The Appleseed Cast Collection UPDATED

Since my last post of this collection in 2012 The Appleseed Cast has released a new LP titled "Illumination Ritual". So I am updating including that new LP as well as a better quality photo.

TOP-Left to Right:

1. The Appleseed Cast- Illumination Ritual- Graveface Records- milky clear & bone/1200

2. The Appleseed Cast- Sagarmatha 2xLP- Militia Group/Graveface- Magenta purple splatter/1000,124/250 (first 250 ordered were hand numbered)
3. The Appleseed Cast- Middle States- Graveface Records- milky clear aqua blue/1000

4. The Appleseed Cast- Low Level Owl Vol I & II 3xLP 1st Press- Deep Elm/Gilead Media- Black vinyl/1000

5. The Appleseed Cast- Low Level Owl Vol I & II 3xLP 2nd Press- Deep Elm/Graveface- Blue/Green/Brown/1000

6. The Appleseed Cast- Peregrine- Militia Group/Graveface- Black Vinyl/1000

7. The Appleseed Cast- Mare Vitalis 2xLP- Deep Elm/Graveface- Blue/White-Black/Gold Streaks- 1000 

8. The Appleseed Cast- Two Conversations- Graveface Records- "transparent monster electric"/1000, 420/500 (first 500 ordered are hand numbered)
9. The Appleseed Cast- End Of The Ring Wars 2xLP- Deep Elm/Goodcore- Gold/1000

Modern Guilt

So over the course of last winter thru spring and into summer I got together with an old friend and a few new ones. We started working on what eventually became this EP.

It feels good to finally get new music out there. Its been just shy of 4 years since The Fortune Healers recorded the "Hey Providence" EP. Though we had written and been playing new material since then. None of it was actually recorded and released. The Fortune Healers also as of now are broken up. I am sure it will possibly continue on one day but whether I will be drumming in it I cannont say.

In the wake of the break up of one band comes new life from another. It's having its stress as you learn to work with new people but overall I feel really passionate about this current project. Its sort of coming together well in sound without much effort and I think we are making some really great songs. Finally I am getting to play a style of music I have always wanted to since I was 16 when I discovered what "emotional music" was and picked up some drum sticks.

If you dig mid 90s emo as well as 2000s era Vagrant Records mixed with early day Death Cab For Cutie and a tab bit of 90s alternative such as Nada Surf and Superdrag, you may just dig this. its up for FREE on our Band Camp page.

modernguilt.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/modernguiltmusic

The Appleseed Cast Collection.

My Appleseed Cast collection has been done for some time. Figured I'd post it! All releases are first press and not for sale!

From top going right:
1. The Appleseed Cast- Sagarmatha 2xLP- Militia Group/Graveface- Magenta purple splatter/1000,124/250 (first 250 ordered were hand numbered)
2. The Appleseed Cast- Middle States- Graveface Records- milky clear aqua blue/1000
3. The Appleseed Cast- Two Conversations- Graveface Records- "transparent monster electric"/1000, 420/500 (first 500 ordered are hand numbered)
4. The Appleseed Cast- Peregrine- Militia Group/Graveface- Black Vinyl/1000
5. The Appleseed Cast- Low Level Owl Vol I & II 3xLP 2nd Press- Deep Elm/Graveface- Blue/Green/Brown/1000
6. The Appleseed Cast- Low Level Owl Vol I & II 3xLP 1st Press- Deep Elm/Gilead Media- Black vinyl/1000
7. The Appleseed Cast- End Of The Ring Wars 2xLP- Deep Elm/Goodcore- Gold/1000
8. The Appleseed Cast- Mare Vitalis 2xLP- Deep Elm/Graveface- Blue/White-Black/Gold Streaks- 1000

Lets talk about some of these records!

Looking up information to refresh my memory on some of these LPs I discovered that both "Mare Vitalis" and "Sagarmatha" have both been pressed before BUT they were pressed on a European label by the name of Green Hell Records. The current 2 pictured are of the American Press on Graveface records and to my knowledge a few moments ago were the only versions ever pressed. I guess not! Due to information found on Dead Format the euro Green Hell/Deep Elm version of "Mare Vitalis" was pressed as a single LP on black vinyl ltd to 1000 with different art work. I have no info on "Sagarmatha" other than it is a 2xLP and appears that it may have been released with the original CD artwork unlike the completely re-designed Graveface version.

