Publishers Notes Archive 3:00pm Sunday 12/18 Yeah, ok, the Lake Trout, Bravetheday, Bo Bim was the great show that it was supposed to be. Like, full numbers from like 10 to 130. Lake Trout did just draw well. Sweet. And of course Bravetheday and Bo Bim did help. So, good, like great shit. And then after party in Mbg was nice, always good to see Dom from Muse (everyone else of course, but you know). So, no complaints. 3:00pm Tuesday 12/6 Back from Blue Jay Recording Studio in Carlisle, MA where The Underwater was recording demos with Warren Riker. Very good experience. This new stuff, especially Let Go, which might be THE song, is really fantastic. Best yet. 11:00pm Monday 10/10 Happy 22nd birthday Darcie and Liz. 6:00am Sunday 9/25 New Features - Myspace Band Schedules - I've mentioned before, I think in great detail last December, how much I dig Myspace. This is the PARocks.com Myspace - add PARocks as a friend, please. Anyway, I made a bunch of PA regionalized Myspace music groups ( PARocks.com group, Philadelphia Music group, Reading Music group, Allentown / Bethlehem / Easton Music group, Scranton / Wilkes-Barre Music group, York Music group, Lancaster Music group, Harrisburg Music group, Pottsville Music group, Altoona / Johnstown Music group, Williamsport Music group, State College Music group, Pittsburgh Music group, Erie Music group) back in January. Really haven't done much with that, but they're there, getting some use. They're like message boards, but there's no anonymity, which is something about message boards that some people like. I happen to like knowing who is doing the posting. Typically, anonymous stuff ain't all that worthwhile. About that band schedule thing, which is not a myspace.com page, i found a script that strips the schedule dates from myspace band pages. I pasted the code that presents those dates, for a number of bands I like, into one page. I think it could be a useful resource. I use it to do my emailer. Basically, the band schedule info on my emailer is found on that page, and that page updates automatically with changes the bands make to their schedule, so it's always good current info. Nothing fantastic really, just one click to see the schedules of a bunch of good bands. Top Links - The current band list, venue list, links list, etc are all way old way outdated. Those pages aren't ever gonna be updated. But, I did say on the top of those pages, "hey, send me a link and I'll add you to the list" Well, this new page is that - the adding the old requests to a list. I didn't exactly do too good a job at making sure I added all the requests, I did a bunch of searches of my email inboxes for keywords like list, band, URL, etc. I think I got most of em. I'm pleased I don't have to worry about that now. Honestly, I don't really care about keeping a huge, good list of links anymore. I guess if I did, the list wouldn't be so amazingly old. Anyway, there are some somewhat novel features of this new page. At this point, it's really a toplist script. So, the sorting is not alphabetical, it's by such things at pageviews, hits in and hits out. At a later time, some customization of the script might be done, to allow for an alphabetical sort, but I dunno. Because it's a toplist script, the links at the top of the various pages are, in theory, the most popular sites. In order for it to work properly, though, bands, venues, etc are going to have to paste a special code into their websites. Most of the links on there right now aren't gonna be incorporated into that system, as I just added those links. The bands are gonna have to add themselves (by clicking "join"). Who knows? Back a few years ago, bands got into those voting contests. This is kinda like that. If you liked those voting contests a few years ago, go to the new links page, add the code, and click away, you'll get to the top of the list soon enough. There are other somewhat interesting features as well. You can review a band. Bands can give a long description of their music, they can upload a fairly large picture. Etc etc. I will say that if a lot of bands and venues, music sites, etc participate, it would be a cool page, useful, etc. However, I don't see that happening, and I can't even say that anyone should definitely do that. There will likely be some small benefit to those who do participate, nothing major that I can see. If you have a PARocks.com logo somewhere on your site already, you might want to swap in the new list code. You'll probably get near the top just by doing that. If you're gonna spend a lot of time on the internet doing monotonous tasks, I'd recommend clicking "add to friends", posting in your friends comments, etc on myspace. Eh. The page is there, I said I'd add the link requests, and I did. Some will use it, and like it. I should add that you don't have to add the code in order for your link to appear. If the extra custom coding gets done, it'll function as a normal links page.

Search -
I like this feature. It's a basic, simple search page. I spidered a lot of content, a lot of which isn't really even "up" anymore. A good chunk of the old message board, back when it was popular, is now reachable through this search page. Were you in a band 5 years ago? Try this search. Type your name in quotes.

6:00am Wednesday 9/7
It appears that the situation in the Gulf region has stabilized. I'm very pleased.

Benefits - I don't know all the benefits right now. I know there's one in Columbia, PA on Sunday, September 11, organized in part by Stephen Reso and Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen. Here's a link to information about the benefit. There appears to be a benefit at the Hardware Bar in Harrisburg on Tuesday, September 13. Here's a link to information about the benefit. I expect there to be many benefits.

