Most anticipated album of 2008

"Veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT will release their new album, "The Formation of Damnation", in North America on April 29, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records."

Testament was my favorite band when I really got into metal in high school, and I kind of lost interest in the early 90's but about two years ago I found their 1999 CD "The Gathering" and it instantly became one of my favorite metal albums of all time. I can't believe I missed it when it came out. I had heard "Demonic" a times on tour, but for some reason never picked it up, but when I found out Dave Lombardo had played drums on the Gathering I had to find it, and I have probably listened to it a minimum of twice a week since.
With Eric Petersons riffs, Paul Bostaph playing drums, Alex Skolnick back on lead guitar, and Andy Sneap producing(!!) I have zero doubt this new record will be amazing. Cannot wait until April.

And I guarantee there was to be a To The Lions promo photo this is the look we would go for. Sunglasses?... check, black, head to toe? ... check, barbedwire!... check, smiles? ... there's no smiling in metal.

\m/

TTL Myths!

Ok so something a little concerning happened this morning but first I'll preface with this.
I don't know what the other guys email situation is but over the last month or so it has become clear that a bot has taken my email and now my inbox is flooded with the craziest shit. Please see below:

First off I'd like to say Cliff Baxter you are one crazy mofo.
Second off I'd like to say pretty much I wake up each morning with 80 emails as such. And through the day probably another 100. As a result I empty my inbox with EXTREME PREDJUDICE.
This morning I was about to do that when amoungst those emails was one offering us a show. I was 2 seconds from trashing it. Fuck me.

So basically this really is an apology to anyone that may have written me saying what a great vocalist I am, wondering about possible solo projects, offerings of gifts etc ... oh and I guess if you had any questions about To The Lions.
If you did, get in touch - oh yes and here is the myth debunker -

Although it looks like we won't play shows it's really because we don't believe in whoring ourselves out as door to door salesman for 14 yr old girls. We will play anywhere just get in touch (YES ANYWHERE - EVEN AMERICA - UGH) - and if you did already and I trashed your email which read "xsparkx ..." (because inside it usually says "tired of your small dick? and I'm bummed out for the rest of the day) my sincerest apologies.
Yours Truly,
Sparkmarker

The Mozzer!!!

Oh Manchester...so much to answer for...........

UPDATE! OH YES!

Ok so I’m putting off my personal post about my doppelgangers (oh yes, stick around for that one) to give a long overdue post on the latest happenings on To The Lions.

Well, get ready for this exciting news!!
As you can see from this amazing picture from a recent rehearsal, Brad “The Irish Saint” Casarin is shredding hard during a new tune. After a GRUELING four shows in four months in support of our first full length BAPTISM OF FIRE (get it in stores now! second pressing is out!), we are taking some time off to work on our next record, which you can look for sometimes in early 2010. Some of the ideas we are throwing around is a super creative concept for a “themed record” that we are going to call “To The Lions: A Hairy tale of Niles Butterball, the Frozen Turkey.” It’s going to be crazy shit, all about this turkey named Niles who nonebody wants for thanksgiving so one day he just gets up and says FUCK IT! I BEEZ OUTTIE! I’m not going to say anything more. You’ll have to listen to tracks 2-11 to find out the rest.

More updates to come!

Lost Venues in Southern Ontario - SKETCHY MEAT LOCKER/WAREHOUSE WHERE THERE WAS ONLY EVER ONE SHOW I KNOW OF

Sweet last post there Brad!
Well here we go again. I will promise more blogs and more blogging there will not be! (How's that for english?) I think we have all come to terms that between playing one show a month and watching Top Chef, I just don't have to time to keep up with this shit. So instead of fulfulling (whoa another doozy!) my title of the King of Empty Promises let's just say you'll get the goods when you get them. NOW ONTO THE SHOW!

