New Year's Eve

Tonight is a special night for us all... well not really. If you're like me you go out quite often and the idea of spending $200 for an open bar is insane - especially since My Open Bar exists. So here are my plans for tonight: First I'm pregaming at various people's apartments in Williamsburg. Then I'll be off to a few official loft parties with bands playing and all that jazz. Then I will head into Manhattan and hit one or both of these.

MisShapes NYE Party (only $5)
Or

Rififi NYE Party (No Cover)

The MisShapes party is a gaurantee of a good time, I highly reccommend this party - if you can get in. Rififi is a gamble, sometimes this is my favorite place to party in NYC and sometimes not so much. One thing is for sure about both - you can get smashed on the cheap.

If these don't sound good go to Whats Up NYC for a massive listing of what else is happening (yes I work there, but I swear we have the best listings). If you want info on any Williamsburg loft parties just send me an email or click the MySpace link and contact me through there.

Have fun and try not to get herpes when you hook up with some random stranger tonight.

A Mesage from Bronques

About a week ago I posted a picture from Shindig. It was a picture of Bronques from Last Nights Party getting into a port-o-potty with some girl screaming at someone standing in front of him. Well, a few days after I posted that I got an email from Bronques saying this, "here's the results of that moment with that girl...".
Here is the link he included:

Last Night's Party
*warning: Nipple

I thought this was pretty funny. It's nice to see things work out for the better. One minute you're screaming at someone and the next minute your being photographed naked in a toilet. Nice.

My original pic

New Years Eve Eve, Motherfuckers

Tomorrow I have to trek back down to South Jersey for a doctor's appointment. I'm not sure if I'll make it back to NYC by Friday night or if I'll have to wait until Saturday. If I do make it back I plan on stopping by Avalon for the Motherfucker New Year's Eve Eve party. It's going to be very good from what I've been hearing. All of the details are on the website:

Motherfucker

Beneath Bleeding Skies No More

This is a memorial to a damn good band from South Jersey which is on the verge of breaking up. They are playing their last show on Friday. It's in Jersey somewhere so there's no chance I'll be there, but you should go if you can. The band sounds a bit like Killswitch Engage mixed with some Underoath - or something along those lines. Go to their MySpace page and give them a listen.

Beneath Bleeding Skies on MySpace

The Final Show:
8PM
December 30th
@ Johnny Walkers
Clementon, NJ

BANG!

Tonight is Wednesday and you know what that means... BANG! at No. 1 Chinese. This is one of my favorite parties in NYC. Being that I don't have to work tomorrow I think I might head over to Ave. B for this mid-week bash. Rumor has it BANG! is moving to Beauty Bar in '06 so this might will be your last chance to get sloppy at this joint.

BANG!
@No. 1 Chinese
Ave.B & 4th Street
FREE (Open Bar 10-11)

I may also hit the Mishpucha party at Scenic since it's practically across the street. It's also free but I dont know about any open bar.

The Email List Has Been Created

I just got finished creating & testing the BSC official email list. Please sign up for exclusive info and updates in your email box. The sign up button is on the side above the XML buttons.

Back in Brooklyn: A look back on Jersey

I decided to cut my stay in Jersey short and I came back to Brooklyn last night. Here is a photo recap of my time there.

Slugger

Hulkster

On Saturday I went last minute shopping at the local mall. Being that I live in New York, I have no car. I also happen to have an expired license - so no one would let me borrow a car. So I had to get dropped off. I got done faster than I expected and I didnt feel like waiting for my ride. I decided to walk back through the woods - the shortcut. These are some pics I snpped as I trekked.

Anyone lose a bike... and some oil drums?

"Let's go get hammered in the woods"

South Jersey Blues

So I'm down in South Jersey right now. Internet connections are few and far between, so I doubt I'll be able to do many updates while I'm here, which could be for anywhere between one more day and an entire week. I'll try my best to do some updates in the next week - but I promise nothing.

Happy Festivus!

Today is the greatest of holidays. Yes, Festivus is upon us. So break out the aluminum pole, and air your grievances. Remember it's not over until the feats of strength - try and pin me. Here are some Festivus E-Cards to get you in the spirit.

