here's a story

There's A Story

2010-01-29T21:56:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone.

As I continue to grow in my "blogdom," I've discovered that I can't do everything that I want to do here on Blogspot. So, I've decided to start a new blog HERE using wordpress. No hard feelings okay?
I have some pretty cool ideas for this new blog, so make sure and keep checking in. Maybe you'll even win a free trip to a destination of your choice . . .

It's Good To See You Again

2009-12-16T15:13:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
It's good to be back, sitting in front of a working computer again.

I would like to offer you an early Christmas present. The Rocketboys recently posted 2 Christmas songs for your listening pleasure. Here are the links:

Up On A Housetop

Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

Neither Shall You Steal . . .

2009-08-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

. . . Music is about as physical as it gets: your essential rhythm is your heartbeat; your essential sound, the breath. We’re walking temples of noise, and when you add tender hearts to this mix, it somehow lets us meet in places we couldn’t get to any other way. –Anne Lamott

Right now I’m sitting on my bed, enjoying the beautiful scratches and pops of the Melody Men Gospel Quartet on my record player. I love listening to records. There’s just something more natural and organic about hearing music this way. I love the sound right before the music starts, when the needle is first dropped on the vinyl. It’s the first breath of life in the music. It’s the conductor bringing up his baton, while the whole orchestra lifts their shoulders and takes a deep breath.

Then the orchestra begins to play. It isn’t perfect, but it’s good. It’s really good. Every once in a while you can hear the sound of the viola player scooting her chair, as the needle hits a little imperfection in the grooves. Sometimes, if the record is old enough and warped enough, you can hear the whole orchestra speed up for just a second. I love when that happens.

(Ooh, this record is really popping right now. Excuse me while I flip it over)

If only you could take a record player with you as you go throughout your day. It would be so great to have a soundtrack following you everywhere you go. I guess that’s why IPods are so cool. Oh, by the way, someone stole my IPod last night. They also stole all the change out of my change jar.

I guess the moral of this story is: Please give me my IPod back.

The Infinite Wisdom of Mark McGrath

2009-08-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

Last night I did something I’m not very proud of. I don’t even particularly know why I’m telling you about it now . . . I went to a Sugar Ray concert . . . gulp . . . And you know what? I could tell you about how lame I felt there, or how bad the opening band was. I could go into great detail describing these washed up, 8 or 9 hit wonder, forty-somethings. I could try and justify why I was even there in the first place (I got free tickets, okay!).

But (now that I’ve adequately and passive-aggressively told you/not told you all of the above things), let me tell you about this “Infinite Wisdom” of Mark McGrath.

Sugar Ray got its start back in the late ‘80s, only they were called Shrinky Dinx back then and the band was more of a high school hobby. So, this band had been around for quite some time. Last night Mark McGrath said that people always ask why they’re even trying to make new music and be on the road anymore, since it’s obvious that their days of spreading their wings an flying (get it?) around the “Billboard stratosphere” are long gone and they’ll never have the fame they had back in the late 90’s. To which Mr. McGrath replied “Because we’re a ____ing band! And what we do is play ____ing music!”

What a brilliantly prolific statement Mr. McGrath. I’m in a band too and I play music. I know that one day my perfectly chiseled McGrath-like body will start to sag and wrinkle. And my frosty tipped hair will one day turn gray and fall out. But, I hope that I always love music and always love playing music. I hope that even if no one cares or pays attention I continue playing, just like Mark and the boys.

I once heard the singer of a band called Absinthe Blind say “We’re in the business of Rock & Roll. And business is good!”

So, Mr. McGrath, Mr. Fein I salute you both.

Self-Promosexuality

2009-08-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Rocketboys just set up an online store. It's the only place to pre-order our new record 20,000 Ghosts (official release date is 9-29-09). You can also get our other releases there. And t-shirts are coming soon.

Hey, what's wrong with a little shameless self-promotion? eh? Isn't that really why I started this blog anyway? Or was it?

Back in Black

2009-08-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

I suppose I kind of dropped the proverbial ball there with the last couple of weeks of the tour. But if you really want to read about it you can visit SceneSC.com and read what Mitch and Daniel had to say about the last couple of weeks of our tour with Dear Future.

If you’ve ever toured in a band you can relate to what I’m talking about . . . There’s this feeling when you get back from being on the road that I can only describe as “Brooks Hatlen Syndrome.” Remember in The Shawshank Redemption when the old librarian (Brooks Hatlen was his name) finally got out of jail and had the hardest time adjusting back into a life outside of prison? Well, that’s how I’ve felt since getting back to Austin (don’t worry, this isn’t a cry for help before I hang myself in a halfway house). But, I drive around in my own car, I sleep in my own horribly uncomfortable bed, I hang out with the same people each day. It’s strange. It takes some getting used to. Only now am I getting back into the swing of things.

Also, I just got the new Nathan Philips record! He used to be in The Winston Jazz Routine, and he just realeased his first record under his own name. Give it a listen.

