American Fascists

Hope has two daughters
Their names are Anger and Courage.
Anger at the way things are and
Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.
St. Augustine

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My beliefs mirror much of what Duncan has written in the below post (read the entire post by clicking on the link) though I probably come off a bit more radical.

Religious organization should not be above scrutiny nor should they be above severe punishment for misdeeds. Such as purposely breaking the law in the name of their god. Preaching politics from the pulpit.... Discrimination (oh, and there's tons of discrimination happening in the church). Churches should not receive one red cent from the federal government and should be taxed accordingly.

I'm sick of these institution hiding under the guise of 'holy' while they bilk tons of money from a deluded flock to line their pockets and to build their mega-churches. Mega-churches fly in the face of everything that should truly be 'christian'. Building a Mega-church, to me, is the same as shipping 9 billion dollars in cash to Iraq and having no idea where that money went, all the while not funding the rebuild of a fire station in New Orleans.

I'll never be preached to by a religious organization about morality. Bitch, please!

Religious organizations in this country are not untouchable.

Eschaton:

"Beliefs cloaked in religion shouldn't be granted automatic immunity from scrutiny, and nor should the sometimes powerful institutions run by people, not angels or saints, around which the various religions are organized. While genuine bigotry exists against people of various faiths which is the equivalent to the kind of bigotry which exists against gays or African-Americans (involving unfair symbols or stereotyping rooted in historic oppression, assigning unshared beliefs to an entire group, etc...), mocking or having contempt for actual religious beliefs isn't by any reasonable definition 'bigotry.' It's simply heated disagreement, and as with disagreements about politics, or sports, or whatever, sometimes people who disagree with each other use mockery and insults in their discourse. Religious people may think that their beliefs about religion are on a different level than these things, but, you know, I don't really agree with that. "

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Why does it piss me off so? Because I also believe this:

American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America:

"The Christian Right, like these early fascist movements, does not openly call for dictatorship, nor does it use physical violence to suppress opposition. In short, the movement is not yet revolutionary. But the ideological architecture of a Christian fascism is being cemented in place. The movement has roused its followers to a fever pitch of despair and fury. All it will take, Hedges writes, is one more national crisis on the order of September 11 for the Christian Right to make a concerted drive to destroy American democracy. The movement awaits a crisis. At that moment they will reveal themselves for what they truly are — the American heirs to fascism. Hedges issues a potent, impassioned warning. We face an imminent threat. His book reminds us of the dangers liberal, democratic societies face when they tolerate the intolerant."

Alabama News

Colbert must be proud....

Alabama's bald eagle population booming:

"BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After 15 years of checking bald eagle nests from small planes, there are now an estimated 100 nesting pairs, up from 77 the previous year and 10 times the state's recovery goal under the Endangered Species Act. With the nest-to-nest status check by plane ending last year, the state now will start watching over a few dozen nests to monitor the eagles' health."

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Support this Alabama teenager's efforts to further her campaign against the war in Iraq. Ava has done some incredible work of the past few years.

Peace Takes Courage:

" PeaceTakesCourage has taken me on an amazing journey over the past year. I went from being a frustrated citizen that felt like I couldn't make a difference to being proof that every person can make an impact - even if it's just a small one. Now I'm beginning a new journey, making my first documentary. Over the past few years I've been creating short videos about the war in Iraq. Now I want to expand that into a full-length film to help bring awareness about this war and it's effects.

San Francisco Values

Our mayor gets all the ladies!

America warming to "San Francisco Liberal":

"It looks like people are realizing that it's not so bad having leadership that represents a corner of the country that has brought us the personal computer, iPods, Pixar movies, Star Wars, Google, eBay, Yahoo, the mass blogging tools (like Blogger, MovableType, and TypePad), NetFlix, TiVo, WiFi, Treos, Palm, Levis, Gap, LeapFrog, Charles Schwab, Wells Fargo, Ghirardelli, sourdough bread, the best wine in the world, redwood forests, and all kinds of other goodness."

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Oh, science, how I love thee. Always giving me an excuse to fuck off at work.

Study: Napping Might Help Heart:

"New research on napping provides the perfect excuse for office slackers, finding that a little midday snooze seems to reduce risks for fatal heart problems, especially among men."

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Letter to the Editor - Southern Style

I won't be quiet

To the editor:

The wingnut talking points memo says that for Democratic presidential candidates to promise a change in Iraq policy is tantamount to treason -- "giving aid and comfort to the enemy."

We have been here before, and it is still a load of garbage.

The insurgents in Iraq have their own agenda, folks. The death squads and militias have theirs, too. They aren't watching CNN together, cheering Barak Obama. What they are doing, however, is fighting each other, and us. Baghdad is the new Beirut.

Blind faith in the utility of force has painted the United States into a corner. Incompetence has guaranteed failure. Arrogance has brought disaster.

Why should we give this idiot one last chance at victory? Has Bush produced one thing that looks or smells like victory to you? Even Afghanistan is sliding backwards.

The "surge" will undoubtedly have its "Mission Accomplished" photo-op, but all the president's men cannot put this Humpty Dumpty together again. Iraq will take decades to recover from the disaster we have created there.

The American people know this. They are smarter than the wingnuts.

Already, a majority of Americans want American troops to come home from Iraq, and a supermajority -- some 70 percent -- know what a catastrophe this president's leadership has been. They voted overwhelmingly for a new direction last November, and the numbers will only get worse.

By 2008, no candidate will be electable if they support the war. Even Hillary has been dragged down by her war vote. Candidates will not be quiet, nor will the American people.

