It's finally happened. Our new tape 'Better Measures' has been released! We had our tape release show Friday 12.16.11 at the Fun Home in Buffalo, NY. Except, we unfortunately didn't have the tapes. We didn't receive them in the mail until we were en route to Boston, MA for our show with Written Off, Enough, Caught In A Crowd, Our Side and Street Sweeper. Both of those shows were awesome. Buffalo always treats us right and we couldn't be more proud to be from Buffalo. We have such a great and supportive hardcore scene. The show Saturday in Cambridge, MA was at the Democracy Center. Our boy Keith from Alert hooked us up with that show. Needless to say, it ruled. Our Side, Caught In A Crowd, and Street Sweeper were all ridiculous. They represent their scene well. Written Off and Enough killed it as usual. We were fortunate enough to have them also play our tape release show in Buffalo the day before.
We will have the tape release version of 'Better Measures' at our show on Thursday, December 22nd at the Fun Home. It's a Christmas benefit show. So come out to support a good cause and dress like Santa or something. The tape release version is out of 15.
'Better Measures' can be picked up at our webstore.
We'll have more shirts coming soon. We'll also be printing crew necks that we'll have at our show in January.
XXX
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
PHOTO STORY!
Powder Keg- A Short Photostory from Jamie Moore on Vimeo.
If there was ever any doubt as to whether or not Jamie Moore is the man, the following video will end that debate once and for all.
We had an amazing time on the road November 4th 5th and 6th.
The weather was beautiful, the shows were incredible, the other bands ruled, and we made a ton of new friends that we can't wait to see again soon.
We were lucky enough to have our pal Jamie Moore join us for the weekend, and document the shenanigans photographically.
Doing what he does best, Jamie put some of the photos together in a video format...added the audio from an interview with yours truly, tossed in a currently UNRELEASED Better Times track...and made this little masterpiece right here.
Check it out.
Check Jamie out.
Stay tuned for more things of this nature in the future.
-Frank
Goodbye Cruel Cow
If you haven't already heard the news, our friends and Buffalo Hardcore heavyweights Goodbye Cruel World were involved in a serious vehicle collision in Colorado this past weekend.
Fortunately none of the guys were physically injured, but the van itself was a complete loss and had to be TOTALED.
While they are certainly glad to be alive, they are now facing the reality of being stranded 1,500 miles from home with a few hundred pounds of equipment and merch.
Last I heard, they had rented a truck and were making the long drive back to Buffalo.
If you've ever been in a hardcore band, you understand very well that making money from touring does not happen. More often than not, your average hardcore band spends more money than they make on tour, or barely breaks even.
Having to total their sole means of transportation is a major setback for GCW.
Resorting to a rental vehicle to travel such a long distance is extremely expensive.
Gasoline for that rental vehicle is extremely expensive
Purchasing a replacement van for the one they wrecked will not be cheap either.
Here's where you come in.
The band is requesting donations via their PayPal account.
ANYTHING you can send their way to help offset the cost of the rental truck and gasoline would be greatly appreciated.
Being involved in a serious accident is stressful enough as it is.
The added stress of being stranded 1,500 miles from home with very few options must be even more scary.
If you've got anything sitting in your PayPal account...or can afford to send them $5 or $10 bucks....they'd really appreciate it.
And I'm sure you would, too, if you had just narrowly survived a near-death experience like theirs.
Head over to PayPal.com and click "Send Money".
Enter GCWbuffaloStyle@gmail.com as the receiving address and help them out!
Also...if you were planning on ordering any GCW merch at any point in your life...now would be a great time to do it!
They could use that merch money now more than ever.
Pick up a record or a shirt!
Also, most importantly... SPREAD THE WORD.
This is the information age.
There's no reason this story shouldn't be on every hardcore message board, blog, tumblr page, etc ASAP.
Buffalo Style PICK IT UP
-Frank
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Update 10-26-11
PLEASE RE-POST THIS EVERYWHERE!!
We put up new shirts and more copies of our "Demo 2011" tape in our webstore.
When we reach 1,000 likes on facebook we'll post another new song! Also, pictures have been posted on our facebook from the Agnostic Front show.
XXX
Better Times
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.betterxtimes.storenvy.com
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
Friday, October 21, 2011
November Weekend
Hey dudes,
As you've probably heard, we're heading out on a weekend tour in November. Here are the flyers for the shows. If we're in your area come check us out!
DISCLAIMER: Better Times does not support the above flyer. It is simply used for educational purposes.
Also, listen to our new song 'Better Measures'
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
THANKS.
XXX
As you've probably heard, we're heading out on a weekend tour in November. Here are the flyers for the shows. If we're in your area come check us out!
DISCLAIMER: Better Times does not support the above flyer. It is simply used for educational purposes.
Also, listen to our new song 'Better Measures'
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
THANKS.
XXX
Monday, October 17, 2011
NEW SONG
HEY!
We just posted 'Better Measures' on our bandcamp and facebook! Check it out!
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
We just posted 'Better Measures' on our bandcamp and facebook! Check it out!
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
Lyrics
Here are the lyrics to our new tape 'Better Measures' out December 2011 on Like Glue Records
1. INTRO
Forced to become something
That you could not choose.
When time slips through your hands
You think there's nothing you can do.
Do this for yourself.
Don't live for anyone else.
Reach for what can be caught.
Make up from the start.
Do this for yourself.
Don't live for anyone else.
Reach for what can be caught.
Make up from the start.
2. BETTER MEASURES
The old approach, it didn't work,
Venues shut down and kids getting hurt.
Those days are long-dead,
Those attitudes, too.
We're starting it fresh
And keeping it true.
We took back our scene
And rose to the top.
This unity and energy can never be stopped.
From skateboard circle pits to benefit shows,
New kids coming in and feeling at home.
Better times call for better measures.
And we're fuckin' sticking together.
Shoulder to shoulder, eye to eye
Buffalo Style continues to rise.
3. FORCED OUT
You faked something you couldn't give,
Preparing the lies you wanted to live.
Take a step back
To clear your thoughts.
Forced out the lies.
We wanted the Real.
Forced out the truth
To see if you'd feel.
Dragging reminders of all you said,
Now you left us burying our heads.
Too ashamed to remember your face,
You will fall hard from your state of grace.
Forced out the lies.
We wanted the Real.
Forced out the truth
To see if you'd feel.
Your time is running out.
Your head is full of doubt.
It's time to back up all the words you said.
Forced out the lies.
We're taking back what you took out of our lives.
4. PRESSURE TO SUCCEED
Stuck in a rut.
Can't move my feet.
Monotony all around.
The pressure to succeed.
Taking what I've learned,
Thrown it all away.
With this way of life,
There's only one way.
Pressure to succeed.
From this "grown up" life
We've gotta break free.
5. CHEER UP
I've had it
With the Nihilism in songs today.
The sadness,
It has to go away.
There's too much potential
Contained within hardcore
To whine about how "hard" life is
With our eyes fixed on the floor.
When did we lose our sense of urgency?
Why do we settle for less than all our 'core can be?
There's too much work to do for all the time gloom wastes.
It's up to me and you
We've gotta "start today".
When did we lose our sense of urgency?
There's too much work to do,
And we've got to "start today"
CHEER UP!
6. POWDER KEG
The American Dream has bled us dry,
So where's the bail out for you and I?
Ultra-rich getting richer while everyone else
Is kicked to the curb to fend for ourselves.
When elections go to the highest bidder,
Manchurian Candidates are the only real winners.
Corporate person-hood and unlimited cash.
Our fists are balled up,
It's our time to smash.