Festivus E-Cards

The history of Festivus

Brooklyn Ski Club On MySpace

I finally got around to setting up a MySpace profile for this here blog. Now you can add BSC as a friend and get a bulletin whenever BSC is updated. Plus this adds a bit of a social network to the Ski Club. So go check it out, feel free to suggest improvements.

Brooklyn Ski Club - MySpace

It's Over Johnny

The MTA strike is over. Those greedy swine are finally going back to their token booths and computerized trains. It's about damn time. Of course it's going to take 3 days for those bastards to have the trains going again, but I think we'll have buses by tomorrow.

Anyway, I'm too lazy to read into the specifics but the workers seem to be real scumbags. I mean you make $47-$55,000 +benefits and you retire at 50 or 55. Sounds pretty goddamn fair to me. I hate to do this but I'm going to quote Bloomberg, this is what he said about the effect the strike is having on people that actually make a shitty living, unlike MTA employees:

“These are not people who are making $50-$60,000 a year. These are people making $10, $20, $30,000 a year, and they're the ones who are really suffering,” said Bloomberg. “What fraud this really is, if you think about it - claiming to be the champion of working families, when the illegal actions they are taking are costing New Yorkers their livelihood. I don't think there is any other way to describe it."

Fuckin-A Bloomie, I hate you a little less right now.

More details here

Bear Vs. Shark Call It Quits

Why???? Did I have something to do with this? As soon as I do a write up about these guys they break up. This is a sad day my friends. One of the few innovative bands out there are gone now. I was fortunate enough to have seen them play live - which is what they were famous for. Granted, it was at Skate & Surf, and outside on the Asbury Park boardwalk - but you still had that feeling you were witnessing something special. I can't even image what it would have been like to see these guys in some dank little rock club. It must have been chaotic beauty.

Heres more about the split.

Remember Halloween?

When I was looking through my pics for the Random Photos post I realized I have a few good ones from Halloween. I would have posted them after Halloween, but this blog didn't exist then. So I'm two months late... who cares?

Soundtrack:
Misfits - Halloween

Mischief Night at Bar 13

Best Costume Ever - SuiCyko


Halloween Night 2005

Halloween 2004

Coming Soon...

There are a few things I have been meaning to get to since I started this blog. Time has been my enemy in this sense. So I just wanted to give you a heads up on what I have coming up for Brooklyn Ski Club.

1. Pictures & Audio from the Lou Reed & Citizens Band show a couple months ago
2. Pictures & Audio from the Hank III show, also a couple months ago.
3. Email list - so I can let you all know about critical updates

Umm... damnit I know I'm forgetting a couple things. I'll update this post when I think of it.

Random Photos

Random pics I've taken, some are old most are from the last couple of months.

Heroes?

Bronques and some pissed off chick
Evolution

Frank City - On The Cameraphone

Drunks - Old Pic circa 1999

Berry & S. 4th

The Subways @ Northsix

They're always watching

Twentyinchburial

I found another killer band by means of Pandora. They're called twentyinchburial and they are from Portugal... or Spain, something like that. They play melodic hardcore with a touch of emo and metal, similar to Alexisonfire and old UnderOath - just way more hardcore influence. These guys are very good and just heavy enough that they don't sound like total pussies. Apparently these guys have been around for awhile. Check them out and let me know what you think. I have MP3's galore.

MP3's:

30 Minutes Journey - twentyinchburial
Octopus - twentyinchburial
Honesty Kills and the Music Plays On - twentyinchburial
Material Expensive God - twentyinchburial

Where Was Everyone?

Last night I went out expecting Williamsburg to be a big party - I was way off . Where the hell was everyone? None of the bars we passed by or ventured into had people in them. A normal Tuesday night sees more action then this. Considering there's a strike and we're all stuck in Brooklyn I thought it would be better then usual. Oh well, maybe tonight everyone will hit the streets - but I doubt it. Come on people... remember how much fun the Blackout was? Yeah, these are similar situations - so break out the booze and enjoy your neighbors.

Party Like You're Trapped in Brooklyn

I don't know about you but I'm going out bar hopping right now. I have a feeling tonight will be fun. All the crazies are trapped in thier own neighborhoods - no crawling the streets of the LES tonight. Considering you'll be biking it across the bridge tomorrow, bright and early, you might as well go get drunk now - while it's still happy hour. Alright, I'm outta here.

