hopes everyone has a safe and Happy New Year. (it is amateur night tonight; please have a DD or call a cab!)

thought Paranormal Activity was less of a movie and more of an enjoyably creepy experience...best viewed with the lights off!

thinks Spectacle Elvis Costello with... is the best music tv show ever!

is loving the clear skies and 71 degree temps...hard to believe it will dip down to 49 tonight!!

is impressed that Mastodon's Crack The Sky was number 3 in Time Magazine's top 10 albums of the year! Definitely in my top 3!

wishes you and yours a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings! Above all, have a Cool Yule!

is thankful the shopping is done and the presents are wrapped...now comes food and fun! Happy Holidays...have a cool Yule!

has the top down under perfect skies and a temp of 75! Santa's sleigh/Z3 is rockin' on holiday errands!!

is waist deep in the Holiday Shopping Madness of the Season! Ho ho ho

another early morning for the elves...how does Santa do this??

cannot believe the Ihop was spinning The Cure's Lovecats this morning! Yes, Santa's Little Helpers got up too early today!

really enjoyed The Hangover on Blu-ray...and he DID look like a Carlos!

posted pics from the Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade last night...feeling the holiday spirit!

in the parade...this is sweet! Happy Holidays!!

best sailboat, so far!

our Holiday Boat Parade number is 42! How cool is that?

getting dark and ready to rock!

Hey Santa...new wishlist item!

Getting into position and checking the lights

heading out to the Boca Raton Boat Parade

will be in the Boca Raton Boat Parade tonight on the Midnight Express boat! (http://midnightboats.com) See you there!

is loving 63 degrees in South Florida!!

Rain/Wind/Storm/Thunder Playlist

My playlist of songs with Rain/Wind/Storm/Thunder in the title:
206 songs, 16.8 hours.

(Not a complete list, just what I have in my "vault" of harddrives.)

This list is best listened to on shuffle or sorted by time, shortest to longest...for best variety.

Enjoy!



