BootLeG Year in Review

As another year near its end and a lot of stuff happened to say the least.  There have been much stuff happening around the world and, well, if you want some perspective for that, you could visit some other kind of credible place.  But for now, I'm just gonna place some of the things that I think were important to me and what impacted my blog.  So here's a year in review of the blog that just is for 2011.  Just for the record, it's not like I don't pay attention to current events and what not, it's just that it's my blog and I want to give myself a little praise.


First off, it was a good year in the fact that I try to be as proactive as posting as frequently as possible.  I honestly and earnestly made the valiant effort of doing a once-a-week blog here.  And for the most part (obviously some weeks were a little off because of scheduling and holidays) I did my part.  For 2012, I hope to continue with that effort and keep the caliber of the content at least at the level that it is now, but always trying to expand on it.  Which brings me to my next point.  I wanted to expand on more of a video aspect.  This also comes across as a time and scheduling constraints that I had.  Honestly, time management is something I still need to work on.  Hence why I'm gonna try my damnedest on 2012 to put up more video content.  Let's not forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel to see all the crap that I'd put up so far.


As far as gaming is concerned, it was all well for me finally experiencing the epic awesomeness of all that is the PS3.  Sure it's about 4 years too late, but still, it's badass.  The power of blu-ray and all the games I've played so far, it's gonna set me up for one helluva new year.  It's the main driving force for me to get back on what I stated for my 2012 resolution of playing Final Fantasy VII and complete it by the end of 2012.  It's just that friggin' awesome.  I'm in love with it, it's the only acceptable mistress that the wifie will allow me to have.


Music related, it's just been me listening and enjoying.  Although the urge to play have been great, I've been learning little by little how to play my 12-string acoustic guitar and also thinking of new instrumental accompaniments that also will help with my resolution of writing a new song a month.  So it's all good that I've been just laying it low, and feeling refresh for everyone.  Once again, it'll be a better year next year for that.


As far as other stuff, well, with the work that I'm still putting on the eventual transformation to a new design for the blog, it was pretty laid back.  I promise you, look forward to 2012.  Adios 2011, it's time had left us to a pretty damn good year and set for better times for the next year.  So I leave you with a line from of course one of my favorite bands, doubleDrive; "Give us some confetti here we'll have us a better year"  Hot damn it's almost 2012, see ya next year (or Tuesday, whatever comes first...)

BootLeG sampler.. signing out...

Forgotten Freshness

If you don't already freakin' know I am a huge fanboy when it comes to some kick ass music.  And one of my favorite bands of all time is doubleDrive.   You might have heard me mention them a time or two.  So now that I got that out of the way, I can segway to what I wanted to present to you guys.


A couple of days ago I was browsing YouTube just for shiggles, and every so often I do a search for my favorite things, some times there is new content.  And just so my luck, there is new stuff from the band.  I don't mean just bootleg concert footage from way back in 2003, which I don't mind, trust me on that.  I mean new material, well, sorta.  They're not getting back together anytime soon, they all moved on to other commitments, but it seems that some guy leaked unreleased material from them.  'I can't believe it, so friggin' awesome, new shit from dD' is what I initially thought.  So being the sucker that I am, I had to give it a listen.  And from my ear for music and memorization of all things aural, I can say without a doubt that at least one of them is a genuine doubleDrive unreleased track.


The one that I am doubt a little bit is the track listed "Hey Hey".  It sounds like Donnie Hamby's vocals and after listening to it a couple of times, I can see why if it was an unreleased track why they didn't put it on any of their albums.  The style was off as far as how as guitar and drums accompaniment, but it's still a good listen, so here it is if you want it...





Another one which I am certain is the true genuine article that is doubleDrive is a track called "Fed Up".  it sounds absolutely right and fitting for it to be one one of their albums, most likely Blue in the Face.  It's heavy yet melodic and the way all the instrumentals play is true to their form.  Here it is for your enjoyment...



So that's that in a nutshell, me being all fanboy out for such a kick-ass band, and now I can get to my regular scheduled mondane music listening.


BootLeG sampler.. signing out...

