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Sorry I Missed The Monday Mix

Romeo Sid Vicious — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:16:54 +0000

I was working and got head down and totally forgot about it. But what I was working on will make getting the Monday Mix out even easier. Hell it will make it easy for you to do a Monday Mix on your site if you want to. After much beating my head against a wall I made my first GitHub checkin today for MixWidget Back End. It’s not pretty yet and the code is pretty much arse ugly but it works and now it’s time to pretty it up and fix some annoyances before a beta release. So there’s my apology for missing the Monday Mix. Maybe I’ll toss one up tomorrow along with whatever I rant about.

I am going home now before my lovely wife strangles me to death for leaving late again.

Please Consider Where I’ve Been (an intro to Tim Barry)

Romeo Sid Vicious — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:47:51 +0000

Stepping out of the legendary punk band Avail and into bare feet and the occasional tour bus Tim Barry has carved his name in the hearts of alt country fans everywhere. From the opening strains of Laurel Street Demos’ Idle Idylist to his presence on the Revival Tour he is a powerhouse. His songs evoke the kind of emotion that Southerners grasp on a level not available to the rest of the world. From train songs to heartbreaks Tim covers the range. His influences range from punk to vintage country and his songwriting shows it. While I refer to his music as alt country it really transcends the genre. There is an honesty to this music that is rare in any genre. You can listen to a few of these songs and say “Mr. Barry your punk is showing” and not be off the mark and still on others you can hear the haunting melodies of the country greats. I don’t think any music fan won’t find something to like in Tim’s catalog.

I have missed him the last couple of times he has been through Houston and it is much to my dismay. I don’t have a single cool story to tell about this man. In fact I am pretty much a new fan. I had heard his name floating around amongst my musical peers but I had never listened to his solo music. I had been an Avail fan for a long while but for some reason I had skipped Tim’s solo career. Last year I got a copy of the Revival Tour’s stop in Denver and Dog Bumped was the first time I had ever heard Tim Barry. Since then I have procured all of his released music and it’s been in heavy rotation since I first bought Laurel Street Demos last year. Much like most of the other intros I have put up Tim is a Suburban Home Records Artist and that’s, at least around these parts, a mark in his favor. While his solo catalog is small compared to bands like Drag The River there is so much ground covered in the few LPs he has released that it never ceases to amaze. Choosing these tracks was no easy task and I did sit and ponder which tracks to include. I hope that I have done Mr. Barry justice in my choices.

(I did things a little differently on this set of tapes and included the albums in the ID3 tags so there isn’t a track to album list for each tape. You’ll just have to buy them all!)

Tape 1 Track Archive

Tape 2 is two tracks off of each of Avail’s full length albums. Tim’s method of delivery may have changed but these tracks will show you that from his humble punk rock beginnings to his quieter method these days the intensity hasn’t gone anywhere. I couldn’t choose a favorite part of Tim’s career if I tried. Although Pink Houses holds a special place in my heart. I probably listen to more of his solo stuff nowadays but that’s just where I am at. Also I’m old…and GET OFF MY LAWN!

Tape 2 Track Archive

Tim has a new album in the works so be sure to keep your eyes on Suburban Home Records for more details…

Linkage:
Tim Barry’s Website
Tim Barry on Suburban Home
Tim Barry on MySpace

The sky was the color of a television tuned to a dead channel…

Romeo Sid Vicious — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:40:07 +0000

