2007 recap
so i guess it's about time to recap the year of 2007. I've been doing this for a while. Unfortunately I strayed away from this shit site for the last half of this year. So I'll kinda have to do this by memory/hand. I'll do this a little differently this year. I'll just talking and record things that had an impact on me, I guess.
albums that had a impact on my life this year:
_01. Big Business - Here Comes the Waterworks
_02. Big Business - Head For the Shallow
_03. Acceptance - Phantoms
_04. Circa Survive - On Letting Go
_05. Evaline - Postpartum Modesty. A Portrait of Skin
Other, more than honorable mentions:
Down - NOLA & Over the Under
Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
Doomriders - Black Thunder
Isis - Oceanic
Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue & Paper Walls
Baroness - Red Album
Dissection - Reinkaos
I - Between Two Worlds
Belphegor - Pestapokalypse VI
Dark Funeral - Attera Totus Sanctus
Danzig - s\t & Lucifuge
Travel & Touring:
I had the amazing opportunity to travel playing music this year for the first time in my life, an experience I will never, ever, ever forget. These memories won't ever leave me.
Tours:
With Pyrexia, Crematorium, Infernaeon
Full parameter sweep of the entire United States. Tour started in Chicago, went along to Seattle, down to San Diego, Through Texas to the borders of Mexico, Florida, back up through New England and ending in Long Island.
We were banned from Fresno, CA:
From blabbermouth.com;
Infernaeon and Sons of Azrael ran into some trouble on one of the first dates of their current tour. Here are the official statements from members of the bands:
Brian Werner of Infernaeon had the following to say: "On Wednesday August 29, at The Exit, in Fresno, California, we were told by the club owner that we could not perform or sell our merchandise due to the graphic images depicted on our shirts and CD?s. We would have had to censor the lyrics in our songs and lose the stage show in order to play. My band and I have not been more insulted. Last time I checked, freedom of religion means any one person has the right to practice any religion of his choosing. This was a case of one person trying to enforce his religious convictions on all the fans that chose to buy a ticket. The decision was made to stand our ground with our brothers in Sons of Azrael, and not submit to any sort of censorship. We all come from various religious beliefs, and do not discriminate against anyone for their own. All we ask is to not be discriminated against for our beliefs and convictions. We did not do this just for ourselves. We did it for all of you, and your freedoms. This country was founded on the basis of unpopular speech, and the right to be free at any and all costs."
Joseph Siracuse of Sons of Azrael had this to say: "This was an unfortunate situation for a number of reasons. We apologize to all the fans who paid to see our performance but this was a circumstance that required the protection of our convictions. The owner of this venue did say that we could perform if we cut certain songs from our set and removed all of our merchandise from the premises. This was unacceptable. It is our constitutional right to express ourselves. As individuals, we are very tolerant people. We do not condemn anyone for their beliefs and we expect the same in return. As musicians, our lyrics and music are our outlets for expression and trying to silence them is unjust. To our fans in Fresno, we'll be back. Hails"
With Thine Eyes Bleed, Year of Desolation, Hurtlocker
This tour was half as long, and started in California, and Ended in New York. much lower in stress, and a little easier on the wallet. It also had a few more strategically planned days off, proving to be most beneficial in the social part of life, as I met a lot of great people, and had the chance to meet a lot of friends I've made via the internets. Although this tour wasn't quite as "Road Rule-esque" as previous it still was very enjoyable and rewarding.
On this tour we were all much more prepared, and much calmer, proving to be the best method for touring found so far. I got to experience driving through the desert while listening to Doomriders - Black Thunder, one best soundtracks to the desert if you ask me, and at night listening to Danzig.
These are the states I've been in:
The Rest of Life:
I went through a lot of difficult situations, including family but mostly friends. I think, this year above all, saw the largest purge of friends so far in my life. I've also re-established some thoughts, plan on following some of them, and saving a few others for a time where I'm more apt to do better with them.
My drumming can be heard on an album that has sold over 3,000 copies. Something not too many bands of that genre can say. I've been interviewed, banned, endorsed, gave a few drum lessons, featured in magazines, and regularly receive fan mail, and questions on drumming. We've been on college radios across the united states, played often throughout texas, california, new york, and florida. and i've been on the radio here in Buffalo countless times, and interviewed three times.
This year also helped me discover a lot of other music, purging almost all death metal from my musical rotations, I found myself making a lot more interesting music with Tony and Greg.
Ahead:
I'm now in a very happy relationship, and gearing up for our third US tour with "the Classic Struggle", and finally growing into something I'd like to be, starting to look ahead into my future for one of the first times in my life, and starting to look at "the bigger picture" and set goals.
Goals for This Year:
Quit drinking (none since January)
Quit smoking (half way there!)
Continue with no drug use (unless prescribed by a physician)
Make this relationship last as long as it can so I can continue to be happy, and find inspiration
Drop most if not all body fat and workout until 200+ pound body weight
It's time for a Credit Card. (I avoided debt by not having one for over 4 years... Time to start building credit.)
Go back to school.
Move out, or start paying the mom rent.
Get a "real job".