It totally blows me away that people out there, particularly in Europe, still have a vested interest in old DuPage Collective releases. Even the people involved directly with the DC haven’t thought about some of these records in years, so the fact that these posts are peaking interest to people out in the vast reaches of the internet is mind-blowing.

I keep coming up with little things here and there that I think are worth sharing, as long as there still seem to be interested parties out there. These mp3s are from the demo of .five.fingers.half.a.hand., a band featuring members of a bunch of other DuPage bands. .five.fingers.half.a.hand. came about in the summer of 1998 and lasted until 2000.

I’m not sure where I got a copy of the demo, but here it is.¹

1. Similes and metaphoars are as useless as a $3 bill.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

2. Goddamn bugs whacked us Johnny!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

3. The commisar vanishes.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

4. A one-way street to what the fuck is going on.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

5. Don’t do it Allison Bly!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

¹ Also, I’m not sure if the misspellings are intentional or not. I included what the mp3s were titled on my hard drive and I don’t have a hard copy to reference. ↑

I believe this is a 7″ that would be considered ’self-titled,’ though there is something of a subject line underneath the band name on the record sleeve:

Oh and in case you couldn’t tell, this is a music post.

Ahem.

Step Forward Look West was a band out of the glorious DuPage Hardcore days, though towards the end of it. Well, at least the end of my time involved before I ran off to get numerous college degrees in other states (how dare I?!).

I seriously enjoy this record, still. I think it came out in 2002 at some point, and was recorded in November 2001. I know this because of the rockin’ silk-screened poster that came with buying the 7″. It’s seriously amazing, though too large for me to scan and share. Maybe I’ll take a horrible picture of it someday so you can see it in all its glory.

The names of the songs may very well be the best part of the record.

Now, prepare yourself for fast and loud. Explicit lyrics warning. And it’s probably worth saying that these tracks were ripped from a 7″ record using an ion usb turntable. And not ripped all that well, either. Well, that’s not true. They sound alright.

Side A-

1. a name on the board with three checks only means i can fuck up twice without getting in trouble.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

2. you can’t spell “goonies” without the word “go!”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

3. a disfunctional family is any family with two or more members.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

4. one two three not it!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

5. it’s open season on crybabies and you’re fucking next.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Side B-

1. i never thought i’d say the words “i hate you” and fucking mean it.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

2. jesus, elvis, and the easter bunny walk into a bar.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

3. alice don’t surf.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

4. the tcri strikes again!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

5. it’s like pissing in a shower with a slow drain and standing in a stagnating pool of your own urine.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Interesting how I believe I completely avoided using any profane words on this blog until this very post. And those profanities coming from just the titles of the songs.

Anyway, listen and enjoy.

Until next time.

I live in a house with a ridiculously huge backyard. The yard is fenced in, and even has a separate, fenced-off area that I’m pretty sure was used to keep animals of some kind. Well, ever since I’ve moved in those of us in the house have talked about planting a garden out back … and my newish housemates actually did it! Check it out!

I had absolutely nothing to do with this garden; it was all the housemates. But they did an amazing job and I can’t wait to have homegrown veggies to cook with!

As long as I’m here I have quite a bit of knitting to report on.

1. I finished my Napoleon vest:

I never got around to taking a picture other than that one, late at night in my room just after I finished putting it together. I’ve worn it a few times and I always get nice compliments. The Hillside Linen ended up being a nice choice; it’s light and breathable, and after a quick tumble in the dryer it softened up wonderfully. It’s a bit on the warm side, but not too much.

2. Soft Linen Shawl:

I really just wanted an excuse to knit this pattern, which I thought was gorgeous due to its simplicity. It knit up super quickly. I used the Classic Elite Soft Linen, which was amazing to knit with. This will be used as a birthday gift for a family member.

3. Grrr:

Knitty’s Grrr, a pattern for a co-worker at the yarn shop that is having a baby at some point in December. We had a baby shower last week with the ladies at the shop. It was nice to get out and spend time with them outside of the store! I used Mission Falls 1824 cotton, which really looks fantastic for this pattern. The texture of the cotton adds a lot of interest to the loops that make the mane.

4–6. Turn a Square:
I decided to make one for my dad for his upcoming birthday, but my gauge is always a bit on the tight side so it ended up too small.

It fits me perfectly but I think it’d be too snug for him. So I decided to keep it and make another one on bigger needles.

I kind of fell in love with this one. The blues and greens are fantastic. Alas, it heads off to Dad later this week. After making two I thought, what the hell, I’ll make another one! These first two are both made with Cascade 220 and the same skein of Noro Silk Garden.

For this last one I used Cascade 220 and some crappy acrylic stuff from JoAnn Fabrics. I actually kind of like it. The color changes are a bit too slow, though. I wish I would have made it back to the red at some point in the striping.