Occupy! Left and Right!
Occupy! Black and White!
The system divides you and me,
Our real nemesis is corporate greed.
Let's stop fighting each other,
And turn our eyes toward the top.
Fat-cat 1% has got to be stopped!
When elections go to the highest bidder,
Manchurian Candidates are the only real winners.
Corporate person-hood, unlimited cash.
Our fists are balled up,
It's our time to smash.
Occupy! Left and Right!
Occupy! Black and White!
PICK IT UP!
Occupy! Everything!
"As one people, united, we the 99% acknowledge the reality; that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members. That upon the corruption of the system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights. WE are the 99%."
NOTE: This song is not a direct endorsement of the "Occupy" movement itself.
There are a lot of political and social issues that I've been personally concerned with for a very long time, and it was always extremely disturbing to me that NO ONE ever talked about them. For the longest time, it seemed as if people were more concerned with the make-believe drama going on in the lives of their favorite sitcom characters than they were with the social problems existing within the real world.
In a country where more people vote for American Idol contestants than they do for Presidential candidates, there is serious cause for alarm.
I wrote the words to this song at the beginning of the first "Occupy" demonstrations taking place in NYC, Boston, and Buffalo.
Those movements, it seemed, were causing people to think about issues that had been ignored for so long.
For the first time in ages, groups of normal people were getting together in public and TALKING about ways to change the system for the better.
It was refreshing to see different people from different walks of life standing with each other and engaging in face-to-face conversation about ways they could actively improve their cities.
For the first time, people turned off their TV's and turned on their thinking-caps.
That process of dialogue really inspired me. It really made me feel empowered.
To me, it seemed like people were finally waking up. That feeling of excitement is what made me write the words to this song.
I don't mean Powder Keg to be an endorsement of the quasi-legal practice of mass vagrancy.
I'm not saying you should go sleep in a park, fight police, or create a Tumblr if you want to make a difference. I think "making a difference" is a little more complicated than that.
I think open dialogue is the first step. I think becoming aware of issues (like campaign finance reform, corporate personhood, and tax code reform) is the first step.
While movements like Occupy can be gritty in their methods, the overall message is what counts. The overall message, in this case, is becoming informed...and letting that state of awareness create a real conversation about what can be done to change things.
And there is plenty to be done to change things.
That's why I described this feeling of inspiration and excitement as a "Powder Keg"....because it's a dense mass of potential that could explode with the tiniest spark.
And...like Mindset once said.... "You want to start a fire? Be the spark."
In this country we have a Supreme Court that recently decided to define money as a form of free speech.
They recently decided that corporations are "people", and as such, deserve the same Constitutional privileges and protections as American citizens.
Because of this new "corporate personhood", a corporation can donate an unlimited sum of money to any political candidate of their choosing. And, because "money is free speech" and free speech is protected by our First Amendment, the corporation can no longer be held accountable for the donation.
What this means is that companies can pretty much buy entire elections.
If Company A wants to exploit some tax loopholes, or get away with violating environmental protection laws... they can approach Candidate John Smith and offer him a campaign contribution of $500 million. They can virtually guarantee that he'll win the election, with their help. In return for their help, he has to help them, quid pro quo. He can "help" them by turning a blind eye to their exploitation of those tax loopholes, and by passing pieces of legislation that make it legal for the corporation to violate those environmental protection laws.
John Smith, as Congressman or Senator, can award hefty government contracts to Company A, and do all kinds of things to repay them for their "help" getting him elected. As a result, Representative Democracy as we know it ceases to exist. John Smith no longer serves the American people, he serves his corporate masters. Instead of a government of, for, and by the people, we have a government of, for, and by corporations.
This is not conspiracy theory stuff.
This is not fringe Alex Jones stuff.
This is real. This is happening right now.
THIS is why hundreds of thousands of people are literally taking to the streets... not because they're jealous of the wealth of successful people... not because they want a hand-out... not because they're lazy bums with nothing better to do. But because they want their government back. They want their representative democracy back. Because they want YOU to know what's going on in our country. Period.
Google "Citizens United case".
Google "Corporate personhood".
Google "Glass-Steagall Act repeal".
Become informed.
Become engaged in dialogue about these issues.
Become the "spark" that sets off the "powder keg" of change.
Who's going to do it we don't do it?
-Frank
1. INTRO
Forced to become something
That you could not choose.
When time slips through your hands
You think there's nothing you can do.
Do this for yourself.
Don't live for anyone else.
Reach for what can be caught.
Make up from the start.
Do this for yourself.
Don't live for anyone else.
Reach for what can be caught.
Make up from the start.
2. BETTER MEASURES
The old approach, it didn't work,
Venues shut down and kids getting hurt.
Those days are long-dead,
Those attitudes, too.
We're starting it fresh
And keeping it true.
We took back our scene
And rose to the top.
This unity and energy can never be stopped.
From skateboard circle pits to benefit shows,
New kids coming in and feeling at home.
Better times call for better measures.
And we're fuckin' sticking together.
Shoulder to shoulder, eye to eye
Buffalo Style continues to rise.
3. FORCED OUT
You faked something you couldn't give,
Preparing the lies you wanted to live.
Take a step back
To clear your thoughts.
Forced out the lies.
We wanted the Real.
Forced out the truth
To see if you'd feel.
Dragging reminders of all you said,
Now you left us burying our heads.
Too ashamed to remember your face,
You will fall hard from your state of grace.
Forced out the lies.
We wanted the Real.
Forced out the truth
To see if you'd feel.
Your time is running out.
Your head is full of doubt.
It's time to back up all the words you said.
Forced out the lies.
We're taking back what you took out of our lives.
4. PRESSURE TO SUCCEED
Stuck in a rut.
Can't move my feet.
Monotony all around.
The pressure to succeed.
Taking what I've learned,
Thrown it all away.
With this way of life,
There's only one way.
Pressure to succeed.
From this "grown up" life
We've gotta break free.
5. CHEER UP
I've had it
With the Nihilism in songs today.
The sadness,
It has to go away.
There's too much potential
Contained within hardcore
To whine about how "hard" life is
With our eyes fixed on the floor.
When did we lose our sense of urgency?
Why do we settle for less than all our 'core can be?
There's too much work to do for all the time gloom wastes.
It's up to me and you
We've gotta "start today".
When did we lose our sense of urgency?
There's too much work to do,
And we've got to "start today"
CHEER UP!
6. POWDER KEG
The American Dream has bled us dry,
So where's the bail out for you and I?
Ultra-rich getting richer while everyone else
Is kicked to the curb to fend for ourselves.
When elections go to the highest bidder,
Manchurian Candidates are the only real winners.
Corporate person-hood and unlimited cash.
Our fists are balled up,
It's our time to smash.
Occupy! Left and Right!
Occupy! Black and White!
The system divides you and me,
Our real nemesis is corporate greed.
Let's stop fighting each other,
And turn our eyes toward the top.
Fat-cat 1% has got to be stopped!
When elections go to the highest bidder,
Manchurian Candidates are the only real winners.
Corporate person-hood, unlimited cash.
Our fists are balled up,
It's our time to smash.
Occupy! Left and Right!
Occupy! Black and White!
PICK IT UP!
Occupy! Everything!
"As one people, united, we the 99% acknowledge the reality; that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members. That upon the corruption of the system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights. WE are the 99%."
NOTE: This song is not a direct endorsement of the "Occupy" movement itself.
There are a lot of political and social issues that I've been personally concerned with for a very long time, and it was always extremely disturbing to me that NO ONE ever talked about them. For the longest time, it seemed as if people were more concerned with the make-believe drama going on in the lives of their favorite sitcom characters than they were with the social problems existing within the real world.
