Saturday, July 31, 2004 :::

I've never been so disappointed by a movie in my life. If you're dumb, then you might enjoy The Village. Shyamalan is ruined.

::: posted by AJBrotz at 12:21 AM

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Wednesday, July 28, 2004 :::

Last night was a blast.

Frank, Juan, Will, Brian, Mandy, Melody, Chris and I went down to Pat O'Brien's at Citywalk to hang out, shoot the shit, and of course, drink. 

And drink we did. 

I don't even know how much money Frank wound up spending on alcohol, but I do know that Hurricanes are worth the dough - especially on 2-for-1 Tuesday nights.  I hadn't finished half of my first one before I started feeling tipsy.  Apparently, the mighty Hurricane consists of 4 shots of 151 and some special hurricane mix that is unknown to me...but Will told me that they sell the mix in stores, so rock on.

Pat O'Brien's is a pretty rad place, featuring two piano players and lots of people dressed in green.  Frank meant to make a joke by requesting Led Zeppelin, and to our amazement, they actually played "Stairway to Heaven!"  They tore that shit up, too...

SO.  By the end of the night, I had consumed two Hurricanes, a shot of JD (it had been a double, but I pussed out and Melody took the rest), and a fairly large cup of Bud Light from Hard Rock.  Doesn't sound like much, but trust me, those Hurricanes are deadly.  I'm still not sober.  No shit.  Best worst part about the night was that I had to face my mom when I got home.  I'm pretty sure she could tell that I was gone, but I think I faked semi-sobriety fairly well.  No slurring, cohesive sentences - she did make me walk a straight line, though, and although I managed it, it was the most difficult, confusing walk of my life.

I'm pretty sure that I had some whacked-out dreams, but I don't remember any of them.

In conclusion:
I have the best friends a guy could ask for
It's damn good to have Frank back
Pat O'Brien's is a great place to drink
I'm still not sober

In other news, we still have not received word regarding Warped Tour.  However, even if we are confirmed, I don't think we're gonna play, 'cuz Frank won't be playing with us.  The lame-ass has to work.  Frank's absence from the lineup would leave us with one, ONE guitar player.  That's not a good thing for a band that's used to playing with three guitars.  So, unless I suck it up and play guitar (which would still be pretty awful, as I haven't played the songs in years), I don't know how we're gonna pull it off.  Maybe we'll just get drunk before we play, make up a story about Frank and Mark running off together, and make sweet sweet noise.  Either way, we're still going to go to the show, and the current plan is to take the van and instruments to the fairgrounds early in the morning and tell the powers-that-be that we're scheduled to play.  This way, we'll still get in for free, and we'll be able to hang with the bands.  Punk rock, baby...

Picked up the new records from Keane and The Polyphonic Spree yesterday.  Keane was only $8.99 at Target, and so far, it's a great record.  The vocalist has true, actual singing ability, which is a nice change.  They still remind me of an upbeat Travis.  The Polyphonic Spree was $11.99, but it comes with a sweet DVD with an interview, music videos, and live performances, so it's more than worth the bread.  Haven't evaluated the album yet, but I'm very excited about it.  24 musicians!?!?  A harp player!?!?  How can you say no to that?

Big ups to Brian and Mandy for taking us all down to Citywalk and bringing us back.  Less than 1.5 years, BriBri, and you'll be swept up with the rest of us in the madness that is the Hurricane.  And Mandy - well, at least there's no age limit in g-ville.

The Village on Friday!  See you there!

::: posted by AJBrotz at 9:55 AM

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Tuesday, July 27, 2004 :::

If you haven't already, check out "Batman: Dead End."  It's a short film that's sure to captivate Batman and sci-fi fans everywhere.

We still haven't heard a yes or no for Warped Tour, so for now, we're assuming that we'll be playing.  If things go the same was as they did last year, we may not know until Wednesday night, or even Thursday morning.  Fat Harry needs to get off of his lazy ass and call us...

Also, Absent now has a site through "My Space" - www.myspace.com/absent1.  The link on this site has been updated with the new address, so click, and click often.

This Friday night = The Village.  Anyone interested in coming to see it should let Will or me know - the more of us in the theater, the less idiots there will be - you know, the ones who talk during the crucial moments and laugh at the wrong times.

Frank is back in town, and he has lots of hair, so watch out.

Next month's flavors will be up soon, and so far, it looks like "The Polyphonic Spree" and "Keane" will be two of them.  The Polyphonic Spree is made up of twenty-something musicians and they make the happiest music I've heard in my whole life, so if you're still stuck in the iLoveStaindButiHateMyselfAndYou'reKoRnyWahWah genre, this will probably sound like crap to you - ironically, it's probably the exact type of music that you need to hear.  The only comparison that comes to mind is an (even more) tripped-out, hippied-out Pink Floyd.  Keane reminds me of a more upbeat Travis, which is a very good thing.  Check 'em both out.

Picked up Hellboy today at Target for $15.99, and I suggest that you do the same, 'cuz Ron Perlman is a serious badass, Selma Blair is pretty hot, and monsters with dreds are awesome.

