White Walls Demo Available for Download Now

GET IT HERE!!!



http://whitewallswhitewalls.blogspot.com/2009/12/demo.html

Late additions to the top whatever of 2009...

Portal - Swarth (this re-established my faith in death metal. glad someone managed to do something sonically with it that moved the genre forward after so many years of static....)

Krallice - Dimensional Bleedthrough (just got hip to these guys)

Anaal Nathrakh - In The Constellation of the Black Widow (how could i go without mentioning this?????????)

Slayer - World Painted Blood (FINALLY, Slayer put out something good!!!!!!! No joke!!!!!!!)

Shrinebuilder should probably go on here, but I've slept on them for some reason...

And Struck by Lightning is not going onto my list until I hear the vinyl, which comes out next year.

Top Whatever of 2009

I don't care enough about this year's releases to actually do any work on this beyond listing some that I still listen to after poking around for a few minutes.  Anyhow, the only major bands whose releases from this year that I'm still pumped on are Washed Out, Owl City, Christmas Island, C.Aarmé, Radiohead, and of course, The Beatles.

Locally:

Sabre - Demo II
White Walls - Demo
Fucked for Life - Distortion and Death Demo
Wise Blood - Second Demo

And I'm sure I"m forgetting someone who'll inevitably get mad at me, but whatever, go to hell if you have a problem.  My head hurts.  Let this be a pre-emptive "fuck you".


International:

Washed Out - High Times
Washed Out - Life of Leisure
C.Aarmé - World Music
The Beatles - (all the mono remasters )
Owl City - Ocean Eyes
Lady Gaga - The Fame
Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
Taylor Swift - Fearless
Brutal Truth - Evolution Through Revolution
Christmas Island - Blackout Summer
Coalesce - Ox
Death (Detroit proto-punk band from the 70's; finally had their album put out) - ...For the Whole World to See
Wilco - Wilco
Napalm Death - Time Waits for No Slave
The Last Hope (Christian anarchist oi punk) - Manifesto
Fight Amp - Manners and Praise
Kylesa - Static Tensions
Why? - Eskimo Snow

And while it's not an album, i really liked this single release:

Radiohead - "Harry Patch (In Memory Of)"

Cult Ritual made their music downloadable for free

The amazing noisy hardcore punk band, Cult Ritual, made their music available for free here:

http://cultmaternal.blogspot.com

About a year and a half too late on my part, but...

This is a musical collection by artists of the Power Electronics, Dark Ambient and Neofolk Genre to set a sign against holding Olympic Games in Countries that doesn't respect the human rights.

Tracklist:
1 Die Rote Form - Students Make Nice Bloody Puddles (6:15)
2 TSIDMZ - Chinese Capitalism (4:09)
3 Vomiting Puppy Assault - Firedrake Venom (4:48)
4 Nezumi - The Red Storm Over China (9:21)
5 Grauhund - 三民主義 (Instrumental) (0:46)


Download it here:
http://www.archive.org/details/MaolympicGames

Neo-Folk Against Racism Group, Radio, Discussion on Last.fm

http://www.last.fm/group/Neofolk+Against+Racism

For those who feel that (Neo)folk music should be free of racism and neo-nazism, both in terms of tendencies within the scene and stigmas from outside.

Neofolk music, traditional symbols, alternative pagan religions, and so forth, all have, in principle, nothing to do with racism and neo-nazism. But sadly, many neo-nazis choose to associate themselves with these things. At the same time, symbols used in neofolk and heathen music are interpreted wrongly by outsiders and anti-fascist groups. This gives members of the neofolk scene and heathens an unwanted and unnecessary political stigma.

It's time to spread the word and take things back to where they belong. We want to be able to enjoy neofolk without accepting unwanted political elements in our scene, and without wrongfully being stigmatised by uninformed outsiders.

We encourage cultural pride and love of heritage, but do not condone blind hatred of other groups.

We feel that awareness and open discussion is the best way to relate ourselves to the image of the genre, and to change it, if necessary.

Of course, this group is also for just discussing neofolk music and culture! Be welcome!

[Note: this group, or the artist list, is not meant as a guide to whether a person or an artist is 'wrong' or 'OK'. In other words, we are neither a blacklist, nor a whitelist, where people could determine the political affiliation of a person or artist.]

Somebody make me a patch of this...

It won't let me bring up the image... losers... anyhow, it's the cover of Wolves in the Throne Room's 2004 demo.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU9-NR-W9j9GwoLllEB67IadNm4mTO17crSYdBCY34Yvjro_ogvhn4eYvSqnBjgFbbH8PwHki_eoUfX4LC0_54luJ7nojmTbqfk13hEoANNjX-W4sK8yzyyMT7Cb-jWGSapr-67hxZEU/s1600-h/77197.jpg

Live Footage of Gaelic Psalms from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Soldiers Who Make Rambo Look Like A Pussy

Here's my favorite of them...



Yogendra Singh Yadav was a member of an Indian grenadier battalion during a conflict with Pakistan in 1999. Their mission was to climb "Tiger Hill" (actually a big-ass mountain), and neutralize the three enemy bunkers at the top. Unfortunately, this meant climbing up a sheer hundred-foot cliff-face of solid ice. Since they didn't want to all climb up one at a time with ice-axes, they decided they'd send one guy up, and he'd fasten the ropes to the cliff as he went, so everyone else could climb up the sissy way. Yadav, being awesome, volunteered.


Half way up the icy cliff-o'-doom, enemies stationed on an adjacent mountain opened fire, shooting them with an RPG, then spraying assault-rifle fire all over the cliff. Half his squad was killed, including the commander, and the rest were scattered and disorganized. Yadav, in spite of being shot three times, kept climbing.


When he reached the top, one of the target bunkers opened fire on him with machine guns. Yadav ran toward the hail of bullets, pitched a grenade in the window and killed everyone inside. By this point the second bunker had a clear shot and opened fire, so he ran at them, taking bullets while he did, and killed the four heavily-armed men inside with his bare hands.


Meanwhile, the remainder of his squad was standing at the top of the cliff staring at him saying, "dude, holy shit!" They then all went and took the third bunker with little trouble.


For his gallantry and sheer ballsiness, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military award. Unlike the Medal of Honor, the Param Vir Chakra is only given for "rarest of the rare gallantry which is beyond the call of duty and which in normal life is considered impossible to do." That's right, you actually have to break the laws of reality just to be eligible.


It has only been awarded 21 times, and two thirds of the people who earned it died in the process. It was initially reported that Yadav had as well, but it turns out that they just mistook him for someone less badass. Or they just figured no real human being could survive a broken leg, shattered arm and 10-15 fresh bullet holes in one sitting.


