The state is now on video... unfortunately my box set will not be here till next week. 15 years in the making... it's finally here.

The City of Dallas is not exactly known for it's fervor in preserving historic landmarks, buildings and other relics of our historical, cultural and architectural heritage.

I want to beseach you all to assist Preservation Dallas and other concerned citizens/musicians organizations to STOP BREAKIN DOWN 508 Park Ave.

Even though 508 Park Ave. is a Historical Landmark, it is not protected from demolition. The thought of losing this piece of musical/dallas heritage literally sends me into cold sweats. .. (or that could be the sugar free red bull i just drank). Regardless...

508 Park Ave. holds a lot of history. Besides it's unique curb appeal (sans transients) this building was home of the recordings of some of the most significant pieces of music history.

Robert Johnson," one of the most fabled and heralded of all musicians recorded most of his only 30 songs in the makeshift Brunswick Studio at 508 Park Ave. in Dallas. This includes his infamous "Stop Breakin Down Blues", among others listed at www.robertjohnsonfilm.com.

Robert Johnson's life is a mystery. A true legend, almost all known evidence of his existence is based on these few recordings. We don't know much of his family or where he played since he travelled often and set up on street-sides and at barber shops in cities along the way. There are conflicting tales of where he got his talent, including marvelous accounts of him selling his soul to the Devil and there are even 3 graves for him.

What we do know... is where he recorded his music. Music that earned him the title "the Grandfather of Rock'n'Roll". Johnson admirers range from blues greats like Son Volt & Muddy Waters to Brits Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton & Cream, Texas rockers ZZ Top and modern day indie garage acts like The White Stripes & Jesus Volt.

The heritage of this Grammy Hall of Fame, Blues Hall of Fame, Rock n Roll hall of fame artist cannot be overlooked and must be protected, especially in a city like Dallas where our notorious home of the blues, Deep Ellum, with it's own ties to greats like Blind Lemon are endangered as well.

According to one blog commenter at Unfair Park, the DCAD values the property at $376K. Thats pennies to a lot of investors and an easy to challenge for a group of determined citizens.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
1)Call or Write your local elected official... if you don't know which one is yours... got to www.dallascityhall.com and PICK ONE. Tell them to Stop Breakin' Down 508 Park Ave!

Talk to the Mayor, speak with any musicians you know. Contact those you know across the country (or otherwise), people in the music industry, arts and media that find significance in this piece of history and let them know the danger and potential of this historic landmark.

2)Blog, Twitter, Email anyone you know with this info. PASS IT ON!

3)Contact organizations that do this work everyday to let them know what you are doing on this building's behalf and to also see how you can volunteer or join in efforts like this one: www.preservationdallas.org

Below is an internet link to the letter from Preservation Dallas Exec Dir. Katherine Seale and some videos of several artists playing "Stop Breaking Down Blues":
Call to Action: Katherine Seale & Preservation Dallas

The White Stripes

Eric Clapton

ZZ-Top
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBxY-n8YTn4

The Rolling Stones

Tomorrow Preservation Dallas is partnering with DoCoMoMo NTXto host a tour and panel discussion on 3 local religious structures that are an important piece of Dallas' part in the mid-century Modern Movement.

This tour coincides with 24 other tours happening simultaneously tomorrow in celebration of DoCoMoMo US's 10 year anniversary.

The Caravan style tour starts at 10:00am at the Fifth CHurch of Christ Scientist, then goes to a Unitarian church directly next door, then St. Michael's All Angel's Episcopal, which has been recently remodelled, before ending up at the lawn of the Kalita Humphreys Theater for a picnic/grill.

The tour is free to all members of DoCoMoMo NTX and Preservation Dallas, and $10.00 for all non-members.

Preservation Dallas is a 501(c)3 that advocates for the preservationa nd revitalization of dallas' historic buildings and neighborhoods. 

DoCoMoMo International is an international organization/working party that seeks the DOcumentation and COnservation of the MOdern Movement. 

In Mod We Trust.

Ryan

For those of you who are not in the 'know' and don't understand why the Eagles of Death Metal and Hives show was so completely amazing, my friend http://www.myspace.com/ardroid">Amanda has uploaded a little clip from the show for everyone's viewing pleasure.

This was the 3rd time i've seen The Hives.  The first was at a small bar in Houston called Fat Cats (or mary janes depending on the week... ha) in 2001.  Then I saw them in Oklahoma City... and The Hives consistantly put on one of the best live shows in rock... not to mention Howlin' Pelle Almqvist perpetually spews out some of the most ridiculously amazing stage banter this side of the glam rock era.

