CRUCIAL CHANGES

Stranger Randy Comic... Finished!

2012-02-07T17:39:00.001-06:00

Hello, just a quick update here regarding the new Stranger Randy comic presented by Crucial Changes Printing Press. The final design is finished and is ready to be printed for Chicago Zine Fest. This 20 page comic book features selected comics by Omaha artist John Crowley and is officially titled More Adventures of Stranger Randy. Full-scale printing will be finished within the next few weeks with the first printing limited to 50. I would also like to let everyone know that Stranger Randy is an ADULT comic. This project is currently only available at Chicago Zine Fest 2012. Let's take a closer look of how the comic turned out:

Here is the cover of the comic. Keeping with with CCPP tradition, everything is as clean and minimalist as possible. I decided to use an actual comic strip for the cover that introduces our anti-hero.

Here is the back of the cover. Again I took an image from an actual comic strip. All comics will be hand numbered of 50, and expect the covers to be printed in either white cardstock or another color that isn't red.

Here is just a sample of how the comic strips are presented in the zine. There is a total of 8 comics covering 18 pages. I am happy with how they turned out.

Once this is printed I will be fully ready for Chicago Zine Fest. If you will be attending, I hope to see you there! Peace.

-Keith

Etc. of 2011

2012-02-02T20:06:00.002-06:00

I know this is a month late, but I wanted to briefly talk about a few underground releases that came out in 2011 that although didn't make my year end list, but deserves mention. First on the list was the 10" comp that Short Fast + Loud zine released that featured Lincoln's almighty Wasteoid. Aside for the songs being pummeling, and showcasing the bands "new" drum and bass sound, the record is significant for being the last piece of music that Wasteoid bassist/vocalist recorded before passing away. Wasteoid held it down for over a decade without ever letting up on the speed and brutality and still remained underrated throughout the national scene. Jeff nor Wasteoid will be forgotten for what they have done for the underground Nebraska scene throughout the years. Another local release I want to mention is the self-titled Hominoid tape that came out back in October. This Omaha power violence band have been improving with each successive release and continue to get stronger and stronger live. The tape was initially available for their October Midwest tour, but I was lucky enough to snag a remaining copy when they returned home and played a great set for the Yuppies split lp release show. The same recording, now titled Distortion Of Limbs is available for download, and shouldn't be slept on. A few years ago, one of the best noise groups in the country, Cock ESP played Lincoln for about 2 minutes and displayed a live set unlike I've ever seen before. Cock ESP recorded however, is much more coherent than the live set and released one of my favorite cds of 2011 titled Historia De La Musica Cock that features all the recorded material during 2009 and 2010 featuring a whopping 99(!) songs. Raws from Wasteoid lent his musical talent for four of the tracks as well as did the painting that is featured as the back cover art. That's it for 2011 forever. Peace.

-Keith

Chicago Zine Fest - Update #1

2012-02-01T21:25:00.008-06:00

I finally received my confirmation email from the coordinators of this years Chicago Zine Fest, and I am glad that I went ahead and started all my back catalogue printing throughout January. Because I started early, I am happy to announce that ALL back catalogue material is printed, bound, and ready. A few weeks ago, I found a perfect tablecloth for my display on ebay for only 99 cents; a Nebraska state flag that is exactly the dimensions of the allowed table space for the fest. I don't know how many out of state participants will be at Chicago Zine Fest this year, but I thought it would be cool to proudly show where I am coming from. I snapped a few pics of what I have done so far. All I have left to do is tweak the Stranger Randy comic a bit more, and it will be ready for print. Good thing I took care of everything else, because now I have nearly six weeks to complete the project. Anyway, let's take a look at what I have done so far:

This is more or less how I will have my table set up. All back printed material will have red covers. The mix CD-Rs of local bands from last year are now combined into one cd and have an all new packaging! The new Stranger Randy Comic will be up front and center. On the lower right are a couple comics from my friend Courtney in Lincoln. She does funny work.

For every back printed zine, I designed a custom intro and outro page exclusive just for Chicago Zine Fest! Each zine is hand numbered and has a custom back cover as well. Most zines are limited to only 20, with Interviews having a printing of 40 respectively.

The next series of photos are showing the newly redesigned packaging for the two mix CD-Rs I did last year. I decided to go for a paper digipak styled design this time around. Everything is true to the Crucial Changes Printing Press way of doing things, with the same hand assembled process of previous projects. This is limited to only 25, and once gone the project will be out of print. I think it turned out pretty good!

Here is the inside of the newly designed CD-R packaging. I didn't want to invest a lot of time and money into an old project, so I kept everything inside to the most minimalist design elements possible. However, I did design a new band listing sheet. All CD-Rs are (cheesily) hand numbered this time. Oof, I look pretty bad here

This is the back of the song listing card. Lockjaw (RIP) were always a good local band to photograph, plus they have a couple songs on the CD-R so I used them for the design.

That is it for now. I'll have another Zine Fest update as soon as the Stranger Randy comic is ready to show. In other blog news, expect a super late wrap up of my favorite hardcore punk jams of 2011 with a tape and etc. review. Also, expect an all encompassing winter scene report within a week or so. There is quite a bit of happenings that have been going on around here, so expect a bigger than average write up. Also expect a new photo update soon. A lot of content is going to be thrown around quickly, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss anything. And of course, THANK YOU for everyone who has remained loyal to Crucial Changes throughout the years. Peace.

Show Pics - Another Mistake, Diamondz R 4 Eva, Nasty Asshole 2 - 1/9 @ Kenny's House

2012-01-19T13:43:00.000-06:00

Another Mistake

Diamondz R 4 Eva

Nasty Asshole 2

Show Pics - Focused Minds, Discourse, Nate's pop punk band - 11/18/11 @ Charles Mansion

2012-01-19T13:33:00.000-06:00

Focused Minds

Discourse

Nate's band

Favorite 7"s of 2011

2012-01-15T22:56:00.006-06:00

I've always felt that that hardcore bands have presented themselves best on a shorter length format than that of a longer player. 2011 had it's fair share of good 7"s, 45 and eps and it was quite hard to decide what releases I liked best. However, with repeated listening I present my favorite 7"s from the past 12 months (in alphabetical order). Click links to buy.

Culo - Toxic Vision (Deranged Records)

This young Illinois hardcore band's record from last year nearly made my best of list, but earned it this time around with their 3rd 7" Toxic Vision. Culo play tried and true 80's styled hardcore, but with more varying speeds this time around. The production and drumming have been a bit more cleaned up compared to previous material and it works to the bands benefit. Great lyric topics of hating everything and getting fucked up... everything hardcore should be about.

Hank Wood and the Hammerheads - 7" (Toxic State)

Who is Hank Wood? I don't know, and it doesn't matter because this 7" rules. This band plays a more punk version of garage rock, aka GOOD garage rock. The opening track is quite infectious and has the best vocal call out ever; UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGHHHHHHH! There are some keys in there, the ever so popular surf-drumbeat over inaudible vocals. I'd like to hear more. This is party music.

Herds - Michigan (Residue Records)

Coming off a great lp from a year before, Herds come back with a hardcore 7" that is heavy, fast, and punishing. This band is made up of seasoned scene veterans and it shows on this recording with their playing ability. The production on this 4 song short player is top-notch as well. This was probably my most played 7" of the year.

Neo-Cons - 7" (Deranged Records)

Neo-Cons play melodic, rockin' punk that is upbeat and catchy. What separates this band from others playing this style of punk is the amount of personality the vocalist brings to the music. I can totally relate to the lyric topics with songs like High Anxiety, Can't Sleep and Don't Touch Me. Neo-Cons also released an awesome 45 this year called Hardcore Elite that is also a must listen.

No Tolerance - No Remorse, No Tolerance (Youngblood)

X the fuck up and let's mosh. This popular Boston hardcore band is back with their first 7" as a full band. Sadly, they slowed it down a bit from the demo, but the power in the music is still there. This is unabashed straight edge pride here as No Tolerance rip thought 6 songs in 6 minutes. Plenty of dance parts for the most fickle hardcore fan. BUST!

Perdition - 7" (Toxic State)

Out of NYC comes my favorite raw punk release of the year. These guys borrow heavily from the UK82 sound and image complete with the spiky jackets and charged hair. Perdition also mixes in a heavy dose of Japanese influenced noise on this bands third 7". I'm also feeling the heavy cardstock, screen printed packaging that give this release a cool D.I.Y. throwback feel.

Put To Death - 7" (DSP Records)

This band doesn't fuck around at all. Put To Death play only one speed... blasting fast. By this point everyone knows what the classic 90's PV sound is, and this is one of the few bands who can do it right.

Slobs - Look Busy, Do Nothing (Cowabunga Records)

Slobs from Montreal play a style of fast 80's hardcore that is a bit different than other bands mostly due to the distortionless guitars that to me sounds fresh compared to the sea of bands who try to play as brutal and downtuned as possible. Good stuff.