Call me a traitor, tell me to shut up and sit silent while the republic is ruined, and I'll show you the symbol of freedom located between my index and ring fingers. And I will be anything but quiet about it.

Matt O******

Florence

Beer Goggles for the Lesbian Platoon

The 'Whuppin' is back.....

When the good guys fight back.....

... Indeed, Natalie Maines....

.... indeed.....

5 Grammys mark Dixie Chicks' comeback:

"LOS ANGELES - The Dixie Chicks completed a defiant comeback on Sunday night, capturing five Grammy awards after being shunned by the country music establishment over the group's anti-Bush comments leading up to the Iraq invasion."

Matt Taibbi, political writer for Rolling Stone:

War on Iraq: Time's Joe Klein: a Supreme Suck-Up:

"Then there's this whole business of liberals who are accused of 'rooting' for failure in Iraq. I'm sorry, but the next pundit who whips that one out should have his balls stuffed down his throat. You cocksuckers beat the drum to send these kids to war, and then you turn around and accuse us of rooting for them to die? Fuck you for even thinking that. We're Americans just like you. You don't have the right to get us into this mess and then turn around and call us traitors. Your credibility is long gone on this issue; shut up about us."

That kind of talk gives me a chub.....

After they've chased us out of Baghdad they could do a smokin' hot beer commercial. Ummmm, a platoon of lesbians.

Rep. Ackerman: ‘A Platoon Of Lesbians’ Could ‘Chase Us Out Of Baghdad’:

"Yesterday, during hearings on the State Department’s 2008 budget, Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) slammed the U.S. military’s ban on gay servicemembers, saying the Pentagon “seems more afraid of gay people than they are [of] terrorists,” and that if the terrorists were smart, “they’d get a platoon of lesbians to chase us out of Baghdad.”

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When the bad guys open their fucking mouths....

Mighty White of you Rove.....

Rove on immigration: 'I don't want my son to have to pick tomatoes':

"The Corner at the National Review Online reports that at a Republican luncheon yesterday White House adviser Karl Rove was overheard explaining the Bush amnesty immigration plan by saying, 'I don't want my 17-year-old son to have to pick tomatoes or make beds in Las Vegas.'

Even if I'm a bazillionaire when I have my first kid you are goddamn right that child will 'pick tomatoes' or 'make beds' when he/she is young. The lesson being that no job is beneath you and neither are the people who do those jobs.

But I'm a Democrat unlike Rove..... piece of shit....

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Jesus H. fucking CHRIST!!! WHY! Why the fuck do these people have any credibility whatsoever?!

Yeah, Dinosaur farts is sound science..... I thought they didn't believe in dinosaurs?

Rep. Rohrabacher R-CA: Global Warming May Have Been Caused By ‘Dinosaur Flatulence’:

"During the hearing, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) — one of the 87 percent of congressional Republicans who do not believe in man-made global warming — questioned the authors of the report about a period of dramatic climate change that occured 55 million years ago. “We don’t know what those other cycles were caused by in the past. Could be dinosaur flatulence, you know, or who knows?’"

Kudos, Bush. You've superceded two Jews as the most disliked person in the Arab world. That took some 'hard work', I know. Your racist mom should be proud.

Video: Bush takes lead as person 'most disliked' by Arabs:

"According to the poll's author, Shibley Telhami, past results have always placed the Prime Minister of Israel as the most disliked among Arabs. 'In the past few years, the President of the United States has become number two. In the most recent survey, the striking thing is for the very first time in the Arab world the most disliked person is the President of the United States of America, and superceded the combined numbers for both the Prime Minister of Israel and his hated predecessor Ariel Sharon, who's in a coma,' said Telhami."

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What is this, you might ask?

It's math... d'uh. Important math.

'Beer goggles' effect explained:

"Scientists believe they have worked out a formula to calculate how 'beer goggles' affect a drinker's vision."

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The Drams in San Francisco Pt II

The Drams - San Francisco, CA - 1/27/07

First, from The Drams email list:

The Drams are pulling out of the last three shows of the current tour due to unforseen circumstances. Urbana Il, Columbia Mo, & Louisville KY. So sorry to the people who were coming out to see us for those shows.

Don't panic. Everythings alright. Here's some future shows (we promise to make)
2/16 Doublewide, Dallas
2/17 Dan's Silverleaf, Denton
2/23 Casbeer's, San Antonio
3/14 Mother Egan's Ausitn, SXSW
3/16 Parish, Austin SXSW
3/17 Idle Rich, Dallas

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Good music everynight, yeah
Friends in every town.

'I got down last(two) Saturday night(s ago)'

Left SLO 7:00 a.m. .... got back into San Francisco around 10:30 a.m. ..... must of still been drunk as no hangover effects were noticeable. Just a ringing in my ear and a pleasant fog enveloping my brain.

Drove back through Steinbeck country and we felt very Grapes of Wrathish .... and gassy.

Back home by noon. Jammies on to get some shut eye before The Drams show that night. Can't sleep 'cause the after-effects of the SLO festivies are clawing their way to center stage.

I stare at the TV for the next 4 hours. Get up, wash my ass and head over to Rich's. Similar situation at Rich's. It ain't pretty.

By 6:oo p.m. we pull ourselves together and go downstairs to hail a cab for the half a mile trek to the club. While waiting on said cab I get a call from Keith and apparently the boys were a bit off the beaten path in San Francisco and were down by the warf. After a quicky direction correction the van was pointed south as were we in the cab.

