The Battle That Is Punk Rock

There's a never ending battle over what's punk, whether or not punk is dead, and if punk is dead, who killed it? So, I've been thinking for awhile about expressing my opinions on it. First thing is first, the people who tell you that Blink - 182 is a punk band probably couldn't tell you what building this picture above was taken in. The building is 924 Gilman Street, an all ages punk, and ska club out in the East Bay. Think Blink is punk and didn't know that? Start researching. Now, don't get me wrong, I have an average appreciation for Blink - 182 but they're by no means punk.

Punk has always been something generally undefinable. There's never been a single definition of it that's entirely accurate. So, to attempt to classify something as punk or not punk is saying that you can tell someone that they are or aren't something that you're not even capable of defining. Does this make my above statement hypocritical? Kind of.

Although punk can't be defined in it's entirety there are obvious distinctions that can be made. Clearly no one would tell you that Beyonce was punk. To me, that's just as obvious as not considering Blink - 182 punk. Punk has always in some way shape or form been about being different and rebelling against something, whether it's popular society or something political, etc. Blink - 182 covers the typical angst-y relationship trouble and general teenage - like depression that lots of pop - rock bands cover. Now, when I say pop rock please don't mistake it for pop - punk. Pop - punk is punk rock with a melodic twist that most Hardcore - punk doesn't have.

So, while you can never have a precise definition of what is punk or not there are some things that I feel are just undeniably punk or not punk.

Is punk rock dead? This question goes back to the definition of punk. Can you consider something dead when you can't even define it? This is debatable. On one hand I can see how most people feel. I was never alive in the punk rock era but I have a HUGE respect for it. There's no way we'll never have bands like the Ramones, the Dead Kennedys, the Replacements, Hüsker Dü, the Clash or Operation Ivy ever again (to name a few). But there's the other part of me that hopes that maybe there'll be a band that gets it right again. The only hope is that Gilman Street and CBGB can start pumpin out some good punk again. The scenes are still there, they just need a good kick in the ass.

Here's to hoping Punk rock isn't totally dead.

Peter Facinelli

Oi! I'm officially declaring this a new obsession. My list of obsessions includes Green Day, Muse, Doctor Who, music, Steak and Shake, and Starbucks. Well, it's officially time that I add Peter Facinelli to my list of obsessions. He's the only person in the Twilight movies that has any talent what-so-ever, he plays the marvelous Doctor Cooper on Nurse Jackie, and he was in Arc which is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I'm still checking things out, but it's legit. I'm obsessed with Peter Facinelli! =]

My name is Coop

Do doodilee doop

I'm a Doctor

Cuz I got patients

But I don't have patience...

Doctor Carlisle Cullen

First of all, let me just say that I hate Twilight. I hate the number of Muse "fans" it's attracted, simply because these people are not fans. They know 3 songs...as many of their songs are in the Twilight movies. I would like to add that the ONLY person that is attractive in these movies is Carlisle, played by Peter Facinelli. EDWARD IS NOT ATTRACTIVE. So, the only reason I have to go to these movies now is Doctor Cullen. Without him these movies would seriously be completely worthless. Cast more people like Peter Facinelli and maybe the movie would be slightly more tolerable.

Random Musings...

So the beginning of this summer has had it's ups and downs. I've yet to post anything that's a complete ramble so I figured I'd give it a go now. Last Friday was a half day...which I spent the last half of completely consumed in Green Day Rockband. Which, I will have you now, is insanely addictive. At one point I'm very proud to say that I was sixth in the world for Warning on the leader boards. I'm sure people have beat me now, but it was a glorious triumph while it lasted. The weekend passed by like any other, doing hardly anything because my family thinks it's fun to sit at home and do ABSOLUTELY nothing...ever. My one escape however was my best friend's graduation/birthday party. The evening included quite the game of truth or dare, and a massive FAKE sexual assault out in the parking lot. That was fun... did I mention I was the victim? In all seriousness though it was the highlight of my weekend. Things were going okay until yesterday. I hit a wall, a wall I'm willing to guess was many miles thick. Upon hitting this wall I found myself crying and very sick to my stomach. Someone I care very deeply for is quite possibly in a horrible predicament and I can't stand the thought of it. I do have someone to thank though for helping through it. It's still a process but I'm getting there, and staying hopeful. Here's to hoping the rest of the summer improves and that this was all just some awful rumor.