(For more, click below...)

http://www.cracked.com/article_17019_5-real-life-soldiers-who-make-rambo-look-like-pussy.html

"Radio Disney" Version of Cannibal Corpse's "Hammer Smashed Face"...

Unashamed Reunion FAQ Up On Their Myspace Now

 Also, they will be writing new music and have two shows coming up at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA next year...

http://www.myspace.com/unashamedgo

Red & Anarchist Black Metal Blog and Last.fm Group

Check this shit out, it's more cold, grimm, and frostbitten than the plains of Siberia!!!

http://r-a-b-m.blogspot.com
http://www.last.fm/group/RABM

Wedard / Nocturnal Depression split OUT NOW!!!

From:	Wedard
Date:	Nov 23, 2009 3:10 PM
Subject:	Wedard / Nocturnal Depression split OUT NOW!!!
Body:	you want to buy? direct by me or http://www.art-of-propaganda.de/ many distros and labels will get the stuff in few days!

Andrew G. Clark's "Future Trends" Project Featured in NME Magazine

Andrew Clark, a friend of mine and member of my house church, got a write-up in NME magazine. It was longer than this, but this is what i could find on their site so far (btw check out his graphic design blog and other project, JAILB8)...


http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=124&p=7374&more=1


3. Free download of the day
Future Trends 'Moonraker' (from No Pain In Pop blog)
Once again No Pain In Pop chucks up a gem. The interstellar synth of 'Moonraker' by Ohio native Andrew G Clark, aka Future Trends, starts out as a hopelessly mournful tale of lost love, before a single-finger piano melody chimes in and the shifting beat delivers just the slightest, most subtle smidge of hope.


Aaaaaaaaaaaand clicking on the aforementioned blog link will bring you this:

http://nopaininpop.com/2009/10/up-fr...epths-of-gone/

More glide. And does Future Trends glide - through gears and problems, evading chemical sludge and girl trouble, out the other side somehow clean and fresh as a diamond. ‘Moonraker’ and ‘Dangerous’ feel like being born outside in the rain, like Jan Hammer was. Some of us are just blessed like that, I suppose.

More wine?

Bughouse Video Moving Across Street (To Where Ali's Boutique Was), Expanding...

From: bughouse video
Date: Friday, November 20, 2009 8:43 AM
Subject: We're moving...this Sunday 11/22!

We're really excited! This Sunday 11/22 we'll be moving Bughouse Video across the street to 4183 Hamilton Ave., directly next to Sidewinder Coffee & Tea. We'll be closed for business on Sunday only and will reopen on Monday at our new location, same phone number, same street, same website, etc...


Wanna score a couple free rentals? Then show up at Bughouse this Sunday at noon to help us schlep our entire store across the street!


Bughouse Video
http://www.bughousevideo.com
we're also on Facebook and Twitter!

513-541-3700

4170 Hamilton Ave. (4183 next week)
Cincinnati, OH 45223


*Coming up next week: Details on our 5th anniversary celebration*

WHERE TO GO TO GET SWINE FLU VACCINE IN OHIO & PRE-REGISTER FOR IT

They're mostly being made available through local health clinics.  Here's the website (and yes, it's "https://")...

https://h1n1vaccine.odh.ohio.gov

Also, from what I read on there, I think pre-registration is mandatory?  Whatever the case, check to make sure.

White Walls Demo Reviewed in Latest Maximum Rock'n Roll (#319 - December 2009)

DEMOS


WHITE WALLS - Five songs of harsh, dissonant hardcore along the lines of whatever you call the sound that's being cultivated by bands such as CULT RITUAL and TOTAL ABUSE, and though the layout does reek a bit of this band trying to be "cryptic" (based on the ambiguous artwork and stark layout), I otherwise don't get the impression WHITE WALLS is trying to pull some sort of "weird punk" hack job.  These songs don't follow a formula, have tempo changes that are unexpected without being awkward, and parts rarely repeat themselves twice. The vocals actually remind me of DOWN IN FLAMES of all things, though they're mildly muddled, as is the recording to a certain extent. The second side's single song has the singer babbling incoherently over a single note/chord dirge, with occasional B-side-of-My War informed changeups and feedback squalling over everything.

- Dan Goetz (5-song cassette, no lyrics included, 518 Garrard St., Covington, KY 41011)

http://whitewallswhitewalls.blogspot.com

Surprise!!! Ikea is corrupt, just like every other corporation in the world!!!

Ikea's heart of darkness: A tale of racism, lies and Swedish meatballs

(Link to the story)

Bruce Watson
Nov 16th 2009 at 9:30AM

Ikea looks like a model of openness and visibility. From its voluminous warehouse-size stores to its furniture's clean lines, the retailer presents a vision of honesty and total disclosure. Even founder and President Ingvar Kamprad (pictured) seems to be an open book: a simple farmer's boy from rural Sweden who overcame dyslexia and alcoholism to become one of the world's wealthiest men. Yet, even as he's risen to the top of the business world, he still has an old Klippan sofa and a Billy bookshelf in his living room, showing that he remains a humble, salt-of-the-earth type who hasn't forgotten his roots.

Not according to Johan Stenebo. Kamprad's former personal assistant, Stenebo reveals in a new book published in Sweden that the budget-furnishings monolith seems to have quite a few sordid secrets. The Truth About Ikea has yet to be translated into English, yet it's already sent ripples through the media, as Ikea fans learn that all may not be sunshine and meatballs at their favorite cheap, simple, eco-friendly big-box home-furnishings store.

A Deep Vein of Racism

Stenebo's position has given him amazing access to Kamprad, but he's not the first to question the furniture tycoon's morality. A journalist in 1994 threatened to expose Kamprad's adolescent membership in Nazi youth organizations. Kamprad addressed the matter publicly, apologizing to his Jewish employees and dismissing this revelation as a brief and foolish flirtation with Nazism. But it appears he may have been raising funds and recruiting members as late as September 1945, and he remained friends with a Swedish fascist politician through the 1950s.

And Kamprad's Nazi adventure may have been indicative of a deeper vein of racism. Stenebo says Ikea execs often refer to foreigners as "niggers" and deny them promotions. All of Ikea's top executives come from the same small region of Sweden as Kamprad, Stenebo alleges; he also characterizes Kamprad's heir apparent, Peter, as an "incompetent racist."

Environmental Concerns

What of Ikea's reputation as an eco-friendly retailer? In 1992, the company famously adopted an Environmental Action Plan that cut down on its use of environmentally damaging products and promoted recyclable and recycled materials. It has stopped giving customers plastic bags, increased its use of solar panels, and introduced other initiatives designed to cut its environmental footprint.