I don’t have any life management tips today nor do I have any real updates on my struggle to manage my own life. I also missed the politics post on Wednesday so I suck. I have been busy at work on a project that firmly has my attention so nothing is wrong per se. I am learning PHP, well more PHP, for the purposes of adding to or recoding the web interface we use for Linux deployment. Of course learning a new programming/scripting language requires that you actually code so that’s what I am doing. I am writing a frontend for MixWidget (the tape thingy I use for mixes and intros). It’s not going to be something you can build a whole site with like the old MixWidget of Muxtape but something you can install on a site like this one and use to make your own compilations. There won’t be any multi-user functionality ever but it’s looking pretty slick so far. The obstacles I have to overcome are: file uploads, archive extraction, validating uploaded/extracted files, creation of XML files, and a couple of other little nagging bits. I also plan for this to be self-installing so it will be easy to use. I like mix tapes and think MixWidget is a cool interface for them but it’s damn annoying to use since it relies on text files for all of its configuration and that results in a lot of file editing to put a mix tape up on your site. I have a BASH script that does everything except create the playlist but that’s still not user friendly. So when the chance for me to learn PHP by working on whatever I wanted to work on came up I took it. I will likely toss in some AJAX as well but that’ll mostly be stuff other people have written. I did actually think about workflow and the UI before I started coding so it looks decent is easy to use. When I get a little more done I’ll put up a demo somewhere. Being focused on this as well as my other projects is why I haven’t been tweeting, updating FB, or posting here all that often. I did get the Monday Mixtape up on time so techincally I only missed one post this week. I guess that ain’t bad.

I seem to have lost around 90% of the regular blogs I used to read. Better yet they seem to have lost me. What I mean is that they have gone so far off the deep end since President Obama was elected I can’t stomach them any longer. About half of them are birthers, a bunch of others are pretty much hate filled racists at this point, and some of the others are simply doomsayers. I don’t have time for that lot any more. I have much better things to do with myself than follow around soft headed morons as a cheerleader. So my daily reads are now pretty much technology sites and few folks who haven’t had the koo-aid in the past year or so. I do miss being part of the conservative blogosphere like I was back in the minion days but I think I miss talking to people more than I miss the blog part of it. I am not welcome in many places I used to comment, and by not welcome I simply mean derided and ridiculed, so I don’t go there. It seems like reasonable thought has fled the general public and if you aren’t polarized to either extreme then niether side wants to hear your ideas or thoughts. That’s pretty sad actually but it’s also commentary on the current state of things. I am not sure what that commentary says but I am pretty sure it’s not good.

So here I sit, halfway through the last day before the weekend, surrounded by PHP books and a regex book, posting here in an attempt to pull back and not get forest-for-the-trees syndrome. I am not inspired and I don’t have any exceptional ideas but I do have a bunch of words that may have made sense in the order I spat them out from my fingers to the keyboard and eventually to your screen. I need to look into planning my weekend so it’s not like last weekend but other than that I think I am about done.

Have a great weekend everyone!

I’m A Gamblin’ Man

Romeo Sid Vicious — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:19:41 +0000

No much to tell about this one. This is a random selection from my poker playlist. I play about once a month at a great game and really enjoy it. I put a lot of thought into what ends up on the three playlists I use. This is 14 tracks from the “standard” playlist. The other two are “patient” and “aggressive” and which one is in use depends on the time of night and the other players at the table. This would have been the first fourteen songs next time I played since I just put each list on random when I play. So it’s not all songs about gambling but there may a couple in there. Anyway, enjoy the music…

Track Archive
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Skinned Knees & Broken Hearts

Romeo Sid Vicious — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:00:57 +0000

Here is your Monday Mixtape folks…

This one is sort of a broken hearts with a youthful outlook rather than the cynical outlook I tend to have. I couldn’t pull off the whole thing with youthful optimism on loss and broken heart thing but it’ll do for now and it’s still better than most of my cynicism. I did get to pull out some of my favorite artists that I have been ignoring lately and that makes me pretty happy. Although I think I see a theme in the compilations that could go away. I promise I am not as depressed as these make me out to be. Next week I’ll shoot for a happy tape…Maybe not…

As an aside: I am running out of ideas for the covers so I have resorted to cool pics of the kids for the moment. Maybe I’ll come up something inspired for next weeks compilation.

