Grindcore: Genre of the Moment

Grindcore is a form of heavy metal that combines elements of death metal, industrial metal, and hardcore punk. The main characteristics of grindcore include heavily distorted and de-tuned guitars, very fast tempos and incomprehensible vocals. Its lyrics tend to lean toward socio-political themes as well as gore. Many grindcore songs are extremely short in length, gaining them the term ‘microsong.’

Early pioneers of the genre include Napalm Death, Siege and Repulsion who drew their influences from a variety of bands including Minor Threat, Black Flag, Venom, Motorhead, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, Corrosion of Conformity, Slayer, Metallica, Septic Death and Sodom, among others.

Bands of this genre include:

Agoraphobic Nosebleed
Brutal Truth
Carcass
Dance Club Massacre
Dying Fetus
Godflesh
Painkiller
Napalm Death
Mortification

Here are some links where you can read more about the genre:

Grindcore Wiki article
List of grindcore bands

Subsanity: Discography of the Moment

Subsanity, originally called Torment was an Oklahoma City-based grind core/doom metal band that was formed in 1991. They disbanded in the early 2000s but the singer is currently in another local band called A Fate Far Worse.

Subsanity
Released in 1992 by War Wax Records.
Recorded at Cornerstone Studio, Oklahoma City.
Tracks: 4

Psycho Dubs
Released in July 1995 by War Wax
Recorded at Psycho Studios in Norman, OK
Produced by David Hyde
Band lineup:
Mike Standridge - vocals; David Arnette - guitar; DJ Richardson - guitar; Brad Day - drums; Neil Weighar - bass
Tracks: 10

Post Apocalyptic Doom Attack
Compilation album released independently in 1996
Various producers
No lineup changes
Tracks: 15

Lost on Earth
Released in October 1996 by War Wax
Recorded at Premier Studios in Oklahoma City, OK
Produced by Kurt Campbell and James Randall
Lineup changes:
Neil Weighar replaced on bass by Tim Wolfenbarger; DJ Richardson replaced on guitar by Chris Greenway
Tracks: 4

Human is Shit
Released in April 1997 by War Wax
Recorded at Premiere Studio in Oklahoma City
Produced by Kirk Campbell and Subsanity
No lineup changes
Tracks: 6

Future is War
Released in January 1999 by War Wax
No lineup changes
Tracks: 11

Logic Plague
Released in 2002 by Selfish Fucker Records
Tracks: 5


Here are some Subsanity videos:

NFL Roundup 2011 (Week 9)

I forgot to do this earlier this week.

WEEK 9 SCORES

Jets 27, Bills 11
Cowboys 23, Seahawks 13
Falcons 31, Colts 7
Dolphins 31, Chiefs 3
Saints 27, Buccaneers 16
49ers 19, Redskins 11
Texans 30, Browns 12
Bengals 24, Titans 17
Broncos 38, Raiders 24
Giants 24, Patriots 20
Cardinals 19, Rams 13
Packers 45, Chargers 38
Ravens 23, Steelers 20
Bears 30, Eagles 24

NFC STANDINGS

East
Giants
Cowboys
Eagles
Redskins

North
Packers
Lions
Bears
Vikings

South
Saints
Falcons
Buccaneers
Panthers

West
49ers
Seahawks
Cardinals
Rams

AFC STANDINGS

East
Patriots
Jets
Bills
Dolphins

North
Bengals
Ravens
Steelers
Browns

South
Texans
Titans
Jaguars
Colts

West
Raiders
Chiefs
Chargers
Broncos

Passing Leaders - Yards
Drew Brees (New Orleans) - 3004
Philip Rivers (San Diego) - 2743
Tom Brady (New England) - 2703

Passing Leaders - TDs
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) - 24
Drew Brees - 21
Tom Brady - 20

Passing Leaders - QB Rating
Aaron Rodgers - 129.1
Drew Brees - 100.6
Tom Brady - 100.0

Rushing Leaders - Yards
LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia) - 825
Matt Forte (Chicago) - 805
Fred Jackson (Buffalo) - 803

Rushing Leaders - TDs
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota) - 9
LeSean McCoy - 9
Michael Turner (Atlanta) - 7

Receiving Leaders - Yards
Wes Welker (New England) - 960
Steve Smith (Carolina) - 918
Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) - 868

Receiving Leaders - TDs
Calvin Johnson (Detroit) - 11
Wes Welker - 6
vincent Jackson (San Diego) - 6

ESPN Power Rankings (Top 10)
Green Bay Packers
San Francisco 49ers
Baltimore Ravens
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals


So being around the half-way point of the season, now is probably a good time to list my own personal picks for who will win their respective divisions.