If you were curious to what the LPs for the American version of "Mare Vitalis" here is a picture I found on Dead Format: (the black LP just looks black in my photo, I wanted to showcase what it actually looks like)


Although they may look exactly the same ruling out the fact that one is on black vinyl and the other is tri-color, here are the other differences between the 1st and 2nd press of "Low Level Owl Vol I & II. In the event you do not know, aren't sure due to whatever variable reason or are being lied to by someone selling a copy on ebay, forum, etc.


I have recently thought about maybe selling my 2nd press but when I took it out to take the collection photo I immediately said "no way" simply due to how awesome of a blue the first LP is.

There is a third version out there as well. Pressed on Silver vinyl and limited to 1000, only 500 copies in distribution and the first 250 purchased through Graveface were hand numbered. In a way only 250 went to distro. Graveface keeping 250 to number/250 un-numbered being sent out. The other remaining copies I assume went to The Appleseed Cast to sell on tour since this 3rd press was released to promote the band playing both albums back to back over 38 shows between February and April 2010.

This 3rd press version features different center labels from the 1st and 2nd press(which both have the same center labels) as well as "The Appleseed Cast Low Level Owl Vol. I & II" printed in silver ink on the cover rather than the 1st and 2nd press versions that are printed in light blue.

The Telegraph

The Telegraph is a record store in New London, CT. Now if you are familiar with New London at all, I know you're probably saying "what? theres a record store there?". Trust me, I said the same thing, but yes, there is! New London to me has always been that sketchy port city an hour away from my home that I would drive to and go see sketchy hardcore shows at the sketchy venue called the El-N-Gee. It has always been that and nothing more. Time changes things, everything. After many years the El-N-Gee shut down and stopped hosting shows. To later re-open as a dance club that tried to reclaim some old fame and book hardcore shows once more. However the scene had changed. People and bands changed and it was a change for the worse. Didn't quite pan out. I attended a few of those shows while it was a dance club but nothing spectacular and it closed yet again. To then AGAIN re-open as El-N-Gee. I have no idea what goes on there now.

With new friends that I have made, I have come hip to this new place. From my understanding they have been there for the better part of a year or more. I have had the pleasure to visit once already and plan to visit more every few months or so. Very good atmosphere, nicely done and set up, great stock of all kinds of records new and old. Lost of stuff up my alley. Most of all, good people.

This picture is something they posted about 5 hours ago and to me it is extremely amazing. To me it captures someones dream come alive. The Before is an idea, an attempt, a blank canvas in which to make whatever you want possible. The after being just that. A barren shell. A white wasteland of boring and dull. Turned into something bright, full of life and sound. In argument something a record store should essentially be. I think the store came out excellent. Hard work and creativity can pay off!

From what I was told, even though I cannot speak for the owner(s) operator(s) of The Telegraph, I believe that they are trying to offer more to that "sketchy port city" and offer some sense of a community. Running a business is tough and in my opinion I think New London would be a hard place to do it but if things are happening, people are showing up, local businesses communicates with local businesses, things can take off. It seems to be working for the most part. Nothing too crazy but the beginning is just happening now. I'm sure there is only better things to come.

I wish the Telegraph many years of business, experiences and accomplishments to be conquered. I look forward to popping in again soon!

facebook.com/TelegraphNL

Keep it on Wax

Christmas came and went. On this Christmas though, I received a great gift from my girlfriend. She got me a record player! It was quite the surprise. I apparently had said something many months ago about it and when the large box was put under the tree, I had NO idea what the hell it could have been. Turns out it was this!


Its a Crosley CR704. A 5 in 1 musical...box...for lack of better terms. It has an ability to play AM/FM radio, CDs, cassette tapes, has an MP3 jack and a turntable up top.

Its a pretty classy item, I dig the vintage look. Although a little skeptical at first. Since I've been without a record player for 7 years or so after the one I was handed down crapped out and I never sought out a replacement. I never knew the first thing about record players since I was 16 listening to Punk-O-Rama 1 to even now being 26. I just sort of felt that a 5 in 1 contraption that I am pretty sure you could order out of a catalog similar to Sky Mall would be all that good. Well, I was proven wrong. It sounds great in my opinion. I have it in my living room and I usually spend most of my time not in the living room and it fills the house with sound and I am surprised to be honest.