FIFA World Cup

GOALKEEPERS:

Hart, James, Green

DEFENDERS:

Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole, Upson, G. Johnson, Carragher, Warnock, King, Dawson

MIDFIELDERS:

Barry, Gerrard, Carrick, Wright-Phillips, Lampard, J. Cole, Milner, Lennon

FORWARDS:

Rooney, Defoe, Crouch, Heskey

England Is definitely gonna woop every on in the World Cup...just saying.

Graduation

Yes, it's that lovely time of year. Today our school held it's graduation ceremony. I watched my best friend walk to get her diploma, decked out in her cap and gown. Emotions struck me more than I would've imagined. I figured with this summer, and the hopes that I would be able to see her throughout her college life I thought I could handle her leaving high school. Instead I fought back tears at graduation, and I'm ashamed to say that it's because I don't like other people to see me cry. I truly hope that she knows how much I care about her, and how much I'm going to miss her. Even as I type this up tears are welling in my eyes. Kylie, you've been there with me through a lot. You know things about me I wouldn't dream about telling anyone else and I'm proud to call you my best friend. This post is scattered but it's not an english essay so who cares, you get the point.

I wish you the best of luck at college. I know you'll be successful, there's no doubt in my mind of that. You have your beliefs and I know you'll stick to them. If you change as a person I know that it'll only be for the better. Promise me one thing, promise me that your graduation party won't be the last time I see you. Even if the only way we talk is through Skype or Facebook, you have to promise me you won't forget me. You've changed my life for the better, and you've helped me with all of my insecurities. As I started saying back in sixth grade,

I love you in a non-sexual way.

New Doctor Who

Oh Dear Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, you made Doctor Who so ridiculously fantastic. Christopher Eccleston did a good job bringing the series back as the Ninth Doctor, but you were truly fantastic. I honestly tried to continue the series after you left but I can't do it. Matt Smith is said to be good by some people. I personally feel that he goes a little over the top... Now, that being said, who could fill David's shoes? David Tennant was the perfect balance of humor, wit, charm, and emotion for the doctor, not over the top in a single bit of it. I can't even begin to express how much I miss the Tenth Doctor....grrrrr, so this is my half venting post...I'll probably end up editing it later and adding much more complaining but I've got a nasty english paper to write...

Foxboro Hot Tubs - Don Hill's NYC

The Foxboro Hot Tubs played an insane show at Don Hill's NYC. I wasn't fortunate enough to attend this show, but for those who were, I think it topped any other Tubbies show.

Billie (or should I say The Reverend) was totally wasted. Here's a nice moment:

That took place during a cover of Supermodel Robots by the Network.

Of course the most exciting moment of the evening was the new song entitled "It's Fuck Time" that was played about 8 times in the same show. Have a listen:

Song of the Day

Song: When It's Time

Artist: Green Day

Album: American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording

This song is an unreleased song from American Idiot. For whatever reason the band has decided to release it as a part of the Musical Cast's Recording of the album and I couldn't be happier. The song is gorgeous and ridiculously sweet. you can give it a listen before the album comes out April 20th on MTV the Leak.

Lyrics:

Words get trapped in my mind

Sorry I don't take the time to feel the way I do

'Cause the first day you came into my life

My time ticks around you

But then I need your voice

As a key to unlock all the love that's trapped in me

So tell me when it's time to say I love you

All I want is you to understand

That when I take your hand, it's 'cause I want to

We are all born in a world of doubt

But there's no doubt

I figured out...

I love you

And I've been lonely for

All the losers that were meant to take the time to say

What was really on their mind, instead

They just hide away

Yet they'll never have

Someone like you to guide them and help along the way

Or tell them when it's time to say I love you

So tell me when it's time to say I love you.

They're Not Just A Band To Me

I get this question all the time, "Why do you love Green Day so much? They're just a band." Well, here's an answer to your question.

I've never been a confident person. The farthest thing from it actually. I heard Green Day for the first time when I was in fifth grade. My fifth grade teacher played the guitar and every Friday we'd stop class and sing songs while he played. The lyrics to every song were put up on the overhead and we sang through them. There was a coffee cup with popsicle sticks in it, each one of us had one with our name on it, and every time your stick was drawn you could pick from the songs he had. I remember every single time my stick was drawn I picked "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." The one thing that I will always regret seeing to this day was the name of the artist in the upper right hand corner of the sheet: Green Day.

By the time I hit sixth grade, I knew that Green Day was the band who sang Good Riddance, and I was more than intrigued to hear the rest of their music. So I did, and I fell in love with every single song I heard. I can honestly say, without hesitation that Green Day's music has made me who I am today.

