Wow. It's been probably a year since I've posted. It's been so long that I forgot how to log into this website. Oh well. 

I mostly post on Tumblr (find me at mattycantfail.tumblr.com). But yeah. Anyways, I just wanted to share the new project I'm working on alongside SideOneDummy Co-Owner Joe Sib. It's called "Complete Control with Joe Sib" and airs Fridays at 1PM on thelip.tv.

The show blends the worlds of music and comedy! Guests to date include: Jay Bentley (Bad Religion), Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory), Nick 13 (Tiger Army), Dave King (Flogging Molly) and comedians Iliza Schlesinger, Ari Shaffir, and Andrew Santino!

Here's our most recent episode, with Tobe Bean of Street Dogs and Grant Cotter

I've been really bad at updating my life lately. And I'm sorry LiveJournal, but today isn't going to be any better.

I have a ton of shit to talk about, like:

Working for The Gaslight Anthem at Jimmy Kimmel Live a couple weeks ago. (Spoiler Alert: They're super nice dudes who kicked my ass at pool for two hours and were awesome enough to do TWO interviews with Mondo and I for our podcast)

2. You just can’t go wrong with Sam Cooke. Ever. What a voice.

3. The Riot Before released “Fists…Out of Sockets” an EP with acoustic versions of “Fists Buried in Sockets” songs. It’s amazing. “Capillaries” is by far the best song on the EP. It reminds me of hanging with my boys. 

4. I say it time and time again, “Warning” is the best Green Day album. And this is coming from someone who…lets just say isn’t the biggest Green Day Fan.

5. Just a beautiful song. Mumford & Sons have a good thing going for them right now. Lets hope they can keep it going. 

6. Basically…I love The Weakerthans. It’s that simple. One of my favorite bands hands down.

7. If you haven’t discovered Joyce Manor yet, do so. They’re cool dudes with a great live show. I’ve had the privilege of putting on a show or two with them involved and they’ve killed it. Don’t sleep on these guys. You’ll regret it later.

8. “Pebble” is a strong album. This is my favorite song. Why? I don’t know. I just like it is all. 

9. Mad props to Marge (Margaret if you’re nasty) for showing me this. I haven’t stopped listening to this song for months. So awesome.

10. Seriously, give Kate Nash a chance. She’s actually talented. If you dig Lily Allen, check out my girl Kate. She’ll blow you away. 

11. I remember the first time I heard this song it blew me away. And made me excited for “Daisy.” Then I heard “Daisy.” Lets just say I wasn’t a fan.

12. If I’m drivin’ round town and blasting this song and you look at me like I’m an idiot…I’m like fuck yoooooouuuuu.

13. SHARKS kind of sounds like if Joe Strummer fronted a fused together “Tim”-era Replacements and The Gaslight Anthem. I seriously love it. 

14. I love the chorus. Plain and simple. See…that was easy.

15. The second best song off of “Real Ghosts Caught on Tape.”

16. If you like actual pop-punk and cool dudes, check out my buddies in French Exit. I really dig it. 

17. The next time I do karaoke (yes, I had to spell check “karaoke”) I’m doing “Mine.” 

18. I’ve made several posts about Dead To Me in the last couple months. Rad dudes. Rad music. What more can you ask for?

19. Read above. Replace “Dead To Me” with “The Flatliners.” Also, I put this playlist on shuffle and I love the fact that Dead To Me and The Flatliners go back to back. Basically because I have the same thing to say about each.

20. I’m really high on this band. I love the dueling male/female vocals. I love the sugary yet buzzsaw pop punk. 

21. One of my all-time favorite songs.

22. Best song off of one of the best albums of last year. 

23. Still in shock that I got to see Descendents earlier this week. Such a rad set. So many of my friends were there it was almost like one big party. And if you’re reading this: Shelby, what happened to my sip of the lemonade? Huh? Huh? (Ps. Hi Shelby).

24. Maybe the best “Fuck You” song ever. Even better than “Fuck You” by Cee-Lo Green. “This is a story you won’t tell the kids we’ll never have. If you hear this song a hundred times it still won’t be enough!” Chills. 