Stenebo himself was managing director of Ikea's GreenTech division, which sells solar panels and other green goods. But he has his doubts about Ikea's green report card. Ikea buys most of its wood from China, where its suppliers are said to be responsibly sourcing their materials, but Stenebo says, "I know that even in China, you can't buy legal wood for the price that we paid there."

Oddly, Ikea's greatest mystery -- and its greatest potential scandal -- doesn't seem to be on Stenebo's radar. This year, Fortune ranked Kamprad the world's fifth richest man; weeks later, Reuters stated that Kamprad was actually the richest man in the world. On one level, this is just an academic argument: for most of us, the gap between Bill Gates's $46.6 billion and Kamprad's alleged $53 billion is really immaterial. But the confusion over whether Kamprad is the wealthiest or fifth wealthiest reveals that Ikea's finances are almost impenetrable. The company is owned and operated by Ingka Holding, a Dutch firm owned by a charitable trust called Stichting INGKA Foundation, which devotes its $1.7 billion in post-tax profits to "innovation in the field of architecture and interior design."

From any other charity, that's a highly admirable goal. From a charity funded by a store specializing in architecture and interior design, that mission lands a little too close to its corporate goals. And the charity's finances are more than a little murky; it's unclear how much of Stichting INGKA's funds make their way to Stichting IKEA, another charitable trust that actually funds interior-design work. And although Kamprad has ostensibly given up control of Ikea, he's chairman of the board of Stichting INGKA -- which means he actually still rules Ikea.

Virtuous -- on Paper

On paper, Ikea could hardly appear more virtuous: an eco-friendly company that gives all its money to a charitable trust. But if Kamprad is actually a canny, media-manipulating, racist ex-Nazi who produces low-quality furniture from questionable materials, running a company whose profits are funneled through a collection of shady Dutch charities that let it dodge taxes while claiming to fund design projects that ultimately become part of the company's research and development -- if all that is true, then Ikea may well be just another big corporation with a big collection of skeletons rattling around in its big closet.

Even if Stenebo's allegations are true, many critics will undoubtedly argue that they only show that Ikea is just like most other companies, for which the quest for lower costs and higher profits occasionally lead to some morally uncomfortable practices. In this regard, Ikea's greatest failing may be its inability to live up to its own hype.

Cthulhu Family Circus

Here's a link to a set of them.

And here's a few...

Congratulations to Nicholas Ceparski and Teeth Collection!!!!

They got a positive review in the December issue of Decibel Magazine (Converge is on the cover...), one of the only print publications that's actually making money right now. Unfortunately, it's not on the website, as it's just a blurb in a small review section for experimental noise and related genres (The Wages of Din section, which Scott Seward runs and reviews everything in).



 
Jason Zeh/Explosive Improvised Device/Nicholas Ceparski/Teeth Collection
split double cassette
From deep within the bowels of god knows where comes his four-artist tape package of lo-fi drone and super-satisfying entanglements of power and buzz sure to lift the spirits of anyone who hates the idea of music being "uplifting" in any way, shape or form. Get it while the getting's good.
http://www.myspace.com/factotumtapes

 
If you make, sell, or distribute noise, deep drone/psych, experimental electronic and/or nuclear industrial crazy ass gunk and want to be featured in a future edition of The Wages of Din, e-mail me at skotrok@earthlink.net

Looks like Cincinnati has a REAL board again...

Could someone tell me who started this?  Btw it has bike stuff on it.

http://cincinnatidiy.freeforums.org/index.php

I'm canning the Blastbeat. Here's some photos I took that I put on there...

Photos of Skeletonwitch, Saviours, Trap Them, Atakke, Black Dove @ SGH 7/25/09 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrounde/sets/72157621864532494/

Phobia on "Real TV"

Grindcore Download Heaven

The list of stuff on this site is way too long, but there's everything from grindcore to noisecore to goregrind to powerviolence, harsh noise, and more...

http://mp3.noisecore.disenteria.ru

I Don't Believe In Magic

For a lot of us who grew up in the 80's and early 90's, a Macdonald's birthday party was the highlight of our childhood. Ronald Macdonald, Grimace, the Hamburglar, Mayor MacCheese... they were all a part of our imagination. Macdonald's was one of the most awesome places in the world, just like Toys'R’Us, and we'd constantly bother our parents to take us there for a happy meal (and the awesome toys that came with them…). But then one day, something terrible happened to all of us that would shake us to our core... Much like some of us had to learn that Santa Claus wasn't real; Macdonald's was not the wonderland that we thought it was...

After finally reaching that magical world beyond the counter, our world was shattered. The working conditions were miserable, the workers hated their jobs, it was dirty, and, worst of all… it was just like real life. No longer could we "believe in magic". Even the addition of indoor play places (which, it was eventually discovered, were extremely unsanitary... ball pits, anyone??? ) did nothing to change the fact that Macdonald's was NOT what we thought it was. But it gets worse… there was the crushing realization that Big Mac's didn’t come with toys. How could this be?!?? A hamburger that didn’t come with a toy??? Such a thing was unheard of!!! It was after all of this that something inside of us died and life would never be the same. Our innocence was gone. Ronald Macdonald was just another fake person in a long line of people who would let us down and leave us as bitter shells of what we once were...

So to Ronald Macdonald, all I have to say to you is that I hope there's a special place in hell for you… right next to Hitler... and Santa Claus…

Bad Covers of "Crazy Train"

Some songs get covered by everybody. And sometimes they make it onto albums or the recordings of live shows. I ran across some bad cover songs on youtube tonight and somehow discovered a ton of bad versions of this song. If you're going to listen to any of them, though, watch the last one... it's more than worth it...















And last, but not least...

Apparently Hammerfall Can't Cover Songs For The Life of Them

Check Out Iris Book Cafe Downtown

The guy who originally opened up Kaldi's (RIP), and later sold it, started a coffee shop/book store/art gallery, with wireless internet access (of course) and a beautiful courtyard.  It was mentioned in the New York Times recently, so you should probably check it out.  I went there today for the first time and liked it a lot, so much so that I ended up spending money that I shouldn't have.  They serve food and have a wide range of coffee, tea, etc.  The book selection is great; I actually found a hardcover book of Sufi poetry for only eight dollars.  Needless to say, I bought it.  There was  also a paperback containing Thoreau's Walden and Civil Disobedience that I grabbed for only a buck-fifty.  In addition to books, they have used CD's and vinyl for sale and DVD's to rent.  Their vinyl selection is pretty decent and includes some interesting spoken word (I purchased an LP of some guy reading Civil Disobedience for only five dollars).  Most of the records are around five dollars, although there are also some ridiculously rare (and very expensive) records, from an original copy of the Stooges' Fun House to a bunch of ancient Rolling Stone albums.  Those range anywhere from twenty to forty dollars, but I'm told that the owner is willing to negotiate on price...