With a lack of confidence and excess of self consciousness, I'm unhappy with myself the majority of the time. It's easy to appear happy and cheerful all the time but all the while secretly hating yourself. If there is one thing that Green Day has taught me, first and foremost, its that no one else's opinion of you matters. The only opinion of you that matters is your own. If you're at ease with who you are then nothing else matters, and you're guaranteed a happier life.

I'm no longer shy about my opinions. If I have an opinion I'll voice it. I stand up for things that are important to me instead of hiding behind false opinions. If I disagree with something I'm more than happy to say something about it and I don't care what anyone else things about it.

I know a lot about Green Day. I know where they came from, what life was like for them growing up, and what they went through to get to where they are now. They've given me an appreciation for a genre of music that actually stands for something and makes a difference. That's why going to that concert meant everything in the world. That's why being on stage next to Billie Joe was the most overwhelming and amazing that's ever happened to me.

I wear what I want. I am what I want. I do what I want.

And I love Green Day unconditionally.

The Masters

So, final round of the Masters today. I should be doing homework but I'm watching golf instead. Granted, I typically do watch the Masters, but this time I'm more interested than normal. Although I don't approve of what Tiger Woods did I'm happy to see him back, because regardless, you have to admit that he's fantastic at golf. I still support him but not the way I used to. I have a new favorite golfer, Ian Poulter. Don't get sassy with me, yes he's British and that may be the reason I decided to start cheering for him but I'm getting really pissed right now. He's 5 under and there is a significant lack of coverage going his way. Even when he was in the top 5 there was hardly anything. It's too bad that he's not doing better because I'd love to see him win it. Anyway, I suppose I felt inspired to post this after my dear friend Kaitlin posted a blog about how much she hates golf. So, here's some contrast.

Song of the Day

Song: Spiral Static

Artist: Muse

Album: Showbiz

Who is Muse you ask? The English rock trio of Matthew Bellamy, Dominic Howard, and Chris Wolstenholme. Muse is far from an average band, one who is entirely their own genre, and absolutely fantastic. Check em' out.

http://muse.mu

Lyrics:

Who's ever known

How much to moan and groan

And quiver inside

He needs to give you

Everything you need

Is it enough

You're running out of time

As it grows in your eye

Feel broken inside you feel

Sigh, static moans

A storm growing strong

And it's coming my way

Still she gives you

Everything you need

Is it enough

You're running out of time

As it grows in your eye

You'll feel broken inside

You'll feel

And I'll feel broken inside you

Feel...

Green Day - July 13th 2009

This first post is a personal one. I'm not sure where I want to take this blog so this is simply a post to start it off.

July 13th 2009 was quite honestly the best day of my life, the day I finally got to see Green Day in concert. We left for Chicago, arriving 4 hours before the concert started. The ride there was pretty calm until we saw the Verizon sponsor bus with their picture on the side.

Even though it wasn't their tour bus it was enough to get us going. We made our way over to Will Call to pick up our sweet floor tickets and then continued to the line that had started in front of one of the many gates around the United Center.

We were pumped, to see our heroes for real instead of the pictures and videos that we spent hours and hours looking at before. Time passed quickly and 6:30 arrived, the time that they finally opened the gates and let all of us rush in. We made our way through the crowd and approached the table where we could get our wrist bands for the mosh pit. After we had them we practically ran down into the pit hoping we'd make it to the front. We got there only to find that the first row had been filled, so we stood behind the first row on the right side of the catwalk. With my friend Kylie's help we squeezed into the first row and waited until eight o'clock.

Soon the Bravery walked out on stage, starting the show off and opening up for our boys. They had a pretty good setlist including Unconditional, Believe, and An Honest Mistake so it was entertaining enough, but everyone just wanted to see Green Day. They played for a half hour, some of that including tracks off of their new album Stir the Blood that hadn't been released yet, and left the stage. Their set was cleaned out soon after and we watched as all of Green Day's gear was moved onto the stage. This took a half hour as well and we were kept entertained with music over the sound system. The Clash and the Ramones kept us amused until the drunk bunny stumbled out on stage.

