pick 10:

Peter Gabriel
Annie Haslam
Craig Minowa
Steve Rothery
Daniel Gildenlow
Mike Portnoy
Jim Matheos
Jimmy Gnecco
Casey Crescenzo
Kevin Gilbert


Choosing 1 member from a collective unit that BANDS are sucks, which again goes back to the whole choosing 1 over another, as there are literally 50 or more musicians/singers I could have picked after the 1st 3 or 4 (where the fuck is Jeff Buckley?..of course with only 2 albums of recorded work, it's hard to justify over others, but jeez, I regard him as one of my favorites certainly).

JOHN ARCH!: Interviewed by That Drummer Guy

Very happy Josh got to interview the man himself, one of his and my own personal music heroes and favorite singers.

The interview is mostly about the upcoming Awaken the Guardian live DVD coming out from Fates Warning on April 28th.

I do like though how John did touch on new music towards the end. He's working on it, etc, which obviously has me grinning (on a day, where I'm struggling with that..medical issues and my supervisor stepping down).

Anyway, John is a really down to earth guy, humble and gracious to the fans. I know I couldn't afford it, but this interview only reminds me of how much I admire him and his approach to not only music but his lifestyle. I'd love to meet him of course some day, but if I never do, at least having my good friend Josh get to talk with John about music and his past present and future work feels a bit like that by extension (as many of Josh's interviews do, so happy for him and yet also incredibly jealous!).

Mike Portnoy interviewed by That Drummer Guy

Just checking this out as I post this. I'm incredibly happy for Josh to finally get to interview Mike, something I can't even help but envious and jealous as well.

All the years on his forum, both Josh and even longer for myself.

Content?
naturally a lot of it is about the new Neal Morse Band album The Similtitude of a Dream, which Portnoy has been talking about a ton over the last several months.

Of course my situation with it being my only experience with Neal's solo music, the Christian element, Christian lyrics have had me shy-ed away from it. But I dunno, I may have to check it out after all the glowing comments (although I could have said the same about many of Neal's other solo/NMB albums as well).

I may try and edit a few more comments about this later once I've heard the whole interview, but again, this is really a great thing to happen for Josh. I dunno, perhaps it will lead to more interviews with Mike Portnoy in the future, which will only grow Josh's success with That Drummer Guy, which I'm totally happy to see.

edit: probably the biggest news from this interview is Mike has a new "Secret Project" in the works. I wonder if any of these 3 people might be involved:
Mikael Akerfeldt
Daniel Gildenlow
Jim Matheos

also possibly Casey Crescenzo. Someone on Mike's forum mentioned possibly a Power-Pop group with the likes of Casey, Roger Joseph Manning Jr and Matt Bissonette.  One can dream?


http://www.thatdrummerguy.com/interviews.html

Steven Wilson
Devin Townsend
Mike Portnoy

Daniel Gildenlow?
Mikael Akerfeldt?

That Drummer Guy Presents 5-Year Anniversary (+ a note or 2)

I contributed to this among a handful of other friends, Podcasters, bands/musicians, bloggers, and social media people Josh aka That Drummer Guy knows and is supported by.

My voice comes in around the 1:47 mark, and in listening to it again, I kind of went on a bit longer than I would have preferred, but I wasn't the only one.

So, it is great to see Josh celebrate his 5th Anniversary of That Drummer Guy Presents.

On notes of Anniversaries and Milestones, as I mentioned there, I can relate to him in a lot of ways, and this blog does have kind of a big anniversary of sorts coming up. Now I'm not 1 to make a huge fuss out of Anniversaries really, but I suppose certain milestones stand out more than others.

So, when that does eventually come, which isn't too far away, I *MAY* also try doing something for it. I have an idea or 2, but I'm not sure how it will come out exactly. I can say, I don't anticipate doing what Josh did exactly, but I may do something on YouTube, but more likely it'll be something in here that may or may not come across as cheesy. I guess to throw a bone, it may just be something I've never fully done before along the lines of an FAQ, etc. Cheesy and too-much-time-on-my-hands? quite possibly, but I'll see. This blog has rarely if ever pulled any punches or held back comments or styles of entries, I guess I'm not sure why in this case, it would be any different.