Tomorrow's morning view

Schoolyard Heroes

This band just came onto my radar thanks to Pandora. I really dig this band. They somehow combine The Blood Brothers, The Misfits, a little bit of late 90's hardcore, and a touch of psycobilly. It's a very weird combination - but it works wonders. Vocally they sound similar to the Blood Brothers - except that the voice that sounds like a chick is actually a chick. You might need to let this sink in a bit, because it's odd, but give it a chance.

Homepage

MySpace

MP3:

The Mechanical Man Vs. The Robot From The Outer Limits - Schoolyard Heroes

This Weekend Past

This weekend was weird... I went out and all but I just wasn't feeling it. Friday was the usual - Rififi. We had a nice little crew there, but I was really tired. I actually switched to water from beer. WATER for god's sake. Anyway, it wasn't a horrible time but it's been better.

The next night I didn't get to my apartment until about midnight. I had a few drinks and took a shower. Around 2AM I got a call from a whole bunch of people down at Anytime. So I headed that way, by the time I got there they were ready to leave. So we hit the pizzeria and then it was off to Royal Oak. I dig the place but come on... those drink prices are a bit steep for a joint on the edge of Greenpoint. I ended up jumping ship after an hour or so. Everyone else stayed and danced all night. I think this new medication is wearing me down. Anyone know anything about Nexium?

So anyway here are some pics.

Rififi Friday

Royal Oak Saturday

My Favorite Bands: The Timeline

Since I was but a wee lad music was a major part of my life. I used to be a fairly close minded person when it came to music. You can actually see my progression - it started like most people GNR & Metallica. Then I moved on to harder stuff like Sepultura, Pantera, and Type O. Then I discovered Hardcore and it changed my life. For a long time my favorite band was the Jersey boys - E.Town Concrete. But then came this current onslaught of melodic hardcore music, which I fell in love with instantly. In fact it makes me angry that there weren't many band like Alexisonfire when I was 15. I did my best to find songs for these artists, but it proved more difficult then I anticipated. For the record these ARE NOT my favorite songs, just my favorite bands - these are simply the songs I could find.

#1 Favorites:

Kid - GNR (song: One In A Million)
Middle School - Metallica (song: ...And Justice For All)
Most of High School - Sepultura (song: Refuse/Resist)
Late High School/College - E.Town Concrete (song: 4 The Fame)
Post College - Atreyu (song: Ain't Love Grand)
Now - Alexisonfire (song: .44 Caliber Love Letter)


The almost favorites:

Tool (song: Sober)
Deftones (song: Head Up)
Type O Negative (song: Daytripper Medley)
At The Drive-In (song: Rolodex Propaganda)
Hatebreed (song: Empty Promises)
Pantera (song: Cowboys From Hell)
Helmet
Alice In Chains
Bob Marley (song: War/No More Trouble - Live)
Wu-Tang Clan (song: Ain't Nuthin' To Fuck With)

Bear Vs. Shark

I was asked to compile a list of my top ten albums of the year for work. This was about a month ago - somehow during that time I forgot about the one I thought of immediately and had to go back and edit my list. The album was Terrorhawk by Bear Vs. Shark.

I originally heard BVS at the 2004 Skate & Surf Fest in Jersey. I was given free passes by the label I was interning for at the time. Anyway, I walked outside onto the boardwalk and there they were... destroying all the crappy emo bands on every other stage. It was pure bliss hearing them and I immediately became fascinated with them. So needless to say, a year later, when I saw a copy of Terrorhawk in the promo bin at the record store I worked for - I was very happy. Especially, since this was months before the official release.

I have listened to this album much more than any other of 2005 and that is why it's my favorite of the year. I want to thank Veritas Lux Mea for reminding me this came out in 2005.

Bear Vs. Shark - Great Dinosaurs With Fifties Section

Bear Vs. Shark - 5, 6 Kids

This band gives me that same amazing feeling I get when I listen to At The Drive-In

Pandora Is The Future

Today I was told about a site that recommends music based on what you're into. I really didn't know what to think. Then I checked my Del.icio.us inbox and it was in there too, so I figured it was destiny. I clicked the link and within an instant my life improved. Personalized radio streams - it's amazing. This is SO good.