25. In the last month I’ve had two rad conversations with pretty cool people having to do with “Stay Free” : Joe Sib of SideOneDummy and Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem. It’s always fun to geek out about The Clash with people who love The Clash. 

26. I can’t remember who told me to check out Blind Pilot (I think it wasAshley) but I totally dig them. Thanks Ashley! (I think). 

27. You know what sucks about this entire list? I listed 29 other awesome songs from awesome artists/bands/singers and yet the only two you fuckers will remember will be Katy Perry and Taylor Swift. I like Katy Perry and Taylor Swift, but it gets goddamn annoying that that’s all anybody ever thinks I listen to. Rant.

28. The best band I’ve heard in a couple years. They’re going to blow up! They’re also going to be on the next episode of Matt and Mondo’s Punk Rock Power Hour! 

29. I love that this song moves. It’s rad to hear Frank with an entire backing band and him letting them just rip.

30. Favorite. Song. Ever.

...but just didn't have the time to invest an hour and a half? Well check this montage out (link at the bottom of page). Features the great one-liners, musings, ramblings, and awesome guest stars that fans of Matt and Mondo's Punk Rock Power Hour have come to expect and enjoy.

Features guest stars: Chris Farren of Fake Problems, Joyce Manor, Tom Gabel of Against Me!, Chris Wollard and Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music, Jen and Poli of The Bombpops, Greg Barnett of The Menzingers and Ian Graham of Cheap Girls. As Chris Farren puts it, "Enjoy the show!"

http://mattandmondosprph.tumblr.com/post/3720860565/have-you-ever-wanted-to-check-out-matt-and-mondos

What a long, crazy week it has been. I'm not going to completely play catch-up...but I'll dabble. Yeah. That's a good way to put it.

Sidenote: I'm currently listening to Dead To Me. How freakin awesome is Dead To Me? Real awesome. That's how!

So like I was saying...what a week it was. Mondo and I put on a show Wednesday in Chino with Into It. Over It. Evan is a really cool dude. However, we lost $50 on the show. I chalk this up to the slight rain and the fact that No Sleep did very little promotion for the show. Whatever. You live and lose, right? At least Evan was fantastic, as were French Exit and Dan Coffman. Especially Dan. Tim and Donna at The Warehouse are super rad people and it's always a good time seeing those two. Plus, The Dudes Night crew was out and about, the East Coast Interns rolled out, and my home girl Katrina even made the 2.3 mile journey from her house. Eh. Losing $50 ain't terrible when you're having a good time.

On Monday and Thursday I was wreaking havoc at the Side One Dummy office. Monday I was interviewing Title Fight, who are a bunch of cool kids. I say kids because they're all under 21. Under 21 and signed to Side One Dummy. They're doing something right with their lives. Mondo and I also interviewed Jon Pebs, who works for Side One Dummy as well as fronts Buck-O-Nine, and also Joe Sib who runs Side One Dummy. On Thursday Mondo and I went to The Improv in LA to see Joe perform. We'll get to that.

Monday was fun. Outside of getting a ton of swag (Gaslight shirts, Chuck Ragan, Fake Problems and Gogol Bordello vinyl and a shit ton of posters etc...) Mondo and I recorded some stuff for the podcast.

So Thursday, The Improv. Fun time. I saw Daryl from The Office (Craig Robinson). I couldn't think of his name as he passed by me, so like an idiot I said "Hey, there's Daryl from The Office!" Now I'm sure that Craig LOVES hearing that, so after I said it I was kind of expecting a jackass response. Nope. He turned around, looked at me and said "Whats up man" with a big smile. Fucking awesome.

Joe killed it. So did the last dude that performed who is getting a show on NBC. Dude had me in stitches.

I'm going to bed. Good night.

What up LiveJournal. Our relationship sucks. I'm sorry. accept this post as my bouquet of flowers and box of chocolates to make up for the neglect. Ah LiveJournal, you're so easy to please.