Track Archive

I Bleed Just Like You

Romeo Sid Vicious — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:00:15 +0000

Some years back I was in Austin with my wife and brother to see Lucero. I had seen them the weekend before in Los Angeles and my ride had sort of bailed on, she had her reasons, but all of my merch was in her car. I had spent a pretty penny on merch that evening and was not happy about the whole situation but the evening wasn’t ruined. I ended up borrowing money from Ben to catch a cab back to my hotel and since neither of us had clue one about where were or where the hell my hotel was he gave me a crisp new hundred. Also not realizing, due to hanging out with Ben all night if you know what I mean, that LA is sort of built in the hills I thought it would be a good idea to just hop over the flower-bed in the hotel parking lot. The four foot drop on the other side was unexpected and I ended up in the street, face down, in front of my cab. I picked myself up, brushed off the gravel, and left my dignity lying in the street. Five whole blocks later I stepped out the cab and went into my hotel. It had been that kind of night. But I digress…

I went to Austin to see Lucero and pay Ben back for the loan and there’s more stories to that night than I can tell here but Bill Krejski (Sorry if I murdered you name Bill) had heard about my merch driving away and went about making sure everything was replaced and on top of that handed me some CDs by bands he really liked. I had never heard of either of them and have to admit that Nashville Pussy rarely sees any time on the playlist but the other band sees more than most. The first time I dropped I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House into the CD player I was hooked!

Now you have to understand a couple of things here. I love music for the sake of music and generally don’t like mixing politics with my tunes so normally that would be strike one against any band, after all Dear Mr. Heston is not exactly apolitical. The second is that Michael Dean Damron and I are polar opposites when it comes to politics. I doubt there is a single thing we could agree on politically and he does, or did with I Can Lick Any SOB, bring politics into his music so there would normally be strike two. I don’t usually even bother trying to find a third strike when it comes to music so most bands wouldn’t have seen a second play from me after listening to Put Here To Bleed but the music was so good that I overlooked the politics completely and now own all of their albums and thanks to our gracious host have recently caught up on Michael Dean Damron’s solo career. I think both with I Can Lick Any SOB and solo that Damron is an amazing songwriter and performer and more than that worth getting to know musically. So without further ado here are two tapes covering Damron from I Can Lick Any SOB to his most recent solo effort. Tape 1 is all I Can Lick Any SOB and covers all of their albums including Live at Dante’s. Admittedly I left out the political tunes for completely selfish reasons but since I am the one making these tapes I get to do that….

Tracks 1-4: Creepy Little Noises
Tracks 5-7: Menace
Tracks 8-10: Put Here To Bleed
Tracks 11-14: Live at Dante’s

Track Archive

Tape two is Michael Dean Damron solo and I think he is still getting better and better. I Can Lick Any SOB was an amazing band but songs like Cape and Blame it on the Whiskey are amazing songs and I will freely admit have helped me deal with my personal demons. You know those demons. They are the ones that show up when you come home from the bar, wife asleep, and all that’s there is you, whiskey, and the thoughts in your head. Those are the nights where you want to drop in some Michael Dean Damron and just let it all go. His cover of Drag The River‘s Beautiful and Damned is one of the most amazing covers I have ever heard and is in heavy rotation on the iPod. Anyway, enough of my jawin’…

Track Archive

Tracks 1-3: Bad Days Ahead
Tracks 4-7: A Perfect Day for a Funeral
Tracks 8-11: Father’s Day

Track Archive

All the linkage you might need:
I Can Lick Any SOB – Official Website
I Can Lick Any SOB store on In Music We Trust
The day I Can Lick Any SOB broke up – 9b article
Michael Dean Damron – Official Website\
Michael Dean Damron – Myspace
Michael Dean Damron’s coverage on 9b

Always Trust Your Cape – An RSV Joint

Romeo Sid Vicious — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:15:42 +0000

This is one of those mixes where I heard a song and wanted to build around it. It ended up being pretty short but good listening nonetheless. It’s also one of three that I am moving here instead of having it’s own subdomain…

Track Archive

The Lucero Message Board Summer ’09 Mix Tape

Romeo Sid Vicious — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:51:42 +0000

The Lucero Message Board Summer ’09 Compilation
Track Archive
Feel free to drop this on your blog or anywhere else you can use an embed tag. Just copy the code below:

I don’t get any credit for this other than converting some files to mp3, retagging, and slapping the pretty cassette tape interface on it. Those kids over the the Lucero message board put this all together. Drop by and give them some props.

