Hey ladies (especially the ladies) and gentlemen, it's been months since I updated you on GP and this could only mean good things, right? With the three months or so in between updates we probably replaced our sorely missed members that left the band, finished our long-awaited second album and are primed and ready for new shows!! Right? I mean, come on, right? Please tell me that's what happened!!

Nope! Sorry guys, but it's been the opposite. After the last blog we had one encouraging practice. And that was the last time the GPs played music together in any form. While already reeling from the loss of Nick, Jon and John we were struck with what may have been the death blow for the charismatic crew known as The Guilty Parties: James informed us that he was leaving the state and going to start life anew in Las Vegas, Nv. While we were saddened to see our favorite cuddle-bunny go, we decided that we still had what it took to soldier on... or so we thought. Since then the GPs have moved their separate ways in life. I've been eyeball deep in graduate school work, Joshi's been working on wrapping up his bachelor's degree, Bobby has been working on school and getting his life under way and Jeff's been diligently working on getting into the police academy (no, he's not replacing Steve Gutenberg as the lead of a zany class of misfits out to shake the foundation of the old guard; he's actually working toward becoming a law enforcement officer!). So the remaining GPs aren't in a position to re-write parts and train new members right now. That doesn't mean we're calling it quits officially, because maybe we're too afraid to let GP go, but the band as of right now is not planning on playing any shows (That includes a final farewell if we do indeed call it a night) or practicing so don't keep your hopes up too high :(

We did have a lovely reunion of all the GPs (and former stars of the GP galaxy) at Nick's wedding in September and it was a love-fest of guys that still respect and admire one another. Despite the love and mutual admiration we did put a nail in the coffin of reforming as we once were. Things within the band have changed too much; everyone has their own lives to live and projects that they are pursuing. But it was a great feeling having everyone in the same room and enjoying one another's company for a night.

So, could this be the end of the Guilty Parties? Who knows!!!

But as a consolation I'm putting most of "You're Out of the Band" for you all to remember how hard we once rocked.

Speaking of Rock! We do have that totally unfinished album which will likely never come out. I wish you guys could have heard it, but unfortunately it's nowhere near close to being in a spot where I could release it. The music just wouldn't make sense. So keep your fingers crossed and your lucky rabbit's feet tightly in your grip and maybe we'll finish that before the studio we recorded our album in becomes completely dismantled.

So folks, that's it and that's all for now. Hopefully this won't be the last time I blog to you all, but just in case it is you've all been great and I miss seeing your smiling faces as I'm sure the rest of the guys do.

Peace,
-Anthony and The Guilty Parties Rock and Roll Extravaganza.

P.S. In response to Jonah not being able to post his picture memories, I'll post any pictures you want to leave in comments here. Just leave a link and I'll take care of it. This should be pretty cool!

Jonah

Hey guys, Anthony here with your GP Blog!

So I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated you all personally. Things have been pretty rough in camp GP as you may have heard, but I’m here to dispel some of the more prominent rumors I’ve been hearing. I’ll start with the small, and get to the bigger ones at the end.

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Rumor: I heard that Jon, Nick, John and Mark really left the band? Is that true?

The Truth: Yes. John, Jon and Nick have left the band for greener pastures and we’ll miss them very much. Also, who the fuck is Mark?

Rumor:  The “album” you guys have been working on doesn’t really exist; you’ve been lying to us this whole time!

The Truth: Oh no ladies and gentlemen, I assure you this album—however incomplete, does exist. We’ve spent far too much time and money on it, but it’s there and it will be coming out… eventually. There are some people outside of the band that have heard the tracks and whether or not they were being serious, or just nice as to not offend, they have enjoyed what they have heard.

Rumor: I saw a video online of Anthony dressing up as Darth Vader to scare a Five year old Child. Is he really that big of a jerk, or has Joaquin Phoenix just really let himself go?

The Truth: It’s true. I am a jerk. Here’s the proof:

Rumor: That last rumor had nothing to do with GP, you just wanted more hits on your YouTube video, didn’t you Anthony?

The truth: That is correct.

Rumor: The Guilty Parties broke up. They’re toast. Peace bitches, they out!

The Truth: Okay, so this is the big one. Short Answer for those who want to skip to the end: NOPE!

But for those of you who need to know, yes, we almost did.

Here’s what happened:

In late May, right before we were scheduled to record horns Mark (Trumpet) decided that not only that he was quitting the band, but that he would let the music Bobby (and Josh) painstakingly wrote out for him get thrown away; meaning that we not only had no trumpet, but no trumpet music to teach a replacement for the studio. We hit a stagnant point, not knowing what to do. We were in a bind because we needed to finish the horns before the end of June or it would be pushed back to September at the earliest. Things took a turn for the worse when John Martinez informed me on the day of the first horn session that he wouldn’t be recording or playing with us anymore. So we took the hit and went into the studio with just Bobby and James on horns. We managed to finish over half the album, but there’s much work to be done.

