Notice.

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

One miss pixie is moving this week/weekend, and due to everything surrounding this, EPB has been/is on a brief hiatus. Posting should commence in early August. Please check back and thanks for reading.

P.S. There is a new Aiden video here. It’s a cover of “Cry Little Sister” from the original Lost Boys soundtrack and it kind of makes me squirmy in a good way, though I expect to come back to contrary opinions.  Oh well. I have always had a thing for wiL Francis, and I don’t think anything is going to make that go away.  Plus, it’s a really good cover.

Haste The Day: Hilarious Hypocrites

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

I have to thank this band for making me laugh, because I am in the most depressive mood imaginable, and this post they made about asking guitarist Jason Barnes to leave the band — because he woke up and decided there was no Jesus or God.

Christian “punk” bands, is there anything they can’t do? They brought a smile to my face with their really fake “we’re so sorry we had to kick our friend out of the band” post that also includes how much they miss him, and how they don’t cast judgment on those who don’t believe. Sure, that sounds nice, but I have to think that kicking your guitarist out of the band for having different views that are more atheist in nature is rather judgmental. It’s more than that: it’s asinine. The part about asking for prayers for themselves and the poor atheist, Jason, is also pretty hilarious.

How the hell do young people get this insane, anyway?

Here’s their post:

This is going to come as a shock to many of you. After much prayer and thought given to the matter, we asked Jason Barnes to step down from his involvement with Haste the Day. For a while Jason has been searching and searching for real meaning in his existence. After several months of reading literature and talking with friends, Jason had determined that he felt there was no God and certainly no Jesus. We as a band do not have problem with those that do not believe in Jesus, nor do we cast judgement on those that do not believe in Jesus. We just want to love on people like Jesus would and hopefully share a little bit about what he’s done and doing in our lives.

We would call ourselves a Christian band and for that reason, we felt we couldn’t have someone in the band who didn’t agree with the band’s foundational drive. Jason’s new found disbelief in what the rest of us have committed our lives to began to cause disunity within the band and as a result, we prayed and talked about it and felt like God was saying it wasn’t time for Haste the Day to come to an end. Thusly, We asked Jason to leave.

We love Jason and it pains us all to not be on the road with one of our closest friends. It has also been a miserable experience for Jason to not be a part of something that he has been a part of for so long. We are all working on mending the tear in our relationship with Jason and are hoping to be able to continue to call him friend. We will not be replacing Jason with a new guitar player. Our friend, Dave Krysl, will be our full time touring guitar player. The four of us (Stephen, Devin, Brennan, Michael) all wrote our new album which will be called “Dreamer.”
We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers you can send toward us and Jason. Thanks for listening and as always, we will see you on the road!

No judgment there, right? They’re “hoping to continue to call him a friend.” I wonder if I Am Ghost needs another guitarist in the mix — they’re a band that managed to shake loose their Christian nutters and come back better than ever — maybe Jason would fit in with those guys.

It’s always bugged me that these guys were hardcore Christian asshats… I really like their sound and thought their last album cover was really gorgeous. Anyway, good luck to Jason… he’s a talented guitarist… I’m sure he can find a band to make music with, without having to cater to an invisible man in the sky’s whims, as interpreted by his bandmates.

Because let’s be honest — most atheists really don’t care what other people believe. There isn’t an “atheist agenda” or an “atheist coalition” that attempts to dictate morals for other people. They don’t try to convert people. They’re not bad people — they still have ethical codes and try to be good people. They just do it on their own terms, for the sake of being good, rather than for some shot at a heaven or impressing a God.

It all just seems so silly. It’s 2008 — why are people still bickering about this stuff? And how could a band kick out their “best friend” and pretend to be bummed about it, when they did it simply because prayer told them that was the right decision?

Crazy.

Emo Cat Fight #1,092: Bayside Vs Metro Station?

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

I’m really just speculating that this post, written by Anthony Raneri of Bayside, will start an actual emo cat fight. It’s entirely possible that, despite the whole [punk scene] Internet is talking about it, that word of said post won’t even get back to the band. And hey, even if it does, it’s entirely possible they won’t respond. Oh, who am I kidding? I can’t wait for Metro Station to ask someone to explain Bayside to them…

The post reads:

Can someone explain Metro Station to me? I know, it’s not really my thing, but i saw them last night and it was completely ridiculous. I think I have a pretty open mind when it comes to bands. I go to shows every chance I get because I enjoy the atmosphere and I appreciate people playing live music, but it was kind of like karaoke. No one’s instruments were audible over the massive amounts of tracks they were playing along to. So much so that they would stop playing constantly to grab mics and dance and you wouldn’t notice that an instrument had stopped playing. Maybe it never was playing? I hate to be a hater, but I thought it was funny. But hey, they looked great.