So what have I been up to? Well the podcast and website and school and lame ass work have kept me pretty busy. Mondo and I are finally getting somewhere with this podcast thing. The last one sounded fantastic. I'm so stoked for people to hear it. It should be up tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow...

...Right now I should be figuring out what I'm going to ask Title Fight tomorrow. I've been invited down to the SideOneDummy office to interview Title Fight. I was down there on Friday shooting the shit with Mondo (who works for Joe Sib)/interviewing the always amazing Mike Park of Asian Man Records when my man Jon Pebs asked me if I wanted to come back Monday to do the interview. I couldn't say no.

Sidenote: A huge shoutout to everybody at Side One Dummy. A great record label ran by great people. Joe Sib is one of the nicest dudes I've ever met. He also thinks I dress nice. Johnny B is the man, especially because he makes Kayla the intern text me inappropriate things throughout the day and he loves Blake Griffin as much as I do. And Pebs, Alex, Kayla and the rest of the crew are super rad.

I'm also putting on a show on Wednesday in Chino at the Warehouse. Into It. Over It is headlining. Should be fun. I hope people show up.

What else is new? Not much. Watching the Ducks and Clippers suck while paying attention to Angels Spring Training. I've been listening to nothing but Red City Radio, Mumford and Sons, The Flatliners, Bouncing Souls and The Arrivals lately. The Arrivals - "Simple Pleasures in America" is one of the best songs I have ever heard in my life. And do yourselves a favor and go get the new Red City Radio. Amazing!

I've also been balls deep in Community and Parks and Recreation. Both amazing shows. Both kind of where The Office was a few years ago. I recommend both. I've also been reading "The Walking Dead" and "Y: The Last Man" comic books. Fucking Mondo. Asshole is rubbing off on me.

Until next time.
xoxo Matt xoxo

• The Podcast has been going great. Our current Episode has podcast friend Mike McColgan of The Street Dogs and the boys in Joyce Manor. The next Episode will have Tom Gabel of Against Me! as well as the boys in Lucero. Big episode!
• Mondo and I are also show promoting. We did a show on New Years Day with Dead To Me, The Bombpops, Joyce Manor, Horror Squad and our friends in Dudes Night. We have a show coming up in March with Chicago's Into It, Over It, and some more coming too that we can't quite talk about yet. Stay tuned and keep up on our website for all podcast and show information. 
• This has been a week of show-covering hell. And by hell I mean heaven. This week goes as follows: Monday: Fake Problems at The Casbah in San Diego, Tuesday: Tumbledown @ The Slidebar in Fullerton, Wednesday: The Get Up Kids at HOB in San Diego, Thursday: Lucero at Alex's Bar in Long Beach, Friday: Social Distortion/Lucero/Chuck Ragan @ The Palladium in Hollywood. Speaking of Social Distortion, Saturday: Against Me!/Cheap Girls @ Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA. Speaking of Social Distortion...
• ...Their new album is amazing! I'm stoked about seeing them Friday.
• I've been going to a ton of Clippers games. Blake Griffin is a beast.

I've been having a rough time sleeping lately. I'm on maybe day six of sleeping three hours or less. I'm not quite sure what's going on there. I guess bouts of insomnia aren't exactly rare for me. So anyways, I'm just going to ramble on here for a bit. Sounds good? Okay!

As previously mentioned, Frank Turner's "Rock and Roll" EP is fantastic. I don't really know where I'm going with this. I'm just stating this.

Its funny. I spent the last thirty minutes or so re-reading old LJ and Tumblr posts. Yeah, there's quite a bit of shit that makes me cringe, and some things that make me smile in a way that only nostalgia can make you smile, but I found it kind of interesting. I forgot about certain posts, and even about certain periods of time and events. I guess that's not such a surprise, seeing is how I can't remember shit to begin with. I'm not sure where I'm going with this. I'm just rambling, remember? 

I came across a post dated June 18th, 2009. The title is "Have I Accepted This To Torture Myself." It's locked, meaning you have to be my friend on here to be able to read it. I'm going to post the first paragraph, and probably discuss the rest.

