Sorry to say, I feel asleep during Obama's speech. I saw Jessie Jackson crying... other black folks hugging and crying. I saw cynical news anchors making funny faces, guffawing, sighing and
rolling their eyes during the broadcast.

I heard weird things come out of their mouths too as I flipped around the stations. When McCain conceded, Katie Couric said something that I'd have to find the clip of to really explain, but it made me feel a little weird. I don't remember it verbatim so I'm not gonna quote her. I just plaeyed it back about five times to make sure I wasn't crazy.

Then again you can't scrutinize every second of live media coverage. People are people and you can't read anyone's minds.

But hey I DVR-ed the Obama thing and I'm catching up on it right now.

As a black person, I'm not sure how I feel about the 'vicory'. I certainly wasn't crying. I'm kinda concerned. I really didn't want to be watching tv with his head all close up on a big screen tv and watch someone shoot him or some fake-ass 911-like terrorist attack shitt lie where someone sets off a bomb in the crowd near the stage or worse.

This black man in the White House stresses me out. Reminds me of that Chris Rock movie where he keeps imagining winning the presidential election and being shot. That would have just been too much for me to deal with.

Then there's the other side of me that doesn't believe in any of this. The side that knows our constitution has been dismantled along with our health care system, the education system, so on and so fourth.

That part of me knows all this is total BS. I decided to take some classes at Texas Southern University (and I love it. more of a college experience than U of H for sure. Eh, I'll finish my degrees at U of H soon enough). But it was kinda cool seeing and hearing all these young black folks talking about voting and the election. It didn't seem like there was anyone on the campus that hadn't voted early.

All in all, it's just another day. I need to give my mom a hug. I should've been at home with her when this historic moment went down.

Ok, back to the national economic meltdown... at least gas went below $2 bux for a week. Wish I was on tour.

(this was originally a post on the Hands Up message board...cut n' paste)

I checked the old myspace email this morning and i got the following message. Below that is my response to the guy.



----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Scott Britner
Date: Mar 4, 2008 7:01 PM


Hi, fellow gamer!

Are you either a social gamer or die-hard gamer who believes the bigger
the screen the better the game?

When you were 12 didn't you want the biggest TV in the house to play
your video games on?

Can you spare as little as a one dollar… four measly quarters… the
change lying around the floor of your car… to help a 12-year-old video
gamer experience the thrill of the game on a larger TV?

If you answered 'Yes' to any of those questions please be sympathetic to
a 12-year-old gamer's goal and check out: www. TylerNeedsANewTV. com


Tyler's not asking for charity.

He's the last one to do so.

Tyler has fought to overcome his 60% hearing loss disability for every
goal he has achieved including...

* Black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do in one year
* championship Pop Warner football team
* Honor Roll
* Presidential Award for Educational Excellence
* Almost 1,000 points in a Gears Of War online match :)

So he doesn't want charity... he wants your help.

See why at: www. TylerNeedsANewTV. com


You'll receive gifts valued at at least $140 for any donation you provide.

1. ) You'll see a video of Tyler actually purchasing his own HDTV... and
probably a 2nd video of his dad begging to play a game on it :)


2. ) You'll get peace of mind knowing you've giving back to the next
generation of video gamers and supporting the child in you. When you
were 12 didn't you want the biggest TV in the house to play your video
games on?


3. ) You'll receive "PC Games Dashboard" containing 50+ Games You'll Love
To Play! They are conveniently organized in a centralized "Dashboard"...
and conveniently located on your computer hard drive so you can play them
anywhere! Value: $20

4. ) Once Tyler gets his new HDTV, you'll receive complimentary access to
his game tips video membership site (a $10/month value). Value: $120/year

Get your $140+ in gifts at: www. TylerNeedsANewTV. com



The Top 5 Reasons Tyler Needs A New TV


5. ) So I don't have to use binoculars to play my games

4. ) So my friends will want to play video games at my house

3. ) To have a bigger TV than my parents :)

2. ) To prove that video gamers support each other

1. ) And the Number 1 Reason Tyler Needs A New TV Is… It's a shame to play
a high quality graphic game like Madden '08 and still have the
football look like
a brown rectangle because of my small TV

Please help at: www. TylerNeedsANewTV. com


Here's what others are saying...

"The video on Tyler's site is hilarious and worth a few bucks. Thanks
for the laugh. "
- Michael

"Video gamers are usually stereotyped as kids who don't get good grades. Tyler
proves this stereotype wrong. Glad to help him reach his goal. "
- Scott

"Happy to help Tyler get a bigger TV than his parents. Go Tyler! Let
me know when
Tyler turns 15 and puts up TylerNeedsABetterCarThanHisParents. com. :)"
- Phil

Share your comments at: www. TylerNeedsANewTV. com


Tyler's Dad (and biggest fan)
www. TylerNeedsANewTV. com40625


(AND THEN I SAID...)


