Blakow!

Riverview Cemetery, Cleveland, OH

mamasamess — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:09:36 +0000

I always saw the caretaker’s house, or cemetery office, of Riverview as I was driving by. In the spring on my way to work the light hits the hill at just the right time and makes the dew and the fog glow. It’s not a huge cemetery, and nothing like Lakeview (but then, nothing really is), but it has some surprises hidden beyond the roadside view.

Tagged: cemetery, Cleveland, daily photo, monument, nautical, riverview

Cleveland is one of the worst cities in America? I don’t think so

1oddpapa — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:01:31 +0000

I have lived here in the Cleveland area my entire life. I have spent most of my life in a couple of the worst neighborhoods and had to deal with gunfire erupting less than 30 feet from where my niece, nephew and their friends were hanging out. I’ve also lived in a few of Cleveland’s suburbs and had only to deal with the deer eating my azaleas and garden plants. I have lived and seen both the dirty and clean sides of Cleveland and through alot of bullshit that I’ve had to endure living here, I still wouldn’t want to have grown up anywhere else. I love this city. I have always felt that Cleveland could have so much more to offer if the people here would just find some fucking ambition.

Recently, it seems like this is changing. More people are coming to the area that are bringing a little hope. The new Medical Mart will be downtown soon, which only enhances our region as a mecca of premium medical services. The new Horseshoe Casino will be opening soon, which will help make Cleveland a destination and there are rumors of the Marvel film production company taking over the old American Greetings building over in Brooklyn. I love this idea (do I really have to go into how bad we were geeking-out over the Avengers movie being filmed here?). If we could get more comic-based business in the area, it would be a dream for people like Sara & I. Okay, maybe she was more of the comic book geek than I was, but I still spent plenty of time with my nose buried in issues of Excalibur or Conan the Destroyer. *Most of the action shots in this trailer were shot in Cleveland*

I’ve seen posters in the window of an empty storefront down on East 9th street for a local comic book called Apama – The Undiscovered Animal. Although I have seen many underground comics fizzle out before they had a chance, this one has an opportunity the others didn’t with internet marketing and possibly growing with the local economy. Hopefully this trend will continue because I love all the awesome artistry the area has to offer and if that could translate into a solid comic book market… sorry, I just got chills of excitement.

Even though Cleveland is still losing population, I think we’re about to see the whole area evolve into something new. I’m seeing old businesses close and old houses being torn down and leaving empty, low-cost real estate that new, cool restaurants and art spaces are filling up. I think we are on the cusp of becoming one of the coolest cities in America and I really hope I’m not wrong about this because I really think we have all the element s needed for it and with all the shit that Cleveland has had to suffer, we sure as hell deserve it.

Tagged: apama, art, Cleveland, comic books, destination cities, downtown, film production, hero tomorrow, horseshoe casino, marvel comics, marvel movies, medical mart, ohio, restaurants, rock and roll hall of fame, tremont, undiscovered animal

Epic Steel: Pork Graffiti

mamasamess — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:00:45 +0000

If you live in Cleveland and pay attention at all you’ve probably seen random pork tags on bridges or buildings or maybe caught a glimpse of his pig face (which I also used to think looked like a hippo). You may not have realized that he’s an incredible artist.

Tagged: Cleveland, daily photo, graffiti, pork, street art

What? Another awesome compilation?

1oddpapa — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:25:53 +0000

No, not yet. I have to pull all the information together first. But yes, I’m finally at the point of putting together Ear Infection Volume 2. So, tell your friends who are in bands, send me info of your favorite underground band or if you’re in a band yourself, send me your band name, an mp3 of one of your songs, the title of the song and the best web address for fans to find you. You can check out the last compilation I put together >>>here<<< if you like. A common question that I’ve had before is “Does it have to be an original song or can it be a cover?” I’m fine with it being a cover song, but I think you can do yourself a little better by sending me an original. If you only have a cover recorded, but will have other stuff recorded soon, then by all means, send me the cover so we can at least get your band in front of more fans. Also, just because your band likes a certain song above the others, doesn’t necessarily mean fans would feel the same way. Send me a song that you get better crowd response or feedback about. That song will most likely grab more attention and get more fans to look for you. I’m getting super-excited about doing this again.