In a country where more people vote for American Idol contestants than they do for Presidential candidates, there is serious cause for alarm.
I wrote the words to this song at the beginning of the first "Occupy" demonstrations taking place in NYC, Boston, and Buffalo.
Those movements, it seemed, were causing people to think about issues that had been ignored for so long.
For the first time in ages, groups of normal people were getting together in public and TALKING about ways to change the system for the better.
It was refreshing to see different people from different walks of life standing with each other and engaging in face-to-face conversation about ways they could actively improve their cities.
For the first time, people turned off their TV's and turned on their thinking-caps.
That process of dialogue really inspired me. It really made me feel empowered.
To me, it seemed like people were finally waking up. That feeling of excitement is what made me write the words to this song.
I don't mean Powder Keg to be an endorsement of the quasi-legal practice of mass vagrancy.
I'm not saying you should go sleep in a park, fight police, or create a Tumblr if you want to make a difference. I think "making a difference" is a little more complicated than that.
I think open dialogue is the first step. I think becoming aware of issues (like campaign finance reform, corporate personhood, and tax code reform) is the first step.
While movements like Occupy can be gritty in their methods, the overall message is what counts. The overall message, in this case, is becoming informed...and letting that state of awareness create a real conversation about what can be done to change things.
And there is plenty to be done to change things.
That's why I described this feeling of inspiration and excitement as a "Powder Keg"....because it's a dense mass of potential that could explode with the tiniest spark.
And...like Mindset once said.... "You want to start a fire? Be the spark."
In this country we have a Supreme Court that recently decided to define money as a form of free speech.
They recently decided that corporations are "people", and as such, deserve the same Constitutional privileges and protections as American citizens.
Because of this new "corporate personhood", a corporation can donate an unlimited sum of money to any political candidate of their choosing. And, because "money is free speech" and free speech is protected by our First Amendment, the corporation can no longer be held accountable for the donation.
What this means is that companies can pretty much buy entire elections.
If Company A wants to exploit some tax loopholes, or get away with violating environmental protection laws... they can approach Candidate John Smith and offer him a campaign contribution of $500 million. They can virtually guarantee that he'll win the election, with their help. In return for their help, he has to help them, quid pro quo. He can "help" them by turning a blind eye to their exploitation of those tax loopholes, and by passing pieces of legislation that make it legal for the corporation to violate those environmental protection laws.
John Smith, as Congressman or Senator, can award hefty government contracts to Company A, and do all kinds of things to repay them for their "help" getting him elected. As a result, Representative Democracy as we know it ceases to exist. John Smith no longer serves the American people, he serves his corporate masters. Instead of a government of, for, and by the people, we have a government of, for, and by corporations.
This is not conspiracy theory stuff.
This is not fringe Alex Jones stuff.
This is real. This is happening right now.
THIS is why hundreds of thousands of people are literally taking to the streets... not because they're jealous of the wealth of successful people... not because they want a hand-out... not because they're lazy bums with nothing better to do. But because they want their government back. They want their representative democracy back. Because they want YOU to know what's going on in our country. Period.
Google "Citizens United case".
Google "Corporate personhood".
Google "Glass-Steagall Act repeal".
Become informed.
Become engaged in dialogue about these issues.
Become the "spark" that sets off the "powder keg" of change.
Who's going to do it we don't do it?
-Frank
Sunday, October 16, 2011
New song!
We'll be posting a new song tomorrow, Monday October 17th, 2011, off of our new tape 'Better Measures' coming out on Like Glue Records this December.
Go Bills.
Go Bills.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Update 10-14-11
Hey everyone!
We've finished booking our weekend in November!
Friday November 4th-Cleveland, OH @ The Tower 2012 w/ Ages. Ages is awesome, check them out.
Saturday November 5th-Springfield, IL @ Black Sheep Cafe w/ Big Mouth. Big Mouth rules. Midwest Straight Edge. Check em out
Sunday November 6th-Barnesville, OH @ The Lakeview House w/ Handguns, Forever Came Calling
If you're in the area come check it out. It's our first weekend as a band and we couldn't be any more excited.
We finished recording last week and we got the first mixes of the songs. Thanks to John Angelo they sound awesome.
The new 6 song tape titled "Better Measures" will be out this December on Like Glue Records. The tapes will be available at our tape release show December 16th at the Funeral Home, we'll also have them when we're on tour with Written Off and Enough, and then in our webstore after that.
-Better Times XXX
www.betterxtimes.storenvy.com
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.twitter.com/bettertimesny
We've finished booking our weekend in November!
Friday November 4th-Cleveland, OH @ The Tower 2012 w/ Ages. Ages is awesome, check them out.
Saturday November 5th-Springfield, IL @ Black Sheep Cafe w/ Big Mouth. Big Mouth rules. Midwest Straight Edge. Check em out
Sunday November 6th-Barnesville, OH @ The Lakeview House w/ Handguns, Forever Came Calling
If you're in the area come check it out. It's our first weekend as a band and we couldn't be any more excited.
We finished recording last week and we got the first mixes of the songs. Thanks to John Angelo they sound awesome.
The new 6 song tape titled "Better Measures" will be out this December on Like Glue Records. The tapes will be available at our tape release show December 16th at the Funeral Home, we'll also have them when we're on tour with Written Off and Enough, and then in our webstore after that.
-Better Times XXX
www.betterxtimes.storenvy.com
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.twitter.com/bettertimesny
Friday, October 7, 2011
Update 10-07-11
Hey dudes
We finished recording this past Tuesday. We're very proud of these songs and think they're awesome. We will post lyrics eventually. Our tape release show is December 16th at the Funeral Home with Malfunction, Written Off, and Enough. (Download Malfunction and Written Off's music at the links). Our tape will be put out on Like Glue Records and we'll have a Like Glue x Better Times shirt comin very very soon.
XXX
We finished recording this past Tuesday. We're very proud of these songs and think they're awesome. We will post lyrics eventually. Our tape release show is December 16th at the Funeral Home with Malfunction, Written Off, and Enough. (Download Malfunction and Written Off's music at the links). Our tape will be put out on Like Glue Records and we'll have a Like Glue x Better Times shirt comin very very soon.
XXX
Monday, October 3, 2011
Update 10-03-11
Hey everyone,
We entered the studio with our friend John Angelo last Saturday to record 6 songs for our new tape coming out on Like Glue Records this December. We finished up drums, bass, and guitars on Saturday, and we'll be going back to record vocals tomorrow. We need people to help with gang vocals so if you're free contact us and we'll hook it up.
Our tape release is December 16th at the Funeral Home in Buffalo, NY with Malfunction, Enough, and Written Off. It's also the first date of our tour with Written Off and Enough.
We're heading out to the mid-west for a weekend in November. We'll be hitting Detroit, MI, Springfield, IL, and Ashtabula, OH.
Nov. 4th-Detroit, MI at TBA
Nov. 5th-The Black Sheep Cafe. 1320 South 11th St. Springfield, IL 62704 w/ Big Mouth
Nov. 6th-West End 2153 West Ave. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 w/ TBA
Also, don't forget to pick up your tickets for our show October 21st at Mohawk Place with Agnostic Front and Goodbye Cruel World. Tickets are available at Spiral Scratch Records (291 Bryant Street, off of Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, NY).