In this installment we are going back in time to December 31, 1995 - the place - some weird empty warehouse, I think it used to be used as a meat locker, in Kensington Market on Oxford street. If I had to guess where it was today, that row of townhouses would have to be it because I think the building was condemned. Now this show was during the peak of my hardcore nerddom (damn I just can't stop!) which is clear by the fact I had chosen to spend my new years with a bunch of smelly ass crusts and watch the singer of Coleman claw her face off (arrrrghghgh so hot *drool*)

So I've mentioned one of the finer bands from that era of hardcore and to give you a feel of what made us take a train and walk aimlessly in Toronto trying to find this place - and spend $50 on a cab ride home - I'll run down some of acts that graced this fine establishment on that cold December eve. When we walked in New Day Rising was playing a super set and they had just released their double seven inch (oh man! double seven inch!!! from a local band no way!) and after that it was a who's who of Great American Steak Religion/Ebullition recordsesque (4 for 4!) bands. Really all that I remember was Drift, Okara and Union of Uranus - who was super hyped because they had some connection to Chokehold that eludes me at this moment. As well the aforementioned Coleman. Sidenote: if you talk with some people who are from Montreal about these bands the term "Les Bruns" gets thrown around AHAAAAAAA Les Bruns, get it?!?! Grade also kicked it mid afternoon but the reason we were all there was to see the Steel City's own CHOKEHOLD!!! Oh shit this was a big deal. Being a 17yr old straight edger was never so good! Content With Dying was out and that record ruled. I could really go on and on but I'll wrap it up - I guess I could be back home trying to hook up with some wasted jock girl at a jock party but I spent that new year's singing along to Instilled at midnight and I wouldn't have changed a thing. So here's to Oxford street, Les Bruns and Hamilton's finest export other than Rick Campanelli!!!

The eternal 30-something openers

That's us. You need a band of thirty-year old dudes to open your show, you know who to call...

What's Happened??

Once again over a month has gone by and there has been little activity on the TTL blog. Normally I would write and fill you in on the few happenings that have been going on with the group, our shows, what I’ve been eating, etc … HOWEVER, the real reason why nothing has been written is because it has recently come to my attention (aka band meeting) that my blogs are “stupid”. Apparently things like traveling, football and pizza are not important. First off, PIZZA IS IMPORTANT. Second off – I AM IMPORTANT.
If there’s one thing I know about journalism it’s that people love to read stories. If there’s one thing I know about blogging, it’s that people love to read stories with a photo attached, and occastionally an mp3. This is what I do, other than sing in To The Lions and work out 3 days a week. Naturally I am misunderstood and can’t help but feel a bond with other great misunderstood lead vocalists in rock – David Lee Roth, Vince Neil, Kyle Bishop to name a few. But to be perfectly honest I think that my closest tie is not with a lead vocalist but with the number one shredder in metal, the one and only Dave Mustaine. Like Dave, somehow my means of expressing myself have singled me out from the group and left me feeling like I’m on the way out. My only advantage is that I didn’t wake up like Dave, and get put on a bus back to Cali – BUT I did have to pay for my own GO Train ticket back to Toronto! Can you believe it?! As soon as Mustaine got back to the coast he put together the plan to start a band that would kill Metallica – WELL, for the last month I have been scheming and hatching a plan to start a more heavy, supremely hardcore and sickitating group that will kill everything. That is right – get ready for the one and only … MEGASPARK!. MEGASPARK! (yes, exclamation point in the name!!!) has been secretly practicing for the last month and we are getting close. Right now I am the only member of the band but rest assured now that word has gotten out I will get several emails expressing interest in joining. So stay tuned for updates on MEGASPARK! Where I will be keeping you up to date on people I hate walking down the street, famous pets and 4 Corners strategies!
Until the next time!!

MY RUIN

One time when I was in montreal I was at a party talking to a super french dude (like from France) - hardly spoke english, dressed like a beatnik, total "artiste" - no beret though, that would have capped it. This guy starts going off about food or whatever. Starts talking about drinking a glass of olive oil before drinking hard so you don't puke (ok, sure), then how something like drinking beer is like eating 3 sticks of butter (I'm all, get this idiot out of here) BUT THEN he starts going on about Pizza and how heated up cheese has endorphins that go to your brain or something and how it's addictive and pizza addictions and whatnot. I had never heard this before so I was a bit skeptical about such a claim BUT I do love pizza alot so I could possibly understand.