Tagged: community, compilation, ear infection, get your song on a compilation, hardcore, Music, odd papa, psychobilly, Punk Rock, rockabilly, underground bands

Nothing says I love you like….

mamasamess — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:35:52 +0000

Happy Heart Day! Here in the Green house (I don’t get tired of saying that) we don’t particularly celebrate Valentine’s Day. We are so horribly mushy and in love all the other days of the year that we don’t really find it necessary. Regardless, with all the love (and corresponding anti-valentine’s day angst) we couldn’t help but be a little EXTRA in love today. How better to celebrate than with a quick post with some of our favorite* love songs.

*Take favorite with a grain of salt – when we seriously talk about favorite songs or bands or anything else it’s hard to narrow it down to less than 100-200.

(last but not least)

With that I’m off to make a cocktail of mulled cider and Southern Comfort and sit in front of some glowing embers and play some Borderlands with the best man in the world. I love my life…

Tagged: Anti-Flag, fake problems, off with their heads, punk rock love song, rancid, valentine's day

Two Very Cool Punk Rock Labels

1oddpapa — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:47:11 +0000

Anyone who likes the same kinds of music that I do has undoubtedly heard of certain record labels that consistently sign awesome bands. Fat Wreck Chords, Hellcat Records and Side One Dummy have been producing winning albums from (in my opinion) some of the greatest bands to ever pick up instruments.

…but what about some other ones that may not be as well known yet?

In putting together the Ear Infection compilation, I had the privilege with working with alot of really cool people. Two of which were a couple of representatives from Basement Records and Unrepentant Records. I think these labels are really looking for a certain quality of underground sound that you just don’t find too often anymore and I gotta tell you, I couldn’t be happier about it. I think too many labels are just looking for a band that will make them tons of cash, but I think these guys have a certain type of musical following that they are trying to satisfy.

Download the free Ear Infection compilation to get a few songs from cool bands backed by these labels like Fiction Reform (remember the Distillers and Civet?), For Fuck Sake (thrash punk), and Stupid In Stereo (psychobilly). If you like those, then check out the home pages of these labels to find other cool bands too. Right now, Basement Records has a link for a free download of their newest band, Killing California. Definitely worth a listen. Both labels update information on where to find compilations where their artists are featured. I will continue following these guys and watching for more bands that maybe I can help introduce you to.

I also want to extend a huge thank you to both Basement Records and Unrepentant Records for being so very cordial and helpful while I was putting together the compilation. These guys carry themselves with class and were some of the most respectful people I have dealt with. I hope to be able to work with them again in the future.

Tagged: basement records, crust punk, fiction reform, for fuck sake, killing california, Music, odd papa, psychobilly, Punk Rock, stupid in stereo, thrash, unrepentant records

If these 5 bands will make you stop hating punk rock…please just keep hating it instead.

mamasamess — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:00:08 +0000

I was searching for an image tonight and stumbled across this blog post, featuring a back-bending Iggy Pop. So you think you hate punk rock, 5 bands that will make you change your mind. Hmmmm….interesting. click.

OMG – what the hell just happened? I suddenly found myself feeling like I should be donating to the douchebag jar just for winding up on this blog. The next post was a review of the new 2012 Jaguar. Are you kidding me?! But I couldn’t stop…I clicked through all five bands. And who were they? I bet you’ll never guess…………

5. Radio Birdman (admittedly, I’ve never heard of them. that’s why I kept clicking)
4. The Damned
3. The Ramones
2. The Sex Pistols
1. Do I have to actually say? I’m sure you can figure it out by now…*

Really?! That was so far from life-changing! And where’s the Iggy Pop you promised, dammit!

So, reactions? If you wanted to bring someone into the punk rock fold – what 5 bands would you recommend?

UPDATED: Re-reading this I realize it may sound like I think these bands suck. How can I think these bands suck? Absolutely not. I would say, however, that if someone is going to love punk because they’ve suddenly listened to these bands (again – because, let’s face it, has anyone really never heard ANYTHING by one of these bands…excluding Radio Birdman, of course) then they missed the boat. There are many more bands, with much more diversity, today that I would love to put in front of someone when challenged with “I can’t stand punk”. That’s all.