4:00am Friday 9/2
Aight, now drunk enough to write. This Hurricane Katrina shit is "crazy". Entirely going as expected, but crazy. When a big lake is 13 feet over sea level, and a city is at sea level or below, bad things are bound to happen when bad weather comes in. I've been doing very little recently besides watching this on tv and reading the threads on freerepublic.com. Saw Bo Bim at District (good, of course) and a couple days ago Lotus Blue at Hardware (good), but other than that, just watching this. I find it difficult to type, right now, what I've been thinking over the last 4,5,6 days. I watch these things because it's learning. I'm not sure why I really need to know exactly what is being done right and wrong with something that is arguably the most horrifying natural distaster in most of our lifetimes. Right now, I'm a barely competent guy who manages to keep parocks.com running. Back in the day, 10+ years ago, I was doing that political, legal stuff. So, I guess, that's still a little bit with me.

This is nasty shit. Gonna have plenty of consequences, that I can't foresee. O'Reilly has been talking about oil companies, and price gouging. There was a BP station in Georgia that was charging $5 plus a gallon. And that is being held up as a terrible terrible thing. I dunno. The marketplace i think is strong. With that, you had one gas station selling gas at 3+ and the other - across the street - at 5+. I'm not a gas station owner, but I do understand the ability of price to determine consumption. I don't wanna see every gas station in a town selling gas for $5, but if you're in a hurry, the market rations shit effectively. I don't want to see socialism here. The market can ration, and that's the most beautiful example of it. Wait on line for 2 hours to get gas at $3 (if its there) or get it right away at $5. We are in a real real crisis.

I'm watching O'reilly talking about "profiteering". he's an idiot. fact is, people are filling up their tanks because they think it'll be more expesive tomorrow.

I'm not a socialist. The market does work. but, what bothers me, about me, is that I entertain statist solutions to these things. terrible, i know. New Orleans, hit by a hurricane, was the biggie, just like cali, with the earthquake, and a more effective hit on NYC by terrorists. That was easy to tell. What can be done right now? I mean, it's going exactly the way it "should" There were rapes and murders in the Superdome last night. The Superdome was supposed to be the shelter, actually something "of last resort" I mean, a murder, that's fairly quick, but rapes? In the Superdome? I will tell you that if I didn't live in the United States, I would have a lowered opinion of the "moral authority" of the United States. If I lived in, let's say, France, who is apparently not one of our closest allies at the moment, I'd be like, "these Americans are a bunch of fucking animals." New Orleans is not in any sort of Kumbaya situation. It's the worse shit anyone alive has ever seen in the USA, I'd bet. Now, I'm not blaming the victim. But, you know, rapes in the Superdome? That's different than stealing water from the drug store.

I get a tiny bit bothered even when people get all jacked about the looting of tvs, vcrs and dvd players. That's ok by me, sorta. I mean, compared to holding up helicopters, etc etc. I'm always thinking, what to do. I don't really have any strong, definitive answers. That's why I mentioned the gas thing. That's one where I think markets can ration scarce goods, especially where people have a choice.

And I think about federal, Marshall Plan type solutions, and I'm not a socialist. and I step back from that. And I want to place blame, and I step back. Certainly, neither the mayor of NO or the governor or LA has gotten a "C" but im not sure they get an "F". On Sunday night, I was saying that the evacuation orders were too late. But, you know, they shouldn't have been living there in the first place. So, tens of thousands are dead or will be dying. Detroit has stepped up to the plate. That to me might be something. Detroit probably has housing stock. I did spend some time thinking, where do these homeless people go. Detroit maybe?

I could be writing here, but when i'm lying in bed, trying to sleep, and thinking, i'm not sitting here.

This situation is basically what was gonna happen when a large hurricane hit New Orleans. And I don't want to forget the massive casualties on the Mississippi coast.

The United States does not look very good right now.



Franklin Graham was just on with Hannity, saying people could be getting $20 an hour to help, but who here will be telling mediocre rock bands that they're super.

I was at Warped Tour with The Underwater about 3 weeks ago or so, Camden, NJ. It was interesting. I can tie it into the NO thing. Walking around in the hot sun in over 90 degree heat isn't necessarily healthy. 50 apparently went to the hospital that day. I was hot and tired, and didn't think my way through things. The Underwater played a great set, not that many people there, Judy bros were there, always good to see them, Rebecca Miller was there, always great to see Rebecca. Some label person(s), that was cool. But, you know, it wasn't "fun" at all. It was fun kinda in the way that New Orleans might've seemed fun at first.

Fact is, there really is a fairly fine line between fun and dangerous chaos. Maybe I'm getting old. But with high temperatures, and no free water, that's where you get yer problems. People have said, before, that Warped Tour was gouging on price with the water, i'm not sure about that. Tap water was bottled (Dakini) and sold at $3. Eh, it was cool, in many respects.

