In Defense Of His Hands

Update!!!

2010-05-10T22:45:00.000-04:00

First off, to those who have ordered from me and have not recieved their items...please be patient. It's all on the way. Work has been a little crazy and all I have wanted for months is like three days off in a row.

Well, I got my wish. On Thursday I was going to get some strings and other guitar merchandise when a car ran out in front of me. I hit him going about 40mph. I'm okay, I just hurt my wrist which gave me my wish. My job requires me to pick up plates and glasses and all kinds of stuff having to do with hands and wrists. I finally have a rental and I'm back to work after getting Friday Saturday and Sunday off (by the way this is the biggest weekend in the restaurant industry).

So tomorrow (Tuesday) I'll be sending off everything I haven't sent yet. If you haven't paid me I will still have it on hold for another week or so but after that it's going in the store....Yes, finally, THE STORE! I've found a great place to host my online store and it's simple enough for me to figure out. I'll be posting the address when I get at least half of my stuff listed. I'm on "B" right now.

Anyway, thanks for being patient with me. It's been an interesting year so far. One attempted break in (when my roommate and I were home!), one successful break in (when I was home!!) and I totalled my car. Oh well. Life goes on.

Mike Defense

NEW LSU IS OUT NOW!!!!!!!!

2010-03-22T00:21:00.001-04:00

Just after I posted the last message I went to Down The Line magazine and saw that the new LSU album, PTSD, is finally available!! This has been in the works for a while and now it's shipping.

You can get a physical copy by sending $15 (US) or $17 (WORLD) to gerardartwork@yahoo.com via Paypal.

You can download the album for $10 via LSU's Bandcamp site.

I'm ordering mine now. I can't wait. Listen to the tracks at the LSU Bandcamp site. And look for a review after I get the CD right here.

Today's a good day.

Good things coming...

2010-03-16T19:35:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't posted lately. I have been really busy with work. As things slow down I'll be working on opening a webstore. I have tons of stuff to sell and I hate eBay and Amazon doesn't have all the items I have. This will be the cheapest and most comprehensive way for me to do all of this. Anyway, keep an eye here for the grand opening. It might be another month or so, it's gonna be a lot of typing and button clicking to get this off the ground. So be patient.

I'm hoping this will turn into a nice little side business, not just a month or two project. Once I open and get going I'll also start carrying some good records (as in vinyl) from some of my favorite bands.

Well, I'm tired. I'm gonna take a nap now.

FYI, Strongarm's The Advent Of A Miracle is being repressed on vinyl. You can pre-order it here. I got my pre-order in today. I can't wait for this. Plus there's rumors that Atonement will also see a vinyl release soon. I'll post on that when I hear some confirmation.

A new post!!!

2010-02-25T21:47:00.001-05:00

So I feel bad about taking away all of the music and then not posting anything. I feel like I've punished you all for something that is not your fault. Anyway, I figured I'd do a post featuring some of the stuff I've been listening to lately.

I recently got some Onelinedrawing discs and remembered how long it had been since I listened to Far. For those not familiar with Jonah Matranga, here's a short bio...

Far formed in 1991 and released a few discs and got a little bit of attention here and there but then the did the unthinkable, they released one of the greatest rock records of all time...Water And Solutions. This album has been heard by these ears way too many times to count. Jonah's voice is absolutely perfect here. The emotion comes through to the listener like he's sitting right next to you. This album really did change my life. I held every album after this to higher standards, not just by Far but every band. This was unfortunately the band's last album. It was re-released in 2004 with a bonus DVD. Two versions of the video below can be found on the DVD along with some live footage. If you have never heard this album, you should. You're missing out. It's perfect. Heavy, soft, emotional, angry... everything.

After hearing this album I fell in love with Jonah's music and began following his career. He started doing mostly solo albums under the moniker Onelinedrawing and released a bunch of splits, EPs and full length albums. He also has a store online where you can buy his stuff at a reasonable price. A lot of the discs feature hand-made artwork, cover songs, older tunes and much more. After Far's demise he got an itch to do some more rock songs and started New End Original with a couple guys from Texas Is The Reason And Chamberlain. This album would feature some of the Onelinedrawing songs with a full band. The one album that NEO put out (there's an EP too) would also be their last.