FAST FORWARD TO LAST NIGHT

Last night I'm coming home from practice late and i'm tired and grouchy and I jump off the streetcar at College and think hmmm maybe i'll get a slice. So I walk to Massimos (still tired, still grouchy) take out a five, get a slice and a coke. So I walk out of the place, turn up Leatherface, take my first bite and swear to god - REBORN!!! I'm all "fuuuck leatherface RULES! fuuuuuck tonight RULES! fuuuuuck that girl over there is cute! EVERYTHING RULES! PIZZA RULES!!"
So I get home, and this might have had something to do with smoking weed, but I totally starting thinking about that french guy and his whole theory about pizza and being addicted to it. And i'm just all - holy shit it's true! Like right now I want pizza!!! (right now right now - as I'm typing this right now) Do you think that show Intervention would do an episode on me eating pizza? Can you stage your own intervention? Probably not. Either way nothing could have made me happier last night than a slice and this morning I stole records from my roommate to buy a large pizza for lunch.

PIZZA RULZ!!!

We're digital

I don't know why I'm stoked on this, but I just saw the new CD on iTunes and got super excited. I love my iPod. The link above is for the Canadian iTunes store btw. Americans can get it here. And the rest of you will have to find it on your own, it's too much freakin' work copying all those links.

Matt Jones Stag

Thought I'd post this little video from Matt's Stage "BACK YARD MOSH"

After a day of golfing, 30 burgers, Ice Cream cake and 6 cases of Lakeport - The back yard MOSH broke out! - Check it out!

Matt's getting Married in 2 Weeks - Congrats Matt & Amy!

Back ...

Hello all. It has been a long time since I've blogged. Certainly all of my loyal readers have struggled over the months finding quality sources of wit and humour.
You all might be interested to know that I have been away ...
...
TO EGYPT!!!




...

...

...


ONTARIO!!!

Apparently Egyptian men are so macho they just don't give a fuck and go swimming with their clothes on. I like to think the game of "Chase the Ball into the Lake" was so intense these dudes just went right the hell in. It probably started in the parking lot and the highest level of the game is when, in fact, the ball has been chased into the lake ... with your clothes on.

One day I too will be a famous ball chaser. Into lakes. Fully Clothed.

ITS THE BIG DAY

Its the "cd release in stores" day.

No sleep til Sunday.

Its the "cd release in stores" day.

With my pack of smokes and my case of beer.













Please support Goodfellow and buy this record in stores today!!!!!

THE BIG NIGHT!!!

WHOOOOOAA
yes tonight was the night. CD release party!! OH WHAT A PARTY. Damn!
First I gotta say holy shit it was The Kill Decibel's last show. I got a free shirt and 3 7"s. They are sweet dudes and we are stoked (stoked, great word) that we played alot of shows with them.
Second check out the sweet rip in my groin. Obviously I was taking no prisoners tonight and tore the shit out of my jeans. I also took off my shirt. ONE WORD - BREATHTAKING. Actually right now I'm thinking of that loser in Creed fuck I hope I didn't come across like that douchebag. Either way all the chicks loved it. TWO WORDS - BURNING LOINS. Now take a look above the group shot. That is one sweet banner.

That shit took me 11 hours to make. Notice the lions with the party hats. THAT'S HOW WE DO IT!! WHAT?!
Another interesting note of the evening was the moshing competition where we gave away a badass 30" trophy. It was a tough compettion but in the end youth prevailed and Marc Milewski took it home and what can I say the dude is a Dirtball, a Regulator and a serious Quebecer (sorta) at heart. Both those girls on the right are telling me to wrap this up so I gotta go! Thanks everyone for coming out it was a good time, looking forward to playing more yadayeada fuck it's late.

CD Release Party

To celebrate our first CD our good friend Chris Slorach has put together an awesome show on Friday June 15, at Sneaky Dee's in Toronto. We'll have CDs for sale at the show a few days before the street release date and at least one new shirt design, free stuff, prizes and tons of booze. The always awesome Kill Decibel are playing, and a couple of new bands - Crimson Mire and No Orphans - so come on down and hang out!