In other news, Boys Like Girls, the Maine and Good Charlotte put on solid shows.

See, I love Bayside. I also like Metro Station. I think you’d have to go to both shows with very different expectations, though. Metro Station sound like 80s pop… new wave. They’re just fun, and of course they’re very synth/track heavy. I’d almost consider them a synthpop group, and if I was still DJing, I’d have no problem playing “Seventeen Forever” for a crowded dance floor, whereas I wouldn’t play Bayside, for obvious reasons.

Anyway, it should be interesting to see if these two go toe-to-to, especially since Anthony pretty much said they didn’t play their instruments at all, and things along those lines….

Oh, and of note? How can someone put down Metro Station, then praise Good Charlotte in the same post? And even more confusing, how can this person make music that, years after its release, does not get old because it’s that good?

Movie Review: The Dark Knight

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

I feel like I lost fangirl points by not seeing this movie until this afternoon, but there is only so much a girl can do. I headed down to the theatre for a 2:30pm showing, expecting a great movie. After all, two of my closest friends gave it rave reviews, and I hadn’t heard a bad thing about the movie.

However, I went in with reservations. I’m a comic geek, for one. I considered Batman Returns to be the pinnacle of Batman movies, largely because of my love for Tim Burton. And to be honest? I am was never enamored with Batman Begins like so many people were — it took me three attempts to get through that whole movie, due to the pacing.

But The Dark Knight? This movie is… transcendental. It is probably the best comic book movie of all time, but I don’t like saying that because I keep thinking of the wisdom of one of my college professors. He taught a class called “Writing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror,” and was adamant about how people treated our writing and ideas as if they were in some sort of literary ghetto. That being a great fantasy or horror author was almost like being called the fat girl who has “such a pretty face.” A back-handed compliment, at best. I always respected that man. His name was Terry Bisson.

So, moving on to The Dark Knight. As I said, I went in with fairly low expectations, despite recommendations. First off, I’m hesitant when movies get a ton of acclaim. It makes me a bit “on edge,” because I tend to watch horror movies and have a deep love of random Japanese gore as well as Troma movies. I’m a picky movie viewer.

But holy shit, EPB readers, The Dark Knight is probably the best comic book movie ever, but it goes beyond that, because it belongs on the list of the best movies ever, period. And it takes a lot to get on that list, considering I watch, on average, 1-2 movies a night. [It’s amazing to be as embedded in movies and music as I am.]

I have a confession: despite my movie obsession, and possibly due to a couple of years old idea Matt and I came up with — which was “watch every horror movie ever made,” I have never seen another movie starring Heath Ledger. I thought nothing of his death, really — I had no real idea of who he was. But the man was clearly an amazing actor who threw his everything into the character of The Joker, making it enthralling, amazing, and unbelievable. I was enthralled and captivated by the character and the movie. At about 2.5 hours? I wanted more. I wanted more Joker. I wanted more Batman. I just wanted more. I could have watched the screen for hours and not noticed anything else around me. The movie is that good.

And I would be renege if I did not mention how perfect the casting of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. He brought everything that was needed for the role — and more. While it is clear that Heath Ledger stole the entire movie by being the perfect, psychotic, awe-inspiring Joker, Aaron Eckhart also delivered an amazing performance that would probably get more credit if [as much as I hate to say this] Ledger had not died.

The movie has phenomenal pacing — it pulls you in from the first second. It has amazing acting. In a vaguely unfortunate sense, Christian Bale [amazing] is overshadowed by his [psychotically amazing] supporting cast. It doesn’t matter, though. At almost 2.5 hours The Dark Knight doesn’t focus on Batman, but that’s great! I think of the Spider-Man franchise, and how bored I was with his internal struggles and love life… and realize how amazing this really was. I’ve read a review that complains about a lack of Batman… but I think it was just the right mix.

This movie is phenomenal. I hope it isn’t thrown in the “comic book” or “fantasy” ghetto — as much as I hate that such a ghetto exists — because this is nothing more than a great movie. I can’t recommend it enough.

