Friday, April 14, 2006
Year of Concerts
The following is a list of bands/shows I HAVE to see this year. If I don't, I'm going to go postal on someone (for liability reasons, that's a joke).
P.S.: To be politically correct, I apologize to those that are postal workers that take offense to the reference that going crazy is synonymous with working at the post office. I don't want you going postal on me for the reference, so piss off.
Tool
What great concerts we have coming up...first off, Tool! Of course the beloved Tool. OK, as of this writing, they have only one US date scheduled on April 30th at the Coachella Valley Music Festival in Indio, California. Then, they head off to Europe and Asia until July. But, they'll be back in the states & surely will visit the Northwest, they always do. Looking forward to Tool concert #10. www.toolband.com Teaser site: www.sonybmg.ca/tool/four/
Pearl Jam
I've already got my tickets to the Pearl Jam concert at the Gorge on July 22nd. It hasn't been widely announced yet & tickets aren't available to the general public, but as a 11 year veteran of the Ten Club, we got first stab at tickets. The cool thing too is that they give seating according to your seniority in the fan club. Last year we were in the 6th row I think? So, should be just as good or better seats. I'll have to check, but I think this is PJ concert #9 ½. www.tenclub.net
Rob Zombie
I'd love to see this show again. He's out on tour now, awaiting a Northwest Date. www.robzombie.com
Live
One of the best bands I've ever seen, uh, live. They put on an amazing show. No lights, no lasers, just pure energetic music. Ed puts out such energy and emotion it's scarey. Truly one of the best American bands, in my opinion. The new album, "Songs from Black Mountain" goes on sale here in the US on June 13th. They have shows lined up through July, but no Northwest dates! Argh! www.friendsoflive.com
Rammstein
What do I have to do to get these guys to play the states?! I don't understand a word they're singing (although I can now say I know German words. I can sing Rammstein), but man, what an amazing band. If you've ever seen the Vin Diesel movie, XXX, Rammstein is the band in the beginning in that club breathing fire & stuff. That's their show, Great White's worst nightmare (ooooooooooooo, ouch). My friend Will saw them live in a club in Germany long ago...I am jealous, Rammstein envy. www.rammstein.com
Alice in Chains
Huh? Layne coming back from the dead? Nope! Jerry Cantrell IS AIC, in my opinion. He's the soul behind that band and I'm glad they're reuniting. Again, all European dates at this time. www.jerrycantrell.com or www.aliceinchains.com
Queensrÿche
I know what you're saying...butt rockers. Hey, I love this band. Geoff Tate has incredible pipes! They're doing both Operation Mindcrime I and II. I saw 'em twice last year here in town when they did just Operation Mindcrime I and hits. I'll be at the Big Easy again in October. Operation Mindcrime I is still one of my favorite albums of all time. I see them do it over and over. The verdict is still out on Pt. II. Only listened to it a couple of times. www.queensrÿche.com
P.S.: To be politically correct, I apologize to those that are postal workers that take offense to the reference that going crazy is synonymous with working at the post office. I don't want you going postal on me for the reference, so piss off.
ToolWhat great concerts we have coming up...first off, Tool! Of course the beloved Tool. OK, as of this writing, they have only one US date scheduled on April 30th at the Coachella Valley Music Festival in Indio, California. Then, they head off to Europe and Asia until July. But, they'll be back in the states & surely will visit the Northwest, they always do. Looking forward to Tool concert #10. www.toolband.com Teaser site: www.sonybmg.ca/tool/four/
Pearl JamI've already got my tickets to the Pearl Jam concert at the Gorge on July 22nd. It hasn't been widely announced yet & tickets aren't available to the general public, but as a 11 year veteran of the Ten Club, we got first stab at tickets. The cool thing too is that they give seating according to your seniority in the fan club. Last year we were in the 6th row I think? So, should be just as good or better seats. I'll have to check, but I think this is PJ concert #9 ½. www.tenclub.net
Rob ZombieI'd love to see this show again. He's out on tour now, awaiting a Northwest Date. www.robzombie.com
LiveOne of the best bands I've ever seen, uh, live. They put on an amazing show. No lights, no lasers, just pure energetic music. Ed puts out such energy and emotion it's scarey. Truly one of the best American bands, in my opinion. The new album, "Songs from Black Mountain" goes on sale here in the US on June 13th. They have shows lined up through July, but no Northwest dates! Argh! www.friendsoflive.com
RammsteinWhat do I have to do to get these guys to play the states?! I don't understand a word they're singing (although I can now say I know German words. I can sing Rammstein), but man, what an amazing band. If you've ever seen the Vin Diesel movie, XXX, Rammstein is the band in the beginning in that club breathing fire & stuff. That's their show, Great White's worst nightmare (ooooooooooooo, ouch). My friend Will saw them live in a club in Germany long ago...I am jealous, Rammstein envy. www.rammstein.com
Alice in Chains
Huh? Layne coming back from the dead? Nope! Jerry Cantrell IS AIC, in my opinion. He's the soul behind that band and I'm glad they're reuniting. Again, all European dates at this time. www.jerrycantrell.com or www.aliceinchains.com
QueensrÿcheI know what you're saying...butt rockers. Hey, I love this band. Geoff Tate has incredible pipes! They're doing both Operation Mindcrime I and II. I saw 'em twice last year here in town when they did just Operation Mindcrime I and hits. I'll be at the Big Easy again in October. Operation Mindcrime I is still one of my favorite albums of all time. I see them do it over and over. The verdict is still out on Pt. II. Only listened to it a couple of times. www.queensrÿche.com
Year of Music
Well, it looks like it's finally going to be a good time in history for music once again. With new albums from Tool (May 2nd), Pearl Jam (May 2nd), Rob Zombie (March 28th), Live ("Songs from the Black Mountain" June 13th), Queensrÿche ("Operation Mindcrime II"), Rammstein ("Rosenrot") and Deftones (September), this is going to be a good year for rock bands.