And there also is another milestone, which in all likelihood, will come in a year or 2, but for that 1, it may include something more dramatic.

React To: 89.3 The Current's "Essential Albums"+Ask a Cool Person

89.3 The Current's Voting Link

With your help, we're compiling a list of the top 893 albums of all time. (MPR graphic/Luke Mills)

As if we haven't already had enough musical madness this month, The Current is getting even crazier: We are compiling a list of the 893 most essential albums of all time.

What are we calling this endeavor? Okay, we didn't get too crazy with the name: The Current's 893 Essential Albums. (The world needs some sanity.)

Sure, we deejays and staffers could compile a list ourselves, but that isn't nearly as much fun as fun involving you and other listeners, readers and members of The Current. We can't do this without you, seriously.

We know this will be difficult — no, nearly impossible — but do your best to rank your personal top 10 albums using the form below. Each of your picks counts as one vote for The Current's 893 Essential Albums (and enters you for a chance to win a $893 gift card to Amazon.com, good for buying music, toilet paper, you name it!). Note: Please, please, please use the format Artist - Album, e.g. The Smiths - Hatful of Hollow. We truly appreciate it.

And because we're a radio station that likes to have fun with programming, we're going to broadcast the full countdown of The Current's 893 Essential Albums according to you during Minnesota Public Radio's spring member drive this May 5 to 12 with each album's defining track, adding up to more than 82 hours of music. Yup, it's happening.

If you share your picks with friends (which we encourage!), be sure to use the hashtag #893albums so we can find you on social media. We'll be highlighting picks from listeners and The Current hosts until voting closes on April 17!

The Current's 893 Essential Albums
Use this form to submit your votes for The Current's 893 Essential Albums and to enter the Amazon.com giveaway between 12:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 23 and 11:59 p.m. CT on Sunday, April 17, 2016.

One (1) winner will receive one (1) Amazon.com gift card. Three (3) back up names will be drawn.

Prize retail value: $893

Taxes and expenses as a result of winning this prize are the responsibility of the winner.

We will contact the winner by Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Winner must accept by 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday, April 20, 2016.


So I saw this in an email, and decided I would do it. Of course none of my submission will end up in their list, or for that matter, even have any music on their air (sans for a rare "coffee break" perhaps).

The list that they end up with, well maybe I'll try and edit-in when it is announced. Assuming I remember/notice it, etc.  But I'm sure it'll be a combination of the neverending praised and played music from albums on their air (Nirvana's Nevermind? Radiohead's OK Computer? , lol). I mean there may be a Zeppelin or Floyd record in there, and The Beatles probably, Sgt Pepper's or Revolver? whichever is more *hipster*? I kind of suspect the hipsters lean towards Revolver per it came 1st and was less commercial.

I could also see Pet Sounds ending up on the list.

But I could also see something like Arcade Fire's Funeral on there, lol.

Or even a Kanye West album, which would be even more eye-rolling.

Anyway, regardless of what ends up on their "Essential" list of 10 albums, the below list is my submission. I can say though it's not a perfect top 10 favorites, nor is it in exact order. I forgot to include Soundscape's Discovery in there anyway.

But certainly the below list of 10 albums are among my top 10+ all-time. The 1st 3 are kind of certain though. The other 7 could likely be replaced by another 10-30, lol.


Marillion - Brave


Kevin Gilbert - The Shaming of the True

 
Apes and Androids - Blood Moon

 
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick


 
Genesis - Foxtrot


Yes - Relayer

 
Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray


Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element Part I


dredg - El Cielo


Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee

On another note related to 89.3 though, Andrea Swensson, whose run the Local part of The Current Blog and just this year took over The Current's Local Show on Sunday evenings (previously hosted by Dave Campbell), started a new series called "Ask a Cool Person," which is potentially an interesting new feature.

It is an interview/profile of some local person whose involved in Music/the Music Community in Minnesota in some way. Not necessarily, but probably more often than not, local Minnesota music. It could be a promoter, a club manager, a musician, record store clerk, radio/media person including journalists and bloggers like myself?

So I emailed Andrea giving her complements about the new feature. A couple of people I know have even been featured with Ellen Stanley and Jon Jon Scott from The Electric Fetus.

