Adventures in Record Store Day 2014

As much as I love and support the idea of Record Store Day. I've never actually participated in one. Having supported countless independent record stores with most of my disposable income since I was a pre-teen. The thought of waking up at the crack of dawn to stand in line with a mix of blood thirsty record nerds and scalpers looking for that short run of exclusive Record Store Day releases never appealed to me. I work hard enough to distance myself from the holiday's Black Friday nonsense every year. Why would I want to cheapen my passion for music with the retail equivalent?

This past Saturday I left the house at 2:00 pm with the sole purpose of attending the book signing for "No Slam Dancing, No Stage Diving, No Spikes". The opportunity to get the final copies of the books first edition while meeting the books authors Steve and Amy.
As I arrived at the Jonathan Levine Gallery. I was treated to an exhibition called "Mosh Pits" which featured breathtaking paintings from Dan Witz. It seemed like the perfect backdrop to the book signing. After meeting long time Facebook friend Steven Dilodovico and author Amy Wuelfing, I headed downtown with my wife for lunch and some fun in the park.
When she decided she needed to do some clothing shopping, we split up and I headed off to Generation Records to see what scraps were left eight hours after the store had opened.
I managed to score the Farside - "Keep my Soul Awake" 7' on blue vinyl and added
"The Earth Is Flat" by Supertouch to my collection of Revelation Record colored vinyl reissues. Shortly after, I met up with Kayuri, had dinner and headed back to Hoboken.

When we got off The PATH train, Kayuri mentioned she wanted to stop at the local market to pick up groceries. With Tunes records residing directly across the street. I couldn't help but want to stop in for a look. Being that Tunes has quickly become the only record store that provides absolutely nothing I'd ever need. You can imagine my shock when I left the store with just about everything on my imaginary list. 

Overall, my first official Record Store Day was a success. No lines to get in, no lines at the register and not one fat, bald, sweaty guy bogarting the R-S-T section of the vinyl.
Below is a complete list of my purchases.Who needs food and clothing, right?
James Damion

Mosh Pits - Dan Witz

No Slam Dancing, No Stage Diving, No Spikes.  An Oral History of the Legendary City Gardens

Farside - Keep My Soul Awake (Blue)

Side By Side - Gates of Steel (LIVE) Devo 1980 / The Flaming Lips 2013

Side By Side - The Badge (LIVE) Poison Idea 1990 / Pantera 1994

Poison Idea - Getting the Fear / 4 A.M.

OFF! - Learn to Obey

Taang! Records - The First Ten SIngles (Box Set)

Strife - In this Defiance (White)

Surfer Blood - Pythons

Husker Du - Candy Apple Grey

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts 

Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth (Pink)

Supertouch - The Earth is Flat (Grey)

Though not a record store day release it completed my collection of Revelation Records color vinyl reissues. This classic just found it's way into my bag.

Cicada Radio Currently Streaming New Album

Cicada Radio are streaming their new album "No Fate But What We Make" as we speak. Click the link below before you order a copy at KillingHorse Records . The band is having their official "CD Release Party" with A Balance Between, Let Me Run, Meet Pause and 

The Rose Riot this Saturday December 1st at the newly reopened Court Tavern in 

New Brunswick NJ. Now, if that don't get your dick hard.... I got nothing for ya'. 

James Damion

No Fate But What We Make

Secret Country's Ryan Gross on "7 Days A Week" and Drinking

As Secret Country prepares to mosey over to Kearny's Donegal Saloon to celebrate the release of  their new EP "7 Days A Week".  We dispatched our own Jordan McAliden to go straight to the horses mouth and find out what just what our favorite musical misfits were up to. Her's what guitarist Ryan Gross had to offer. James Damion

Secret Country is:

Jay Monaco - Lead Vocals / Acoustic Guitar * Katelynn Siegle  - Lead Vocals * 

Matt Siegle - Drums / Vocals * Joe Hart - Guitars / Vocals * Ryan Gross - Guitars * 

Tim Siegel - Bass

Jordan: How did a bunch of North Eastern drunks get turned on to Country Music?

