http://thelifeand

Happy Merry,

ZZ Times

This pic was taken from our most recent excursion with the Get Up Kids while playing Irving Plaza in NYC on Halloween Night, '09. We closed our set with a rousing rendition of Just Got Paid that would've made Rapeman very proud, not to mention the Top themselves. The whole tour was so fun and was easily the biggest crowds we've played to 18 nights in a row. Thanks to the GetUpKids, Kevin Devine and the Goddamn band and all who made it out to get rocked.

Old Souls, The Film

Clayton Brown was/is 1) my old college roommate, 2) the very first drummer in Shiner, 3) currently a film professor at Northwestern, 4) has made all things video for TLAT, but more importantly has released a documentary called The Atom Smashers that was featured on the PBS series Independent Lens, about the Large Hadron Collider.

Yet, even more important than that is the newest video he's created for our song "Old Souls" from Tragic Boogie. The actor in the film/video is musician Jim Becker, who carries residences in Caliphone and Red Red Meat among others. The girl in the video is played by Kate Tummelson, about whom I don't have much info, other than she's beautiful. Keep in mind, the effects in this vid were created solely organically, old school. Not one CGI. Enjoy!

The Almighty Church of Science

Also, we're really excited to have had another of our songs, "The Politics of Driving" used for a Richard Dawkins Foundation video, directed by my old friend Josh Timonen. Check it here. If for some reason you're unaware of just who Richard Dawkins might be, the link here is a good start. But suffice it to say he's one of the brightest minds in this increasingly superstitious and religulous (yep) world of ours, demanding sound thinking on all subjects, not just about The God Delusion, his latest book.

Hoodie Winked

Hot as shit yet, yet somehow cool as Hell. Our NEW HOODIES are navy blue and feature the "reel to reel' design that's increasingly becoming our 'Ugly Organ" design. In zip-up and pull-over. Get you some NOW!!!!!

January

23 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
28 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar w/ Adam Franklin and Bolts of Melody
29 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle w. Adam Franklin and Bolts of Melody
30 Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club

RIP Matt Arluck

Sweet Cobra have recently lost one of their founding members and guitarists, Mr Matt Arluck, after a long battle with cancer. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the boys in Sweet Cobra and especially Matts' family in this difficult time. Please go by their site to see more about Matt.

ae. cm. ea.

http://thelifeandtimes.com - Shit-hot Hoodies! http://myspace.com/thelifeandtimes
http://arenarock.com
http://richarddawkinsfoundation.org
http://myspace.com/sweetcobra

in order, it goes like this, (for those who care and speaking for me alone, as i'm the lone sporto/jocko of the band):

KC Royals - Yep. still. it's called loyalty.
KC Chiefs - I also cry red like the little girl from the Nat Geo channel. A lot.
World Champion KU Jayhawks (Basketball)- hard to argue with.
Missouri Tigers (Football) - Illini killers.
Chicago Blackhawks - In my and other sports cogniscenti opinion, hockey is still shooting itself in the foot as long as they continue to allow WWE wrestling and fighting on the ice, because the sport is brilliant and brutal enough without appealling to the LCD.
Chicago Bulls - I'm just happy to be in a town that has the NBA again. plus ex Jayhawk Kirk Hinrich is here still...right? isn't he the lone brightspot?
KC Wizards (Soccer) - Wave a few bucks in front of these stadium starved champs and they might even throw in a few HJs with a few wins. Just ask KCK.
Chicago Bears - I think i'll be able to root for these guys as my new hometown football team. i always liked Jay Cutler and thought he didn't get the chance he deserved in Shitver...i mean Denver. sorry guys. uhm...I like your mountains and pot.
Chicago Cubs - I've always had a soft spot for the underdog, (see my first 2 listings) and these guys should do nicely as my NL fave.
Chicago WhiteSox - Until Shoeless Joe Jackson's name is cleared and he gets into the HOF, I'll politely ignore them unless they're beat---i mean playing the Royals.

a to the e

http://www.thelifeandtimes.com/Blog/Me-and-Blago

The Duplex Suplex

hola amigos y amigas! sorry there's been precious little updating here at TLAT HQ2, due to the high rate of weeding through 15 years of shit that has accrued at TLAT HQ1. seriously so much shit. and it all has to be inventoried to some degree. when moving from a relatively big house in KC, to a much smaller but still sizeable duplex-down (that's Chi-speak for 1st floor and basement dwelling), all your belongings go in one of 4 places: in the home, in storage, donated to Goodwill, or in the trash.

it's actually been a pretty cathartic if not ridiculously trying and difficult experience overall. it can put you back in touch with little gems one stuffs away for another time, like now! in fact, my music collection took a massive jump in span when i unearthed boxes and boxes of dusty cassettes which sound surprisingly fat and rich, if you can find your cassette player. my REM and Rush collections jumped back up to its college numbers. it's affirming in some nostalgic way. (sniff). i'm ok.