And I mentioned to her that I look forward to reading it each week, to see people I know, etc. And also with a suggestion to feature myself and That Drummer Guy perhaps. I even passed along the featured entry I did about progressive rock in Minnesota. It may not happen, as I'm sure there are plenty of people that would make sense to feature as well. And she hasn't emailed me back even, or contacted Josh (TDG). But it would be cool if she did.

I guess I don't expect it, but even if it's a couple of years from now, it would be cool, even if as it's clear and I've mentioned frequently in here for many years about 89.3 and my taste don't exactly mix. I.e. they don't do a lot with progressive rock, even though they could. But, this feature on their blog is not fully about what's on their air or even what they promote largely. So it might be an exception. 

But then again, it is 89.3 and that culture, which I've come to not expect much. But I also figure, there really isn't much to lose in throwing my name/this blog out there again.

Vektor and Ne Obliviscaris interviews (per That Drummer Guy)

2 really good interviews from That Drummer Guy, these 2 interviews were done at shows in Minnesota over last weekend.

A lot of good content about both Vektor and Ne Obliviscaris in them, including the new Vektor album of course, and Ne Obliviscaris upcoming tour plans in 2016, likely to include more dates in North America.

I actually was at the Vektor show on Friday night, but didn't make the Ne Obliviscaris show on Sunday. But it was great to recall/hear about both them here.

That Drummer Guy: Native Construct Interview at PPUSA

Good interview from That Drummer Guy at ProgPowerUSA. It sounds like they really impressed a lot of people there last weekend. Probably as much as a reason I want to see their show with Between the Buried and Me at The Skyway Theatre on the Monday before Thanksgiving, November 23rd.

Conducting Interviews? some thoughts

Where to begin?

Well with the good fortune to do the interview with Jessy Ribordy this past weekend, the idea of doing interviews FOR this blog, as opposed to me LINKING OTHER SITE's interviews, etc came to mind. Really has come to mind.

Blech.

Okay, first things first:

The interview with Jessy I think could not have turned out any better, I say that mainly per how it was done via email. Why I mention the per email part is, well having seen and read countless interviews online and even in printed periodicals/newspapers, etc , the large majority of them are at least written (or transcribed) much like a direct, live conversation. I have seen some that are via email and sort of 1 list of questions to answer as the interview with Jessy was done.

I do wonder though, the interviews that are done via email that may not be done with just 1 long email, or rather read more of a conversation, are more of a live audio recording transcribed. In other words, the process of doing an EMAIL interview where you ask 1 question per email, then the person that is being interviewed answers back only to said question, and then you reply back with maybe a response (like a conversation) and then ask the next question, etc for X-number of questions; seems like it would be a bit of a long, almost tedious process for the interviewee, and it would be much easier to just answer a bunch if not all the questions in 1 email.

I guess what I'm getting at is conducting interviews that aren't live (like on the phone/video/audio etc,) unless it was like an instant-messaging thing or something (or on a message board like a Reddit AMA), seems like they will have to be the 1-long list of questions and then require 1 or 2 replies from the interviewee. But because of that, they really are more like a delayed Q&A, rather than having the whole *conversation* element. 

Even for the fact the interviewer isn't able to follow-up a question BASED ON the interviewee's answer, etc.

Blech, so that is kind of one thought about them.

Another is maybe kind of an obvious one: 

This blog has been kept to varying levels of activity, for 8 1/2 years, and the interview with Jessy the other day is the very 1st that I recall I actually did for it. Why that is?

1) Time obviously. What I am able to include in here (and with social media, including YouTube recently), takes enough of my free time up already. Doing interviews could change what I do include because of how much free time I have.

2) Legitimacy/Credibility. Maybe I have and still do sell myself a little short in regards to whether I could and should be able to interview, even relatively unknown musicians, maybe per the way I see this blog in some ways, sort of being journalism from a fan, or journalism for the fans/people, etc. Granted, based on that, I would be able to cover some topics/questions that other interviews may not. But maybe I'm shy, modest, and also wonder how to do it, who to get in touch with, etc. 