Social Circkle - Expiration Date (Side Two Records)

Sadly, this Boston area band called it quits this year, but before doing so they released one final great 7". The jangly guitars that the band is known for is still there, but the song writing in my opinion has been stepped up even more for this short-player. Coming back to the speeds of their pre-lp 7"s, Social Circkle come strong with to me could be the best song they have ever written with the song Up The Ladder that has really cool start/stop guitar playing. Au revoir!

Favorite LPs of 2011

2012-01-14T14:34:00.012-06:00

It's about two weeks into 2012, so I got my ass into gear and have finally came up with my best of lists of 2011. Here are my favorite wax long players of 2011 (in alphabetical order). Click the links if you wanna buy 'em.

Arctic Flowers - Reveries (Inimical Records)

Arctic Flowers from PDX released their debut lp further fleshing out their early 80's peace punk style a-la Crass Records but with slicker song writing and melodic female vocals. The guitar riffs/leads are tasteful and catchy without being an over the top noodle fest. There are a few faster songs, but the mid-paced ones steal the show. A great punk record.

Brain Killer - Every Actual State Is Corrupt (Deranged Records)

Here is a band from Boston that doesn't play anything that resembles the classic Boston hardcore sound at all. Instead what we have here is raw d-beat hardcore with lots of over the top feedback and screaming. The vocals are a bit different compared to previous releases and I feel it's for the better. I'm also feeling the earnest spoken intro and ending tracks in this 11 track lp. Awesome gate-fold packaging to boot.

Dead Language - LP (Iron Lung Records)

Full on blasting PV played by the most seasoned veterans of the genre make up the group on this awesome lp. Side 2 slows things down to a crawl and it's some of the most powerful music I've heard all year. Nothing genre reinventing, but just 20 minutes of straight up brutality. Easily my favorite record on the year for this style. Slick packaging.

Kim Phuc - Copsucker (Iron Lung Records)

Here is a band I've seen records of but never checked out until I got a hold of this lp. I didn't know what to expect but what I got was an awesome lp of discordant, moody, and melodic punk/post-punk style that warranted repeated listens ever since I've had the record. It's not brutal or fast... it's just FUCKING GOOD!

Nazi Dust - Wretched Hour (Vinyl Rites)

Nazi Dust are back with a 1-sided 12" and improve on their nasty take on straight forward, fast, raw hardcore taking strong elements from Siege and Deep Wound. Awesome vocal delivery with the minimalist negative/artsy lyrics that everyone loves.

Omegas - Blasts Of Lunacy (Parts Unknown Records)

Killer mid-80s NYHC inspired hardcore from Monteral that has just enough speed and plenty of mosh to keep my interest. Omegas vocalist has plenty of personality in his vocal delivery that makes the band stand out above other bands trying to play this style. 12 tracks of pure "slam skank".

Vacant State - Fill The Void (Deranged Records)

I've followed this band since their previous 7"s liking the style but feeling just so-so about the songs. However, Vacant State's debut lp pretty much destroys the previous material releasing a great fast, no-frills early 80's USHC inspired lp. Vacant State isn't rewriting the style at all, and this is exactly what I want to hear. Pure hardcore for the hardcore.

Warning//Warning - There's Nothing Left (Solar Funeral)

Warning//Warning released one of the most over the top Japanese inspired NOISEhardcore tapes last year that went to the top of my favorite list. This French band released this lp just before doing a short tour in the US back in November, and continues down the path of audio destruction as in the past. The production seems a bit more tidy compared to the tape, but when you play this insane, nothing can save you. The lyric sheet goes out a bit further than normal with song explanations, and although it can be redundant, it's something I can get behind here.

2011 Local Poll Results - Top 6

2012-01-10T18:02:00.004-06:00

The polls are closed and the results are in. Here are the top 6 albums from 2011 the
local Nebraska underground scene selected and you voted on. Thanks for voting!

Milk Music - Live at WFMU

Autopsy - Macabre Eternal

Trap Them - Darker Handcraft

The Men - Leave Home

Noisear - Subvert the Dominant Paradigm

Orchid - Capricorn

Happy New Year, yada yada yada... + blog update

2012-01-03T00:16:00.003-06:00

2012 already? Damn. I remember last January when the Tear It Up reunion show was announced and I can't believe that a full year has passed since then. I hope everyone was safe while celebrating New Years Eve festives. Anyway, I would like to formally announce that Crucial Changes is planning on displaying a table at Chicago Zine Fest 2012! I'm still waiting on a follow up email from the organizers, but I'm gonna go ahead and go public with the announcement now. I haven't been wasting any time getting ready for Chicago Zine Fest in early March by getting a head start on reprinting back issues of the zines I have done in the past. For some reason, I have been having a hard time finding the PDF of my first zine but I still have the raw pages saved in Scribus. The last two nights I have finished reprinting my photo zine Scenes, limited to 20 copies. I still need to finish the new intro page that will be included in all reprints, but once that is done, I can begin the binding process. I recently bought a trimmer, so all further zine and CD-R projects will be cleaner. Scenes should be ready by tomorrow night. Up next, I'll have to solve the missing PDF problem of my first zine, and possibly reprint Interview(s) within the next few days. My goal is to have all back-printed material done within the next two weeks to allow myself plenty of time to get the Stranger Randy comic done in the way I'd like it. I will also be re-releasing the comp. CD-Rs I did last year on one cd just for fun. I'll have more updates as they happen about my progress leading up to the event.

This is how I do it.

In other blog news, things have been kind of slow show wise, so I haven't had any opportunities to snap off some show photos to share. Speaking of photos, I still have one roll of film from last year that will be processed as soon as I expose a couple more rolls. As you can also see, that there is a a poll that has been running for nearly a week now. So far the participation has been pretty good, and expect mini reviews of the top voted releases. Please note that this is not a list I came up with so if any of the albums listed in the poll are not from 2011, don't tell me. However, if there is an album MISSING from the list that you loved in 2011, please feel free to mention it via a comment. The poll ends in less than a week, and thanks to everyone who has participated so far. Within the next week, I will have a special feature of three guest reviewers (names withheld) that will mention their favorite releases of the year. It should be fun, and I am pretty excited to see what will be on their lists. Speaking of year-end lists, I will have mine out within the next week. I'm putting it off by a few days, because I'm still waiting on some wax that I ordered too close to the holidays that I would like to digest a bit before I can write up my final lists. OK, that's it for now. Expect more updates, as well as the year end local's choice poll results, as well as the guest reviews, as well as my top records of 2011 list as well. Here's to a new year! Peace.

-Keith

New Poll - Favorite 2011 Release - Local Edition

2011-12-27T11:49:00.004-06:00

Before I put up my best-of list from the 2011 year, I decided that I would ask the local scene what releases they thought were their favorites. The poll is open to anyone from anywhere and you can choose multiple answers. The poll closes in 11 days. If there is an album that is not listed on the list, leave a comment of what underground releases from 2011 should be included. I'll do a re-cap on the results once voting has ended.

-K

Happy Birthday Crucial Changes + editors update

2011-12-11T22:33:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday 3rd birthday Crucial Changes! Yet another year has passed here at the CCHQ and needless to say that this was my most productive year as far as projects were concerned. I was also was a year where I was able to take time to travel out to a couple out-of-state shows. I guess I don't have much to say except that I'm not quitting even though the post counts have been waning in recent months. Don't worry, I plan of getting a small photo update up within the next few weeks, and a much anticipated announcement about

Chicago Zine Fest. My printer is still acting weird, so I'm thinking about just buying a new one because they aren't that expensive. I still have the Stranger Randy comic on hold until I find out if I am going to Chicago in March or not. If I am, the comic will be pushed back to March. If not, It will be ready first thing in January. Also in the works I have been toying with the idea of a new MIX CD-R for 2012 with a recent creative surge within the scene of bands releasing new recorded material. I have also been trying to design something for a 1 inch pin, but the art I've been submitting has been too pixelated, so that is kind of on the back burner until the holiday season and all that hubbub passes before I take another stab at designing the pin. Currently I am rummaging through all the wax I bought this year thinking about my year end best-of list. I have a really good idea about the LPs, but I have a tall stack of 7"s that I need to digest before I can come up with my complete list. Also expect a few tapes to make the year-end list as well. As for shows this late into autumn, most of the touring bands have been stopping down in Lincoln, while Omaha has been hosting local show/house parties. This is fine, but a lot of these shows start at a time when I am sleeping. That's it for now. Expect a Chicago, year-end best of list, winter scene report, and a small photo update soon. Peace!

Bent Life premier new song

2011-11-26T15:47:00.003-06:00

The Bent Life camp down in Lincoln have leaked a new song to be featured on their upcoming 7" out early next year on 6131 Records. Feeling a modern mosh sound mixed with some STRIFE vibes on this one. Peep it HERE.

