I totally suck at remembering to update this thing. I'm fairly sure no one reads this anyway. No big deal, I write on this blog for myself more than anyone. If anyone does read it though, here is a boring update:

First of all, for reasons I can't really explain, I have been a total Grump lately. For any of you that have felt the wrath of my new found Grumpiness, I apologize sincerely. I am working on turning that "Frown upside down".

I have been pretty busy with new Pullout duties. I have taken the reigns on doing merch, promo and finishing up the album art work. I've never been in charge of something like this, so its fun..for now. I am sure I will be running around last minute to get everything together before we fly to Europe because that's when I work the best it seems. We also finally got two new (solid) members to play for us. One of which is one of my best friends in the entire world, Sr. Ultimate Justin Peach.

"Eagles & Vultures" is mastered and has artwork now. GMM Records is going to put it out Stateside and Razorblade Music is going to be releasing it Euroside. Our European Tour is being booked as I type. I think about half of it is confirmed. I will post dates when I get the final itinerary. Needless to say, we are all stoked to be touring with the new Band. It has been way too long since I've been on the road and I feel like I might lose it at any minute at work. Something about stepping over human fecal matter and used syringes at 6:30am while walking to work after taking a 30 minute bus ride just loses its appeal after a while.

We played our first shows with the new guys this weekend, or as I like to call it: Our weekend "ghetto-way". Yea, we played in some dodgy neighborhoods. Regardless, they both did an awesome job, but no surprise there..they are both rippers. One of the highlights of the weekend was when we found a Canary Yellow Boat around the corner from Burnt Ramen. We didn't have our trailer with us, and the boat hitch was unlocked. The brilliant idea of stealing the boat came into my head, so I went forth and announced it to the van that we should steal the boat and sell it and we could buy something awesome with it. I had more votes for yes than for no. Luckily, our new guitar player Zac is straight edge. So we left the final decision to him...and we left with no boat. When in doubt, always ask the sober driver for the final opinion. Especially in a neighborhood where you could easily get shot.

Another thing I have done recently that I have never done before is watch every single Presidential Debate. This is the first election where I am old enough to understand everything that's going on. You don't need me to tell you that this is an important election. Sarah Palin scares the holy shit out of me. The fact that some people actually think she is capable of being a Vice President makes me embarrassed to be an American. I made a promise to myself that if she somehow ever becomes President I will move to Australia. Canada is too cold.

I've been getting Tattooed a lot. Im sure my mom hates it, but its something I enjoy doing. I watched a show on TV about Tattoos a while ago. Something about the Physiology of why people get tattooed. This therapist said people are usually trying to compensate for something in there unconscious. It was very interesting, I don't know if I agree with him. Maybe I get tattooed because I think it will make me a better musician?? Well if that's the case and I don't become a better musician, im gonna be pissed when I am 40 and cant get a job.

That's all, this is some shit if been into lately:

H20 - Nothing to Prove SOOOOOO Good
Against Me!: - Everything by them rules, I can't get enough of them. I saw them play the other night and they were amazing.
Tom Gabel - Solo EP:. Singer of Against Me! Some songs are different, but they are starting to grow on me.
Dead Hearts - A Death in the Family: Derek from Dead Hearts is a radical dude. He sent me this EP for free along with some other DH Shwaag. Too bad they broke up, I would have really like to see another Full Length from them
Verse - Aggression: I was never really into this band before this record came out. It is so powerful and intelligent. In my opinion, hands down best hardcore album of 2008.
The Loved Ones - Keep Your Heart: Kind of poppy, really catchy..good shit
Alkaline Trio - Good Mourning: Out of no where I started liking this band..a lot. Good songs, I need to get more of their stuff.
Build Us Airplanes - The Good Book: Matt from MS's new band. Really good indie rock band. Insanely good live, especially for a 3 piece.
NOFX - They've Actually Gotten Worst Live: Recorded in SF, shit is funny
Immortal Technique - The 3rd World: This album has a different sound than his first two records. It took me a couple listens to get into it but realized I was glad he didn't write the same record. It makes me respect him even more as an Artist. Definitely worth a listen.
Sons Of Anarchy: This show rules. Follows a Northern California based Motorcycle club (obviously takes after the Hell's Angels). I've heard it compared as "The West Coast version of the Sopranos". I don't know if I would go as far to say it is as good as the Sopranos, but its a great show. I saw one episode and then bought all the episodes on I Tunes immediately.

Thanks for reading,
Chris

Time for an update..

My life has been the following: Work, Practice, Work, Practice, Work, Show, Show, Work. Monster Squad had decided to play a few shows so we were trying to re-tighten the screws so to speak, meaning I had to drive to Vacaville and extra day out of the week. I already drive up there for Pullout practice twice a week, so MS practice was an extra strain on my body, mind and my wallet. None the less, it was great to play guitar again and be together with everyone at the same time.

Pullout finished up our full length album which should be released in the next month or so (I hope). The album is going to be titled "Eagles & Vultures" and we are very happy with the way it has turned out. We have a couple of labels interested in putting it out so that could delay the release date. Our pal Benni from SS Kaliert will be releasing it in Europe as well on Razor Blade Music. There is a good chance it will be released out there before it is here..strange. We have been also trying to find two new members because Jason has quite and Justin will be quiting to focus on DCOI! Our buddy John from In Desperation has been filling in on Bass until we find a permanent replacement. We have also been playing a lot of shows that have been radical. We got to play with Youth Brigade last weekend. I have met those guys a couple times before with Monster Squad. The Sterns are rad dudes and even remembered who I was. WOO!

