two

This is a collection of the random interesting things I find on the net compiled into one post on a weekly basis. You'll probably have to click on the pictures to see them whole because the frame is a little small. Enjoy.

 

What's most amazing about this is that this guy had absolutely nothing poignant to say, he just fucking did it because he felt like it. Dude's my hero, even if it is ultra creepy.



I found this absolutely fascinating. What else can be considered exciting for this guy now? I mean, he fucking skydives from space... backwards.



Doggy lives without a body. Enough said.



A bunch of hardcore kids in Atlanta letting loose and having fun without taking themselves too seriously. It's a breath of fresh air and really cheers me up when I'm bummed out.

 

I love this.

....and just because.

Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis occurs when the brain awakes from an REM (Rapid eye movement) state of sleep, but the body paralysis persists. This leaves the person fully conscious but unable to move. The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes "after which the individual may experience panic symptoms and the realization that the distorted perceptions were false".

My ass they're fucking false.

The original definition of sleep paralysis was coined by Dr. Johnson in his A Dictionary of The English Language as "nightmare," a term that evolved into what we know today. Sleep paralysis was widely considered to be the work of demons and more specifically Incubi, which were thought to sit on the chests of sleepers.

like this little fucker here.

I had only heard instances about this online and thought that only those with disorders experienced it. I was wrong. The first time that I experienced this was last year when I was sleeping upstairs at my sister's house. I was in my room and something woke me up. Or so I thought. My room was a little darker than usual and I had a very intense heaviness over me. I couldn't speak and I could barely move. When I did, my limbs felt as if they weighed a few hundred pounds. Something was on my chest and holding me down.

I panicked like any other person would and fought my hardest to get out of the room and get some help. I rolled onto my side and got my left arm over my bed as I then fell onto the floor. I crawled heavily towards the door, lifted up my arm as heavy as it was and reached for the doorknob.

I woke up on my bed again knowing that I just had a weird but very vivid dream. It felt like I was actually awake. I tried to sit up to get some water but my body again was even heavier than before. I opened my mouth to yell for my sister but nothing but a little squeak or two would come out. By now I figured out what was going on and that I was still asleep but fully aware and conscious. I fight it off again to crawl heavily with every ounce of strength towards the door. I actually touch the doorknob this time.

I quickly wake up on my bed again scared to shit. I go to move but I still feel like something's holding me down. I panic and quickly fight it off. This time I am able to crawl. I go to yell out my sister's name but only a whisper comes out. I get the door open but as soon as I get my head out into the hallway, I awake to find myself on my bed again.

I'm still fully aware about what's going on and it feels like this just might go on for the rest of my life. I'm feeling a little frustrated at this point. Same heaviness, same force holding me down. Same fight, but this time I felt even heavier than all the other times. It took every ounce of strength I had to crawl towards my door. I got it open, crawled a little out, made it to my feet and walked towards my sister's room down the hall to tell her what's going on.

I wake up on my bed again but this time I sit up straight, shaking in relief that it's not another dream. I get up and freely walk to my sister's room where I'm scared and looking to talk about what just happened. As I get to her door, everything goes black. The next morning I ask my sister if I went to her room last night. She says no and laughs. I went to her bedroom twice that night.

Thing is, I also remember sitting up straight again in relief and lying back down to actually fall asleep.

The second time I experienced sleep paralysis was this summer when I was sleeping in my sister's basement. I had got done watching TV and was tired and ready to sleep. As soon as I lied down on my bed, I felt a little heaviness in the middle of my chest. A similar feeling to the nightmare I had a few months before. I knew exactly what this was and what was about to happen once I fell asleep. I lied on my side and awaited the inevitable.

It felt like someone was beside my bed when I woke up this time. It was as if they were urging me to wake up. I did so to find myself on my side staring at the wall. I sleep under a window so there's usually enough light inside the basement to see where I'm going. Well, this time it was pitch black but I could feel where I was. On my bed.