Ryan: We heard a Rascal Flats song and decided Country Music needed a kick in the ass.
Country music used to be incredible back in the Outlaw days when Country singers gained credibility from being in prison. We pretty much wanted to make Waylon Jennings proud… and we just like drinking…

Jordan: What is the origin of the name "Secret Country'?

Ryan: We never intended it to be a band. We would just play covers in Jay's backyard, and as you know, Newark, NJ is not a huge "Country" town. So we decided to call the band "Secret Country".

Jordan: "7 Days a Week" comes out on May 18th. How was the music making process for you guys?

Ryan: It's been a while since we've released anything, so it's always great to get in the studio, throw a few beers back and get creative.

Jordan: How does "7 Days a Week" differ from your previous drunken releases?

Ryan: It has less songs and is being released on a dead format.

Jordan: Are there any surprise guests on the record?

Ryan: Well, it marks the final performances of Eric and Yan with Secret Country.
It was great getting one last one in before their departure from the band.

Jordan: What led to the departure of 

Eric "The Red" Munson? 

Ryan: He wanted to focus on his solo "Coke Rap" album. I believe it's titled "Fire Crotch".

Jordan: Secret Country walks a fine line between paying tribute to its Country routes and completely magnifying it's glorious stereotypes. How do you find a middle ground?

Ryan: That's a fabulous question. Stereotypes are generally based on truths. So, singing about them might seem clique; but we're also singing about the subject matter. As long as it isn't hokey like Rascal Flats. 

Jordan: Killing Horse Records seems like the perfect label/name for a Country band. Aside from you being a member of the band and half of the Killing Horse Records team. What has made you such good partners in crime. Have any horses been harmed in the process?

Ryan: The key has been infinite patience; And as far as we could tell, the horses liked it.

Jordan: We understand you have a full length on the horizon. Have you begun writing/drinking for it?

Ryan: Yes to both, it should be marginally good.

Jordan: What can one expect from May 18th's record release show?

Ryan: Drunken mayhem over the smell of burning incense.

Killing Horse Records  Buy the record here

Friends, Bands Gather at Maxwell's to Celebrate The Release of Those Mockingbirds 'Fa So La'

As The Sun The Moon The Stars opened the show I couldn't help but wonder, "How in the Hell is this band opening for anyone?" A few minutes prior to the show I had asked Adam Bird of Those Mockingbirds the 411 on the bands playing that night. He remarked "Can't Miss" when referring to them. The band, by far the heaviest I've seen at Maxwells since witnessing Kylesa take the stage in 2009. With a sound that reminded me of bands such as The Melvins, Sabbath and Botch to name just a few, how could you go wrong. Matthew Dwyer, Guitar/Vocals, has an electrifying stage presence. Later that night I snagged the bands album "Mindreader" which has been dominating my turntable since. The band is from West Paterson NJ and I highly recommend both buying the record and checking them out live.
TSTMTS Facebook

Following an opening band as good as T.S.T.M.T.S.'s can be a tricky gig but Birdhand made the transition seamlessly. Here was another first time experience for me that was incredibly rewarding. Birdhand have only been around for a short time but have made a lot of noise in that short period. Formed in Santa Cruz California but recently transplanted to New York City. The band has been both praised and produced by Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jenifer. The band has an excellent rock sound which seems to be getting harder to find with all the indie, alt and post bands dominating music today.       It's good to see a band that flat out, rocks. Singer/Guitarist Weeds vocals have a raspy quality that had me comparing him to Girls VS Boys vocalist Scott McCloud. Their set provided plenty of energy and solid musicianship. Birdhand definitely had that PMA going strong.
Birdhand on Facebook

Just as Birdhand finished their set I headed away from the stage to catch my breath and seek out a few friendly faces I had briefly encountered earlier. I've been going to Maxwells regularly since the early nineties but since covering shows for Jersey Beat and of course United By… I rarely talk to more than a handful of people. I usually just take in the show while taking my pictures and just head home. These days I often go home with a pain in my neck considering how many friendly faces call out my name. It was really a blast seeing so many friends interacting and rocking out. Since becoming part of The Tiny Giants collective I've forged friendships and been introduced to so many creative and inspiring bands. Seeing so many of them there to support  Those Mockingbirds and all the bands makes me want to go to more and more shows while providing me with plenty of fuel for the bog.