"I have an appointment next week with a therapist, the same one I went to before. Catherine tells me that there's no shame in seeing a therapist, and that I shouldn't hide it. I should swallow my pride and just accept it, and let him help me. She tells me that I should have just stuck with him, and because I didn't I'm where I'm at. She says that I need to open up. She says she needs her space. She says she needs time. I'm not sure how that all correlates, but I'm sure it will all work out. I just wish she would realize that I'm not her, and that something that isn't such a big deal for her is monumental for me. I wish she would see that it's not easy to admit you need help, and that it's a giant step just to admit such a thing. I'm sure things will work themselves out."

Now I have no recollection of what the hell I'm talking about here. I don't know what exactly was going on between myself and Catherine at the time, and to be honest I think that those last three sentences explain why exactly our relationship didn't work (and vise-versa mind you. I was just as bratty, if not more-so. Probably more-so). But it's the rest of the post that caught my attention. How scared I was. The fear that consumed me.

Look, I don't really know where I'm going with this. I guess maybe it's nice to have these reminders that I've come pretty fucking far, especially when shit around me isn't so peachy right now. I've actually done a pretty good job of keeping my composure and channeling my anger/fear/worries into other outlets. Something I couldn't do back then. And I mean, that makes sense. I don't feel like I'm losing my fucking mind any longer, nor am I really having panic attacks and horrible, ugly, terrible thoughts and all that sweetness.

I just re-read the line "I should swallow my pride and just accept it." What a horrible concept.

Anyways. I'm going to bed.

"You've been searching up and down and all around but there's no nice boy's in Londontown. And I can sympathize, cause I've been searching too and have yet to find a girl half as good as you." I don't really know why that line keeps running through my head, but it does. It's probably just catchy. I wouldn't look too into it. And no, it most certainly does not correlate with anything discussed above. Well, only the Frank Turner snippet and the subject line. Nothing else.
 

What up, LJ. Long time no post. I'm not cheating on you again like I have been in the past...at least not conventionally speaking, but I have been preoccupied. Sorry...Papa needs him some friends too!

What have I been working on? Well, My good friend Armando Olivas (Mondo if you're nasty) and I have started a podcast. It's quite craptacular if I do say so myself. It's called (wait for it)... "Matt and Mondo's Punk Rock Power Hour!!!" The idea started in a pool in Orlando with Mondo and I both drunk. We've had two episodes, the first includes an interview with the band Dead To Me and the second includes an interview with Chris Farren of Fake Problems. We are currently gearing up for our third episode release (we run bi-monthly) and Episode 3 includes interviews with them lovely ladies from The Bombpops, as well as those handsome gents from The Menzingers. Be sure to check out all of the Matt and Mondo fun here!

Mondo and I are also putting together a show on January 1st to ring in the New Year. Dead To Me will be headlining, and will be joined by Joyce Manor, The Bombpops, Horror Squad and my boys in Dudes Night! I'm super stoked for Dudes Night, and for the show. January 1st at the Warehouse in Chino (12th and G). $5. BYOB. 8 P.M.

So what else have I been up to? Not much. I've been hooked on The Walking Dead, Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (Mondo got me hooked on this. I love The Hulk. What can I say. I'm a nerd at heart) the music of: Dead To Me, The Bombpops, The Loved Ones, Frank Turner, Kate Nash, Katy Perry, Saves The Day, The Flatliners, The National and Arcade Fire, the Winter Meetings (which completely were a letdown.), leading all three of my Fantasy Football teams to playoff appearances and burning through my Simpsons DVDs. 

I don't normally write about songs. Albums, sure. Bands, of course. But songs? Not really. Maybe if I'm writing about what I've been listening to, but that's the extent of it all. I don't write about individual songs. Especially when that song is from a pop-star more famous for her breasts than her music.

I guess there's a first time for everything.

