Chlorinated Beetles

I swam in the motel pool with the beetles and biker family. Then had a burger at Chilli's with the band. Walked to the mall to go see Dark Knight. Then spent the next hour stepping on roaches and practicing guitar. Fell asleep listening to some amazing black metal from the early nineties, while thunder clapped above me.

75¢ Handful of Worms

Starting to sweat the upcoming cancellations but I think its just my addiction to feeling anxiety once a day.

Cancelling in our favor

Witchcraft cancelled tonight's show in Omaha due to illness, so we're trying to figure out which city in Kansas we're going to party in. Swimming pool, Dark Knight, and shots - things ain't too bad!

Hole of Dog

After a skin bubbling performance in Minneapolis, we were directed to our threshing floor. Turns out it's a killing field -- dipped in filth and obscenities, scattered with hopeless parties. In the morning, the flies arrived to halo the starving cat.

Million Dollar idea #2

HBO series based on Raymond & Peter recordings, black and white, like The Honeymooners. For mature audiences.

Lisa's

Ain't the Ritz but we just aren't elite enough to divide the audience.

Famous Hummer

Pictured is our semi of gear.

Night After Glorious Night

Building tension, ignoring fools on the periphery, anticipating electric fireworks that decorate the night sky, night after glorious night.

Hymne IV

Looking for a window of time to crawl through so I can brush my teeth. Cancelled 'child' practice so I could work on ambient cricket sounds recorded at the Spiderland quarry. Once again my internet is down but the cable guy is so cool I don't care. Tour starts soon, I'm ready.

Be Where You Are

It's important not to go mileage crazy and obsess on arriving. I saw it in my mind -- be where you are. At the corner of conflict, in the field with the apes, on the point of breaking, whatevs. Don't blow it, be present.

Calamity Jane

Pictured is the result of trying to make up for other people's errors. Note to self: Next time don't bother.

Deathcrush

Swam towards the shadow in the water, eventually to the light. Swim parallel to the shore when caught in a rip-tide.

Flesh and Grit

We can't stop fighting, although neither of us are trying too hard.

Emerald Holiday

Walked a mile in the 8am heat, against traffic. Felt human again after two double cafe cubanos. Had an airbrushed shirt made with Pajo Does Destin on it. Swim in the slimey algae, rinse and repeat. Napped and read Book Two of The Walking Dead. I know how to cook in the sun, friends.

Forest Sea

First day of a much needed vacation in Florida. Spent the evening thirteen stories up, watching the moon on the ocean and putting together a Black Metal comp.

The Bridge

According to the documentary, more people have chosen to end their lives at the Golden Gate Bridge than anywhere else in the world.

Up and Coming

Working Title for next Dead Child CD: "Retreat!"

Formulating

1. Songwriting drive across the country.
2. Two records on two labels in 2009.

Just got my fourth Birman kitten the other day. The first one, with the clever moniker "Birmy", I got back in 1998 and has passed away. The second, "Bandit", I got in 2003 and currently lives with my brother and his family. The third, affectionately named after the Iron Maiden mascot, I got last year and is pictured above. Just picked up Eddie's little brother this week and I'll post pictures soon. Birman breeders name kittens based on the year - 2008 is the letter F. So get ready for Lil Frankie, named after the awesome Manhattan restaurant and lead character in the song 'Franky Teardrop'.

Soul goes bye bye

At exactly 8 PM the crow left the tree to enter a candy apple sky.

Live Hard, Die Free

The future is not as predictable as it is malleable.

You Tell Me

Another shining example of my favorite phenomena: the mystery photo. They appear on your phone and you have no idea about the time, place, or subject.

Maiden rules okay

A monster of a show. And well-crafted songs to boot. Reminds me, we ain't professionals.

From 'Attack' To 'Retreat'

Priorities put everything in perspective and I am determined to create an efficient, productive beast.

Hollow Thunder

The power went out twice last night. Thunder sounds much wider out here. Hollow and cavernous. In the city and burbs it's a deep rumble. But when sound has nothing to reflect against it just travels. Like footsteps it begins far off in the distance, thudding forward slowly. Cue the strobes. Until it drops like canyon-empty oil drums on your rooftop.

Maybe so, maybe no

Maybe I could try to be a little more caring, less indulgent. Maybe I can try a little harder, forgive my enemies.