In the NFC East, I'm going with the Giants.
In the NFC North, Green Bay will probably win and go undefeated.
In the NFC South, New Orleans will probably win it.
In the NFC West, I'm pretty sure that the 49ers are going to take that division.

Overall in the NFC, I'm thinking that Green Bay will probably take it all.

New England will take the AFC East.
Baltimore will take the AFC North.
Houston will take the AFC South (although Tennessee might be able to squeak by them).
Oakland will take the AFC West.

Overall in the AFC, I'm going to go with either New England or Baltimore to take it all.

Top 6 Albums from Lookout! Records

This is the next installment of Favorite Albums from [insert record label here]. Today, we are looking at another legendary punk rock record label, Lookout! Records.

6......Get Skintight
This Donnas album was released in June 1999 and includes songs such as "You Don't Wanna Call" "Hook It Up" and "Get Outta My Room."

5......The Donnas Turn 21
Turn 21 was The Donnas last album on Lookout before they signed to Atlantic Records. It was released in January 2001 and includes songs such as "Are You Gonna Move It For Me" "Do You Wanna Hit It?" "Play My Game" "Midnite Snack" and "You've Got a Crush on Me"

4......Riverdales
The eponymous debut from former Screeching Weasel members was released in 1995. It includes the songs "Fun Tonight" "Judy Go Home" "Back to You" "She's Gonna Break Your Heart" and "In Your Dreams," among others.

3......Kerplunk!
Released in January 1992, this was Green Day's last album with Lookout before signing with Reprise Records.
It includes "2000 Light Years Away" "Christie Road" "Welcome to Paradise" "and "No One Knows."

2......Anthem for a New Tomorrow
This Screeching Weasel album was released in 1993 and is one of my favorite Weasel albums. It includes songs such as "I'm Gonna Strangle You" "I, Robot" "Every Night" "Totally" and "A New Tomorrow."

1......My Brain Hurts
This other really great album by Screeching Weasel was released in 1991 and includes songs such as "Making You Cry" "Guest List" "Veronica Hates Me" "Cindys on Methadone" "The Science of Myth" and "My Brain Hurts."

College Football Roundup 2011 (11.6.11)

BIG 12 SCORES
Texas 52, Texas Tech 20
Oklahoma 41, Texas A&M 25
Oklahoma State 52, Kansas State 45
Iowa State 13, Kansas 10
Baylor 42, Missouri 39

PAC 12 SCORES
USC 42, Colorado 17
Stanford 38, Oregon State 13
Utah 34, Arizona 21
Oregon 34, Washington 17
California 30, Washington State 7
UCLA 29, Arizona State 28

BIG 12 STANDINGS
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma
Kansas State
Texas
Texas A&M
Baylor
Missouri
Iowa State
Texas Tech
Kansas

PAC 12 STANDINGS

North
Stanford
Oregon
Washington
California
Oregon State
Washington State

South
UCLA
Arizona State
USC
Utah
Arizona
Colorado

AP TOP 10
LSU
Oklahoma State
Stanford
Alabama
Boise State
Oregon
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Clemson
Virginia Tech

BCS TOP 10
LSU
Oklahoma State
Alabama
Stanford
Boise State
Oklahoma
Oregon
Arkansas
Clemson
Virginia Tech

Passing Leaders - Yards
Case Keenum (Houston) - 3626
Landry Jones (OU) - 3349
Nick Foles (Arizona) - 3260
Brandon Weeden (OSU) - 3212

Passing Leaders - TDs
Case Keenum - 34
Kellen Moore (Boise State) - 29
Matt Barkley (USC) - 28

Rushing Leaders - Yards
Ronnie Hillman (San Deigo State) - 1158
Henry Josey (Missouri) - 1130
David Wilson (Virginia Tech) - 1126

Rushing Leaders - TDs
Montee Ball (Wisconsin) - 21
Bernard Pierce (Temple) - 19
Collin Klein (Kansas State) - 19
Joseph Randle (OSU) - 18

Receiving Leaders - Yards
Jordan White (WMU) - 1164
Ryan Broyles (OU) - 1157
Patrick Edwards (Houston) - 1148

Receiving Leaders - TDs
Justin Blackmon (OSU) - 12
Patrick Edwards (Houston) - 11
Tyler Shoemaker (Boise State) - 11

Top 9 Albums Released by Epitaph Records

Dave from Oklahoma Lefty suggested I start doing some lists on my favorite albums from specific record labels. I thought it was a great idea so here is the first installment, based on the legendary California punk rock record label, Epitaph Records.