Standing in front of the venue the van pulls up, parks, and 5 very road weary rock warriors stumble out of the van. We help the boys load in the equipment, then while they are taking care of business and filling their bellys with food supplied by the bar for the bands, Rich and I head down the street to a dive bar called Lucky 13 Club. Our intention was to eat dinner but the siren call of alcohol as a hangover cure was too tempting to resist.

We ordered one of the twenty beers on tap.... grimacing with the first couple of sips.... Decided that, hell, this wasn't going to do it so we got a couple of shots of Jameson. We stared at those for a few minutes before slamming them to the back of our throats. My esophogas put up a valiant battle but I finally showed it who's who.

Cell phone rang and it was Tony wondering where we were. We skipped back to the venue and got the crew and took them back to Lucky 13's. Hell, the seats were already warm.

PBRs were 2 bucks a pop so the first round was on me. (When the drinks are on special, that's the time to buy a round). PBRs felt kinda nekkid so we got a few more shots of Jameson.

Brent and I started to discuss all sorts of things. We shed a layman's perspective on quantum physics and string theory. Don't ask.

We got into a solo tour Brent did in Ireland that sounded like a green, green heaven. I've never been to Ireland but have roots there and desparately wish to go someday. Hearing Brents recollection made me yearn even more.

This led us into Larry Brown. I purchased a couple of LB books a few months ago but I haven't gotten around to reading them. I soon will once I finish my latest series.

As all Slobberbone fans know Larry was a big fan of the band and Brent. Brent is a big fan of Larry. Must be weird to be a fan of someone's work and have them be a fan of yours too. If I have this tale correct, a few years back, Larry invited Brent down to (or I guess up to if you're traveling from Denton) Oxford MS for a literay conference at the UofM where Brent played some shows.

Larry passed a couple of years ago and this conference, called The Oxford Conference for the Book, is honoring Larry Brown this year. In his honor they compiled a CD of Larry's favorite musicians. Brent informed me that he did a studio recording for this CD of Robert Cole. This is an amazing song and story and I can't wait to hear the studio version. Here's a link to a live version The Drams played in Europe recently.

Here are two links for this conference. I'll certainly post something here when the CD is available.

Oxford Conference for the Book

Ole Miss Lit Department

From this point the rest gets hazy so I'll insert random rememberances betwix the pix...

Tony thinks pro sports are better than college. Whatever, Tony, whatever.

Brent and I both have seen C.K. Louis' comedy special on HBO called 'Shameless'. Hysterical. Watch it. He calls his 4 year old daughter an asshole.

See the box that says Will Hoge? That's Will Hoge's box. You know what he keeps in that box? Love. He keeps Love in that box. And let me tell you somethin'.... Love ain't doin' so hot.....

Jess is about to cut somebody's ass, too.

And just so everybody knows when buying the band shots... Tony drinks Jager not whiskey. Everybody else will take whiskey. I mean, Brent sips Jim Beam outside of a bar, but don't be a cheap bastard if you're buying. Jamesons or Jack... Maker's Mark are greatly appreciated. Wait! Jubilee Dive... J.D. ... Jack Daniels... J.D. coincidence?

Jess Barr is one of the most interesting-to-watch guitar players I've ever witness. And it's not that he does much. I mean, he's ripping up the guitar so he is doing much there but.... Sometimes he looks as if he's doing really hard math in his head and is so, so close to a big answer. I have heard of the "#1 finger twirl" after a smoking solo but I've never witness it. I'm requesting it next go around.

Also, Jess and gravey don't mix.

Notice Rich filming in this frame. He's not on his knees to get a shot. He's on his knees because he can't get up. You can't really tell in this picture but he's got the camera backwards. We've got twenty minutes of footage of Rich's eyeball.

Here are some additional pictures from the San Luis Obispo show:

It is funny getting to know the band as The Drams. I backed into Slobberbone only learning of them a month or so after they broke up. Slobberbone is like crack to me but I really never studied the history of the band until I was putting this post together the last couple of weeks. Jenn B. told me plenty of tale and I've read and heard other accounts from other folks who retell those tales with a look of religious ecstacy.

But, Slobberbone is a glorious past. The Drams are the exciting future. Both have the same great musicians. The Drams just added to that stellar roster with the addition of Chad and Keith. At the core of both lies, IMO, one of the best song writers and probably the best lyricist walking on this dirt ball we call earth. That's no joke.

I'm goddamn excited for the future of this band. Right now they are probably a little ahead of everybody with their tunes. Watch out when folks catch up, though.

Also, and this may be a bit out of line, but it is my personal opinion based upon what I'm seeing or not seeing and nothing else, IMO ok? but....., whoever is managing this band.... get off your ass. Do more. Go to work. Where is the press?

My personal rallying cry for The Drams in 2007 is.... THE FILLMORE!!!

To the boys, if they are reading, thanks for the great time and great music. It is always such a pleasure to hang out and catch up with every single one of you. If I ever needed a Rock n Roll weekend to repair a few things in my heart and soul it was the 26th and 27th of January and you guys came through in spades. I thank you.

Brent, again, thanks for "Make a Book".

You should be home in the Denton/Dallas area by now. Rest up... then start writing. :-D

Looking forward to the next tour.

I'm going to end this post with something Brad Proctor wrote on the DBT board the other day. Sometimes I read something and I think "That's exactly how I feel but if I lived to be 100 I'd never be able to express it as perfectly as this person just did. I do not and will not ever have that capability".

Brad's post was focused on Centro-Matic's latest album and he brings Jubilee Dive into his argument.