I have a great memory of living in St Pete just after Thriller came out (NEO's full length). I was posed with a problem. Further Seems Forever and New End Original were playing shows on the same night but not together. I had to make a choice. I had known the guys in FSF for years and had seen and played with them many times so I figured I'd go see NEO since I had never seen Jonah perform in any project of his. Great choice! The guys played with such passion and conviction. It was an amazing show. Afterwards I was talking to Jonah and when the bar tried to close he asked what there was to do around Ybor. 80's Night at the Masquerade was the place to be on Thurdays. This was when the night was getting close to 1000 people or more through the doors every week ($5 sink or swim will do that). So we went over had a few drinks and all of a sudden I see Chad from FSF. I called him over. The FSF guys knew Jonah and were bummed about not playing the same show together. We shrugged it off as we all danced to The Cure. I will always remember that night.

Anyway, back to the music... In 2005 Jonah started another band, Gratitude, that released one album and disbanded. I bought the album for the first time a couple days ago. I haven't really listened to much of it but it seems a little lighter than the Far and New End Original stuff but a little heavier than the Onelinedrawing stuff.

While I searched around the internets I found that Far had put up a new website and were playing some reunion shows. They have also released a 7" and are releasing a new album!!! I'm soo stoked. I can't find the 7" anywhere so I'm a little bummed but I will find it. You can download it via iTunes and there's also a video for the single Pony. It's a cover. It's amazing.

Jonah will always have a special place in my life. I have loved his music for well over 10 years and will continue to follow his career wherever it may lead.

Far website
Jonah Matranga website -- you can buy stuff here straight from the man himself!
Far on Amazon: Water And Solutions - Tin Cans With Strings To You
Onelinedrawing on Amazon: a whole lot of albums...
New End Original on Amazon: Thriller - Lukewarm
Gratitude on Amazon: Gratitude

My Favorite Records: Various - Never Say Dinosaur

2010-02-13T04:10:00.001-05:00

I have this weird thing for tribute albums even though most of them really suck. There are a few that are actually pretty good, The Duran Duran Tribute, Where Is My Mind (The Pixies), Policia (The Police), Rock Music (Weezer) and this one, Never Say Dinosaur.

For those not in the know, Petra is considered one of the greatest (and longest running) Christian rock bands ever. I second this although I really didn't get into anything they released after Wake Up Call. This tribute focuses on most of the bands earlier stuff more than likely due to the fact that Star Song put it out and the band switched to Word Records in the 90's. This is a good thing though. I love the band's older albums but it's a little dated.

The bands that were picked are great and a couple are a little confusing but overall it lends the album to have more variety and something for everyone.

Track 1: Audio Adrenaline - Taste And See (originally on Washes Whiter Than)
AA does a pretty good job of updating this track. It's a little too poppy for me and I think it could've been better but not a bad way to start out.

Track 2: The Walter Eugenes - Judas' Kiss (originally on More Power To Ya)
This is actually the best song The Walter Eugenes have done. I really don't like this band but this is a good rockin' track.

Track 3: Galactic Cowboys - Not Of This World (originally on Not Of This World)
I think GC actually wrote this...right? I mean come on! This song was meant for them to cover. They totally rock this song. It's 200x better than the original and the original was great. This is the reason to buy this if for nothing else.

Track 4: Sarah Jahn - Yahweh Love (originally on Washes Whiter Than)
This is good. I'm not a huge fan of Sarah's vocals. They aren't bad just not my thing. It's a cool take on the song though.

Track 5: MxPx - I Can Be Friends With You (originally on Never Say Die)
Mike and crew really know how to do a cover song. This is no exception. They make this song their own. It almost seems a little out f place on this disc since they're the only punk band but I'm glad they're there.

Track 6: Jars Of Clay - Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows (originally on More Power To Ya)
Here's another instance where the band really makes the song their own. This sounds like an outtake from the band's self titled album. They really do a great job on this one.

Track 7: Kevin Smith and Passafist - Louie's Solo (originally on Captured In Time And Space)
Here's the one track that I can't decide whether I like or not. I like Passafist, I used to like DC Talk. It's a weird combo and then they didn't even cover a real Petra song. They covered a live drum solo. It's a good song but it's a little out of place here. The band loops parts of the actual solo but it has words written by Dave Perkins. Odd.

Track 8: Sixpence None The Richer - Road To Zion (originally on More Power To Ya)
It almost sounds like Leigh just sang over the original track until the second half. Nothing groundbreaking but it's a nice song. I could listen to Leigh all day. I could look at her all day too. Damn you Mark! (Funny story here. Maybe I'll tell later on a Sixpence post)

Track 9: The Stand - Pied Piper (orignally on Not Of This World)
There's always one track that shouls have been left off any tribute. This is it.

Track 10: Grammatrain - Wake Up (originally on Petra)
Thisis the one song that I wasn't too familiar with since the original Petra album came out the same year I was born. Grammatrain adds a little rock and blues together. Not the best but good.