After the recording disasters, we were faced with the steep challenge of playing the Ska in the Park show with only one full band practice in a month and no Trombone as bobby went out of town, and a Trumpet player who only had a few days to prepare for his first show as a GP. We had a couple of guys who didn’t want to do the show because they felt we wouldn’t be properly prepared, but we voted to soldier on and rock some faces like only GP can. Then the now infamous dodger game incident occurred and we had to cancel late Friday night.

After that had transpired, I was bummed, but I got a call from Jon early Saturday morning asking if we could do an acoustic set. Several hours later when all remaining GPs were contacted and organized we decided we could pull it off. I called the guy in charge of Ska in the Park(ing Lot.) and he said to show up with out gear and he’d try to squeeze us in. Unfortunately there wasn’t room for us. Arguments between band members broke out and we all left steamed. Everyone was pretty mad at me because I promised them we would be put on the bill. I’m sorry to everyone we disappointed by not playing, but there wasn’t much we could do.

So after all that stuff went down Nick called me and told me he quit. There we were without a drummer and fresh off a couple of disasters. We decided to hold a band meeting after Bob got back home to the ....US.... to see what we wanted to do as far as playing goes. After bob got back Jeff left to do Marine reserve training in ..Yuma.. Az. so we were again incomplete for a couple of weeks. During that time Jon decided it was for the best that he leave the band and GP hit its lowest point probably ever.

We were down to five members: Josh, James, Jeff, Bob and myself. We weren’t sure of what was to become of GP. Did we really have it in us to push on after almost half the band left in a period of 6 weeks? There was some serious talk about leaving GP to die while we started something completely new and different, or maybe changing our name and moving on with some of GP’s new music in what would be essentially a new band with some familiar songs. Even I was so down on the subject I was thinking of just letting go and quitting GP (Thanks to a certain young lady who advised against doing so, I changed my mind on the subject). It was a confusing time and with everyone scattered around the states and out of contact with each other we decided to hold a band meeting last night.

At the meeting last night we came to a conclusion after much debate. We decided to finish the album and stay together as the one, the only Guilty Parties. We’ve all been in the band off and on for the past 6 years and we’re not just going to give up that easy. You guys have been too good to us for us not to give it another shot.

We’re not going to be starting over, but things are going to change. Bobby, our beloved Trombone player, will no be our half-deaf drummer once again. Jeff will now be the only guitarist in the band and Josh will be picking up his sax again for live shows. We also added our friend Eric on trumpet to accompany James and Josh as part of our more compact horn section. We also plan on writing a lot more. We have always been slow at writing, but we’re hoping with fewer members we will actually be able to agree on how a song should sound and what direction our music will take.

So fear not kiddos, the GPs are alive and well and we’ll be able to fit on more stages! And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll come out and support us so we don’t fade away as a distant memory!

Peace,

Anthony

Alright, so this new blog won't be as beautifully written as all the rest (because Anthony isn't writing it, but at least there will be 99.9% less typos (because Anthony isn't writing it). We have some interesting news for ya'll on a couple of subjects. 

Stuff: We've done some!!

So I have some good news for you in the land of the living. The GPs have resumed work on the album and we've finished some horn work! It sounds great and I wish you guys could hear it, but you can't! Unless you come to my house and listen to it. And no, I'm not going to tell you where I live, silly; but if you know where come on down! Wait--I'm going to make an amendment to that last statement. If you're a hot, single lady who likes bassists I can go ahead and tell you where I live, so you can come out and listen to some music and maybe doing some making out... I'm just saying that sometimes GP music is a sexual experience and I'll be there.. you'll be there.. I mean.. do I have to spell it out for you? You know you want this ladies, come get it!

OK back on topic, now, shall we?

Where were we? Ummm... Oh yeah, album! Yes, it's sounding good and the horns done right. We unfortunately have to take a recording break as our producer man and his mustace (pictures later) are going on warped tour with his band LONGWAY.

Now, you're saying to yourself "this is great news, man! I can't way to hear the album! When can I see the Guilty Parties and that hunk of a bassist live?" Well, I'll tell you: You can see us this Saturday at Ska in the Park 'oh9 on the Main Stage at 6:30! It's going to be a lot of fun and ass will be kicked.

Umm.. I think that's it for now. Summer shows will happen, I'm just not sure when because personell issues, but I assure you they will happen. Stay tuned.

Peace,
Anthony

Wow, it's been over a month since I last posted. Where have all the emails hounding me for updates gone? Come on guys, you're letting me lag!

Anyway, since we last talked GP played an awesome and extremely HOT show at the Pharaoh's Den in fabulous downtown Riverside. We sweat our way through a fun set and I'm glad those of you who found the place stuck around for a very late show with us.

