As many of you (might) know, the tattoos I've been adding to my right arm are based on pieces from my favorite artists. I've had some super talented tattoo artists help me along the way thus far, adding pieces by Jeff Soto, Tara McPherson, Caia Coopman, Jason Cruz, and Robert Indiana to start. When able and affordable, I always purchase something directly from the artist before I pay for a tattoo based on their work.
I've been plotting and planning my Chris RWK jawn for some time. I scored a vinyl figure of Chris's "Contents Under Pressure" a while back and knew as soon as I got it I wanted that as my tattoo. Chris's famous robot, trapped inside a spray paint can with the agitator ball tied to his ankle like a ball & chain.
Bloody. Brilliant.
When @bobshock and I were planning this tattoo, we thought we'd keep it relatively flat, more graffiti style of the old days, instead of making it more realistic with a lot of shading and such. Wanted it simple and Bob nailed it, as per usual. Thank you, Bob, for always helping me out. And @chrisrwk@robotswillkill thank you for sharing your talent with the world. Gonna catch me at a show one day. Whether it be a solo show or a hardcore show. 😉🤣
Til next time, when I spot your sticker in the wild while wearing one of your shirts again. 🤜🤛🤖
Storytime!! When I was younger, like pre-teen into my early teen years, my parents would sometimes give me a options for my birthday. I could have a traditional birthday with presents or they would take me on a little shopping spree and let me score whatever, within reason and budget of course.
In the early 90s I was introduced to the hardcore scene from friends that were involved. They'd mention bands, let me borrow some records or demos but I had yet to purchase anything. In 1992, on my 15th birthday, I chose the birthday shopping spree. I had been hearing that Gallery of Sound in Dickson City had a killer selection of hardcore and punk records. I had never been in before, and my knowledge was super limited, but my parents took me there so I could snoop. Inside, probably nervous & overwhlemed, I stumbled upon the Youth Of Today "Disengage" ep (or self titled, whatever you wanna call it) and chose that to buy.
It was my first purchase of any hardcore or punk related anything. If you're an aging scene kid like me, you know how monumental these moments are for us years later.
I still have that very cd. A few weeks ago, and 34 years later, I went to that same Gallery Of Sound and bought the Disengage ep on colored vinyl. Felt like a full circle moment.
So thankful for places like Gallery Of Sound. I can't even fathom how much I've spent inside that store over the last 34 years. I've always been a physical media person and although I do stream music, I will never stop buying it in the physical form. Thank you, Gallery, for giving us a place to do just that, to find music that lasts a lifetime and can create corny memories like this one, for taking chances on smaller bands and smaller labels and giving a 15 year old kid a outlet to purchase what would become the soundtrack to his very existence. ❤️
Funny side note: I had no idea what an ep was so when I put it in my disc man and it was 3 songs, less than 6 minutes, I was so SO very confused.
@yotofficial@galleryofsound
Funny how certain moments in life can change your perspective on things. Rainy days like this make me really miss Vancouver Island and the PNW. The weather on our drive from Victoria to Tofino was exactly like today. A constant rain, misty, raw and beautiful. I used to not like days like this but now they remind me of our time there and that just makes my heart so SO happy.
A lot of people when they think of being happy on a beach they probably imagine 80 degree days, blue skies and palm trees. Those are great, too, but there's something next level about an overcast, misty mid-50s day on a beach in a rain forest surrounded by mountains.
We flew an hour, then flew another 6 hours, then drove 2 hours, then slept 8 hours, then rode a boat for 2 hours, and then drove 4.5 hours to reach our destination. First stop, the legendary Tacofino food truck on the Pacific Rim Hwy. So if you have the means and the time to make the 3099 mile journey from Northeast Pennsylvania, the fish tacos are undoubtedly more than worth it. I guess the scenery comes in a close second.
Dearest, @tacofinolovesyou we love you, too. 🌮❤️
Her first half is in the books!! So proud of my best friend of a wife for running the Scranton Half this morning!! She averaged a 10'17" mile and finished in 2 hours and 17 minutes. I can't imagine running for 10 minutes and 17 seconds let alone 2 hours and 17 minutes. She trained for months and killed it. Love the dedication. In love with the girl. ❤️
Storytime!!! So last night might have been just another weeknight show for most of us that went but it was a little extra special for me. Last night was the first time I ever saw Gorilla Biscuits play. I know, right?! I don't know!! I've been going to punk and hardcore shows since the early 90s but I've always missed them. And seeing them last night alongside one Mr. Steve Gulbin was extra for me.
Back in 93 or 94, Steve's band played a show at Keystone College alongside VOD. During Option's set, they played a song I had never heard before but everyone was going off. (I actually still have this whole set on VHS) At the end of the show I asked my buddy Jeff, who was in the pit and singing along, what song that was because I didn't recognize it to which he replied, "it was Start Today by Gorilla Biscuits." Been a fan ever since, like a proper hardcore kid. Last night marked an end to my list. I have seen every hardcore band I ever loved that is still playing. It felt a little weird mentally crossing that last band off the list but here we are. Love this little world of ours and so enjoyed seeing you all last night! (I won't tag everyone but I'm looking at you Steve, Matt, Loren, Dan, Keven, Gary, Amanda, Mark, Nicole, & Mike) ❤️
What a beauty of a day!! We drove 191 through Wayne County whilest listening to the Menzingers sing about driving 191 through Wayne County. Our brilliant idea, alongside every other person in the tri-state area apparently, was a little retail therapy at the Crossings. It was rather quite lovely walking around outside, destroying our credit scores.
Little added bonus in, yet again, proving Kurt Aaron is just terrible at his job. That mook couldn't even tell you what color the sky was gonna be today!! Last night that bonehead said we wouldn't have the blue skies today that we had yesterday. So here's a shot of our 191 Menzinger's jaunt under overcast and cloudy skies.
Kurt Aaron is a dweeb.
The Menzingers are not.
Hope you all enjoyed the beautiful 2 days!!
Snowy day external harddrive organization finds.
2004? 2005?? Definitely not 2016. Definitely didn't know how to bring my knees to my chest for flip tricks, either. Hash tag tall people problems. 🤷♂️🤦🤣
The Promise Ring's last tour. Obviously overshadowed by Jimmy Eat World's catapulting success that year. 🤣 Jimmy Eat World had released Bleed American a year, almost to the date, before this show. They were definitely getting some commercial success at this point and just fully blew up. The Middle charted early that year and Sweetness followed suit around the time of this show. I know most of you know but for those that don't, Davey from the Promise Ring did guest vocals on A Praise Chorus. Hence the lyric, "Come on Davey sing me something that I know." It was really cool to see these two bands play together and see Davey sing his part in that song that night.
We think about driving back to Montreal just to get vegan sushi @bloomsushi a little too often. It really is just time and gas money and crossing one international border. Could leave at noon and be there by dinner!
I never think I have any photos of skating or gear back in the 80's or early 90's and then BAM!! something pops up. Bought this Vision Psycho Stik around 1988 or 1989 at Right Moves, the skateshop that used to be in Hamlin. Does anyone remember the skateshop that was up in Clarks Summit? Can't remember the name of it, but I remember getting a Vision shirt there that I absolutely loved.