Epitaph Records is based in Hollywood and was started in 1980 by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. It was mainly started as a record label to release his own band's (Bad Religion) album but it eventually branched out and has signed some of punk rock's best artists.

It even has a couple of subsidiary labels including Hellcat Records and ANTI- Records.

So here is my list, my top 9 favorite albums released by Epitaph Records, in descending order of preference...or is that ascending order...i dunno...the last one is my absolute favorite release....


9......Pennywise
Pennywise was the first album to be released on Epitaph Records by the melodic punk rock band of the same name. It was released in October 1991.

8......White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean
This album is the first NOFX album released by Epitaph. It was released in November 1992 and includes some great songs including "Bob" and "Liza and Louise."

7......Punk in Drublic
This album was the follow-up album to NOFX's White Trash...... This one was released in July 1994 and contains songs such as "Don't Call me White" "The Brews" and "Linoleium."

6......Recipe for Hate
This first Bad Religion album to show up on this list (there are more coming I assure you). This was the last album that they recorded for Epitaph before leaving for major label Atlantic Records. It was released in September 1993. Some of the great songs on this one were "American Jesus" "Struck a Nerve" and "All Good Soldiers."

5......Mass Nerder
This album was the first album released by Epitaph by the band ALL. It was released in May 1998 and includes the songs "Until I Say So" "Refrain" and "Until Then."

4......So Long and Thanks for all the Shoes
Another NOFX entry on the list, this one was released in November 1997. Some gems on this album are "Monosyllabic Girl" "All Outta Angst" "Kill Rock Stars" and "Quart in Session."

3......Suffer
Suffer is thought by some to be Bad Religion's quintessential album. This is definitely the album that (in my opinion) really put them on the punk rock map, so to speak. It was released in September 1988 and includes songs such as "Give You Nothing" "Suffer" "Do What You Want" and "You Are the Government."

2......No Control
This follow-up to Bad Religion's Suffer is actually my favorite Bad Religion album. It was released in November 1989. It includes songs such as "I Want Something More" "You" "It Must Look Pretty Appealing" "I Want to Conquer the World" "No Control" and "Change of Ideas."

1......Everything Sucks
This Descendents album was the first, last and only of theirs to be released by Epitaph. It was the first album of theirs to be released after their "reformation", that is, their reunion with singer Milo Aukerman. It is a great album and usually ends up on one of my favorite albums of all time lists. It was released in September 1996. Some of the great songs on this album are "I'm the One" "Rotting Out" "Sick-O-Me" "When I Get Old" "She Loves Me" "Hateful Notebook" "We" and "Thank You."

Stay tuned for the next installment of Top Albums from [insert record label here] coming soon!

Top 4 Bands from Orange County

Today, we are stopping in an area of California called Orange County. Orange County is an area of California that includes cities such as Huntington Beach, Fullterton, Anaheim, among many others.

4............PROJECT 86

Project 86 is a Christian hardcore rock band that formed in 1996 by singer Andrew Schwab and drummer Alex Albert. Although they are known primarily as being a post-hardcore act, their music often incorporates other styles such as gothic metal and some elements of hip-hop.

Links
Official website
Project 86 MySpace page
Project 86 Wiki article

Studio albums (EPs included):
Project 86 (1998); Drawing Black Lines (2000); Truthless Heroes (2002); Songs To Burn Your Bridges By (2003); And the Rest Will Follow (2005); The Kane Mutiny EP (2007); Rival Factions (2007); This Time of Year EP (2008); Picket Fence Cartel (2009)

They released one live album in 2010 titled 15.Live

My favorites:
One-Armed Man; Little Green Men; Your Heroes Are Dead; The Spy Hunter; The Great Golden Gate Disaster; Say Goodnight to the Bad Guy; Sincerely, Ichabod; All of Me; Necktie Remedy; Evil (A Chorus of Resistance); Pull Me Closer, Violent Dancer; The Kane Mutiny; Lucretia My Reflection (Sisters of Mercy cover); Destroyer; The Butcher

3............THE OFFSPRING

The Offspring, if you aren't aware, are a punk rock band that was put together in 1984 by Dexter Holland and Greg Kriesel in Huntington Beach. They were originally called Manic Subsidal.