Keeping Bizzy

since me and the boys haven't been able to rock the bells recently, i've took the opportunity to work on some collaborations with several different and really amazing artists and rockists. the full extent of these shall be revealed in due time. it is totally liberating for me to not build the frame of the song but instead be the one to decorate the room, if i'm not mixing metaphors here. i think you guys will dig each. more on that as soon as i get clearance to blab about it.

September Morn

wicked dates coming up. shows at Play St Louis and Pygmalion Festival in Champaign in September coming up. then we're honored to be included on a massive leg of the Get Up Kids reunion tour in October. the rooms are fucking huge. at least bigger than we're used to...but we're so stoked to finally get loud for a while. check these sound events on the Tour page. see you soon!

ae

http://thelifeandtimes.com - TB + 3 and vinyl now on merch page!?!
http://arenarock.com
http:://stiffslack.com
http://myspace.com/thelifeandtimes

Updates and Tour info

http://thelifeandtimes.com/Blog/Hang-em-High

Tragic Magic

There is much afoot this summer in the house of the Boogie. and because of that it's been tough to schedule shows. for that we apologize. but nevertheless, we serve a higher god that goes by the name of Thunder Strings Inc., and so we praise thee, oh God, and give to thee sacrificial sacraments of...sacrifice.
 

to wit:

JULY

11 Kansas City, MO @ Czar Bar w/ Thee Water Mocassins.
15 Ft Worth, TX @ Lolas w/ Adam Franklin solo (Swervedriver, etc)
16 Austin, TX @ Mohawk w/ TV Torso. TLAT is 1st @ 11pm!
17 Little Rock, AR @ Vinos w/ Now Now Every Children
18 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird w/ Now Now Every Children
 

72 Musicians - The Movie

roughly 2 years ago, a local Kansas City via LA filmmaker named Bob Moz began to chronicle the stories of a batch of local musicians. he wasn't trying to create a story about KC musicians, per se, but it was more about any set of musicians. it just so happens most of the musicians he knows are from KC. i digress.

among many others that you'll likely recognize, Allen (Epley) was asked to contribute an on-camera interview for the film, and it turns out he (I) features quite prominently, he's (I've) been told. in fact, for the trailer they decided to use a live version of our song Que Sera Sera. in addition to showing at all the major film fests in the coming year, they'll be debuting the film at Screenland here in Kansas City, MO on Sunday July 19th at 7pm. please follow this link, watch the trailer, read his blog and try to make a donation to this amazing piece of filmmaking if at all possible. do it now.

Keep It Up Kidz

so, some of our closer friends have known that Eric Abert (4 strings, hairdo) moved to New York with his girl last November. he's been commuting back and forth for tours and writing, etc. it's tough but it's working. now, it turns out that Allen Epley (6 strings, beard, old) will be a resident of the Windy City (Chicago) beginning August of this year, which helps to explain why there haven't been as many shows planned as there normally would've been this summer. Chris Metcalf (no strings, super-skinny) will remain in our HQ here in KC, where we'll reconvene to write, record and rehearse for tours. 
 
But fear ye not for the Life of the Life and Times, for much is planned into the coming year, nee', into the new year even! in addition to these shows next week, we have a September tour taking us to the Pygmalion Festival in Champaign, IL, and then a 3 week tour with the Get Up Kids in October, then to Japan and Europe in Spring '10. Persistent rumors also have TLAT linked for a tour with a band that shall remain unnamed, but rhymes with the word Pursive. more on that soon!
 
Big A out. check our merch and make us rich!
thanks so much!! stay tuned.
 