REVIEW MIRROR.............

ok so my titles to these blogs are gonna get lamer and lamer just warning! oh and i'll cut and paste them from now on and link up to the websites as these sites deserve your attention!

heres a very thorough review from http: www.siczine.com
also props to Jeff for dishing it up!

SicZine
Jeff Karbow
1221 Devereaux Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19111


To The Lions
Baptism of Fire
Goodfellow Records

I can't believe it! A band that actually deserved to get picked up by a nice sized label did! The world must be nearing an end or something. When I heard these guys would be releasing an album on Goodfellow I was flipping. But enough of that gay, mushy stuff. If you've read my review for the band's demo that came out in 2005 you'll already know that this is going to be a glowing review that'll make me sound like a little school girl gushing.

Anyhow, for those suckers out there that haven't been properly introduced, please let me do so. These guys are a five-piece out of Burlington, Ontario and feature former members of Grade, Confine, and SeventyEightDays. And no, it does not sound like Grade. The press sheet says these guys are reminiscent of Unbroken, Chokehold and Undertow which for the most part is true. You have the lyrics against religion similar to Chokehold, the mix of metal/hardcore like Unbroken. But the main influences in my opinion are derived from the Cleveland scene and its crop of metallic hardcore bands and let me know forget the Holy Terror banner that the mighty Integrity waved.

For the people who missed the boat on the demo the band has put the best tracks from it on this album (which is pretty much all of them!). The album opens up with my favorite track by the band thus far, "Ride The Apocalypse", which I would call the title track of the album considering the album title was taken from the lyrics of the song. You also have the thunderous track "Amnesia" that was also taken from the demo. The second to last song "From Fear and Hate Sets Free" (my second favorite song) is also from the demo. The aptly titled closer, "Final Chapter" was originally called "Chokehold" on the demo but considering it is the final track it was a nice touch to change the title. All of the aforementioned songs are virtually the same as they were on the demo with just slight changes like the delivery of vocals in spots and a little more feeling in the harmonics, octaves, etc,.

Now on to the new beauties. I would say the band/label made a good decision using the song "Nightmare Begins" as the first single because it is the best track off the album that wasn't on the demo. "Nine Calibres"(ers) [I think the label botched on the song title] is a damn good song with a monster breakdown and a nice chorus that reminds me of oddly enough of the Foo Fighters single (the name escapes me and I'm not even going to bother to search) just the part where it goes "You're there, you're there". "Ten/Fifteen" is my second favorite track of the new bunch. The solo used during the chorus is top notch and I would love to hear more of that from these guys. The chorus has an awesome melody that just crawled right under my skin and gave me the goose bumps. "The Forsaken" is no slouch either and utilizes some sweet picking patterns and a sweet lead/solo. "Armour of God" features yet another sweet and well used solo that caps off yet another bludgeoning track.

The songs are fairly consistent in terms of length. The songs tend to stay around the 2:45-3:20 area which is a pretty damn ideal length for this type of metallic hardcore. It gives you plenty of time to get into the songs but without the chance of getting bored.

Don't know where this was recorded or anything like that but I doubt it was recorded at the Lion's Den (band's practice spot) because everything sounds heavier and thicker. Probably the biggest difference in recording from the demo is the much better placement of the vocals. It allows for both the vocals and instruments to be at the top of their game. The guitars are absolutely crushing. The bass has good tone and really adds solid low end to the mix. Very good snare and kick tone and good volume overall for the drums.

I said I was done writing up albums that are sent to me in the super-gay cardboard sleeves but this is one of the FEW bands I would make that exception for. Because I don't have access to the total package just yet I can only comment on the front cover (which you can see for yourself anyway). But if the rest of the layout utilizes the
same color scheme as the front cover and some nice imagery within the booklet I'm sure it would be a treat for the eyes. And considering most CD's put out by Goodfellow always have good visuals I wouldn't expect any different this time around.

Rating: 5/5

Songs Worthy of Replay: Ride The Apocalypse. From Fear and Hate Sets Free and Nightmare Begins

Synopsis: This is due to drop June 19th, so get your mother fucking asses out to your nearest ma and pa store and pick this up or if you're one of those not fortunate enough to have good record stores in your vicinity, bust out with your credit card and order this mother fucker. You won't be disappointed. Judging solely by the music,
recording, and the lyrics this album is worth making the purchase.