Links:
Official website
Offspring Wiki article

Studio albums:
The Offspring (1989); Baghdad EP (1991); Ignition (1992); Smash (1994); Ixnay on the Hombre (1997); Club Me EP (1997); Americana (1998); A Piece of Americana EP (1998); Conspiracy of One (2000); Splinter (2003); Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008)

Compilation albums:
The Offspring Collection (1999); Greatest Hits (2005); Happy Hour! (2010)

My favorites:
Gotta Get Away; Gone Away; All I Want; Pretty Fly for a White Guy; The Kids Aren't Alright; Want You Bad; Million Miles Away; Hit That; Hammerhead; You're Gonna Go Far, Kid; Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?

2............AGENT ORANGE

Agent Orange is a punk rock band that was formed in 1979. Musically, they incorporate a lot of surf rock into their music. The band lineup basically rotates around its one sustainable member, singer/guitarist Mike Palm. I have seen this band several times and even had the chance to hang out with on a couple of occasions. They are still active although they really don't release much music all that often. They mostly just play live.

Links:
Official website
Agent Orange Wiki article

Studio albums (EPs included):
Bloodstains EP (1979); Living in Darkness (1981); Bitchin Summer EP (1982); When You Leave Expect It EP (1984); This Is the Voice (1986); Virtually Indestructible (1996)

They released one live album, Real Live Sound in 1990 and one compilation, Blood Stained Hitz.
My favorites:
Everything Turns Grey; Miserlou (Dick Dale cover); The Last Goodbye; Bloodstains; Living in Darkness; In Your Dreams Tonight; This Is All I Need; Let It Burn; Unsafe At Any Speed; So Close and Yet So Far


1............SOCIAL DISTORTION

Social Distortion, of course, is a punk rock band that was formed in 1978 by Mike Ness in Fullerton, CA. The original line-up consisted of 3 guys that left the band to start another Orange County punk band, The Adolescents. This is another band whose lineup rotates around the front man, Mike Ness.

Links:
Official website
Social D Wiki article

Studio albums:
Mommy's Little Monster (1983); Prison Bound (1988); Social Distortion (1990); Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992); White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996); Sex, Love and Rock n Roll (2004); Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011)

Compilation albums:
Mainliner: Wreckage from the Past (1995); Greatest Hits (2007)

They also released on live album, Live at the Roxy in 1998.

My favorites:
Another State of Mind; Telling Them; Mommys Little Monster; Prison Bound; So Far Away; Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash cover); Sick Boys; Story of My Life; Cold Feelings; Bad Luck; King of Fools; Under My Thumb (Rolling Stones cover); Dear Lover; Don't Drag Me Down; I Was Wrong; Through These Eyes; When the Angels Sing; Down Here With the Rest of Us; Reach for the Sky; Don't Take Me for Granted; Angel's Wings; Road Zombie; Machine Gun Blues

Here are some other bands from the Orange County area:
Adolescents
Avenged Sevenfold
Reel Big Fish
Zebrahead
The Vandals
Velvet Revolver
Plankeye
No Doubt
Kottonmouth Kings
Lit
Stryper
Save Ferris
Sugar Ray
Supernova
Thrice

Top 3 Bands from Arizona

Let's make a quick stop in Arizona!

3............ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD

This is a folk punk band that formed in 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona. It consists of 2 guys, Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty. This band even played in Oklahoma City recently opening up for Frank Turner. I, of course, was stuck at work and could not go to the show.

Studio albums (EPs included):
Candy Cigarettes and Cap Guns (2005); Issue Problems (2006); People That Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World (2007); Art of the Underground (2007); Only God Can Judge Me (2008); Operation Stackola (2009); Holiday Inn Gainseville (2009); Can't Maintain (2009); Knife Man (2011)

Links:
Official website
AJJ Myspace page
AJJ Wiki article

2............MEAT PUPPETS

This rock band was also formed in Phoenix in 1980 by the Kirkwood brothers (Curt and Cris). They have broken up and reunited a couple of times and have changed labels several times.