But while thinking about that and noticing other people on similar approaches to social media like That Drummer Guy and even altprogcore, the question seems okay to raise, if they do interviews, why can't I?

With all that in mind, considering how the Jessy Ribordy interview went, I guess I am thinking of trying to pursue interviewing some other musicians. Some names, like the Rush or Genesis guys, I don't suspect I'd have a chance in hell. I mean I'd love to obviously, but I'm a realist, and until I could at least cite many of the interviews I've done previously, I don't anticipate asking them. If they approached me? of course that would only happen in a parallel dimension, but I would of course do it in a heartbeat. 

Much like I did with Jessy, and it would likely never come up had Nick Lambert not suggested it on Twitter. It honestly never occurred to me, although Jessy Ribordy is someone I could probably ask dozens of other questions to, especially about The River Empires actually and just his background with music and other interests. Possibly even Portland and the Portland music scene; just notice this recent list on Rateyourmusic.com I made about all the Portland, Oregon artists I love.

So that leads me to mention, that while I cannot guarantee any interview in the near future at this point; I am thinking of sending requests out to some artists on a periodic basis. Not a ton, as I suppose if I won the Powerball this weekend, and I had an unlimited amount of disposable hours to use, I could do a handful of interviews every month, if not every week. But that of course hasn't happened, lol, 

But possibly a more realistic number would be a few a month. Maybe up to 5 if all can go well with them.

And that is also assuming the FORMAT of the 10-question email with a reply works. Which it very well may, but I suppose part of me will wonder and maybe try to if possible, conduct a more conversational interview. Could it happen before or after concerts? MAYBE, but at the same time, the ability to get that access could be hit and miss at best. 

Also just the time/timing of them could go late (why a before-the-concert thing would be ideal, but hardly expected with a lot of touring acts as their time can often be limited depending on their travel schedule, etc). And even in doing those kinds of interviews, via Audio? I may decide to just post the audio as an mp3 on archive.org or soundcloud, rather than transcribing them which can be rather TIME CONSUMING. But the more I think about it, VIDEO would maybe be the best and easiest, which I may find the only way to do those anyway.

But thinking about that, I need to compile a list of people to ask about them, some maybe more of a priority than others. There's one that I think seems like a decent possibility for, and seems pretty relevant. The challenge could be more of the content, namely because a new album is coming, etc and with many of these people I'd love to interview, the questions could range with their music history as opposed to a focus on their new music/album which in many cases, what the artist really wants to tell about (like the interview with Jessy).

Steven Wilson interview June 10, 2015 (That Drummer Guy) + Mpls show 6/7/15 review

6/13/15 10:15PM

Tonight's show in Los Angeles is being streamed live by "Yahoo Live" etc and it also may be available to watch later..(for a day or maybe like a week?).

Anyway, it just started about 10 minutes ago, as I just started streaming it.


6/12/15 10:52PM

Here's a short discussion I had with John after and about the show on Sunday; Steven Wilson's music, H.C.E,, etc and a little about Dreams of the Life the documentary about Joyce Carol Vincent, etc.



6/10/15 10:23PM



Josh Rundquist also known as That Drummer Guy was fortunate enough to get to interview Steven Wilson for the 2nd time earlier today per telephone. I guess timing didn't work out for the show on Sunday, but it was very cool of Steven to still have Josh interview him.

The interview is about 15 minutes and the questions were primarily about his live show and this current tour, which of course makes sense since he and his band are on tour.

I probably should write up some kind of review about the show, but haven't gotten around to it. So here's some more details:

Great show, and great VISUALLY, probably more than the last tour even. The videos and concept of Hand. Cannot Erase added even more.

"Happy Returns" was even more tear jerking than even on the record, with the video. That is certainly one of the saddest songs Steven's ever written.

Lazarus, The Watchmaker, the HCE title track, 3 Years Older, Routine, Regret #9 just thinking..were all highlights. Even a song like Sleep Together and Harmony Korine.

The new/unreleased demos segued together I even enjoyed, although sound-wise I was more reminded of The Raven sound, more than HCE actually. But as Josh asked about in the interview, Steven mentioned they along with a couple of other pieces may come out on an EP of some kind soon.