Ok martial arts is a discipline, but playing violent video games all day? What the fuck? I think it's great that someone is doing something nice for someone who has lost hearing. I can really empathize because I can't imagine my life without my hearing. I'm a musician and music teacher. Hearing things is what I do best.

Since I am a teacher and I see firsthand how brainwashed kids are by violent media like US Army commercials, video games, tv, movies etc., I will NEVER support, endorse or encourage an 11 year old child to play games like Gears Of War.

I played games growing up and I wasn't rich either. I played intellivision on a black and white 13" tv in my bedroom. When i got a nintendo i played it on that same black and white tv until my parents let me play games on the color TV in the house until I finally got my own TV as a teenager. Yes, I went to gaming competitions, subscribed to game magazines and STILL love video games of all types.

But fuck adding to the violent fantasies we're building inside the minds of children. Doesn't Tyler have enough? Although football involves teamwork and friendship and all that great stuff, does he need ANOTHER outlet for aggression and violence outside of kicking ass in the name of self-defence and learning what "teamwork" is all about on the gridiron? Isn't the world fucked up enough without telling one more kid all day, everyday that something positive comes out of killing, hurting and blasting anything on the screen in a flood of non-stop carnage... whether it be aliens or a prostitute on the streets of Grand Theft Auto. Don't get me started thinking about the stories i hear from 8, 9 and 10 year olds about how they can't wait to grow up, join the army and kill people. Every object that goes into little boys hands these days is rendered into a weapon, be it a sword or a fully automatic weapon.

And while Tyler still has some or his hearing left, someone should tell him the importance of NOT being violent and the infinite other things humans can do for fun besides pretending they're destroying things. Self defense is important, but... are you fucking kidding me?! You and Tyler's parents can eat a dick sandwich. Please, let me know if I've totally missed the point. How about you give me a P.O. box number and I'll donate a game that stimulates his mind in a positive way... maybe he can still be weened off of his all-american brainwashing. in fact, I encourage others to investigate this email and website. Tell em what you think.

kerry m.

Ok, everyone says Spoon is a great band. Only, I've never seen em. Never got into their music or anything like that... i ve heard songs... can't say they flat-out suck.

Well, they have great equipment; expensive and professional. They have roadies to tune their instruments, but why do I just feel like I'm just hearing great sound. Where's the great songs? Maybe they have some. Its only 7 or 8 songs into the show, but I figure such a critically acclaimed band would be slapping me in the face with their awesome cache of songs!

Don't you love all those far-away digital pics people take at concerts? The ones that you can decorate a personal web page with.... a series of photos that are proof you were at that show. Far away and outta focus. I don't have a digital camera... wait yes I do... maybe I'm a lackluster dull guy, but I think Spoon live is boring this far into the show.

This show even sold out! When the songs end, there are tepid applauds that die out after a few seconds. Noone is moving around to this music... most people are just talking over it.

So is it just hype or what? I want to know. I've heard a few studio recordings of some songs that are pretty decent, but for a band that's sooo nice and has a pleasant, docile crowd that would rather talk over the $25.oo show that they paid for, why are they so popular?

Wait a minute! The singer just sang, 'do you belive in rock & roll?'... this is cool & all but this band should be asking themselves that question & not singing songs about their unintereseted approach to songs. To me its the equivillant of singing 'I'm just sittin here playing my guitar'. How about they do some rocking! [ome ass-shakin-girl-friendly-indie rock? How bout that?

Maybe drugs or something will help. Eh. Their lyrics are ok other than that quip about belieing in rock n roll. Ah, the drumming. Again for a famous band... the timing is great and professional, but so is smooth jazz and pop-country...

Did I mention they have horns?.... that don't do much but sound like another guitar playing another boring guitar part, but they're horns!

Don't get me started on The New Pornographers. The band was as excited as a dead fish to be playing for a capacity crowd of 1,700. It seems like bands just don't care. One of the members of the New Pornnographers exemplified his distaste for live performance by clapping his hands to his laptop (some kind of way it was part of the song... some beep or texture). Only he fell off the beat over and over again and just laughed as the handful of the many in attendance who tried to clap along gave up participating before the forst verse was over. Sure some poeple clapped the whole song, but it just didn't sound like they gave a shit either. Hey, at least this band sang their asses off. I'll give em that.

Ok, back to my real time review... Spoon just drug itself though another slow, soft & guitar-oriented dirge. I'm not stickin around for the encore.

The same way Of Montreal's live show proved they were a band worthy of a hard earned paycheck, Spoon showed me they didn't live up to their studio work or the legend they've earned from right time, right place. Not tonight anyway. What are the best Spoon songs so I can understand what the big deal is?

Misspellings & all,
kerry m.



(Hey, hungry isn't a mood. Have you heard someone say they were in a hungry kinda mood?)

CLick here and vote for SATIN HOOKS in the 2007 Houston Press Awards!!!! Make sum stuff up on that first page. Don't get scared. Write us in to whatever category you feel like. We're nominated for BEST AVANT-GARD/EXPERIMENTAL.


