Frankie & Tommy, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
Speaking of people I miss: these dudes.
If you're not listening to to Robots & Racecars yet, why the hell not? I've only been talking about how great they are for like, the past year.
Showing posts with label robots and racecars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label robots and racecars. Show all posts
i just play in a rock and roll band
Frankie & Tommy, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
my heart is beating so fast
The EP is not a lie. Fighting Nessie: now available on iTunes. Or in real live cd form if you hit up the merch table at a show. Five songs for $5, it's a good deal.
between the living dead and these robot men
Dorkfaces, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
I don't know if you've been paying attention or not, but I'm kind of fond of them. Photos from last Saturday's acoustic show are up at my flickr.
not a hologram
Jordan, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
My favorites, Robots and Racecars had the honor of being my first show of the year. They have new music up on the myspace and it is so much better than the crappy bootleg I have been listening to for months, so you should really go check it out.
2008, year in review
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." - Edith Lovejoy Pierce
The following is brutally honest and painfully earnest, don't say you haven't been warned.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
My first thought was get tattooed or travel a ridiculous distance for a concert, but I did both of those at the very end of 2007 so this is a tough one. Spend a lot of time in church basements? Go to two shows in one day? Learn how to silkscreen? I don't know, maybe I'll think of something a little more exciting later on.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't know that I necessarily made any resolutions, other than to be happy and positive really. I wanted 2008 to be the best year of my life and it was. So I think I'll do the same for this year and see how that goes.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, a close friend of the family had a baby boy.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
An elderly neighbor that I'd grown up with passed away, but we weren't really close. (I've had enough of this happen in my life, I'm glad for the year off.)
5. What countries did you visit?
While I did a lot of travelling this year, it was all inside the U.S. of A.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time with which to edit all the photos I took and get stuff for Falsestart Junkyard together.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 7 - My Chemical Romance at the Electric Factory. Spent all day waiting in line with friends and it was worth every minute, one of the best experiences of my life. Especially since I got to talk to Frank afterward and tell him how much they mean to me.
July 25 - My first time going to Warped! Had a great time, but it was really the stuff that happened after that made it great. For a few hours, being nervous and sixteen was awesome.
December 2 - Spent almost 13 hours in the car the day before driving to Chicago. Fall Out Boy at the Chicago Theatre. Amazing seats, an amazing show and I got to share it with one of my best friends right next to me. ♥
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Deciding, in some respects, what I want to do with the rest of my life. There's going to be a long road to get there, but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and all that jazz.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my job? I really had started to hate it though, so I guess what I really consider the biggest failure was really not being able to find another job for so long and working more.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I saw The Cab quite a few times, I was sick a lot this year. Also, I had a couple of panic attacks and those are never fun.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My DSLR. It was a splurge but it was so worth it.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Barack Obama
13. Whose behavior appalled you?
Sarah Palin
14. Where did most of your money go?
My gas tank, Pete Wentz and his affiliates.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing MCR for the first time. Empires and the Gaslight Anthem's record release shows. A joint birthday party with two of my closest friends and the field trip we took to see Robots & Racecars before hand.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Yellow Cab and a Five Cent Cigar.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, by far.
ii. thinner or fatter? Probably about the same.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer, but only because I was dead broke this time last year.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Slept. I definitely had a lot of "I'll sleep when I'm dead" moments this year.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Been sick. I blame Alex Marshall and his disease spreading band for a lot of this.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas morning with my grandmother and parents, had lunch with them and them drove down to my aunt's house to have dinner with her and my grandfather and my cousins.
21. How will you be spending New Year's?
I spent it in Cherry Hill, NJ having a great time with friends, watching the fireworks from inside the warmth of my friend's high rise apt. and occasionally scrambling over to the tv to watch those Fall Out Boys.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes. It kind of just reaffirmed my opinion that the risk isn't worth the reward, but I don't regret it. Maybe 2009 will be different, who knows. (If this dude can live happily ever after maybe there's hope for me yet.)
23. How many one-night stands?
None. Even if I'd had the opportunity, I don't really believe in them.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who/Torchwood was really the only thing I had time to keep up with.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. I am full of love, baby.
26. What was the best book you read?
I don't even remember what I read this year. Let's go with Watchmen because I know for certain that I read it this year and that it was awesome.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Gaslight Anthem (Runners up include: Robots & Racecars, Team Goldie, and Steel Train.)
28. What did you want and get?
An exciting life.
29. What did you want and not get?
To be in a relationship.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight.