And the title track to The Raven Refused to Sing stood out in a lot of ways.

Why Steven never played at The Varsity previously? is surprising, but I hope when he comes back again, he ends up there as the theatrical element totally fit.

Did I meet Steven? I waited around for nearly an hour, but no dice. I didn't take Monday off from work though, and when I decided to give up and leave around 11:20PM, it was starting to flash lightning in the area.

I hopefully will make a video soon as well.

Minneapolis June 7th, 2015 setlist (I believe, track order may not be exact)

Intro
(intro)
First Regret
3 Years Older
Hand Cannot Erase
Perfect Life
Routine
Index
Home Invasion
Regret #9
Lazarus (Porcupine Tree song)
Harmony Korine
***Unreleased HCE Demos segued together***
Happy Returns
Ascendant Here On...

Encore:
Temporal
(Bass Communion song) (Watchmaker Intro Video)
The Watchmaker
Sleep Together (Porcupine Tree song)

Encore 2:
The Raven That Refused to Sing

That Drummer Guy interviews Bend Sinister

I should mention this interview being shared is a little late, as it was done a little less than a month ago. That Drummer Guy aired it on his radio show/podcast soon after the night it was done.

It appears the actual recording starts at 41 SECONDS-in. I do make a couple of comments in the background towards the end.

Thanks again to the Bend Sinister guys for doing this interview and for That Drummer Guy for doing this interview.

Benefit for Josh Rundquist also known as That Drummer Guy

1/11/14 6:16PM

https://www.facebook.com/events/1407855199447825/



well it's tonight at POV's in Spring Lake Park. Sorry for the last of updates, but Josh has not found out what his diagnosis is after all this time and many more stays at hospitals. He is doing a little better recently, but unfortunately, it's still where he needs.

But the benefit should be fun tonight, although I'm not sure how late I may stay. But it should be good to see Josh and his gf Lynn and meet a lot of his friends in the process.


11/9/13 10:56AM

Josh thankfully is out of the Hospital (his body became addicted to a drug they were giving him), however his recovery is going to take a little while as he has been posting on Facebook about that. But here's the thing he posted earlier this week. It's too bad he won't be able to play with his band Beauty of Decay when they open for Morbid Angel on November 18th, but health takes priorities in these cases. I'm sure he and his band(s) will get more opportunities down the road.

Alright guys a super long, Novel post here, but I wanted to make this post so everyone knows whats happened to me in the last two months instead of hearing it secondhand or just trying to piece it together: 

2 months ago I was diagnosed with Gastritis/Type II Diabetes after being in the hospital for 11 days, that was my first visit to the Hospital. Some of the worst pains I ever felt were felt during this time. 

I also lost my job at Walmart....yes, I worked at Walmart in the Electronics, over this. I was told I was a liability for going to the ER for pain and they did not want to hire me on full time because of it and let me go. 

About a month later I had to go back to the ER and 2 days later they got rid of my gallbladder. I woke up after the surgery was immediately over to the worst pain of my life, this is where I started getting doses of Dilaudid and Morphine to ease the pain. 

About a week later I was discharged but I didn't feel any better I felt just as shitty. 

a week after that, again I had to go back to the ER because I couldn't take it anymore. This is where they found a staff infection in my blood that took another week to get rid of. But alas again did nothing for my stomach pain, but I was discharged once again once the infection was nearly gone. 

I was discharged that late evening and 9 hours later I was back in the hospital with some of the worst pain I ever felt. 

Then for the next 4 days I was given only Tylenol to ease my pain. I was told pain medications like Dilaudid (or however it is spelled) and Morphine would only make my stomach pain worse. It wasn't until this past Saturday they doctors finally figured out what was going on....they got me addicted to Dilaudid...hospital grade Heroin! 

When I had my gallbladder taken out they doped me up so much I became addicted and then left me cold turkey ever since then. My body couldn't take it and I was in misery for weeks. from the ER visit to Saturday Night I was on 4 hours sleep, MAYBE, no food, barely any water, constantly throwing up, shivering and wanting to die. It wasn't until I got on Methadone that I finally started getting relief and I then slept for the better part of 36 hours. 