Pandora

Howard Stern's Bash

The end of an era approaches. Tomorrow is the final day of Howard Stern on the FM dial. This is both sad and exciting, as millions await his move to Sirius satellite radio. People from all over the country will be here tomorrow.

Tomorrow at 8AM
@ the Howard Stern Building
56th Street, between 5th and 6th Ave

The Party starts at 11AM

Howard Stern - Let's Go Gravitas
Howard Stern - KC Parody
Howard Stern - Sulu Prank
Howard Stern - Fartman Prank Call
Howard Stern - Pat O'Brien Prank

Links:

60 Minutes Interview

Howard Stern.com

Pharoahe Monch Was The Mos Def

I was supposed to be on the list for this show, but as I approached I was told I was not. This actually turned out to be a good thing. To settle the matter I was brought backstage and the issue was resolved. I had to leave the backstage area immediately after, but it was cool while it lasted.

As I entered the stage area Pharoahe Monch was about halfway through his set. I had heard of Pharoahe before but I wasn't familiar with his music. I am now, and I will be purchasing as many of his CDs as possible. He had two singers with him on the side of the stage - one male, one female. The girl was very good but the guy was excellent. He looked like he was about 5'2" but he had one hell of a big voice, very Al Green-ish. Hip-hop is so much better when a real person is singing the hooks.

Towards the end of Monch's set Talib Kweli came out and they did a few songs together. Then Talib was doing his own thing. The reason I came to this show was to see Talib and it hurts me to say this but.... he kinda sucked. His voice sounded shitty - very hard to understand. After several songs Mos Def came out and him and Talib got into Black Star mode. The crowd went berserk for this part of the show. But then Talib stepped off and it was just Mos Def.

I expected so much more from the legend. The rhymes were razor sharp but the energy just wasn't there. When he was up there alone the crowd was just not into it - not even his crew on the side of the stage. The best part of his set was when Pharoahe Monch came out and did a song, he knows how to work a crowd. Rass Kass also made an appearance which was pretty sick. Aside from these highlights the show drug on, Mos didn't know when to step off the stage - even though the crowd did. I actually ended up leaving a little early... I just couldn't take it anymore.

The moral of the story is this - Pharoahe Monch stole this show. It was his from the minute he took the stage. The crowd loved him, it was crazy when he was up there. He one-upped Mos Def and completely murdered Talib. The only part of the show that could compete was the Black Star segment.

Here are some pics I took (they suck, sorry). I couldn't get very close and the lighting was horrible. I touched them up but they still suck. I also have some audio a friend hooked me up with.

Mos Def & Talib K - Live at B.B. Kings 12/13
(sorry its WMA, thats all the dude had)

Mos Def & Talib: Tonight

I'm about to go see Mos Def and Talib Kweli at B.B. Kings. I'm not a huge fan of the space at B.B's but it might be alright for a hip-hop show. I have never seen Mos or Talib live and I can't wait. These are two of hip-hops premiere lyricists, in my humble opinion. As always, I will have a review and pictures up tomorrow.

Ms. Hill - Talib Kweli

B.B. Kings

Brooklyn Vegan Picked Up My Germs

Well, I am really excited. I just found out that Brooklyn Vegan republished my Germs post. This is excellent, the traffic here is through the roof right now. If you don't know, Brooklyn Vegan is perhaps the top music blog there is.

Brooklyn Vegan - Germs

As Seen On Elbo.ws

Today I submitted Brooklyn Ski Club to Elbo.ws blog listings. To my surprise it appears I am now a featured blog of some sort. The side module on Elbo.ws lists 5 blogs and this is one of them. I have no idea if this is just random or if they like the content, but either way it is getting this little blog ALOT of attention. Go take a look - hopefully it's still there:

Elbo.ws

**Update: Just checked it out and the link on the side is the What's Hot list. So BSC is hot right now, nice.

The Death of a Legend

It was brought to my attention that Richard Pryor has just passed away. He was 65 years old and sick. Nonetheless, this is a surprise that I was not ready for. Without Richard Pryor comedy would still be in the stone ages. ALL modern comedy was influenced, in some way, by Pryor. This is a sad, sad day.

R.I.P. Richard
Listen:
Super Nigger - Richard Pryor
Southern Hospitality - Richard Pryor