Sawed-off shotgun HAND ON THE PUMP.

Title from "Da Rockwilder" by Method Man & Redman. Their new album feels over-produced. Too much sheen, not enough rhythm. It's hard to top an album like "Blackout!" Either way, the album came out the same day as Eminem's recent album, and it's better than that, so whatever.

Had my first job interview yesterday at Staples. There is a follow-up on Monday. This will be my first job in almost three years. It's being done through an employment services agency. Reason I need their help is due to mental illness deeming me almost unemployable ever since I left my last job in 2006.

In 2005 I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder after coming home from self-committing myself to a rehab center after a mental breakdown that led me to attempt to break up with my then-girlfriend, and emotional exhaustion that was causing suicidal tendencies. I have since committed myself three times with two out-patient programs. I am also dosed up to the eyeballs on anti-psychotics to keep me from bouncing off the wall. I've been doing pretty good for about four months now.

That previous paragraph is taken from my online dating profile. I am still single and don't know why.

This job will finally get me the money I need to pay rent for the new place and also to get a new music sequencer to completely rip off Adam Goren. If you want really funny odd punk music, check that dude out. I have much respect for him (look under "Atom & His Package"). A new demo will be in the works, due to the fact that there is now only one copy of my previous in existence and it has probably been destroyed. And it also sucks, so I'm hoping nobody ever hears it.

Barbecue in the rain coming up. Gitmahdrinkon.

No one counts until they're dead.

Title of blog is from the song "Closed Captioned" by Fugazi. Ian Mackaye is a personal hero of mine.

I said I'd talk a lot about the music industry and this is no exception.

I started out in a magazine as associate editor with my friend Nikki and we only had one issue but I made connections with about 14 bands, even reviewing Magnolia Electric Co. The review sucked but they didn't tell me that. I scout out shows and help film/photograph bands and have roadied for a band on a summer tour. Basically living my dream. The next step? Record label.

Harkening back to the first paragraph, Ian Mackaye fucking rocks. I'm not going to get into the ethics of Dischord Records (Mackaye's label), but it's an artist's and fan's dream, with affordable quality music and cheap shows. I'm planning a letter to Ian asking for some pointers on how to start my own indie label in NJ with the same game plan, including finding small venues and charging $5 a show. Thing is, I'll be signing whoever I can grab; rappers, hardcore, goth metal, avant-garde, etc. I want people to fall in love with the diversity of this future label, see the quality and discover that they can explore other genres on the label.

This is a large undertaking for me as I am also recording a new demo with a now-tuned guitar and repaired saxaphone. Also, look for a YouTube channel under my rock-monicker.

There's so much more I can do. I'll explain why later.

We are rock 'n roll, yes we are so ghetto.

Title from "Ghetto Rock" by Mos Def off of his album "The New Danger." I highly recommend his new album, "The Ecstatic." Full of spirit, very upbeat, positivity flowing and surprisingly clean for a modern rap album that doesn't suck. Yes I think it's better than Eminem's new album, which I just can't get through. I guess I miss the first two albums.

Job search today wielded sparse results. MAY have an interview next week with two places but I'm not holding my breath. I have applied to 12 stores in the past two weeks. They're not even bought at the tax incentive, more info on that later. Point is, I can't find a job.

It's hard to pick a favorite Kevin Smith movie. He's my current favorite director and I love all his movies dearly (except for "Jersey Girl," which in my world, he didn't make), but find myself switching between what my favorite is. I actually did the right thing and watched the Askewniverse movies in order. "Clerks" is just an experience for me. It's so simple yet the conversations that I WISH I had at my past jobs are so satisfying, as well as the customers' reactions. I know that when "Clerks II" came out, a ton of teens that had never seen any of his movies went and saw it and considered it his best, claiming the original wasn't as mainstream. Yes I love the sequel, but it is just not his best movie.

Keep it gangsta.

Check your life span.

Title from an awesome Girls Against Boys song. I don't know the name of it, though... Does anybody else do this? You listen to an entire album, do it a couple times, get the songs into your memory, then not bother to know the song names? GvsB is big on my play list right now.

If you decide to read my shit (not that kind of shit, but this shit), you'll notice I'm going to be writing about music a lot. I used to interview local bands and made a one-issue fan-zine with a close friend. I still occasionally visit bands in recording studios and get the word out about new albums. I am against big chain retailers and do not mind the 25 minute drive to the independent record store. Check out Vintage Vinyl (www.vvinyl.com) in Fords, NJ. Voted one of the top five record stores by Rolling Stone. They're a great place to get used albums for under $5 and also a great place for vinyl.

Cat requests food.

ktxbi.

P.S.
FUCK SHINEDOWN.