Backstage was definitely acceptable. Free water was available, as was free soda - cool, upscale soda. It wasn't all like "I'm going to die". The food line was great, they know what they're doing.

So, Warped Tour was definitely better than being in New Orleans.

I'd hire the people who worked at Warped Tour to help the NO refugees.



Shit I'll talk about music now. Bo Bim kicked tonight. Not a lot of people, Ghost in the System was at Gullifty's, so that "takes from". That's cool. Wooo. I dunno.

Millennium was good. Coke Dick Motorcycle Awesome. Nakatomi Plaza. Woo.
Have I mentioned The Underwater is on tour with Quietdrive (Epic) yet?



4:00am Friday 6/23
MMC in the house. good stuff. The Underwater at 11 Saturday all ages Crowne Plaza. I dont think i have to tell you that.

The newest shit is this girl RUUT. Playing at the hilton on saturday before the underwater. fantastic pop shit. pop shit, but fantastic. heres the url - Ruut I love indie shit, but this Ruut girl has hits. And i think i know what hits sound like at least a little. Ruut. Ruuts a very recent add. Way to go John Harris. I think i might go see her. she's at the hilton. i just think shes great. like top. i think i might see at least a bit or her set. she might be one of the mmc success stories or whatnot. not really, she'll probably be signed by someone who has seen her before.

The Underwater is doing well. They do have a new release, Lungs, and it's great, but by the time they're out to LA, they'll be talking about new songs, which are great. Adam's doing great. 311 maybe that's great. Who knows? The best band around.

Go listen to Coke Dick Motorcycle Awesome, so listen to Co-Pilot. That's a hit song. I didn't pick the MMC comp songs except for Co-pilot. That's a hit type song, or exciting. I listen to songs for mmc, and i love music, and i think i can pick hits. copilot, listen to it.

Also Nakatomi Plaza. Check them out. Riddle of Steel shoulda been checked out. Check out The Outside too.

3:00am Friday 5/20
So, the Dead 50's broke up, is that right? Right now, their website says they did. Something about a wife. That's very common, cool, appropriate. Behave well when your married, when you have a kid, behave even better. It's hard to be rockstar, or, more specifically, to do the kinda shit you need to do to get to rockstar from local (touring, making no money) when you have a wife, even it's tricky when you have a girlfriend. The D5s apparently had some good shit lined up, but the facts of real life do sometimes get in the way. I remember talking to d5s about this a long time ago, when Lauren K was still here, at Remys about 2 years ago. I was almost a dick about it i think. oh, well. they were a good band. definitely had some popularity around here.

Oh, Lauren K's band is supposed to be playing around here at MMC - that's Lauren K, ex Stereo Logic, ex writer here, Thursday 23 MMC Gullifty's, should be good.

The Fallen One and Leiana just played at Gullifty's, great stuff, it looked like they were buddying up or whatever, and that's cool. I think they might be playing at Croc's for MMC this year. I think that's a gogirls night, i think it's friday, i'm not sure. But, check em out, I do hope they trade dates in Philly and DC.

MMC going well, hot bills all over the place. More bands than I can see, which is a bummer.

3:00am Friday 5/13
Ya know, the bands that I have coming in to Gullifty's on Thursdays are really good. You should check it out. This month, they're not locals, they're all playing MMC. I dunno. Julia Othmer was great tonight. Wonderful, loveable. Not too many people, which is a bummer, but not that much. It all depends on how you analyze it. Darcie was there, Pam was there, Brandon was there. Others went elsewhere. It was nice to talk to Darcie - maybe w/ Media 5 soon, something about ex Project 67, who knows. If so, expect shows at Croc Rock and CBGB's for Darcie. Pam likes The Kin, who is playing MMC. We're not sure when they're playing yet. I think it would be a good thing if Pam got to see em. Tons of great bands at venues like Carnahan's, Champions, Pep Grill. I hope people are there to see them. A&R people would be in good shape if they like a band on a venue there to see most or all of those. There are some pretty tight bills, not all are perfect, but we have some tight bills. MMC has a recommended it you like Jeff Buckley (soaring male vocals with vibrato) and another is riyl Velvet Revolver. Those looking for active rock hits have 5 bands in a row. All getting airplay in at least their markets, some win awards, whatever, all have the radio sound and all are real hooky, whatever. Some of the people at MMC have this weird and maybe wrong idea that if the MMC put a shitload of bands that all are good at what they do the A&R's might be there. There might not be a shitload of buzz about any particular band on a bill at one of the great nights at one of the above places, but there's good, real good stuff there. We don't really have enough spaces for every great band. Sometimes, some of the out of the way places have great great bands. Eh enough for now.