(CLICK THIS)And here's the link to the one of the best local shows in Houston, TX all year. Don't miss it. SATIN HOOKS will play a set with a drum ensemble @ LIVE (405 Main) 8pm!!! Bring yo ass to this show!!!!


That's right we play at:

8pm/ 21&up (not our choice, sorry)... but half our show will be outside anyway. Shhh!

LIVE Sports Bar
405 Main
Houston, TX 77002

That's all. Gearing up to be all over the United States this fall and winter. 'Merica!

Blah Blah Blah. The new album. Well, Luke is off to a mountain range to (wait got a text) enjoy himself. I'm here in Houston doing the equivalent of cubicle work for SATIN HOOKS. No complaints. We've been writing tons of new material. I think my personal songwriting output was up to 5 songs a day. That doens't include all the ideas Lucas brings and the chemistry of all three members playing in a room together. If we get really good and we brake up, it'll be a shame because I have seen nothing that looks like and ending to the creativity volcano that has errupted since the inception of the band.

We got nominated for the Houston Press awards for Best Experimental/ Avant Gard again this year. We're wrtting some pop songs. The ones with melodies in verses and melodic/ catchy choruses. Sure there's some electronics and the occational wipe and moan of THE DON COSSACKS conducted by Sarge Jaroff or some other random vocal record I'm manipulating between songs.

Ok, there's our formula. Everyone with a recoding program listen up. Our current formula consists of "the best damn pop/rock/dance/brown/black/blue/white/yellow/purple/orange people songs" we can muster up and playing the weirdest shit in between them when we perform live. The weird stuff only constitutes a very small fraction of what we do. Yes, it has to be in there.

We know we're not really experimental.We use intruments anyone can go to a music store and buy. We haven't built our own instruments or anything like that. Oh well, it's always nice to recognized for making music anywhere. Thanks for the nomination Houston Press.

Oh, so we've been working on this record now for aver a year. At the moment we're just waiting for our producer to become available again.

Lucas has been in his laboratory cooking up samples, sounds sequences... I would post some picture of it in this blog, but I can't seem o find them... uh, so here's one of Lucas in this very time last summer.

A bit before this we started working with our producer, Sinclair who prefers to be called BIG SIN. You can visit his profile if you're bored. He's on our TOP (however many is up there). I think he might still even have another one of the songs that were recorded for our album in his player. And this is as close as you can get to a picture cause he's an elusive Cali/NY- organic-natrual_germ o phobe kinda guy. One of the many kinds of people we hang out with.


So to not aswer any question at all, yes we are almost done with our shinny ass pop radio player product artifice album type item. It will have a limited double cd run. One with a Screwed and Chopped version and the other with a DVD. There will also be a limited LP pressing.

We shall see.

TheSkyLine.net has been writing about us. If you wanna read it just click tha link...

SATIN HOOKS on TheSkyLine.net

oh... then there's the semi-public appology for putting us on a stage with no promotion at SXSW. Its all gravy, by & by, bacon, party etc.

SATIN HOOKS appologies on the Houston Chron.

 

Cheers.

kerry m. & luke g.

 

The above photo is one of many our producer snapped of us at sound check this morning for GREAT DAY HOUSTON. This will be the second time that we were cancelled from the show.

Actually, five minues after we recieved the email that gave the specific instuctions of how the show will be run, I recieved a call saying that there was a marching band segment on the show which would be too much music on the show.

It's sad because we all put our day jobs on the line for it and one of us really got in alot of trouble at woek because of it. The idea of being on television is cool. In fact it's great for our musical career to be on a network tv show.... I don't really know what else to say about this situation...

We're looking to find some shows at SXSW... we have also found out we were skipped on that one too. If anyone has any interest in helping us get a show in Ausin during SXSW this year, even if it's in a large porta-potty with a PA, we'll play it.

The photo that is included is to prove we're not full of shit and that we keep making stuff up about being on TV. This whole thing is making us look like we full of shit...

I hope everyone has a nice day and hopefully our coming album release will make things better. I know I can speak for everyone in the band, when I say that we kinda discouraged. We're not going to stop, but these things don't exactly make you feel like sunshine....not much else to say about this. Feel free to email us suggestions...

Thanks,
kerry m.

Help SATIN HOOKS win "Best Experimental/ Avant Guard" in the Houston Press Awards by clicking on the image below and voting! It only takes a moment...

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!!!

We thank you and are forever greatful!!!

Kerry, Lucas & David

GREEN MILK FROM THE PLANET ORANGE

     This Band from Tokyo is pretty badass... just plain old bad-ass... I don't know what more to say than you should probably listen to them a few times, add them as friends and line up around buildings to see them... just a bunch of music and great playing. Okay, there's the vocals... And they have their place too. You can't sing like Dean Martin over stuff like this... Or can you?

kerry m.