Here are some pictures from shows that rule:

Monster Squad at Great American Music Hall 8/8/08


Pullout at the VFW in Orangvale with Youth Brigade(I have since cut my mop top)

Last VFW Hall show :(

Great American Musichall

I have been very fortunate to have played in some amazing venues. We are all super excited about playing here. Come out if you can. Oh, and to the Gilman show too

pullout video

I found this video on the you tube. It's a weird edited video from the show the other night that some grown men made. It has good footage of us playing a song though. The song is called "The Art of Blasphemy" and it will be on the upcoming album.

Enjoy.

Drop the 'tude dude

For the last few years I haven't really had any compelling reasons to go to Warped Tour. Each year I see the line up of bands and recognize only a hand full of names out of 1000, and out of that hand full there are usually one or two worth seeing. However, this year Against Me! was playing and my friend Kristy was working on the warped tour and put me on the guest list, so i thought "What the Hell?"

I don't know where Kevin Lyman gets his people to work the booths, but about 99.9% of them had serious cases of "Rock Star Syndrome". One band (who I won't mention) that I have played with a few times (and headlined over I might add) barely let me put up a Casualties poster for a show i am promoting. Apparently being on Hellcat gives you an asshole pass as a bonus when you sign.

I did spend a majority of the day hanging up said posters for an upcoming show in San Francisco. I went to the Side One Dummy tent, which is the label that The Casualties are on and here is a transcript of how that conversation went down.

ME: "Hey Guys, do you mind if I hang up a Casualties poster for their upcoming show at Thee Parkside?"

DUMB GUY: "NO!"

ME: " No?, are you serious? You do realize that this band is on your label don't you??"

DUMB GUY: "They are? Hey, (calling the attention of a smarter guy) can we hang up a Casualties poster?"

SMART GUY: "Are you fucking kidding? Of coarse he can put up a poster, That band is on our label and we support the bands on our label"

ME: "Thanks smart guy, you should be fired dumb guy"

SMART GUY: Insert SMART GUY yelling and swearing at DUMB GUY

Don't get me wrong, the whole day wasn't filled with assholes treating me like a pimple faced preteen who's soul purpose is to meet the broad from Paramore. I had a good time kicking with my friend Kristy who I never get to see because she lives in Nashville or Memphis or somewhere that isn't California. It was like 90 degrees out side which is ridiculous for SF but nice for a change. I also got to watch Against ME and the Street Dogs play. I didn't really watch anyone else. I watched Pennywise play a few songs, mostly for nostalgic reasons but that got old pretty quick.

It's weird, after all that shitty people I met, I would still love to play the Warped Tour. It seems like one giant drunken, summer long BBQ. Maybe next year. haha

Pullout is playing with The Casualties tonight @ Thee Parkside. Come one, come all.

Keep it real,
Chris

Way Over Yander In The Minor Key

I finally got to see Billy Bragg perform the other night. It was nothing short of amazing and what a better place to see him than at The Fillmore. His performance was one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen. Just him and a guitar. The picture up top was take in Minneapolis, but you get the point. He was wearing the same shirt.

3 long days later..

So it was a long 3 days at Pus Cavern but the Pullout album is finished! It doesn't have a name yet but we are are all very happy with the finished project. Working with Joe at Pus Cavern has always been an awesome experience and this time was no different. This time was actually much easier than when I was in there to record Fire the Faith with Monster Squad. Probably because I didn't have guitar parts that I need to nail over and over again. I did find that singing in the studio is a very physically tiring experience. A couple times my tendons in the back of my neck locked up and I fell to the ground from excruciating pain. At first, I thought I was having a brain anurism but I talked with Jason Dcoi and Richey Russel and they both have had that happen to them before. It was a shitty paralyzing feeling, but the vocals needed to get finished in a short time, so I manned up and just delt with the head ache. I was able to finish all the vocals and lyrics in time and I think they came out well.

We are thinking of calling the album Eagles & Vultures, it is a new song on the album. Most of the lyrics on the album are about the goods and evils in life (IE. Government, friendships gone wrong, addictions, The state of the Country.) It seems like a fitting title for the album, but we will see what happens.

We slept at the studio for a couple nights and managed to keep our selves entertained, mostly with alcohol. The first night we just relaxed and talked about meaningless shit. We walked like 2 miles to a McDonalds late at night. Justin Dcoi and I walked through the drive through because we didn't have a car. For some reason most place won't let you walk through the drive through but this guy was cool and let us order some poison that is McDonalds.

The next night we went to a Fashion Show in Downtown Sacramento. Now, this was originally supposed to be like 10 dudes rolling to this thing but at the last minute everyone bailed except 3 of us. We had free tickets and DJ Jazzy Jeff was supposed to DJ. For all of you who lived under a rock during the early 90's, DJ Jazzy Jeff was Will Smith's DJ before he blew up on Fresh Prince, he was also "Jazz" on Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Turns out, he canceled last minute so I sat at a table for about 30 minutes while the models changed clothes in front of me. Best seat in the house.

Work sucks, wish I was on tour.

-Chris