5:00am Thursday 4/28
More good news for The Underwater, apparently. Shabba's hookin em up with All American Rejects at the Axis in Boston this Monday, I think. The AAR was apparently at Matt & Laurens? Maybe. Could be. I wasn't there, so I can't say. (I'm pretty sure that was Incubus I saw backstage at Hershey, or else it was a very expensive hoax)

That's cool. Something about Norva. Snow Patrol maybe? Local H in Harrisburg? Matt was tellin me, I dunno. It seems pretty good. Did I mention the movie? Apparently it's pretty big called PUSH I think. Has real movie star types in it. Michael Rappaport is one I think. Chazz Palmenteri (sp?) maybe. I could go look it up. Adam Gelfond is the manager, I mentioned that. I know I mentioned the tour with Maverick Records City Sleeps. Hot show in LA, I mentioned that. The director of PUSH is gonna be the director of the first music video, apparently. It seems good now, there was a little lull there, now it seems more action packed. It really, most likely, will be action packed. It's all pretty interesting, because I live with Dan of the best band (hands down - try me, seriously, i'd like to hear the "smartest" on this - and i'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and I have an open mind) anywhere near here, and Matt lives across the street. And I don't talk about everything all the time. Everyone was just like oh, you talk about The Underwater all the time, blah blah blah, shut up about that. So, like, i did. But, ya know.

Something about a recap of the last year was recommended by someone. That's cool. Around a year ago - this month - April 2004 - they wrecked their van in Iowa on their way from The Shelter in Detroit to The Bottleneck in Kansas. After that the Europe thing was cool, the show with Nickelback, Supergrass. A few thousand seeing them there. Then, things were a little quieter, technically, better than others, but, you know, it's a matter of comparison. Demo deal with (can I say this yet?) Pretty good, Bendeth produced apparently. Fallen One vocals, hmmm, good to hear. Silver vocal melody changes, umm. Still, overall, worthwhile. Decent shows, 200-400, nothing really exciting locally. Just good crowds for the most popular band. Maybe The Underwater needs to play CBGB's every other month. Make a big deal of it. Nah, they're doing ok. Playin Trash Bar, Arlene's and Sin-e (i think) within a week first week of May. That seems cooler, somehow. Personally, I've been a fan of the joint residencies. I don't know everything (obviously) and it's not like people are pushing me around here to learn shit, but I did like the looks of that Apollo Sunshine (Boston), Palomar (NYC), Washington Social Club (DC) residency a year or 2 back. I saw that show at TT's in Cambridge (Boston) and I liked it. I looked at the residency structure, and I liked it. We're gonna make some fans, and we'll make a little money. We're buds and we can do this during the week. Yeah, do it. I liked that. Wanna see more of that. MMC is coming up. Hello?

Anyway, people might get the mistaken impression that there's some other bands around here that's anywhere near as 90 as The Underwater. There aren't. Now they aren't perfect. But they have 90. I get bitched at for liking Bo Bim. They aren't 90. But they are a rocket indie band right now. I'll expect them to be playing with a lot of the indies coming in, playing cool indie shows in NY, Philly, Balt, DC. Maybe a residency. A residency at DC9? Velvet? Talking Head, Mojo? Philly, NYC? I think that if they don't yet have the top indie slot yet, they will after a few more shows. Cool, we needed "top indie band." We need them to be on a cool indie label. Is KillRockStars right? Maybe I'm way off. But I think it would be great if Bo Bim was on KillRockStars. Or Sub Pop. Maybe The Bennies could be on Sub Pop. That would be great. Bo Bim or The Bennies could be on Sub Pop. Either way, fine with me.

MMC9 selections goin on, Jeffrey Gaines Musical Keynote 6/24. Showcase Wristbands $20 see everything you want everywhere, showwise for 3 days. $20 at Borders in Harrisburg, Camp Hill, York and Lancaster. If you're reading this site, there will be a lot of bands you want to see. I've tried to rid my readership of fans of cover bands. So, really, it's locals and industry. Get a wristband, or a laminate. We're working hard to give you great shows everywhere you go. I hear that bravetheday might be playing at Firehouse with 4 great bands. It might be true, it might not be. The rumor mill has it that Becky Miller thinks well about what is a good band. I think everyone is happy there. Becky? (Oh, Becky/bravetheday did well at the Brandon's birthday Gullifty's a couple weeks ago. It went real good, obviously. The Jealousy Curve did great as well. Fun for all was had.) Gullifty's Thursday are going good / as expected. They aren't designed to be massive, that's usually what the weekend is for. And you know, a $2 cover door deal is unlikely to motivate a band with at $1000 guarantee. Plenty of great bands will though. There's great music there all the time. If you're interested in great music, then that's for you. Covers? nope, that's for someone else. New bands, good bands. This Thursday is Throw Rag (recent QOTSA tour) and The Martini Bros. Not technically my show. A sweet show, but that's either JH (I think) or Matt E. May through June are great bands that are playing MMC9. Most are from out of town. I don't expect a massive crowd, but, you know. Great bands. Maybe you like great bands. I book that show, I work for MMC, I see who we accept, and then I ask some to come on in and play to a few people, get a few more fans before their showcase at MMC. They seem to like the idea of having fans at a show. The bands that play Gullifty's know that Gullifty's (especially on Thursday) are fans of the music, they're happy, and they have usually been walking out with a few bucks, which is cool. here's the may.
may 5 - Settle, tba
may 12 - Julia Othmer, Teenage Girls
may 19 - The Fallen One, Leiana
may 26 - The Frauds, Astronaut Jones
New bands, good bands, bands you've likely never seen. Check it out.