10,000 Maniacs - Rainy Day
a-Ha - Crying In The Rain
a-Ha - Here I Stand And Face The Rain
a-Ha - Rolling Thunder
a-Ha - Soft Rains Of April
a-Ha - The Weight Of The Wind
AC/DC - Stormy May Day
AC/DC - Thunderstruck
Adele - Right As Rain
The Alarm - Only The Thunder
The Alarm - Rain In The Summertime
The Alarm - The Wind Blows Away My Words
Alice In Chain - Rain When I Die
The Allman Brothers Band - Stormy Monday
Anathema - Cries On The Wind
Anekdoten - A Sky About To Rain
Anekdotin - Sad Rain
Ayreon - Carried By the Wind
B.J. Thomas - Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
Bad English - Pray For Rain
The Beta Band - Dry The Rain
Big Wheel - Storm
The Black Crowes - Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35
Black Lab - Can't Keep The Rain
Black Sabbath - Shadow Of The Wind
Blind Guardian - Into The Storm
Blind Melon - No Rain
Bob Dylan - Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Bob Mould - Black Sheets Of Rain
Bob Mould - Whichever Way The Wind Blows
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Against The Wind
The Bolshoi - Rainy Days
Boy Hits Car - Windswept
Boy Meets Girl - Stormy Love
Breaking Benjamin - Rain
Brian May - One Rainy Wish
Bruce Smeaton - Written In The Wind
Buddy Guy - Feels Like Rain
Cat Stevens - The Wind
Chris Cornell - Steel Rain
Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind
The Clash - (In The) Pouring Rain
Cold - Rain Song
Concrete Blonde - Rain
Counting Crows - Rain King
Counting Crows - Raining In Baltimore
Cracker - Another Song About The Rain
Cracker - Rainy Days And Mondays
Cream - Stormy Monday [Live}
Creed - Rain
Creed - Riders On The Storm
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
Crosby, Stills & Nash - After The Storm
Crosby, Stills & Nash - Cold Rain
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Drivin' Thunder
The Cult - Bangkok Rain
The Cult - Rain
The Cure - Prayers For Rain
Dan Fogelberg & Tim Weisberg - Windward
Daryl Hall - Right As Rain
David Bowie - Wild Is The Wind
Dead Can Dance - The Wind That Shakes The Barley
The Del McCoury Band - Rain & Snow
Derek & The Dominos - Let It Rain (Live)
Dethklok - Thunderhorse
Devin Townsend - Solar Winds
Diecast - The Coldest Rain
The Doors - Riders On The Storm
DragonForce - Inside The Winter Storm
Drivin 'N' Cryin - Catch The Wind
Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
Eddie Beram - Riot In Thunder Alley
Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians - A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall
Edward & Alex Van Halen - Respect The Wind
Electric Light Orchestra - Rain Is Falling
Elton John - Candle In The Wind
Enchant - Holding the Wind
Enya - A Day Without Rain
Erasure - Rain
Eric Gales Band - Sign Of The Storm
Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again
Evanescence - Listen To The Rain
Frank Zappa & Ray Collins - Any Way The Wind Blows
From Good Homes - If The Wind Blows
From Good Homes - Rain Dance
Gamma Ray - Into The Storm
Gamma Ray - Rain
Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains
Godsmack - One Rainy Day
Grace Jones with The Radio Science Orchestra - Storm
Grateful Dead - Cold Rain And Snow
Gregory Isaacs - The Rain Falls For Me
Guadalcanal Diary - Winds Of Change
Guns N' Roses - November Rain
Heart - Mistral Wind
Hi Tide - Out In The Rain
The Hollies - Purple Rain (Live)
Howard Jones - Don't Always Look At The Rain
I Mother Earth - Rain Will Fall
Jethro Tull - Cold Wind To Valhalla
Jethro Tull - Stormy Monday Blues
Jim Steinman - The Storm
Jimi Hendrix - In From The Storm
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - One Rainy Wish
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Rainy Day, Dream Away
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Still Raining, Still Dreaming
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - The Wind Cries Mary
Jimmy Buffett - Kick It In Second Wind
Joan Baez - Blowin' In The Wind
Joe Jackson - A Place in the Rain
Joe Satriani - Tears In The Rain
John Mayer - Covered In Rain
Journey - Winds Of March
Judas Priest - Riding On The Wind
Juliette Lewis - Come Rain Or Come Shine
Kansas - Lonely Wind
Kansas - People Of The South Wind
Kansas - Dust In The Wind
King's X - Sunshine Rain
King's X - Silent Wind
Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song
Lenny Kravitz - Storm
Little River Band - Second Wind
Loggins & Messina - Sailin' The Wind
Lyle Lovett - Summer Wind
Marillion - Sugar Mice In The Rain
Marillion - Thunder Fly
Masters Of Reality - 100 Years (Of Tears On The Wind)
Mastodon - Blood And Thunder
Matthew Sweet - Thunderstorm
Michael Franks - In The Eye Of The Storm
Midge Ure - When The Winds Blow
Moby - Evening Rain
Moby - Raining Again (Steve Angello's Vocal Mix)
Mudvayne - Rain. Sun. Gone
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Blowin' In The Wind
Nina Simone - I Think It's Going To Rain Today
No-Man - Only Rain
Orphaned Land - The Storm Still Rages Inside
OSI - Standby (Looks Like Rain)
Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain
Ozzy Osbourne - Thunder Underground
Pat Metheny Group - Third Wind
Patrick Swayze - She's Like The Wind
Paul Westerberg - Runaway Wind
Pendragon - If I Were The Wind (And You Were The Rain)
Peter Gabriel - Red Rain
Phil Collins - I Wish It Would Rain Down (with Eric Clapton)
Pink Floyd - A Pillow Of Winds
The Police - Shadows In The Rain
Porcupine Tree - It Will Rain For A Million Years
Porcupine Tree - Rainy Taxi
Port Mahadia - Riding The Wind
Port Mahadia - I Of The Storm
Primal Fear - Everytime It Rains (feat. Simone Simons)
Pyramaze - March Through An Endless Rain
Queen - Rain Must Fall
Queensrÿche - Another Rainy Night
Queensrÿche - Red Rain
Queensrÿche - Before The Storm
R.E.M. - So. Central Rain
RC2 - Voice Of The Storm - Part 1
RC2 - Voice Of The Storm - Part 2
Revis - Caught In The Rain
Richie Sambora - The Wind Cries Mary
Rod Stewart - Mandolin Wind
Rush - Jacob's Ladder
Rush - The Way The Wind Blows
Saliva - Storm
The Samples - When It's Raining
Scale The Summit - Holding Thunder
Scorpions - Wind Of Change
Spheric Universe Experience - Stormy Dome
Spinal Tap - Rainy Day Sun
Spinal Tap - Break Like the Wind
Sprung Monkey - Thunderstruck
Stan Ridgway - Stormy Side of Town
Stephen Bishop - Save It For A Rainy Day
Strapping Young Lad - In The Rainy season
Stream Of Passion - Embrace The Storm
The Swell Season - The Rain
Swimmingpool The Band - Days Run Away V: Thunder
Terence Trent D'Arby - Rain
The The - Kindgom Of Rain
This Picture - Rains Like Fire
Thom Yorke - And It Rained All Night
Thomas Dolby - Windpower
Thunderclap Newman - Something In The Air
Tin Star - Raincheck
Tom Petty - Louisiana Rain
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - It's Rainin' Again
Tom Waits - More Than Rain
Traffic - Coloured Rain
Travis - Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Triumph - Tears In The Rain
The Troggs - When Will The Rain Come
Truth - Heavy Rain
U2 - Electrical Storm (William Orbit Mix)
Vanden Plas - Cold Wind
Vanden Plas - Iodic Rain
Vanden Plas - Rainmaker
White Willow - Storm Season
Widespread Panic - The Wind Cries Mary
Willie Nelson & Leon Russell - Stormy Weather
XTC - Ballet For A Rainy Day

feels like it has been raining for two days straight! Pulled out the 193 title/16 hour rain/wind/storm playlist...music makes everything better!

shares, "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." -Henry Miller

reminds you to pick up Inglourious Basterds at Best Buy because it comes with a bonus, one hour interview with Quentin and the NY Times!

loves a lazy Sunday morning!

hopes your weekend rocks!!

shares, "Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about." -Oscar Wilde

shares, "The manner in which Americans ''consume'' music has a lot to do with leaving it on their coffee tables, or using it as wallpaper for their lifestyles, like the score of a movie --it's consumed that way without any regard for how and why it's made." -Frank Zappa

reminds Rush fans that their 30th anniversary tour film, R30, hits Blu-Ray today!!!

you gotta love a shipping error that gets you Harry Potter 6 on Blu-Ray a day before release!