31. What did you do on your birthday?
Spent some time with my grandmother, had sushi lunch with my mom and got together with the Team Philly girls and Nicholas at the Pub for dinner.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
At the risk of being horribly inappropriate, more kissing. My 2008 was sadly lacking in that area.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans, a band t-shirt, and chucks? Also, a lot more eyeliner than I have ever worn in any other year of my life.
34. What kept you sane?
Team Philly and our adventures in the local music scene.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have no celebrity crushes. I don't know what you're talking about.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The complete and utter bullshit that is Prop 8.
(But hey, BARACK OBAMA IS GOING TO BE PRESIDENT. And just thinking that still makes me grin like an idiot.)
37. Who did you miss?
My cats. And Rei, once she left us for Chicago.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met so many amazing people this year, it's really hard to pick just one. But if I have to choose, Jen is going to get the award for this one. As was said before, you are the best of us, and the craziest. I can hardly believe there was a time when I wasn't taking spontaneous roadtrips to Connecticut or, you know Chicago.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
1. STAY HYDRATED!
2. When you have the opportunity to use a clean bathroom, take it!
3. Trying to love someone who doesn't want your love doesn't end well.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
The following is brutally honest and painfully earnest, don't say you haven't been warned.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
My first thought was get tattooed or travel a ridiculous distance for a concert, but I did both of those at the very end of 2007 so this is a tough one. Spend a lot of time in church basements? Go to two shows in one day? Learn how to silkscreen? I don't know, maybe I'll think of something a little more exciting later on.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't know that I necessarily made any resolutions, other than to be happy and positive really. I wanted 2008 to be the best year of my life and it was. So I think I'll do the same for this year and see how that goes.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, a close friend of the family had a baby boy.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
An elderly neighbor that I'd grown up with passed away, but we weren't really close. (I've had enough of this happen in my life, I'm glad for the year off.)
5. What countries did you visit?
While I did a lot of travelling this year, it was all inside the U.S. of A.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time with which to edit all the photos I took and get stuff for Falsestart Junkyard together.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 7 - My Chemical Romance at the Electric Factory. Spent all day waiting in line with friends and it was worth every minute, one of the best experiences of my life. Especially since I got to talk to Frank afterward and tell him how much they mean to me.
July 25 - My first time going to Warped! Had a great time, but it was really the stuff that happened after that made it great. For a few hours, being nervous and sixteen was awesome.
December 2 - Spent almost 13 hours in the car the day before driving to Chicago. Fall Out Boy at the Chicago Theatre. Amazing seats, an amazing show and I got to share it with one of my best friends right next to me. ♥
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Deciding, in some respects, what I want to do with the rest of my life. There's going to be a long road to get there, but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and all that jazz.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my job? I really had started to hate it though, so I guess what I really consider the biggest failure was really not being able to find another job for so long and working more.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I saw The Cab quite a few times, I was sick a lot this year. Also, I had a couple of panic attacks and those are never fun.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My DSLR. It was a splurge but it was so worth it.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Barack Obama
13. Whose behavior appalled you?
Sarah Palin
14. Where did most of your money go?
My gas tank, Pete Wentz and his affiliates.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing MCR for the first time. Empires and the Gaslight Anthem's record release shows. A joint birthday party with two of my closest friends and the field trip we took to see Robots & Racecars before hand.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Yellow Cab and a Five Cent Cigar.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, by far.
ii. thinner or fatter? Probably about the same.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer, but only because I was dead broke this time last year.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Slept. I definitely had a lot of "I'll sleep when I'm dead" moments this year.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Been sick. I blame Alex Marshall and his disease spreading band for a lot of this.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas morning with my grandmother and parents, had lunch with them and them drove down to my aunt's house to have dinner with her and my grandfather and my cousins.
21. How will you be spending New Year's?
I spent it in Cherry Hill, NJ having a great time with friends, watching the fireworks from inside the warmth of my friend's high rise apt. and occasionally scrambling over to the tv to watch those Fall Out Boys.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes. It kind of just reaffirmed my opinion that the risk isn't worth the reward, but I don't regret it. Maybe 2009 will be different, who knows. (If this dude can live happily ever after maybe there's hope for me yet.)
23. How many one-night stands?
None. Even if I'd had the opportunity, I don't really believe in them.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who/Torchwood was really the only thing I had time to keep up with.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. I am full of love, baby.
26. What was the best book you read?
I don't even remember what I read this year. Let's go with Watchmen because I know for certain that I read it this year and that it was awesome.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Gaslight Anthem (Runners up include: Robots & Racecars, Team Goldie, and Steel Train.)
28. What did you want and get?
An exciting life.