Album Reviews

Well the album is out to the media and reviews are rolling in so I thought it would be cool to put a post up as we receive them.

check em out:

http://www.pastepunk.com/news.php?nav=rss&rss_id=7826

and:

http://www.howsyouredge.com/reviews/2007_05_01_archive.php#511928999953494451

lots more to come.

Album out JUNE 19!!

FOOTIE FOOTIE FOOTIE

That's right, I said it - FOOTIE - better than "soccer" if you ask me.
It was the weekend of football. Canada's under 20s were making Toronto FC look bad but I had high hopes come saturday and OH MOMMA did they come through!! Having grown up in the Toronto area I've seen every major franchise play, seen the Jays clinch, the raptors first win etc ... but I swear I've never seen a crowd go completely bananas over a single goal. TFC fans put every other team to shame. Do I want to be shushed at a jays game by some dick in front of me who's keeping stats in his program? PASS. Do I want to spend $100 for shit seats and watch the leafs ... well yeah, but do I want to watch the Argos in a half emtpy stadium? NO. Raptors are pretty sweet but still - I've never thrown so much shit onto the pitch or sworn or sang at any of those games, or high fived everyone around me for a regular season game. I was into it before but now i'm sold this team rules and so does the stadium and so do the fans - DICHIO FOR MAYOR!!!

And yes I was drunk for that last post and for the game but i'm 99% sure that had nothing to do with it.

WHOA

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

New post for new post sake

I really don't know what the fuck that last post even means but I figure since we just put up a new main page we should have something to do with the band.

We are very happy with the way the record turned out and how Goodfellow is treating the release! We are playing a Toronto date in May and then planning a string of CD release shows in the greater Ontario area. Dates to be posted soon.


Thrash or die.

what's up with that?

Being blown away by someone you'd probably never listen to, let alone go see live, in a million years.
I think she lives in Austin now so I guess it was actually kinda punk.

Knives Bat Broken Hats

Another update to celebrate the best weekend of 2007 so far which was jam packed with sunshine, shorts, tshirts (no sleeves) and bikes.

I won’t even go nuts breaking it down – Friday night Lifetime (see my top 10 for 2006) was so choice. If you get a chance to see them, I highly recommend it. Note the photo above where my ballcap disappeared into the sea of … pushmoshers? And I was certain it was lost forever – but alas it was found broken, mushed and dirty as fuck. But it stays on my head (except when I’m sleeping or showering).

Other key events – pickup soccer, baseball practice, freedom haters bicycle club meeting, and almost running over 4 people on my bike and spitting on cars.

And to wrap it up I’m now watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Interesting sidenote – did you know Cameron Frye was 30 years old in this movie? TAKE THAT LUKE PERRY!!

Now I’ll post some wise words from the one and only Ed Rooney.

Between Grief and nothing … I’ll take grief.

Whoa. Deep.

Lost Venues in Southern Ontario - THE JCC

Barux Haba!! Welcome to another installment of “Lost Venues” - it’s been over a year, but not to worry there are plenty of defunct venues not just in Toronto but all surrounding areas and I’m rededicated to bringing you, the reader, a little history lesson of Toronto and Southern Ontario hardcore.

In the centre of downtown Toronto, Bloor and Spadina, is the Miles Nadal Community Centre. Prior to the official name change it was simply known as the Jewish Community Centre or the JCC. For a short period of time (roughly two years I think – it seemed a lot longer) the majority of shows in Toronto were held here. Pretty much every touring band that might not have been big enough to draw at a bar played here. Like I said, I’m pretty sure there was only shows here from around 2000 to 2002 and the list of bands is pretty impressive. Saves the Day (LOVE Saves the Day), Fastbreak, The Swarm, Every Time I Die, 100 Demons, A Death for Every Sin, Blood Has Been Shed, No Warning ... and I'm just warming up!!

