Beardscaping.

Like most people in their lives I've had my first birthday, my first day of school, my first time riding a bike without training wheels, my first kiss and the list goes on. In 2011, I crushed them all by doing the most magnificent manly thing out of them all. I grew my FIRST beard!

I've tried to grow one before in past years but to no avail. This time I just rode it out to what many have said was a "Good Beard". It blossomed quite nicely if I don't say so myself.

Since summer is here and I do not wish to have this thing keeping heat in, getting sandy, having sea life stuck in it and all the other things beards seem to collect, I decided to get rid of my manly possession. So my friend Chris documented the removal of my beard. Not without trying all the cool facial hair patterns I could have first of course.

I am proud of my accomplishment. I didn't think it would be possible, but it was. I look forward to next winter, it will blossom again!

BIG.

So since I was heading south to DC and my snare drum just happened to be ready, we made a little pit stop in Kenilworth, NJ to pay a visit to the Dark Horse Percussion shop! Unfortunately DHP is not a 24/7 operation like I thought it was so I didn't get to take a tour of the shop. Real big bummer considering I didn't have to go pick up my drums like I had originally planned to do when they were finished. To actually be AT the shop and still not be able to see it was a bummer. Hopefully Healers will get down to New Jersey at some point or if I'm ever passing by again I'll get to check the joint out!



What was waiting for me in the hallway however was this beefy young lady:

14x8 15ply maple. Aged marine pearl wrap, single tube lugs and diecast hoops.

I originally ordered a 10ply but Anthony had this 15 on the shelf and decided to hook me up. Which I appreciate! I've seen a lot of people ordering 14x8 snares lately, you could say its the "cool thing" right now. So I kind of figured hey, why not? I already own a 14x7 why not go for a little more. I did NOT know what I was getting into! This snare is SO big its crazy. They never look all that big when I've seen others or when you're holding it yourself but once its set up in your stand, whole other perspective. It could be the single tubes that give it a bigger effect, I don't know but shes one big bitch!

I haven't had much time with her, I took her to the healers practice space last night and tuned her up to how I usually tune my snares but I haven't gotten an ear for her yet. My drums took a little while for me to get used to and this snare won't be any different. My tuning methods might not work for this snare. Theres still some kinks to be worked out. I'm used to a 7ply birch shell, so this is a HUGE difference in sound. In the end I'll figure everything out and get used to her and she'll be amazing. Can't wait for my band mates to see and hear it. I'm really interested in opinions of how she sounds. The shows I'm playing in June will hopefully give some valuable feedback.

If They Move...Kill Them.

Fairweather reunion show, what can I really say? The culmination of 8 years in maybe an hour. I sang my voice raw, shook my body sweaty and head banged my neck sore. It was probably the best time that I have had at a show in a VERY long time. This show meant so much to me. A band I loved then, a band I still love today.

Its a bit sad to think about when I stop to do so for a minute. In most "reunion" type fashions this show seemed to be a celebration for a rebirth, but was more of a celebration to an end. I've waited so long and I finally got what I wanted. I ask myself, now what? Although you can never be too sure, this will most likely never happen ever again in the rest of our life times. The process of learning to deal with that is slow. However I am so thankful that I got to be apart of this. Considering so many probably couldn't.

If any of you do read this, Shane, Pete, Jay. It was more than amazing to see all of you again, playing my most favorite songs that at the age of 15 shaped who I was and influenced me tenfold musically. You gave me power, solace and most importantly, friendship. I am more than pleased to know you as people and be able to feel so close to something that at the beginning, never thought I would be.

Now heres a video of Soundtrack To the Ride as I make an appearance at 1:11