Here's what Brad wrote:

dbts : Message: [dbts] Tale of Two Albums

The other album I’ve been listening to is “FtRecovery” by Centro-matic, and it is the best sounding album I’ve heard since the Drams “Jubilee Drive” –maybe even better. As Matt Pence (Centro-matic’s drummer) engineered both, I would argue that he hasthe best ears in the music business. The drums, not surprisingly, are particularly gorgeous. Their music is really dense – there are so many levels going on that I haven’t absorbed nearly half of what is going on. The arrangements and rhythms are complex, and I couldn’t tell you what most of the songs are about. But that’s pretty much beside the point. They songs are about the textures, the space in the songs to explore the tones they hear in their heads, the melding of words and sounds. That sounds a little crazy; I don’t have the skill to describe – or even understand – all that’s going on. I can just say that while it has a steep learning curve, once you get a taste for it you can’t shake it. I keep listening over and over to it – in particular “Patience for the Ride”, “Monument Sails”, and “In Such Crooked Time”.

So these are two very different albums that might ostensibly be put into one genre. One is sparse while the other is lush, one is accessible while another is opaque. But both are good, and I can’t imagine a Truckers fan not liking either one.

Amen, Brad. Amen

Good music everynight, yeah
Friends in every town.

My house, Sunday, 1-28-07

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Oh, one last thing......

and.....

If Brent Best were a shetland ponie....

DBT WIR 2/8/07

Big Update!
Updated 2 & 3@ bottom of Patterson's post

This will appear on DBT's website today but some very gracious folks have allowed me to post it here first. Thanks, guys!

DBT - THE DIRT UNDERNEATH
(stories and songs sitting down / tales facing up)

Y'ALL:

Nearly six years ago, DBT played a show at Pine Hill Farms up in North Carolina. The monthly event (now, long defunct) was held at a farmhouse on a beautiful piece of land outside of Chapel Hill NC.

It was written up in No Depression and had a built in following.

We were invited to play there shortly after the release (1st time) of Southern Rock Opera. We played sitting down and acoustic. We drank huge quantities of beer and whiskey and deconstructed the SRO album (and many other albums worth of songs) over a 4+ hour period. Bootlegs of the highlights have been very popular among collectors and the show seems to be a very fond memory among folks who were there (none of whom can actually remember it). Such is how things like that go.

We play very loud and for many good reasons.

The show itself has morphed far from where we originally set out from and in ways that I largely find thrilling.

I love the ridiculous cathartic bombast of it and the way I feel like someone beat the ever loving shit out of me when it's over.

That said, I do sometimes miss how the songs get buried in the process and have always dreaded and feared a day when the whole thing becomes a caricature of itself.

This year is the first time since before SRO that we aren't out promoting a new album. We are all committed to taking some time at home to recharge, write and spend some Family Time.

We also wanted to go out a do something a little different. Maybe revisit some songs in a different light, maybe try out some new stuff on a smaller scale, maybe tell some stories and sing some songs. Pull up some chairs, have a few drinks and tell some stories to each other and some friends.

We know how to do that but just never really get around to it.

THE DIRT UNDERNEATH is a show I've been wanting to do for a long time.

It's roots come from that Pine Hill Farms show I mentioned (the first one, not the 2nd one, which actually was kind of a drunken clusterfuck).

Shonna plays a mean upright bass. Maybe we can get Cooley to play that banjo he plays so well in the studio. We all know some stories and can sing some pretty harmonies when we're not singing over a wall of guitars (Oh glorious guitars).

It's not a permanent thing, just a handful of dates (TBA SOON). A chance to reconnect with some songs and maybe each other a bit.

That way, when we go back out with The Rock Show, it will be fresh and new to us again. Like Rock and Roll is supposed to be.

Contrary to rumors, there are NO CONFIRMED DATES YET but hopefully there will be soon.

See You There.
Patterson Hood
Drive-By Truckers

Fuck, this is going to be awesome. I mean awesome........

2nd Update:

Folks over on REM's board Murmur.net started a thread about this. There's a picture from the 2nd Pine Hill Farm show (the clusterfuck) that Patterson references. Check it out.

3rd Update via Jenn B.

Wes Freed is working on a poster for this tour that will surely be badass, as well - forgot to add that. They will be limited, unfortunately, but they will be killer.

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Patterson posted this on DBT's website the other day....

Drive-By Truckers:

Y'all:

Just a mention, you might remember that David Barbe and I recently co-produced the next album by one of my favorite bands; Tuscaloosa Alabama's THE DEXATEENS.

That album, 'Hardwire Healing' has already been really well-received in Europe and finally it is coming out here in The USA next tuesday, Feb. 6 2007.

The album's single, 'Naked Ground' is being featured in several prominent national samplers and they have just completed a video for the great song 'Neil Armstrong'.

I picked up the album at Amoeba Records yesterday after work and boy-fucking-howdy! I don't have the ability to write music/album reviews where I define each song and how it sounds to me. I'm best at going to shows and writing about the experience from a fans perspective.

But I would like to comment on Hardwire Healing. Dang, that first song Naked Ground just grabs you by the balls and makes you snarl. For me the album is some cross between Deliverence and Zepplin. Not the sound track of Deliverence but the feel of the movie. McPherson and Smith's vocals are crazy haunting. The entire album rocks much and if you haven't gone out and bought it yet, you should.

Of course, now I've got to go buy their previous albums. Being a part of the DBT family can break your ass with as many fantastic bands in orbit.