Thanks,
Better Times XXX
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.twitter.com/BetterTimesNY
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
We entered the studio with our friend John Angelo last Saturday to record 6 songs for our new tape coming out on Like Glue Records this December. We finished up drums, bass, and guitars on Saturday, and we'll be going back to record vocals tomorrow. We need people to help with gang vocals so if you're free contact us and we'll hook it up.
Our tape release is December 16th at the Funeral Home in Buffalo, NY with Malfunction, Enough, and Written Off. It's also the first date of our tour with Written Off and Enough.
We're heading out to the mid-west for a weekend in November. We'll be hitting Detroit, MI, Springfield, IL, and Ashtabula, OH.
Nov. 4th-Detroit, MI at TBA
Nov. 5th-The Black Sheep Cafe. 1320 South 11th St. Springfield, IL 62704 w/ Big Mouth
Nov. 6th-West End 2153 West Ave. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 w/ TBA
Also, don't forget to pick up your tickets for our show October 21st at Mohawk Place with Agnostic Front and Goodbye Cruel World. Tickets are available at Spiral Scratch Records (291 Bryant Street, off of Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, NY).
Thanks,
Better Times XXX
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.twitter.com/BetterTimesNY
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
Monday, August 29, 2011
Update 08-29-11
Hey everyone,
This is our first update in a while so it's gonna have a lot of stuff that we have going on at the Better Times camp.
First of all, we are recording some new songs soon and they'll be put on a tape by our friend Nick over at Like Glue Records (www.likegluerecords.tumblr.com). We think these new songs are awesome and we're very stoked for you guys to hear them.
We've been added to a show on October 21st with Agnostic Front, The Mongoloids, The Clockers, and Goodbye Cruel World. We're obviously excited to be playing with some of the legends of hardcore. If you're in the Buffalo area and need a ticket, you can get them from Spiral Scratch Records (291 Bryant Street, off of Elmwood Ave. Buffalo) or online here.
Also in October, we're hitting the road and heading out to the Midwest from October 7th to the 10th. Once shows are finalized we'll be posting cities and venues.
Then later this year we're going on tour with our friends in Enough and Written Off. Some of the shows we have lined up are incredible and you won't want to miss this if we hit your city.
We've got some new shirt designs coming so be on the look out at shows and in our online store (www.betterxtimes.storenvy.com).
That should cover everything we have going on for the time being. Be sure to check back for tour dates and other information.
-Cody
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.twitter.com/BetterTimesNY
www.betterxtimes.storenvy.com
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
This is our first update in a while so it's gonna have a lot of stuff that we have going on at the Better Times camp.
First of all, we are recording some new songs soon and they'll be put on a tape by our friend Nick over at Like Glue Records (www.likegluerecords.tumblr.com). We think these new songs are awesome and we're very stoked for you guys to hear them.
We've been added to a show on October 21st with Agnostic Front, The Mongoloids, The Clockers, and Goodbye Cruel World. We're obviously excited to be playing with some of the legends of hardcore. If you're in the Buffalo area and need a ticket, you can get them from Spiral Scratch Records (291 Bryant Street, off of Elmwood Ave. Buffalo) or online here.
Also in October, we're hitting the road and heading out to the Midwest from October 7th to the 10th. Once shows are finalized we'll be posting cities and venues.
Then later this year we're going on tour with our friends in Enough and Written Off. Some of the shows we have lined up are incredible and you won't want to miss this if we hit your city.
We've got some new shirt designs coming so be on the look out at shows and in our online store (www.betterxtimes.storenvy.com).
That should cover everything we have going on for the time being. Be sure to check back for tour dates and other information.
-Cody
www.facebook.com/betterxtimes
www.twitter.com/BetterTimesNY
www.betterxtimes.storenvy.com
www.betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
Monday, April 4, 2011
Buffalo Style
Our friend Bill Page hosts a regular podcast called BUFFALO STYLE.
Each episode features tracks from Buffalo bands of past and present, as well as songs from other bands Bill is into at the moment.
(Each episode is available for download on the Podcast web page. They're also available for streaming online.)
In the 27 episodes Bill has done, a ton of amazing bands have been featured.
Not only is it awesome for its entertainment value, but each episode has been a big learning experience for me as well.
I've discovered a lot of bands I never knew existed, through hearing them played on this radio show. I've got a pretty long list of featured bands that I'm still working on checking out.
Each episode has a pretty diverse playlist, so there's something for everyone, regardless of what your favorite sub-genre of hardcore may be.
We had the honor of having The Kids Still Have Their Say, from our 2011 Demo, featured on the most recent episode of the podcast.
The 27th episode also features tracks from Poison Planet, Rivalry, Rust Belt Lights, Focused Minds, and Rhinoceros.
I highly recommend subscribing to the Buffalo Style Podcast.
Your iTunes will automatically download each new episode as they become available.
Sync them to your iPod, listen to them as you go.
You'll enjoy them and actually learn a lot.
GET INTO IT!
CLICK HERE FOR:
EPISODE 27
Monday, March 14, 2011
Updatesssssss
The show last night went off without a hitch.
Hoglust was RIDICULOUS.
I don't know if this is due to lineup changes or what, but they were so much tighter and so much more intense last night than in previous times I've seen them play. Fast and chaotic is how I like it, fast and chaotic is how Hoglust plays it. Definitely a good time.
Lapse, as expected, totally killed it. I'm not really too sure what's going on with their lineup situation, but I did hear that they're in the process of looking for a new drummer. Despite using a fill-in drummer last night, their set was totally flawless. I spent the past few weeks doing some homework, and actually learning the words to their songs, so singing a long definitely added a whole new element to the experience. I know I speak for the rest of the dudes in Better Times when I say that we really love Lapse, and are pumped to have been able to play 2 consecutive shows with them.
The Carrier was actually pretty good. Like I said in the previous post, it's been a while since I've actually sat down and given their songs a good listen. So that, combined with the PA system being a little fuzzy, made it tough for me to distinguish which of their songs was which. But their set was still enjoyable regardless. The passion and intensity that caught my attention last time I saw The Carrier play was in full-effect last night... and it was hard to walk away from their set with anything other than clenched fists.
Best of luck to those dudes on the rest of their tour!
As far as THE KIDS go.... I really am lucky to belong to a scene that has so many awesome, authentic people as members. It's amazing that after all these years, you can still count on seeing the same faces at every single show.
A few years back I'd always wonder and worry what the scene would be like in the future, when everyone got a little older and got jobs with stricter schedules, etc. I used to worry that everyone would slowly fade out and drift away. But as last night clearly demonstrates, the exact opposite has happened in Buffalo. Granted, we have lost a few people over the years... but the vast majority of the kids that I "came up" with are still around, and are more DOWN for the core than ever.
I would not have it any other way.
I used to go to shows in other cities, envy their huge scenes, and wish we had something like that in Buffalo. I can finally say, beyond a doubt, that what we've got in Buffalo completely meets those expectations I used to have.
As corny as it is to talk about "positivity", it's a really good feeling knowing that you and your band have support... from kids that aren't just fellow hardcore kids, but who have grown to become your personal friends as well.
At a show I'd rather have 50 kids with open minds and good attitudes, who I can count on and who I can consider my personal friends... than have 500 anonymous faces who are just there to hang out and look cool.
So THANK YOU to the kids in the Buffalo hardcore scene. I'm proud to call myself one of you. And proud of the fact that WE created the kind of scene we wanted to have. And WE keep it fresh, alive, and productive.
From here on out, everything Better Times does as a band is dedicated to BUFFALO CREW.
Respek.
-Frank
Hoglust was RIDICULOUS.
I don't know if this is due to lineup changes or what, but they were so much tighter and so much more intense last night than in previous times I've seen them play. Fast and chaotic is how I like it, fast and chaotic is how Hoglust plays it. Definitely a good time.
