Mmmm...turkey...

An unsuspecting turkey lies in wait, submerged in a sodium and sugar bath. Various cans in all sizes and colors are opened, emptied then pushed aside like presents on Christmas morning. The fire burns, hungrily awaiting its own dinner of beans, tubers, marshmallows, tofu, and our ominous bird. Stuffing's are re hydrated and potatoes smashed, by the delicate hands of the Kelly's, join the stubborn cranberry jelly who apparently refuses to succumb to the effects of gravity or vanity. Fermented and crushed, grapes fall into glasses while delicate rolls turn Cajun in the oven, negligence due to engaging conversations. All communication stops albeit that between forks and delicious nourishment. Empty plates litter the table followed by shoeless feet attempting to force much needed blood towards the orgy of digestions commencing in the torso. The room of once witty patrons is replaced with moaning, sluggish zombies drunken with tryptophan and anchored down by a years supply of sweet-sweet potatoes. The fridge, earlier relieved of its' generous payload, is stacked Tetris-style with Tupperware, crock-pots, and aluminum-covered bowls of mashed potatoes and peas. The door is grudgingly closed on the delicacies inside as well as on another fantastic Turkey Day.

Thank you St. Valentine

In ancient Rome, Emperor Claudius II was having trouble reqruiting young men for his army. This was due to the boys not wanting to leave their new loves discovered during Lupercalia, a festival to honor Juno, Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The emperor cancelled all engagements and St. Valentine headed the call of the lovelorn and began to secretly marry couples. Once he was caught, he was beaten to death and beheaded on February 14th. Now we celebrate his love every Valentines day and if my math is correct, my parents celebrated this ancient holiday exactly 9 months before I was born. Gross as that may sound, it is nice to know that your parents celebrate the most cherished day of love throughout the year.

So now I'm 29 and still have no clue what to do with my life. I have about as much direction as a drunk baby. My birthday was good. I was texted and phoned various accolades, in French, Spanish and English, starting the day before, and continuing throughout the rest of the 'celebration.' Stupid Flanders performed down at eVocal and played brilliantly, if I do say so myself. Many of my friends/fans made some custom t-shirts with pics of me on the front of a time when I was not 'completely with it' as I donned my 'I'm The Evil Twin' shirt as an homage to Jonny. Afterwards, we retired to casa de Nate-O and drank vats of White Russians and shared in the experience of the the libation known as Absinte, graciously given to me by Veg. After hours of sips, trips, and spanks, I enjoyed some enthralling conversation then passed out on my new satin Playboy sheets, spread out for me by Ali and Lisa, along with custom pillows stamped with our inside joke. It is always good to be surrounded by good friends who care about you, even if their feelings are misplaced at times. Knowing who you are and where you came from gives you strong footholds towards the future.
On a sad note, my moving picture box (tv for the layman) of the last four or five years died. Not a huge loss. I only paid $50 for it off ebay. It served me well and got me through many a lazy nights. I stacked my alternate tv atop if for a few days and made a white trash snowman. Guess I need to buy a plasma tv now...

VIV Infomercial!!!

Finally have a video of the infomercial that Veg and were in. Have a peek, take a gander at the goodness...

The Superbroke Brass and Tin and Strings Electric Marching Band Ensemble

The opportunity to play with the Superbroke Brass and Tin and Strings Electric Marching Band Ensemble was presented to my hero, Wingman, by the Bossman, whose assistant is Danny from the Untouchables. This group of superheroes fight against the evil Anti-groove and my hero, Wingman, was thrilled to be a part of the show. We gathered outside of Molly Malones in LA to go over the upcoming set. The ensemble tonight consisted of three guitars, a bass, drums, two claramins (synthesizers), two vocals, bongo drum, trombone, two trumpets, flugelhorn, and two tenor saxes. Wingman hit the stage and did his best to keep up with the eclectic group of heroes. The center stage and mic was shared by Wingman and Bossman. What an honor! After about an hour set, and flying through the crowd, as well as some super posing, hands were shaked, congratulations given and received, and the ensemble dispersed until the next time they were needed again to battle the evil that is the Anti-groove!

Halloween!!!!

Our annual Halloween Party was held last Wed and, as usual, good times, liquor, and drunken-costume-wearing rejects were in abundance. The whole band dressed up as the Spice Girls and we have to had been the sexiest/scariest rendition ever conceived. We looked good (depending on who you asked)! I was beautiful as Baby Spice! The whole house was decorated in bloody hand-prints, spiders, cobwebs, black lights, and skeletons. Fog machines set the mood as well as hampered lung capacity. A once stocked bar is now a faded memory, and a sticky bar-top is all that remains. The floors throughout the entire house are sticky like a cheap movie theatre floor. The party wouldn't have been a party if the cops hadn't shown up. My impatient neighbor made sure of that. All in all, it was a great party and all the attendees, everything and everyone from dinosaurs to R-Kelly, skanky policewomen to Tom Cruise from Risky Business, had a good time. Until next year...