If you miss Kaldi's (back when it was good...), want some Ugandan coffee, are looking for some good books and vinyl, or whatever, make sure to stop by.  The support of small businesses from our community is crucial to their survival and the more of them we have... the more things that there are to do here.  And yeah, this isn't Portland or Chicago (which your friends probably moved back from a few days ago...), but we have some cool stuff here that you aren't going to find elsewhere.  Plus it's centrally located (Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Dayton, Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Cleveland, etc are all within a one-to-four hour drive) and has strong, supportive art and music scenes rich with talent.  Not to mention one of the best minor league hockey times EVER, strong college basketball and football teams, a football team that's played well over the past couple of years after fifteen years of no winning seasons, people aren't always in a rush to get somewhere and a crime rate lower than the majority of major cities (don't believe the hype about Clifton and Over-the-Rhine...).  Anyhow, hopefully I'll run into you sometime at Iris.  I'll probably be wearing my Mets cap or yarmulke (or both ;-).

shalom,

tim

- INFORMATION -

Hours (I'm told that they are going to be open later in the near future):

Mon - Fri (8:00 am - 10:00 pm)

Sat: (11:00 am - 6:00 pm)

Sun: (11:00 am - 10:00 pm)

 

Address:

1331 Main Street (In between 13th and 14th streets)

Cincinnati, OH

45202

Phone:
(513) 381-BOOK (2665)

Website:
http://sites.google.com/site/irisbookcafe

Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cincinnati-OH/Iris-Book-Cafe/169729995076

Christian Darkwave and Dark Ambient

Continuing with last night (or this morning)'s theme, I decided to provide some links to Christian darkwave and dark ambient bands.  Some of them are very impressive (particularly Lycia) and I would strongly recommend at least giving them a listen.  And hey, at the very least, you won't have to deal with misogynistic or suicidal themes...


Lycia (Arizona)
Starting out in 1988, Lycia have made some of the more groundbreaking music within the darkwave genre.  Interestingly enough, Peter Steele (Type O Negative, Carnivore, etc) and Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) are both fans.
- official myspace
- official website
- wikipedia entry
- page on Siber Records



Caul (USA)
Darkwave/dark ambient from Brett Smith of Blackmouth (of which Jarboe is a member, Tertium Non Data, and formerly of Trust Obey.  Excellent music.
- official website
- download Apophasis from netlabel Dark Winter
- last.fm page
- discogs page
- automatapedia page


Frolic (Orlando, FL)
Dark ambient, formerly on Velvet Empire, now on Projekt Records.
- official site
- official myspace
- projekt records page

Firmament (Orlando, FL)
Members of Frolic playing more ambient experimental/drone. Originally on Velvet Empire, now on . They've collaborated with Astral Projekt's Gabriel Chapman.
- official site


EnGrave (Pennsylvania)
Compilation of darkwave releases from Nathan Morris, owner of the short-lived Velvet Empire Records. Really, really good stuff...
- download entire "Polaris" album in flac or mp3 here

Christian Neo and Apocalyptic Folk

A word of warning for those of you delving into this... there is a "Christian military" and some weird "Tradition" thing going on with some European neo-folk Christian bands (NONE of which are linked here...) and they're pretty sketchy.  My personal opinion at this point is that it is part of an attempt to lure Christians into racist and fascist groups through its ideology.  A number of the bands in the Christian Martial and Neo-Folk last.fm group are into that, sadly, so I only posted the bands who weren't involved in any of that.  Also, there is a last.fm group for that crap and it's called "Cross & Crusaders", which I would recommend either steering clear of or researching before getting into it.  Anyhow, here we go...


CHRISTIAN MARTIAL AND NEO-FOLK GROUP ON LAST.FM
http://www.last.fm/group/Christian+Martial+and+Neo-Folk


 - BANDS -




 The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus (UK)

- official myspace
- profile on BlabberJesus (yes, stupid name for a site, but whatever...)- download of Paradis album (OOP)
- last.fm page
- musicbrainz page



Lonsai Maikov (France)
- official myspace
- download The Smell of Knowledge
- last.fm page
- discogs page


Backworld (New York City)
- official site
- official myspace
- discogs page


Oda Relicta (Ukraine)
- official myspace

- last.fm page
- discogs page

Some Pentangle (UK Psychedelic Folk) Videos

Let No Man Steal Your Thyme (live 1968)

WW II Veteran Speaks Out On Gay Marriage - "What do you think I fought for on Omaha Beach?"

If only there were more people like Philip Spooner out there. Truly an American hero...

Episode #12 of Random Old Records Podcast Available Now + Local Coverage

Zach's post is about Weakness at the Comet, Lions Rampant, and the "Punk Rock Grandma" Pat Rice documentary. The newest podcast is his "tribute to the den mother of the girl groups, Ellie Greenwich, and it features damn near an hour of classic '60s pop from the likes of The Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love, and more!".

If you're unfamiliar with his blog, here's Zach's description of it:

"Random Old Records blog, podcast, and print zine. I cover trashy, primitive garage, punk, psych, glam, and bubblegum, plus sleazy exploitation movies of the '70s. From Cincinnati, Ohio to the beyond. Download a podcast, read some trash. Thanks for lookin'!"

Check it out here!!

Weakness - AWESOME new Cincinnati garage/indie rock

Check them out here!!!

Sufi Poetry Translations

Naatamaam - Poetry, Words Parables

These are really cool. The ones on this site are mainly themed around love. Here's a couple:

Sa'adi - Who are Healthy Have No Pain

Who are healthy have no pain from wounds
I shall tell my grief to no one but a sympathizer
It is useless to speak of bees to one
who never in his life felt their sting.
As long as thy state is not like mine
My state will be but an idle tale to thee.

Mevlana - The beauty of the heart

The beauty of the heart
is the lasting beauty:
its lips give to drink
of the water of life.

Truly it is the water,
that which pours,
and the one who drinks.

All three become one when
your talisman is shattered.

That oneness you can't know
by reasoning.

Nurse With Wound Live With David Tibet - April 7, 2007

It's been awhile, but we're back!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot of things have happened since my last entry here.

- I was hired by Citybeat to write about music for them. Mainly metal, hardcore, crust punk (hoping to get a friend to write for that and stoner stuff, though...), and noise. They're starting me out with the Sound Advice column in the... November 4-10 issue?? I'll be writing about the Ramming Speed show at Blue Rock (which is FREE!!!) on the 8th and the Cannibal Corpse/Hatebreed show at Bogart's the same day.