The liner notes of the album were written by Patterson and it tells the tale of two of the band mates bitter break up and subsequently not speaking to each other for two years. They mended fences and immediatly went into the studio to record this album. That tension and resolution and mended hurt are very apparent in this album and increases the listenability a hun'erd fold.

I can't wait to see these boys live.

Check out what the pro's are sayin' about 'em. They were Spin.com's 'Band of the Day' a couple of days ago.

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DBT Press Room

I've always thought PPOTM was DBT greatest protest song and I'm glad to see someone else thinks the same way.


Best American Protest Songs:

2. "Puttin' People on the Moon," Drive-By Truckers. The DBTs show what can happen if you allow politicians to distract you from the true problems of society. The song is the story of a man living near Huntsville, Ala., who is struggling to get by and eventually "took to runnin' numbers for this man I used to know. And I sell a few narcotics. And I sell a little blow."

Side note, here....

I'm loving this hiatus 'cause apparently Patterson been watching the TV at home and getting PISSED about the current sorry state of affairs in this country. This is exactly how Jubilee Dive came about and y'all know I love that album.

If you haven't, you need to periodically check in and see what new songs Patterson has written. Go here to see.


Here's a snippet from his latest called 'The Home Front'.

Now they’re saying on the flat screen
They ain’t found a reason yet
We’re all bogged down in a quagmire
And there aint no end to it
No Nine Eleven or Uranium to pin the bullshit on
She’s left standing on the home front
The two of them alone

Alright, breathe JPW, today is a DBT WIR day not a politics day...... 1.... 2.... 3.....4.... ok, better now.

From the DBT Yahoo Board:


TV Guide DBT Mention - Jimmy Olsen's Favorite Band:

"There is a small article in this week's TV Guide about an actor from Canada named Aaron Ashmore who plays Jimmy Olsen on the show 'Smallville'. In the section of his bio titled 'Person (living or dead) He'd Like to Meet' he says, 'The band Drive-By Truckers. They're a Southern rock-and-country band that a friend of mine introduced me to. I've been listening to them a lot lately and they have great lyrics. I'd love to have my own private concert and pick their brains.'"

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DBT getting air play on KFOG here in San Francisco:

KFOG: Shows - Sunday Night Jam:

"January 28, 2007

9pm

Papa Mali - Do Your Thing - Do Your Thing
Moe - Tailspin - The Conch
Drive-By Truckers - Carl Perkins' Cadillac - The Dirty South
New Orleans Social Club - Fortunate Son - Sing Me Back Home
Tommy Guerrero - War No More - From the Soil to the Soul
Stockholm Syndrome - Couldn't Get It Right - Holy Happy Hour
Grateful Dead - Eyes of the World - Live at the Cow Palace / NYE 1976
Garage A Trois - A Frame - Emphasizer
Ozomatli - Can't Stop - Don't Mess with the Dragon"

Also, I got behind a car on my way home from work on Tuesday and I noticed 3 bumper stickers. One was a Grateful Dead sticker and another being an environmental "Stay Green" sticker. Nothing out of the ordinary in San Francisco.

The third sticker was a bit hard to see so I crept up on this vehicles ass and all be damned if it wasn't a Drive-by Trucker's Southern Rock Opera bumber sticker. The only other one of those I've seen is on Jenn B's card and I'm not sure if hers is a SRO sticker.

Much love in the Bay Area for DBT.

Jason and Patterson, y'all remember that when booking tours for the solo shows! I know it is a far piece to travel but, really, is any distance too great for love.... and rock?

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Award nominations for DBT

The Nominees For the 1st Annual Music Blog Awards:

"If you're a music blogger who did not participate in the nomination process, you are still eligible to vote in the finals. Just email us your name, blog, and your choices in each category. Vote for one and only one nominee per category. Votes are due Monday, February 12th at 11:59 PM."

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From the cradle to the grave.....

Nine Bullets:

"Just 5 1/2 weeks old and he already digs the Truckers. "

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Jason Isbell

I can't wait to change the name of the blog to Alabama Ass Siren.....

J.I. has picked up some dates with Son Volt:

Jay Farrar - Tour

Also, here's a video from on of the bands that will be touring with Jason:

Hackensaw Boys

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Eddie Hinton and n'em

Deryle Perryman forwarded this blurb to me so we could learn more about his doc partner, Moises. As the blurb says, "Moises has been cranking them (documentaries) of late and is hotter'n an Alabama July...."

Deryle and his unindicted co-conspirator, Moises Gonzalez, have produced a documentary on Eddie Hinton that is getting play at various film festivals across the country. While this is Deryle's first documentary since 1981, Moises has been cranking them of late and is hotter'n an Alabama July afternoon--or a San Antonio August afternoon, since that's where he hails from. His 2001 effort "Cuba - Next Exit", a personal narrative documentary on growing up Cuban-American, was awarded the "Primio Mesquite Award " at the 25th San Antonio CineFestival as well as a "New Voices,New Mexico Award" from the Santa Fe Film Festival.
His 2004 documentary "Light Heavy", on the boxing career of Light Heavyweight Champion Bobby Foster was awarded the "Audience Choice Award" at the Alibi Film Festival and took home a cash prize cash prize from the Governor's Cup at the Santa Film Festival.

I'm getting excited about seeing Dangerous Highway.

Deryle wanted me to invite y'all to the after party, too.

AND DON'T FORGET TO INVITE YOUR READERS TO THE EDDIE HINTON TRIBUTE PARTY FOLLOWING @ ANNIE'S SOCIAL CLUB FOR A GUARANTEED , CERTIFIED, SATISFACTORY GOOD TIME..WITH LIVE MUSIC TO BOOT, uh huh.