Get Tragic Boogie here:
http://thelifeandtimes.com/merch
http://arenarock.com
http://itunes.com
http://amazon.com

http://thelifeandtimes.com/Blog/Hang-em-High

Tragic Magic

There is much afoot this summer in the house of the Boogie. and because of that it's been tough to schedule shows. for that we apologize. but nevertheless, we serve a higher god that goes by the name of Thunder Strings Inc., and so we praise thee, oh God, and give to thee sacrificial sacraments of...sacrifice.
 

to wit:

JULY

11 Kansas City, MO @ Czar Bar w/ Thee Water Mocassins.
15 Ft Worth, TX @ Lolas w/ Adam Franklin solo (Swervedriver, etc)
16 Austin, TX @ Mohawk w/ TV Torso. TLAT is 1st @ 11pm!
17 Little Rock, AR @ Vinos w/ Now Now Every Children
18 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird w/ Now Now Every Children
 

72 Musicians - The Movie

roughly 2 years ago, a local Kansas City via LA filmmaker named Bob Moz began to chronicle the stories of a batch of local musicians. he wasn't trying to create a story about KC musicians, per se, but it was more about any set of musicians. it just so happens most of the musicians he knows are from KC. i digress.

among many others that you'll likely recognize, Allen (Epley) was asked to contribute an on-camera interview for the film, and it turns out he (I) features quite prominently, he's (I've) been told. in fact, for the trailer they decided to use a live version of our song Que Sera Sera. in addition to showing at all the major film fests in the coming year, they'll be debuting the film at Screenland here in Kansas City, MO on Sunday July 19th at 7pm. please follow this link, watch the trailer, read his blog and try to make a donation to this amazing piece of filmmaking if at all possible. do it now.

Keep It Up Kidz

so, some of our closer friends have known that Eric Abert (4 strings, hairdo) moved to New York with his girl last November. he's been commuting back and forth for tours and writing, etc. it's tough but it's working. now, it turns out that Allen Epley (6 strings, beard, old) will be a resident of the Windy City (Chicago) beginning August of this year, which helps to explain why there haven't been as many shows planned as there normally would've been this summer. Chris Metcalf (no strings, super-skinny) will remain in our HQ here in KC, where we'll reconvene to write, record and rehearse for tours. 
 
But fear ye not for the Life of the Life and Times, for much is planned into the coming year, nee', into the new year even! in addition to these shows next week, we have a September tour taking us to the Pygmalion Festival in Champaign, IL, and then a 3 week tour with the Get Up Kids in October, then to Japan and Europe in Spring '10. Persistent rumors also have TLAT linked for a tour with a band that shall remain unnamed, but rhymes with the word Pursive. more on that soon!
 
Big A out. check our merch and make us rich!
thanks so much!! stay tuned.
 
Get Tragic Boogie here:
http://thelifeandtimes.com/merch
http://arenarock.com
http://itunes.com
http://amazon.com

http://thelifeandtimes.com/Blog/My-Right-Foot-of-F...

From The Mouth of a Gift Horse

wick smith has chronicled several of the shows from this US tour to offer at thelifeandtimes.com as a bountiful gift of sound and sight. on the docket for free viewing and download are the shows from New York at Webster Hall on 4.18.09, Chicago at the Empty Bottle on 4.23.09, and from Kansas City MO at the Record Bar on 5.30.09. take and eat, for this is my body. take and drink, for this is my blood!  
 

Convinced the Internet Is Turning Us to Mush

between facebook, myspace, twitter, shitter, drudge, huff, puff and all the rest, there's so much fucking nano-info on the net anymore that no one seems to be truly retaining much of anything. there's headlines to mouse over without actually reading the story, ridiculous donkey porn to sidetrack, bands to forget, and so much bullshit that matters to nobody that basically everything is a big wash. anybody still here?....
 
So sound the gong when i re-announce that Tragic Boogie is available at all our shows, itunes, emusic, arenarock.com, thelifeandtimes.com, amazon.com and probably countless file-sharing sites that think all music should be free like the wind. but fuck that because they don't offer our DVD or T-shirts to buy!
 

