skinbeatergreg skinbeatergreg Stories from The Big City as told by a daytime suit and a nighttime drummer. Articles
Snow!
2008-02-13 03:18:00 Took me 3.5 hours to drive home from Bay Shore tonite. Have to turn around and drive out again tomorrow.To hell with it...I LOVE the snow! More About: Snow
It's Buttnaked Wednesdays
2008-02-12 09:13:00 I just spent the past 3 days holed up with my guitarist, producer and engineer finishing the mastering of one of my band's demos. And then I see this.Fucking disgusting!
Trash and Vaudeville
2008-02-07 22:12:00 Garbage is one of those things I used to not really think about. Other than to take it out. But in NYC, garbage is a really big deal, and it is fast becoming one of the primary drivers of stress in my day.The City of New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is a city agency in charge of solid waste disposal and recycling. From their website:DSNY Scope of Agency OperationsThe Department of Sanitation (DSNY) promotes a healthy environment through the efficient management of solid waste and the development of environmentally sound long-range planning for handling refuse.The Department operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of 2,040 rear-loading collection trucks and 450 mechanical brooms. Each day approximately 11,800 tons of household and institutional waste are [sic] collected. The Department clears litter, snow and ice from approximately 6,000 City street miles, and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles.Holy Shit! 12,000 tons of garbage collected EA... More About: Trash
Year of the Rat 4706
2008-02-07 15:44:00 GONG XI FA CAI! More About: Year , New Years , Year of the Rat
SBG How To: DynaMount Floor Tom System
2008-02-06 06:25:00 *Note: From time to time the skinbeater gets back to the original thought behind this blog: Drumming stuff. This post is pretty drummer-specific, so I apologize in advance to my non-musical readers who frequent my posts looking for a diatribe, hyperbolic stories, or pithy punditry...**Note: If you need more detail or wear glasses, just click on the image for an enlarged view.I am the proud owner of a Pork Pie drum kit (born in 05). Both the 12" and the 16" toms are suspended on RIMS system mounts. There was a recent thread at my favorite drum forum Drummer Cafe on this topic and it really spoke to me. I hated having my 16" tom suspended and rack mounted. (Like one Cafe member pointed out, is it really a "floor tom" if it's not on the floor?) RIMS rackmounted 16" tomOh it sounded great and all, but I just felt uncomfortable having it hanging there. And there was a lot of clutter and moving parts down in that corner of the kit. A forest of stands and mounts...What I really wanted was... More About: System , Floor
Musical Interlude: Hole in my Heart Edition
2008-02-06 03:51:00 I'll just let the Buzzcocks ease the pain... More About: Musical , Heart , Hole , Edition
Game Recapped
2008-02-04 23:30:00 I've been making the rounds online this afternoon reading recaps about the SuperBowl before I have to leave for rehearsal tonite.I ran across what has got to be the best analysis of the game by my friend cheekyricegirl. 'Nuff said. More About: Game
XLII
2008-02-04 18:09:00 To paraphrase the learned Vizzini: "You fools! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: Never go in against The Cup, when THE CHAMPIONSHIP is on the line! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha h--"I collected on a bet this morning and had a delicious FREE breakfast uptown at City Diner with a really good friend of mine who, despite living in NYC for most of his adult life, happens to have jumped on the Patriots bandwagon a few years ago. Halfway through my shortstack, he started giving me the already tired "18-1" argument to which I replied:"Bro, America loves a winner. You can lead the entire marathon, but if you don't break the tape you're just a piece of shit like everybody else."His response was similar to this:I'll be collecting on the second part of my bet this weekend when he washes my car in speedos. I hope it snows like hell!
Solidarity, Brothers and Sisters!
2008-02-03 18:17:00 Tentative deal in the works....to be continued.story here More About: Brothers , Brothers and Sisters , Sisters
Sí, se puede
2008-02-03 11:25:00 I've been gathering my thoughts about the upcoming primary, and reviewing the speeches, debate transcripts and position papers for the past couple of evenings. As I write this, it is still dark outside, but dawn is coming on fast. I was up all night tonite Barak Obama's speeches, and I have to say I am moved.Obama is a brilliant orator. This man can really articulate a vision. He has a real grasp of history and his place in it. He sees the world not at the brink, but at a crossroads. We have the opportunity to take the right road this time and do things the right way...To make things better.The shitpot that the Bushie adminstration has left us in is seen as an opportunity--a shot at greatness. America: The Comeback Kids. Everyone was ambivalent about Rocky until Apollo Creed started kicking his ass and he stood up and started swinging back. That's the Great American Rock and Roll Story!Obama takes shit for not having all the wrinkles ironed out and not having "specifics", but...