Today is the first day since entering the hospital the first time that I actually feel like I can get back to normal. It's still going to take roughly a month for me to be fully back on track but it will be worth it. 

The sad part is that I had to sadly step down from opening for Morbid Angel on the 18th, but I did get one hell of a fill in to take my place... Mr. Duane Timlin (Anal Blast, Divine Empire, Dying Fetus, Invidiosus). So he has my total blessing. 

I totally had nothing to do with this, but just in case any of you are generous enough, my guitarist's girlfriend made a fundraiser page for me to help with medical bills and to get my life back on track, if you feel like donating the link is here: 
http://www.gofundme.com/53uw74


Hopefully, this is my last time being in the hospital for a long, Long, LONG time. Now I hope after this I can post happy stuff again and no more hospital related stuff! 


As many of you may know, Josh Rundquist has been laid up in the hospital for a while now. A benefit show is currently in the works, but we wanted to give everyone near and far a chance to help with donations. We all know how fast hospital bills can add up, any and all donations are helpful and greatly appreciated!

In addition to donations, If you want to sign a get well card for Josh, go to guitar center in Roseville and ask for will. Other well wishing, support and love via Facebook also mean a lot to the guy. 


Anyone who doesn't know Josh, he is a huge supporter of metal. All genres, new and old and is a local celebrity of sorts to us. Born in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, Josh has been playing drums for the last 14 years playing everything from Country Covers to Original Metal. Josh still is active in the Rock and Metal world playing drums. He now hosts That Drummer Guy Presents - The Best in Independent Heavy Metal and Hard Rock A 2 hour show featuring the best Metal and Rock you need to know about, airing on a station near you!

Also here's the link to the Facebook Event tentatively setup for January 11th. Venue and Time? still hasn't been confirmed as far as I know.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1407855199447825/

we are in the planning stage of setting up a benefit for That Drummer Guy aka Josh Rundquist  If you want to sign the get well card for josh go to guitar center in roseville and ask for will. date and time are up in air still, as is venue. i just listed saint paul as a default location for now. More details to come: Bands confirmed so far: We Are Legion Ulvmörd Ghost Hook Bloodgeon Mn

10/26/13 1:45PM


This may be premature, as this was posted on Facebook recently, and it's just been in speculation thus far.
BUT, Josh aka That Drummer Guy, a co-underground music promoter, radio show host (That Drummer Guy Presents), music/metalonline news source and list maker extraordinare.

Josh's Youtube Channel
That Drummer Guy's Page on Facebook
That Drummer Guy 1 on Twitter

And also someone who has done 50 or more interviews at Rock and Metal concerts in the Twin Cities area over the last couple of years. A handful of which have even found linked on Blabbermouth (aka for better or worse, probably the biggest Heavy Metal News/Gossip site).

Well Josh unfortunately, has fallen under some difficult medical condition(s) over the last 2 months. In and out of the Hospital now 3 times. I've tried to keep up with his situation as much as possible via Facebook and his girlfriend Lynn. It seems the doctors keep on finding different issues with him. Stomach issues (he had surgery for his gallbladder).

Josh was diagnosed a number of years ago with Diabetes (Childhood?), at a rather young age for that. He's just 25 now anyway, so that is 1 reason why these medical issues coming up is surprising. I worry that he may have something worse than just the Diabetes because he has handled having that I think about ever since I've known him, which I think I 1st interacted with him around 2006.

Anyway, some of his friends may be trying to setup a Benefit of some kind for him in the near future, as with any medical issues, the cost, even with good Health insurance coverage. can still add up.

I guess when I know more about this, I'll add more about the details. But in the mean time, I and many others should have Josh in their thoughts. He's a great guy, and terrificly versed networking in music circles and Metal specifically. He also is a drummer (hence his online handle) and has a new band called Planet Smasher in fact. And of course a gigantic music and Metal fan, that many want to see continue doing what he does so well.

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).

Pain of Salvation St.Paul 5/11/13 CANCELED: NA Tour?

This sucks, although for me personally, having seen PoS 3 times, it's not as big of a downer as for others who've never seen them. But it still does suck as it's been even 9 years for me. Plus I was hoping to actually spend a few minutes talking to Daniel for the 1st time. And my friend Josh Rundquist had an interview scheduled for his Youtube channel That Drummer Guy. Not to mention he has never seen them.