Show Pics - Loma Prieta, Servus, Nasty Asshole 2, Dukes Of Hazardous Waste - 11/6/11 @ The Powerhouse

2011-11-19T20:51:00.000-06:00

Loma Prieta

Servus

Nasty Asshole 2

Dukes Of Hazardous Waste

Show Pics - Shaman Exiles, Public Access, Iron Hug - 11/4/11@ The Sandbox

2011-11-19T20:39:00.000-06:00

Shaman Exiles

Public Access

Iron Hug

Show Pics - Harms Way. Purgatory, Black Ice, Relive - 11/2/11 @ The Sandbox

2011-11-19T20:30:00.001-06:00

Harms Way

Purgatory

Black Ice

Relive

Show Pics - Yuppies 12" Release Show w/ Hominoid - 10/21/11 @ Slowdown

2011-11-19T20:21:00.001-06:00

Yuppies

Hominoid

Are punk 45s worth buying?

2011-11-14T00:39:00.001-06:00

I asked myself that same question after seeing an upswing in bands releasing more singles format releases, and noticing that prices can be as much as $7 for less than 4 mins of music. I can see the collectability of an exclusive track or the strength of the single factoring into buying a 45, but to listen to one, the experience can be a bit brief.

I asked my readers the same very question; Are punk 45s worth buying? The overall consensus... YES. However, a majority of those YES votes were more aligned with the idea of only of the song is great, or expressed not even bothering to listen to the record due to length. I often more than not find myself in the latter category, too busy multitasking to be flipping records over every 2 minutes. Only three people who answered the poll as a NO due to lack of content to price ratio.

Should the price reflect the amount of content on the record? Do you think 45s should be $4 or less? Does it even matter with nearly any release being online? Let me know and comment below.

Local Spotlight - Hominoid

2011-11-05T13:59:00.009-05:00

Omaha blasters Hominoid have been quite busy playing out more as of late in support of their new self-titled 10 song tape that was produced just before their Midwest tour last month. Since the last tape release more than two years ago, Hominoid have added a second bassist, and have incorporated early-90's death metal influences and noise soundscapes into the mix of their mid-90's PV worship making them one of the more powerful bands in the middle America scene. I caught up with Hominiod's drummer, Alex at a show recently and agreed to be interviewed to chat about the band and other things.

You know the routine, introduce yourself and what you do in the band.
Alexander - drums
Mitchell - bass / electronics
Nathan - bass
Jon - guitar

How and why did Hominoid get started?
Alexander - I lived in Omaha for about a year, and hadn't found anyone to play music with yet. Jon and I had similar musical taste, I didn't know if he could play music or not, but I asked him to if he wanted to start a band with me. Than we asked Nathan who cant play music to be in the band cause he was 15. played as a 3 piece for a couple years, Mitch joined the group this last February.

What have you recorded so far? What is upcoming?
We recorded a demo in summer 2009. we just finished our 1st record last month. hopefully it will come out sometime.

Where do you draw musical and lyrical inspiration from?
Musically - the skull

Lyrically - the occult, ancient culture and religion, anomie, sociological structures, the duality of capitalism vs communism, civil disobedience, humanity as a holon

What process do you guys use to write a song?
Alexander - We used to write songs based around drum parts and I would hum the guitar riffs to Jon and he would figure them out. Now we function as more of a band, Jon brings a riff and we jam it out than I usually give the song direction, the "whats next" factor. We bounce ideas off each other.

What is your opinion on the Nebraska hardcore/punk scene at large?
It's fair

What are all ya'lls current playlist? Do you have a top record of the year?
The new Selena Gomez single. its dumpy.
Femme Fatale is record of the year.

Any bands out there that we should know about?
Our favorite local bands:
Mitch - powerslop
Nathan - shamon exiles
Jon - gag reflex
Alexander - Icky Blossoms

If Hominoid was to cover an 80's dance song, what would it be?
The normal - Warm Leatherette (back note, came out in 79, sticking with it)

Alex, I know you read shit. What are the latest books you guys have read?
Alexander - Unfortunately, due to school starting I've only been reading my text books. but the last few books I read:
Kurt Vonnegut - Galapagos
Milton Friedman - Capitalism and Freedom
Cormac Mccarthy - The Road (this book is dark!!! never had a book give me nightmares before)

Mitch-
JG Ballard - The Crystal World
Arthur Koestler - The Ghost In the Machine

What parting message do you want to leave Crucial Changes readers?
Were going on a tour mini tour starting this weekend (October 14 - 19)
Iowa City, Chicago, Appleton, Madison, and Minneapolis. so if anyone in those cities reads this, come hang out with us.

http://soundcloud.com/hominoid Some songs off our new record, we got tour tapes of it, and new shirts, were a real band now.

Fall Scene Report 2011 + blog update

2011-10-31T00:03:00.004-05:00

Time for another seasonal scene report. Here in Nebraska, the usual gradual slowing down in frequency of punk shows will begin. However, things do continue to change and evolve regardless of the seasons usually positive (new bands playing out) and the negative (the passing of a local musician and artist), the scene continues.

As reported before Lincoln musician and artist Jeff Sayers passed away in early September, leaving a somber tone losing both a long time supporter of the underground Lincoln scene and one of the best bands Nebraska had to offer. Half of Plack Blague continues on with a different, yet enjoyable sound that is more dance/beat oriented. Also as reported recently; Lincoln mosh inducers, Bent Life have recently signed to Los Angeles hardcore label 6131 with plans of re-recording their current demo tape to be released as an upcoming 7". In other Lincoln news, local hardcore label, Nihilism Records have recently released a new 7" by heavy hitters Diamonds R4 Eva titled I Get High is now available and ready for mass consumption. Nebraska's most evil: Vickers have been busy setting up upcoming shows in November in both Lincoln and Omaha with new material on the way. Out of the ashes of the popular Hercules rises a new band called Powerslop that has a style more towards straight grind with artistic flourishes. Powerslop will be hitting the road next month playing a Midwest tour. Staying in Omaha, hometown blasters Hominoid have recently put together a new tape for their recent Midwest tour. As of right now, no more tapes are available, but with luck more will be produced soon. Local Omaha hardcore punk weirdos Gag Reflex have also recently recorded tracks for a demo that should be available any day now. The young and loud Grimer from Omaha have recently leaked a video online of upcoming material that sounds promising. In final news, Council Bluffs melodic hardcore shredders Ties have put on the finishing touches of their debut album after some setbacks. I'm sure the amount of time and effort put into this recording will pay off. Oh yeah, yours truly helped lay down some of the gang vocals. Expect to see the new record out early 2012.

That's it for happenings in the local Nebraska underground scene. If I have forgotten anyone or anything, just shoot me an email anytime and I'd be more than happy to report it.

Here in the Crucial Changes HQ, I have been slowing down the projects due to technical problems with my printer. The Stranger Randy comic is being pushed back to be released by years end, with no other projects lined up till Spring of next year. As reported recently, my latest zine Interview(s) made it into the top 10 selection of the November issue of Maximum Rockn'Roll, a gold star for sure. Also in the CCHQ, I have recently bought a new 35mm camera but I've yet to get the film processed, but I'm hoping that it works out well enough to be used for future show pics. Sometime within the next 8 weeks, tables for the Chicago Zine Fest go up and I do have plans in getting a half table to display my work. The Zine Fest is in March, so during that time I will be busy reprinting past work as exclusives. I'll have more news on that once it unfolds. Until then, most of the updates will be photo oriented and I have already been planning my "Best Of" year end punk releases list. That is it for now. See ya in the pit. Peace!

-Keith

Show Pics - Melt Banana, InDreama, Flesh Eating Skin Disease & Issac French - 10/10/11 @ The Waiting Room

2011-10-26T11:14:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - 400 Blows, Baby Tears, Dim Light, Plack Blague - 10/9/11 @ O'Leavers

2011-10-26T11:08:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - Nebraska Hardcore Showcase II - 9/10/11 @ The Commons + Agress (IA) & Steppin' Stone (IA)

2011-10-26T10:29:00.000-05:00

Back When

Feral Hands

Powerslop

Hominoid

Bent Life

Diamonds R4 Eva

Ties

Discourse

Hard Pack

Trench Digger

Bruja

Grimer

Flies

Agress (IA)

Steppin' Stone (IA)

Video of the show courtesy of Gabriel Medel

Interview(s) - Top 10 Zine in Maximum Rock n' Roll #342

2011-10-17T22:06:00.004-05:00

#342 Nov. 2011

Interview #2???