Lapse, as expected, totally killed it. I'm not really too sure what's going on with their lineup situation, but I did hear that they're in the process of looking for a new drummer. Despite using a fill-in drummer last night, their set was totally flawless. I spent the past few weeks doing some homework, and actually learning the words to their songs, so singing a long definitely added a whole new element to the experience. I know I speak for the rest of the dudes in Better Times when I say that we really love Lapse, and are pumped to have been able to play 2 consecutive shows with them.
The Carrier was actually pretty good. Like I said in the previous post, it's been a while since I've actually sat down and given their songs a good listen. So that, combined with the PA system being a little fuzzy, made it tough for me to distinguish which of their songs was which. But their set was still enjoyable regardless. The passion and intensity that caught my attention last time I saw The Carrier play was in full-effect last night... and it was hard to walk away from their set with anything other than clenched fists.
Best of luck to those dudes on the rest of their tour!
As far as THE KIDS go.... I really am lucky to belong to a scene that has so many awesome, authentic people as members. It's amazing that after all these years, you can still count on seeing the same faces at every single show.
A few years back I'd always wonder and worry what the scene would be like in the future, when everyone got a little older and got jobs with stricter schedules, etc. I used to worry that everyone would slowly fade out and drift away. But as last night clearly demonstrates, the exact opposite has happened in Buffalo. Granted, we have lost a few people over the years... but the vast majority of the kids that I "came up" with are still around, and are more DOWN for the core than ever.
I would not have it any other way.
I used to go to shows in other cities, envy their huge scenes, and wish we had something like that in Buffalo. I can finally say, beyond a doubt, that what we've got in Buffalo completely meets those expectations I used to have.
As corny as it is to talk about "positivity", it's a really good feeling knowing that you and your band have support... from kids that aren't just fellow hardcore kids, but who have grown to become your personal friends as well.
At a show I'd rather have 50 kids with open minds and good attitudes, who I can count on and who I can consider my personal friends... than have 500 anonymous faces who are just there to hang out and look cool.
So THANK YOU to the kids in the Buffalo hardcore scene. I'm proud to call myself one of you. And proud of the fact that WE created the kind of scene we wanted to have. And WE keep it fresh, alive, and productive.
From here on out, everything Better Times does as a band is dedicated to BUFFALO CREW.
Respek.
-Frank
Saturday, March 12, 2011
SHOW TOMORROW!
Just got word from the promoter that the set times are as follows:
DOORS: 7 PM
BETTER TIMES: 7:25 - 7:45
Hoglust: 8:00 - 8:20
Lapse: 8:35 - 8:55
The Carrier 9:10 - ?
Show has to be over by 10PM sharp.
Tomorrow night we're playing SUGAR CITY with Lapse, Hoglust, and The Carrier.
It's been quite some time since the last show we played, which also happened to be our very first show. So I know I speak for the whole band when I say how anxious I am to get back on that floor, get the mic in my hand, and try and make our 7-minutes-worth of songs last 25 whole minutes.
Stoked to be playing with Lapse again.
For no good reason at all I actually forgot that they were on the show until just now.
So now that I've remembered, I'm even more excited for tomorrow.
No Love Lost played with Hoglust over the summer at the Funeral Home, and put on a pretty intense show.
I heard something about some lineup changes they've done lately, so it'll be interesting to see what they've been up to since that Funeral Home show. Definitely looking forward to catching their set.
Playing with The Carrier should be pretty cool.
A few years back I caught them in Toronto with Reign Supreme.
I had a hard time getting into The Carrier at first, so I was a little skeptical before seeing them for the first time. But even though their particular style of hardcore may not exactly be MY cup of tea, they poured so much energy and passion into their songs that I instantly became a fan.
Since that time I burned myself out on them a little bit. I listened to their album No Love Can Save Me a few too many times, and stopped keeping up with them after a while.
Hopefully tomorrow night's show will revive my interest in them a bit, because it's awesome that they're still a band after all this time, and it'd be pretty cool to see what they've been up to since I "grew out of them".
We're running a little behind schedule with the demo's.
Ran into some issues formatting the artwork for the CD's, and I haven't gotten the chance to send everything out to be replicated yet.
HOWEVER... we will have limited edition TAPES available at the show tomorrow, as well as T-SHIRTS.
Hope to see you there.
Yekshemesh
FRANK
XXX
Monday, March 7, 2011
Facebook?
If you use Facebook and feel like "Like"'ing us, head on over to BETTER TIMES FACEBOOK PAGE and click the button.
I know I spent over 9000 minutes explaining how much I DIDN'T want this band to rely on Facebook for e-exposure.
BUT, discussing it with the other dudes in the band has helped me realize that there are actually some advantages to using Facebook. And that avoiding having a Facebook amounts to throwing the proverbial baby out with the hypothetical bathwater.
As far as page format goes, I definitely prefer the blog-style site to the Facebook-style site.
HOWEVER, this blog doesn't let us keep track of WHO is checking us out, and WHERE the checker-outers are from.
We've got a little page counter at the bottom of the blog. But, that doesn't tell me anything about who you are, what you like, where you're from, etc.
If our blog visit-counter gets 1,000 new page views today, and 956 of them come from El Paso, Texas...we have no way of knowing that.
With a Facebook page however, we can see that 956 people from El Paso decided to "Like" us all of a sudden...which lets us know that we'd probably draw a decent sized crowd if we ever played Texas.
Such information could very well motivate us to don cowboy hats, mount our lucky stallions and head south to play some rock-and-roll gigs.
SO, we made a Facebook.
THIS BLOG will still be our primary method of relaying information about our band.
The Facebook will be used for the exclusive purpose of keeping track of WHO is into us, and WHERE they're from... so that we can plan shows/tours/weekends/releases in a more strategic fashion.
If you use Facebook and feel like "Like"'ing us, head on over to BETTER TIMES FACEBOOK PAGE and click the button.
Feedback is crucial to us.
Since more people have Facebook accounts than blogger accounts, I'd rather receive feedback via band Facebook than not receive feedback at all.
Namaste.
-Frank Edge
LYRICS!
A bunch of people have been asking me to post lyrics, because they don't want to wait to get their hands on a CD insert to start preparing for pile-on's and sing-a-longs.
Lyrics are posted in the order they appear on our demo, and on our bandcamp page.
Alright! Let's go!
INTRO - Instrumental
The intro may or may not gain some lyrics as time goes on. If anyone can think of anything catchy to yell during this song in particular, feel free to let me know. We are always open to suggestions.
BAIL OUT
Forty hours in seven days
Paycheck to pay-check.
Apathetic corporate slave,
Your life's a fucking wreck.
Do you recognize yourself?
Tired, taxed and ticked.
If time is money, what's worth more
To a rat on a sinking ship?
Your wallet's filling up
While your days are counting down.
Fancy fucking locks
On fancy fucking doors
In the safest part of town.
What's the price on happiness?
A separate expense account
To tidy up every little mess?
TIRED!
TAXED!
TICKED!
Wall Street is a sinking ship!
48 SECONDS
Swallow your pride
Or just all your teeth.
Polish your lies
And hide underneath
That mountain of shit you think is your home.
Surrounded by friends
But you're still all alone.
This year was the best
But where did it go?
This train-wreck life
Is all you know.
Here's where I should become bitter.
Here's where I could become cruel.
But instead I choose to just be better.
So here's the last 48 seconds that get wasted on you.
LAST FORTY-EIGHT!
WHAT A FUCKING WASTE!