My hope is they can RESCHEDULE this show tonight in St.Paul (and the rest of the tour?) for later in the year, obviously after Daniel recovers. Pneumonia can be SERIOUS as I have heard too many cases of people who actually died from it. Hopefully Daniel will get better soon.

https://www.facebook.com/Painofsalvation/posts/10152044068129657

It comes with heavy hearts and much sadness that we unfortunately must cancel our gig in St. Paul tonight. 
Daniel's condition (the onset to pneumonia) might actually become serious pretty fast under the wrong conditions. We want to get back here as soon as possible and rock these places properly - the crowds have been creating so much wonderful enthusiasm and we truly love you for that. We know some of you will have waited a long time and travelled very far. There's not much more we can do than to apologize here. We know you love Daniel and we want to make sure he lives to come back and play more shows here in the US. Thank you for your understanding.

https://www.facebook.com/nathan.block.52/posts/10151911951439062?comment_id=32190635&offset=0&total_comments=25&notif_t=feed_comment_reply

I regretfully inform everyone that the PAIN OF SALVATION show scheduled for this evening at Station 4 has been CANCELED.

I found out early this morning that Daniel Gildenlöw, lead singer for Pain of Salvation, has developed pneumonia and will be flying home to recover. Obviously the band could no longer perform under such circumstances.

I then tried to negotiate a free show with KINGCROW, IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION and my outstanding local acts in order to salvage the evening. Unfortunately, due to a breakdown in communication, the other bands on the tour package had already started heading home and were now not in a position to make the show on time.

This is the first time in my entire 10 year career of producing Minnesota concerts that I have completely lost a show. I am extremely sorry for the gross inconvenience. Unfortunately these circumstances were far beyond my control.

Advance ticket holders, please return your tickets to your place of purchase for a full refund.

Kind regards,
Nathan Block
SwordLord Productions, Inc.

Steven Wilson Band: 5/4/13

This was an incredibly loud, dynamic,extensive performance by Steven and his band. Guthrie Govan is a master of sorts. Really someone whose as adept from a technical standpoint, as most any guitarist I've seen or out there right now. And Marco Minneman, from what I could tell as I only saw parts of his playing from the angle I was sitting at, seemed as versatile and precise a drummer as Steven could ever play with.

Many of the moments of this show were incredible dark thematically. The video screens and even just down to a moment where Steven used a demonic voice to speak to the crowd.

Such as with Raider II, as he told about it being inspired by a serial killer from the 1980's.

I think Steven has right now, a band that musicianship wise, that compares to Dream Theater or you pick any modern band of virtuosos. Steven himself is really not, as he's admitted. But he has written with this new record, some incredibly technical music.

And even I think many of the Grace For Drowning songs were more interesting live. Jazz or Jazz-inspired music often is (or Jazz is supposed to be better live anyway).

Setlist (I think)

Luminol
Drive Home
The Pin Drop
Postcard
The Holy Drinker
Deform to Form a Star
Watchmaker Intro Video
(Bass Communion song)
The Watchmaker
Index
Sectarian
Insurgentes
Harmony Korine
Raider II
The Raven That Refused to Sing

Encore:
a Medley (but I don't believe it included Radioactive Toy, as most if not every other show on this tour did. Why? likely because it's been 8 years for our town).


Here's what I've posted in brief amounts about the show thus far

it was great, save for some of the sight-lines given I was upstairs off to the side a bit. But it was really an epic show. I wrote this on this dreamtheaterforums.org the other day "saw him in Minneapolis last night after sadly, an 8-Year Hiatus (which the other 2 previous shows with PT SOLD OUT by the way). Epic show as I'm sure others who've seen him and his band know. 

3 hours, complete Raven and much of Grace.

Constant Video screens of course too."


More to hopefully add later. But the biggest reason I want to include this review now is beyond the worth thousands of words perhaps show, my friend Josh Rundquist aka That Drummer Guy got to interview Steven Wilson before the show the other night. He also is going to interview Daniel Gildenlow on Saturday in fact before the Pain of Salvaton show in St.Paul.