Track 11: Caprill And My Sister's Garden - The Coloring Song (originally on Never Say Die)
Caprill released two songs, this one and a track on REX Music's Are We Not Men? We Are Demo! compilation. I would have loved to have heard more from her. From a little web search I guess it's Eric Champion's wife? sister? niece? I don't know. Anyway, she has such an interesting voice. From the pic kinda hot too.

Track 12: Plankeye - All The King's Horses (originally on This Means War)
This is the newest Petra track covered here and one of the less memorable ones. I love Plankeye but this track is a little boring. Also, sounds absolutely nothing like the original.

So there it is, one of my favorite tribute albums. It's not perfect but what is really. It's woth it for the Galactic Cowboys, MxPx and Caprill tracks alone. Plus, you can pick it up pretty cheap at Amazon.

From Amazon

From Christian Dollar Store

Petra

Galactic Cowboys - Not Of This World sound bite

My Favorite Records: Fluffy - Fluffy Luvs You

2010-02-13T02:39:00.004-05:00

I remember the first time I heard this album. I had seen the tape (yes, cassette tape) in Christ Centered Book And Music store for a few weeks and thought it was a kid's tape. So, I paid it no mind. Then I think I read about it somewhere and when I went back I popped the demo into the listening station and it took about 10 seconds for me to start begging my mom to buy it for me.

What I heard was some of the hardest punk rock I had ever heard at the time apart from The Lead. Gritty, almost drunk sounding vocals. Fast, aggressive guitar riffs. And the big seller, Blonde Vinyl's imprint on the back.

Mike Knott had a way of finding some of the best underground bands for his now-defunct label. Blonde Vinyl was the early Tooth And Nail (when T&N was good). Almost everything that came out on that label was good. Fluffy's first album was no exception.

The songs are just weird in places. The spoken word on My America. A talking dog on A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. But when the band wants to rock out they have no problems on tracks like Excommunicated and My Proofrock. Toward the end of the album you can hear traces of Breakfast With Amy. The album slows down a little bit toward the end but still has the power and intensity that makes this disc a true classic.

Looking back now, the album still has the staying power to compete with most of the punk and garage rock that coming out today minus the recording quality maybe. Seeing now where the band has taken things and progressed to what is now Duraluxe is simply amazing.

This is one album that should be in every punk rock fan's collection. It's a little hard to find but it's worth the look around.

From Amazon (it's a cassette listing but you can sometimes find a CD copy here)

From CMX

Info Via Knott Heads

Fluffy - Excommunicated sound bite

My Favorite Records: The Faint - Wet From Birth

2010-02-07T19:31:00.001-05:00

I have been following The Faint almost since the band's beginning. The very beginning was Norman Bailer when the band was indie rock rather than the dance-punk that the band is know for now. The band's live shows are something even casual fans would find incredible.

As for Wet From Birth, the album has a lot of really good songs. They continue in the path that the band's prior album, Dance Macabre, had set. These tracks seem to be a little more experimental in places rather than straight up dance songs. Don't get me wrong, I've spent plenty of nights dancing to and playing songs from this album in clubs. Tracks like "Paranoiattack" and "I Disappear" made sure that all the indie kids would have something to dance to on their favorite club's indie night.

There were two singles released off this album, "I Disappear" and "Desperate Guys," both of which were relased as CD singles with extra tracks/remixes. "Desperate Guys" is actually one of my favorite songs on the album. It's a track about guys who can't seal the deal. " I figured desperate guys never had a chance with you." This is me. I suck with girls. But this song gave me an anthem to try to change from my unproductive ways. Still a work in progress I guess.

There are just a couple songs that don't really get my interest here but overall this is an amazing album in the legacy of The Faint and I will always be grateful to them for being willing to take chances and create interesting dance music.

The Faint - I Disappear (right click > Save Target As) via Saddle Creek Records

BUY IT!
From The Faint (CD/LP and digital)
From Saddle Creek Records (CD/LP and digital)
From Amazon (CD and LP)
From Amazon (digital)
From Insound (CD and LP)

PS: You might have heard of them from Joy Electric's 2 CD set, The Art And Craft Of Popular Music. They remixed "We Are Rock."

Lujo Records Sale

2010-02-07T18:31:00.001-05:00

I love sales. I really love CD sales! I was looking around on the internets the other day and was pleasantly delighted to see that one of my favorite labels was having a sale! I was even more excited to see they had an even better deal via their "Packages" link. They have 2 deals going right now...

1 - You can get 10 random Lujo releases for $10.
2 - You can get 30 random Lujo releases for $20

I opted for the second deal and was I surprised by what I got! Just from the pricing on their storefront I got about $100 worth of CDs!!!!! Some really good stuff. After I got the first package I picked up a few of the other CDs I didn't get with the deal and those arrived shortly thereafter. I was stoked.

