Rockin' In The Free World!

This past weekend a bunch of people from Carlo's job, Jenkinson's Aquarium, had a going away party for Jen, who is moving to Baltimore. It was at the Mantoloking Road Pub, and I had the opportunity to see one of the best cover bands I've heard in a looong time.

Midnight Run are a fantastic cover band, with a very fun and diverse repertoire of songs. If you want to have a good time, defn check them out. From their kickass version of Lady Madonna by The Beatles, to an amazing Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young & Crazy Horse it was a great night of live music. During their cover of Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb, close your eyes and it's like David Gilmour dropped in on your favorite pub.

The band was formed about a year ago and features; Eric Graber on vocals and lead guitar, Alan Graber on rythm guitar and vocals, Andy Shawn on bass and vocals, and Mike Grabowski on drums.

The Graber's are both accomplished guitarists having played local venues for years, while Andy has opened for such legendary acts such as B.B. King and Led Zeppelin, as well as working with Tico of Bon Jovi for 8 years. Mike Grabowski's drumming brings to mind the perfect timing of Weezer's Pat Wilson and at times the heaviness of Dave Grohl.

All in all, an excellent band to rock out to and have a great time. If you're interested in checking them out they'll be playing a show at the Brick VFW on Flag Day, June 14th. Tickets are fifteen dollars and that includes food, soda and lots of beer.

For information on the band, such as tickets and show dates e-mail Mike at mgrabo59@comcast.net

Keep Your Eyes Open!!!

Saturday, I was lucky enough to go to a writer's conference at William Paterson University and meet author Anthony Swofford. It was lots of fun and I learned quite a bit about writing poetry and biography.

The conference's keynote guest was Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead and Exit-A, and he was an extremely engaging and entertaining speaker. He read from an unpublished novel he's currently writing called 'War Memoir', and it sounds like a really awesome book.

It's about a soldier that comes back from the war and through an interesting turn of events decides to publish a false memoir about his time in Iraq. It sounds really good so keep your eye's open when this gets released.

I got the chance to speak to Mr. Swofford numerous times throughout the day and I found him to be a really cool and down to earth guy. He recommended the new album by the Black Keys, which I'm going to pick up soon, if I can find the money.

So yeah, if you ever get the chance to meet an author, you just might be lucky and be able to meet someone as cool and down to earth as Anthony Swofford.

Best Album of All Time?

I recently started going through my music collection again. I came upon an album I hadn't listened to in quite some time, but always enjoyed. The album is Kid A by Radiohead, and after a few listens and comparisons...I can safely say it's one of the best albums of all time. Lush electronic textures and bass lines, lyrics that don't make sense because they don't need too, and first rate production by Nigel Godrich, this is an album not to be missed.

When first released it caused a bit of a stir with the departure of Radiohead's "rock" sound and move into the world of electronic music, but it was all for the better. Every band needs to evolve, but so few get it right on their first try.

I suggest everyone reading this blog check out the album, it's available in stores or on many torrent sites. Or just contact me for a copy. Till next time, this has been another message from The Matt's Realm.

There's tomfoolery about!

A few friends and I are heading to the local pub to meet my Uncle Gill-Bert this evening. Good drink and good conversation will surely be abound. He is quite a classy fellow indeed. I know the posts have been scarce lately...but don't fret, they'll be arriving more frequently I assure you. Good day to you, sirs and madams.

The day

Gettin ready to leave the house for possibly the evening, goin to Best buy then who knows where. got some things to do...don't worry in the coming days/weeks this blog will be much more interesting...I'm just tryin to finish Across The Universe before Carlo gets here...incredible film, if you like the Beatles you have to watch this movie.

The First POST

So this is blogging huh? I guess it's about time i get on board this failboat they call the internet. I'm at work right now so this'll be a quick one. I'm currently watching the Japanese masterpiece Godzilla:Final Wars on my ipod, pretty decent and plus they kill that shitty American Zilla. Good Times...anyways until next time this has been The Matt.