Filed under: National News — Steven A. Stehling @ 20:45
Anyone need a reminder that Michael Moore is a liar?
I’m apparently a little slow in hearing about this, but Michael Moore is being sued by Peter Damon, a wounded veteran featured in his film Fahrenheit 9/11. In the movie, Moore portrayed Damon as an anti-war veteran through unethical editing of an interview filmed by NBC News. In the interview, Damon was complaining about a painkiller he was prescribed, but Moore twisted his comments to appear that he was criticizing the war.
Damon never gave permission for Moore to use the interview in the movie and Moore has refused to discuss the issue with Damon’s lawyer. So Damon filed a $85 million lawsuit against Moore, NBC and the production and distribution companies involved with the film, Miramax and Lions Gate Films. So far Moore, NBC, Miramx and Lions Gate Films have declined to comment.
Anberlin is another one of the great bands I found on the old mp3.com. (Have I ever mentioned how much I miss the old mp3.com?) They formed in 2002 and took immediate advantage of the internet. They used every means possible to promote their music and it was quite effective. Less then a year later they had signed with Tooth & Nail Records and were in the studio working with Aaron Sprinkle to produce an awesome debut album. Bands and record labels that are afraid of the internet and the digital music formats should take a lesson from Anberlin. They routinely released their songs on the internet, free to download and it’s been a huge success for them.
Anberlin is billed as an alternative rock band, but they really fall into a grey area. I consider them to be a punk band. They recorded a cover of the Depeche Mode song Enjoy The Silence for the compilation album Punk Goes 90’s. They’re also often found in the punk section at many record stores. Interestingly though, they’re also called a Christian rock group. I’ve never noticed any overt Christian themes or references in their songs, but so be it. But one fact somewhat supports both my belief that they’re punk and other peoples belief that they’re Christian rock. Four of the original Anberlin band members were previously in a Christian pop-punk band called SaGoh 24/7. But that band had a different sound and Anberlin doesn’t perform any songs from that project.
Glass To The Arson appeared on their debut album Blueprints For The Black Market.
Filed under: Wisconsin News — Steven A. Stehling @ 16:29
The annual event fell 9,000 brats short of the record set two years ago. However, the article doesn’t make it clear if Boca Brats are being counted in the final tally. For what it’s worth, I don’t believe vegetarian brats should be counted in the total. They aren’t brats.
I didn’t go to Brat Fest. I really didn’t see any reason to. I love brats, but they need to give me a better reason. On Friday a friend called and asked if I wanted to go watch The Love Monkeys at Brat Fest. I had to go to work, but I would have gone if I could. I had no idea The Love Monkeys were playing at Brat Fest.
But if I would have went, I would have been disappointed. I don’t know the exact times, but it was around 8pm that they started shutting down events. No more beer, no more brats. Here’s a clue, if you want to set a record, stay open later. It was at the Alliant Energy Center grounds, which has virtually no residential neighbors, so late night activities are not a nuisance to residents.
I’d have to say that Brat Fest is pretty lame. First they serve vegetarian brats, which are not brats. Then they shut down early in the night. Should it be called a Fest if they kick everyone out shortly after sundown? It’s kind of embarrassing that Madison executes a good idea so poorly. Sheboygan is laughing at Madison, as they should be.
And one last thing, come up with a different name for the “Celebrity Cashiers”. The Secretary of Whatever Dept of the state government, magazine editors and city Alders are not a celebrities. Even the Governor is not a celebrity.
It’s hard to believe anything worthwhile ever came out of New Jersey, but it happens. However it is rare.
Bouncing Souls formed in 1987 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. They worked on their sound and didn’t release a full album until 1994. They produced another album two years later and that launched them into punk rock stardom. Epitaph Records took notice and signed them in 1997. It took ten years to get national recognition, but they did it.
They’re pretty much a mainstay of any punk rock mixtape or compilation album. You’ll often hear their songs at competition skate boarding and snowboarding events, such as the X Games. Which is probably why their songs are also featured on video games of those sports. They’ve become a part of that culture.
My favorite Bouncing Souls song is Kate Is Great. It’s found on their self-titled debut album with Epitaph Records.