Oh, I just saw in Halestorm land - they just signed with McGathy. Can't really tell from their website - halestormrocks.com - but I think it's as a Manager. McGathy is huge in radio and huge as a manager. Sometimes people say oh, blah blah McGathy blah blah, and it means that they're paying McGathy to get their records on the air, which is a big part of his business, and that's cool. But he also manages artists, and if Halestorm is one of them, and it does appear by their website that they are, um, they're in good shape ;-). Liz is a major talent. 21, and a music vet. They're apparently changing their name, you can vote for a new name, or suggest a new name on their website. Honestly, though, McGathy probably understands how to put together solid focus groups, and if a name is picked out that way, hey, you know, not bad. My suggestion for the new name for Halestorm is to have it follow this pattern - Xxxxxxxx, instead of XxxxXxxxX or XxxxxxxxX. Spell every word right. Capitalize only the first letter of every word. Listen to McGathy, though, that's my really good advise to Halestorm. It's very likely that if you're not already signed, he can get you signed, and after that, he'll be able to get you on the radio, for sure, real easy. But that's the easy part. How big is Liz and Arejay's band? Gimme a call Liz, bro down with the Underwater. Much love to Halestorm.



11:30am Tuesday 4/18
Yeahh to Breaking Benjamin for getting that Platinum. Yay to Jason Jordan. Check this out - great article on Breaking Benjamin and the whole NEPA scene Breaking Benjamin / Jason Jordan / The Underwater Article It's great, radio stations talking about who they're playing, Media 5 talking about how great the bands they represent are, Jason Jordan talking about The Underwater. It's good. The Underwater is doing good. Going out for about a month or so with Maverick Records City Sleeps. Adam Gelfond is smart, newish manager, Incubus tour manager, something to do with Bonnaroo. Always thought he was the best for The Underwater. Shabba brings a lot to the table as well. New CD on the way maybe. Been recording like mofos but a decent bit have been demo deals, so you know how that is, i guess, i don't really. Important shows for The Underwater? At The Chiller with Halestorm (Industry? A&R? that's worth a trip Pinfield buddy:-)) All ages, etc. I think that's April 29? Gullifty's opening for Butch Walker on May 20. A lot of girls like Butch Walker around here, so they'll be way happy.

What else is new? MMC - coming along well. John Harris is in charge, but I do help to pick the bands. check the bands out here I think it's all coming along rather well. Even up until the last moment, there are dropouts at the best possible spots, so if, maybe, Jason Jordan wants to see someone right before or after The Underwater, or Kevin wants to be a buddy and give us Funeral for a Friend, or one of a skillion friends of The Underwater (ahem, Shabba, Poison the Well, ahem, free show, ahem, its approved at the Crowne Plaza) or Unearth, Every Time I Die, Norma Jean at Champion Ship. Either way or both.

Gullifty's is going good. I'm pretty happy, Matt's pretty happy (I think). What can be said? The decisions are made in part due to what I like and in part due to what will sell. I can't go nuts, because I want to keep the booking. Now, of course, I don't get paid extra to do that shit, which is one of the things that I do find quite ok with. But, we live in a pretty marginal area around here, and those shows are going pretty good. There's very little gloriousness involved, a fuckload of "hard work" or "smarts" and there aren't a lot of people involved. But, it's pretty good. And Bo Bim is 1) a great band and 2) on the right track. I think that May and June are MMC bands for Gullifty's on Thursdays, but I'm never quite sure :-).