Six or so weeks ago I sent in my latest zine Interview(s) along with Mix CD-R II to be reviewed in MRR. Usually I'm sent a free copy when something is reviewed, but nothing had come so I assumed that they have yet to get around to it. Anyway, I also subscribe to the rag, and I just received my issue for November and to my surprise Interview(s) not only was reviewed but also made the Top 10 zine list for the month. Although for some reason they thought the zine was called Interview #2 (?), and the comp. CD-R was intended to be reviewed separately, but fuck it! I am very excited to see that I made the list. Here is a pic I took of the review in MRR:

Shoot me an email if you would like a copy for $3ppd WORLDWIDE: CrucialChangesHQ@gmail.com

In other blog news; my printer has been acting up today, so the Stranger Randy comic may be pushed back a week or so than originally intended. Expect a new mockup to be shown next update.

That's it for now. PEACE!

-Keith

New Project Update - Stranger Randy Comic: first mockup + blog news

2011-10-08T22:53:00.003-05:00

I spent a couple hours today working on what will be be my next print project: The new (and final?) Stranger Randy comic by local Omaha artist John Crowley. I originally wanted to have this project done by end of summer, but with all the work I have been doing lately with two comp. CD-R's and a zine already done this year, I didn't want to rush it. Plus, I recently have had some last-minute ideas that I would like to incorporate into this project to give it a more personal touch from the artist John himself. Today I finished the template layout of the interior pages. Let's take a quick look at what I have done so far:

Here is a pic of how the interior pages will look like within the comic. Each strip will have a double line border, and since this photo was taken, the page numbers have been added to the ready-to-print template. Basically from this step, all I have to do is switch out the comic strips and page numbers and be ready to print. Expect to see the finished interior pages finished and ready to print by the end of next week. Everything it turning out really clean, and I'm really excited to finally be starting on this project.

For the cover, I have the idea of having John Crowley himself design, and possibly be done in color. This part of the project is still in embryonic status, but I expect to have something to show within the next two weeks. As always, expect the cover to be printed on card stock. I want the first printing of this project to be a little bit more limited, so I'm thinking of doing 20 hand numbered pieces, with a second printing pending on how quickly they sell.

In other blog news expect a brand new Local Spotlight and a Fall Scene Report within the upcoming weeks. Also, I still have limited quantities of my 2nd mix cd-r for anyone who wants one. Plus, I am willing to print one-off's of most of the Crucial Changes Printing Press back catalogue. Click HERE for all the details.

PEACE!

-Keith

Bent Life sign to 6131 Records

2011-09-29T12:10:00.000-05:00

Last Monday, 6131 Records out of California have announced that Lincoln, NE hardcore band Bent Life will be re-recording their 2010 demo to be released as a 7" next year.

Demo tapes can be bought via Bent Life's Bigcartel HERE and from Lost Time Records HERE.

R.I.P. Jeff Sayers

2011-09-17T10:16:00.001-05:00

Jeff Sayers 1974-2011

The Nebraska underground scene had a moment of shock earlier this week when news was released that Lincoln artist and musician Jeff "Zef Metal" Sayers had passed away. He was most remembered for playing bass/vocals in Wasteoid, and DJ for Plack Blague. Everyone in the underground music scene nation wide will miss you and the contributions you did. I personally have got to know Jeff well within the last three years, and I will miss him and his company greatly. A memorial service for Jeff is happening this Monday, Sept. 19th. More info HERE.

Local Lincoln radio show Super Happy Doom Time did a Jeff Sayers tribute show that can be downloaded HERE.

Nebraska Grind Invitational announced - 9/20/11 @ Charles House

2011-09-08T12:37:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - Servus, Landlocked (MO), Gag Reflex, The Bros. - 8/26/11 @ Charles House

2011-09-08T12:35:00.002-05:00

Show Pics - Punch, Loma Prieta, Feral Hands, Hominoid, Discourse - 8/24/11 @ The Hole

2011-09-08T12:28:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - Thrones, Vickers, Solid Goldberg, Wasteoid - 8/17/11 @ Bourbon Theatre

2011-09-08T12:16:00.001-05:00

Show Pics - Rotting Out, Diamonds R 4 Eva, Discourse - 8/13/11 @ Charles House

2011-09-08T12:07:00.001-05:00

Nebraska Hardcore Fest II announced - Sept. 10th, 2011

2011-08-30T21:22:00.003-05:00

Nebraska Hardcore Showcase II

Saturday 9.10.11

@ The Commons (1258 S 13th St Omaha, NE)

All Ages 2:00pm $5

SET TIMES:

FLIES 2 - 2:15

GRIMER 230 - 2:45

BRUJA 3 - 3:15

TRENCH DIGGER 3:30 - 3:45

TIES 4 - 4:15

HARDPACK 4:30 - 4:45

NO REMORSE 5 - 5:15

STEPPIN' STONE (IA) 5:30 - 5:45

AGRESS (IA) 6 - 6:15

DISCOURSE 6:30 - 6:45

DIAMONDZ R 4 EVA 7 - 7:15

BENT LIFE 7:30 - 7:45

POWERSLOP 8 - 8:15

HOMINOID 8:30 - 8:45

FERAL HANDS 9 - 9:15

BACK WHEN 9:30 - END

Mix CD-R Vol. II NOW AVAILABLE!

2011-08-24T02:04:00.000-05:00

I finally got the tracklist booklet done and the first batch of cd-r's are now available. I'm really happy with how this project turned out. Cd-r's are $3/each in person, and $4/each postage paid. I'm down to my last copies of Interview(s) zine as well, so don't sleep if you have yet to get a copy.

Go HERE to order.

Up next from Crucial Changes Printing press: New comic by local artist John Crowley. Peace.

-Keith

Project Update - Mix CD-R Vol.II almost done!

2011-08-19T21:12:00.001-05:00

Hello. I spent a good portion of the day printing, cutting, burning and putting together my Mix CD-R Vol.II project today, and I just wanted to touch base with my progression. Let's check it out...

The first batch of cds.

I put together 25 pieces today with the rest to made later in a week or so. Later tonight I'll work on the lyric booklet and try to get those printed off as well. This cd-r comp. features nearly 34 minutes of music with song submitted by: Flies, Grimer, Feral Hands, Byleth, Dirty Diamonds, and Grabass. I checked the sound quality of the cd's and they sound pretty good! Mix CD-R Vol.II will be $3/each, limited to 40 pieces.

This project will be finished next update and will be ready to purchase. I am down to the last 3 copies of Interview(s), so if you have yet to snag a copy, don't delay. There will be a second printing but later down the road. Up next will be a new comic by local artist John Crowley. Something that I am very excited to be a part of. See everyone at the next show. Peace.

-Keith

Show Pics - Madball, The Greenery, Dead End Path, Byleth, Bent Life - 8/9/11 @ Sokol Underground

2011-08-13T14:51:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - Flesh Eating Skin Disease, Fools, noise acts - 8/5/11 @ Venue 612

2011-08-13T14:39:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - Various shows at Charles Street

2011-08-13T14:20:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - Pour Habit, Ties, The Shidiots - 7/26/11 @ The Waiting Room

2011-08-13T14:10:00.001-05:00

Show Pics - YOB, Dark Castle, EZRA - 7/6/11 @ Duffy's

2011-08-13T13:59:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - Ties, Nerv, Gag Reflex, GRG, Brighter Arrows - 7/3/11 @ The Sandbox

2011-08-13T13:43:00.000-05:00

Project update - Mix CD-R Vol.II cover mockup

2011-08-05T11:39:00.003-05:00

I decided to not waste any time in getting my next project rolling, so I spent most of this morning working on the cover for the second mix cd-r that will be out soon. Let's take a closer look at the progress made:

Front cover... Locals only!

This is the front cover. I wanted to keep everything as simple and clean as possible with the design. This cd-r comp. is titled Nebraska Underground. This is a finished design, but expect the finished product to be printed on heavier paper stock. If I can figure out how to get it right, I'd like to do 64lb. weight card stock. We'll see about that.


Back design

Keeping with the minimalist design of the front, the back has all the bands tracks on the folded flap, with the interior photo being of an old Omaha manhole cover. The cd-r fits right over the photo. Some design tweaks may be made for the back design before final printing. This compilation will be limited to 40.

The groups being featured on Mix CD-R Vol.II are:

Flies - Omaha hardcore

Grimer - Omaha hardcore/doom metal

Feral Hands - Omaha heavy hardcore

Byleth - Omaha tech/grind

Dirty Diamonds - Lincoln hip hop

Grabass - Omaha noise

That is it for now, I may work on the liner notes booklet today as well. More updates as they happen. Keep you eyes appealed. Interview(s) zine still available. Peace.

-Keith

Dog days of summer - Summer Scene Report + more...

2011-08-04T15:03:00.004-05:00

We are in full swing summer mode now, and to a lot of us, summer is nearly over with school coming and and such. This summer for me has seemed to not to have a lot of shows happen compared to recent years. The main reasons for this was two of our local show spaces have closed from various causes, making it harder to book shows. The folks previously at the manor have found a new house and have been throwing shows now, and I must say that the new spot is pretty nice, with a fairly large basement. As posted yesterday, Mad Ave has closed for good, but the punks in Lincoln have some alternatives going on to keep shows from happening.