Stupid studio time: Day 4

A concise day 4 in the studio is in the books. Veg and I got our last two songs with vocals down and cranked out about half of the horn parts. Not bad for a five hour session. David is a magician with Pro-tools and has a great ear for things that may be lagging or in need of punching-up. I love the new additions to GINA and the sound on Twist and Shout. We only have a few more tracks to lay some horns down on and then back-up vocals then, fingers-crossed, that should be it.
Tonight's show is going to be a good one. I love all the bands we're playing with (Big Booty Party, New Vices, Fire At Play) and the venue, Dipiazza's, is a great spot that is very close. It is such a chore to have all my friends, as well as us, drive all the way up to LA to have a good time, just to pack up and drive all the way back down. The goal is to get in good at Dipiazza's and keep this ball rolling into the next huge show with Sonic Boom Six and Chase long Beach next month!

Biggest show EVER!!!!

So last night we had the fortunate opportunity to play with two of the biggest ska bands EVER: the Skatalites and the Untouchables! Playing at the Coach House was epic to say the least. The hallways and walls are littered with signed photos of all the legendary acts that have performed there over the years. We had our own green room that was scribed all across its entirety like a truck stop bathroom. I, of course, added to the inked walls in hopes that someday, someone will look at my terrible penmanship and say, 'Wow, Nate from Stupid Flanders was here.' An unforgettable night in such an intimate setting; I was practically on the stage in my seat. That sounds funny because I was just performing on that stage, screaming and sipping from my various liquids placed before me by my loving friends/stupid fans. The night wouldn't have happened without them.
I shook hands with the tenor sax player for the Skatalites and thanked him for the opportunity to play with them and as I walked away he said, "I really liked your set too." Praise from Caesar indeed.
Stupid Flanders

Stupid studio time: Day 3

Another extensive day in the studio is behind us. Veg laid out some great audio tracks and I got one down. Nothing like being forced to do some freestyle skit-skat-skiddely do's. Just a bunch of good times and another step closer to a final product. We had to tack on another day to the recording schedule to finish vocals and horns. Next Monday should (fingers-crossed) be the last day of recording then we leave it in Irish's hands to edit it into a work of art, and yes I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am the beholder. I can't wait for everyone to hear all the sweat dripped into evey track.
Our session today was at night because Reel Big Fish was in the same studio before us. Really!? Just the fact that one of the bands we try and emulate is using the same studio and equipment as us leaves me standing puzzled, scratching my bald-spot in awe. Just good luck, apparently.
I guess I get my reprieve for the week. A little homework to perfect for next Monday but it is time to focus on our huge show Wednesday night with the Skatalites and the Untouchables. I'm nervous but in a good way, if that's truely possible. Stay tuned...

Stupid studio time: Day 2

So day 2 in the studio has come and gone. A full 8 hours in a small room with a group of immature guys telling eachother how gay the other one is, while gorging on donuts and Java-Monsters spiked with Jamesons, listening to Veg and Joey lay down the guitar and bass tracks like seasoned professionals. I sat caffeine-shaky on the couch with a plaster Lisa Simpsons gazing aimlessly into the distance to my right, while I intermitantly checked my phone for updates on the Chargers, who lost, waiting for my turn to contribute to the recording. After all the millions of guitar tracks were laid down, Joey stood in the recording room alone and spewed forth the vocals for his two songs on the album. The bell tolled and it was time to punch-out till tomorrow night when we have to crank out the rest of the vocals and all the horn parts. David Irish is our sound tech (also the drum-tech for Reel Big Fish) and is a master of the editing board. If we continue on this route, the album will be AMAZING!!!
Now off to wish my friend a happy bday (Happy Bday Sophie as well).

Stupid studio time

I am currently sitting in the sound room at the recording studio recording Stupid Flanders first 'official' album. This is such an exciting, nerve-racking experience. This is going to help us in so many ways. We're going to be sequestered in this sound dungeon for the next three days. Cross your fingers for us and let the stupidity flow!

1rst chance to make a bad impression

Ok. So the fam is pasted all over the blog-o-sphere and I guess I need to join in so I can contribute/take-away from this craze that is blogging. I'm not sure if I'm doing this right, but I guess that it really is my page, so I can only blame myself. The majority of the family doesn't have a myspace or even a facebook account so not all have access to the 'wonders of Nate's life.' There's a lot going on in my life curently, but strangely enough, I have time to sit down and waste time figuring out a template for my blog page. A bit of an oxymoron (pronounced ogs-im-eron) but I have found that I waste a lot of time and do treasure that ability when I have no time to spare. The balancing scales of life, I guess.
Well, there you go. I won't type-gurgitate anymore for you, that's for future blogs about the gym, my car, school, and the band (of which there is mucho happening as of late).