11:30pm Friday 3/18
Shaping up to be a terrible day so far - the Terri Schiavo case. Been watching this one for a long time. Apparently Local Judges (at least in Florida) can decide, based on heresay evidence, to withhold food and water from disabled people, thereby slowly starving and dehydrating them to death. Back, in the day, like, yesterday, maybe, wasn't there a presumption that a person wanted to live? There are such things as living wills, which do provide clear, unambiguous instructions as to what a person would want when faced with the opportunity for certain types of life-extending medical care. These living wills aren't entirely rare, and if Terri had one, we wouldn't be in this position (we would hope). Anyway, way late in the game, but hopefully not too late, Congress is stepping in, they have issued subpoenas (I think) to many of the folks involved in the case, ordering them to DC so that they could check out whether or not Terri was in a "vegetative state" was "brain dead", or merely had difficulty swallowing, speaking, walking, etc (or somewhere in between). They probably wanted to ask Terri's "loving" husband, Michael, who by the way has a new(ish) girlfriend/commonlaw wife, and a couple of kids with her, a few questions like: 1) Why did you wait until 2+ years after her ailment and the onset of her disability to "remember" that Terri would rather be dead than to have to use a food/water tube? 2) Did the fact that you received a $2.25 million dollar settlement to pay for Terri's treatment play any role in your decision to "remember" that she really didn't need expensive therapy, but really just wanted to die real quick? Maybe they'll ask Michael's lawyer how he likes taking money, given to Michael for Terri's treatment to argue for Terri's death. (I'm not licensed to practice in PA at this time, but wow, that kinda stuff doesn't get you disbarred, it just seems pure evil to me). Maybe they'll ask her parents, or caregivers at the treatment facility, about the extent of her ability to walk and talk and eat pudding and jello through her mouth, prior to when Michael ordered all rehabilitative treatment stopped. There's a lot of questions they could ask, but, right now, it looks like they won't be, because, the Local Judge in the case, Judge Greer, decided to intentionally and willfully disobey an explict Congressional Order and the food/water tube was removed. Wow, Judge Greer, why the willful disregard of that order? Gots the Bloodlust? Some sorta bribery/shenanigans a factor, perhaps? Anyway, not sure that subpoena thing is happening. Apparently there are a couple of lazy and/or evil US Attorneys, one in DC, one in Florida who haven't (as of yet) enforced this subpoena. What it looks like might happen (Santorum just said he predicted it'd be done on Monday) is the House and Senate getting a bill together that President Bush will sign that will. solve this problem (my details are fuzzy here). I originally thought that the bill would create the presumption of life, the "yes, I want medical treatment", the "yes I want to live" option, in the absence of a living will. Sounds like a really great plan. Maybe it's still something like that. It'd solve a lot of problems. Suffice it to say I think Bush'll be singing that bill on Tuesday and the feeding tube will be restored. Crisis averted. Assuming the Democrats don't obstruct.

I'm not an emotionalist.According to press reports, someone today admitted to kidnapping and murdering the missing girl. A horrible, horrible tragedy. He should be severely punished, and he undoubtedly will be. But, sad as it is to say, terrible things like this happen. People do terrible things, things that have severe punishments, they are caught, and are severely punished. Horrible, but, basically, nothing new. There have been crimes and there have been punishments. Terri's case is far far worse. To me, if the forces of good do not succeed here and now, we're coming really close to legally, officially sanctioning the killing of the disabled. Right now, killing a fetus is pretty much legal. 40 years ago, it pretty much wasn't. I'm pretty sure that right now, killing a disabled person is not pretty much legal (at this moment it seems to be though). I do not want to live in a country where killing of the disabled (or the otherwise inconvenient) becomes routine. A federal law that codifies the presumption that people want to live rather than die is a good one. I'm running on a bit now.

Some other, more random thoughts. Hitler / The Nazis killed the disabled and the elderly. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1365829/posts "The hospital at Eglfing-Haar, under the direction of Hermann Pfannmuller, M.D., slowly starved many of the disabled children in its care until they died of "natural causes. ... Over time Pfannmuller set up Hungerhauser (starvation houses) for the elderly. By the end of 1941, euthanasia was simply "normal hospital routine."" "The Ministry of Justice described the proposal as one that would make it "possible for physicians to end the tortures of incurable patients, upon request, in the interests of true humanity" (reported in the N.Y. Times, 10/8/33, p. 1, col. 2). And the savings would redound to the German people if money was no longer thrown away on the disabled, the incurable, and "those on the threshold of old age."" Which brings us to the medicare / social security issue. You can see where this is going. It really is best not to let judges decide who gets starved to death. Best to presume that people want to live. Best not to think "I wouldn't want to be forced to survive through a feeding tube, they are forced to survive through a feeding tube, as a member of society (as are all), i will assume that my perferences are shared, therefore, starve em". It isn't too far from, it seems to follow a similar logical pattern as, "i wouldn't want to be "not me", they are "not me" as a member of society (as are all), i will assume that my perferences are shared, therefore, starve em". To carry the Nazi analogy further, replace "not me" with "a gypsy" "jewish" or "homosexual". The problem lies with assuming that the preferences are shared. I'm not sure exactly how that mechanism works. Probably has ideas/features like "i am normal" "my ideas are mainstream" "society is coherent" "coherent society has shared ideas and preferences" I'm pretty sure that most people just take that for granted, that "they want what i want" without thinking it through. It's wrong. It's interesting in the feeding tube case. A healthy person might not want to live with a feeding tube. A person with a feeding tube, who can't communicate, might not have wanted to live with a feeding tube when they were healthy. Both people had the same shared preferences as healthy people. What we don't know is what the person, with an inability to communicate, with a feeding tube, thinks about living with a feeding tube. More simply, Healthy people don't want to be disabled for a long time, they'd rather be dead. But, once they're disabled, we don't know that they want to be dead. Maybe they changed their minds. Ok, enough of this. Hopefully, Terri can get the tube back in, her parents can get custody, she can get treatment, and her condition will improve.