In local scene news, Omaha emo rockers Places We Slept, just released their debut 7" a couple days ago and are now out on the road playing Midwest dates. Expect to read a written review on the new 7" in a few weeks. In other news, Lincoln HARDcore boys, Bent Life have recently hit the road on a summer tour, and I can assume will have a new demo out soon being that they played some new songs last time I saw them. More info on that once I find out for sure. Also, Lincoln blasters; Wasteoid and Nasty Asshole, and Vickers are gearing up for Grind Your Mother Fucking Dick Off Fest V up in Minneapolis this coming weekend. Any readers from the Twin City area should definitely check that event out.

It has been quite the busy summer here at the CCHQ. The MIX CD-R VOL.1 is now sold out. Thank you to whoever bought a copy. My 3rd zine Interview(s) is currently available, and as of today first printing is a little more than half gone. There will be a short, limited second pressing, but don't sleep too long. Today I started work on my second CD-R comp., and submissions are officially CLOSED.
The band listings for VOL.2 is as followed:

Belyth

Dirty Diamonds

Feral Hands

Flies

Grabass

Grimer

Sleeve design has started today, and should be finished and ready to print within a week. All mp3 conversion, liner booklet, and cd duplication should be finished the week after next. Expect an official street date to be Sat., August 20th. with a possibility of being ready for the Thrones show Aug 17th in Lincoln. All progress updates will be posted on this blog as they happen.

That is it for now, expect to see a mid-summer photo update soon. I hope to see you all at the next show. Peace.

-Keith

Mad Ave closes.

2011-08-02T20:08:00.000-05:00

On Sunday night, the following statement was posted online from the folks at Mad Ave concerning the status of new all-ages DIY venue in Lincoln:

"As many of you are aware, last Friday we received the final notice on Mad Avenue, letting us know that we were done for good.
The decision was made by our property manager to cancel our lease after a long, hard fought battle between ourselves, local business owner Amanda Bragg (owner of P.J. Babycakes), and Lincoln police Captain Doug Srb.
After taking great measures to ensure that we had followed all city codes and ordinances, the two above were hell-bent on stopping us from opening. After many meetings and attempted discussions to find a comprising middle ground, it was obvious that they were going to do everything in their powers to keep our doors closed, including slandering us with false accusations of underage drinking on our property, bullying us with the Lincoln dance-permit, that we did not need, and threatening us with potential lawsuits. Captain Srb went on record to say that he “just didn’t want us to open.”
These people do not support Lincoln. They do not support small businesses. They do not support the growth of the community. Their selfish actions have cost us countless dollars and hours, just because they couldn’t wrap their minds around an “all-ages, drug and alcohol free music venue”.
Ultimately our property manager decided that these threats were too great, and although we displayed a valiant effort, doing everything in our power we simply ran out of options. It is with a heavy heart that we close the doors on something that was never really given a chance to show what kind of good it could do.
There are a lot of people that we would like to thank for all of their support through these trying times. Thanks to Lindy Kurtzer for helping us financially when we needed it in a big way. All of our families for their advice, tips, and support. Matt Westenberg of the S.B. Property group for sticking with us all the way to the end and helping us in every way that he could. Raws, Shane, Will C, Duff, Andrew Norman, and everyone else that booked a show at Mad Ave (or tried to!). Our dude Ray Diamond. David Germer, Jeff Kalasky, and everyone else that donated money to us, no matter how much or little. Matt and Andy for helping with the construction work. Jeremiah at the Bourbon for giving us equipment and advice. The Biodome, the Diamond Palace, the Brad, Cam, Benji house, and anyone else that helped us move a show. All the bands that got to play, and last but not least everyone that came to a show at Mad Ave. We owe you all so much for helping with this. At the very least this was a learning experience for us.
Several of us plan to do something like this again in the future, after we recoup our losses, perhaps in early 2012. Although, with the obvious resistance of people in the city of Lincoln, moving our efforts to Omaha has been heavily discussed. It is painfully apparent to us why Lincoln remains a stagnant city while others grow all around them.
Thanks,
Matt Vicars, Cody Hurd, Brock Stephens, Lindsay Thompson
7/31/11"
-via Mad Ave's Facebook

Pissed? Please email Lincoln Police Dept. and voice your concerns about Mad Ave closing HERE and HERE.

Respect to everyone involved in Mad Ave, especially for handling the situation on a mature level. My opinion on this issue is that of embarrassment on behalf of those who wouldn't allow Mad Ave to flourish. Shame on you. It is sad that something new and progressive isn't allowed to happen in our community, even when done legally.

What is you opinion on this matter? Has something similar to this happen with your scene or community? Let me know.

CCPP004 - Interview(s) Zine now available

2011-07-11T21:19:00.000-05:00

New zine Interview(s) is now available to purchase.

20 page 5.5x8.5 inch zine featuring 5 interviews (2 print exclusive)

done in mock mainstream magazine style.

Interviews with:

Pro Skater - Donny Diederich

CB melodic hardcore punks - Ties

Old school punk - Jay Bacon

Print exclusive interviews with:

Local comic artist/writer - John Crowley

Omaha heavy rockers - Feral Hands

First printing hand numbered out of 40

$3 In person/$4 ppd

Click HERE to order.

Show Pics - The Shanks last show w/ Fag Cop - 6/25/11 @ O'Leavers

2011-07-05T20:28:00.001-05:00

Show Pics - Tinsel Teeth, Vickers, Feral Hands - 6/11/11 @ Braden's House

2011-07-05T20:21:00.001-05:00

Experimental show pics - 800 ISO Color w/o flash - various bands

2011-07-05T20:11:00.000-05:00

Show Pics - Bent Life, The Hard Pack, Minkus, Palaver*, Grimer - 5/31/11 @ The Commons

2011-07-05T20:04:00.002-05:00

*No Palaver pix

Show Pics - Lie Still, Wasteoid, Hominoid, Dope Pope - 5/26/11 @ Mad Ave

2011-07-05T19:59:00.001-05:00

Show Pics - TSOL, Shot Baker, Cordial Spew, Bullet Proof Hearts, RAF - 5/16/11 @ The Waiting Room

2011-07-05T19:52:00.001-05:00

Show Pics - Capsule, Flesh Eating Skin Disease, The Fucking Party, Cerulean City - 5/5/11 @ The Sandbox

2011-07-05T19:42:00.001-05:00

Show Pics - Joyce Manor, Places We Slept, Thunderbolts, Public Access - 5/3/11 @ The Hole

2011-07-05T19:29:00.003-05:00

Project Updates - Interview Zine and 2nd Mix CD-R

2011-06-18T14:18:00.001-05:00

First things first... Respect to the recent surgence of followers joining the Crucial Changes Army, thanks! Second, there will be a big photo update next week, so check back often. OK, and now back to official matters: I have just produced the 2nd mock up for my interview zine, and things are really taking shape. Let's take a quick look at what I have done since last update:

The cover in red. (Damn, I need a tan)

I did some changes to the cover since last time, but most are too small to see in this photo. I think this looks good in red, so maybe the final printing will be done in this color. What do you think?

Intro page is about 90% finished.

I still need to add a few creative flourishes to this page to mimic the editors introduction page often found in glossy newsstand magazines.


A finished mock ad.

To really flesh out the appearance of a mainstream magazine, I have been spending most of my time recently creating mock ads that will appear in between the interviews. Here is an example of a finished ad.

I briefly want to touch on the progress of my next comp CD-R. So far I have three local Omaha bands submitting tracks for this new project. Attn: Local bands, If you want in on this compilation, shoot me an email. I'll have more about this project next zine update with a list of the bands. Mix CD-R Vol.1 is nearly sold out. Buy or die. That is all for now. I hope everyone is having a good summer so far, and I'll see you at the local shows. Peace.

-Keith

Project Update - Interview Zine - First Mockup

2011-06-09T23:22:00.003-05:00

Howdy. I just wanted to drop in to share with everyone the progress of my newest zine project. This current zine will contain mostly re-printed interviews that I have done for Crucial Changes in the last year and a half with a few photo spreads to break up all the text. Sadly, I dropped the ball pretty big as of late with the local spotlights, so expect a couple print-only exclusives found only in this zine once it's finished. Anyway, enough with the bullshitting, let's take a look at what progress I have made so far...

The cover

Here is a mockup of the cover. As you can see it's a blatant rip off of Interview Magazine. I originally did this as a joke just to quickly create a mock cover, but I think I'm going to flesh out this idea further for the finished zine. The cover will also be printed on heavy cardstock.


Interview Text

Here is an example of what the text pages will look like. The main design idea here was to mimic the style seen in traditional cut-and-paste design in zines from years past. Expect to see further experimentation with this design style in the future.


Photo Spread

Photo pages will also have a cut-and-paste look. How you like that diamond plate background? Designing zines in this fashion has been taking more time than I originally thought, but I think the end result will look pretty cool.

