Monday, September 29, 2008

Here comes Octourber

We finished recording the new Christmas jams, and tomorrow we start rehearsing for The Uncle Fest Tour while they get mixed. Its all happening, Penny Lane.

Had a really fun show in Valpo, Indiana yesterday.

The Browns and OSU landed in the W column this weekend. Go sports team go.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

35 MPH

The rest of Warped Tour was just as awesome of the first half.
Afterwords, I received a PS3 for my birthday, moved to Liberty City, and slowed things down to look at the scenery.
I did do quite a bit more than play video games, but crossword puzzles, frisbee, and roller coasters were almost as equally productive.
So, if this blog did, in fact, die for a few weeks.....?
I'm in the mood for zombies anyway.

Love Halloween. But The Uncle Fest Tour is not going to be a Halloween themed tour. At least not 100%. All I'm saying is that I'm not going to eat candy and I'm not going to bob for any apples. Bottom line.
Anyway, it shall be a Fest nonetheless, and I know I keep saying it, but we're really looking forward to hitting up the following
towns
alongside Ludo, This Providence, and House Of Heroes.

Fantasy Football is back... I'm 1-1. It was a rough weekend for me in the sport arena. My fantasy team, OSU, and The Browns have all validated my pre-season doubts and fears. Nonetheless, my allegiance shall remain strong.

This Saturday is my Tusky Valley High School 10 year reunion for the class of '98. I was the (probably the only one who ran for) class president, but our treasurer and the other officers did most of the planning. However, I did set up the corn hole tournament and the karaoke that will be there. Should be fun.

We're getting ready to track a couple more Christmas songs to add to this year's release of Deck The Halls, Bruise Your Hand. Its nice to let the Christmas catalogue snowball a bit each year.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Oh Holy Night, & Silver Bells are this season's selections, and along with this, we have (what is shaping up to be) an amazing animated video for "Sleigh Ride" in the works.
Go stuff that in your stocking.
More news on on that jingle jangle later.





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A Blog, Blog Time Ago


July 27- August 17
Warped Tour continued to buck and weave us through the midwest.

Scranton's show was a blast despite the 45 minute thunder/hail storm delay. So, for the benefit of the soggy Scrantonites, our homage to NBC's The Office was delivered with an extra scoop of pizzaz . I'm not sure if they could tell.

Jersey, Pittsburgh, Cinci, Indy, and Milwaukee were all wonderful in every way. Indy is an old stomping ground of mine, so its always good to get back to the uh... 317?

Chicago was my favorite Warped Tour date of 2005, and this year, it proved to be the best again. The show was great and the crowd was fantastic. After our set, the day got a bit interesting.
A couple of the guys from Say Anything told me that Max lost his voice and wouldn't be able to sing. They had recruited a few other singers from the tour to step in karaoke style, and they asked if I could do a tune.
I chose Futile cause its one of my faves from Is A Real Boy.
I was nervous as heck before they went on, and all the Say Anything guys, Fred (The Color Fred), Stephen (Anberlin), Cory (Norma Jean), James (The Bled), Justin (Motion City Soundtrack), Keith (Everytime I Die), and I formed a circle, put our hands in the middle, and sang that Rembrants song I'll Be There For You. I really did believe they would all be there for me.
I was the third one to sing, so I had moment to cram as many lyrics into my brain as I could. I only forgot a few words, and I had a really good time singing with the band. I had never done anything like it before. Livin' The Dream.

The next week took us from Minnesota through Canada and around the Pacific Northwest. Highlights included riddles, dumbos, my friend Zach getting a unicycle in Boise, and watching The Aggrolites while the sun set behind the gorge in George, WA.

We had a day off in Ashland, OR on my birthday, and all the fellas in the band threw me a great party. About 1000 balloons were harmed that day. It was the best bday I'd ever had on the road.

The last week of Warped went by in a blur. We enjoyed the California sunshine and the promise of clean laundry in the near future.

And that's it. Warped Tour was a great tour for us, and I'm so glad we got to be a part of it.
I'll try and post again in less than six weeks.

Matthew Thiessen