I originally caught Those Mockingbirds when they played the Brick City Riot Festival back in September of 2011. They played a great set of dirty, yet beautiful Rock n' Roll that night that really stuck with me. Since that night I've caught them a handful of times and I can honestly say, they get better with each and every performance. Though they weren't headlining this specific show it was indeed their night. With the official release of "Fa So La" and Star Morales of Star Beat Music in the house. How could it not be.

As the band took the stage and launched in to their set. I found myself doing something I rarely do, dancing and singing along to every note. These days I find myself going to more and more shows, adding more and more to my list of favorites. As much as I love a lot of these bands I could hardly name a song of theirs if I was cornered. Yet alone, know the lyrics and verses of each and every song. It's just a matter of numbers. When I was just out of high school I lived with a band who often played the record of the band they'd be sharing the stage with that weekend. Just so they'd be familiar with the choruses when it was time to join in. For me personally, Fa So La has just dug itself into my subconscious over the past months. It's that fucking good. Adam Bird is the perfect frontman. He has this presence that is endearing to both the crowd and the band. That and he can flat out sing and play guitar. As a whole Those Mockingbirds fire on all cylinders producing a sound I feel Rock and music as a whole has been missing for quite a while.

At one point during the set their surprise guest was unveiled in the form of World Inferno Friendship Society's Rebecca Schlappich, giving the band not one but two insanely talented and beautiful violinists. It was a really special moment to say the least. One of the highlight of the bands set for me was when they played "Coast to Coast." a song so good I felt my entire body moving spastically  to it's rhythm. The band ended their set briefly only to be called back for an encore of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way". A song that hasn't been done justice since the band Seaweed covered it for the "Clerks" soundtrack back in the mid 90's.
Those Mockingbirds Facebook


Closing the show was Shayfer James. As the  band took the stage an older photographer sporting some very sweet gear handed his camera to his lady friend and told her "Fuck these people, just push your way to the front and get some good shots." That little exchange hit me in all the wrong places and changed my mood drastically. I seriously thought about confronting him but a dick is a dick and he'll always be one. Arguing my point would be pointless. Though I thought, if only for a moment to just walk up to him and punch him in the throat, reality found it's way to my doorstep and I just removed myself from the situation. Douche bags like that should stick to taking pictures of barn doors and making coffee table books for bald guys with pony tails. Leave the shows to us beautiful people. As the band played I couldn't help but notice the crowd had changed so I made my way back to the bar fro my last Coke of the night. Though Shayfer JamesShayfer James Facebook  had a nice vibe about them I was already in the wrong frame of mind and didn't really hang for the entire set. Despite that little moment this was a great show all around, Lots of love to all the friends who came out to support the bands and one of the only establishments that continues to book great shows. I love you Maxwells. James Damion
Shayfer James Facebook

Those Mockingbirds - Commercially Speaking

Here's a peak at the upcoming release of Those Mockingbirds - Fa So La to be released exclusively on Star Beat Music. You can pre-order the record Here. If you haven't heard Those Mockingbirds before you will definitely like what you here. If you are like me and you feel that Rock n' Roll needs a serious kick in it's currently soft ass, then this is the band for you. The following commercial stars frontman/guitarist Adam Bird (vocals, guitar)  and Tory Anne Daines. (violin, vocals, piano) The band is celebrating their record release with a show at Maxwell's Friday January 20th with Shayfer James and Birdhand. Be sure to come out celebrate. See you there. James Damion

Those Mockingbirds  Band
Star Beat Music Order the Record
Event  Show Details