Back Cover

I threw this together very quickly just to flesh out the back cover. The final design I'm sure will look similar in the end.

There is still a lot of work to do, but as you can see, but things are coming together quite well. Expect to see another update on this project along with the regular blog stuff soon. Peace.

-Keith

Quick update - Upcoming projects - Mix CD-R Vol. 2 submissions are OPEN + more

2011-05-30T22:31:00.003-05:00

Hello, and respects for Memorial Day. I just wanted to inform everyone about upcoming print projects upcoming for the summer, and briefly report on what been happening in the greater Nebraska underground music scene. First I want to mention that the new all-ages DIY-ran Lincoln venue Mad Ave has successfully opened it's doors within the last week, and have shows already lined up for the summer. I was fortunate to play there with my band last Friday, and I must say that the new show space is really nice. Respect to everyone at Mad Ave and good luck. Here at the CCHQ, I have quite bit of projects lined up for the summer. The first will be an all-interview zine featuring all the local bands and people I have questioned in the last year and a half. Expect to see the first printing locally available within the next few weeks. Another zine project I have lined up (and excited for) is a comic partnership with local DIY cartoonist John Crowley. The art for the project has already been submitted, so expect the comic to be ready early summer. Lastly, I am officially opening submissions for MIX CD-R VOL. 2 to underground bands in Nebraska and SW Iowa. Bands, send your mp3s (demo, live, or unreleased preferred) to CrucialChangesHQ@gmail.com CDs can be mailed to the Crucial Changes HQ at:

110 S. 49th St. #410

Omaha, NE 68132

For scene news, Nebraska's hardest band, Bent Life plays it's tour kickoff show here in Omaha with locals: Minkus, Palaver, Gimer, and The Hard Pack before setting out on the road for a month with Focused Minds from Milwaukee. In other current news, Wasteoid just wrapped up a week long Midwest tour with Cali grinders, Lie Still. Omaha emo rockers, Places We Slept plan to release their debut 7" ep later in June. Other local releases out soon is a new full length album from CB melodic punkers, Ties. I was asked to participate in the gang vocal recordings for this album, and from what I've heard sounds great. Also available now is a compilation CD with proceeds going towards victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami that happened recently. The CD features a new track from Flesh Eating Skin Disease as well as many of the prominent local rock and rap acts.

That's it for now. Expect to see project updates as they happen as well as an upcoming photo update. Final copies of Scenes and Mix CD-R Vol.1 are almost gone. Peace.

-Keith

Show Pics - Seahaven, Supersonic Piss, Gag Reflex, The Fucking Party - 4/24/11 @ The Sandbox

2011-05-14T19:38:00.000-05:00

Seahaven

Supersonic Piss

Gag Reflex

The Fucking Party

Show Pics - Anal Cunt, + loads of locals - 4/23/11 @ The Sandbox

2011-05-14T19:30:00.001-05:00

Anal Cunt

Wasteoid Vs. Acid Mouth

Hominoid

Wooden Coat

Tiger Blowjob

Agitate (MN)

Show Pics - Lightning Bolt, Ties - 4/5/11 @ The Waiting Room

2011-05-14T19:15:00.000-05:00

Lightning Bolt

Ties

New York Travel Story Pt.3

2011-05-11T22:58:00.000-05:00

I woke up fairly early on Sunday morning to sharp pains in my right knee and hip from the previous nights attending the shows. I would also notice that Andrew didn't make it in again from the night before. That is too bad because I wish I could have spent more time with him than just a few hours on Friday afternoon. Kenneth was still sound asleep, so I quietly made some coffee and cleaned up Andrew's apartment and did the dishes before we set out on a final day in the city, albeit as a tourist. To anyone who is staying at someone place while traveling, doing something as small as doing the dishes as a way to show gratitude goes a long way. Don't be an asshole. By 11ish everyone was up and pretty much ready to head out. On the way over to Liberty Island we decided to drive over the Brooklyn Bridge. A note to tourist: getting on and off this bridge can be quite confusing and awkward. For some reason, the city planners didn't think of a good way to build on and off ramps to this bridge. My advise would be to park and walk it instead of driving on it if you want to check the famous bridge out. Eventually we would make it down to Battery Park, but we then ran into a serious problem... parking. After driving around for maybe half an hour we eventually found a garage to park in. The thing that pissed me off most about finding the place was that a cop was too lazy to mention that off-street parking was close by. Whatever, we got a spot and walked over the super long ass line to get unto the ferry that stretched from the water all the way to the street. Before I got in line I had to piss so I walked over to the public restroom. There is always something super fucked up happening in public restrooms in major cities, and this one lived up to the expectations. As I walked in, some dude in the stalls was dropping all kinds of bottles of something and then nervously walking out. He was probably shooting some junk or some shit. I had drank too much coffee and I had to piss badly so I can easily overlook some sketch and walked over to the end urinal and took a piss like any normal person would. About halfway through my piss, a small Asian guy walked right up to the next stall over to piss as well. Immediately I thought this was weird since normally, dudes don't piss side by side if other spots are available. Out of the corner of my eye I could see this small Asian man looking around the stall divider at my dick. Like I said I had to piss badly, so it was taking longer than I wanted it to especially for the situation. I listened while he pissed and heard he was done. But instead of zipping up and leaving he kept looking. So in my mind I though, fuck it, take a long look creepy man, too bad you peeped someone with the Irish curse, take a long look. After I was done, I zipped up and left without saying a word or even acknowledging anything was happening and found my place back in line. Back in line, everything was moving slow as fuck. This is because in our post 9/11 world, if you want to go anywhere you have to first go though airport style security. I would say after about an hour and a half of waiting in ling and ignoring the vendors and sidewalk performers we were on the ferry to Liberty Island. It was a mild day maybe of 40 degrees, but sunny, and not windy at all. A good day to be out on the water. We chilled on the back lower deck and watched Manhattan island get smaller and smaller as we ventured out, standing by two kids for some reason smelled like sausage. It was pretty damn funny. After a 5-10 minute ride we were unloading like cattle onto Liberty Island and decided to walk around the statue clockwise to avoid all the tourists. After a couple photo snaps we walked into the gift shop. Oh yes, the Liberty Island gift shop and what a joke it is. If you ever want to experience the most fake, canned, and embarrassing presentation of Americana, just go to the Liberty Island gift shop. Not only was there all things red white and blue up the ass, but they were blasting some bullshit USA #1 pop-country. It took about a full 3 seconds to turn around and get the fuck out of there. By this point we were pretty damn hungry, but the cafe was super full of people so we said fuck it and waiting to catch a ferry to Ellis Island. Ellis Island to me as well as many Americans is a special place. For many of us, it is the place where my family heritage as Americans began. Ellis Island was left to ruin before being restored in the early-80's and I am glad that it had been. The museum is really nice, allowing visitors to access their records to piece together family heritage. It is something I would like to do in the future when I have more time. The cafe here was much less congested because everyone ate on Liberty Island. They even offer a veggie burger for those with an alternative diet. I got a coffee and went out to the patio area facing New York City. For some reason, there wasn't anyone out on the patio but because of that it was super quiet and relaxing. Out of everything I had done and seen on my short trip, this moment was the most relaxing and enjoyable for me. Being around so many people had really put me into a hyper mode of environmental awareness, but to have a moment to sit down in quiet with a spectacular view of the city was quite nice. After a short while we caught the ferry back to Battery Park and by that time it was getting close enough for me to head to the airport to catch my flight home. The drive from Battery Park to La Guardia was pretty shitty as far as traffic goes, but we eventually made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. On the way there there is a huge cemetery with very tall headstones that mimmic the city skyline in the distance that was striking. At the airport I gave Kenneth much thanks for hanging out the whole time and driving everywhere. I would have had a pretty stressful time getting around and seeing things without him. Surprisingly I was able to get through airport security much more quickly than I ever could have imagined for New York City, especially for wearing the same dirty clothes that stunk like beer and piss, and not combing my hair or shaving the whole trip. The flight back to Omaha went just long enough for me to finish the book I started reading on the first flight out, and was happy to be back home. My trip to New York ended up being well beyond my expectations for what I expected to do while I was there and it was a great time. I wouldn't mind going back to see all the touristy spots like the museums and such and possibly catch more punk shows, just not anytime soon.