Sure there are probably better players out there. There are also worse I'm sure. The reviews for the most part are very good and as far as most of the complaints about this player go, all I would have to say about it in defense is that this player is quite obviously not a sound system. If that is what you are looking for then go out and buy big speakers, an expensive turntable and a receiver. If you are looking for something that is for the most part compact, lightweight and something to just enjoy listening to your records again as a hobby, this is right up your alley.

My last stated reason is exactly why I am so happy to now have this. Record collecting has always been a slight hobby of mine. Something that I have taken a long break from doing. Since being without a way to listen to all my old records, this could be the worlds most gigantic piece of crap and I would probably be just as excited. It's gotten me back into an old hobby, spending money...I mean record collecting! The funny part is some friends of my girlfriend have also just gotten a record player. At a recent birthday gathering the boys were all in the corner talking about records. Chris had said something that I will currently butcher trying to reiterate that having a record player brings back what "listening to a record" used to be. There is no shuffle, no mix, no skip, none of that. You put the record on and you listen to it. Which is very true.

The only negative things to say about this player is that you may have to open up the back and adjust a screw which controls where the record finishes. When I would play 7" records, it would end just shy and not finish the record. A little bit of a pain but something that is easily remedied. If you call Crosley they will gladly put you in touch with a technician who could walk you through the process. Unfortunately they are only open M-F 8-5 when I am at work but they emailed me instructions. Luckily a friend of mine also has this same player who had the same issue so he came over and helped me out. Secondly, all my records were skipping in certain spots. To me it was either record pressing plants have gotten super sloppy OR my player was not working properly. So I placed a penny on the end of the stylus to add just a little bit of weight since there is no sort of weight adjustment on the player(maybe where that turntable would come in handy?) and my problem was solved.

So in short, I am stoked and pleased with this player. The flood gates have now been opened. Record blogs to come!

Matt Brotka-Tattoo Artist Profile & The Fortune Healers

This is my friend Matt Brotka, he is an amazing tattoo artist from Rhode Island. Hes worked at countless shops and for/with countless of my other tattooer/shop owner friends. A few years ago he packed up and moved to Richmond, VA. He now works out of Salvation Tattoo and this is his artist profile video. Which he used my band(The Fortune Healers) tunes for the background music!

If you have a minute check out the video! Then check out The Fortune Healers! and if you really like tattoos please check out his webiste! Matt is an extremely good tattooer and I'm sure RI has been bummed since he left. If you live in Richmond look him up!

www.mattbrotka.com

My Friend Max

This is Max. He's a recent friend that I have made. Max is a real good guy and happens to also be a really talented good guy.

I've known that Max was a musician for a minute and that my friend Paul had recently been working with him as his "backing band" essentially under his moniker "Max Prussner". I just heard this song a few days ago and was really impressed on how good it was.

This is a music video that was made of the song "Tell Me Trouble". It features lots of cool new friends that I have made over the past year and sadly, If I had only met Max a little sooner I would have had the pleasure of being in this video with everyone else.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

www.maxprussner.com

Matthew Richard...BACK on the internet!

After getting up on The Dark Horse roster list and the website being redone shortly after my presence was extremely short lived. However the time has come again! I now have my drums, a band and all the other appropriate information together and I am back up on the site amongst the other DHP artists!



Head on over to www.darkhorsepercussion.com and check the ARTIST section to see the whole deal!

Stude Dudes.

Healers in Trapdoor Studios getting work done! Our Ep is currently finished. Just needs mixing and mastering. Which will be taken care of during the months of December and January. We were hoping to have a complete finished product by January but the Holidays are a crazy time for everyone and we have some bigger plans in the works as to what to do with this EP once it is actually finished and in our hands.

We don't know what is in the future but we hope that its good. So as of right now there is no foreseen date to which these songs will see the light of day. Just know that it IS coming.

Giggin Vidz II

I almost forgot! Here are 3 videos taken from the Cake Shop show! They were taken on our friend Nates iphone. They aren't the best in the business but they work just fine!