Liner Notes from the the board read:

The Fox Hunt – Better Than This (Lucero Cover) “The boys recorded this for the long overdue Lucero tribute album..I heard them play this version when they were here playing Surf Bar on Folly Beach…took some cajoling but I got MK to send me the mp3…here it is.” – JacksonDavis

Lucero – Live 1/4/2002 – American Girl “Sticking with the 4th of July theme. Just for fun.” – Boston Twang

Deer Tick – Born on Flag Day – Houston, TX “The first song that jumped out at me on the new record. Haven’t decided what I think of the new record yet but I like this song.” – Plank10

Cory Branan – Ardent Studios recording – Karen’s Song “I had never heard this prior to hearing it on the streaming file released by Rachel and The City when he was in studio earlier this year…cannot wait for his new album…he and Snodgrass kicked major ass in ATL and Savannah.” – JacksonDavis…thanks to Down South for the editing Wink

Ha Ha Tonka – Novel Sounds of The Nouveau South – Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart “Roaring out of the Ozarks with a bottle in one hand and a bible in the other” – ColoradoAlan

William Elliott Whitmore – Animals In The Dark – Old Devils “My current favourite tune from my favourite album of the year to date.” – JacksonDavis

Hoots & Hellmouth – The Holy Open Secret – What Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords “There is something about this band I find deeply interesting. I can’t quite put my finger on it but whatever it is this song has it.” – Autopsy IV

The Only Sons – Steel Hearts – Lay Back Down “This song is eerily relevant for a friends situation right now..” – ColoradoAlan

The Evening Rig – Is Doin’ Stuff – Goddamn, I Could Use A Drink “If you haven’t listened to these guys yet, you probably should.” – algwalcz

Jon Snodgrass w/ Cory Branan – Alone and Distanced “Too bad this isn’t being released on CD or digital download…but…I was able to pry this from someone who had been way late in getting Season 5 of The Wire back to me Cool” – JacksonDavis”

Two Cow Garage – Humble Narrator – Speaking in Cursive “I’ve had this CD for a while but just REALLY started to listen to it, and this song was the first one I kept repeating. ” The sun has a way of making us pay for our revelry filled nights” Amen Brother.” – Hecticeyes

Chad Rex & The Victorstands – Songs to Fix Angels – Build a Rocket “I only recently realized how good Chad Rex is. Besides, it’s the time of year for rockets.” – Boston Twang

Flogging Molly – Swagger – Salty Dog “Irish punk rock is great and good for hanging out in the summer listening to full blast.” – Lennon Medvick

Michael Dean Damron – Father’s Day – Angels Fly Up “It seems like I am always pimping this guy’s music and my work isn’t done until he’s got a platinum award on his wall…or something like that. Father’s Day is a strong contender for the Best of ’09 as far as I’m concerned. I can’t really pinpoint why this song means so much to me, but it affects me somewhere in the guts.” – Bone Machine

Austin Lucas – The Common Cold – Kith and Kin “If you’ve only heard Austin’s new album, definitely check out The Common Cold. Yay for the upcoming tour with Two Cow!” – TheOtherBrit

The Lemonheads – Varshons – Waitin Around to Die “Evan Dando revisits a Townes Van Zandt classic” – ColoradoAlan

Cheap Trick – The Latest – Sick Man Of Europe “Of all the music from my childhood, Cheap Trick are the band that I still enjoy with the intensity of my youth. It’s good to know that they’re still out there plugging away and have a catalog much richer than the classic rock staples (I Want You To Want Me, Surrender, The Flame…). This tune is from their new one, lovingly entitled The Latest, and is further proof that Robin Zander has one of the finer voices in rock some 35 years into his career.” – Bone Machine