29. What did you want and not get?
To be in a relationship.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight.
31. What did you do on your birthday?
Spent some time with my grandmother, had sushi lunch with my mom and got together with the Team Philly girls and Nicholas at the Pub for dinner.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
At the risk of being horribly inappropriate, more kissing. My 2008 was sadly lacking in that area.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans, a band t-shirt, and chucks? Also, a lot more eyeliner than I have ever worn in any other year of my life.
34. What kept you sane?
Team Philly and our adventures in the local music scene.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have no celebrity crushes. I don't know what you're talking about.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The complete and utter bullshit that is Prop 8.
(But hey, BARACK OBAMA IS GOING TO BE PRESIDENT. And just thinking that still makes me grin like an idiot.)
37. Who did you miss?
My cats. And Rei, once she left us for Chicago.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met so many amazing people this year, it's really hard to pick just one. But if I have to choose, Jen is going to get the award for this one. As was said before, you are the best of us, and the craziest. I can hardly believe there was a time when I wasn't taking spontaneous roadtrips to Connecticut or, you know Chicago.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
1. STAY HYDRATED!
2. When you have the opportunity to use a clean bathroom, take it!
3. Trying to love someone who doesn't want your love doesn't end well.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
smoke
Smoke, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
I'm not one to brag about my accomplishments, but fuck it, I am proud of this.
I submitted this photo to a juried art exhibition at my college and not only did it get it, it won best in show in the category of photography & printmaking.
Awesome.
sometimes walls run into you
So, in case you didn't know, this is happening. It's going to be awesome. You should come.
just some losers in a band
Nick, Frankie & Jordan, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
Six months ago my friends said, come to this place called Sacred Grounds and see some local bands we found. My life would be so much different right now if we hadn't gone to that show.
"i really like your band, matt"
Matthew, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
Robots & Racecars: They cover Fraggle Rock for sound check, and their van has Free Candy has a three headed dragon spray painted on the side. What more could you want from a band? (Also, their music is pretty okay, I suppose.)
looking forward to the future
A few things I am currently looking forward to:
» The new Fall Out Boy album: Folie À Deux, to be released on election day (Nov. 4th). If you think my big plans for that day are anything other than going to vote and then driving to the store to pick up this album, you are sorely mistaken. (The announcement of this record was the culmination of the “Citizens for Our Betterment” viral marketing scheme which, was tracked very thoroughly by this website.)
» Robots and Racecars upcoming EP, which at one point was being called “Robots and Racecars Are Out of Their Element.” However, that was over a month ago and who knows how many name changes it’s gone through since then. Guitar and drum tracks have been recorded and they are currently working on vocals. Nicholas assures me that it will be “epic.”
» All Aboard: A Tribute To Johnny Cash. Even more than the Gaslight Anthem track, I’m looking forward to the Loved Ones cover of my all time favorite Johnny Cash song, Cocaine Blues. This is the one thing I have to wait the least for as it comes out next week! UPDATE: Apparently I spoke too soon, because the release has been pushed back to October 21st.
» The Decemberists are putting out a series of singles entitled “Always the Bridesmaid” to be released in three volumes, starting in October. They are also currently in the studio recording their next LP. That is a lot new music and that makes me very happy, as it has been far too long for my taste. Also, they must have heard me complaining about how they haven’t toured in forever, because they are going back out and will once again be hitting up The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, where I last saw them two years ago. Their complete tour dates can be found here.
» The new Fall Out Boy album: Folie À Deux, to be released on election day (Nov. 4th). If you think my big plans for that day are anything other than going to vote and then driving to the store to pick up this album, you are sorely mistaken. (The announcement of this record was the culmination of the “Citizens for Our Betterment” viral marketing scheme which, was tracked very thoroughly by this website.)
» Robots and Racecars upcoming EP, which at one point was being called “Robots and Racecars Are Out of Their Element.” However, that was over a month ago and who knows how many name changes it’s gone through since then. Guitar and drum tracks have been recorded and they are currently working on vocals. Nicholas assures me that it will be “epic.”
» All Aboard: A Tribute To Johnny Cash. Even more than the Gaslight Anthem track, I’m looking forward to the Loved Ones cover of my all time favorite Johnny Cash song, Cocaine Blues. This is the one thing I have to wait the least for as it comes out next week! UPDATE: Apparently I spoke too soon, because the release has been pushed back to October 21st.