We had a spurt late last year with Korn coming out with their latest.
Anyway, I am excited about this year's selection of bands releasing material. It's funny that the music industry is scrambling to find an answer why album sales are down. It's not because of illegal downloading...it's because you put out crap! They should realize the whole industry jumped the shark once they started focusing on image, rather than sounds to sell music.
If Aerosmith or the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin came out today, no major label would touch them because they couldn't slap their mugs onto a t-shirt and cereal box to sell their image. I can see the execs meeting now, "Come on, these guys are ugly! How are we supposed to sell that?" "Uh, have you listened to them?" "No, I haven't, but look at these guys, Mick and this Tyler fellow have lips bigger than a Volkswagon!". "I'm not signing them!".
I digress...just frustration. If you don't look hot or cute in a pair of jeans & a wind machine, then you're not going to get heard. God bless the internet, I say. It's a way for bands to get their music HEARD, not seen!
We had a spurt late last year with Korn coming out with their latest.
Anyway, I am excited about this year's selection of bands releasing material. It's funny that the music industry is scrambling to find an answer why album sales are down. It's not because of illegal downloading...it's because you put out crap! They should realize the whole industry jumped the shark once they started focusing on image, rather than sounds to sell music.
If Aerosmith or the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin came out today, no major label would touch them because they couldn't slap their mugs onto a t-shirt and cereal box to sell their image. I can see the execs meeting now, "Come on, these guys are ugly! How are we supposed to sell that?"
I digress...just frustration. If you don't look hot or cute in a pair of jeans & a wind machine, then you're not going to get heard. God bless the internet, I say. It's a way for bands to get their music HEARD, not seen!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Trans Fat
I'm reading my usual morning paper this morning and I came across an article that I thought was interesting. No politics today (although I want to comment more than I do). It involves the level of trans fats that American fast food companies put in their food.
There was an international study done on the trans fat content between the fast food restaurants throughout the world. Now, it may not come as a surprise that the US has the highest level. Here, take these comparisons:
New York McDonalds: large fries and chicken nuggets combo: 10.2 grams of trans fat. Same meal in Denmark: .33 grams trans fat. In Spain, Russia and Czech Republic, 3 grams.
What is the difference? It's how the food is prepared. In America, we use partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Of course, the explanation from Yum! (which owns KFC) said it's a taste preference. The researchers say it's profit. hydrogenated vegetable oil is cheaper. Once again, the almighty dollar wins out in America. Profit over anything else.
Why in Denmark is it lower? Well, in 2004, they passed a law that allows for only minuscule amounts of trans fat in foods.
Another interesting fact is that eating just 5 grams of trans fat per day increases the risk of heart disease 25%.
Ever wonder why there is a large obesity problem in the US? Ever wonder why heart disease is the #1 killer among Americans?
There are several ways this will change:
1) People will finally wake up and boycott these chains until they change
2) Government will pass a law like Denmark forcing the fast food chains to change
3) People will wake up and realize that fast food comes with a price. It is slowly killing you. Maybe fast food isn't the best way to feed yourself or your family.
I guess I've been just more conscience about what foods I eat now that I'm on a diet. Not that I was a big fast food guy before, but I'm certainly not going to eat it when I get off this. I want to keep the weight off and eat healthier because I want to live!
There was an international study done on the trans fat content between the fast food restaurants throughout the world. Now, it may not come as a surprise that the US has the highest level. Here, take these comparisons:
New York McDonalds: large fries and chicken nuggets combo: 10.2 grams of trans fat. Same meal in Denmark: .33 grams trans fat. In Spain, Russia and Czech Republic, 3 grams.
What is the difference? It's how the food is prepared. In America, we use partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Of course, the explanation from Yum! (which owns KFC) said it's a taste preference. The researchers say it's profit. hydrogenated vegetable oil is cheaper. Once again, the almighty dollar wins out in America. Profit over anything else.
Why in Denmark is it lower? Well, in 2004, they passed a law that allows for only minuscule amounts of trans fat in foods.
Another interesting fact is that eating just 5 grams of trans fat per day increases the risk of heart disease 25%.
Ever wonder why there is a large obesity problem in the US? Ever wonder why heart disease is the #1 killer among Americans?
There are several ways this will change:
1) People will finally wake up and boycott these chains until they change
2) Government will pass a law like Denmark forcing the fast food chains to change
3) People will wake up and realize that fast food comes with a price. It is slowly killing you. Maybe fast food isn't the best way to feed yourself or your family.
I guess I've been just more conscience about what foods I eat now that I'm on a diet. Not that I was a big fast food guy before, but I'm certainly not going to eat it when I get off this. I want to keep the weight off and eat healthier because I want to live!