More Eddie Hinton info from the every knowledgable Jayne Clamp. Thanks Jayne!

Here's a song written by Jerry Joseph about Eddie Hinton. The song is called 'Thanks and Praises'. Click the link to read the lyrics:

Jerry Joseph Song Lyrics

Also, here are some MP3 online of a collaboration between Colemand and Hinton. I'm grooving on "Where you come from" at the moment.

LostAndFound

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Other Music News

Looks like The Shoals is making a push to become the 'Hit Making Capitol' of the world again. 'Bought goddamn time!!!

Sultans of sound | TimesDaily.com|Florence, AL:

"Nutt is working with The Fiddleworms on a new studio album.

He's also worked with Mobile-based Ugli Stick, local artist John Paul White, Clarence Carter, Russell Smith, of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Angela Hacker, Jimmy Buffett and the Drive-By Truckers."

Jimmy Nutt probably could have opened his recording studio anywhere in the U.S..

But after visiting the Shoals in 1999, he decided to open "The Nutt House" in Sheffield, the home of the hit producing Muscle Shoals Sound Studios.

"I really fell in love with the place," Nutt said.

Nutt's studio, which opened about a year ago, is one of a handful of commercial recording studios operating in the Shoals.

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Music cruises lure fans and bands

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I grew up a big fan of the Police.....


The Police reunite for Grammys :

"NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Police will reunite to open the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 11, The Recording Academy said on Tuesday, fueling speculation that the hit 1980s band is planning a reunion tour."

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Jerry Garcia's widow sues over estate:

"SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The widow of the Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia is suing to gain access to unpublished tapes of her late husband's musical performances."

This Post is Gay

That's right folks. This post is gay and there ain't not curing it.

Homer: We're here, we're queer, we don't want anymore bears.

Lenny: Hey, that's a pretty catchy chant. Where did you hear it?

Homer: Oh, I heard it at the mustache parade they have every year.

Yes, the funny mustache parade. Or, might Homer have heard it from his local Mega-Church? They are there.... and they are queer.....

And so is Mr. Haggard, no matter what his twisted, fucked up belief in a higher being says. Sorry but you can't pray the gay away, Rev. "Oh, I only sucked dick when I was taking drugs". Rev, I've taken drugs before and in no way did it make me want to play for the other team.


Haggard says he's not gay:

"The Rev. Ted Haggard emerged from three weeks of intensive counseling convinced he is 'completely heterosexual' and told an oversight board that his sexual contact with men was limited to his accuser."

Atleast he's doomed to a fuckin-A miserable rest of his life living as someone he really isn't. I should have more compassion, I know, but... fuck him.

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This one is great 'cause the good guys proposed it in order to stick it to the 'pray the gay awayers'.

Equal marriage opponents take new tack: Require straight couples to have kids:

"An initiative filed by proponents of [equal] marriage would require heterosexual couples to have kids within three years or else have their marriage annulled,' The Associated Press reports Tuesday"

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The wackos on the Religious Right stomped their feet and cried like babies over Janet Jackson's teat..... So the NFL gets Prince to do the half-time show.... And what do they get? A big phallic guitar shadow penis. Nice.

Hello NFL.... this was Prince?

Next year they should get Jenna Jameson to do the ping-pong trick at half-time. Cut out all pretense.

Prince rocks, btw.

Prince's halftime imagery questioned:

"NEW YORK - In the sensitive post-wardrobe malfunction world, some are questioning whether a guitar was just a guitar during Prince's Super Bowl halftime show.

Prince's acclaimed performance included a guitar solo during the 'Purple Rain' segment of his medley in which his shadow was projected onto a large, flowing beige sheet. As the 48-year-old rock star let rip, the silhouette cast by his figure and his guitar (shaped like the singer's symbol) had phallic connotations for some"

Here's a the Beatles 'Come Together' and Nine Inch Nails 'Closer' in a mash up that actually works.

Come Closer Together

Why Republicans Suck

Things that poll higher than Bush:

Fruitcake Polling Higher Than Bush:

"Fruitcake Polling Higher Than Bush

According to the latest CBS News poll, the president's overall approval rating has dipped to 28 percent—the lowest number in his presidency and dangerously close to Nixon's all-time low of 24 percent. To lend a little context to this historic feat, we found some other people and things with equal or greater popularity."

• Brussels Sprouts (51%)
• Stepping in Dog Shit (35%)
• Getting Kicked in the Balls (41%)

Getting kicked in the Balls is preferrable over having Bush as President. And why can't we impeach this fucker?

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Multiple reason why Republicans suck and all the reason in the world to make sure a Republican is defeated in every single race across the country in 2008.

Republicans Stall Senate's Debate on Iraq War:

"A long-awaited Senate showdown on the war in Iraq was slammed shut before it even started last night when a nearly united Republican front voted to stop the Senate from debating a resolution opposing President Bush's plan to send 21,500 additional combat troops into battle."
.........
"It is clear their actions are not driven by getting votes on Republican proposals. They are driven by a desire to provide political cover for President Bush," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said. "They can't rubber-stamp the president's policies in Iraq any more, so they've decided to stamp out debate and let the president's escalation plan proceed unchecked."

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Because Exxon pays 'em to believe otherwise:

POLL: Only 13 Percent Of Congressional Republicans Believe In Man-Made Global Warming

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It's OK for your little girl to die of cancer when she's an adult but it is not OK for her to have s-e-x at her discretion. Assbackward mother fu.........