List O'Best B-Sides of One Hit Wonders

A lot of the music I listen to is not of the popular stuff or mainstream; not to say anything bad about them, but there are a boatload of hidden gems out there that don't get the light of day. The beaten path is so much better than the manure field of crap that is shoveled over the radio. It just don't appeal to me. Now that not to say that in the field of shit there's some golden nuggets that's not corn that come out but don't get another chance. And like all albums, the back catalog is just as epic as the hits or better (in most cases). We all have that album that we listened to a thousand times front to back cause it was complete. Well guess what? Those one hit wonders are on the same boat. This here is my ode to those that gave it the old college try, took the stage, and was never to be heard from again. 

Now the rules for this list is simple. The artist had to have just one popular hit in their respected genre; even if they released other singles they can not be as well known as their main single. The artist must also not suck (but that's a given). With that being said, let's get it on...

• Dishwalla "Charlie Brown's Parents" : Most infamous for their single "Counting Blue Cars" got major play in the mid 90's just prior to the humble beginnings of TRL. It was a pretty good single, but whether it was their record company or piss poor management, they never branched out passed. And because of that, most people missed out on this golden nugget. It starts soft but then gets down and dirty with some grungy harmonics and proclaimed what was popular than and now, angst against authority not listening to either youth or sub-ordinances (take your pick). Either way it was catchy and little to no one knew it. So check it out, you can thank me later.

• Darwin's Waiting Room "All I Have Is Me" : Unless you're a fan of rapcore (like myself) or any bands local to the Miami area, Darwin's Waiting Room would probably pass you by faster than a speeding bullet.  Although, they did have a hit with "Feel So Stupid (Table 9)" that was just about all the fame the group had.  Too bad because they could've had a lot of potential for a whole lot more than a rapcore fad that lasted from 1998 to 2003.  This particular track although it sounds like most of their album, it kinda stands out in my book.  I tend to gravitate to this track whenever I have their CD in the car.  It's definitely one of the best closing tracks of an album that I've heard ever and it completes its epic journey without it feeling like some drawn-out rock opera.  Definitely pick it up or get it on download if you don't have it already.

• doubleDrive "Gone" : If you know me and follow any other of my music posts, it's pretty damn hard for me to not mention doubleDrive. And yes, the did have airplay with their single "Imprint". But this is from their first album that didn't get that much publicity. "Gone" starts it off as a slow guitar riff than powers up once the first verse begins to start. It then goes to some signature guitar solos and everything seems to complete once it ends. Not many songs can even claim that.

• Bloodhound Gang "The Ballad of Chasey Lane" : Just when you thought a song about sex from these guys couldn't get more graphic with "The Bad Touch", this (pardon the pun) peters out. A song about a lust lorn fan and his obsession with an infamous porn star. Lyrics alone is funny as hell, and I also have to give them props from being from Philly. But what makes this for me is the video (warning NSFW, hence why I didn't put a link to the video, but feel free to Google it.) If you thought their one hit video was a taste of low brow, than this is well below the mark; but it fits the song so well.

• Monster Magnet "Evil (Is Going On)" : If you know them you know they're more known for acid rock, pretty much you would have to either be in a trip to listen to it or it'll drive you to use and abuse. Their best (and probably only known) single "Space Lord" was played and played on MTV back in the mid 90's but this is from 1992. It's the only song probably out of their element. With blues and jazz engulfed in the track you would never known it was Monster Magnet without picking up the album work for it. Now that's a rare gem for ya.

• Alien Ant Farm "Summer" : This is that rule I mentioned that they might've had other singles but only one that stood out come into play comes in. I actually heard them the first time with their previous single "Movies", but it was their Michael Jackson cover of "Smooth Criminal" that gave them their popularity and fizzled out afterwards. This track however is a B-Side of theirs that uses the seasons as a metaphor of a relationship. It's catchy just on a lyrical basis alone, and the way it takes me in a melodic trance each time is just awesome. But honestly, most of their catalog is just epic with sweet hooks and an amalgam of great lyrics and well timed solos and bridges. It really surprises me that they're only a one hit wonder, even with a small handful of singles around them, it's only that one that sticks to most peoples head.

Trust me, I would love to have more bands and other acts out there, but like my rule stated from before.  Only one-hit wonders, and I made a stretch with Alien Ant Farm enough as is, possibly even with Monster Magnet.  Most of my taste either gravitate to either well established bands that made it some what, or stuff that no one ever knew of.  And that might be a subject of another post, but as for this one; I'm calling it a one-and-done.