Musical Interlude: F*cking Hilarious Edition
2008-02-03 10:57:00 I love this girl!...And who knew Damon could rock out?*First seen on Not Much SoCo More About: Musical , Hilarious , Edition
It's All Over but the Crying
2008-02-03 08:31:00 NYers rejoice! According to this magic prognosticating cup, the Giants will win the SuperBowl!Forsooth, it hath been foretold in The Trilogy:"In the Land of the Phoenix where the Patriots lie.One Cup to rule them all, One Cup to find them,One Cup to bring them all and in the SuperBowl bind them!"Readeth for thineselves in the Book of Euripides Pants and I Breakauface:"Verily I say unto thee, the lion will lie with the witch and the wardrobe and the two shall be one flesh, yea, that which causeth thee to sin pluck out the speck from the eye and cast Tom Brady like the first stone weeping, wailing and gnashing his teeth into a lake of fire forevermore, quoth The Raven!"You can even buy this bit of soothsaying on eBay of all places! So it is written, so shall it be done! More About: Crying
eBay Pick of the Week
2008-02-02 08:17:00 *Editor: Although I am not a free-trade globalizationist, I spend lots of time on eBay, both buying and selling. It is the one true place where the principles of the marketplace rule, and a lesson in economics can be had for a few mouseclicks.From time to time I will run across an item so rare, so unusual that it takes my breath away. I will attempt to capture such moments in aesthetic avarice and present them here: the eBay Pick of the Week .NOTE: eBay listings are as ephemeral as they are ridiculous and their staff takes down auctions quicker than I can unhook a bra one handed (a natural skill of mine). So catch 'em while you can.--sbg---------------Zildjian K Elliptical PROTOTYPE Ride EVEN MORE RARE!!!! Finally! Someone who writes eBay descriptions as tongue-in-cheek as I do! I love folks who don't take themselves seriously! Make sure you check out the item questions. High-larious!Question & Answer Q: Does it include NFL Network?A: OH COME ON...THAT'S JUST BEING SILLY!... More About: Ebay
A Concatenation of Morphemes
2008-02-02 02:34:00 No more words You're telling me you love me while you're looking away No more words, no more words And no more promises of love -BerlinMy lips are moving and the sound's coming outThe words are audible but I have my doubtsThat you realise what has been said-Missing PersonsWords to memorizeWords hypnotizeWords make my mouth exerciseWords all fail the magic prizeNothin' I can say whenI'm in your thighs-Violent FemmesDon't tell me you love me Don't tell me you love me Don't tell me, I don't wanna to know -Night RangerI hold you in my arms as the band playsWhat are those words whispered baby just as you turn away-The BossI just got done going through my iTunes before I leave the house tonite (I'll be going to see some frineds at a midnight gig with some follow-on drinking and debauchery) and realized that I have a whole lotta music with "words" as the subject/lyric/inspiration I can't believe I just juxtaposed Night Ranger and "inspiration"! *gack*Could be because music tends...
New York's Finest...Drug Dealers?
2008-01-31 23:48:00 FEDS ACCUSE NYPD DETECTIVE OF CONSPIRING WITH DRUG DEALERSBy TOM HAYS | Associated Press WriterNEW YORK - Federal prosecutors accused a police detective Thursday of providing confidential information to cocaine dealers _ the latest in a series of arrests of NYPD officers on allegations including evidence tampering and forcing a runaway into prostitution. The allegations against Luis Batista were included in a newly unsealed indictment that also charges another officer, internal affairs Sgt. Henry Conde, with tipping off Batista that he was the target of an internal probe. Batista, 34, pleaded "absolutely not guilty" on Thursday to drug dealing, obstructing justice and other charges, and was expected to be released on $500,000 bond before the weekend. Conde, 34, had pleaded not guilty following his arrest last year. "If in fact these accusations prove to be true, it's despicable conduct," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said following a promotion ceremony at police headquarters. T... More About: Drug , Finest
New York's Finest...Child Pimps?