Texas Gov. Urged Against Cancer Order:

"AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Several key Republicans urged Gov. Rick Perry on Monday to rescind his executive order making Texas the first state to require girls to be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer."

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I wasn't sure whether to tag this article "Love Like This" or "Goddamn Lonely Love" or "Puttin' People on the Moon"..... so I went with all three.

Coming to a cable channel as a crappy movie of the week near you soon:

Astronaut charged with kidnap attempt:

"ORLANDO, Fla. - A NASA astronaut charged with attempting to kidnap a romantic rival in a love triangle with another astronaut was allowed to go free on bail Tuesday on the condition that she not contact the alleged victim."

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When you need an excuse for being funky:

Human skin populated by veritable zoo of bacteria:

"'We think that many of the normal organisms are protecting the skin. So that's why I don't think it's a great idea to keep washing all the time because we're basically washing off one of our defense layers,' Blaser added."

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Booty

A very nice memorial to Molly Ivins by Maya Angelou:

Molly Ivins Shook the Walls With Her Clarion Call:

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Oh, how the lying liars will say/do anything. Do they not know that their words are recorded and can easily be accessed years/months/days/hours later when they 'flip-flop' (fucking hate that term as all people need the flexibility to change their positions when data warrants, but....).

Daily Kos: Feingold, Obama, and Senate Republicans:

"Feingold is moving aggressively to cut off funding for the Iraq War forcing Bush to withdraw the troops, and he's doing so amidst Republican claims that only the president can decide on troop deployment.

Of course, Republicans were making exactly the opposite arguments during the Clinton presidency, as Glenn Greenwald digs up."

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Why more... nay, ALL Democrats haven't been taking this tack is beyond me. If they fucking lie about you then don't go on their show, um 'kay? It is easy. They need you, you don't need them.

Obama's Grudge Factor:

"These are chilly days on Capitol Hill ... and on the campaign trail for Fox News journalists -- at least when they're anywhere near Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

Sources tell The Sleuth that the Obama camp has 'frozen out' Fox News reporters and producers in the wake of the network's major screw-up in running with the erroneous Obama-the-jihadist story reported by Insight magazine."

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The lady's are in charge. I dig it. Great read.

Here, women propose marriage and men can't refuse:

In this archipelago of 50 islands of pale blue water off the western rim of Africa, it's women, not men, who choose. They make their proposals public by offering their grooms-to-be a dish of distinctively prepared fish, marinated in red palm oil.

It's the equivalent of a man bending on one knee and offering a woman a diamond ring, except that in one of the world's matriarchal cultures, it's women that do the asking, and once they have, men are powerless to say no.
........

'Love comes first into the heart of the woman,' explained Nananghe. 'Once it's in the woman, only then can it jump into the man.'"

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You do NOT want to be anywhere near Joey Chestnut's bathroom today.

Joey Chestnut downs a record 182 wings:

"PHILADELPHIA - Professional competitive eater Joey Chestnut devoured a record 182 chicken wings to win his second consecutive Wing Bowl, a gut-busting annual event that draws thousands of revelers to the city's sports complex in the pre-dawn hours"

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So how much as hip-hop culture affected me? I was thinkin' 'booty' meant something else entirely.

Ebay bans online auctions of virtual game booty

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The Drams in San Luis Obispo Part I

The Drams - San Luis Obispo - 1/26/07

*Cough* *sniffle* *ack*.... Thursday evening I practiced my 'I'm not feeling too well' for the next morning's voice message my boss would be receiving. (My two degrees aren't in acting for nothin').

The car was rented (Impala, baby) the Canon SLR battery charged, fresh panties packed in a little ol' overnight bag... It was 230 miles to San Luis Obispo, we had a full tank of gas, Richard Pryor CD, it was over-cast, and we were wearing sunglasses.

We were going to see The Drams and we were happy.

We (my buddy Rich and I) pulled into San Luis around 3:30 p.m. on Friday. I have visited this fair burg a couple of times before but I'd never really seen the downtown area. Beautiful. I was immediately struck by how much it resembled a quaint southern town. One of the most striking elements of this feeling were the girls. GOD..... DAMN! I'm mean, shit. I've been to a lot of SEC school campuses so I'm usually not taken a back by a large collective of hot women, but, GOD.... DAMN. San Lui, I tip my hat to you. Brava.

You've got to love a place in California that ain't afraid to advertise the Q.

We parked our car almost directly in front of the venue. Another reason to love San Luis.

We didn't see the van so we took a little stroll and tried to find some ugly girls. Couldn't, so we headed back to ol' Brewing Company and low and behold the 'Van from Texas' was pulling into a spot.

Keith, Brent and Jess hopped out while Tony and Chad were still catching some zzzs in the back of the van (much needed, I'm sure), occassionally awaking to fight over who got to snuggle with the Pooh Bear.

The fellas were a bit surprised to see us. Didn't expect to see us until San Francisco. It was damn good seeing them, though.

To cleanse the boys of a couple of hours on the road and the Lutheran college the night before we strolled to a bar down the block called "The Library" or, to you Texans "The Lie-berry", as in 'Heir Bush wants to build his pResidential 'lie-berry' all up in SMU'.

Immediately, the conversation heats up. We get the 'how's the tour' 'how are the crowds' 'how's your momma and n'em' out of the way so we can get to the crux of the important topics:

Stock picks for the year: Plastics and ponies. If you've got 10 grand... put it all in shetland ponies. They're this years Llama. Just remember to poke air holes in the trailer.