The Dexateens – Singlewide – Can You Whoop It “If you like the Dexateens, keep an eye out for Arkadelphia, Lee Bains III’s new band. They’ve even more amazing!” – TheOtherBrit

Trampled by Turtles – Duluth – Empire “These guys are one of my favorite bands that I’ve discovered because they were a Lucero opener. Go see them live if you get the chance.” Boston Twang

Matthew Dean Herman – Blackbird – Blackbird “Fantastic debut album produced by Evan Phillips of The Whipsaws. RIYL: Drive-By Truckers” – Autopsy IV

Lyle Lovette – I Love Everybody – Fat Babies “I’ve been on a Lyle Lovette kick lately. “I don’t like hippies and I don’t like cornbread.” I’m confused that he doesn’t like cornbread.” – Plank10

Ray LaMontagne – Gossip in the Grain – Let it Be Me Submitted by corduroy

Uncle Tupelo – March 16-20 1994 – Moonshiner Submitted by corduroy

Kingston Trio – We’ll Sing in The Sunshine “A fun summertime sing-a-long…” – Nicole

Against Me! – As The Eternal Cowboy – You Look Like I Need Drink “Against Me! has been my sound track all summer, and this is one of my favorites.” – Lennon Medvick

Scared Of The Dark

Romeo Sid Vicious — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:23:10 +0000

Well I didn’t get any sort of inspiration to write about any of my attempts at life management. I will mention I am re-reading How To Win Friends And Influence People which is a must read for just about anyone regardless of your profession. But that’s all I’ve got on that so I decided to make up for Monday’s lack of music. I thought about this one long and hard and almost came up with a theme. I think everything flows on this one pretty well. I even managed to normalize them so nothing blows your eardrums out if you listen to it on your iPod. That’s about enough outta me…

I think we all have fears that we won’t own up to and sometimes that we don’t even admit to ourselves. I tried to grab some of those themes and bring that in the songs on this mix. I guess I did alright for the most part. Hope you enjoyed this one.

Track Archive

Enter: Two Cow Garage

Romeo Sid Vicious — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:00:35 +0000

I haven’t been a fan of Two Cow Garage for that long, which is a travesty, but they have taken a rightful place among most played artists. I went a different route with this intro as, much like Cory, I was working with a limited selection of releases only this time I had but a single bootleg recording with which to supplement. So instead of walking through the Columbus, OH rockers’ career in chronological order I decided to slap down one tape of my favorites from all of their albums and give you the only concert I have in full and un-cut. While seemingly limited two tapes is more than enough to show anyone who’s tastes cross mine that Two Cow Garage is an awesome band. I advise listening to these tapes while point you browser at Suburban Home Records and buy their three albums as quickly as you can.

Tracks 01, 08, and 11 are from Speaking In Cursive
Tracks 02, 03, 05, 12, and 15 are from III
Tracks 04, 07, 09, and 13 are from The Wall Against Our Back
Tracks 06, 10, ad=and 14 are from Please Turn The Gas Back On

Track Archive Here
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This is a show I found linked on the Drag The River message board. It was formerly hosted on cotapers.org but isn’t in their database anymore. Thankfully there were two seeders for the torrent and it took about eight hours. I’ll probably never know who the seeders were but I owe them a debt of thanks. Also thanks to the original taper: James Freeman for making this available for us. I did convert the FLACs to MP3 for this tape but it’s always nice having FLACs of concerts laying around. And there you have it….

Track Archive Here
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Well folks that’s all for this intro. I have one more in the alt-country vein then I am going to bring in some Texas/Red Dirt music to fill out the intros series. I may have two or three more months of weekly intros in me. If you have heard me mention a band and would like to request an intro please feel free to drop me a line on twitter and I’ll see about taking care of it for ya’.