News:

So I'm sure you all want to hear that the horns are done and we've moved on to the vocals, but I'm not going to lie to you... so I wont say that. Good news is that we have a deadline our producerman5000 is back in town after touring with his band so we can hit the studio to finish the album in the coming weeks before he heads out onto the warped tour.

In a bit of unrelated news I've been observing classrooms at La Sierra High School in Riverside California and I was delighted to run into a couple of GP fans. Now, if you go to La Sierra it's time to impress me: Wear a GP shirt to school and if I see you I'll give you something cool... I'm not sure what yet, but it'll be something. All you need to do is wear your GP shirts on campus! Spread the love and word of GP and even if I don't see you on campus, you'll feel better about yourself!

In other newsworthy news I just paid to keep our album on iTunes and Amazon for another year. In addition to the MP3 copy, Amazon will be issuing hard copy on-demand prints of the album in the coming month for those of you who still listen to CDs! And as soon as we release the new album, they will be distributed in a similar fashion.

Aside from all of that I don't have much else to report other than we're all looking forward to Ska in the Park June 27th. I'm hearing this event will be HUGE so get your tickets early! It's going to be hard to beat $20 for 30 ska bands, so advise you be there because you don't want to miss THE EVENT OF THE SUMMER, do you?

Anyway, it's time to get back to work because as always my break is running out.

Peace,
Anthony

It's true. "She's a Lady" is on a constant loop in my head, and I kind of don't want it to stop. The Welsh crooner's voice is strangely soothing and his songs about Love,  Women and Pussycats inspire me to strive become the ladies man he was in his heyday. Don't worry though, I don't sing in GP, so you wont need to worry about hearing me sing; and I only use mouthwash for dental purposes only. Also, what got me in the Tom Jones mood was the fact that a friend of mine mentioned that he knew The Guilty Parties on Friday night and some random lady wanted to get up ons! True story! The Guilty Parties: helping the kids hook up with each other since at least Friday!

Speaking of dental manners, was the last show like going to the dentist for you guys? Sorry for playing my absolute worst show ever, but after taking off my clothes for money on stage (sorry folks, that probably was a one-time deal, and you missed it!) I was so flustered that I didn't know how to play our songs anymore! You know what else can fluster me? Being onstage with an unfamiliar group of musicians! What do I mean by that? Well, this Friday I'm filling in on the ol' bass guitar for our friends Half Past Two as their bassist Alex is able to make this show. I'm pretty excited because this will be the very first show I've played with a band that is not the Guilty Parties, not even in my old high school band Much Tomfoolery was fortunate enough to make it out of a garage in two years of "playing music." So if you're in the area, come out! It's free! you can't beat that with a stick!

Beating? Sticks? Is he going to talk about the album? It's done, right? Chase Long Beach started recording their album a couple of weeks ago, so sure the GPs have finally gotten off of their asses and finished recording the horns and vocals right? Oh you optimists continue to make me smile. Unfortunately no, we haven't finished recording, but we plan on doing so... eventually! Believe me, we're just as eager to get this album out the door, but the musical gods just haven't been on our side.

Alright ladies and Gents, I should probably stop writing and start sleeping.

Goodnight,
Anthony

Greetings, children (and you adult-types as well)

It's been weeks since I've posted a blog, I know. Don't feel bad; it's not you--it's me. This world was a hectic world for me for a couple of week with finals (I Graduated from CSUSB!) and my sister got married on March 28th, so the GP blog was left to pirates and the like. But I'm back!

GP is still "hard at work" on prepping our horns for the album as we'd like to treat our music we have recorded as a fine wine or cheese. The aging process is going over well because every time Patrick, our producer for the album, hands us a copy of our work it gets better! I'm really excited with the work we have done so far and am looking forward to posting the finished work up for everyone to hear.

Speaking of hearing, you can hear us this weekend at Qbonkers with Instafu, Task Force: Panda and you can witness the return of Cooley's Market! Rumor has it that there's an event going on downtown in the early evening. but don't fret, you can make it to both that event if you're interested and our show all in the same night! The doors for the show open at 7pm, but the bands aren't taking the stage until after 8PM, so please make sure you come out and see everyone.

Also, in the GP news bin we've been working on some NEW music for you guys! We figured if it's going to take 11 years to put out this album, we might as well write some new stuff for the next album due out in 2038. We wont be playing it at the show, because it's not that far along, but it's good stuff and I have a feeling we'll be playing it before you know it.

In other news, we've added a show at the Pharaoh's Den in Riverside for May and we're working on some stuff for later in May as well as June that's going to be a lot of fun.

Anyway, that's it and that's all folks. I hope to see you this weekend for our first riverside show in quite some time!

Peace,
Anthony

...cause this one just got hijacked.