The Rocketboys Are On Tour (part two)

2009-07-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

This past week has been really great for The Rocketboys. We’ve gotten to play some great venues, meet some great people, and visit some great places (the 3 G’s). But before I tell you about any of it, I must tell you what may be the best story of them all.

Let me set the stage . . . We’re driving through Camden, New Jersey, approaching the border of Pennsylvania, when all of the sudden a white SUV pulls up next to our van. And what do you know, out of the SUV, some breasts pop out (I’m sure you’re wondering, “Did he just say the B-word?”). So that part of the story is good enough, but it continues. Sadly, I was asleep in the back and missed The Flash go by, but the commotion it caused was certainly enough to wake me up. Next thing I know everyone is laughing and carrying on and talking about this unprovoked flashing. We start approaching some traffic that quickly turns into quite the jam. As it turns out, this traffic jam had been caused by a small four-car fender-bender. But . . . once we reach the site of the accident, we see that very familiar white SUV second in the pile of four (ok, let that sink in for a minute). GET IT?

I feel like that story may trump anything else I could tell you from this past week (perhaps it’s just the pre-adolescent in me, though). But here are a few pictures and highlights you may enjoy:

We played Frankie’s in Toledo two nights in a row and then went there the third night to watch our good friends All Get Out and All The Day Holiday play a killer show.

We hung out on a farm and went swimming in a pond.

We purchased a new GPS, no longer will we have to use the GPOS we’ve been using (get it?)

We played Public Assembly in Brooklyn with Katie Mullins, Tiny Animals, and Dear Future.

We hung out in NYC with good friends.

We wanted to see the Liberty Bell, but it was all locked up (iron-ic?).

We ate Southern Maryland crabs at Matt’s parents’ house in Waldorf, MD (well, everyone but me, I ate potato salad).

Right after we got crabs, we attended a sweet pool party that we were supposed to play (unfortunately Dear Future rocked the PA system too hard, and it blew up).

Here’s a video from one of our shows at Frankie’s that our friend Stephanie made:

You can watch more of her videos if you click here

The Rocketboys Are On Tour (part one)

2009-07-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

“I just threw up ten times in a porta-potty.” I never would have guessed that I would actually have to say that sentence ever in my life. But just a few days ago I was saying it over and over again at Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, IL.

Other than throwing up in a porta-potty, this tour has been going extremely well. We kicked it off in Dallas, TX with some of our really good friends All Get Out, The Soldier Thread, and Benjamin Del Shreve. It was a great show, everybody there was feeling the music and really digging the new songs we were playing. A couple shows got cancelled so we quickly made our way up to Illinois and met up with Dear Future (most of this tour will be with them) for a show in Mt. Vernon. Early the next morning, we packed up and headed to Cornerstone.

Promotion, promotion, promotion. Those are the three most important things to remember if you are playing at Cornerstone. This year we had a guy donate 100 promotional t-shirts to our cause and they went pretty quickly (it’s pretty flattering seeing a bunch of people you don’t know wearing your band’s shirt).With all the shirts, flyers, posters, and banners that we had brought I think we did a pretty good job of promoting for our shows.

We played 3 shows in all and each one was really great and had a ton of people. And I saw some of the same people at all three of them, singing along to our new songs like they had already heard them a hundred times! Like I mentioned earlier, I threw up ten times, so by the end of our time there I was just hoping I could make it through a show. After our last show a guy from Relevant Magazine interviewed me and Mitch. Here’s a nice little write up he did (click here).

After Cornerstone we headed to Champaign, IL, to play at the Canopy Club, where we played with either the second best band I’ve ever seen or the second worst band I’ve ever seen (I’m not telling). Daniel has a lot of family up in Illinois and a bunch of them came out to the show. My parents also came out and surprised us.

The next day we had the opportunity to do a session with Daytrotter. If you haven’t heard of it you should really check it out soon. It’s a great way to find new bands and hear bands in a different way then you might otherwise get to. We recorded four songs with them in their third-story studio in Rock Island, IL. It was a really great experience. The people that we worked with were extremely nice and professional. They have several vintage amps and keyboards and guitars to choose from, so we had our pick, set everything up, and then went to town (so to speak). I think they’ll be posting our tracks sometime right after our new record, 20,000 Ghosts, comes out at the end of September. So be on the lookout.

We finally met back up with Dear Future last night in Holland, MI, where we played a sold out show at Lemonjellos. Most of our shows from here on out are going to be with Dear Future, so look them up. I’ll see you soon.

20,000 Ghosts lyrics

2009-07-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

-We Are A Lighthouse
Are you running?Are you scared? Are you a stranger passing through here? Are you tired of this pace? Because unlike you sojourner, we are always here. And we are safe, and we are sound. And we are a lighthouse calling out, "come home, come home." Through these waves, black as night, we'll bring you home. And on our way we'll see all our brothers and all our sisters. Are you still running? Are you still scared? Because dying is easy, and you know that it will come quick. Because we are loud, and we are clear. And all of you sojourners, can you hear us? Over the sound of this terrible night, we'll bring you home. And on our way we'll see all our brothers and all our sisters. Let us bring you home and we will fill your sails with our lungs. Let our voices carry you through all these darkened waves.