Clementine

When The  Ship Comes In

Bad Days

New York, New York

The Fortune Healers played a show in Manhattan, NYC. The reason I post this is because this is a picture of the FIRST outside of New England performance of my life. I haven't played many live shows in my time but the ones I have played were only in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Now I'm out of the box and out there showing NYC what I have!

I could not be any happier to be in a band doing things. No matter how small. I've had the dreams but I feel more grounded than I ever have before. It doesn't matter if there are 5 or 500 people there, I'm playing music! Every face I play for is an accomplishment. So many things to come and to happen. All I can do is be patient and wait to soak up every moment that happens. 

Heavy Petty

Now, I wouldn't even call myself a "Tom Petty Fan". To most, that might result in me being called an idiot but, I know the hits, I know Tom Petty. This song however, is completely fucking awesome! It's heavy, dirty, southern and it could not make me love it any more.

I heard it during a skateboard segment (one of many) that my friend Mark Choiniere does. I immediately recognized the voice and said "holy shit this Tom Petty song rules" and went to go find out what it was. 

The only bad part of this is, is that I REALLY wanted my band to cover it. Since it ideally fits our sound more than anything possibly could have. Sadly this song is on Tom Petty and The Heart breakers newest Record called "Mojo". Which came out this year. I'm not too sure if you are aware of the "things you just don't do" list, most notably is wearing the bands shirt that you're going to see, etc. I feel covering a song, regardless of how old and timeless the artist is, that only came out the present year to just be poor decision making but boy do I wish that this song came out a decade earlier.

head bang.

Publicity.

There is a write up on the Song Of Zarathustra reunion show thats taking place November 6th 2010 at The Cake Shop in Brooklyn, NY on a website called Brooklyn Vegan. This is cool because this is a show that my band The Fortune Healers is opening!

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

06-01-10

The Hope Divison.

Unmissed Conncections

So theres a new band out, they have a new song up. This part is no big deal really. Though they blogged about, what im guessing, is the whole meaning to this new song. Who these people are, what band they were in, what band they are all in now, doesnt really matter. The whole point of me even blogging this, is to remember it. When the blog, the band, the people, me, are all gone. I read this and much like a lot of the things I've ever read in the past and probably will read in the future, a light bulb went off.

Now I wouldn't say that I have a hard time expressing myself on certain views when asked but sometimes other people just say better shit, so, fuck it. I read this and felt very much in tune with what was said. This persons views, whether they are true or fictional for the sake of song. Whether this event occured or it was made up for the sake of story. I very much feel the same way. What its REALLY about, I could only guess, but many things in art are always left open to the viewer, the listeners, own interpretation.

This is the blog which I am re-posting is from this band called Nocturnal Me.  Now how you feel about this song, these dudes or bascially anything else, I dont care. This isnt some shameless promotion, this isnt some fan blog(though maybe it is? haha). This is simply a series of words which I felt was in some essence, "ME" and I wish to document them, much like the large amount of book quotes that are throughout my blog. Excluding the mind games part, im not too into games, PERIOD. I do like to get in their mind though, but MY intentions are not for games. The mind is the best and only way to really KNOW things about a person. Which I love doing. Ive probably pointed out things you do, say, weird ticks you might have, your fears and why you have them, and have in a minor way, poked fun at you for them, but I asure you, its all in good fun.

"This Isn't Love 

"This is not my scene"...I thought to myself...

"This shouldn't be anyone's scene"...the other side of me replied...

Any place where you can smoke inside is bad news now a days, and for me its doubly true. I can barely breathe as it is, I don't need the help of vaporized nicotine and stuffy situations. The last thing I want/need is to waste my breathe on common conversation with anyone within these walls. I came in here with the home team and even we don't exchange more than a glance and some suttle nuances throughout the night. Words are overrated and oxygen is at a minimum. 

I grab a drink and a seat (in that order) and decide to let my mind unfold for a while. I've always had the tendancy to look people in the eyes whether they're right in front of me or across the room. It's one of my only qualities that I continue to develop on a daily basis, and I also think that's what got her attention. This place wasn't crowded by any means but there were enough people there to call it a competition...