WASTE!
REAL FRIENDS WIN
Five years come and gone,
Memories and countless shows,
No distance is too far
When these kids are my home.
HEADS HELD HIGH!
BACKS TO THE WIND!
We won't get blown away
'Cuz our fire burns within.
Five years come and gone,
Memories and countless shows,
No distance is too far
Better times are all we know.
My friends keep that fire within burning stronger everyday.
And we all know that REAL FRIENDS WIN,
Growing stronger every day
YEAH!
SOONER OR LATER
These years of friendship have gone down the drain
Your fucked up choices will not be your gain.
You looked at your life
And decided you wanted "more".
You changed your ideals, man
Like you never had the Edge before.
Being strung along.
Playing all their games.
When you're all alone,
Then who will you blame?
Take responsibility.
You wanted this to burn,
But I knew pretty soon you'd break.
THE KIDS STILL HAVE THEIR SAY
I will raise my fist
While you hoist that flag.
And I will raise my voice
While you reach to gag.
For far too long
We've looked the other way.
But we're young and proud,
This is what we have to say:
We don't need your drugs.
We don't want your beer.
We won't be your thugs.
We won't buy your fear.
For far too long
We've looked the other way.
But we're young and proud,
This is what I have to say.
PROUD YOUTH! For ourselves.
PROUD YOUTH! For tomorrow.
STRAIGHT EDGE! For a better world.
THE KIDS STILL HAVE THEIR SAY!
BETTER TIMES
Wasting away in these games.
Going to places where people forget our names.
The struggle to find peace inside.
THE WALLS! That hold us down.
THE HATE! That holds us back.
THE PEACE! That's so hard to find.
Wasting away in these games.
Going to places where people forget our names.
The struggle to find peace inside.
Where all these problems coincide.
BETTER TIMES!
Stepping up for our voice to be heard.
It's our job to take action and learn.
Working together for a better life.
Not wasting time standing in line.
THE WALLS! That hold us down.
THE HATE! That holds us back.
THE PEACE! That's so hard to find.
That make us work for better times.
BETTER TIMES!
Lyrics are posted in the order they appear on our demo, and on our bandcamp page.
Alright! Let's go!
INTRO - Instrumental
The intro may or may not gain some lyrics as time goes on. If anyone can think of anything catchy to yell during this song in particular, feel free to let me know. We are always open to suggestions.
BAIL OUT
Forty hours in seven days
Paycheck to pay-check.
Apathetic corporate slave,
Your life's a fucking wreck.
Do you recognize yourself?
Tired, taxed and ticked.
If time is money, what's worth more
To a rat on a sinking ship?
Your wallet's filling up
While your days are counting down.
Fancy fucking locks
On fancy fucking doors
In the safest part of town.
What's the price on happiness?
A separate expense account
To tidy up every little mess?
TIRED!
TAXED!
TICKED!
Wall Street is a sinking ship!
48 SECONDS
Swallow your pride
Or just all your teeth.
Polish your lies
And hide underneath
That mountain of shit you think is your home.
Surrounded by friends
But you're still all alone.
This year was the best
But where did it go?
This train-wreck life
Is all you know.
Here's where I should become bitter.
Here's where I could become cruel.
But instead I choose to just be better.
So here's the last 48 seconds that get wasted on you.
LAST FORTY-EIGHT!
WHAT A FUCKING WASTE!
WASTE!
REAL FRIENDS WIN
Five years come and gone,
Memories and countless shows,
No distance is too far
When these kids are my home.
HEADS HELD HIGH!
BACKS TO THE WIND!
We won't get blown away
'Cuz our fire burns within.
Five years come and gone,
Memories and countless shows,
No distance is too far
Better times are all we know.
My friends keep that fire within burning stronger everyday.
And we all know that REAL FRIENDS WIN,
Growing stronger every day
YEAH!
SOONER OR LATER
These years of friendship have gone down the drain
Your fucked up choices will not be your gain.
You looked at your life
And decided you wanted "more".
You changed your ideals, man
Like you never had the Edge before.
Being strung along.
Playing all their games.
When you're all alone,
Then who will you blame?
Take responsibility.
You wanted this to burn,
But I knew pretty soon you'd break.
THE KIDS STILL HAVE THEIR SAY
I will raise my fist
While you hoist that flag.
And I will raise my voice
While you reach to gag.
For far too long
We've looked the other way.
But we're young and proud,
This is what we have to say:
We don't need your drugs.
We don't want your beer.
We won't be your thugs.
We won't buy your fear.
For far too long
We've looked the other way.
But we're young and proud,
This is what I have to say.
PROUD YOUTH! For ourselves.
PROUD YOUTH! For tomorrow.
STRAIGHT EDGE! For a better world.
THE KIDS STILL HAVE THEIR SAY!
BETTER TIMES
Wasting away in these games.
Going to places where people forget our names.
The struggle to find peace inside.
THE WALLS! That hold us down.
THE HATE! That holds us back.
THE PEACE! That's so hard to find.
Wasting away in these games.
Going to places where people forget our names.
The struggle to find peace inside.
Where all these problems coincide.
BETTER TIMES!
Stepping up for our voice to be heard.
It's our job to take action and learn.
Working together for a better life.
Not wasting time standing in line.
THE WALLS! That hold us down.
THE HATE! That holds us back.
THE PEACE! That's so hard to find.
That make us work for better times.
BETTER TIMES!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
RECORDINGS
We recently recorded a 7-song demo with Brian Russo.
Last night we all stopped by Brian's house to check out the mastered tracks.
Because we were extremely stoked on how the recordings turned out, we got them bounced to a CD-R so we could share it with you all.
We will be sending these out to have CD's replicated within the next week... so we should have a finished package, cd, case, insert, shrink wrap, etc... ready for sale by our upcoming show on the 13th.
We will also be releasing a limited-edition tape of this demo... so keep your eyes open for updates on how to get your hands on one of those.
In the meantime, we uploaded the demo to a bandcamp webpage.
Feel free to click this link to give it a listen!
Betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
Last night we all stopped by Brian's house to check out the mastered tracks.
Because we were extremely stoked on how the recordings turned out, we got them bounced to a CD-R so we could share it with you all.
We will be sending these out to have CD's replicated within the next week... so we should have a finished package, cd, case, insert, shrink wrap, etc... ready for sale by our upcoming show on the 13th.
We will also be releasing a limited-edition tape of this demo... so keep your eyes open for updates on how to get your hands on one of those.
In the meantime, we uploaded the demo to a bandcamp webpage.
Feel free to click this link to give it a listen!
Betterxtimes.bandcamp.com
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Recordings
Here's a clip of Bill doing some vocal spots. Super awkward without the music in the background, isn't it?
Last night we were able to finish up the last bits of recording for our debut demo.
Our friend Brian Russo was awesome enough to share his time and equipment, and came to our Main Street practice space to set up and record 7 songs for us.
We knocked out drums and scratch guitars last week, guitars and bass last weekend, and then vocals and gang vocals last night.
Due to some pretty bizarre circumstances unfolding in the building that houses our practice space, tracking vocals was almost presented from taking place.
I was the first to arrive at 700 Main, office-building by day, practice space/Twilight Zone by night.
I unlocked the doors, set my things down inside of our practice room, and headed down the hall to check on the bigger room we had been recording inside of. There were a bunch of random middle-aged dudes inside this room, smoking pot and untangling miles and miles of cords and cables.
Heading back down the stairs to wait by the door for the rest of the band, I had to fight my way through a small group of kids riding unicycles inside the main hallway.