And thanks to Christian Bale being amazing, I am watching American Psycho on HBO right now, just because I wanted more Batman. I never thought anyone would beat Tim Burton, but Christian Bale is incredibly better than Michael Keaton, and as mush as I hate to admit it? Christopher Nolan gets Batman better than Tim Burton did.

To sum: go see The Dark KnightI.

P.S. Ignore anything that might look remotely promising about the Watchmen trailer that accompanies the film. It made me facepalm muliple times, and while I am admittedly a fangirl for Alan Moore [who thinks V For Vendetta was a decent movie] — this movie’s reels may as well be loaded on to the failboat, alongside The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or From HellI…

But that’s not the point. The point is The Dark Knight is amazing and you should see it.

[Review] Emarosa, Breathe Carolina, Sky Eats Airplane, A Skylit Drive

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

Tonight, I saw the aforementioned bands in Danbury, CT. The original venue had to be switched to a strange, bright blue venue across the street because far more people showed up [so said some guy standing next to me] than they were expecting. It was unique — there seemed to be a lot of problems with the sound, and there was no stage, so actually seeing the bands was a bit difficult. And yet, the bands managed to prevail, despite having a serious lack of monitors/the ability to hear themselves.

Sky Eats Airplane were the true standouts of the night, in a “holy crap, these guys are great on CD, but live, they are freaking phenomenal” sort of way. None of the bands were a letdown [thought it was odd that Breathe Carolina decided to play in the dark, so you couldn’t see them, especially considering their screamer is gorgeous.]

So that’s what I have to say about the show. This is kind of how I review things — it’s something TomZ and I agreed about on the old site. What’s the point of incredibly detailed reviews? Either it was good, and you recommend it, or it was bad, and you don’t. If this tour is headed your way, I recommend it, because it’s a great show. I wish I’d had money for merchandise, because all of the bands had great shirts, but such is life. Check them out if you get the chance — there are still a bunch of dates for this, and S.E.A. is playing with other good bands after this — dates can be found here.

While I was waiting for bands to set up, though, my brain wandered and I scrawled some notes in the back of the book I have been reading.  It is important to remember that I am not entirely sure who reads this site, but going on what I gathered from the original site, most of you are a lot younger than I am.

And on that note, I envy you. I so do.

When I was in high school, I published my own zines, as the Internet wasn’t what it is today. I did a few — Elvis Loved Kids, Pixie Girl, Half-Life, So Emo It Hurts, and a few others. Pixie Girl was the real focus, though, because I did it for years. That was the one that got reviews in things like MaximumRockandRoll, Punk Planet [before I was a record reviewer for them], Action Girl, Factsheet Five,etc.  I am dating myself. But this is part of it all — I’m 33 years old, after all.

I remember one review of Pixie Girl in particular. My zine was largely praised in the “personal zine” category, because I have always been pretty good at letting it all hang out and baring my rawest emotions for the world to pick at like the vultures they are. Oddly, it’s helped me in my “career,” and I put that in quotes because I am currently unemployed and seeking work. It turns out that no matter what you’re writing, people like to have a real person to relate to behind it, even if it is an advertisement. Go figure. But I digress.

The review I remember was from MaximumRockandRoll. I, or my boyfriend, or maybe even both of us, had written something about “feeling old” because we were seniors in high school. The review read to the effect of “Nice personal zine full of insightful thoughts and useful record reviews… but I hate when kids write about feeling old… because you know, you’re not.”

I was kind of bummed at the time, but now I get it. The guy who wrote that review was probably like me.  I have my own site, and am trying to make it a success… he was writing, probably in exchange for free music, for a magazine. He was probably about my age, but still going to shows because he loved [and probably still does] the music. And at some point, he was smacked in the face with, “holy shit… I’m old,” and it sucked. That’s how I felt tonight.  I was one of the very few people allowed in the bar area [despite not drinking tonight, it was raised, so my 5′2″ on a good day ass was able to somewhat see the bands] and I watched the crowd just feeling desperately alone.

And yet, at the same time, when screaming along to songs that everyone else knew, I felt like I belonged in a way I almost never feel.  I felt like I was a part of something, because everyone in that room knew the words, knew the feelings, and gave a shit about what the bands were singing. It was real.

I think one of the most real moments in my life was the first time I saw AFI. Before the band even came out, the entire crowd, at the largest “small” venue in NYC, Roseland, was chanting, “through our bleeding, we are one…” over and over and over until the band came out and carried us through their set.  That night, I was alone [much like tonight] but for the time of the show? I was part of something. And that is why music is life. And that is why music saves.