I've made it no secret that I secretly like Katy Perry (somehow, that sentence makes sense). She makes catchy pop music. That "Hot N Cold" song? Love it! "Waking Up In Vegas?" Ditto. I know all the words to "California Gurls," and even ignore the fact that she spelled "girls" like an idiot. I even made an entire post devoted to Perry on my now-defunct blogspot blog.

In short, Perry is a guilty pleasure. She's fun. She's that artist that after a few drinks becomes fun to sing along to in a bar or at a house chillin with the homies. By no means am I claming that she's music personified (as her hubby is said to be), but she's catchy and is successful. Clap for her, clap for her.

But earlier tonight, scanning the radio as I left my iPod at home, I heard this song "Firework." I've gotta tell y'all, it blew me away. Not only is the song insanely catchy, but it actually has a pretty rad message behind it. I immediately came home and listened to it. Well, after I geeked out over my awesome vinyl purchases, including Descendents - "Everything Sucks" on blue vinyl and an absolutely breathtaking (see:beautiful) copy of Blink-182's "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket."

(SIDENOTE: it's amazing how great that album has aged. When I got it in (I think)  tenth grade, I wasn't really into it. I was digging nearly every song on the album tonight. Side B is flawless, save for the track "Give Me One Good Reason." I never got that song. It seemed like Tom Delonge trying to be like "Yeah, I like punk rock. I like punks. Show me the money!" I dunno. It never sat well with me. But "Reckless Abandon" and "Everytime I Look For You"... great tracks! Back to Katy Perry).

It's kind of refreshing to hear Perry sing about something kind of awesome for a change, and by awesome I mean positive. Check out some of these lyrics for "Firework:"

"Do you ever feel already buried deep? Six feet under? Scream, but no one seems to hear a thing? Do you know that there's still a chance for you? 'Cause there's a spark in you"

"'Cause, baby, you're a firework./ Come on; show 'em what you're worth./ Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"/ As you shoot across the sky-y-y. /Baby, you're a firework/ Come on; let your colors burst./ Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!" /You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own"

"You don't have to feel like a waste of space. /You're original, /You cannot be replaced. /If you only knew what the future holds/ After a hurricane comes a rainbow./ Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed/ So you could open one/ That leads you to a perfect road./ Like a lightning bolt./ Your heart will blow./ And when it's time, you'll know"

By no means am I suggesting those are Tom Waits-esque or anything. But they're definitely leaps and bounds from "Sunkissed skin so hot, we'll melt your popsicle." And definitely more inspiring than "You PMS like a bitch I would know."  I don't know. Maybe I'm looking too far into this but I think it's absolutely refreshing to hear a song like this on the radio than some of the other garbage that's out there (Some of Perry's previous singles included). And with a fifteen year old sister, I'm actually hoping she'll discover this song (maybe she already has?) and maybe become inspired by this. Hey, she's inspired by Lauren Conrad because the chick made a clothing line. Stranger things can happen.

To be honest, there's a handful of real good pop songs out there right now. I know it's kind of old, but that B.o.B song featuring Hayley Williams, "Airplanes" is actually a good song. Bruno Mars "Just The Way You Are" is my current jam as of late. Taylor Swift's "Mine" is very Taylor Swift-esque, which is a good thing. And even better, all of those tracks are pretty tame and cute (with the exception of that B.o.B track, but even that song has a pretty cool message).

A lot of what I just said sounds weird to me. I'm a punk. I grew up on songs that question religion and the government. I grew up listening to a band whose logo was a crossed out cross, and with songs with lyrics like "I'll believe in god when one and one is five." I grew up with songs like "A New Kind of Army," and "California Uber Allies." I'm still all for questioning authority. But the message most of the pop music sends is just terrible. Glorifying sex and drugs and that it's okay to treat women like dirt because that's love. Horrible. It scares me. Honestly, it does. Questioning authority is one thing. Promoting misogynistic views is another. I hear the crap my sister listens to, and it makes me want to cry. The shit the masses shovel...

I guess the bottom line is this: it's nice that an artist as huge as Katy Perry made a song that might actually help someone. Check out "Firework" below.