Several Years Since Their Letter To Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sex Pistols Are Still A Joke

The tenuous grasp in Sex Pistols' lyrics is ultimately a statement against authority that “we’re not going to play by your rules," and it was pretty awful. The sex pistols are a shitty fucking band… always have been. How they got labelled ‘innovative’ is beyond me. Like madonna herself, they were little more than the product of marketing: market-share analysis and an easily commodified product. Absolute shit. It’s sad that they’re typically thought of as the archetypes of punk.

Even if i’m wrong their whole shtick is getting tiresome.  They still obviously care about the “system,” or as they aptly coined the "shit-stem" and there acknowledgment. They care if only because it’s something they can react too, and thus co-opt the rebellious spirit of punk. Right, real authentic. Just reliving there reaction in their letter to The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame and decided to give my two sense. Oh, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is shit too.

THIS SONG STILL ROCKS KIND OF HARD

Hip Hop's Resurrection

   It goes with out saying the legitimacy of many hip hop artists has been questionable in this last decade. Not including veterans and rappers on the front lines. It seemed as if image had taken over the value of stock and artist had, forcing substance to ride shot gun or take the back seat.

   This year, however, we find a resurgence of young artists from Alabama's own Yelawolf to Pittsburgh's Wiz Khalifa leaving their mark in the industry.  Not to mentions a slew of dope rappers surfacing to the top like Big Krit, J-Dilla, Fly Union, Big Sean and twisted new comers ODD FUTURE.  Each artist or group have been in the game for some time but all have come into their own recently and gave the game a face lift, restoring that eagerness in expression and aggressive vibe hiphip thrives on.  It is real refreshing to see that real music still grabs the attention of a market tainted by wack beats and empty lyrics.

The track "Yonkers" can be heard of the #OFWGKTA mixtape featuring the rest of ODD FUTURE/WOLG GANG which can be down loaded for free at DatPiff.com

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN

  Was browsing the web and came across this little gem.  I can tell I'll love this movie already.

Glassjaw Rocks Best Buy Theatre

   Last night Glassjaw rocked Best Buy Theatre in Times Square, NY. With numerous line up changes since 1993 front man, Daryl Palumbo, and guitarist, Justin Beck, prove that this regime has the fortitude and stamina to keep influencing the "post-hardcore", underground scene. Also on the roster are drummer, Durijah Lang, and bassist, Manuel Carrero who add immensely to the all-star team.

   Not stirring away to far from older hits off of Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence, they played most notably "Lovebites and Razorlines"and "Siberian Kiss" amongst other stellar tracks of the album.  Definitely appeasing the hard core fans.  One couldn't help to feel you were experiencing the songs for the first time.  Each song was performed with such fervor that those in attendance could appreciate the energy conveyed on stage and use it as fuel to unleash hell in the pit.  Worship And Tribute was represented nicely on the set list. Playing 'Two Tabs Of Mescaline", "Mu Empire", "Pink Roses" and "Stuck Pig" as well as a couple others. 


   However, this definitely is the year of new GJ tracks.  Boy, how these fellas have grown.  Released earlier this year on Itunes, Our Color Green (The Singles), which birthed a new era of GJ music.  Extremely intense, heavy and equally melodic tunes accompanied by the theatrical shrill vocals of Mr. Palumbo.  "You Think You're (John F*****g Lennon)", which was released before the other singles on GJ's website was only a teaser at what these guys were developing into. That five track pack of singles would only lead to a new direction, which we find GJ today. For there current tour GJ is giving away, with purchase of a ticket, Coloring Book.  A six track set of singles, nothing fans have experienced from them until now.  With Coloring Book we can see a new experimental GJ.  Not to say GJ hasn't shaped and molded the genre.  I heard these singles performed live before I got my hands on the CD it is truly an experience. Justin implements key board and crashing, hard synth to the song "Vanilla Poltergeist Snake".  "Daytona White", a very mellow Radio Headesque production, has Daryl really using his vocal ability to stress how good of a singer he really is.  What's really rare is that all through Coloring Book Daryl only sings.  Which lends to the over all feel of the singles and its sincerity in the lyrics.  


   Glassjaw's "hiatus" is a false claim on the bands absence.  With the last 11 singles they have put out these dudes were working and its evident in the final product.  They are currently on a North American tour, stopping by NJ @ the Star Land Ballroom. For other news and tour locations check out Glassjaw.com

Fragile World Sees Trying Times. Recess is over.

   The media frenzy over the Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy's war crimes, tactful and equally harmful, is to substantial to ignore.  President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed hope that Libya's opposition movement, given new protection by a U.S. led military mission, can organize itself to revive enough enthusiasm for political change and oust Moammar Gadhafi from power.  In efforts to apply even more pressure on Gadhafi's army the United States and its coalition partners, including NATO allies and Arab states, are establishing a no-fly zone over Libya, with U.S. forces taking out Khadafy's air defense systems.  A smart move and very promising, yet still has come under heavy opposition from Republicans. Democrats have also joined in.  Arguing that the funding and preparation isn't secure enough to act against a regime unwilling to suspend attacks on civilian opposition in Libya.

  
   After declaring President Obama's decision to order airstrikes on Libya a potential "impeachable offense," Ohio Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich is calling for an immediate halt to all funds for any further military action in the conflict.