I’m in a bad pace right now, to be honest.  You all know I had my dream job and lost it, and created this site as my outlet to still express myself in a real way and spread the word about music, which is probably only my second love to a few elite people and two animals.  But tonight, for a few hours, everything was okay. I was there, I was screaming along, I was a part of something.  And it made me feel human and complete, because that is what music can do — especially punk, emo, hardcore — whatever you want to call it.  It serves a purpose, and in my life, it has since I was about 14 years old.

I don’t know… this barely scrapes the surface of what I wanted to write. I guess there are a few things:

- if you’re young, VALUE IT. Seriously. It’s not that bad. You’re cooler than you think.
- I can’t be someone I’m not, and that hurts me in terms of survival in this world.
- This site really could use a revenue stream. Ideas appreciated.

Note: I would normally have photos, but I forgot that I loaned my camera to someone yesterday and the battery died after one blurry photo. Apologies, because that bright blue wall would have looked amazing behind the guys.

To sum: live shows are life-affirming, but tough when you’re older.
Charge your camera batteries before going to shows.
Go to all the shows you possibly can. They’re real.
Treat the people who matter [the good ones] well. They’re also real.
Try to thank bands for bringing us all together — without them, what do we have?

And we have Hawthorne Heights Clips

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

The band’s new album, Fragile Future, which will hit stores August 5th via Victory Records, is up for pre-order with clips of each song here. I still can’t believe the band and Victory Records solved their issues, but maybe after everything that happened last year, they had a real “life is short” moment.

This is the album’s tracklisting:

Track Listing
01) The Business of Paper Stars
02) Rescue Me
03) Until the Judgment Day
04) Somewhere in Between
05) Sugar in the Engine
06) Desperation
07) Four Becomes One
08) 321
09) Disaster
10) Let Go of Everything You Know
11) Corps of Corpses
12) Come Back Home (Reprised)

It feels so old school [as in “last year”] to just post clips and a tracklisting because most bands just stream a bunch of songs.  It sounds like the album is going to be really good. I hate the word “mature” when describing music, because it sounds like every pretentious douchewad reviewer on earth.  But it’s kind of the only word that describes what I’m hearing.  I really can’t wait to have the whole album in my hands and hear what they’ve done with all these songs.

Thoughts?

Holy. Shit. I mean, really, that is all you can say.

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

I think the flyer says it all [unless you’re not in New York or Los Angeles, I suppose…]

I almost fell off the couch in awe when I saw this is what the band has been teasing.  Of course, “want want want want want” is running through my head, but I am sure my unemployed ass won’t be able to afford even contemplating this event.  It’s amazing, but it’s also one of those things that is going to leave a lot of us bummed.

That said, there’s no way they’re not filming this and releasing it on DVD [not that the band said this, it’s just a rather educated guess] so chances are we won’t all miss out on this.

Still… just wow.  Four nights, all four albums….

The New Bayside Song Is Amazing

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

How do I know this? Because someone was kind enough to post a high-quality video of them playing it live. That someone was ever-so-kind, weren’t they?

Because I am kind and benevolent and not evil [though some would argue that is absolutely untrue] I am going to share it with you:

Ah, Bayside. This band is incapable of wrong-doing in my world. A world that is full of wrong-doing.

Ian Curtis’ Tombstone Stolen

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

If anyone needed proof that there are assholes in this world, I present for your consideration:

At some point on Monday or Tuesday, Ian Curtis’ tombstone was stolen from Macclesfield Crematorium, where he was laid to rest in 1980 after committing suicide. What kind of creepy, screwed up person do you have to be to steal a grave marker? I don’t care if it is a famous person’s or not, for the record — that sort of thing is sacred.

His grave was often visited by fans who left gifts and tokens for the dead singer:

How someone could just waltz up and steal the marker is beyond comprehension.  The police in the area say they expect people to know who did it and to find the stone, but they have no leads at the moment.  I hope they find it soon, return it, and destroy the people who did this.

It’s one thing to be a jerk, but there’s something about disrespecting the dead like this that really gets me.

Alkaline Trio Vists the Wild West

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

Hmmm…  I still think this album is a bit of a grower, even though Alkaline Trio is one of my favorite bands ever.

The video is a bit strange because it looks like some kind of western, and doesn’t really fit the song…

But… it’s Alkaline Trio and I want to know if it is even possible for them to do wrong. And I don’t think it is. I just think I have to hear these songs live before I truly embrace them.

What do you guys think of the new album?