While waiting for everyone to show up, I was approached separately by about 4 or 5 yuppie-looking middle-aged people. Each of them handed me these 3x5 pieces of fabric with words embroidered into them. These pieces of fabric were tickets for some "natural healing" seminar taking place on the 6th floor of the building. Assuming I had something to do with the seminar, they handed me their tickets and asked me for questions about directions and seating arrangements and so forth. For whatever reason, it took a bit of effort to convince them that I was NOT involved in their event, and had no idea what they hell they were talking about.
So many strange things happen in this building after 6PM.
If you're ever in the area, wander around our building for a few minutes..your concept of "odd" will be redefined each time you open a new door. Or, play it on the safe side and take my word for it.
After being solicited for drugs, helping a woman unload a ton of fake plants from a van, and taking a few awkward elevator rides with total strangers, the rest of my band had arrived and it was time to get set up for recording.
The natural healing seminar on the 6th floor forced a resident bongo-drum instructor to move his weekly class from its usual spot on 6 down into our recording room on 2. With arms full of cords, mics, and other components, we entered the big concrete room to find a drum circle banging away on bongos oblivious to the world around them.
Because of the ambient noise being generated by this activity, and by the other bands practicing on our floor, we were forced to discuss alternate locations we could use as recording space.
We called just about everyone we knew, and their parents too...anyone with an apartment, basement, garage, etc.... We even considered sneaking in to a random unlocked classroom on a local college campus to record.
After an hour or so of discussing our options, we decided to tough it out and record regardless of the noise.
Because I'm a diva and need a million takes before I'm satisfied, the drum circle was calling it quits around the same time we were ready to start gang vocals.
So we moved everything into a huge concrete room down the hall, gathered around a single central microphone, and shouted snippets of lyrics at the tops of our lungs. Lots of farting and goofing around ensued, but the size of the room really helped the recordings come out awesome.
After 4 or 5 hours had elapsed, we were DONE tracking each aspect of our upcoming 7-song demo. Based on what I heard of the rough, unmixed tracks, I am more stoked on these songs than I've been on anything in a long time. Brian Russo really knows his stuff, and we're all super anxious to get our hands on the finished product so we can get CD's in your hands.
We've got JAY JACOBY illustrating the album artwork. Good dude who has done solid work for a lot of awesome bands. We're definitely looking forward to seeing what he was able to come up with for us. Check out his blog: http://positiveartlook.blogspot.com/
We're planning on releasing a CD, as well as a few "limited edition" tapes.
Stay tuned for updates regarding the recordings!
-Frank Edge
Last night we were able to finish up the last bits of recording for our debut demo.
Our friend Brian Russo was awesome enough to share his time and equipment, and came to our Main Street practice space to set up and record 7 songs for us.
We knocked out drums and scratch guitars last week, guitars and bass last weekend, and then vocals and gang vocals last night.
Due to some pretty bizarre circumstances unfolding in the building that houses our practice space, tracking vocals was almost presented from taking place.
I was the first to arrive at 700 Main, office-building by day, practice space/Twilight Zone by night.
I unlocked the doors, set my things down inside of our practice room, and headed down the hall to check on the bigger room we had been recording inside of. There were a bunch of random middle-aged dudes inside this room, smoking pot and untangling miles and miles of cords and cables.
Heading back down the stairs to wait by the door for the rest of the band, I had to fight my way through a small group of kids riding unicycles inside the main hallway.
While waiting for everyone to show up, I was approached separately by about 4 or 5 yuppie-looking middle-aged people. Each of them handed me these 3x5 pieces of fabric with words embroidered into them. These pieces of fabric were tickets for some "natural healing" seminar taking place on the 6th floor of the building. Assuming I had something to do with the seminar, they handed me their tickets and asked me for questions about directions and seating arrangements and so forth. For whatever reason, it took a bit of effort to convince them that I was NOT involved in their event, and had no idea what they hell they were talking about.
So many strange things happen in this building after 6PM.
If you're ever in the area, wander around our building for a few minutes..your concept of "odd" will be redefined each time you open a new door. Or, play it on the safe side and take my word for it.
After being solicited for drugs, helping a woman unload a ton of fake plants from a van, and taking a few awkward elevator rides with total strangers, the rest of my band had arrived and it was time to get set up for recording.
The natural healing seminar on the 6th floor forced a resident bongo-drum instructor to move his weekly class from its usual spot on 6 down into our recording room on 2. With arms full of cords, mics, and other components, we entered the big concrete room to find a drum circle banging away on bongos oblivious to the world around them.
Because of the ambient noise being generated by this activity, and by the other bands practicing on our floor, we were forced to discuss alternate locations we could use as recording space.
We called just about everyone we knew, and their parents too...anyone with an apartment, basement, garage, etc.... We even considered sneaking in to a random unlocked classroom on a local college campus to record.
After an hour or so of discussing our options, we decided to tough it out and record regardless of the noise.
Because I'm a diva and need a million takes before I'm satisfied, the drum circle was calling it quits around the same time we were ready to start gang vocals.
So we moved everything into a huge concrete room down the hall, gathered around a single central microphone, and shouted snippets of lyrics at the tops of our lungs. Lots of farting and goofing around ensued, but the size of the room really helped the recordings come out awesome.
After 4 or 5 hours had elapsed, we were DONE tracking each aspect of our upcoming 7-song demo. Based on what I heard of the rough, unmixed tracks, I am more stoked on these songs than I've been on anything in a long time. Brian Russo really knows his stuff, and we're all super anxious to get our hands on the finished product so we can get CD's in your hands.
We've got JAY JACOBY illustrating the album artwork. Good dude who has done solid work for a lot of awesome bands. We're definitely looking forward to seeing what he was able to come up with for us. Check out his blog: http://positiveartlook.blogspot.com/
We're planning on releasing a CD, as well as a few "limited edition" tapes.
Stay tuned for updates regarding the recordings!
-Frank Edge
Music in the age of digital reproduction
Hey guys, Frank here.
This is the maiden-post of our new band blogger page.
Being 2011, it's tough to exist as a band without having some sort of internet presence. I know that a lot of bands resisted using Myspace when Myspace was popular. While it may be "cool" to be the ONE band in the entire world that doesn't have SOME sort of website, I think you risk throwing the baby out with the bathwater by avoiding the digital age altogether. I can't tell you how many hours I spent on purevolume.com as a teenager, just browsing through pages and pages and pages of search results for bands. I can't tell you how much I was able to broaden my taste in music by being able to discover new bands almost instantaneously online. As I type this, I've got a band from Belgium blasting through my headphones. Had I not been able to follow link after link, jumping from music player to music player, I probably wouldn't have ever discovered this particular band. Had it not been for the the vast expanse of free information available online, and the ease of listening to new bands, I probably wouldn't have gotten as serious about hardcore as I have, and I'd probably be bumping lousy Top 40 jams in my car every day.
Granted, the internet has made it a bit tougher for decent bands to stick out amongst the millions of lousy bands floating around on the internet... but letting this problem give you a pessimistic attitude is such a cop-out. Yes, the fact that just about anybody can record and upload an "album" does make it harder for decent bands to get noticed. BUT, this fact should be seen as an opportunity and not a set back. If you've got talent and a message, but kids are too distracted to take notice, TRY HARDER...play louder, put more and more energy into getting better and better. Instead of letting it hold you back, let it motivate you to try even harder to become even better at what you do. Sure it will take time for kids to take notice, but which worthwhile things DON'T take time?
The Internet can be both a blessing and a curse. It can be responsible for the creation and proliferation of a lot of bizarre, meaningless trash; but when used constructively and strategically, it can enrich the lives (and iTunes libraries) of hardcore kids everywhere.