2008-01-31 09:06:00 My old friends over at the NYPD are at it again. This time it's pimping out child prostitutes and engaging in child trafficking.story hereIt's really a shame that the NYPD does a better job serving an imaginary community on TV than it does serving the real people of this city.I'd feel more confident if this bunch were on the job than the thugs, crooks and psychopaths currently on the force.Don't they screen their recruits? Is it that important to put a body in a uniform that they would let just anyone in? Wouldn't a highly motivated, well trained and properly supervised police department be much more effective than one rife with corruption stemming from moral turpitude? It shouldn't be only the marines looking for a few good men...By the way, Mr. Travis Bickle, your appointment to the NYPD academy has been approved."You talkin' to me?" More About: Child , Finest
Everybody Sing! (Again)
2008-01-31 08:47:00 Happy birthday to youHappy birthday to youHappy birthday dear skinbeatergregHappy birthday to you!I'll be down at one of my fave watering holes alternating between celebration and sorrow. Feel free to stop by. I still have half a paycheck to spend! More About: Sing , Everybody
One Step Over the Line
2008-01-29 07:05:00 Getting around NYC on the weekends really pisses me the hell off. If you're in the city over the weekend and have to ride the train, best of luck to ya. You may as well be entering the Paris/Dakar Rally without a map or a change of underwear.Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the trains, for better or worse. I lived here for over a year before I stopped gawking, mouth agape, at the architectural ornamentation and glorious tile mosaics whenever I walked into a train station. Now I gape. On the inside. Quietly. To myself.The subway can still be a wicked, deadly place. Hell, the MTA offers no less than FIFTY of what it calls "simple steps to avoid injury or incident" while riding the subway. But aside from the random acts of violence, the occasional EDP falling/pushing/hurling themselves or someone else in front of the train, or some yuppie scum broker having an aneurysm, the New York City MTA Subway system is generally as safe or safer than a typical day at Disney. Or so I thought..... More About: Line , Step
Everybody Sing!
2008-01-28 03:22:00 Happy birthday to youHappy birthday to youHappy birthday, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.Happy birthday to you! More About: Sing , Everybody
Matthew 7:16
2008-01-27 17:15:00 Fred Phelps and his Whackjob Baptist Church are at it again. This time they plan on protesting the SAG awards to show the world that Heath Ledger died because he "defied the word of god and taught others to do so."They are also planning to picket the funeral of LCpl Maria Lauterbach.You might recall her story. She was murdered, her corpse burned and buried in the backyard of the fellow Marine NCO she accused of raping and impregnating her. Her murder was a direct result of her chain of command doing nothing about her accusations. (The USMC motto Semper Fi doesn't seem to extend to those pesky "WMs" and their female problems.)Phelps and his folks garnered worldwide infamy for protesting the funerals of other dead U.S. service members because "God Hates Fags! & Fag-Enablers! Ergo, God hates the U.S. Marine Corps, the fag-riddled U.S. Military Establishment, and the United States of America, for selling out to the fags." Oh, and by the way, he also hates Falwell, Ireland, the amish, t... More About: Matthew
Should Have Seen That One Coming
2008-01-26 11:32:00 When The Man sends you to report on a bird infestation...Carry an umbrella and don't look up.
Jesus Loves the Little Children
2008-01-26 06:38:00 From those wonderful folks who brought you The Inquisition and The Crusades. Bulk discounts given to clergy. More About: Jesus , Children
Disposable Friends
2008-01-26 04:36:00 People are so fucking stupid, selfish and cruel!Story hereFirst some shady mortage broker bullshits the paperwork so the Schmukatelli family can buy a house they know they can't afford then when The Man forcloses, the Schmukatellis just pack up the pickup truck like Okies and lock their dog in the house and leave.What kind of people are these? What do they tell themselves and their kids when they drive away? "Gee, kids. We're sorry we were so financially irresponsible and were vicimized by predatory lenders that we got thrown out of our house and you have to leave your school in the middle of the year and go live with grandma who smells like pee. And by the way, don't worry about Fido*, he's out in the backyard and your father left some food so he'll be just fine. You know gramma doesn't like dogs and we can't take him along. He'll be fine."*Sidebar: Fido, the classic dog name is derived from the latin, "fidus" meaning faithful; i.e.: man's best freind. Same root for... More About: Friends
Heath Ledger 1979 - 2008
2008-01-23 06:31:00 "What you can't change, you've just got to ride out."-Ennis Del Mar More About: Heath Ledger , Ledger , Heath , 2008
Musical Interlude: Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da Edition
2008-01-23 05:58:00 One for the ladies:(By the way, is that an Orc at 00:04?) More About: Musical , Ring , Edition , Mush
I Sing the Body Electric!
