. NOT NECKDEEP .

Gorilla Biscuits, Civ on 'Good Day Fox' 1990

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:02:00 +0000

This is one of the best videos I've come across in a long time. The big question I have? Is the only reason they picked Bob Patton to speak 'counter point' to Civ because he's a father of seven? That's the best you could do FOX? "They should stick with their football, lacrosse..."

Gorilla Biscuits, Civ on Fox News 1990

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:40:00 +0000

Amazing. It's so clear that these "adults" have no idea what's going on.

THE NEW NECKDEEP.NET...

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:46:00 +0000

... has been launched. This site is dead. Change your links. That is all.

Come On And Do Something New

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:44:00 +0000

I've been out of town for a bit but the real reason that this site has taken a backseat is that I'm very slowing working on a neckdeep.net relaunch. With some work changes happening and my boredom with blogger, I'll have something up by the end of the week. I'll let you know.

The Death of The Independent Record Store

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:02:00 +0000

It seems just unreal to me that WalMart sells 1 in every 5 albums bought in the USA. That is so, so sad. Smaller record stores are what saved me as a youth. Smash (now in Adams Morgan?!!!), Newbury Comics, Aquarius and of course Amoeba top my list of indy stores. I try to buy actual CDs as much as I can and not just grab things off the web or iTunes...but it can be a challenge.

This Saturday, April 19, is Record Store Day. Go buy something.

Mullen, Virtual Reality, 1993

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:36:00 +0000

15 years ago. 15. Damn.

Stecyk Rides A Bike?

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:32:00 +0000

First Cardiel and now C.R. Stecyk III seems to be down with the track bikes. Check out his advocate profile at the RVCA site.

I sure wish the rain would stop so I could ride mine a bit.

Leviathan - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:16:00 +0000

A lot has been written this week about the new Leviathan album, Massive Conspiracy Against All Life. I'm a fan of Wrest for sure and was not let down. Unlike most I don't favor his full length records but rather the splits that he's down as well as the double CD, Verrater. It collects the best tracks from the 13(!) full length Leviathan cassettes/cd-r's that were SUPER limited. ANYWAY, I think this new full length captures the feel of those early tracks but adds a deeper, more refined sound. Well worth a listen. Here's a download of the record. With this one I do ask that if you enjoy it go out and at least buy another Leviathan record (I bought this one, I swear)...or better yet pick up the reissued Lurker Of Chalice, another Wrest project and one of my all-time black metal favorites.

(And does anyone read this or download? Leave a damn comment)

Into Another, Quicksand

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:59:00 +0000

While dealing with work, baby, dog and the rest I've been listening to a great deal of my back catalog. Two favorites from the early 90's come up often: Into Another and Quicksand. Both are amazing post-hardcore bands that I have never stopped listening to.

Into Another, Ignaurus - Such a strong record. For the unfamiliar this band may be a tough sell, but it's worth repeated listens. Richie's voice is unreal and the overall sound is so unique. 'Drowning' could be my favorite song from their four records.

Quicksand, Unreleased & B-Sides - Not much you can say about these guys that hasn't been said. In everyone's top ten. I was lucky enough to have seen them a half dozen times. Song list for the download here.

Best Vans Ever?

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:28:00 +0000

Moon Eyes Vans? Fucking incredible. I want multiple pairs of each.

Surfwise

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:46:00 +0000

Being a new Dad, this situation seems completely insane and totally rational at the same time. Maybe I should just buy a camper and drive...

Portland Track Crew Yo.

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:29:00 +0000

I ride a track bike...for transportation really. In Portland it's no secret biking is a "culture". Every other bike is a track bike so it only makes sense there is a "crew" working to start a monthly event. Maybe I'll check out a race. I do think that the idea of 'flatland' tricks on a track bike is damn silly. Buy a BMX or get a skateboard.

Mike Giant @ Rebel 8

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:27:00 +0000

If you don't know Mike Giant's work, you should. He's one of my favorites and has been since I first saw his work on Think Skateboards and painted on walls across SF. He moved on to tattooing (he's now stopped, but I was lucky enough to grab a few pieces) and his own clothing brand, Rebel 8. He has had a blog over at Fecal Face forever, but has now focused his online time to one spot over at the Rebel 8 site. Not only can you read his daily posts, but you can pick up everything from tattoo flash to socks. Bookmark it.