One of the best highlights of the JCC was during 100 Demons there was some drunk douchebag moshing like a … well, like a drunk douchebag. The song was done but this guy kept flailing around like an idiot and the “pit” was wide open except for Rod Full Contact who was taking a breather in between songs. So this guy stumbles into Rod from behind and I’m not sure if he knew this was the dude who ran into him, but regardless he proceeds to without even checking (you know, shoot first ask questions later) turn around and completely flatten him with a right cross. It was a beautiful sight to behold (because I was so fucking edge) and RIGHT on cue Sean Martin starts shredding “Eye of the Tiger”. You can’t write that shit!!!

So there you go, the JCC, a short lived mainstay in Toronto Hardcore, you can go there now and mosh in the Second Cup.

EDITOR’S SIDENOTE: I could not find a pic of a show here for the life of me, or a flyer. If you have one send it my way and I’ll update the picture.

Afternoon Delight

Drove down to Montreal last weekend to visit my sister who was back from the oil fields in Alberta.
Saturday night highlights included a 3hr karaoke session which can be found on youtube. For all you Arrested Development fans I can now confirm that is in fact extremely creepy and awkward singing "Afternoon Delight" just in the same room as a family member. Despite this, one other hightlight was an increadible discovery when we broke into a David Bowie song (forgot the name) ANYWAYS the star of this particular ditty was none other than ANDY BERMAN!!! Who you might ask is Andy Berman? None other than Kevin Arnold's high school buddy (probably #3 or 4 on the depth chart - Winnie #1, Paul #2, #3 Randy Mitchell/Doug Porter) CHUCK COLEMAN! WOW I was asking myself - how did this guy go from Hollywood A-List to karaoke videos?! I'd like to think the director was his grade school buddy who was looking for his "Big Break" in the film industry and needed a big star to make is video HOT and he did it as a favour.

So as you can see in the video, Andy is trying his best to smooth a shortie in the park, but maaaaaaan - she's having none of it! Ol' Andy will once again be going home alone. I bet this video is the farthest thing from his real life and he really had to pour on some of his finest acting!
So there you go. This is my personal blog now and I will fill it with dumb shit on a weekly basis.

Hardcore Dream Team GOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Well this one was a long time in the making.

We are happy to announce that the vinyl version of the To The Lions debut will be released thru Specimen 32 Records.

We met Tim Drew a few years ago in good ol London Ontario and have stayed in contact with him ever since. Tim is the kind of guy who believes in Hardcore with a passion. Someone who is willing to lose it all for the sake of the music and someone who respects it like no other.

We can be no happier then to have Goodfellow Records release the CD and Specimen 32 release the vinyl.

We will have solid release dates for June 07 as well as cover art and track listing very soon.

This is a very exciting time for us old men.

We still get stoked to no end over this stuff.

Renewed faith

So over the last few months my faith in the hardcore scene had been wavering a little under the pressure of the myspace millions (minions?) and seeing and hearing all the bullshit that they bring to shows these days. I go through this every once in a while, it lasted for three years once. But all it usually takes is one little reminder of why I love this music so much and I am back into it 100%. This past week I had three little reminders, and this could be pretty long, so go get a drink now.

First was hanging out with Chris Logan last Friday. One of the first things I thought when starting this band was, it would be cool to just get out and play a bunch of shows again, and then maybe record something. The first and only label I ever thought about putting it out was Goodfellow records. I've been friends with Chris since the mid/early 90's when Chokehold were the only band that mattered, and we played together in a band called 78 Days for a couple of years (and believe it or not we were signed to Trustkill Records, but good luck finding that record in their catalog). We've been talking about doing this To The Lions record for almost a year now, and it's taken us a while to get our shit together, but we sent Chris an unmixed track last week, and he instantly replied that he was "moshing right now" in his office. So now that we've convinced Chris we're actually going to finish the record, it will be officially be coming out in June 2007, exact date TBA. But the thing that really inspired was when he said "I'd probably be doing a lot better with the label if I put out shit I didn't like", but through almost 50 releases he hasn't done that, though I'm sure he gets hundreds of mascara smeared demos a month, and I'm honoured to be on that list of bands he does like. And he's older than me, and don't forget it ;)

The other things both happened at the show we played this wednesday in Burlington with Another Breath, Lions, The Kill Decibel and Eating Glass.