- I stopped caring about what people think of me, which has resulted in my doing some things that people found surprising. Got a short haircut, started regularly shaving, have been wearing my contacts semi-regularly again, went back to wearing button-up shirts, wearing my yarmulke regularly, put up an Israeli flag in my window, bought an IDF wool sweater, decided to form a grindcore band instead of a black metal one, have been working on a solo worship music project, claimed edge (well, that was in late May, but still...), stopped posting on the main local music message board, started attending Crossroads Christian Church in Oakley, joined a house church with a bunch of really cool people who are genuinely happy and joyful, despite being members of various underground music subcultures and rejecting conservative politics (well, most of them...) without being whiny about it. I'm happy for the first time in six or seven years and I'm finally starting to realize that God really does love me. I'm actually feeling joyful, and my life has been transformed...

Everyone Should Listen To This Speech

Here's your morning cup of coffee...

New Cincinnati Bar/Venue Opening on the West Side

From: Falling Zach B. (11613123)
To: (403125588)
Date: 8/17/2009 2:30:16 PM
Subject: Repost: new Cincinnati show venue!


Bands, hop on this joint!
-----------

my wife and i will be opening, Harvey's @ 8th st tavern, a new bar/venue, in early september, on the west side of Cincinnati, Ohio.
we're 10-15 minutes out of downtown.
the venue has 2 rooms available for shows. one holds 175 and the other holds 500.
if you're interested in booking a show/band, etc. email us at:
clowens1971@​​gmail.​​com

we're open to all genres and ideas.

thanks!

christopher & jenn owens


[Edit: Jenn Owens (used to be Schenkel, bartender @ Poison Room) and Chris plays bass in Blacklight Barbarian]

Shake-It Now Carrying Bogart's Tickets

From:	Shake It Records
Date:	Aug 14, 2009 11:39 AM
Subject:	We Now Have Bogart's Tix! No Service Fee When Paying Cash!
Body:	Hey All- As ya know we carry tickets for the Southgate House, Mad Hatter & all the Cincyticket.com shows. Well, we now carry tickets for Bogart's. Same deal as with the other venues we sell tickets for.... no charge when paying cash, but we charge $1 per ticket when ya use a credit card. So, we now have tickets for: 09/09 -Gaslight Anthem $15/$16 09/14 - Silverson Pickups $26/$27 09/22 - Mute Math $18.50/$19.50 09/30 - Social Distortion $27.50/$28.50 10/01 - KMFDM $20/$21 10/05 - AFI $28/$29 10/14 - Andrew Bird & St. Vincent $25/$26 10/22 - The Damned $20/$21 More info on this or new releases this week? Go to: http://www.shakeitrecords.com/newsletter/shake%20it%20update.htm

John Walsh merchandise Blow-Out @ Show on the 29th

From:	John Walsh
Date:	Aug 16, 2009 9:26 PM
Subject:	Also at the upcoming show: Shirts for $5! Hoodies for $12!
Body:	I decided that I have an unhealthy merch. collection, and I would like your help in solving the problem! So, at the August 29th show get your fill!

Fake Hands, Juvenescent Beat, The Read - 8/17 (TONIGHT!!! FREE!!!)

Fake Hands - Covington, KY (American Football meets Explosions in the Sky)
Juvenescent Beat - ??? (??????)
The Read - Cincinnati (OTR), OH (Gang of Four meets The Rapture)

@ 117 E. 8TH Street
Covington, KY

MUSIC STARTS 8:30 (DON'T BE LATE)

FREE! FREE! FREE!

Possible DJ set by micky luvs ya.

Damien Jurado In-Store @ Shake-It Records - 8/18 (TOMORROW!!!!!!)

Dead Issue, Bored Straight, Captives, Make Do and Mend, Sabre - 8/22 @ Bikehaus

My favorite form of music right now

Stardeath and the White Dwarfs

http://www.myspace.com/stardeath



I think it may be safe to say that Oklahoma now has another band that's as good as the Flaming Lips... This indie/psych/prog/folk group is insane. I'd strongly recommend listening to the songs on their myspace.

mewithoutYou now playing with DAMIEN JURADO and PSALTERS at Mad Hatter on August 18...

!!!!!!!!!

Sunn O))) Sped Up

DUDEFEST NOT EVEN CLOSE TO SELLING OUT YET

Don't believe otherwise.

http://dudefest.indietickets.com

ALL BLACK METAL NEWS AND STUFF WILL NOW APPEAR ONLY ON THE BLASTBEAT BLOG

It's the other blog I do.

http://theblastbeat.blogspot.com

JOHN WALSH SALE

http://www.myspace.com/americasmostpositive

You can have both of our cdr demos (Demos and Positive Nation) and two stickers, and a JW logo button, and an America's Most Positive button all for $5 post paid!

I still have a few shirts left for $10 ppd, and if you get cold in the summer, hoodies for $20 ppd.

Paypal or snail mail accepted!

Have an awesome day!

Eric and JW

Dog's Holy Life (member of Against//Empire), JOHN WASLH @ Blue Rock - 7/16

Thursday July 16th-
@ Blue Rock Tavern-
FREE SHOW


DOG'S HOLY LIFE - from L.A. / member of AGAINST EMPIRE

playing with-
Moral Decline,
Nerve Scheme,
Parisite Diet,
John Walsh,
Heat Machine

Skincraft July Sale: $5 off any piercing

Skincraft official website
Skincraft Myspace

Our sale has been so popular, we've decided to extend it through July!

$5 off any piercing

Here's a link to the pricelist:

http://home.fuse.net/skincraft/Sale.pdf

Punch, Regrets, Damages, Rad Company+1? - Dayton 7/20

$5 all ages

6:00pm - 9:00pm

214 Shroyer Rd.
North Dayton, OH

Punch - Female fronted hardcore fury from San Francisco
Regrets - Brutal Chicago Hardcore
Damages - Local Hatecore
Rad Company - Pop-Thrash
(possibly 1 tba)

b.y.o.b.
no underage drinking!!!
$5 for touring bands!!!

Robbie Gasiorowski R.I.P. (1988-2009)

He was the longhaired redhead in the defunct band Davey Jones' Locker. According to his facebook, friends, and wife, he commited suicide. This fucking sucks. Why the hell is everyone dying right now?!??

Back From Vacation

Updates to resume today.

19 Action News made this for a contest that they're in

The Atriums (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky)

Sometimes, I just don't know how to describe things and don't even have a point of reference for them. This is one of those cases. The Atriums' Larry Lawrence EP is very good indie rock that's not too fast and not too slow, but passionate, with MUCH better vocals than your average indie band, and beatiful guitar lines that rise and fall. I enjoyed it a lot, but it's their live shows where their brilliance really shines through. The vocals of Billy Halpin and Justin White are among the best I've heard and that's saying a lot. I strongly recommend picking this up at their next show if you like good music.