Favorite quotes of the evening include:
"Dynamite- invented in the 19th century by Alfred Nobel.  The Hives - invented in 1993... by US!"

"I know there are MILLIONS of our fans in the Dallas area.  Yes yes.  MILLIONS.... but many of them could not make it.... prevented by school... work... and so on. But YOU... YOU ARE OUR DISCIPLES.  And we are sending you out tonight... And you must tell everyone about the next Hives show in Dallas so that everyone can come."

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO FROM HOB ON MYSPACE VIDEOS.

The show was great.  i had a quasi-reunion with old Gypsy hands... and saw a LOT of old punk kids from the days back at RedBloodClub/Vicious/Jump Boys shows.  It reminded me of that era... of the late 90's and early 2000's as the indie and punk scenes were united by a mutual fascination with angular garage rock and the disco-punk revival. It's inspired me to break out all my old cds from the strokes, hot hot heat, japanic, the smugglers, the agenda, the riverboat gamblers, the liars, the yeah yeah yeahs, clinic and all of that.

It was nice.  I totally geeked ou in the pit... which is something i haven't done since... since... The Briefs?  The CIrcle Jerks?  man... i honestly can't remember.  but I felt like a total fan boy.  It was a major flashback.... in a good way.

http://winnandtonic.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/mccain-v-the-mcrib/

Corrupting the News…

'Hear ye, Hear ye – the McRib hath returned!'

This proclamation has saturated recent headlines, as 50s of millions of Americans disregard staggering gas prices and SUV over to the nearest McDonalds in celebration of the 38th (121st, according to some reports) return of the paramount union of barbequed quasi-pork and slightly accelerated food service.

This phenomenon hasn't gone unnoticed by the presidential candidates, with both senators John McCain and Barack Obama now vying for support amonsgt what poondits are labeling the "congested arteries voters."

Experts predict this demographic - predominately made up of people who can name between 8 and 12 items from the McDonalds dollar menu - will undoubtedly determine this year's election.

"You don't live to be 72 years old without occasionally snarfing down half a dozen McRibs," said Tabitha Anderson, a McCain spokeswoman and self-proclaimed rib sandwich aficionado. "Senator McCain's adoration for the McRib is well documented."

With McCain having seized control of the sleigh ride of change to the White House, the Obama camp has vowed not to repeat its mistakes in judgment leading up to the national conventions.

"We carry Obama onto a stage made for Caesar, and (the McCain campaign) lures an anonymous snow queen down from Alaska amidst a snowstorm of ass-kicking soccer-mom energy and voluptuous body parts," said Alec Sheen, Obama spokesman and self-proclaimed fiend for any woman who could have arguably been cast on Northern Exposure. "It just doesn't make any sense. We can't f*** the McRib up, too."

While campaigning in Memphis today on Obama's behalf, former President Clinton assumed command of the national McRib debate: should it be permanent or simply an occasional breath of fresh air.

Only the plan backfired wildly.

"Now I love McRibs more than anybody – anybody – even more than Barack," Clinton said. "Gosh, do they even eat McRibs in Maui or Kenya or wherever he's from?"

An ever-eager McCain campaign seized the opportunity presented by Clinton's blunder, as the republican nominee made an unexpected stop at a Detroit (well, a half-way-respectable suburb of Detroit) McDonalds.

"I will be forever grateful for the Big Mac," McCain said. "It was the last American pizza I ate prior to my terrible experiences as a captive in Vietnam. Only thinking of eating another one kept my will strong."

There were no immediate reports of whether McCain later acknowledged the Big Mac was not, in fact, a McRib…Or that neither sandwich had been introduced prior to his captivity, making the claim utterly impossible…Or that neither sandwich is a pizza, prompting more questions of his "touch" with reality. Any reality. Even his own.

seriously... i heavily consider it... the whole notion of becoming vegan or vegetarian really weighs heavily on my conscience.

why should we resort to violent means just to solve our hunger problems? why whould i have to kill something on a daily basis, just so i can eat?

i think about it.  i think about refraining from animals and animal bi-products. putting a end to my consumption of beef, chicken, pork, fish, turkey, hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, bratwursts, chicken nuggets and sushi and then...

...just when i'm almost convinced that i could go meat free...

...THE MCRIB IS BACK.

continuing on that wave of spicy bbq sauce, you are now reading the blog of the proud owner of several new domain names:

http://www.mcribisback.com

http://www.themcribisback.com

http://www.fortheloveofmcrib.com

http://www.ilovemcrib.com

holy crap. i'm awesome.

p.s.... you get extra kudos if you can catch the correlation between this blog and my 'currently listening to' choice below.