7. Quincy:

This is a hat from Jared Flood’s pattern booklet through Classic Elite. I used some Araucania Azapa, which is a fantastic yarn. The hat stretched out a bit too much while blocking, though … mostly due to my cat Ronnie getting a hold of it and dragging it around the house. SIGH. Stupid cats. I’ll probably make another one of these soon. I really love the twist (which you can’t really see in the picture unfortunately).

8. Zoe:

While I was test-knitting this pattern I made another version, half for the test-knitting and half to do some stash-busting. The yarn is a bit too busy for me, but I like the way the ruffle turned out this time around.

So there you have it. Lots of knitting and a pretty garden. Now if only school was as pleasant …
ek

p.s. Beatles Rockband is AMAZING.
p.p.s. Beatles Remastered Stereo Set is also amazing.
p.p.p.s. Futurama Complete Collection: i haz it. Nothing like a life-sized Bender head in my living room.

Happy 9 9 9!

The long-awaited Beatles Remastered albums are being released today, as well as The Beatles: Rock Band! Hot damn am I excited for both of these. I’ll be at Best Buy when the doors open to pick up my copies.

In honor of this momentous date in history, I am going to share one of my favorite Beatles songs ever, and one of my favorites Beatles covers ever. Check it.

“Rain” was the B-side of “Paperback Writer”, their 11th single released. The songs were written while the band was recording Revolver in 1966. Beyond it being a great song (with a tiny bit of social commentary), it carries the distinction of being one of the first pop songs to include tape manipulation. At the end of the song, Lennon took part of the group singing and played the tape backwards. This happens all the time now, but back in the 60s recording techniques of this nature were still being developed.

“Rain” by The Beatles

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

And here’s a fantastic cover (recorded live) by of Montreal:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

And just for kicks, here are some more Beatles covers by of Montreal:

“Nowhere Man”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“Hey Bulldog”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“I Will” (Kevin Barnes)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Enjoy, and spread the Beatlemania.
ek

If you’re a Beatles aficionado like myself then you have definitely checked out Love. It’s this crazy CD where various Beatles songs are stripped down, mashed up, and blended together in crazy ways. A lot of the songs are totally trippy if you’re familiar with the majority of their catalog, and this one always gets me good when I listen.

Drive My Car The Word What You’re Doing

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

For those following along at home, it starts as “Drive My Car” (Rubber Soul, 1965) then goes to the into the main verse of “What You’re Doing” (Beatles For Sale, 1964). And then at the end it’s a free-for-all of with those two tracks mixed with the organ riff and chorus tag from “The Word” (Rubber Soul). It just blows my mind. The tempos weren’t altered. The pitch wasn’t raised or lowered. These three songs just fit together absolutely perfectly. I’m not sure if it’s a testament to the amazing song-writing abilities of Lennon/McCartney or aural proof that they had a specific formula for a percentage of their tracks. Either way it’s a fun listen.

ek

At some point while living in Ohio I went record store hopping with a friend of mine. We stopped at this rather large record store that reminded me a bit of Missing Link in Indianapolis (a store I miss sorely) and I rummaged through their old R&B/Rock section. I found a couple classic records, one of which being The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl. Tracking down copies of this isn’t all that difficult, but they were only selling it for $3, and I think people on Amazon are trying to sell it in upwards of $100. I think I win that game.

I find that I gauge the value of bands more on their live performance than on their studio albums. And what has made me love The Beatles the way I do is how absolutely fantastic they were live, even with thousands of girls screeching at them the whole time. I can’t even imagine how hard it was for them to hear each other on stage.

The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl is a compilation of two live shows at the Hollywood Bowl (surprised?) on August 23rd, 1964, and August 30th, 1965.¹ It was their only official live record, which was an oddity for bands back in the 1960s. Bands of the time typically released quite a few live albums, but the screaming girls made live recordings a bit difficult to engineer.

Frankly, I was not in favor of taping their performance. I knew the quality of recording could not equal what we could do in the studio, but we thought we would try anyhow. Technically, the results were disappointing; the conditions for the engineers were arduous in the extreme. The chaos, I might say panic, that reigned at these concerts was unbelievable unless you were there. Only three track recording was possible; The Beatles had no “fold back” speakers,² so they could not hear what they were singing, and the eternal shriek from 17,000 healthy, young lungs made even a jet plane inaudible.
– George Martin, 1977

Martin went on to say, though, that the recordings Capitol Records made of these two Hollywood Bowl shows were something special. They captured the energy of the crowd and how The Beatles responded and fed off of it. The banter of the boys between songs is pretty entertaining, especially how they egg the crowd on. One track that really stood out to me was “Things We Said Today,” written and sung by George Harrison (who was always my favorite, to be honest). You can tell it was a new song, because he forgets how long the introduction is, comes in late, stumbles on words, and seems generally tentative when singing. When Paul pipes in for the bridge the girls go absolutely nuts, as to be expected. I probably would have too; the bridge of “Things We Said Today” is quite possibly my favorite bridge of any song. Ever.