Did anyone ever actually see "The Whole Ten Yards?"  Is it as terrible as critics made it out to be?

...and a vote:  Should I leave my warm, comfortable world that is my Blog and endeavor to evaluate the new, exciting world that is My Space?
 
I'll leave you with a riddle:  If someone says to you "Everything I tell you is a lie," is he lying, or telling the truth?"

::: posted by AJBrotz at 2:39 PM

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Friday, July 23, 2004 :::

HOLY SHIT, FRANK...
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000584188

::: posted by AJBrotz at 6:34 PM

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Monday, July 19, 2004 :::

Just a quick one - I'm loving the new Further Seems Forever.  Their new vocalist, Jon Bunch from Sense Field, pushes their vibe to a better feel, better sound than ever.  CHECK IT OUT HERE.
 
Oh...and I cannot stand Dashboard Confessional.  It makes me gag...literally.
 
Glad to see the wealth of new posts, Jen - keep 'em coming!  - only...less QAF, please  :)
 
Lostprophets Wednesday night at Hard Rock!!!  AHOL:UJSL:DHGL:USEL:THOPWEJF!
 
"AHOL"
 
Sevendust rocked the House of Blues apart last week.  That band has forever secured its place in my list of top 5 bands of all time.
 
FRANK'S COMING HOME!  Come Monday, our precious Francis will be back in Winter Springs, Florida.  I cannot wait... - it's great to have you back, buddy.
 
Warped Tour next week!?  - yes, it's next week...but will Absent take hold of the local stage once again?  YES!  - i think.  I'll get back to you once Fat Harry gets back to us.  Regardless, everyone should try to make it out next Thursday.  The lineup of bands is freakin' great, and it promises to be a memorable day of fun in the sun, as it has always been.  See you there!
 
Napoleon Dynamite was freakin' hilarious... - not quite as funny as I had hoped, but it's moments were amazing.  A must own, for sure.  I, Robot is only second to Spider Man 2 in the running for the summer movie of 2004.  Of course, I have yet to see Alien Versus Predator.  Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps...
 
Aight, gotta be at work by 7, so it's lights out for AJ.
 
"Just follow your heart - that's what I always do" - Napoleon Dynamite
 
 

::: posted by AJBrotz at 9:45 PM

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Thursday, July 15, 2004 :::

Added "Flavors of the Month" and "Click Now" to the column on the left - Atreyu, The Killers, and Oceansize are a few new bands that have captured my interest - and my wallet - this month, so click on the logos and sample some tunes. Atreyu will kick your ass, then heal the wounds with sweet sweet vocals; The Killers will bring you straight back to the 80s with New Order/Depeche Mode stylings; Oceansize will trip you out with their 3-guitar assault and Tool/Radiohead-esque prog-rock sensibility. "Click Now" features opportunities that you all MUST take advantage of. This time around, you should go download the digital EP from one of the most promising bands I've heard in quite some time, Moments In Grace. "Stratus" and "Curtain Call" are absolute gems. Watch our for the debut LP in stores August 17th.

Brian, Mandy, Juan and I will be rocking our asses off to Sevendust and Skindred tonight at the House of Blues. Only a few more hours until I grovel at the feet of two of nu-metal's most talented vocalists - both of whom happen to be black. Maybe that's where I'm lacking... - anyway, I have no doubt that Benji will be crazy on-stage, but since Lajon's haircut, I'm a little skeptical...(half-kidding...)

So, Francis, you've decided to come back to us? Well, you know that every one of us will welcome you back with arms (and asscheeks) wide-open, and we're all proud of your courage and accomplishments. However, a certain quote in your blog stood out for me - something along the lines of "it is in this time of doubt that I decide to act." I don't doubt that you've thought everything through thousands of times and are continuing to do so, and I know that I have no "room to talk" when it comes to a topic like this one... - I just think back to the thoughts and feelings that originally moved you to New York, and I wonder how long it might take for them to return after you move back here. I support you one-hundred percent on whatever decision you make, homesnake - just make the right one, or I'll kill you. In the event that you arrive on July 27th, you can count on me to be waiting at the airport, holding a sign that will read "Welcome home, Kydd." (remember that shit!?) Love you, Frank...

"I, Robot" comes out tomorrow night, as I'm sure you're all aware - I'm assembling a team to enjoy and evaluate it, so let me know if you're interested in joining us. We'll be going to see it around 8 or 9 tomorrow night, preceeded by dinner at an as-of-yet-undecided location. Call Will or myself if you'd like to come...the more, the merrier...but we need to buy tickets before it sells out, so hurry that ass up.

Did you check out Atreyu yet!? CLICK THAT LINK, ASSHOLE! Their new record, "The Curse," is only 9.99 at FYE, so take advantage. Now.

"And I'll never need to see the sun again - there's enough light in your eyes to light up all the world. So take me, take me away...kill me slowly - I'll never be the same."

::: posted by AJBrotz at 1:47 PM

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