She works, I watch
She looks, I smile
Lather, rinse, repeat

For hours it goes like this until a subconcious connection is formed to the point where I feel familiar once she comes over to greet me.

"This is my kind of girl"...

Someone who doesn't cling to the stereotype of male dominance in romantic relationships. I HATE approaching women. 24 hours a day they are bombarded with insincerity and sketchiness and I refuse to fall into that category. From a very young age I decided that playing the game that way was not going to work for me. If I was going play the game at all, I was going to do it my way...Patiently, intelligently and planned. You can never lose as long as you don't invest yourself too much, and in this situation that's my M.O. Calm, cool, collected and detached. I never had a problem sleeping alone, and tonight is no exception.

The conversation navigates familiar waters. Where are you from? What do you do? What are you majoring in? Where do you live? What's your dog's name? Have you ever been to Amsterdam? How about this humidity? Do you have a cigarette? Why don't you smoke? Can I buy you a drink? etc...etc...Until finally, 6 syallabels are muttered which attack the crux of the situation with percision that only a female mind can conjure

She asks..."What are your intentions?"

At this point I'm always extremely honest. I'm a very affectionate person by nature, I love women and I love being close to them...If there is an opportunity for close combat, I'm just as eager as the next dude. But there IS something slightly different about me: I thoroughly enjoy mind games and I'm not ashmaed of it. The chase means more to me than any close encounter ever could...There is just something much more enthralling about playing a chess match and getting inside someone's head vs. getting wasted and getting in someone's bed. Call me old fashioned, but I'd just like to think I'm avoiding desperation with this mindset.

She can't take my honesty. It's obvious she's been jaded by her past and my answers seem to make her confused/angry/happy all at the same time. Am I a wolf in sheep's clothing? Another regret that she is bound to make? Or am I diamond in the rough? An opportunity she will likely never see again for months to come?

The questions remain unanswered. A few more drinks and she doesn't really care about my intentions; at this point ours may have morphed into one and the same. The time comes to pull the trigger and in my usual fashion I am gunshy. The lack of mystery unveils the situation for what it is and all I really want to do is go home and get a good night's rest. My causal irreverence towards the situation offends her to the point where she surrenders her Stoli 7 and Lime, shakes my hands, and bids me adieu immediately. 

I remain unphased, unattached and unwilling to compromise my vision in order to gain experience. I'm only interested in someone who can capture my full imagination and it's obvious that tonight was no more than a conversation piece and a lesson.

The truth is simple:

It isn't much if you don't mean it. 
And it isn't love if you don't need it. "

Which Came First?

A lot of the time I think about this very thing. Maybe I need to branch out more and find new music? Even though I know within that new music, whatever it may be, I will search for substance, meaning, a connection, which I or anyone should see nothing wrong with since its something I think everyone does. Im coming to the conclusion that what Im attracted to and the kind of person that I am, is what never gets me out of the holes I find myself in yearly, usually over the same thing. So maybe its me? Even down to the books that I read, whether a fictional story or a philosophical book by a writer who has a far better grip on his/her own case of fucking... melancholia, than I will ever have. They all have one thing in common, dark, evil, depressing shit about loss, death, confusion and the shere burden of being given life.

I need a new playlist...or maybe a renewed sense of being.

"My bright, is too slight, to hold back all my dark"

Sorry for this Blog rule breaker.

Soundtrack.

In a house that has minimal moments of silence, whether it be my own room, since I supposedly "hate" silence and am ALWAYS listening to SOMETHING or the obnoxious voices of the people that I live with. I find that when I read, I need to drown out those obnoxious voices and cover it with something.

Total silence is normally prefered for me whenever im trying to use my brain and take in or process information, but since I cannot do that here, I listen to this fine Instrumental release by Explosions In The Sky called "the earth is not a cold dead place".

I cannot listen to things with vocals, since it is too distracting. I cant seem to listen to the Album Leaf either, since they will surprisingly throw vocals in and ill get fucked up(Im weird?). Nor can I listen to The Cancer Conspiracy, since they are too intense and I will pay more attention to how intense they are. Than actually read.

So I found a nice EP to calm down to, relax and get pages finished. I dont know why its ONLY this album, Ive put all of them on before. There is just something about this one, I mean, it also happens to be my favorite release by them, so maybe thats it?