2008-01-22 01:30:00 Once again the Gray Lady has done a bang up job of scraping the bottom of the newsworthy barrel and put forth a breathtaking and compelling article on choosing workout songs. Joseph Pulitzer is rolling over as we speak! Big fat hairy deal! Anyone who has turned in a radio in the past 50 years can name 10 songs off the top of their head that have a tempo of 140-180 bpm that would motivate them to kick their workouts into overdrive. As a drummer I have a natural affinity for rhythm. I hear it all around me. I pick up on the invisible throb and hum of the city and catch the pulse and purposeful stride. That understanding of the Universal Om draws me to music in my workouts as well. I discovered spinning about 4 years ago and am a total addict. In no other workout does music play such a vital role. From warmup to cooldown, you are guided down the road by the beat. That is the power of the bio-rhythm. I sing the body electric!And I am simply Joe Citizen when it comes to such thing... More About: Body , The Body , Sing , Electric
It's So On, Bitches!
2008-01-20 01:59:00 THE JACKIE FACTORY NYC PRESENTSNIGHT OF A THOUSAND STEVIES 18:"NIGHTBIRDS"FRIDAY MAY 9, 2008THE HIGHLINE BALLROOM431 WEST 16TH STREET NYCDOORS OPEN 9 PM - 4 AM$25 ($20 TILL FEBRUARY 1)18 TO ENTER, 21 TO DRINKBOX OFFICE IS OPENNOTS WEBSITE(From the website): Night of a Thousand Stevies is the best-known Stevie Nicks fan event in the world, a riot of shawls, lace, baby's breath, twirling, tambourines and great performance. This event began at JACKIE 60 eighteen years ago with four performers, and has grown into a true spectacle, featuring countless interpretations over a marathon night. As always, this Enchanted evening will climax in a twirl of shawls and tambourines with the Battle of a Thousand Stevies near morning.NOTS 18 is dedicated to the memory of founding performer DEAN JOHNSON, who died under tragic and mysterious circumstances in late September, 2007.NOTS 18: NIGHTBIRDS is subtitled THE ONES WHO SING AT NIGHT, and will take place against a midnight sky onstage, in shimmer... More About: Bitches
US vs The Other
2008-01-19 17:56:00 Once again the racisim, bigotry and stupidity of this country both enrages me and shames me at the same time.story hereFunny, this issue of "uniformity" and "standards" wasn't an issue when, for no other reason than to look "unique", US track stars were donning ultra-long fake fingernails and ripping the legs off their track uniforms.Now we deny a young woman the opportunity to compete through religous oppression. Not likely she'll be going to college anytime soon since she can't run in front of any college scouts.After runining olympic basketball by allowing pro players to play on the xenophobic "dream team", now the "USA! USA! USA!" cultists have ruined track and field!Rat bastards!----------------------WASHINGTON - A high school track star has been disqualified from a meet because officials said the custom-made outfit she wears to conform to her Muslim faith violated competition rulesJuashaunna Kelly, a senior at the District of Columbia's Theodore Roosevelt High School, has...
Intense Of The Leather
More articles from this author:2008-01-16 03:42:00 To-day we have naming of parts. Yesterday,We had daily cleaning. And to-morrow morning,We shall have what to do after firing. But to-day,To-day we have naming of parts. JaponicaGlistens like coral in all of the neighboring gardens, And to-day we have naming of parts.I'm working with an incredibly talented guitarist on a new project and we're trying to come up with a name. Forget what Gorbachev said in Madrid back in '91 about peace in the Middle East, there has never been an endeavor attempted by man more frought with the danger of global conflagration than naming a band. May the goddesses have mercy on our souls!Trying to name a band is worse than trying to name a kid. We've all seen the happy preggo in Barnes and Noble with her happy preggo belly popping forth topped off by a happy preggo bulging navel happily rubbing herself under her happy preggo tee shirt while happily leafing through a happy baby name book giggling loud enough at some variant of Leif or Ashley so ... More About: Leather 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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