Upcoming Shows

( view all )

Jul 14 2009 10:00P	Northside Tavern	Cincinnati, Ohio
Jul 25 2009 8:00P	Stanley’s Pub	Cincinnati, Ohio
Aug 8 2009 8:00P	Molly Malones	COVINGTON

http://www.theatriums.net
http://www.myspace.com/theatriumsband

Thank you, everyone who visits this blog and The Blastbeat...

Between the two today, we logged in...

1427 (visits)

2328 (mouse clicks)

This could not be made possible without you, the reader.

Anyone who wants to advertise, just contact me. It's going to be cheap, especially if you're from SE OH / NKY / SW IN.

PHIL'S IS BACK AND IT'S METAL AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's in the old spot, near the Skyline Chili. Opened today!!!

Phil's Music Mayhem
Dixie Hwy
Erlanger, KY
41018-1881

One of the best bands going right now...

19 Action News, from Cleveland, OH, is an indie rock/hip-hop act that absolutely blew me away and has a lot of potential. Hopefully, it will be realized, as these songs deserve to be heard and played on at least college radio stations everywhere. Check them out on myspace and get their album on iTunes or CD.

http://www.myspace.com/19actionnews

I've been sick lately

Regular content will resume when I don't feel like shit. That or I hear something that I feel like posting.

In the meantime, help me come up with a design for Unbleeding paper fliers and handbills!!! reply with a link to a jpeg or gif on this post!!!

National HIV Testing Day

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/GetTested/

(Go there for a video from Obama about it)

One in five Americans currently living with HIV doesn't know it. If our President and First Lady can get tested -- you can too.

To find a testing site near you visit http://www.hivtest.org or text KNOWIT to 566948.

And to learn more about HIV testing and what you can do to spread the message, visit cdc.gov and aids.gov.

mewithoutYou @ Mad Hatter - 8/18

Aug 18 2009 7:00P
The Mad Hatter **Weiss Family Show** Covington, Kentucky

Cult Ritual, Order 66 (FINAL SHOW!!!), Vile Gash, Wasteland Jazz Unit @ Bunk Spot - 6/22

Download cult ritual for free, legally. the band puts their shit up here:
http://cultmaternal.blogspot.com

$5

ALL AGES

@ 9 pm

1818 John St.
Cincinnati, OH (OTR/Downtown)

Altars (Dayton, OH) "Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit" collection cassette. Limited to 50 out now.

Contains 15 tracks taken from the split 5" with Issei Sagawa, 7"s on Youth Attack & Down in the Ground & Breathing Problem, cassette on Occult Contemporary, split tape with Whip & the Body as well as extremely(with good reason) uncirculated demo tape tracks. 46 minutes total. Comes housed in a silk screened black canvas pouch with zine style booklet and a pin.

$8 ppd to : occultcontemporary@gmail.com

http://www.occultcontemporary.com (Btw ignore the swastika on the Masonic symbol on the front page; James is just trying to get a rise out of people because he's a dipshit...)

Kusoof (Bahrainian/Kuwaiti Black Metal With Shoegaze, Post Rock,etc) Releases 7" on Legion of Death Records

From: Kusoof
Date: Jun 19, 2009 5:58 AM
Subject: New 7" EP out now - "Hilal Hubal"
Body: We have a new 7" EP out entitled "Hilal Hubal", which was released yesterday by Legion of Death Records. It's an exclusive release limited to 300 copies and is only available in this format. As far as we know, we are the first band in the Arabian Gulf region to release something on a 7".

To order a copy go to http://www.legionofdeathrecords.com/shop

-E&L.

YOU can be a guest vocalist for Wedard (German underground depressive/suicidal black metal)!!!

From: Wedard
Date: Jun 19, 2009 9:03 AM
Subject: Wedard is looking for a guest-vocalist...
Body: You think, you have a unique voice and want to sing a part of a new Wedard output? Contact me!

You will get a song and can show me your talent!

Regards
Sternenfrost

Upcoming Art Damage Lodge Shows

Kusoof (Kuwaiti/Bahranian black metal/shoegaze/post rock) Makes Demo EP Available For Download

From: Kusoof
Date: Jun 17, 2009 1:01 PM
Subject: Vile (Demo) EP for download
Body: We've decided to put up our demo EP up for download. You can get it at this link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?udzudylztto

However, if you would still like to buy a physical copy of it (it's in CD-R format) then send us a message through here or send an email to eridu@deepabzu.com. They are 4 EUR a copy.

-E&L

This message has been posted on our blog as well.

Oi, Folk/Punk, Hardcore, Indie Rock Show @ Covenant in Northside

Friday, June 19th

Covenant Church (in Northside - Cincinnati, OH)
4139 Kirby Ave.

$5 at the door

BBQ @ 5pm
Doors open at 7pm.

The Last Hope (Oi)

Revolution Radio (Folk/Punk)

Girlfight (Rock-Oriented Metalcore... think Every Time I Die?)

We Became The Sun (Experimental Indie Rock)

I Am The Messenger (Metalcore)

Have Twitter? Want to Help the Iranians Protesting Their Government?

http://board.crewcial.org/thread/view/319371/&p=9

Subject:

I have been informed that by changing my twitter account's time zone to GMT+3:30 (Tehran), (174 views)

Body:

I will be doing my small part to annoy the censors there.

Wedard (German underground depressive/suicidal black metal) Stuff On Sale

Via Myspace bulletin:



Only Directly from Wedard:

- Wedard - EIn Leben in der Ewigkeit Dvd (ltd. 100 Copies) with A4 Poster and other Material - 20 €
- Wedard - Wo die Ewigkeit die Zeit berührt Digi CD - 10 €
- Wedard - Einsamer Winterweg CD (FIRST EDITION! ltd. 75 Copies) 15 €
- Wedard - Ein Leben in der Ewigkeit MC 4€
- Wedard/Nychts Split CD - 10 €
- Wedard Patch - 5 €

The last forgotten Sales I have - Contact me if you want something!

Regards

Brent Eyestone Releasing All Magic Bullet Releases For Free Download

http://board.vivalavinyl.org/thread/view/90582/&p=77

Brent_Eyestone posted this on June 11th, 2009 @ 10:21:40 pm

• » quote
  #1
• 
  
  Evolve or die!
  
  Rather than try to fight, sue, or waste incessant time bad-mouthing the music-acquiring habits of people who "illegally" download full albums created by the glut of "hard-working" 20-somethings piling into vans and smoking the reefer in every city, forward-thinking individuals have been spending the last few years acknowledging the behavior and figuring out how to adapt accordingly.
  