After leaving our practice space one night a while back, Bill and I stood outside and had a conversation pretty similar to this post. We discussed how we were going to represent our band digitally, and we decided on a blogger/blogspot page. These days, it's so easy to create a free account on a website like Facebook or Bandcamp. These types of sites make it easy to create and share content. They give you boxes to fill in, you fill them in, click SAVE, and you've got an instantaneous internet presence. Don't get me wrong, I can't go three minutes without checking to see if I've got any new Facebook notifications. Facebook and sites like it are excellent for staying in touch with friends and family. But the reason sites like Facebook are so appealing is also the reason sites like Facebook aren't the most appropriate for band pages.
Ultra-standardized and over-simplified, Facebook makes it almost TOO easy to share information. It attempts to take the broad, wide-ranging aspects of human social interaction and cram them into rigid and polarized categories. You have to pick between Male or Female, Single or In A Relationship, etc. You have to present your pictures, your thoughts, and your friendships within a specific, generic format. This makes me wonder, what if there is more to the human experience than the options sites like Facebook allow us to select from? What if you've got more to say than the low character-limit the Status Update feature will allow? Will we eventually begin to think, act, and speak in a way we know will fit most easily into these categories? What will happen to human social interaction after a few generations of being conditioned to behave within these boxes?
While standardization does make it easier to find friends with common interests, checking off boxes from a list of pre-determined options can't possibly be the best way to represent our interests.
I can say I like "punk", "books", and "outdoors". But reading these bullet-point interests doesn't tell you I like DC style bands more than West Coast style bands, it doesn't tell you I read more historical non-fiction than anything else but still have a soft-spot for comedic science-fiction, and it doesn't tell you that I love camping but have no interest in hunting/fishing in particular.
The whole point is.... there is far too much complexity involved in the day-to-day experience of human life to try and condense into cramped compartments or categories.
This principle applies to music as well.
There are more aspects to being in a band than Facebook currently allows you to showcase. There are entire WORLDS of information...live videos, tour stories, excerpts from lyrical experiments, etc... that can't possibly fit comfortably within the rigid black-or-white/this-or-that format Facebook offers.
So that's why we've chosen to do a blog-style website. I don't know a single thing about HTML, or design in general, but I'm willing to learn. I'm willing to put the time into learning how to make this page more interesting and more dynamic, because I'm not content with the options standardized sites like Facebook have to offer.
We've chosen to go with a site that leaves the format up to us to determine. We've chosen to go with a site that allows a little bit more freedom when it comes to presentation and expression, in the hopes those who come across this page are able to get a better feel for who we are, as a band AND as kids, than they would had they skimmed through yet another generic, impersonal Facebook page.
So, this site is probably going to change quite a bit while I adapt to using it. Please be patient and stay tuned for fresh updates and new content.
Thanks for reading this.
Thanks for having an open mind.. there are fewer things in life more valuable than that.
-Frank Edge
This is the maiden-post of our new band blogger page.
Being 2011, it's tough to exist as a band without having some sort of internet presence. I know that a lot of bands resisted using Myspace when Myspace was popular. While it may be "cool" to be the ONE band in the entire world that doesn't have SOME sort of website, I think you risk throwing the baby out with the bathwater by avoiding the digital age altogether. I can't tell you how many hours I spent on purevolume.com as a teenager, just browsing through pages and pages and pages of search results for bands. I can't tell you how much I was able to broaden my taste in music by being able to discover new bands almost instantaneously online. As I type this, I've got a band from Belgium blasting through my headphones. Had I not been able to follow link after link, jumping from music player to music player, I probably wouldn't have ever discovered this particular band. Had it not been for the the vast expanse of free information available online, and the ease of listening to new bands, I probably wouldn't have gotten as serious about hardcore as I have, and I'd probably be bumping lousy Top 40 jams in my car every day.
Granted, the internet has made it a bit tougher for decent bands to stick out amongst the millions of lousy bands floating around on the internet... but letting this problem give you a pessimistic attitude is such a cop-out. Yes, the fact that just about anybody can record and upload an "album" does make it harder for decent bands to get noticed. BUT, this fact should be seen as an opportunity and not a set back. If you've got talent and a message, but kids are too distracted to take notice, TRY HARDER...play louder, put more and more energy into getting better and better. Instead of letting it hold you back, let it motivate you to try even harder to become even better at what you do. Sure it will take time for kids to take notice, but which worthwhile things DON'T take time?
The Internet can be both a blessing and a curse. It can be responsible for the creation and proliferation of a lot of bizarre, meaningless trash; but when used constructively and strategically, it can enrich the lives (and iTunes libraries) of hardcore kids everywhere.
After leaving our practice space one night a while back, Bill and I stood outside and had a conversation pretty similar to this post. We discussed how we were going to represent our band digitally, and we decided on a blogger/blogspot page. These days, it's so easy to create a free account on a website like Facebook or Bandcamp. These types of sites make it easy to create and share content. They give you boxes to fill in, you fill them in, click SAVE, and you've got an instantaneous internet presence. Don't get me wrong, I can't go three minutes without checking to see if I've got any new Facebook notifications. Facebook and sites like it are excellent for staying in touch with friends and family. But the reason sites like Facebook are so appealing is also the reason sites like Facebook aren't the most appropriate for band pages.
Ultra-standardized and over-simplified, Facebook makes it almost TOO easy to share information. It attempts to take the broad, wide-ranging aspects of human social interaction and cram them into rigid and polarized categories. You have to pick between Male or Female, Single or In A Relationship, etc. You have to present your pictures, your thoughts, and your friendships within a specific, generic format. This makes me wonder, what if there is more to the human experience than the options sites like Facebook allow us to select from? What if you've got more to say than the low character-limit the Status Update feature will allow? Will we eventually begin to think, act, and speak in a way we know will fit most easily into these categories? What will happen to human social interaction after a few generations of being conditioned to behave within these boxes?
While standardization does make it easier to find friends with common interests, checking off boxes from a list of pre-determined options can't possibly be the best way to represent our interests.
I can say I like "punk", "books", and "outdoors". But reading these bullet-point interests doesn't tell you I like DC style bands more than West Coast style bands, it doesn't tell you I read more historical non-fiction than anything else but still have a soft-spot for comedic science-fiction, and it doesn't tell you that I love camping but have no interest in hunting/fishing in particular.
The whole point is.... there is far too much complexity involved in the day-to-day experience of human life to try and condense into cramped compartments or categories.
This principle applies to music as well.
There are more aspects to being in a band than Facebook currently allows you to showcase. There are entire WORLDS of information...live videos, tour stories, excerpts from lyrical experiments, etc... that can't possibly fit comfortably within the rigid black-or-white/this-or-that format Facebook offers.
So that's why we've chosen to do a blog-style website. I don't know a single thing about HTML, or design in general, but I'm willing to learn. I'm willing to put the time into learning how to make this page more interesting and more dynamic, because I'm not content with the options standardized sites like Facebook have to offer.
We've chosen to go with a site that leaves the format up to us to determine. We've chosen to go with a site that allows a little bit more freedom when it comes to presentation and expression, in the hopes those who come across this page are able to get a better feel for who we are, as a band AND as kids, than they would had they skimmed through yet another generic, impersonal Facebook page.
So, this site is probably going to change quite a bit while I adapt to using it. Please be patient and stay tuned for fresh updates and new content.
Thanks for reading this.
Thanks for having an open mind.. there are fewer things in life more valuable than that.
-Frank Edge
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