The Gig Life

I havent done a real sort of "written update" in a long time, so I figure that I would do just that. Tonights topic is musical.

I dont have much going on right now, so it would seem. Camplight Conduit slowly became not a band after I joined. So for the past month or so I have been bandless. Though ive kept myself somewhat busy reguardless.

Theres a fine band called Drive All Night. It consists of some very good friends of mine, john and jeff. Being the new year conquest that ive decided to take upon myself, I told them that I would love to play drums for them. Will this happen? Who knows. Probably not, haha but Ive been listening a lot cause the songs are awesome and also so I may learn them. Ive been doing pretty good. So ive been doing that.

Recently Jared told me that this dude Scott that has been recording with him, is looking for people to learn his songs, since he writes everything, guitars, bass, drums and vocals. so that he may start playing them out. So ive started doing that as of like, 4 days ago.

I have another idea along with my friend Todd. That I would also like to incorporate my other friend Mark in as well. Todd told me today he has some riff ideas. Which makes me VERY excited. Considering I for some reason just cant picture myself REALLY ever getting to work with Todd. Cause life is normally unfair to me(or us all) and I am genuinely amped in getting to be in a band with a person who is not only good at music but an awesome dude and person to just be around.

Jeremy also called me up about possibly doing something as well. So who knows what will come of that. I also told Jeremy that I would love to help him with Candy Shop, which his clothing line that he is trying to do. He's doing it himself now, so if he needs an extra hand at anytime during printing his stuff or anything, to give me a phone call. Id get to see Jeremy more too!

Also, a fellow by the name of Joe just moved here to Rhode Island. He lives with Pete. He plays bass in a band already, but brought up when he gets home, starting a little project with some friends of his whom ive met and became friends with as well. So thats another possibility.

AND me and derek might just fuck around and write songs only consisting of us as members. Derek will write both guitars and bass, sing, i might even try to sing and ill also play drums. Just for fun and to work with each other and see each other more often.

Not to mention ALL the ideas listed above pretty much may consist of Derek being in them haha, so hey.

So out of 6 possible bands to be apart of MAYBE ill score one of them! I hope so! Ill even do all 6 of them. fuck it. I have nothing to do, no extremely important "other" to worry about. So why not fill my life up with the only thing that seems to bring me joy in this life. MUSIC.

I already as of now this early in the game cannot say that I am not TRYING. Ive put myself out there to friends in bands telling them I want in, I have said YES and that im interested in any sort of project anyone wants to start and would like me involved. Ive even tryed to start one with some friends.

I thought it would be a lot harder than this, so maybe im not really trying at all? Maybe I just think that I am to some how fulfill my goal for this year to make attempts at things, seize and take advantage of the opportunitites that I create or are offered. Or maybe its really just THAT simple...

I guess in the end its all that you can do. Ive planted seeds both in music and in relationships. All you can do is see if they grow.

Spring time is going to be here before you know it. Im not a religious man, but im praying for flowers.

Daft Punk

I've always known of this "band". However, I've never actually heard or really cared to check them out.

I woke up this morning and had that GAP commercial on my mind and I was like, I NEVER got to finding out what that song was in the commercial,since when I heard the song I did like it. so I YouTubed it and there it was.



Completely oblivious to the fact that the 2 dudes(daft punk) are IN the fucking commercial. so I listened to a bunch of songs on youtube and I was rather shocked to find out how many of their songs I've actually heard(mainly through television ads).

so anyway, im Dling "Discovery" right now.



I wouldnt say that "I hate" this music, but I never really had liked or shown any interest in ANYTHING club,dance,house,electronic or whatever it may be called. Though I do like Prodigys album "The Fat Of The Land"(which reminds me to go download that again) which I did own in 6th-9th grade before I sold it cause I had gotten into Punk and Hardcore,which then lead me to denounce anything that I had listened to prior,cause im a idiot and I never really got into NIN which will occasinally show some influence of this,though maybe thats more "industrial" and to snobs of the genre is a completely different thing,which im sure that it is. But for some reason, im going to enjoy this album a whole lot cause I like more than half of it already since its been all over ADs and such.

This video will also give me nightmares. Fuck that midget robot thing with human teeth!