Morning kiddos, and thank you for unknowingly tuning in to the first installment of the GP Rebel Resistance Pirate Force Blogoverse, or GPRPFB.

I am the Resistance Leader, your Commandant, and fellow footsoldier in the movement, J Pop. Now who am I you may ask? To that I would say.. shut your jerky hole, you didn't raise your hand. And if you happened to raise your hand, and on being called upon, happened to ask your question again, I would reply:

I am the one they call J Pop. I am a heaping helping of sharp tooth-ed wit, served medium well with a side of sarcasm fries. (We don't eat french, freedom or seasoned curlies.) Polish this off with an icy cold glass of Zima and you have me in a nutshell. Crack that nutshell, and I shall break free of my nutty prison to pwn your mind.

Some naysayers out there will try and discredit me, to smear my resume of badassery with lie-flavored jam. There are those out there who would claim that J Pop is merely a guitar player in a certain band named the Guilty Parties. They would accuse that J Pop, and this GP employed, guitar playing"Jeff" are the same man. With his Rouge-ish good looks, Skarock guitar training, and all around fonzie-like badassedness, I would be flattered to be compared to him. (If I was capable of such emotion of course.) However, let me assure you we are totally not the same person.

With that out the way, let us move on to business. What would someone such as me, Commandant J Pop, of the GPRPFB, be hacking into a myspace blog for?
Well to be honest, I am bored, and looking for a place to spew my rant. So here it goes..

What is up with the locking mechanism on most cars nowadays. You are trying to lock, or unlock your trusty steel steed, so you use your finger to push the button on the inside of your door to do so. But you are faced with a challenge, a cryptic puzzle of wits awaits you on your quest. The symbol on the button is a key on one side , and an open box type figure on the other.

Now.. being the smart driver you are you think to yourself, (Or "yourselves" for our multi-personalitied readers) "Since I want to lock the car.. I should prolly press the Key logo. To unlock the door I'll press the open/empty box logo."
But i say to you NAY! You are wrong! Everything you thought you knew is bogus! The cake is a lie! Relearn your mind!



Until next time.. Stay Frosty!

Maybe it's just because I'm some kind of sloppy beast of an eater, but do you guys ever get mustard mouth? What's mustard mouth? You'd know it when you have it. It feels/smells like you have mustard residue on the corners of your mouth after enjoying a delicious sandwich-like food. See, I just had a chicken sandwich for dinner and of course I squirted some mustard on it for a tangy flavor boost and now I'm stuck here with the feeling of mustard mouth. It's quite bothersome. Even after a good toothbrush/mouthwash session I still have the gross feeling. Damn you mustard!

Oh, sorry folks I didn't realize I was writing a GP blog post here.. I thought this was the "Talk about stupid crap that no one cares about and maybe someday someone will be kind enough to kill you in front of a live webcam so at least your murder will be a youtube hit and someone out there might actually care about you; but only after you die this horrible, semi-public death" blog. Thankfully it's the GP blog, because that other blog is so depressing.

Speaking of depression; yours can end tomorrow!! GP Ends it's streak of 40 days without a show tomorrow night!! I know, it's amazing. you've all been waiting. and for you beautiful OC peeps we're making our first trip to OC this year!

We're going to be direct support to one of our favorite bands: Half Past Two, tomorrow night for their CD release party! The Pocketeers, Task Force: Panda and Skamikaze are going to be rounding out the bill, so make sure to be there early to catch some good bands!

Good bands? Good news. We're playing a show April 11th at Qbonkers with Instafu (Back from Hiatus!) Task Force: Panda (Their first Riverside Show!) and Cooley's Market! Now, I know a lot of you are like "Who in the world is Cooley's Market?" It's okay, you're young and probably didn't go to many shows in the late 90's. But if you did, you probably got yourself a dose of Cooley's Market. I've never had the pleasure of seeing them live, but I have been trying to track down their stuff stince I heard "Tweeky Jay" on the "Hey Brother Can you Spare Some Ska 2" compilation by Vegas records. If you haven't heard it, check it out here (click the link, i dare you).

Anyway, that show is going to start a little bit later than usual. The doors are opening at 7, but the bands aren't starting up until 8 because there's a festival downtown some of you guys might be attending and we wanted to make sure you guys could see all the bands after that milky goodness was over and done with. So please come out and support since it's only $5 and we're going to be opening for a band that hasn't played together in over 10 years!

Ok ladies and gents, that's all I've got for you!!

Peace,
Anthony

P.S. If Danny San Diego ever tells you there's a Kenan and Kel marathon and sends you the link to watch it: don't click on it. For the love of everything holy do not click on that link. It will kill any productivity you have going. Conversely, if that same man sends you a link to the "BEST VIDEO EVER," feel free to click away because it really is fantastic.