Studio albums (EPs included):
In a Car (1981); Meat Puppets (1982); Meat Puppets 2 (1984); Up on the Sun (1985); Out My Way (1986); Mirage (1987); Huevos (1987); Monsters (1989); Forbidden Places (1991); Too High to Die (1994); Raw Meat (1994); No Joke! (1995); You Love Me (1999); Golden Lies (2000); Rise to Your Knees (2007); Sewn Together (2009); Lollipop (2011)

Live albums:
Live in Montana (1999); Live (2002);

Compilation albums:
No Strings Attached (1990); Meat Puppets 8 (1999); Classic Puppets (2004); Rare Meat (2005)

Favorite songs:
Plateau; Lake of Fire; The Void; Backwater

Links:
Official website
Meat Puppets Wiki article

1............GIN BLOSSOMS

Gin Blossoms are a pop rock band that formed in 1987 in Tempe, Arizona. They disbanded in 1997 but returned in 2002. This band really puts out some good pop rock songs. Aside from being #1 on the Arizona list this band would probably end up on a Top 20 bands overall list of mine.

Studio albums (EPs included):
Dusted (1989); Up and Crumbling (1991); New Miserable Experience (1992); Shut Up and Smoke (1994); Congratulations I'm Sorry (1996); Major Lodge Victory (2006); No Chocolate Cake (2010)

They released 2 compilation albums Outside Looking In, released in 1999 and 20th Century Masters, released in 2003. They have also released one live album in 2009 titled simply Live in Concert.

Favorite songs:
Found Out About You; Hey Jealousy; Allison Road; Until I Fall Away; Day Job; Follow You Down; Highwire; Not Only Numb; Perfectly Still; As Long as It Matters; Til I Hear It From You; Long Time Gone

Links:
Official website
GB MySpace page
GB Twitter page
GB Wiki article

Other Arizona based bands worth mentioning:
Alice Cooper
Flotsam and Jetsam
Mr. Mister (only sort of worth mentioning - lol)
Sacred Reich
Machines of Loving Grace
Supersuckers
JFA

Top 5 Bands from Illinois

Here's my next installment of top bands from [insert location here]. Today, we are stopping the state of

Illinois.

5............BIG BLACK
This punk band hails from Evanston, Illinois and formed in 1981. They disbanded in 1987. They were

known for highly distorted guitars and using a drum machine rather than an actual drummer. As well as

being a punk band, they are known as being one of the pioneers of industrial rock. They were also a

band that heavily advocated a DIY (Do It Yourself) ethic.

Studio albums released:
Lungs (1982); Bulldozer (1983); Racer-X (1984); Atomizer (1986); Headache (1987); Songs About

Fucking (1987);

Live albums released:
Sound of Impact (1987); Pigpile (1992)

Compilation albums released:
The Hammer Party (1986); The Rich Man's Eight Track Tape (1992)

My favorite songs of theirs:
Fists of Love; The Power of Independent Trucking; The Model; Bad Penny; L Dopa; Il Duce

Links:
Big Black Wiki article

4............CHEAP TRICK
This rock band formed in Rockford, Illinois in 1973 and has been performing every since.

Studio albums released:
Cheap Trick (1977); In Color (1977); Heaven Tonight (1978); Dream Police (1979); Found All the Parts

(1980); All Shook Up (1980); One on One (1982); Next Position Please (1983); Standing on the Edge

(1985); The Doctor (1986); Lap of Luxury (1988); Busted (1990); Woke Up With a Monster (1994);

Cheap Trick (1997); Special One (2003); Rockford (2006); The Latest (2009)

Live albums released:
Cheap Trick at Budokan (1979); Budokan 2 (1993); Cheap Trick at Budokan: The Complete Concert

(1998); Music for Hangovers (1999); Silver (2001); Sessions@AOL (2005); Sgt Pepper Live (2009)

Cheap Trick has also released 13 compilation albums between 1991 and 2009.

My favorite songs of theirs:
I Want You To Want Me; Southern Girls; Surrender; Dream Police; Voices; If You Want My Love; She's

Tight; The Flame

Links:
Official website
Cheap Trick Wiki article

3............ALKALINE TRIO
This punk rock band was formed in McHenry, Illiniois in 1996 by Matt Skiba, Rob Doran and Glenn Porter. Matt, of course, is the only "original" member left in the band.