This thing was on my chest. Even in the pitch black I could still make out a figure. This thing was blacker than black. The moment I "Opened my eyes" I was fully aware about what was going on and what was about to happen. I reached out and started shoving this thing away from me. I physically felt nothing with my hands but I knew that it was working. I got up from my bed with a slight heaviness.

I get about six feet away from my bed in the darkness but this thing just wouldn't let go. I wrestled with it on the floor for a bit before it got the best of me and threw me back on the bed. I wasn't fighting a being, I was fighting a force. It was a black figure with no physical attributes but something like a heavy black gravitational force. By now this thing is on top of me with all it's weight and it's got me by the neck and pointing a finger directly into my face, somehow upset that I was able to fight it.

I start kicking my left leg and that was what saved me. I shot straight up from my bed and got upstairs as quickly as I could. I was legitimately scared. I didn't know if I was more scared of the figure or of the fact that I could not possibly logically explain this thing. It's something that I will never forget.

Apparently sleep paralysis is linked to narcolespy, cataplexy (daytime tiredness fatigue), and hypnagogic hallucinations. Sometimes a symptom of a migraine, it's something that is not definitely scientifically explained. I don't know what it could be, especially when I knew it was coming. It's really frequent in those of African and Nigerian descent. It is believed that every person will go through it once or twice in their lives. I'm only twenty and I've gone through it twice in the same year. I have a feeling that it will continue throughout my life.

If you experience this, know that it is completely physically harmless and be also aware that you are still dreaming once you feel heavy. My trick is that I kick my leg as hard as I can until I actually do wake up. Try it, it might save your life mentally. It's going to happen and when it does, be ready.

One

This is a collection of the random interesting things I find on the net compiled into one post on a weekly basis. You'll probably have to click on the pictures to see them whole because the frame is a little small. Enjoy.

The Amen Break, the most influential drum beat of pop culture.



Snooki, famous for starring in an MTV reality show called "Jersey Shore", where she gets punched by a fellow bar patron named Brad Ferro after a confrontation for stealing her drink in one of the first episodes, is the center of an onslaught of negative comments,  images and inside jokes. Stereokiller/PAHardcore in all it's trolling glory had taken a random spam front on this girl's Facebook fan page where I had the opportunity to partake in some of the hilarity. Here's my contribution.



Ah, I love you nature.



Probably the best point a four panel comic can ever make.

Alesana Interview

SUBSTREAM INTERVIEW
1. Because the guitar and vocal duties are shared between three members, how does it affect the songwriting process?

The main vocal duties are shared by Dennis and myself, that has always been the primary vocal dynamic of our band. Jake and Shane offer options as far as harmonies and additional screams are concerned, specially in a live setting. They allow us the ability to pull of vocal overlaps, harmonies, and layered screaming. As far as songwriting goes, Patrick and I are the primary songwriters. We build the skeletons, take the songs through several drafts and then bring them to the group for additional instrumentation. I am excited to say that Jake co-wrote two of the songs on The Emptiness. Patrick and I then write the vocal melodies and scream patterns followed by Dennis and I writing the lyrics cooperatively. I must say that our writing style is part of the reasons I love playing in Alesana.

2. How are you guys handling the pressure of doing headline tours like the one you just did with From First To Last?

I don't ever look at touring as involving any pressure. All you can do is write your songs, build your records, and put them out there for people to hear. The reward is seeing the people at shows who are there to support the music. We always put every ounce of ourselves into our live show whether there are five people or five thousand people. If we get caught up in the pressure of headlining then we will lose focus on the reasons we play music and play shows.

3. You guys just finished recording and the new album is set out to be released in January. What was this process like compared to your other albums? The production?