10:00am Saturday 2/12
Did I mention that the Mojo Lounge was playing MC5 downstairs at the same time they were playing Mudhoney upstairs. I was listening to MC5 downstairs, then I went upstairs, heard Mudhoney, downstairs, still MC5. That's good living. I mean, it reminds me of when I used to live near blah blah blah. I miss coolness. Listening to Grandfabric right now. Great record. Orphan Age. I have not yet been able to get them here, but I haven't given up hope. I might have to make a 3 way trade or something. http://myspace.com/grandfabric I listened to The Expotentials for 3 hours. http://myspace.com/theexpotentials We want to see them again. 7:30am Saturday 2/12
First POLITICS!!! I'm a conservative Republican, but this Social Security thing is just nuts. Social Security was implemented EXACTLY BECAUSE people who had no business investing their live savings did so in the stock market mania of the 1920's. Hey, here's a great opportunity to let the bankers fleece you yet again. How was Jesus vis a vis the Bankers? You want to know the solution to the Social Security crisis? Oh, it is a crisis. Here's what you do - you peg the time you get your social security to demographics. That is, the census figures out what the age is of the top quarter of people. If people start having kids again, and stop having abortions and bum fucking, then you can retire early. If people decide that "oh this is just too horrible a world, blah blah blah" then they can wait till their 80 to retire. I mean, we don't want any Logan's Run action on the oldsters. Just have everybody have kids again. Easy. I think the technical phrase is "indexing" we want to "index" the social security kick in get money to you to the number of old people and the number of young people. I think it would be much more "palatable" to the public to say that we're gonna "index it" than a fixed 70 or whatever. Just say hey, 3/4's are gonna take care of the other 1/4. And then "index it". Everyone is like "in 30 years" Well it's time for adult males and adult females to have kids. Right now. Start.

Now music. The Underwater show was solid - in Baltimore. At the Mojo Lounge. Not fantastic, under 200. But that place is cool as fuck. Between The Expotentials and Dark Water Transit, there was MC5 downstairs (oh, the right one) and the right Mudhoney upstairs. The same exact time. What can I say? I live in Harrisburg. My shows have been doing ok. I think I have The Expotentials at Gullifty's on 3/24. Not confirmed, but definitely looking forward. 2 piece Garage/White Stripes/Stoner. Jimmy Bedorf might be in the house for that one. Oh, of course, The Underwater did great. Less than 200 though, but it was Baltimore. I'd like em to bro down with the Mojo Lounge. It's a cool place. I heard there were about 30 people at the Bravetheday / Stargazer Lily thingy at Whitaker. That could just be flat out wrong. But, eh, when I heard it, it sounded about right. Bridges did what? Roundtable? Heck, I'd think that Roundtable did better last night. I shouldn't "be mean" to them or "pay attention" to them. Because I really just want to get good shit in front of y'all. What Roundtable and Bridges are doing really has nothing to do with me. Good Luck to them. The Expotentials knocked my socks off at The Mojo Lounge in Baltimore last night. I'm gonna try to get em here, so you can see em too. Rock on y'all.

4:30am Friday 2/4
Bo Bim takes the number 2 spot
Blew every one away, 1st show, polished as fuck. Engines revved, ready to play in the major cities. Over 100 in attendance. 1956 (from Milwaukee, another fine, fine band - they kicked ass last night) played after, a short surprise show, they dug Bo Bim - knocked out as well. Pam Saunders was in the hizzy. Jonny V as well. Of course Revere was representin. So, you know, I have to give the number 2 spot to Bo Bim, after The Underwater. But now that I'm shaking things up, who's 3? Halestorm? Liz lives in York, Halestorm plays in Baltimore, Philly and NYC mostly. A sleeping giant if you ask me. How about Strike.Fire.Fall - from State College, winner of the Takeover Records contest on Pure Volume. Not sure they care, though, who knows? What about a very hard working band from the West Shore, here, Last Tuesday? Here's what Last Tuesday is doing this month, from 2/6 - CA,CA,CA,CA,CA,CA,NV,UT,WY,CO,CO,WY,MO,IA,MI,MI,OH. What about them? No babysitters they. I could go on and on. The best looking pair of brothers in a rock band on the West Shore are the brothers Judy in The Drive Home. The 2nd best looking pair of brothers in a rock band on the West Shore are the brothers Smith in Bridges And A Bottle. If we're talking about Media Five bands, what about None Other? They played Pellegrines in Altoona and the Hardware Bar in York in January. Or Negative Space, who played Chucky B's in Columbia on Jan 20? Or 404, who played Froggy's in Hershey on Jan 21? 404 at "The Evergreen" in Lebanon, opening for Fuzzy Bunny Slippers on Jan 1? The Underground in Columbia on 1/29? Those are Media Five bands? Maybe best just to scrap/ignore all Media Five bands? Whatcha think? Oh, BAAB's a Media Five band? Well, as a personal favor to Justin Smith, I'll put BAAB at #10. Thank me Justin. The Commercials, Running From Dharma, Bravetheday, Cowalker, all good bands. Plenty more than that. Shit, how about Lawyers and Janitors? Piano, Bedford Exit, Grant Wilson? Velcro Mary is in Charlotte, NC now, The Gunshy is in Chicago, IL now. Erika Bossler (D'Arey October) is coming back. Grandfabric is amazing. Sadaharu, August Burns Red, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer. I could rattle off a skillion bands. What about Darcie? Only 21, still talented, was on a major sub before it folded through no fault of her own. Hierosonic is playing a bunch of great venues, they could easily take the #3 spot based on their booking. So, it's easy now, The Underwater is #1, Bo Bim is #2 (#1 Indie) and there's a drop off to a confusing number 3-10 (except I'll give Bridges And A Bottle the 10 spot as a personal favor to Justin Smith.)