  With that said, Magic Bullet Records is proud to announce a partnership with the newly launched Gimmiesound.com, whereby visitors and music fans like yourself will be able to download "official"/"legal" high-quality, virus-free Mp3's of entire albums spanning the entire Magic Bullet discography at NO COST. As an added incentive, bands/artists will be compensated financially by the advertising revenue generated by the site. Further, Gimmesound.com is donating 2% of their net revenue to a charitable cause of your choice (selected each time you download).
  
  I have already uploaded over 20 full albums for immediate no-cost download (including some of the newest releases!), with another 80 or so that will be steadily available for download in the coming weeks and months. Please see the list/links below and feel free download every last song and album your heart desires.
  
  In the event you hear something you like, physical copies of the CD's and vinyl can be purchased at:
  http://www.magicbulletrecords.com/mailorder.html [www.magicbulletrecords.com] »
  
  Thank you.
  
  --
  
  The following albums are available for immediate download:
  
  AUGHRA
  "Proof of Dark Matter | Light the Lights"
  "Is There Anyone Else Outside?"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/aughra [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  AUSTIN LUCAS
  "The Common Cold"
  "Putting The Hammer Down"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/austinlucas [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  BIG CHINA & LITTLE TROUBLE
  "Black Blood of the Earth"
  "Fur & Teeth"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/bigchinaandlittletrouble [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  BOY SETS FIRE
  "This Crying, This Screaming, My Voice is Being Born"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/boysetsfire [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  DISAPPEARER
  "The Clearing"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/disappearer [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  EKSI EKSO
  "I Am Your Bastard Wings"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/eksiekso [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  FRODUS
  "F-Letter"
  "Radio Activity"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/frodus [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  GOLDEN CITY
  "S/T"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/goldencity [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  GOLDEN HOLY
  "S/T"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/goldenholy [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  LYMBYC SYSTYM
  "Field Studies"
  "Carved By Glaciers"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/lymbycsystym [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  MOSH PATROL
  "Is There Anyone Else Outside?"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/moshpatrol [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  ROMANCE OF YOUNG TIGERS
  "I Have Supped Full on Horrors"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/romanceofyoungtigers [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  THE WAYWARD
  "Overexposure"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/thewayward [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  THIS WILL DESTROY YOU
  "Field Studies"
  "S/T"
  "Young Mountain"
  http://www.gimmesound.com/thiswilldestroyyou [www.gimmesound.com] »
  
  --
  
  (Stay tuned for dozens upon dozens of more albums available in the very near future.)

Mount Eerie (fka The Microphones) Releasing a Black Metal Album

http://pitchfork.com/news/35602-mount-eerie-preps-black-metal-album/

The music Phil Elverum has made over the years hasn't been that far removed from that of, say, Xasthur. The man behind the Microphones and Mount Eerie shares a few predilections with underground black metal: creeped-out lo-fi atmospherics, otherworldly despair, the sense that we're dealing with a fragile loner desperate to keep the rest of the world out. Doesn't hurt that the man's last name sounds like some Lord of the Rings sub-species, either.

Last year, Elverum made the connection a little more concrete with his Black Wooden Ceiling Opening EP, the first release where he explicitly experimented with black metal dynamics. The result, especially the bottomlessly sad opener "Appetite", made for some one of the most hypnotically wracked music of Elverum's career.

On August 18, Elverum will blow that experiment out to album length when P.W. Elverum & Sun releases Mount Eerie's Wind's Poem, which is being touted as his "black metal album." Elverum recorded the album himself in various locations around his hometown of Anacortes, Washington. Nick Krgovich of No Kids dropped by to add some harmonies, but as with most Microphones/Mount Eerie releases, this is basically all Elverum here. That's the cover above, and the tracklist is below.

The album will be available on CD, digital download, or a clear vinyl double LP in "a gatefold jacket with bronze foil stamping and a pull out lyric poster". One of those options sounds slightly cooler than the others.

When Mount Eerie tours this autumn, Elverum will bring a full band with him, including two drummers. A press release promises gongs and walls of amps. This is going to rule.

Wind's Poem:

01 Wind's Dark Poem
02 Through the Trees
03 My Heart Is Not at Peace
04 The Hidden Stone
05 Wind Speaks
06 Summons
07 The Mouth of Sky
08 Between Two Mysteries
09 Ancient Questions
10 (something)
11 Lost Wisdom Pt. 2
12 Stone's Ode

Posted by Tom Breihan on June 12, 2009 at 11:10 a.m.

Tags: Album, Art, Mount Eerie, No Kids, Phil Elverum, The Microphones

So... Messianic Jewish Hardcore from Jerusalem?!??

They were featured on the Emo Diaries compilation #10: The Hope I Hide Inside, from Deep Elm Records. Good luck on finding their album, though, unless Men of Israel Records reissues it on their site for download. Emusic and isound might have it and an EP, but I'm not sure if they have all the tracks... Anyhow, here's some info on them from CD Baby:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/mynameisnobody

My Name Is Nobody
My Name Is Nobody

© 2002 My Name Is Nobody

Hardcore punk-rock with female vocals, sing-along choruses, and a positive message

"...Our generation isn't dead, we just need a little kick in the head..."

Can music make a difference? My Name Is Nobody believes it can. This five-piece powerhouse from Jerusalem has something to say. Socially conscious, but compassionate and sincere, they bring us passionate hardcore screaming with strong guitar melodies - think U2 meets Poison the Well, or even try imagining The Incredible Hulk singing lead vox for Superchunk(!). Of course, let not forget the punk roots, although sometimes roots go deeper than just a style of music - sometimes they reach all the way back to the God of Israel. Don't worry, there's a place for you to sing along too.

Recommended if you like ...

* Diehard Youth
* Comeback Kid

The self-titled album, from emusic.

An EP, from emusic. (Listen to it on isound.com)

Appearance on the Emo Diaries #10, from Deep Elm Records.

Rush Limbaugh: "exercise freaks ... are the ones putting stress on the health care system"

Here's a video of Rush Limbaugh bobbing around on his chair like a toddler, waving his arms, while angrily spewing venom on those who are, in his view, the greatest burden on the healthcare system... healthy people who regularly exercise.

And no, I'm not joking, but boy do I ever wish that I was...

http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200906110027

(Courtesy of Media Matters from the June 12 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.)


Aaaaaaaaaaaand if you want to hear it unfiltered by Olbermann (and even post it on your facebook wall, so your relatives and friends are more likely to watch it and then insult you for it), you can do that here:

http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200906110027

(Courtesy of Media Matters, from the June 11th edition of Premiere Radio Networks' Rush Limbaugh Show.)