*In case you’re really scratching your head over this one – it was…..
GASP – The Clash

Tagged: 5 punk bands to listen to, douchebag jar, punk rock changed my life, radio birdman, the clash, the damned, the ramones, the sex pistols, typical punk rock

What can you get on a $400 grocery budget?

mamasamess — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:51:34 +0000

If you’re smart about it – a hell of a lot! We just got back from grocery shopping and in only two different stops wound up spending about $400. Shock to the wallet? Yeah, a little bit! After about an hour of meat processing and reflection (come on – we get a little excited about saving money. give us a break) we decided that people just need to see this.

So, how did we do? Here’s what we got (I don’t really think you’re ready for this):

3 lbs frozen cheese tortellini
5 lbs sliced american cheese
6 lbs frozen broccoli florets (no stems, bitches!!)
5 lbs breaded frozen chicken patties (because we have kids and need SOME sort of convenience foods)
3 lbs bacon
5 lbs pork sausage
10 lbs ground beef
20 lb pork butt
40 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (that is not a typo)
60 ct frozen waffles
2.5 lbs Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
2.5 lbs Rice Krispies
1 lb Honey Smacks
1.5 lbs Crunchy Raisin Bran
2.5 lbs marshmallows
5 lbs pasta shells
5 lbs rainbow rotini
6 lbs pineapple tidbits
6 lbs canned corn
6 lbs diced tomatoes
6 lbs sliced pears
6 lbs tomato sauce
12 lbs mandarin oranges
24 pkg sandwich buns
20 ct 6″ flour tortillas
1/2 gal Sweet Chili sauce
24oz Frank’s Red Hot
24oz Worcestershire Sauce
2 pack of Club crackers
Deli foil sheets (I don’t even know how many)
250 ct quart freezer bags

But, wait, there’s more!

2 gal milk
Big Hershey Chocolate Caramel coffee creamer
Sour cream (the big one)
3 packs 6-ct big/flaky refrigerated crescent rolls
7 cans Progresso soup
5 4-ct yogurts
5 ct frozen bread dough (5 loaves)
3 lbs butter
3 lbs yellow cake mix
30 gallons worth of drink mix
10 lbs sugar
6 spiral mac&cheese
Family size Velveeta Shells & Cheese (Dylan’s request)
2 jars mushrooms
24oz Ranch dressing
2 6-ct plain bagels
2 4-ct pita pockets
Apricot-Pineapple Preserves
2 Past-a-Roni white shells
2 Lemon Pepper Chicken Helper
Almond Extract
24 ct Powerades
Random Goya Mango nectar
…and a frozen sweet potato pie

I’m exhausted now (and Bryan’s hands are frozen). And I’m really looking forward to only making minimal trips to the grocery store for the next couple of months. Because, yes, we do eat fresh fruit and vegetables, too. Now it’s on to a weekend of baking, cooking and reorganize to get ready for the week.

Tagged: $400 for groceries, budget, food, grocery shopping on a budget, stocked kitchen

Mama’s Psycho Week Day 4: The Creepshow

mamasamess — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:25:30 +0000

Yep – I’m still on top and stretching my psychobilly wings. Well, I’m sure this really isn’t a strech to anyone who has been in the scene. For me, though, I’m still struggling to filter out the good stuff. Here’s my latest find: The Creepshow.

Debuting in 2006, they just released a brand new album in 2011 (see – actually current!). Being a Hellcat Records band, I really don’t think I could have gone wrong. I love just about everything that label has to offer.

Tagged: creepshow, psychobilly, rockabilly

Dick Dynamite and the Doppelgangers – Deviant

mamasamess — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:00:33 +0000

What we thought was another late find wound up to the contrary. Dick Dynamite and Doppelgangers are actually riding out the release of a new ep at the end of last year. This was itself a follow-up to a full-length release the prior year. And for us, something else to add to the iTunes purchase list.

Tagged: deviant, Dick Dynamite and the Doppelgangers, psychobilly, punk, rockabilly