Category Archives: Music

Beer, Drumming, Music, NYC, random thoughts

How to Get a Free Drink in New York City

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This past Saturday night I saw Minus the Bear at Webster Hall. It was an awesome show; they are a very tight band that brought the crowd through a wide range of emotions. I was damn surprised that their drummer plays a basic, clear fiberglass Ludwig four-piece set with only two crashes, a ride cymbal, and hi-hats. His sound is generally much fuller than the equipment portrays. It’s great seeing bands in small venues, where you can actually see the performers’ faces instead of resorting to a big screen.

Afterwards, with time to kill before my train home, I went to my most favorite place on Earth (ok, my favorite bar at least) for some libations. Despite the large crowd in this oddly laid out location, I grabbed a seat at the bar, and had my first beverage. As I was consuming my second, a girl came up to me, “Excuse me, sir”.

Oh boy.

Long story short, these four girls were out for a bachelorette party (… at the Blind Tiger?!). As part of the bride-to-be’s scavenger hunt, she was required to kiss a man’s scalp. I guess scavenger hunts are what people do at bachelorette parties? As a male, I am used to bachelor parties consisting of severe intoxication that is generally paid for all day the next day, and barely clothed women asking for money at expensive locations to which I normally don’t go.

So, being the intoxicated good sport I normally am, I took off my hat, and tilted my head towards the woman who will probably only remember kissing my sweaty pate (I was at a concert, y’know) because of the photos her friends took.

As I wiped the last bit of lipstick off my head, the bartender placed an empty glass upside down, and she said “your next beer is from the lady wearing the tiara”.

I chose that delicious beverage as Avery Brewing’s Reverend Belgian Quad. A stellar way to finish right before I stumbled to the train station. I was considerate: it wasn’t the most expensive beer in the place, and as I left, I both thanked and congratulated the bride-to-be.

And I wasn’t even that hungover the next day.

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Music

Mid-year Music Report Card

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So far, I’ve purchased seven albums this year, mostly from Amazon’s unrestricted MP3 download store. Here’s my rating of each:

Coldplay – Viva La Vida – B-/C+ – This one took awhile to get into. Nothing really amazing here, but it’s growing on me. On par with X&Y, though I may like that one better.

Counting Crows – Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings – A – The Crows are back! What a fun, great album from them. After a few disappointing but likeable releases, this was a treat to buy.

Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs – A – Great album from a band I only recently discovered. Awesome summer music.

Filter – Anthems for the Damned – D – I’m a fairly large Filter fan, but Richard Patrick phoned this one in. The Amalgamut was a good album; this one sounds pretty much like every other Filter song created. Nothing new or exciting.

John Mayer – Where the Light Is: Live in Los Angeles – A – When I first downloaded this, I was disappointed because the first few tracks are solo acoustic, and as a drummer, i hate solo acoustic. Then the tracks with his amazing Trio came on, and it was well worth the price of admission. This album would be an A+ if not for the solo stuff.

Nine Inch Nails – The Slip – C-. I’ve never been a huge NIN fan, and haven’t really paid attention since pretty hate machine.
When I heard Trent was giving away this album, I had to give it a try.

And was underwhelmed.

At times it sounds like he just bought a copy of ProTools and was giving things a try in his bedroom. Other times it sounds just like stuff I heard in 1988. There are a few songs here worth listening to, but if you’re a NIN fan, it’s probaby just like something you’ve already heard.

Panic at the Disco – Pretty. Odd. – A – What I knew about Panic before this album was that my marching band kids loved them, and they were considered Emo. That was enough to keep me away. But when a band alumnus recommended it, I gave the sample tracks a listen, and bought it right then and there. A wonderful homage to The Beatles, and should be listened to very loudly, with all of the windows down in your car.

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Now playing: Panic At The Disco – We’re So Starving (Album Version)
via FoxyTunes

Music, random thoughts

How to feel old

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  1. Book your marching band for the opening of a two-day rock concert.
  2. Peruse list of over 100 bands; find you are familiar with maybe 10.
  3. Meet with organizers night before said concert. Meet a band manager who may be barely old enough to legally purchase alcohol.
  4. Have said band (Say Anything) march with your band, with no clue who these kids are.
  5. Wear Chuck Taylors to concert solely on asphalt. Enjoy pain in feet for two days afterward.
  6. Have one of your alumni assistants ask if you are going to dye your goatee to get rid of the grey.
  7. Notice many kids who are way too young to be that drunk.
  8. Refuse to stand on line and pay $7.75 for a plastic bottle of Bud/Coors/Miller Lite, even if you are parched and at a concert.
  9. Notice that the people your age at the concert are hanging back from the crowd; they’re waiting for their kids.
  10. Realize that although it’s grey and low-50s temps, while you are layered with clothing, most people are wearing t-shirts and no jackets.
  11. See girls crowd surfing and being pulled over the fence by security guards; double-check that they’re not one of your band members.
  12. Notice that even though there are food, drink, and beer vendors, there is litter everywhere and very few garbage cans.
  13. Plan to see several bands in succession that you actually know. Stay for two (Less than Jake and MXPX).