Studio albums released:
Goddamnit (1998); Maybe I'll Catch Fire (2000); From Here to Infirmary (2001); Good Mourning (2003); Crimson (2005); Agony and Irony (2008); This Addiction (2010); Damnesia (2011)

EPs released:
For Your Lungs Only (1998); I Lied My Face Off (1999)

Compilation albums released:
Alkaline Trio (2000); Remains (2007)

My favorite songs of theirs:
Clavicle; Radio; Private Eye; Queen of Pain; This Could Be Love; All on Black; Emma; Time to Waste; Mercy Me; Dethbed; Sadie; This Addiction; Dine, Dine My Darling; Lead Poisoning; Off the Map; Draculina; Eating Me Alive

Links:
Official website
Alkaline Trio Wiki article
Alkaline Trio MySpace page

2............SCREECHING WEASEL
This punk band was formed in 1986 in Chicago, Illinois by Ben Foster (Ben Weasel) and John Pierson

(John Jughead). This band has broken up and re-formed with so many different line-ups so many times,

I quit counting a long time ago. Although Ben can come off as quite an arse fairly often, the songwriting

is great and their contribution to the pop-punk scene can never be ignored.

Studio albums released:
Screeching Weasel (1987); Boogadaboogadaboogada! (1988); My Brain Hurts (1991); Ramones

(1992); Wiggle (1993); Anthem for a New Tomorrow (1993); How to Make Enemies and Irritate People

(1994); Bark Like a Dog (1996); Television City Dream (1997); Emo (1999); Teen Punks in Heat (2000);

First World Manifesto (2011);

EPs released:
Punkhouse (1989); Pervo Devo (1991); Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions (1991); Happy, Horny, Gay

and Sassy (1992); Radio Blast (1993); You Broke My Fucking Heart (1993); Suzanne Is Getting Married

(1994); Formula 27 (1996); Major Label Debut (1998); Jesus Hates You (1999); Carnival of

Schadenfreude (2011)

Compilation albums released:
Kill the Musicians (1995); Beat is on the Brat (1998); Thank You Very Little (2000); Weasel Mania (2005)

My favorite songs of theirs:
Murder in the Brady House; I Hate Led Zeppelin; Dingbat; My Right; Hey Suburbia; Making You Cry;

Guest List; Veronica Hates Me; Cindys on Methadone; Science of Myth; My Brain Hurts; Automatic

Rejector; I'm Gonna Strangle You; I, Robot; A New Tomorrow; Totally; Every Night; Cool Kids; First Day

of Summer; You'll Be in My Dreams Today; Your Name Is Tattooed on My Heart; Count to Three; Speed

of Mutation; Acknowledge; Sidewalk Warrior

Links:
Official website
Allmusic website
SW Wiki article



1............SMOKING POPES / DUVALL
The Smoking Popes, an awesome pop-punk band, were formed in Chicago in 1991 by the Caterer brothers (Josh, Matt and Eli). They disbanded in 1999 and re-formed in 2005. On a side note, during the time the Popes were not together, Josh Caterer formed Duvall . The members of the band were essentially former members of the Popes. To me Duvall is basically a Christian version of the Smoking Popes.

Studio albums released:
Get Fired (1993); Born to Quit (1994); Destination Failure (1997); The Party's Over (2001); Stay Down (2008); This Is Only a Test (2011);

EPs released:
Inoculator (1991); Break Up (1992); 2 (1993); Egg Nog (1997)

Live albums released:
Live (2000); At Metro (2006)

Compilation albums released:
1991-1998 (1999); It's Been a Long Day (2010)

My favorite songs of theirs:
Brand New Hairstyle; Writing a Letter; Let Them Die; Not That Kind of Girlfriend; Let's Hear It for Love; Midnight Moon; Rubella; Need You Around; Adena; Star Struck One/No More Smiles; Megan; Pretty Pathetic; Welcome to Janesville; If You Don't Care; Stefanie; Stay Down; Wish We Were; This Is Only a Test; College; Punk Band; Diary of a Teen Tragedy;

Links:
Official website
Smoking Popes Wiki article



Here is a list of a bunch of other bands from Illinois that are good but didn't make the cut (be on the lookout for a dotm on one or more of these bands soon):