I can't say enough good about Another Breath. They were probably the best live band I've seen in the last couple of years, and just great all around guys. There ARE still cool, intelligent people in the scene, who don't only care about myspace, and "siq" mosh (speaking of sick mosh, apparently some young lady did actually barf on herself and get thrown out, but I must have missed it). And as always Steve and The Kill Decibel were rad, and still the best band in the area. And after a little misunderstanding being cleared up, Eating Glass are alright after all ;). They played a great first show and I look forward to seeing them again. Thanks Jose.

The last thing could have made me feel really old, but it actually did the opposite. Talking to a kid at the show about it being March Break for highschool kids, I said something like "yeah I remember highschool... that was about 16 years ago" and apparently he was only 15 as he proceeded to freak the fuck out. But that's right, hardcore has been my life for the last 19 years.

And buy this record, it's so damn good.

An ode to Joe Davis

We played a sweet show at the Formac with Lions, Another Breath, The Kill Decibel and Eating Glass. Quote of the night as we were setting up and I was in the bathroom washing my hands:
*kid runs into washroom*
Kid - "Daryl! Daryl! Oh man you have to see this!! You gotta see these guys - THEY'RE LIKE THIRTY YEARS OLD!!!! HAHAHA"

GOODFELLOWS

Ok so I’ve been told I have a lot of making up to do for that last post, which, seriously, I SAW HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. Anyways, trying to keep this blog bloggin’ the other day Matt Jones and myself met up with our buddy Chris Logan for some delicious Lebanese food. But there was more than falafels on the menu (Oooooooooooo-zing! Slam-dunk! Seven points!), we were meeting up to discuss our upcoming full length which we are super stoked to say officially is going to be on Goodfellow Records. We’ve been lucky to either have seen Chokehold, played in bands with Chris or just hang out with an all around awesome dude. This guy knows what’s up and I will once again reiterate (using the word stoked) how stoked we all are to be putting this record out with someone who pretty much has the same view on hardcore as we do – you know, myspace friends, black t-shirts, promo shots, magazine profiles – all things punk and hardcore!
This shit be droppin’ June 07 so look for it at all major retailers!

Best Buy

Random thoughts. The Best Buy at Yonge and Dundas - it might be a good idea that when you walk out after you paid that the big glass window to the right of the first set of sliding doors should maybe have a large masking taped "X" because sometimes people might think you can walk back into the mall and smash into it and everybody laughs at you and you run out onto Dundas Street crying and you see a girl you kinda like and now she thinks you're a total baby and you try to explain how the weather is fucking with your sinuses and she just laughs at you and calls you a dufus and then you end up thinking to yourself fuck can it get any worse and a car drives by and splashes a giant puddle/slush pile all over your pants.

Comeback Kid - CD release show

We're totally excited to be playing the Comeback Kid CD release show on March 8. I've heard the new record and it's pretty damn good, and the lineup for the show is amazing, so come early.

Newmarket this saturday

I don't think I've ever even been to Newmarket, maybe drove close to it on the way to the cottage or something, but we're playing there. This Saturday, February 3, 2007 we'll be at the Spotlight Theatre in beautiful (I'm assuming) downtown Newmarket. Spark assures me it's going to be huge...

Recording update and Brads Top 10 of 2006

OK I know we all aren't as "quirky" and "creative" as Senior Montoya Sparklebons (he lives in Toronto) so I am going to give you the straight goods as to whats been happening since we entered the studio on Oct. 28, 2006.

We have enlisted the pro-tool master talents of Charles Moniz to engineer and co-produce the record. Charles is a long time friend and band mate and now of course the Bass player of Avril Lavigne which is pretty gay for a hardcore band but pretty cool otherwise! We have been holed up in Charles studio for the last 3 months and are nearing the end.

This is a slightly different process then we are used to as we've always had the luxury of taking a month off to do this full time. However now in the world of "reality" we all now work, so its been a logistical nightmare fitting in the sessions between work, wives and home improvements. We however have not let the grips of mundane life interfere with the surgical precision being implemented on this project.