How Google Got Its Colorful (read: Terrible) Logo

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I don't know anyone that likes the Google logo. It's clunky, silly and just flat out ugly. And don't get me started on how it's poorly designed for the internet in both size and detail. Looking at their logo design process I guess they could have done much worse. I truly think the Google story illustrates how a simple idea is key...and not even a bland site design (though brilliant in concept) and crummy logo can hold you back. I wonder what it might have looked like if given to a logo mastermind like Paul Rand?

Genghis Tron

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:03:00 +0000

I've been listening to their new album 'Board Up The House' pretty much nonstop since downloading it earlier in the week. Super, super good. Hailing from Philly this three piece electric metal hardcore assault (Cyber-grind?) are worth checking out. I ran across a VERY detailed six part video series documenting the recording of the new album over at a Guitar World blogsite called MetalKult. Each section is lengthy but worth checking out if you're into the band.

As a bonus these guys will be playing with Converge here in Portland on April 16th.

20 Years Ago Today...

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Morrissey released the 'Suedehead' single in the UK officially starting his solo career. The 12" had 'Hairdreser On Fire' as the B-Side. Not bad. Below is the video featuring Moz visiting James Dean's hometown of Fairmount, Indiana.

My favorite Morrissey video for sure. Dean would have turned 77 on February 8th of this year. I hope to visit Fairmount at some point. Only 2,282 miles from Portland...no big deal.

Skateboarding needs...

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:20:00 +0000

More Beautiful Losers and Less Las Vegas hotel jumping.

Digital Skate Off

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:47:00 +0000

Stevie and I have been spending some time battling for high score bragging rights over at Ground Kontrol. It's been a while since they had a working 720 machine and now they've got a perfect one. Flawless joystick and all. All the details (and game music) can be found here. Even with my two cocktail machines at home (Pac Man and Centipede), it's still my favorite arcade game of all time. I really shouldn't have sold my machine last year...

Not Your Typical American

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:06:00 +0000

The Goats, Tricks of the Shade might be the last hip-hop (rap?) record I was really excited about. In high school (1989) I found rap through skating and was fueled by the groups of that time: NWA and Easy E, Ice T, The DOC, Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Eric B and Rakim, Stetsasonic, the mighty 3rd Bass and many more. Topping the list was Public Enemy. Not only did they have best sound, front man and DJ combo, the lyrics were amazing. Truly revolutionary ideas. While I did enjoy the bitches and hos style of most gangster rap of the time, PE was much more. At the time it seemed to be a pure alternative to the crappy Mtv garbage. New ideas and a more punk based hip hop. Around 1990 I started going into DC and discovered local hardcore and found a direct way to tap into a music scene that spoke even more directly to me as a (ahem) white teenager. I still spun PE quite a bit but lost interest in the whole hip-hop deal as it seemed the edge was gone.

Enter The Goats. In late 1992 I was working at a record store in Washington DC. A promo CD arrived with a few songs from Tricks Of The Shade. I was taken by the illustration on the front with the ‘Burn The Flag’ graphic. Woah. These three guys (black and two white) from Philly had amazing beats and political lyrics that really pushed the envelope at the time. A new Public Enemy for 92'. Taking down George Bush (Sr.), insulting Columbus and bringing up issues like abortion, Leonard Peltier’s imprisonment and many other touchy topics of the time. So, so good. Yeah, they did some weed-based songs, but I could deal with that. The clever skits between songs really pounded the message home.

In 1993 I was lucky enough to see them live at the old 9:30 club in DC. Fucking incredible. They had a live band and the songs sounded even better. I was working at the record store and the Ruff House / Columbia rep arranged to get me a shirt (they had none for sale) and introduced me to a pretty blunted band. Later that year their second album came out and it just didn’t have that same edge. The Goats seemed to just fade away, as did my interest in anything hip-hop. These guys should be on every hip-hop top ten list and are VERY under rated.