Smashing Pumpkins
Veruca Salt
Chevelle
Chicago
Dwarves
Fall Out Boy
The Jesus Lizard
Ministry
The Methadones
Naked Raygun
Pigface
Stabbing Westward
Superchick
The Tossers
Wilco
BarlowGirl
Jars of Clay
Survivor
Whitecross
Styx

NHL Roundup 2011 (11.4.11)

EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Atlantic
Penguins
Flyers
Rangers
Devils
Islanders

Northeast
Maple Leafs
Senators
Sabres
Canadiens
Bruins

Southeast
Capitals
Panthers
Hurricanes
Lightning
Jets

WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Central
Blackhawks
Predators
Red Wings
Blues
Blue Jackets

Northwest
Oilers
Wild
Avalanche
Canucks
Flames

Pacific
Stars
Sharks
Coyotes
Kings
Mighty Ducks

Points Leaders
Phil Kessel (Toronto) - 21
Claude Giroux (Philadelphia) - 17
Thomas Vanek (Buffalo) - 16

Goals Leaders
Phil Kessel - 10
James Neal (Pittsburg) - 9
Claude Giroux - 8

Wins Leaders
Kari Lehtonen (Dallas) - 8
Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh) - 7
Tomas Vokoun (Washington) - 7

Saves Leaders
Pekka Rinne (Nasvhille) - 307
Craig Anderson (Ottawa) - 294
Kari Lehtonen - 287

Saves Percentage
Josh Harding (Minnesota) - .964
Nikolai Khabibulin (Edmonton) - .963
Kari Lehtonen - .947

ESPN Power Rankings (Top 10)
Washington Capitals
Edmonton Oilers
Dallas Stars
San Jose Sharks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks
Pittsubrgh Penguins
Ottawa Senators
Los Angeles Kings
Philadelphia Flyers

Buddy Holly: Discography of the Moment

Buddy Holly was....uhm....duh! How can you not know who Buddy Holly is!!!

Ok, for those musical morons out there........

Rock and roll singer/songwriters Buddy Holly, whose real name was Charles Holley, was born in September 1936 in Lubbock, Texas. Although his musical career was cut short due to an airplane crash, his legacy was enormous. His music inspired other artists such as The Beatles (who named their band, in a way, after his band, The Crickets) and his influence on music can still be seen today (Weezer's "Buddy Holly" was released in 1994).

The song "American Pie" written and performed by Don McLean in 1971, is about Buddy Holly.

Here are some Buddy Holly links:
Official (I think) website
Buddy Holly Wiki article

DISCOGRAPHY

The Chirping Crickets
Released in November 1957 by Brunswick Records
Produced by Norman Petty
Band lineup (Buddy Holly and the Crickets):
Buddy Holly - vocals, guitar; Jerry Allison - drums; Joe Mauldin - bass; Niki Sullivan - guitar
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"That'll Be the Day" "Oh Boy"

Buddy Holly
Released in February 1958 by Brunswick
Produced by Norman Petty and Bob Thiele
Lineup changes:
Niki Sullivan left the lineup for all but one track.
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Peggy Sue" "Words of Love" "I'm Gonna Love You Too"

That'll Be the Day
Released in April 1958 by Decca Records
Produced by Owen Bradley
Lineup changes:
This was considered a solo album for Buddy Holly and such he had session musicians playing on this album.
Tracks: 11
Singles:
"Girl on My Mind"

There have been over 20 compilation albums released between1959 and 2009. Interesting that an artist that only released 3 studio albums has so many compilation albums with his name on it.

My favorite songs by him are "Oh Boy!" "Not Fade Away" "Maybe Baby" "That'll Be the Day" and "Peggy Sue."

The Last: Disography of the Moment

The Last are a power pop band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1976 by the Nolte Brothers (Joe, Mike and David). This band came out around the same time as bands such as Black Flag, the Descendents, and the Circle Jerks.