New York Travel Story Pt.2

2011-05-09T13:37:00.000-05:00

I woke up early Saturday morning and checked on the nerd to see what shows were happening that day. I knew ahead of time that the Sick Of It All 25th Anniversary show was happening that day, as well as an Urban Waste reunion with a ton of other bands, and the OFF! show in Lower Manhattan. As I would have assumed, the SOIA show was well sold out by the day of the event, and the Urban Waste show had over 13 bands playing, starting at 1pm. Attending that show would pretty much be the day right there. So we decided to check out OFF! show but it didn't start until later in the afternoon. Kenneth had rented a bad ass V Dub for the weekend, and had a GPS, so we decided to do what most people would think is unthinkable... let's drive over and spend the day in Manhattan. Lucky for us the traffic on Saturday isn't nearly as bad and there are less people milling about since most business down in the Financial District were closed. So fuck it, we jumped into the car and drove over there to find something to do for the day. It was a sunny day, but still cold and windy barely above 30 degrees. Walking around we saw many of the iconic buildings that are famous worldwide: The Chrysler building with it's jutting gargoyles, Union Station with it's elevated roadway, and the huge public library with tons of people just chilling on the steps. After walking around and people watching the tourists we decided to go up to the top of the Empire State Building. Outside of the famous skyscraper, people work on the street that sell admission tickets to get to the top as well as ferry tickets out to Liberty Island as a group purchase at a discount. To anyone who has never been to New York as a tourist, take advantage of these kind of tickets. Because we bought our tickets down on the street, we were able to bypass the ticket window inside the building and go straight to security. THis had to have saved us well over an hour after seeing that the ticket line was long as fuck. Less than twenty minutes later we were up on top of the Empire State Building along with the rest of the tourists. At 86 stories up you have full view of the entire area. To the North you can see past Central Park into Harlem, the East you can view all of Brooklyn and Queens, to the South, you can see Downtown Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge, all of Lower Manhattan's Financial District, as well as the Statue Of Liberty. And to the West... dirty ass New Jersey! Yeah, not too many people over on the west side, but hey, you can see Madison Square Garden down there, and the subway railyard. Before I left on my trip I promised people that I wouldn't be doing any of the touristy stuff, but after going up to the top of the building I was glad that I did and was looking forward to going out to Liberty Island the following day. We decided to just walk around midtown Manhattan the rest of the afternoon spotting many of the well known places along Broadway and the Fashion District. After a quick bite to eat we headed back to Brooklyn to get ready for the OFF! show. Surprisingly we were able to find a parking spot on the street just around the corner of the venue. We had to wait outside for what seemed like an hour with maybe only 20 other people. Once doors open, we were able to get a ticket without any problems and chilled in the venue as people slowly filtered in. At the time of doors open, there wasn't many people there at all and we though, holy shit! everyone must be at the SOIA show because early on it looked like only a few people were attending this show. The venue its self was way over the top in the truest rocker venue fashion: fairly large stage, a very large standing area, a band seating area off to the side way up high, and insanely loud sound system with speakers lined all around the walls, 2 bars (none in which had any non-alcoholic drinks), and smoke and laser machines! I would later find out that a lot of rave style shows happen at this venue. Eventually more and more people started to show up. Here is the show review:

OFF! photo courtesy of Brooklyn Vegan

Kenneth and I waited in a small seating area and people watched as show goers eventually found their way inside. OFF! features vocalist Keith Morris of Black Flag and Circle Jerks fame, so loads of older people showed up for this one. I even spotted a few guys walking with canes, it was a pretty interesting sight. Trash Talk was also playing with OFF! on their current tour, and they brought in a lot of hardcore kids between the ages of 18-21. SO yeah this was an interesting pairing for for a hardcore show. Also mixed in was what I would assume would be the rockers who live in the city with their pointy shoes, and patched out jean jackets. There was also a good variety of super trashy looking girls who looked like they just got off the dancing pole. It was unreal... lingerie as attire, complete with ass cheeks all hanging out, and tossed hair. This is the kind of show goer that only New York could offer, and I loved it. The first band of the night finally played and they were a young local group that although played really loud and fairly tight, had a pretty boring sound style. They did however have an interesting front man, who was an artsy black guy with a dangly feather ear ring similar to what Mr.T wears. He was super energetic and jumped down into the audience to slam up front with the young kids who knew of them. Not bad for an opening act. Trash Talk played second, and by this point in the show it was getting pretty packed up front, and I decided to move up closer to check out the show. I've seen Trash Talk Three times in the last six months so, I wasn't too excited to see them again, but they are a good live band. Trash Talk did indeed live up to their reputation on stage playing tightly. The kids went off hard for these guys with loads of dives everywhere and some rough moshing up front. Note to stage divers: dive into a direction where people are. I had to save some idiot from breaking his neck by catching him... well, more like re-directing him into people. After this happening a couple more times, I snuck over to the other side of the stage without getting hit somehow. By the end of Trash Talks set, they were climbing all over the bars, and back merch area. It was pretty cool set, and the audience cheered in between songs loudly. OFF! soon later set up quickly and by this point there wasn't much standing room at all, not even in the pit... a packed house. I have have read on the nerd before the show about how lame OFF! is by having their albums released on VICE records, and etc., some pretty petty shit. But to all the naysayers out there: This band can fucking PLAY! OFF! has managed to take the classic First Four Years-era Black Flag sound adding a few modern twists resulting in powerful mid-paced punk. Throughout the set, lots of older show goers were stage diving and even a few girls took a leap or two during the set. It was a sight to be seen with the mix of people up front who had an age difference of more than two decades between them. The pit area was more of a wave that would surge all the though the venue, so I found a good spot to stand next to a support beam where I could watch and still have space while everyone was beating the shit out of each other. By the end of the set I was very happy we chose to check out this show over the others that night. It would be safe to say that OFF! played the best set out of all the bands I saw the entire weekend. Defiantly check these guys out if you ever get a chance. After the show we headed back to Brooklyn exhausted and hungry. We ate leftover Chinese food and listened to HOT97, the legendary rap radio station in New York that didn't live up to my expectations at all by playing top 40 pop rap tunes. The next and final day of my trip we would check out Liberty Island.

New York Travel Story Pt.1

2011-05-02T19:04:00.005-05:00

Tear It Up have been one of my favorite hardcore bands all-time yet alone for the early 2000's when the band was active. Unfortunately, the band broke up during a period in my life when I didn't have the funds nor a reliable car to travel to see them play when they toured within 500 miles of Omaha. For the longest time, I figured that Tear It Up would be solidified in the long column of: "Could have see them, but wasn't able to" list, along with other great punk bands that never toured to Nebraska during the late 90's/early 2000's. Now fast forward eight years later to 2011. Six Feet Under Records announced after some talks, a re-release of Tear It Up's classic lp Nothing To Nothing. To "celebrate" the re-release of this record Tear It Up announced two reunion shows in New York and New Jersey at the end of March. Tickets went for sale online in early January, and figuring that I rarely get second chances to see a band I loved, I decided to scoop up a couple of tickets and travel out to see the show. Here's the story...

Andrew is a former band mate of mine who currently lives in Brooklyn. So I emailed him asking if I bought him a ticket to the Tear It Up show, I could stay at his place for the weekend. He agreed, and I soon bought my plane ticket and got everything ready to go. After a wait of nearly 3 months, the day was approaching to when I was about to fly out to New York, a city I've only driven through briefly in the past. That being said, I had no idea what to expect of the city. A couple days before I was to leave, Andrew wrote me an email telling me how sketchy his neighborhood is and etc., so I was feeling the anxiety. I was smart enough to take a direct flight from Omaha, to La Guardia and only within a few hours I was landing in New York. It was going to be a chilly weekend and there was some snow on the ground still from that morning. Getting a cab, I told the driver to go to Bed-Stuy, the neighborhood I was saying in. Not many people must be taking cabs from La Guardia to Bed-Stuy, because the cabbie ad no idea how to get there. Lucky for me, I knew the exact address and we eventually found were I had to go via GPS. On the way there, I received a text from my friend saying that he though I would be flying in at 11pm instead of am, and he wasn't going to be home. Luckily for me he had hidden a key outside for me to get into his apartment. After surprisingly only a 20 minute drive, I was dropped off outside my friends apartment only having to pay a small cab fare. The particular street Andrew lives on is like those you see on TV with the brownstone style row houses. After finding the key, I let myself in to find out that my friend has a nice studio apartment with plenty of space. The show wasn't until the next evening, so I had most of the day to take a nap and read a bit until Andrew would come home from his bands rehearsal. I would soon get a text saying that he would be spending the night at his girlfriends instead, so I spent the rest of the night scrounging for what little food I could find, and entertained myself by reading some coffee table books about Factory Records. I have moved quite a bit in the last five years, so sleeping in new and weird places is a non-issue for me. The next morning, I drank some coffee and waiting for Andrew to get home so we could venture out into The City and check things out. By 10am Andrew would get home, and it would be the first time I've seen him since 2004. Quite a bit has happened between the both of us since then: Me, moving back and fourth from Minneapolis, and he graduating from art school and living in New York. Although it had been a good while since I've seen him, nothing seemed awkward at all. We decided to take a train over to Manhattan and walk up from the Lower East Side all the way way up 5th Ave/Broadway till Central Park. This was a damn far walk, but I had my running shoes on, and the conversation the entire way made the distance go by unnoticed. We were able to catch up with things in life, and to chew the fat on the current state of punk and hardcore in general, good shit ya know? I had no idea how far we walked until we took the hour long train ride from Central Park down to Brooklyn. Along the way I saw a rat, welcome to New York. I would later come to find that Andrew wasn't going to able to attend the show due to a birthday party he promised to attend, and I was going to go to the show alone. I had a secondary plan and texted someone I knew who was driving up for the show from Reading, PA and asked him if I could hook me up with a ride. Within an hour, Kenneth was outside ready to head out for a night of loud guitars and mosh pits. Kenneth lived in Omaha last year, and I got to know him pretty well from hardcore shows, and we remained friends after he moved. Anyway, we went to the show up in Williamsburg blasting the hood with Bathory's Blood Fire Death the whole way. Here is the show review:

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Vegan

We arrived to the venue at least an hour late, but typical to most hardcore shows, it had yet to start. The venue was more of a bar primarily with a stage on the other end. Although the stage was a bit tall, there was plenty of standing room, and the venue had good sound. Playing the supporting roles for Tear It Up that night were Cell Mates from Maryland, and a reunion show of Western Mass rippers Last In Line. The first band, Cell Mates played more of a '77 styled punk rock instead of hardcore while most of the audience stayed on the bar side. They played well and even did a cover of Born To Kill by The Dammed that went over everyone's head. Not a bad start but I could tell that everyone there wanted to hear fast hardcore. Last In Line played second, and they brought quite a few fans with them. Last In Line was another great early 2000's hardcore band that broke up before I could see them, so it was nice I got a chance to check them out live. I have a handful of Last In Line's records, but like a noob I couldn't remember any of their songs. I watched from the edge of the pit while their fans moshed most of the onlookers. They played a good set, but maybe a tad bit too long. While Tear It Up was setting up I decided that I would move up front for the show. Within a few minutes Tear It Up was ready and surprising they opened the set with a cover of Black Flag's My War. The place was packed at this point and the whole front of the stage erupted into a sing-a-long. The remainder of the hour long set would cover nearly all of Tear It Up's songs with the front screaming along and stage diving the entire time. The band themselves sounded super tight and vocalist Dave had the energy of five people, displaying some of the highest leaps I've ever seen. Tear It Up would play songs from every release and finished their set with the Nothing To Nothing closer This Is The End with nearly everyone climbing on stage at this point to take a dive. I was smashed up against the stage the whole show, but it was worth it. I could have flown back to Omaha that night and would have had a great trip. At the show it was announced that another hardcore show was happening later that night at someones apartment. Knowing that I more than likely wont be in New York in any time soon, Kenneth and I decided to check out that show, so we bounced out and headed to second show. This particular apartment was formally a warehouse of some sort and was super raw with exposed concrete. The place was quite large and would soon be filled with over 100 kids, some of which I just saw at the show just an hour before. The modern New York hardcore scene is quite different in Brooklyn compared to what most people are familiar as NYHC with bands like Madball and Merauder, etc., but instead more of the lines of art students. Let's just say that I've never seen so many dudes wearing black girl jeans in my life. Playing this show were locals Creem, Hoax and Waste Management from MA, and another set by Last In Line. Creem feature members of some of my current NY hardcore bands and they didn't let me down one bit playing a tried and true style of 80's hardcore. Hoax played next with a slightly down tuned and more ugly style with a super intense vocalist who at one time attacked someone in the audience. It was pretty bad ass, and most of the kids up front were slamming pretty hard for both bands. No one was safe up front with the maniacs slamming, not even the girls. Waste Management would play next and damn, this band is gooood. I have most of their records but this band utterly kills it live. Super intense and fast, perfect. It was getting late by the time Last In Line was setting up and we were starving so we beat the fuck out of there and picked up some Chinese food on the way back to Andrew's place. While eating we decided to check out the OFF! show that was playing in Manhattan the next day.

Mix CD-R Vol.1 available now!

2011-05-01T01:42:00.000-05:00

Second printing of the Crucial Changes Mix CD-R Vol.1 is available to purchase worldwide. 8 tracks/15 minutes of punk/hardcore/metal/grind from Nebraska locals: Acid Mouth, Lockjaw, Mothra, and ZEDLDÜ. Four different colored sleeves (all of 10): red, orange, yellow, and blue. Printed on heavy 64 weight cardstock. Hand numbered, and comes with lyric booklet. $3 in person, $4 ppd anywhere in the US. International inquiries, please email.

Paypal:

CrucialChangesHQ@gmail.com with description and mailing address.

Send well hidden cash to:

Crucial Changes HQ c/o Keith McGrath

110 S.49th St. #410

Omaha, NE 68132

Quick update - Second printing of Mix CD-R Vol. 1 nearly finished

2011-04-30T01:14:00.001-05:00

The CCHQ

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the second and final printing of the Crucial Changes Mix CD-R Vol. 1 is nearly finished. I spent most of the afternoon and evening re-designing the cd sleeves, printing, cutting, and manufacturing. Second print is limited to 40 pieces, with four different sleeve colors: red, orange, yellow, and blue on heavy 64 weight textured cardstock. Due to the thickness of the paper, only one side could be printed. The insert booklet from first printing remains. Tomorrow, I burn the cds and will have everyting ready to sell the following day. Expect an update once they are ready, and how they can be purchased. That's it for now, NYC travel story will be up next. Peace.

-Keith

Review - Rainy Road Records' Record Store Day special

2011-04-22T00:29:00.001-05:00

As some of you know, last Saturday was Record Store Day. I was among some of the few who trudged out that morning to hit up the local record stores to peep out some exclusives and to have a few hours to myself before I had to head to work. My favorite local spot for wax has always been the Antiquarium, and after looking around in the racks I noticed a hand written note that read something along the lines of "Record Day Special - buy both Rainy Road Records tapes and get the 7" for $3 off". I was just at the store earlier in the week so I pretty much knew what was in the dust bins, so I thought, "Fuck it, it's local music I haven't heard before, I'll check it out". The tapes are: The Shanks "I'd Fuck Me", and Peace Of Shit self titled effort, along with the Watching The Train Wreck - Serve Very Loud 7". Here is my review...

I'm gonna start with the Watching The Train Wreck 7" titled : Serve Very Loud, first because it has the fewest songs. OK, first things first... this record plays at 45rpm but the label says 33 1/3, hhhmmmm? Anyway, Watching The Train Wreck play what sounds to me like a garage rock version of Nirvana, especially the 1st side with it's locked grooves and a vocal presence not unlike that of everyone's favorite dead 90's rocker. Side 2 mixes it up style wise with more pronounced jangly guitar lines. All the songs are pretty lo-fi, and pretty much stay at a medium pace never straying anywhere near hardcore speeds. The four songs on this 7" are all played tightly, and the shredding fuzzed guitar leads are the highlights of the songwriting for me. Not bad. I'd like to see these guys live. The packaging on this 7" is screen printed heavy cardstock that give the record a personal touch. The record it's self is lathe cut clear plastic, which to me doesn't sound as good as vinyl, but after researching the process on how lathe records are made, it's a good alternative if you plan on releasing limited quantities of your record. This record is limited to 50 pieces, I got number 20. The price tag on the record may scare you away, but luckily for you cheap skates out there, you can stream the entire record HERE. 4-song 7" No lyric sheet.

Peace Of Shit serves up 10 tracks on their self titled debut cassette. After a short drum/guitar intro, a nice barrage of "77 style 3 chord punk (with ample amounts of reverb) is whipped into a fury with the song "Out Of Our Heads". Hot leads and lots of screaming! Fuck yeah, not a bad start. However, this tape seems to have a split personality with awesome straightforward punk tunes sprinkled in with mostly pop oriented garage rock songs that really don't do much for me. The song "Panic In the Streets" has a nice punk vibe a la The Spits. If this were a 45 single of "Out Of Our Heads" b/w "Panic In The Streets", this would be THE SHIT. As a whole though, it's only OK. Stream the entire tape HERE. 10-song pro printed cassette, limited to 100. No lyric sheet.

The Shanks play straight punk complete with barre-chords and a 1-2 drum beat. With great song titles like: "She Could Be A Hooker", "I Got Fleas", "Throwaway Girls", and "Sex Feels So Good", you get 15 sleazy tracks on this cassette of b-sides and rarities appropriately titled: "I'd Fuck Me". The song writing stays well within the mid-paced range with more of an emphasis of attitude than power. The vocalist gets most of my attention here with his strains, shrieks, and groans as he shouts throughout the songs. The actual playing on these songs sound quite sloppy but adds to the mood the songs create. Not bad. I'd love to see these guys in a house show setting. Stream the entire tape HERE. 15-song pro printed cassette, limited to 100. No lyric sheet.

Rainy Road Records
P.O. Box 31704
Omaha, NE 68131

contact@rainyroadrecords.com

kevtherev23@yahoo.com