“Men never die for flags, they die for politicians, the shadiest breed of the mental magicians”

Download the entire Tricks Of The Shade album here

The official Goats website (lyrics and info)

The Goats My Space (songs and info)

Dillinger Escape Plan On Conan O'Brien

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:57:00 +0000

If you told me nine years ago that Dillinger Escape Plan would be on Late Night with Conan O'Brien I would have laughed in your face. But here they are last Wednesday night on network television. And jumping on Conan's desk? Amazing. You Tube below ( I recommend going to the NBC site, clicking on the Wed Feb 6 episode and going to the Dillinger Chapter):

They also appeared on Charlie Rose(!?) discussing their roots and hardcore shows.

I LOVE this band and will continue to support everything they do including their great new record. From the first time I saw them in Richmond in 1998 opening for Converge (total darkness with blasting bright strobes and the band throwing themselves into the crowd) to 924 Gilman (fire breathing that had the low ceiling ablaze for a brief period of time) and every show afterward...they stoke me every time.

Plus, Calculating Infinity is one of those perfect albums for me. Download the full album here.

At The Gates

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:18:00 +0000

I had heard that the legendary death metal Swedes At The Gates were getting back together to tour, and now the dates have been posted. Crap. Where the hell are the US dates? I understand why they've started in Europe, but they've certainly got fans over here as well. Screw the festivals, let's get some small Northwest dates.

If all of this means nothing to you I highly recommend picking up the newly reissued 'Slaughter of the Soul' album (which includes a DVD of the show seen below) or just grab the FULL ALBUM here for free. It's high on my top ten metal albums of all time, no question.

From The Jam

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:17:00 +0000

Last week Stevie, Bryce and I caught From The Jam at the Alladin threater here in Portland. 'From the Jam' are The Jam bassist Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckler without Paul Weller. While many faux reunions can be a drag, especially without the main singer/guitarist, I have to say...they were amazing. Russell Hastings was given some pretty big shoes to fill and he did quite a good job. The songs were perfect and that signature sound was dead on. It was even better being right up front at the super small gig knowing that this tour sold out so quickly in the UK and most of Europe.

Here's a video of 'That's Entertainment'...which they didn't play at our show. Damn it.

Photo from Stevie's site, more photos and some video over there.

Magic Highway 1958

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:16:00 +0000

What a find. Past the amazing animation this Disney piece on the future of automotive is a great piece of history. Where are the heated super highways and in-office parking? The flipping electromagnet and solar powered cars? We really dropped the ball somewhere along the line, that's for damn sure. It's funny, a film like this would never be made now about 2050. As a whole I feel we've just lost the spark we had in the late 50's and early 60's. We'll never get those automatic-ceramic-bridge-builders without hoping and dreaming for them.

Obama Is The Coolest

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:12:00 +0000

Well, the hipsters have spoken. Obama is the shit. First, here's a poster by Mr. Obey, Shepard Fairey. The article is actually pretty good with Fairey making a good case for the candidate.

But luckily for me the one man whose opinion matters most in this election for the power of the free world has thrown his endorsement to the Obama camp. Moz has finally spoken and I, for one, will listen.

You can see a detail of the shirt that has Morrissey as Obama's running mate in 2008. It's a vote for change. And style.

Dropping out

noreply@blogger.com (Neckdeep) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:18:00 +0000

Well, this sort of sucks...Edwards is out.

I haven't made up my mind completely, but I was pulling for Edwards.

Why? To be honest I'm not a Hilary fan. I don't hate her or anything, I just feel that she's not out to change anything. When she bailed on her health care plan during the male Clinton reign it left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm just not sold on her experience. And Barack? I guess I'm not impressed yet. Plus, and I know this is not PC, I just don't see the USA voting for a black president. Sure, in the polls they say they'll vote for him, and there are a lot of young people ready for change, but the south and mid-west take up a lot of this country. Bush won TWICE remember? When the curtain is drawn and 'Average Dumb Ass US Citizen' is looking at choices...I feel that's when the REAL vote will be made. But I'm a cynic.

And then there's this little piece of film...

I have this illusion that money and media attention should be secondary to message and experience. Silly, I know.

UPDATE: Here's a good article on Edwards.