When we set out to lay down the last 2 and a half years of being a band down to just 10 songs on a 30 minute disc we all agreed that this would be our most critically judged disc (by ourselves)and decided that we would make it as perfect as possible. What does this mean? Well it means being put under the microscope by the extremely sensitive ears of Charles Moniz (sometimes taking 3 days to finish 1 guitar rhythm track). However more importantly to you, it means audio perfection as well as more mosh for your buck! In all seriousness its the most work we have all put into a record and we hope all the hard work shows.

We just finished guitar tracking and now are in the starting stages of vocals. Album should drop by June 07 and although we've gone back and forth I still cannot release the name of the fine label(s) putting this out just yet, but all details will be revealed soon including a future masterpiece of a cover by Matt Jones that blew me away in just the baby stages of work. Its gonna be good trust me.

Anyhow we will have video of the sessions and some candid pics soon enuff for you all!

In closing I will present my "better late then never" top 10 of 2006.

10)Hot dogs
9)Killswitch live - Elements Kitchener
8)Children of Bodom: Chaos Ridden Years DVD
7)My Ipod
6)Martin Brodeur - still the best!
5)Killswith Engage - As Daylight Dies
4)Birth of my nephew Keegan
3)Soldano Avenger
2)Esp Viper Standard
1)Hot dogs

Brad "The Spazman" Casarin

THE BIG UPDATE

Fuck updates!
I'm sick of being all "blablalbla we're recording blablalbla" fuck what boring shit.
I know you all want to hear about what I'M DOING. Well let me tell you cuz this blog needs some intersting shit in it. Peep this. I've been working hard the last 5 years on my zine that is gonna blow your mind. It was called Carry On Pickpocket but I think i'm changing it to Ghetto Ditch Pig. Shit just has more punch!

So I'm gonna post a rough story I've been working on for the zine about this dude I keep seeing on the subway that has the biggest head i've seen. I just saw him yesterday and we made eye contact and I started laughing because I had just finished writing this and thought I'd probably never see him again. It's not cool to look at someone and start laughing (but still funny none the less) but fuck man I couldn't help myself! BLAMO! There he was, in all his glory! BIG HEAD WITH A BIG COMBOVER. God damn. Ok without further adieu - Enjooooy!

So today I saw him again. The guy. The guy that easily has the biggest head I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes. Hell, maybe even the biggest head I’ve seen with my own two eyes, on tv and in a book. I even sometimes doubt it when I look away, then think, “fuck dude, you better look again just to make sure” and dammit, sure enough, it is one massive head. I call him The Brain. This dude must be so fucking smart. Like reads three books at once, works on algarythms and thinks chess is for pussies. Then I’m starting to wonder if because his brain is so big maybe he’s psychic. And everytime I wonder if someone can read my mind I start thinking about boners. Jesus Christ. Which is total bullshit because I’m not a homo, I’m all about tits, swear to god. If this guy was so smart though, would he be wearing Velcro shoes? Maybe he’s not so smart, maybe I shouldn’t call him The Brain. But maybe HE IS SO SMART – Velcro shoes? HELLO ultimate time saver because he doesn’t have time to waste on stupid fucking shoe laces!

Spark's TOP TEN 2006

Well, I guess this should have been done yesterday, but better late than never!
It's 6pm and I'm finally seeing straight and still trying to remember how the fuck I got home last night. Thanks to Keri and Michelle for taking such good care of me and making a wonderful breakfast.
ANYWAYS - ON TO THE LIST!!!
2006 was a fantastic year of the lord and I'm going to take this opportunity to share some of my TEN PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS of the year. Drumroll! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Sparkie Clarkie's Top Ten for 2006 are ...
#10 - The Book Club for Men
#9 - Explosions
#8 - Beer
#7 - 3 Days of John Joseph - American HC at filmfest, spoken word, then FVK
#6 - Gorilla Buiscuits Reunion
#5 - Front row for Slayer
#4 - Lifetime live and 7"
#3 - Freedom Haters Bicycle Club
#2 - Seeing the Cuban National Baseball team play in Havana
and the #1 person, place, thing of 2006
MASSIMO'S PIZZA FUCK I"M SUCH A PIG