There Are Skinheads Even in China

http://www.myspace.com/misandaooi

L.S. Underground Prints Shirts For First Time in Years

Now that the L.S. Underground album, PTSD, is off to the mastering lab, Michael has a limited number of new t-shirts for sale. These are high quality Fruit of the Loom, and way cool. The shirt is currently available in L, XL, and 2XL. Numbers are limited and only available by making payment through PayPal. If you want one you should send payment to gerardartwork@yahoo.com

http://www.myspace.com/lsunderground
http://www.michaelknott.com

Shirts are $15.00 U.S. and $17.00 outside the U.S. with shipping included in the price.

The Pit That Became a Tower

Messianic Jewish lo-fi indie rock from Jerusalem. reminds me of Sal Paradise in some ways. Also has a little bit of a slacker vibe, uses beats and electronics at times, and reminds me a lot of the stuff on Deep Elm Records pre-2000. There's a definite L.S. Underground and Michael Knott influence on this, too, which is a huge plus...

Listen to a full album here.

Here's the regular myspace, with songs from different albums (hasn't been updated in like five months).

This is their label.

Bert and Ernie parody of "On a Boat"

I'd post it here, but it takes up the entire screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_9vy1guTcg

Old School Arcade in Fairfield Now!!!!!!

http://www.myspace.com/arcade_legends
http://www.arcadelegendsohio.com
http://twitter.com/arcadelegends



5951-3 Boymel Dr.
Fairfield, OH 45014
Phone number: 513-874-TRON

Our Hours:
Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 10:00pm
Friday & Saturday 10:00am - Midnight
Sunday - 10:00am - 6pm

Admission includes the use of all arcade games, pinballs and consoles. Only PC use is extra
ADULT (12-99 years old)
Monday - Thurdsay admission is $10
Friday and Saturday admission is $12
Sunday is just $8 as we close at 6pm
KIDS (ages 5-11)
Admission is $6 every day
KIDS under 5 are FREE!
For those of you not interested in playing all day we offer ONE hour of play for $4, TWO hours for $7. After that you are automatically on the day rate so you can take advantage of coming and going as you please throughout the day.

PC use pricing

PCs
$1.00 per hour

Arcade Legends is the only place in Cincinnati (or anywhere near) that is dedicated to classic and current arcade gaming & pinballs. There will be NO redemption games taking up space where a little seen gems like Rolling Thunder or Michael Jackson's Moonwalker will be. There will be, however, alot of great 80's, 90's and a few 00's arcade games and pinball machines (see the BOOKS section for a running list). If there are any you'd like to see in the arcade, send us an email or comment on that as well. We appreciate and encourage any suggestions for games you'd like to play. If we get enough requests for any game we will search it out and we will find it and you will play it. We will be rotating games as we get a hold of them to keep things fresh so if you want to play, say, Double Dragon, let us know and we will search it out.

I Created a Message Board for Ohio hardcore punk, crust, grindcore, sludge, thrash, etc

On the Unbleeding board, I made a hardcore punk, crust, grindcore, sludge, thrash, etc forum for discussion and posting shows. It's for my other webzine/blog, The Blastbeat. Check it out!!!

http://unbleeding.lefora.com/forum

Their side of a split 7" with Landlord:



A band called Ashtaroth who did a split 7" with Landlord was reviewed in the June Maximum Rock'n Roll. They're from Arizona and bill themselves as "Native American Indian Black Metal" (it's more black/death than anything...). The review was extrememly positive. Unfortunately, there were no traditional influences, which disappointed me greatly. But maybe I'm just spoiled by Al-Namrood...

The best songs on their myspace are "Darkness and Beyond" (which is freaking EPIC), "Distant Land" (which starts with a Conan movie sample), and "Breath of the Gone" (the kickdrums are up pretty high, though). "Angel of Light Angel of Lust" is another good one, but aside from that, i'm not entirely impressed. They're not bad by any means, though. It's just that you're essentially listening to some Indians from Arizona play above-average Scandinavian black metal with lyrics about their culture and religion. Oh well. Anyhow, they also have a full length CD out and an ep that came from this year.

http://www.myspace.com/ashtaroth1

This is Why We Need to Change the Healthcare System in America...

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5530Y020090604

Medical bills underlie 60 percent of U.S. bankrupts: study

Thu Jun 4, 2009 11:54am EDT

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Medical bills are behind more than 60 percent of U.S. personal bankruptcies, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday in a report they said demonstrates that healthcare reform is on the wrong track.

More than 75 percent of these bankrupt families had health insurance but still were overwhelmed by their medical debts, the team at Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School and Ohio University reported in the American Journal of Medicine.

"Unless you're Warren Buffett, your family is just one serious illness away from bankruptcy," Harvard's Dr. David Himmelstein, an advocate for a single-payer health insurance program for the United States, said in a statement.

"For middle-class Americans, health insurance offers little protection," he added.

The United States is embarking on an overhaul of its healthcare system, now a patchwork of public programs such as Medicare for the elderly and disabled and employer-sponsored health insurance that leaves 15 percent of the population with no coverage.

The researchers and some consumer advocates said the study showed the proposals under the most serious consideration are unlikely to help many Americans. They are pressing for a so-called single payer plan, in which one agency, usually the government, coordinates health coverage.

"Expanding private insurance and calling it health reform will fail to prevent financial catastrophe for hundreds of thousands of Americans every year," Dr. Sidney Wolfe of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen said in a statement.

About 170 million people get health insurance through an employer but President Barack Obama says soaring healthcare costs hurt the economy and force businesses to drop medical insurance for their workers.

CANCELED COVERAGE

"Nationally, a quarter of firms cancel coverage immediately when an employee suffers a disabling illness; another quarter do so within a year," the report reads.

Obama told Congress on Wednesday he was open to making mandatory health insurance part of the overhaul.

Neither Congress nor Obama are considering the kind of single-payer plan advocated by Public Citizen, Himmelstein and his colleague Dr. Steffie Woolhandler.

"We need to rethink health reform," Woolhandler said. "Covering the uninsured isn't enough.

"Only single-payer national health insurance can make universal, comprehensive coverage affordable by saving the hundreds of billions we now waste on insurance overhead and bureaucracy."

The researchers studied 2,134 random families who filed for bankruptcy between January and April in 2007, before the current recession began.

They used public bankruptcy court records and surveyed 1,032 people by telephone.

"Using a conservative definition, 62.1 percent of all bankruptcies in 2007 were medical; 92 percent of these medical debtors had medical debts over $5,000, or 10 percent of pretax family income," the researchers wrote.

"Most medical debtors were well-educated, owned homes and had middle-class occupations."

The researchers, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said the share of bankruptcies that could be blamed on medical problems rose by 50 percent from 2001 to 2007.

Patients with multiple sclerosis paid a mean of $34,167 out of pocket in 2007, diabetics paid $26,971, and those with injuries paid $25,096, the researchers found.

(Editing by Bill Trott and Jackie Frank)