This was by far the most rewarding record-making process of our career. We were extremely focused and had been building this story for over a year. It was always our dream to turn a record into a story, much like a movie or play. The songs are built to stand alone and also to play as pieces of the entire story. Each song is accompanied by a piece of sketch art representing the vision of our main character, The Artist, and the events he is seeing and experiencing. The record is accompanied by a short story written and edited by myself and co-written by Dennis and each song is a musical accompaniment to the eleven chapters of the story. We used two guest vocalists (my sister, Melissa Milke, who has sang on our previous records, and Adam Fisher of Fear Before The March of Flames) and also showcased a live string quartet featuring members of a local symphony in Portland, Oregon. Our entire heart and soul is on this record and we can not wait to share our adventure with our fans.

4. You have special guest vocals from Fear Before and even Shawn's sister. What's it like having a sibling involved in the creative process of your work?

It is very rewarding and exciting for me. I have been singing with my sister since we were little kids. She has always been a great performer of dance and honestly, she was the ham when we were growing up. I was always the shy one. She has supported me through every phase of my music, including back in the day when my songs were basically very sad attempts at Dave Matthews. I am very proud to say that her and I, along with our friend and Alesana bass player Shane Crump, have started a project called Tempting Paris. There should be some music online in the coming weeks and we would love if you would check it out.

5. You revealed that you guys were going to do Spanish versions of two songs off your new album. Which two songs are you going to use for your Spanish release?

We have actually decided to do only one song in Spanish and it will be "To Be Scared By An Owl." The ultimate reason for choosing this song is that our translator said this was the best choice for maintaining the integrity of the melody hooks and also for establishing the closest translation in terms of accuracy to the English lyrics.

6. What made you choose those songs?

(see above)

7. Who did the cover art for your new album?

An artist by the name of Patrick Perry. He is an amazing genius and we are blessed to have found him. He completely understood our vision and really helped bring our words to life through his sketches.

8. Shortly after releasing your new album, you have an upcoming US and European tour in the spring with A Skylit Drive. How did the tour come together?

We knew we wanted to do a full US and European headline tour in support of The Emptiness and having toured with them a good bit in the past, it seemed like the right fit. They are friends of ours and we are looking forward to traveling the world with them.

9. Boxers or briefs?

Boxer briefs, best of both worlds.

The Trademark Interview

SUBSTREAM MAGAZINE INTERVIEW

Describe your band in one sentence.

Riley- The Trademark to me is a like tidal wave, if you are in it's vicinity it will encompass, engulf, and overpower you... The Trademark will make you wet.

Drew- The Trademark is an in-your-face rock n' roll band, and that's pretty much all there is to know!

Natty- The Trademark is like eating a piece of chocolate cake while the ants in my pants make me dance to the rockingest party ever.

Mat- Ready to rule the world!

Now describe it however you want.

Riley- This band has so much drive and so much passion behind everything we do that it tends to suck you in. This band is everything to us. The Trademark in itself has become like my alter ego, when I talk about The Trademark it feels like I am talking about a part of myself and i think the other guys and our wives would agree, haha....

Drew- It's hard to describe your own band, because you don't want to sell yourself short. On the other hand, you don't want to talk a big game and not deliver. When people ask me this question, I just tell them that we are a kick ass rock band, and then let them categorize us how they feel. It really doesn't matter what "we" feel anyway. Kids are gonna make their own assumptions and evaluations regardless. I find it's best to be broad in your description, and then blow them away with a crazy bass solo! Eh?

Natty- Typically when someone asks me this I ask them to tell me what they think so I don't set up some kind of preconception in their head that's hard to overcome. Kids these days!

Mat- Good, solid rock and roll. It's something that everyone can find enjoyable, and get into.

How long have you been doing this?

Riley- I have been into music my whole life, but i decided to make it my life in 6th grade... so I've had lot of practice to perfect it.

Drew- long enough to discover and meet most of the pitfalls and hard times that every independent touring band goes through, but not long enough to have paid all our " dues" I guess! I think the rock Gods need to see a little more blood and sweat before they deem our sacrifice worthy. Riley, my older brother and I have been playing music and writing music since i was in the 6th grade. As for The trademark, we have been under that guise for about 6 years now.