The Drams next album cover will be old school air brushed ponies like you would see on a t-shirt... maybe something like this.... I prefer something more like this.... framed by a 10K dollar symbol.... There's a 10K bill, right?

We moved on to discussing the "The Man who killed love" until "The Man who killed Jess's buzz" inserted himself to the conversation. He wanted to talk Poison and Crue. I farted in his general direction and eventually TMWKJ'sBzzzzz left the back porch of 'The Lie-berry'.

One of THE funniest story told was about Soul Asylym's lead singer, David Pirner. Tony doesn't kick dogs but he likes to THINK of kicking dogs. Dog kicking makes David Pirner very sad and angry. But, Tony, the master at manipulating the mood of a room 'upped the ante'.....

You want more, dontcha. Well, you ain't getting any more. Nobody said that this post was going to be fair or that stories would be fully told. I'm a greedy bastard and I'm not above making this entire post an inside joke.

I mean, somebody's innocence must be protected. I'm not sure whose really innocent here, but....

We get plenty tipsy pre-show. The Drams hit the stage, initially playing to Rich and I while we stumbled around trying to film but having a mighty blast the entire time. Eventually a crowd of twenty forms to enjoy the tunes.

The boys begin the set with Gimmee Back My Dog then launch into a rauchous set of Drams tunes. No way in hell I can even pretend to put up a set list.

There is a disk that exist called, "Cooleyisms". Bascially, it contains snippet highlights of the wisdom Cooley has imparted from the stage over the years. It is poop-yourself funny and I've only heard about half of it. Brent and I were discussing it pre-show. One Cooleyism mentioned occured during a show in North Carolina. I paraphrase, but it goes a little something like this, Cooley steps up to the mike and says, "Well y'all finally did it, didn't you. Can't smoke in a bar in North Carolina. Not being able to smoke in a bar in North Carolina is kinda like taking public transportation if you lived in Detroit". The crowds reaction..... *creeek* *creeek* (chirping of crickets)... then another beat of silence... the Cooley says "Git it".

Brent repeats this "joke" on stage to gaffawing laughter from me and Rich. The rest of the audience didn't 'Git it'. Ever the consumate performer, Brent knew who his audience was.

Last song of the evening was a cover of "Straight to Hell" by Drivin' n Cryin'. Twas dedicated to their good friend from Alabama. I figured that there was a good shot that was me being one of 20 people standing in front of the band. Even if it wasn't for me... from hence forth, it was for me.

They completely rocked it. Here's a version of it from a show they did in Europe.

After the set we helped the boys break down then off to 'The Lie-berry" we went.

Back to the conversations that would save the world....

From highmindedness to lowbrowedness.

From the metal band Mastadon's album based on Moby Dick, to iambic pentameter as it relates to the line in Wondrous Life "The Bartender is Tending to Bar me from Drink", to a one dollar bet by me to Brent and Rich on who would pull a piece of pre-chewed gum off of Bubble Gum Alley Wall and chew it. (the link takes you to the exact place of the bet) Both men did put a piece in their mouth.... Rich was the only one who chewed... he did mention that it was still minty.... debate became whether the dollar was split .50 cent/.50 cent or .25/.75 due to Rich actually chewing it.... I still have the dollar... suckers both. :)

More on Bubble Gum Alley in San Luis

Other vague rememberances.....

After Hoge finished playing the Brewing Company filled with college chilrens all a twitter because a DJ was going to spin records so that they could all dance! Who could ever imagine such a concept.

We somehow find a table upstairs and consume many a shot.

I remember hanging over a railing and motioning for hot college chicks to come and join us. In a matter of minutes I reverted back to my childhood, had a midlife crisis, then came to peace that I was 36 years old and that "I didn't need the attention of some snotty nosed whipper snapper" *snif* *snif* "You can all go to HELL"! " Hey who wants another shot"?!

Later by the van as we were helping them pack up Rich comes out of the bar saying that he had a glass or water thrown in his face. Details are sketchy. It may have had something to do with a variation on 'stopping short'.

Stopping Short - the act of slamming hard on an automobile's brake pedal, and at the same time reaching over and putting one's arm in front of the front seat passenger as a means of protecting them from hitting the dash board (and gaining sexual gratification from the experience)

The boys are packed up and heading to their friend's house. We say our goodbyes and that we'd see each other the next day. Rich and I are walking to our car to get our bags when Brent calls me over to the van. I poke my head in the drivers window and some girl is sitting in the van talking on her cell phone. All of the Drams are looking at each other wondering 'who the hell is this'? Brent ask if she's mine and I say no. Apparently this chick thinks the van is one of those drunk shuttles and she's expecting to be taken home. I tell her that van is across the street. She gets out and follows Rich and I all the while yammering away on her phone. We leave her safely on the sidewalk awaiting a cab. Godspeed, little doodle. Hope you made it home.

Rich and I crashed out at the BnB

Next day perspective: Rich puts his coat on at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, sticks hands into pockets... pulls out a 2/3 empty bottle of Bud.

Hell, we had to get home so we could do this all over again.

Sweet!

To Be Continued.......

A Real Texan

We couldn't afford to lose someone like Molly Ivins. If you aren't familiar with Molly then go here and read her articles.... all of them.

The world just got a little darker, less wittier and there's one less voice that knows how to speak truth to power.

Rest ye, Molly. Rest ye.

Syndicated columnist Molly Ivins dies:

"“We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war,” Ivins wrote in the Jan. 11 column. “We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, ’Stop it, now!”’"

Molly Ivins Dead At 62