» The Decemberists are putting out a series of singles entitled “Always the Bridesmaid” to be released in three volumes, starting in October. They are also currently in the studio recording their next LP. That is a lot new music and that makes me very happy, as it has been far too long for my taste. Also, they must have heard me complaining about how they haven’t toured in forever, because they are going back out and will once again be hitting up The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, where I last saw them two years ago. Their complete tour dates can be found here.
i have many leather bound books
Saturday Night, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
Sometimes it's worth it to drive all the way out to Bristol on a Saturday night.
we were the magnificent dreamers
Empires Record Release Show, originally uploaded by falsestartjunkyard.
Sometimes for fun I like to imagine up dream tours that I want to go see. My previous favorite was Robots & Racecars and Team Goldie opening on a Ludo headlining tour. Just this morning I decided that Empires and The Gaslight Anthem opening for The Loved Ones would pretty much be the best thing ever.
Thoughts? What are your dream lineups?
here we go around again
I know it's been about a million years since I actually talked about music in this blog, so here's some content for you.
How I Became Invisible is the solo side project of Robots & Racecars bassist, Nicholas Reed. New songs went up last night and they are A+. Check it out.
How I Became Invisible is the solo side project of Robots & Racecars bassist, Nicholas Reed. New songs went up last night and they are A+. Check it out.
robots & racecars
Last night at the Trocadero was the fifth time I have seen Robots & Racecars. They were just as awesome as they ever are. As you'll recall from an earlier entry I promised to explain exactly why this band is awesome and this is that post.
Robots & Racecars is a four piece band based out of Bristol, PA and they classify themselves as Pop-Punk/Powerpop on their myspace. I'm not exactly certain on the definition of "powperpop" but I'm going to take their word for it. Genre categorizations mean little to me really, all you need to know is these guys rock.
If you know anything about what I like in a band, it's not just being able to play your instruments, it's entertaining me whether you're playing or not. Not only are these dudes talented, what makes them stand out among some of the other bands I listen to is the fact that they are hilarious on stage, they have great energy and they are generally awesome dudes. I don't think I've been to a show yet where lead singer/guitarist Matthew hasn't encouraged the crowd to get closer/dance/rock out, etc.
For a band that's less than two years old, they are amazingly accomplished. Their sets are tight and tons of fun to watch. Their full length album, We Can't All Be Astronauts has great variety and I can't wait to see what their next album will be like. Also, they would like you to know that the cover art is yellow and they would never lie about that.
Recently, they've been playing some new stuff and it amuses/amazes me when I manage to learn the words to songs just from seeing the band so many times. (There are only two bands this has actually only happened to me with, R&R is one, The Cab is the other.) The point I'm trying to make here is the new stuff is also awesome and I'm a sucker for songs where the audience has a part to sing.
If you're in the NJ/PA area, I highly recommend you check these guys out in person. And if you happen to be at Hamilton Lanes, make them bowl with you. That's always a good time.
If not, I suggest heading over to their myspace and giving their music a listen. Part-Time Boyfriend is a personal favorite of mine.
Robots & Racecars is a four piece band based out of Bristol, PA and they classify themselves as Pop-Punk/Powerpop on their myspace. I'm not exactly certain on the definition of "powperpop" but I'm going to take their word for it. Genre categorizations mean little to me really, all you need to know is these guys rock.
If you know anything about what I like in a band, it's not just being able to play your instruments, it's entertaining me whether you're playing or not. Not only are these dudes talented, what makes them stand out among some of the other bands I listen to is the fact that they are hilarious on stage, they have great energy and they are generally awesome dudes. I don't think I've been to a show yet where lead singer/guitarist Matthew hasn't encouraged the crowd to get closer/dance/rock out, etc.
For a band that's less than two years old, they are amazingly accomplished. Their sets are tight and tons of fun to watch. Their full length album, We Can't All Be Astronauts has great variety and I can't wait to see what their next album will be like. Also, they would like you to know that the cover art is yellow and they would never lie about that.
Recently, they've been playing some new stuff and it amuses/amazes me when I manage to learn the words to songs just from seeing the band so many times. (There are only two bands this has actually only happened to me with, R&R is one, The Cab is the other.) The point I'm trying to make here is the new stuff is also awesome and I'm a sucker for songs where the audience has a part to sing.
If you're in the NJ/PA area, I highly recommend you check these guys out in person. And if you happen to be at Hamilton Lanes, make them bowl with you. That's always a good time.
If not, I suggest heading over to their myspace and giving their music a listen. Part-Time Boyfriend is a personal favorite of mine.
i don't want to be your part-time boyfriend
Hopefully very soon I will make a much longer entry detailing all the ways this band is awesome and why you should go see them, but as I'm on my way out the door, you should just take my word for it, and check them out.