Natty- I think about 6 years now. One long party! And by party I mean playing lots of shows and practicing punctuated by playing video games!

Mat- About a year with the band but, I've been writing songs and loved music my whole life.

Any past projects?

Riley- Though this band has had the same name for like 6 years i cut those 6 years into 4 different bands because of all the changes and improvements we have made to it along the way.

Drew- There were a few bands not worth mentioning before The Trademark. lets just say I went through the typical pop- punk phase, into the angst filled angry stage shortly after. With all of my past projects, they all feel to me like The Trademark. Every band I have been in has been with Riley. With a constant like him in my musical career, it honestly feels like one band the whole time.

Natty- We've done a few self produced EPs and a full length (This Island Earth), but what we are most excited about is a 5 song project we just completed with one of our favorite producers, Jim Wirt. We were stoked to work with such a legend and especially someone who has done some of our favorite albums (Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Letter Kills, Incubus, etc.)!

Mat- Several, but the trademark is all you need to know. These are the jams I love to play.

How many shows have you played so far?

Riley- Feels like a million... but I would say it is probably a few hundred shows which isn't too bad haha.
honestly every show we play feels like a first show, sure we play our instruments a little better but the excitement of playing our songs to new people is always a rush.

Drew- I try and save flyers from every show we play, and I probably have about 400 flyers, which I would guess is a little more than half. The sad part is that I can honestly remember only 10 or so of those shows off the top of my head. They all really blur together into one memory of long drives, and smelly dives.

Natty- Several hundred I would guess at this point. When you have as much fun on stage as we do (even if the crowd doesn't!) it all tends to blur together a bit as a whole quantity.

Mat- I am not sure, a lot though. It's what I live to do.


What's on your guys' playlist?

Riley- a lot of bands... ill get on kicks of only listening to one c.d. over and over but here is a list of my favorites:
acceptance, alkaline trio, as cities burn, the beatles, the bled, brand new,bright eyes,copeland, the cure, cursive, death cab for cutie, the doors, elliot smith, fingers cut megamachine, gatsby's american dream, the international drive, jacks mannequin, john mayer, johnny cash, the killers, oh sleeper, refused, rilo kiley, saves the day, tegan and sarah, terminal, thrice, tokyo police club, underoath, a wilhelm scream

Drew- right now I'm listening to gatsbys American dream, a wilhelm scream, saves the day,copeland, alkaline trio, Regina spektor, I'm also really into the police and tom petty right now. Classics never die!

Natty- I am listening to a lot of The Academy Is, Copeland, Cursive, Brand New, Phoenix, Cut Copy, Thrice, and Underoath.

Mat- Oh sleeper, copeland, thrice, underoath, as cities burn

What are you guys up to creatively?

Riley- writing. I love writing its probably my favorite part of being in this band, though playing shows is pretty fun toooo. I think our shows are pretty in themselves pretty creative...

Drew- as of right now, we are in a writing phase that seems to put out the best song we've ever written, right after writing what we thought was our best song. I really feel like we are hitting our stride and coming up with some of the most rocking, catchy, and melodic stuff we have ever done!

Natty- I do all of the bands visual stuff, so merch, signs, web stuff, so I always have something creative to do. Between that and my job designing skate bags I am covered creatively!

Mat- Writing some amazing new songs. I can't wait to practice every morning I wake up because the songs are so good.

Ultimate goals?

Riley- as long as I can keep writing and playing music I will be more than happy.

Drew- I just want to be able to tour 24/7 and not have to come home to find a crappy job to pay off debt incurred on tour. If I could live in a van all year long with these 3 dudes and not have to ever come home, my life would be complete.

Natty- I'd like to see the band be able to be a full time job with salary and benefits! At the very least, continuing to see rad kids that can rock out with us coming out to shows.

Mat- To not have a nine to five. I want to travel and see the world with the band and, make a living just recording and touring.