12:30am Friday 1/28
Thursday night at Gullifty's. A good night, but not Friday or Saturday. 2 bands, 2 bucks. Indie rock.

Here's the lineup:
Feb 3
Bo Bim
Ex a shitload of bands, Robby was in The Underwater, went to Europe with them and me. Tara was in The Kick Me's, Shrugger, The Blahs, as was Robbie. Eddie was in Evensong with Robbie. Anyway, Bo Bim is great great great. See em, it's their first show.
Espenshade
is playing with. They're a perfect fit with Bo Bim. The indie band that rarely plays bars, but is from here. I hope they bring people. They aren't kids. That's the whole idea. Basically, around here, the bands that play the all age venues are generally better. Espenshade is one of those bands. I'm looking forward to a day when Worker+Parasite can play and I can know that at least a few people will dig it.

Feb 10
Hierosonic. They're playing a lot of great shows around here. Crowbar, CBGB's, The Silo, Grape Street, Connecticut, Ohio. Played Lollapalooza. I'm impressed.

Night Train To Terror is playing on this show. People in the all age scene love em. They sound like the The Liars (funky), Gang of Four, Blood Brothers. Again, all age bands that usually play all age venues. Bringing it to you.

Feb 17 is an excellent retro show - The Suburban Sound and Kamikaze Zero. The Suburban Sound has a great 70's sound and Kamikaze Zero has a great 80's / AC/DC sound. They both come from the all age scene, and are transferring over to the bar scene, but just a little.

Feb 24 is The Mint and Movies With Heroes. They're both Lancaster area bands that mostly play all age venues. They both tour. They have an indie/emo sound. The Mint has great buzz now.

Enjoy, it's 2 bucks on a Thursday, from like 9ish to 11:30ish.

BTW, the mind is going. Expect frequent deletions from here. Enjoy the spectacle ;-)

Oh, I think I'll add that overall, recently, I've been impressed with what bands have been doing. Hbg area bands have been touring, in some cases, playing shows outside of the area in good venues in other cases. It makes me think more highly of them. Makes me think that this isn't a total waste of time, just for a moment.

12:30am Sunday 1/16
Bo Bim is FANTASTIC. They just put their new 3 song demo up online. Check it out. Also, go to their first show - at Gullifty's Thursday Feb 3 w/ Espenshade. Excellent, excellent stuff. Maybe Pretty Girls Make Graves plus Garage/Grunge/Sonic Youth? Tara has always been and amazing talent and this is her best stuff yet. Everyone else (Robby, Eddie, Tony) is super good too, no weaknesses there. I had high expectations, and they were met.

4:00am Saturday 1/14
Frank Phobia continues to kick ass. Great HUGE venue he has to work with. The Silo owes me money from way back in the day, I don't expect to ever see it. It's certainly not Franks business. Franks great. He gives more than he gets. Anthophobia.com give his band a show. he'll set you up at the silo. neat, nice, the way it should be. you give him a show with at national, he'll give you a show with a national. Frank i think is like me, one of the few actual good persons. I'd have Frank at Gullifty's but there's a "no screaming" rule. I did have Anthro and D'Arey there on an old "PA Rocks" night back in 1999. He gave me a bunch of CD's, I haven't listened to them yet. It doesn't matter. Frank has done more for any Central PA scene. More than me. I don't say that very often. Philly and Pitts doesn't count. R5 baby. Anyway. You could go to Frank about a huge room and the bands of your dreams and a big fistful of money, and if the bands are good, you could make that happen. Frank has some cool power.

PA Rocks Schedule RealVideo Articles Bands Venues Links CD Shop Interact Web copyright 1999 PA Rocks