   "Now the immediate thing that Congress needs to do when it returns is to cut off any funds for continuing in Libya and I intend to bring forward such an amendment," Kucinich said to CNN, speaking on the Congressional recess.  White House officials insist the President's actions are within the law, referencing a letter sent by Mr. Obama to House Speaker John Boehner. The letter explains the airstrikes are part of an international mission to enforce a "no-fly zone" authorized by a United Nations Security Council Resolution.  The letter, the administration argues, satisfies the War Powers Act which requires the President to inform Congress within 48 hours of engaging in any military action.

   Kucinich points to Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution which places the power to "declare war" in the hands of Congress.

   "It is very clear that what President Obama did is beyond what the Constitution permits a president to do. That really isn't disputable," Kucinich argued.
In a series of interviews on Monday, Kucinich suggested the President could be impeached for his actions.

"Now, impeachment is a process. I haven't gotten into that. I raised the question as to whether or not he exceeded his authority and raising the question as to whether or not it is an impeachable offense," Kucinich said.

  Whether or not Kucinich hasn't acted on the process of impeachment, why even bother mentioning it?  Is he cognizant of the fact that Khadafy has literally been utilizing tanks and rumored to have even used snipers to prevent expansion of the opposition in Misrata.  What Obama has done is nothing unfamiliar. Many of his predecessors have utilized the 48 hr rule.  It amazes me how disillusioned agendas, especially in the government refuse to grasp the severity of situations.  Honestly, Kucinich, wait after the congressional recess to deal with Libya?

  The fact remains that America being a super power comes with obligations to our fellow nations.  Obama has especially emphasized this in his campaign, rebuilding foreign relations.  So this is a perfect opportunity.  Not to mention what has happened in Egypt inadvertently has caused a rift between dictators and those oppressed.  It seems as if though society as a whole, countries idealistically connected have regained that fervent belief in being free.  If aiding and promoting opposition against regimes threatening a free society is not priority I don't know what is, on a global scale.

South By South West: A Bitter Sweet Consummation

   I have to start out by saying my first experience of SXSW was nothing less than extraordinary.  Having had the opportunity to work closely with Cornerstone Promotion event staff at The Fader Fort in Austin, Texas has left me with a humbling experience.  Leaving there with friendships and opportunities I feel I'd never gain by not attending.  It goes with out saying SXSW is the culmination of everything you SHOULD know about the current climate in the world of entertainment i.e. music, film and media. However, you probably haven't been properly exposed to due to the over saturated main stream bubble we may sometimes fall victim to.  I am confident in the fact that all the others who worked, performed, show cased, paneled or simply attended feel the same. For the sake of not sounding redundant, because I can go on about how stoked the experience was, I would like to take this time to provide a closer look into the events and highlights from the most gnarly week in entertainment festivals.

      6th street in down town Austin was flooded from early afternoon till the AM with performers, which many of time rivaled artists who are currently on radio.  Not having an official venue many artists took advantage of the closed off streets to claim their own time for exposure.  If you needed a break from the tunes there was an abundance of street artists showcasing their talents through a plethora of mediums.  The fact is there is literally nothing you couldn't find to keep you entertained.

   All Dinosaurs, a lesser known group making their presence known through out the midwest caught my eye and revitalized how I viewed the thrash/punk scene.  These Cleveland boys know how to take exciting scream driven lyrics and melodically twist their twangy guitars and bass around the throats of the audience. Just when you think you can gasp for one last breath the spazzed out drum play bombards your ears with such smooth high hat and fill work you're to busy to remember what your situation was.  There EP "Paranoid Indigenous" is a very solid listen and guarantees a full listen through each time.

   Punk icon Bad Brains also debuted at SXSW making it the bands first ever performance at the festival.  

   Although all genres of music are covered at this spectacle of an event it was HIP HOP that stole the show for this week in March.  The Fader Fort did its fair share of providing some of the most relevant and highly anticipated rookies in the genre to the front lines.  Showcasing Yelawolf, Odd Future, Lil' B(base god) and one of the most talked about artists in the game Wiz Khalifa.

Even if Lil' B's performance, especially with Diddy's unexpected introduction, seemed to be the highlight at the fort, Yelawolf single handedly held down the best performance of the Hip Hop acts that week for The Fader.  His ability to spit so furiously and on point made his album "Trunk Muzik 0-60" literally jump out the speakers and smack the shit of the audience. His live performance took the songs he performed to another level creating a sense of sincerity we sometimes fail to see from artists alike.  

   It was truly a bitter sweet end to an event I felt I could had experienced for weeks, maybe even months if I was so lucky.  What SXSW does so well is having a community in Austin, Texas and a following all over the world literally converge for the two weeks and celebrate all that is fresh and invigorating in music, film and media.  

THERE WILL BE MUCH MORE COVERAGE SOON AND STAY TUNED FOR IRRATIONALMONSTER.COM

   

Touched Down In AUSTIN, TEXAS

   Finally, IRRATIONAL MONSTER has touched down in the Lone Start State for SXSW and we are excited more than ever for whats to come.  We have been on the road with Lerix, The Upperclass Men, The White House Band, and Hip Hop Blog rookie of the year Scott Sperry.  I am working with Cornerstone Promotions closely as event staff but will be working diligently to launch irrationalmonster.com and have some exclusive coverage from SXSW. FOLLOW US JOIN THE MONSTER SQUAD!!!!