Lujo has always been a great label. I have loved it even more recently since my friend Eric's band, The Dark Romantics signed on with them a few years ago. Some of the bands on the label include Bluebrain, Cool Hand Luke, The Dark Romantics (of course), Discover America, Look Mexico, Mouse Fire, The Out_Circuit, Pomegranates, Suffering And The Hideous Thieves, Summerbirds In The Cellar and others. That's just the more recent line-up. Over the years they've had All Teeth And Knuckles, Ambitious Career Woman, Brahm, Coho, The Evaluation, The Fall Of Troy, Frantic Mantis, History Invades, The Hush Hush, My Spacecoaster Silence The Foe and many more.

Such a great line up. Nice, quality releases with cool artwork and nothing short of interesting, creative music. No Britney Spears here! Go check out their website and support a great indie label. Plus you'll be picking up some awesome music for the cheap.

I'll be reviewing some of my purchases pretty soon. I recently got the Bluebrain EP from another site and I was totally shocked at how good these guys are. How have I never heard of them? It's available @ the Lujo site along with the band's new full length. Here's one of the songs from the new album via Lujo's mp3 page. Bluebrain - Ten By Ten (right click > Save Target As)

So, why are you still reading this? Go get some tunes!!!

TW Walsh

2010-02-07T17:24:00.004-05:00

I recall listening to TW Walsh when his first album came out back in 1999. I knew he was in certain ways connected with Pedro The Lion and at that time PTL was about all I was listening to. I loved TW's stuff. It was simple, artistic, personal music. TW released some singles and albums throughout the years as a solo artist. He was a member of Pedro The Lion from 2003 to 2005 and even played on the Bazan side project Headphones. Then in 2006 he started a band called The Soft Drugs.

He's always been a part of the indie music scene in some fashion. He's produced, mixed, recorded, written and/or mastered music for bands like Mouse Fire, David Bazan. Ra Ra Riot, Rocky Votolato, Gasoline Heart, Half-Handed Cloud, Damien Jurado, Richard Swift, Mates Of State, Crystal Skulls, Bosque Brown and about a million others (maybe not a million, but close). Seems the guy's a workaholic but what a job, huh?

The reason for this post is that TW has a Bandcamp site where he's making all of his own music available for download at a name-your-price rate. It's all at 320kps and it sounds great. You can even listen to all of it before you decide to give some of your hard-earned money. If you're into physical CDs like myself it's a little bit harder to find these albums. I've included some links below to purchase these great discs.

From Insound

From CD Universe (Blue Laws)

From My Pal God Records

From Parasol Records (Blue Laws)

From Amazon (Blue Laws)

From Amazon (Pollensongs)

From Amazon (How We Spend Our Days)

From Amazon (In Moderation)

The future of In Defense Of His Hands...

2010-01-26T23:40:00.000-05:00

So I have been conflicted with where I want this blog to go. I could post albums all day but there's more I want to do with it. Plus I've been thinking differently about having all of these albums on here for everyone to download after a couple email conversations from a musician who's band is actually on the blog.

I love music. I love doing this blog. But I've been thinking it's time to move on. While listing all of my albums on Record Nerd I realized that I had a lot of stuff that I really don't like or at least I don't listen to. I have been spending too much money on albums I don't like. So I will be doing a little cleaning. This is good for you. I'll be selling some of these CDs on here pretty soon. I'd like to give my readers a chance to buy them before I sell them off in bulk.

This leads me to another point I have with stopping the current format for this blog, I don't just listen to Christian music. I don't even consider myself a Christian. All my friends look at me weird when I mention the fact that I have a Christian music blog. It's the music I was raised on but I was very into early emo, punk, hardcore and hip hop that isn't Christian too. I feel limited. I don't want to feel that way anymore.

So, what's next for IDOHH? I don't know for sure. We'll all find out together. Of course I know a lot of you won't be coming back if I'm not giving you free music. But maybe I will be....

The deal is, I'm not going to take any of these albums down until February 2nd. It's my day off and I'll be cleaning out my Mediafire account. So, you have until then to get what you want. After that it's a whole new ballgame. Maybe some interviews, free (legal) downloads, Streaming music, Christian and non-Christian music, sales, giveaways, anything really. I already feel more free to do what I want with this beast I've created.

I hope you all understand my decision. I know I might get some grumpy people but hey, go buy a CD! Get out there and support the artists when you're able to. Plus there's a whole slew of sites where you can get free music.

This is not the end, just a new beginning.

Thanks for listening and being a part of this.

Mike Defense