Trademark Story

It can take years for a band to find the chemistry they need to succeed. For The Trademark, it has taken them six years of band member rotations to finally find the click they needed to become a full-fledged band. "The Trademark to me is a like tidal wave, if you are in it's vicinity it will encompass, engulf, and overpower you. The Trademark will make you wet" as described by vocalist, Riley. "This band has so much drive and so much passion behind everything we do that it tends to suck you in. This band is everything to us. The Trademark in itself has become like my alter ego."

"I think the rock Gods need to see a little more blood and sweat before they deem our sacrifice worthy" explains Trademark bassist, Drew. How much sacrifice would it take though? "Riley, my older brother and I have been playing music and writing music since I was in the 6th grade. As for The Trademark, we have been under that guise for about 6 years now."

Their hard work seems to be paying off. "We've done a few self produced EP's and a full length (This Island Earth), but what we are most excited about is a five song project we just completed with one of our favorite producers, Jim Wirt. We were stoked to work with such a legend and especially someone who has done some of our favorite albums (Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Letter Kills, Incubus, etc)!" proclaims Natty, The Trademark drummer.

The future seems bright for this young Utah band who play danceable rock and roll that will keep your toes tapping from their first song to their last. Having played several hundred shows together, their chemistry is finally starting to bubble and boil and spill over onto the dance floor of notriety that they deserve. Give them a chance this year and you'll be dancing for the rest of your life.

Alesana Story

It's been a long process, but for the guys in Alesana, it's also been a rewarding one. The sixsome from Raleigh, North Carolina, have a lot to show for their hard work. It's usually a dream of what most musicians would like to achieve. Just getting off a headlining stacked tour with From First To Last, The Word Alive, Asking Alexandria, Memphis May Fire, and announcing their UK Tour and Warped Tour Dates, you'd think they'd be exhausted, right?

"This was by far the most rewarding record-making process of our career. We were extremely focused and had been building this story for over a year. It was always our dream to turn a record into a story, much like a movie or play" says Shawn Milke, the vocalist, guitarist and pianist, of Alesana. "The songs are built to stand alone and also to play as pieces of the entire story. Each song is accompanied by a piece of sketch art representing the vision of our main character, The Artist, and the events he is seeing and experiencing. The record is accompanied by a short story written and edited by myself and co-written by Dennis and each song is a musical accompaniment to the eleven chapters of the story."

Pretty interesting. "The Emptiness" was released January 26th available through Fearless Records. Adam Fisher of Fear Before (The March of Flames) and Melissa Milke appear for guest vocal duties. "It is very rewarding and exciting for me" says Shawn, when talking about working creatively with his sister. "I have been singing with my sister since we were little kids. She has always been a great performer of dance and honestly, she was the ham when we were growing up."

With a large following in Mexico and South America, releasing a Spanish version of "To Be Scared By An Owl" only seemed like the most logical thing to do. "The ultimate reason for choosing this song is that our translator said this was the best choice for maintaining the integrity of the melody hooks and also for establishing the closest translation in terms of accuracy to the English lyrics."

They will undergoing a headlining US and European spring tour in support of "The Emptiness" with A Skylit Drive before playing the Warped Tour this summer. "We knew we wanted to do a full US and European headline tour in support of The Emptiness and having toured with them a good bit in the past, it seemed like the right fit. They are friends of ours and we are looking forward to traveling the world with them."

Boredom provides a stronger inclination to write than anything, so you'd think that they would be bored out of their minds. Fortunately not for Shawn. "I am very proud to say that Melissa and I, along with our friend and Alesana bass player Shane Crump, have started a project called Tempting Paris. There should be some music online in the coming weeks and we would love if you would check it out."

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. Consider Alesana too busy. After years of hard work, this post-hardcore/screamo band has accomplished what only few are privileged to do. Watch for these guys to continue to blow up and work hard for what they get. 2010 is a big year for Alesana, so check out "The Emptiness" and enjoy their success with them.