I prefer Ulver

Burzum is pretty cool but Varg aint no Neil Hagerty.

Angerboda

We are not as the children of men: we are as formless as water, or air, or fire is formless. But it is given to each of us to take on the form that is most like to our own greed.

Slapstick Morn

Pollen fluff raining slo-mo in the morning light. We laughed at my pratfalls, spitting out oatmeal. You gave long hugs despite the rank skank of uncleanliness.

An unrelated photo of a dust hog discovered on tour, pictured above.

Thunder and negligence

We associate three things with the power of Tequila: guitar, fiddle, and that one Suicide Girl.

Here, in the sticks

Out where I live the elderly couple next door invites you over for hot dogs after lending you their weedeater and shooting a dying raccoon in your driveway.

Sunlight Mosquito

Finally able to rock my dual life in one bold gesture. Dancing with the daycare workers in a Carcass shirt. Invented a new game called "Weeee!"

Shield Thy Rage

Made up for our KY goofiness with IL 'banging. Quarterstick propped us up on our wooden legs. Found a floor, a blanket, a rejected party. Four hours sleep over forty-eight hours, four espressos later and I'm still bleary with fatigue.

Beerbath

We are protecting our equipment from the various bodily fluids we are anticipating tonight. It's amazing how many people can hate you even though you haven't done anything!

Seven Days

Seven days of the cleansing fast and I feel great despite the funny sounds my belly is making. We sat around getting pissed off about bad reviews before realizing that the haters make us viable.

Lucille

Bought an old piano for $50 from a biker family out in the sticks. Moved it 45 miles before letting it rest in my living room. Had it tuned and set properly. I'll sand down the keys another time. I hereby name her... Lucille!

Chariot shoot

They started working on this at 4pm and we left at 3am. I arrived at 11pm, like an asshole. Couldn't partake in the drinking happiness because I'm three days into a cleansing fast. Somehow, an amazing video was shot with absolutely no budget!

Foggit

While making making a stage plot and input list for the tour I thought I should test the fog machines for this weekend's video shoot. Immediately set off the smoke alarm and the cat ran for cover.

Mr. Richbags

Who holds the key? I do. That's right, I do. (Big Black quote)

Shameless capitalist

I have way more music equipment and recording gear than any man should ever need and I don't give a fuck.

Velvetone Music Studio

It's time to initiate VMS08. We've been going strong for 13 years now and sounding better and better. Tomorrow Brian McMahan is bringing in a van load of recording gear from Chicago so all my time will be spent in this low-ceiling basement setting up VMS08 as well as trying to keep up with Dead Child commitments. I'm already behind on three interviews/articles. I ain't complaining-- I haven't had a day job since I was married and on food stamps in '93. In my mind, I'm on Planet Awesome.

Extricate

Tore the shiners off the morning and licked the decals from their sticky film. A bit of twine to wrap your illness and parcel it off to Costco to be developed. Let's restore our foolishness back to acceptable levels.

170 BPM

Stayed up all night writing a thrash tune that's been in my hands for a while now. 170 BPM, not bad.

Shmeaster

And to think I once saw the easter bunny running away from the house.

Sitting in the waiting room

Ran into some car trouble so I've been hanging out with pugilists and tow truck operators. One tow truck fella told me about the women that he's fooled around with when he's working. He also told waxed nostalgic about when he first started getting in fights. Some awesome barfight stories. "I'm 6'5" and 240 lbs, you don't wanna mess with me."

Raina Wotan

The gatekeeper and protector of the house: Brock the Dwarf!

iTunes

anxiety

In the turmoil of last night everything was up for scrutiny and I began to wonder what became of me. Only after a few hours sleep did it surface that the public eye is no measuring stick for achievement. Though my enemies endlessly wag their tounges behind stages, I am reticent until fully armed.

Days in the hole

On my knees with chisel and hammer

A monolithic endearment

I spent the evening writing a 2000 word essay on the new Dead Child record for a Louisville weekly. Today we don rain gear to slosh through mud. There were so many jagged limbs deeply impaled in the soggy ground. I collected them all in a burn pile for future altars.

Armies up ahead

I'll face the warriors head-on, I am not afraid. Just as soon as I clean the espresso machine and have a shower.