Here is the recorded version from The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

And for comparison, here is the studio version from A Hard Day’s Night:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I may have to share more Beatles love in the near future. I can’t be the only one that feels it.³

<3 ek

---

¹ As an aside, it’s interesting to note that Doctor Who was in its second broadcast season at this point, and it would be another 2/1 years before Star Trek would premiere (though it was already in production). Back to your regularly scheduled music post.
² I’m guessing that a “fold back” speaker is what we would call monitors now. Speakers on stage pointed towards the performers so that they can hear themselves and the other members of the band playing. Back to Mr. Martin.
³ And the footnote love. Who doesn’t love footnotes?

Just so you all don’t think I only listened to hardcore back in The Day, here is something a bit different. If you’re familiar with Alkaline Trio you should definitely know about Tuesday. Dan Andriano formed the band with Matt Stamps (guitar), and Rob Kellenberger (drums/vocals) some time in the mid 90s, ‘96 I believe. Tuesday is a bit hard to classify, but I’d say they’re in that nether region between pop punk and emo. Well, at least what emo used to be, which was not Crap.

Their first record was Early Summer, an EP released on Asian Man Records in 1997.

Tuesday is my Essential Summer Band. It’s association with the season may be related to the name of this EP, which is something I cannot confirm or deny. But there is just something essentially summery about Tuesday. Especially lazy summer evenings. Sunday car rides. Eating snocones. Going swimming. I can’t describe it, but Tuesday is just … a summer band. As much a summer band as The Casket Lottery is a autumn band. I’ll get to them later. Neither of which are technically Dupage bands, or Dupage Hardcore bands. But like I said, I’m sharing this in the interest of variety. And sharing The Awesome with the masses.

1 – It’s a Bright Light

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

2 – One Day of Peace

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

3 – That’s Not Like Me

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

4 – So Awake

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Andriano and his lovely lisp would go on to be in The Alkaline Trio with Matt Skiba and a parade of drummers. Kellenberger went on to play in Duvall and Colossal. All great bands.

ek

I’ve posted quite a bit of music in the last few days, and had planned on waiting for a while until I shared something else. But it’s my birthday so I’ll do whatever I want!

The Lapis Sanctuary was pretty much my favorite band. The 7″ they released with The DuPage Collective was probably one of the best records to ever be released during the Hayday of DuPage Hardcore.

I’m not sure how many colors were pressed, but I know that there were clear green ones. Because that’s what I have.

The insert is probably my favorite part. I love the selection of art and the layout with the lyrics and text.

The quality of the recording is really unparalleled. I did my best to make the cleanest digital copy that I could, but let’s be honest. Nothing will ever sound as good as a record played on a turntable through a good set of speakers. But I think these recordings turned out well. The stereo mix is incredible. Such a good album.

1 – Fair-say Question Hearsay

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

2 – Render Nothing Sacred

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

3 – Demise of the Half-Empty

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

4 – In a World of Formal Handshakes …

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

5 – Functioning on Autopilot

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I hope you enjoy this album as much as I do.
ek

So there was this band. Three guys were in it named Blake, Drew, and Mark.

Side A:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Side B:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The 7″, which took many years to be released, also included live footage of Landmine’s last set at Dupagefest 2001.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Until next time,
ek

As some of you may know, I grew up in an area with an amazingly fun and positive hardcore punk scene. This was in the Chicago suburbs, specifically in DuPage county, one of the wealthiest counties in the fine state of Illinois (and of the whole country, to be honest). The burgeoning hardcore punk scene in DuPage was often picked on by the crusty, older, and questionably wiser Chicago hardcore kids, so the kids out in the ‘burbs proudly called themselves part of DuPage County Hardcore.

While going through my old 7″s lately I thought it would be awesome to share some of the music that came out of the hardcore scene.

The first band I’m sharing with you is The Nineteen of Salem. Their untitled 7″ was recorded in August of 2000 and was released by the band (Ryan, Andy, Jon, Karl, Tom, and Ty) and the DuPage Collective if I remember correctly.

The sleeve was screened by hand.

The insert includes pictures, lyrics, and explanations by the writer, Ryan.

The record was completely clean. The only way you could tell what side you were on was by looking at the inscription carved into the vinyl.

Side A: Precious Little Angel

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Side B: Nice Enough to Get Stabbed in the Back

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Enjoy! Tune in for more DuPage Hardcore in the not-too-distant future.

ek