BootLeG sampler.. signing out...

p.s.  In no way did any of the following bands ask for any endorsement nor knew of their wonderful music mentioned on this blog post.  It's all of my effort alone to enrich everyone to something outside of the stereotypical norm.  Enjoy.

11:59

This is just a brief update about how ready I am for me and my wife's new arrival. Very excited. I really can't help but to see what's to happen in the next few days.... It's just that we're so close to the end and I can hardly contain myself.... I'm running sleeplessly waiting for this to happen...

And here's a perfect rendition of what I'm feeling right now: doubleDrive, 11:59




BootLeG sampler.. signing out...

Bound to Ramble

I am a music lover. That's the cold honest truth. I like most kinds of music, but what gets me is mainly rock. Rock is all good. It's kinda like the universal translation that bridges the gaps with everyone in my opinion. I mean back in the 50's and 60's we had Elvis, Chuck Berry, James Brown, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, all these great acts to spawn out all of the different genres that we have in existence today such has modern rock, country, soul, r&b, bluegrass, gospel... You name it, they started it way back when. But that's enough of a retrospective, now I want to go and see what I thought were pretty damn good acts and how they might have been overlooked in today's times. I feel that they should definitely get some recognition for their talent and perseverance in the art that they produce.

First off the top of my head is the John Butler Trio. This Austrian group is pretty laid back and relaxing, but very straight and to the point in their music. I'm actually reminded of their song 'Bound to Ramble' as I'm posting on this blog as we speak. It's nice and kinda nomadic as well. Some of my favorite songs from them are 'Bound to Ramble', 'Zebra', and 'I Used to Get High.' They have a smooth, well thought out orchestrated feeling to them where simplicity meets awesomeness from the simple rhythm and blues to an off the beaten path alternative technique. Also the multifaceted talents from each of the band members themselves bring a uniqueness not found in most bands. John Butler himself plays 6-string and 12-string guitars, a steel lap guitar, and a banjo for different songs while the bass player switches from electric bass to a double bass (with and without a bow) for different songs as well. The drummer has a wide array of percussion mediums from a standard drum kit to bongos and even utilizing other means of percussion as well. The John Butler Trio; you don't have to rock hard to know that you rock.

Another band that needs recognition is doubleDrive. These guys in my opinion is definitely one the the best bands, EVER!!! This short lived band from Atlanta, GA indeed rocked the casbah during their inception. They have a feel of many of what in my opinion made rock what it was and supposed to be in my generation: part grunge, part alternative, part heavy, all badass. With in my opinion one of the best vocalists in the business Donnie Hamby can tell a story like no other. Compliment that with the awesome rhythm section of bassist Josh Sattler and Mike Froedge and (once again in my opinion) the sickest guitarist in the world Troy McLawhorn, you had a powerhouse. Too bad that they decided to go separate ways in 2003 into different projects, but their music still rock on to this day for me. I don't think that I go one day without either having one of their guitar riffs or saying a line from one of their songs in my head (btw, 'Track 7' FTW). Tracks to listen to I'd recommend would be 'Tattooed Bruise', '11:59' and the one mentioned from before (yes, that's the title of the song). doubleDrive, just badass.

One final one cause this is getting long enough. This is yet, another band that is disbanded, but this was more about business and ethics in the industry, rather than running other music projects. Tsunami Bomb was a punk rock band from California that was unique and innovative all in one sweet package. Fronted by Agent M, this lady belted some powerful chords that haven't been done since Gwen Stefani and the boys from No Doubt were still doing good music instead of bubblegum-pop. And although the rest of the band were a motley crew of three-chord power punk musicians (and their quirky keyboardist featured in their first EP), when the time came for them to perform, it was something that would make those that were fans of Pennywise, Bad Religion, and other punk greats buckle at their knees. It incorporated all that was good in punk-rock and amplified it to the Mth. power. Songs like 'Lemonade', 'My Machete', and 'Take the Reins' were just some of it greatness in their catalog.

So that's just a sample of what I hope to keep up and bring forth. There are a lot of great acts out there and I feel that their limelight needs to shine either just a little bit brighter or just to shine on one more time to appreciate what effort they brought forth in their art. I'll try to keep up with more acts that needing to be recognized, but as for now...

BootLeG sampler.. signing out...