Warp Speed

our travels on this last tour, out west you may recall, took us to some different locales than we normally get to play and that's pretty cool. what ain't cool is driving roughly 600 miles a day for the last 3 days of tour to get from Salt Lake City to Billings(?) to Fargo(!) to Des Moines then home. so Dr. Heavy Foot drove roughly 90 mph to make up the difference. no shit.
 
the shows up there were mostly cautionary tales: if you must go, try to make it a weekend when playing the Great Upper North Territories. the day after Memorial Day will only get you some disinterested folks who apparently get mind-blowing rock bands 7 days a week. so, plan ahead if you must venture upwards!
 
overall, however, our experience out west was one of our best to date. hope everyone got rocked like we did. played with some amazing bands too: portamento, st. elias, traindodge, kinch, hialeah, ganji, system and station, microtia, cale parks, other lives, shark speed, little brazil, pet comfort, mr. gnome, wolves in the attic, the rest is noise, and others i may have been too ruphied(sp?) to recall. google or bing em to see what i mean. i've been waiting to use bing as a verb.
 
ok more shows announced soon! word.
ae

http://thelifeandtimes.com/Blog/In-A-Future-World

Murdering The Clock

todays an off day so we got the rocksuite at a motel 9 in medford, OR. shows have been off the hook for the large majority. big props out to Traindodge, with whom we rocked in at modified arts in phoenix. their new record I Am Forever is pretty effin great. thanks to everybody for coming out and getting their foundation shifted. more soon!

We're Playing Quite Loudly Very Near You

MAY
21 Portland, OR @ Satyricon w/ System and Station
22 Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern w/ Cale Parks
25 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
26 Billings, MT @ Railyard Ale House
27 Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
28 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews - EARLY SHOW! doors @ 5pm, TLAT @ 8:30pm
29 Omaha, NE @ The Sydney w/ Little Brazil
30 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar w/ Pet Comfort and Mr. Gnome

Watch the Rawk from KC

webcasting to your soul again, although this time we're live from the Record Bar in KCMO. tune in for that rocka-rolla.

Again?

yep, because so many people ask at the shows, Tragic Boogie, among many other items of our prolific catalogue, is available NOW and is well worth your nickel. get it at the shows listed above, itunes, thelifeandtimes.com, arenarock.com. hear it at myspace.com/thelifeandtimes.

word. see you soon! ae

a very dark chocolate lab/pit mix found me the other day. a box of shirts from our shirt dude, Jason Cope at Start the Press, had been erroniously sent down the street. on my way back home with the shirts in hand, this handsome rover was emaciated, cold as shit,  had a choke collar double tied around his neck and not one tag.

he followed me to the porch and i gave him some grub. after zero urging, my wife acquiesced, we adopted him immediately and within a week he had informed us that his name was Henry. or Henri. couldn't tell.

either way he's been an amazing addition to the fam and our other little shithead of a dog, Bobby--a fatass beagle/bassett mutt--loves Henry like no other. in fact, i'm pretty sure they're sweet on each other with all the humpin and pumpin going on out there. seriously.

anyway Henry is an athletic dude, and has absolutely no problem jumping our fences to chase important shit like joggers and wind. which explains how we found his ass. he's a serial jumper. can't help himself. he's nudging me to let him out as i type this but there's no way i'm doing that. not after i retrieved his skinny frame from the Hallmark complex at 27th and McGee, almost 3 miles away. yep.

i need bigger fences for sure. my wife brought home some fucking harness (that's supposed to keep him from extending fully but doesn't hurt him) that even she, the soon-to-be PHD, couldn't figure out. so i'm running out of ideas. you guys with fellow serial-jumping dogs should hip me to some ideas. luckily he's got a shit ton of ID tags with our info or else he'd be running buckwild right now.

meanwhile, the HUM shows were sick. so much fun to hang with my boys and see some of you folks there. thanks for all the good words and patience for Tragic Boogie. we're effing dying for it to hurry up and be April so it'll come out.
exciting little run with Story of the Sea, our boys from MPLS, at the end of Jan. then SXSW in March. then The Boog sees daylight in April. 
 
it definitely seems to be building a bit of "hype" as they say in the "biz". anyway we have a song in the new Saints Row 2 game. gamers let me know when you hear it. and a big article in Alternative Press is scheduled for the Feb issue, i believe.

so keep us in your ears. more soon.
ae

it's been a while since an update so here's a quick rundown.

what better than time than the shitty ass cold, icy, and snowy time that is known as "winter" to hole up in the studio and kick out some really badass new jamz!  basically that is what we have been doing.  we are about half way finished with all of the major tracking for our new full-length, and we have just began recording the second half.  we are getting some really great sounds, and we think you will be really happy with all of the new tunes.  we are.

there are a few shows on the horizon like SXSW, we'll keep you posted.  stay tuned for more dates as spring comes around.  we'll be seeing you, you know who you are.

by for now.

here is a link to some photos from inside the studio.  enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericabert/sets/72157603748090893/