The whole crowd was chanting "Chug! Chug! Chug!" and watched as the bunny tumbled over in front of Tre's drumset. He eventually hopped off stage and the lights dimmed. Soon everyone heard "This is Rock n' Roll Radio, stay tuned for more Rock n' Roll" , the end of "Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio?' by the Ramones, and "Song of the Century" was blaring over the loud speakers, sending everyone into a fit of yelling and screaming. When "Song of the Century" cut out the acoustic guitar intro for "21st Century Breakdown" started. Immediately afterwards, Tre Cool came storming out on stage, hands in the air running around like a mad man, followed by Billie Joe and Mike who grabbed their guitars and went to their spots. Tre started hitting the bass and Billie jumped in the air, strumming the first chord as the song kicked in. Billie always talks about how much he loves to play live and you could see it from the huge grin on his face. During the first song Billie smiled at me and at that point I could've gone home happy...except for missing the rest of the show. "Know Your Enemy" followed and eventually moved on to "East Jesus Nowhere." Billie proceeded to ask us, "Who wants to be saved!?!" and continued with his mock sermon until Jason White started the guitar intro, "Amen..." he waited for us to respond, "I said Amen!" and we chanted back at him as the riff kicked in. Towards the end of the song he brought up a little kid named Jack who was the lucky one that got "saved" that evening. As Billie sang the last "Yeah" of the song he shoved Jack backwards on the stage and played the final chords.

They played "Holiday" followed by "The Static Age" , in which Mike Dirnt winked at me, "Before the Lobotomy" and soon the familiar drum beats of "Are We The Waiting were drifting through the air. The song went on and Billie came out to the front of the catwalk. Kylie and I both had our hands out hoping that he would simply "brush" them with his own. He touched my hand and then I really could've gone home happy. But then Billie motioned to one of the security guards to pull me out of the pit. I felt myself being pulled up by the beltloops and soon I found myself on stage in front of thousands of people, right next to Billie Joe Armstrong, who happened to also have his arm around me. I swayed back and forth with him while we both sang "Are We The Waiting" until the end of the song when he wrapped a scarf ,thrown onstage by a fan but worn by him, around me...sweat covered and all.

I was helped off stage by another security guard and led around to the entrance of the pit right in front of the stage, but this time instead of by the catwalk it was in front of the right side of the stage. They played "St. Jimmy" which I don't remember all to well because I was still in shock at that point and then "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" which they performed entirely acoustic. "Hitchin' A Ride" followed which was the first track that night that wasn't on "American Idiot" or "21st Century Breakdown" but instead on "Nimrod." The normal antics on Hitchin' A Ride followed and Billie mocked a few people in the audience keeping us even more entertained with his great sense of humor. Billie decided to mess around for a bit playing the intro to "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne followed by intros to "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" by Van Halen and "Master Of Puppets" by Metallica. Billie got us all singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and then they kept the older songs coming with "Brain Stew." In the middle of "Brain Stew" Billie got out a toilet paper gun and shot it at our side of the mosh pit along with a t-shirt gun that shot out free tour t-shirts. They followed "Brain Stew" with its usual companion, "Jaded" during which Billie showed off his gangster moves, spinning around on the floor. After this Mike Dirnt headed out to the front of the catwalk looking at Kylie, pointing at her and making a very laughable facial expression which needless to say, made her night, along with Billie Joe squirting her with the super soaker. They pulled up two fans to sing Longview, the second one was a girl who got the "okay" from Billie to do a stage dive. "That was the worst stage dive I've ever seen..." Billie laughed afterwards. She barely made it into the pit and fell more on the barrier than into the fans waiting to catch her.

The boys played "Basket Case" and "She," both nice older tracks from "Dookie." Billie walked around with his police hat on "...this is the Chicago police..." he waddled around, "The party is officially over!" Everyone booed at him. "No more havin' a good time and makin' sexual noises out in the crowd..." he made his way towards my side of the stage. "No more smokin' any of that damn, fuckin' marijuana..." They played "King For A Day" complete with all the crazy hip swinging from Billie and ridiculous outfits and hats. The most ridiculous of all being Jason Freese who was dressed up as Micheal Jackson. Kylie and I were also two of the lucky people who were right in front of Billie when he mooned everyone.

Jason Freese as Micheal Jackson alongside Officer Armstrong.

Tre stood up when "King For A Day" was over wailing his usual terrible solo which got some of the biggest chears of the night as usual and Billie unbuttoned his shirt, which no one was going to complain about! "Shout" was next along with "21 Guns." As soon as the guitar solo kicked in sparks fell from the ceiling which was amazing!

"American Eulogy" followed and in the second half Mike got to take the lead vocals which was cool to hear live. After that they walked off stage. After enough cheering and "Green Day! Green Day! Green Day!" we convinced them to come back out for an encore consisting of "American Idiot," "Jesus of Suburbia," "Minority," and "Good Riddance." It was the best night of my life, and I'd give anything to re-live it.