-All The Western Winds
You should take you time, when gathering stones to make the house that you're building. Because you were there when I was building my own, and everything was wrong. But we couldn't know. If you'll just wait here, I will go get help. But if I can't come back, then I wish you well. All the western winds are blowing strong, and with just a little touch they will chill our bones. So hold yourself up in the house that you built and wait for it to go until you come back out. If you'll just wait here, I will go get help. But if I can't come back, then I wish you well. And I know this wont be the worst of it. And I know you know, oh you know best. So take all your time when gathering stones for the house that you're building.

-Sights And Sounds
I was young, listening to all the sounds, with my ear upon the ground, listening for truth. And all I heard was good. Then there we were watching all those burning lights take over the empty night, and taking us home. And all we saw was good. And I took it all in and buried it deep underground. I never thought I would need to remember those sights or those sounds. Then I went away for a year to this day, looking for or should I say, losing myself. But all I wanted was to be good. Now I feel like I'm screaming but you don't hear it. I'm waving but you can't see it. So I'm giving in. And all I want is to be . . . I took it all in and buried it deep underground. I never thought I would need to remember those sights or those sounds.

-Like Ice In Water
All I need is a place to call home. Just some peace of mind to make me feel whole. A breath or two may be what I have been looking for. But my time is gone like ice in water. Time is all we have, and I have been collecting. I told you I was empty and you said, "Time is all we have and you are just collecting memories of a few good things you love." I want to make this all up to you. But I'm sorry for not wanting to be sorry. But lately I've been wondering if I am good enough. Am I really gone like ice in water? Time is all we have, and I have been collecting. I told you I was empty and you said, "Time is all we have and you are just collecting memories of a few good things you love." All you want is a taste of all my memories. And all you want are a few good words to sing. And all I need is for something to start happening. And all I need are a few good words to sing. Time is all we have and I am just collecting.

-Take It From Me
I am a boat on the shore, but no wave is coming to take me home. I am a sun with no leaves to shower with light and to feed. I am a will with no one to bequeath my love, all my love. I feel like some sort of ghost. But take it from me you don't want to be a ghost. Because we need all our skin and our bones. I feel like my heart has stopped beating, and there's nothing carrying my blood. Oh, I wish I could take all these things I've been thinking and hammer them all to your door. Oh, I wish I could. But watch out, watch out I'm wondering if maybe it's not too late. I feel like some sort of ghost. But take it from me you don't want to be a ghost. Because we need all our skin and our bones.

-Entr'acte (parts I and III)
If you'll just wait here, I will go get help. But if I can't come back, then I wish you well.

-Islands
I once said that you were a star for me to wish upon, but I was wrong. And for some time now, I've been distraught. And for lack of a better word, I'm not an island. If there's no truth and if there's no life, then I'm fairly sure I don't want to die. Because I've tried hard most of the time. And for lack of a better word, I'm not an island. When we die all alone, if you're God then take us home. But if you're not we'll be waiting by and by. Because all our fathers have said "We are prodigals at best. And we will meet one day in that by and by."

-Nineteen Twenty Nine
Did you hear gospel songs? Could you hear our tears making them sound wrong? Never had we felt more alone. Did you hear gospel songs? Like a train on its track, we made our way in black through the hallway to the back. Like a train on its track. When four of us were carrying you on poles it was a burden we wanted so we could know that you were close. When four of us were carrying you on poles. Oh, did you hear gospel songs?

-Endings
I have trouble sleeping at night. Because there are twenty thousand ghosts who linger by my side. And I warned them to stay away but they keep on coming back. Oh, they keep on coming. So the story goes. Our histories are catching up. But we all know we should be careful. And so the story goes. There are many people who swear that their ghosts have all but disappeared. and I want to know their secrets to keep them away. Oh I want to keep them away. So the story goes. Our histories are catching us. But we all need a different ending. So our story goes. Oh I won't let go. Oh I won't let go. Oh I won't let go. Oh I won't let go. Oh I won't let go. Oh I won't let go. Oh I can't let go. Oh I won't let go.

-Rare Triumphs of Love And Fortune
Oh my son, you wonder how long it has been. You've been gone for so long. But here we are, we've been waiting. And the old house you built is empty now. Oh my son, we've been waiting here for days. And all we want is for you to be safe. Here we are, we are water. And the old house you built is a garden. Oh, here we are, waiting up. Here we are waiting and waiting. Waiting and waiting . . . All of us waited and waited, waited and waited. All of us waited and waited. Now I can see you coming home.

-I Saw A Stone
I saw a stone cradled by the earth. Because it was one I had known, I started digging through the dirt until both of my hands grew tired from the work. I dug patiently, and I dug eagerly. This was my home. Here stood my home. I feel at home here in the dirt. And I've been breaking my bones for what it's worth. I wanted someone here. I needed someone here to wash my dirty hands. And to help me rebuild . . . You were there while I was building saying "I am good." Now I'm here and you're still watching saying, "I am good."