Here are some links:
Official website
The Last MySpace page
The Last Wiki article

DISCOGRAPHY

LA Explosion
Released in 1979 by Bomp! Records
Produced by John Harrison and The Last.
Band lineup:
Mike Nolte - vocals; Joe Nolte - guitar, vocals; David Nolte - bass; Jack Reynolds - drums.
Tracks: 15
Singles:
She Don't Know Why I'm Here; Every Summer Day;

Look Again
Released in 1980 by Backlash Records.
Produced by The Last
No lineup changes
Tracks: 12

Fade to Black
Released in 1982 by Bomp!
Produced by The Last.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 4

Painting Smiles on a Dead Man
Released in 1985 by Lolita Records.
Produced by Bill Inglot.
Lineup changes:
Half-way through recording David Nolte was replaced on bass by John Rosewall. Jack Reynolds was replaced on drums by John Frank.
Tracks: 12

Confession
Released in 1988 by SST Records.
Produced by Bill Stevenson.
Lineup changes:
John Rosewall was replaced on bass by Larry Manke and John Frank was replaced on drums by Dave Nazworthy.
Tracks: 12

Awakening
Released in 1989 by SST.
Produced by Bill Stevenson.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 12

Gin and Innuendoes
Released in 1996 by SST.
Produced by Earl Mankey.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 16

Danger
Released in 2008 by Owned & Operated Records.
This was supposed to have been released in 2008 by O&O but I can't find any information about it anymore. Even the O&O website doesn't have any information about it. *shrugs*

DCs New 52: November 3, 2011

I decided to just start doing these on a weekly basis rather than a monthly basis.

Action Comics #3
The 3rd issue of Action Comics continues Superman's fairly new career as a superhero. The police still don't like them and the fact that he is from another planet is fueling some major anti-alien hysteria from the public. To be honest, the story hasn't really been grabbing me and there is a strong chance that #3 is the last issue of Action Comics that I will buy.

Green Arrow #3
The third issue of Green Arrow picks up where we left off last month with Oliver about to square off with a teen of evil metahumans that find joy in recording their fights and streaming them on the Internet. This time they are proclaiming the death of Green Arrow live on the Internet. The fight itself takes up almost all of the comic and it is a pretty good fight even though G.A. really doesn't have any powers.

Detective Comics #3
As it turns out, the Gotham Ripper is a new villain that goes by the name of The Dollmaker. He gets his name from the fact that he rips people apart and makes dolls out of their skin. In issue #3 of Detective Comics, Batman finds himself drugged by the Dollmaker and about to be "operated" on to be sold as a collectible. No sign of Joker in this one but at the very end, the Dollmaker pits Batman against a group of "Jokers."

NFL Roundup 2011 (Week 8)

WEEK 8 SCORES

Titans 27, Colts 10
Rams 31, Saints 21
Giants 20, Dolphins 17
Vikings 24, Panthers 21
Ravens 30, Cardinals 27
Texans 24, Jaguars 14
Bills 23, Redskins 0
Lions 45, Broncos 10
Steelers 25, Patriots 17
49ers 20, Browns 10
Bengals 34, Seahawks 12
Eagles 34, Cowboys 7
Chiefs 23, Chargers 20

NFC STANDINGS

East
Giants
Eagels
Cowboys
Redskins

North
Packers
Lions
Bears
Vikings

South
Saints
Buccaneers
Falcons
Panthers

West
49ers
Seahawks
Cardinals
Rams

AFC STANDINGS

East
Bills
Patriots
Jets
Dolphins

North
Steelers
Bengals
Ravens
Browns

South
Texans
Titans
Jaguars
Colts

West
Chiefs
Chargers
Raiders
Broncos

PASSING LEADERS

Yards
Drew Brees (New Orleans) - 2746
Cam Newton (Carolina) - 2393
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) - 2372

TDs
Aaron Rodgers - 20
Drew Brees - 19
Matthew Stafford (Detroit) - 19

QB Rating
Aaron Rodgers - 125.7
Tom Brady (New England) - 104.4
Eli Manning (NY Giants) - 102.1

RUSHING LEADERS

Yards
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota) - 798
LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia) - 754
Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville) - 740

TDs
Adrian Peterson - 9
LeSean McCoy - 8
Beanie Wells (Arizona) - 7
Cam Newton (Carolina) - 7

RECEIVING LEADERS

Yards
Steve Smith (Carolina) - 918
Wes Welker (New England) - 824
Calvin Johnson (Detroit) - 804

TDs
Calvin Johnson - 11
Wes Welker - 6
Scott Chandler (Buffalo) - 6

ESPN Power Rankings (Top 10)
Green Bay Packers
San Francisco 49ers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions
NY Giants
Chicago Bears