Great music, amazing weather and a long, brisk walk with the 12 year old "puppy" made a perfect December morning!

shares, "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -Berthold Auerbach

thought Four Christmases was a cute, contemporay Christmas flick...funnier than expected.

thought Terminator Salvation rocked on Blu-Ray! Now, if we could just get Fox into bring back The Sarah Connor Chronicles...and Firefly!

had a very productive Monday! Let us hope the rest of the week follows suit.

is thankful for family and friends! I hope your holiday was as enjoyable as ours!

is actually enjoying long sleeves and jeans; wishing these cool temps would last!

wishes safe travels to those on the road, and to all: Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

shares, "Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake." -Henry David Thoreau

is wishing a Happy Birthday to the greatest woman I have ever known: my Mom!!

shares, "A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence." -Leopold Stokowski

shares, "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." -Ludwig van Beethoven

thinks Star Trek is even better on Blu-Ray! Thank you, JJ Abrams.

loves new release day: Star Trek, Them Crooked Vultures, Assassin's Creed II (and Fight Club on Blu-ray!!) Oh yea!!

thinks those who say Life Is Good are not doing it right; Life Rocks!! Make it great!

is loving this weather!!

revisited the film Near Dark on Blu-ray; still disturbing after 22 years, nice!

70 degrees, a cool breeze and no clouds in the sky makes for a very beautiful Friday the 13th! Cheers

was amazed by Disney/Pixar's Up last night on Blu-ray; a Pixar film is always a treat!!

shares, "The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." -Albert Einstein

says to all Veterans, past and present, who have helped keep us free, "Thank you!"

shares, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." -Carl Sagan

just finished a mile and a half walk with Remy, you would never know this Pomeranian turned 12 Sunday!!

shares, "In music one must think with the heart and feel with the brain." - George Szell

thought Mastodon kicked serious butt outdoors in Pompano Beach tonight, even with 20-30 mph winds!!

wishes Remy a very happy 12th birthday!

shares, "Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together." - Anais Nin

says says, "Remember, remember the Fifth of November..." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

shares, "Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without." -Confucius

wishes Halloween came once a month!!

wonders why Waffle House tastes better after a time change?

shares, "'Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world." ~William Shakespeare

loves Halloween!! Let's make today a Freaky Friday...not in the Disney way, more like a Saw movie! LOL

will have another morning cranked to eleven...with some well deserved rest to follow this afternoon...hopefully!

is cranking it up to ELEVEN today!

is going to make it a terrific Tuesday!!

is going to rock through this Monday; who is with me?

hopes your weekend rocks!!

loves Senseo coffee in the morning, ahhhhhh!

loves driving with the top down on blustery days!

loves the cooler temps but is having a hard time getting adjusted to these things called pants!

highly recommends the new game Brutal Legend if you ever called yourself a fan of Heavy Metal or Jack Black!!

hopes you have a wild and wacky Wednesday! Inject some fun into your week!!

is excited that Sam Raimi's return to horror, Drag Me To Hell, hits Blu-ray today!! Oh yea!

had a very productive Monday! Here is hoping the rest of the week rocks as much!

hit a craft fair then La Bamba for Margaritas and Sangria = a great Sunday afternoon!

92, feels like 100...this is October?

loves Steak 'n Shake!!

highly recommends Trick 'r Treat on Blu-ray for your Halloween movie viewing pleasure; it is a new classic!!

listening to a new KISS album in 2009 is kind of surreal...but also a real hoot! There is something to be said for keeping it simple.

suggests you check out the latest from The Black Crowes...for some sweet Georgia sounds. Rock on!!

is enjoying a beautiful Saturday! Cheers

ate entirely too much seafood! (but enjoyed every bite!!)

shares, "The two most abundant things in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity." -Harlan Ellison

has landed, safe & sound. It is great to be home! Now, when is the next Porcupine Tree tour??

is leaving, on a jet plane...

when in Boston, you must try Douzo for the best modern Japanese food you have ever had! An amazing experience!!

when in Boston, you must try Douzo for the best modern Japanese food you have ever had! An amazing experience!!

is spending the last full day in Boston seeing the sights...along with sampling some fine food and adult beverages!!

thinks Porcupine Tree is the best effing band on the freakin' planet!

had my mind blown by the first set!!!

thought King's X rocked...bring on the amazing Porcupine Tree!!!

had a fab time at Clery's here in Boston! Less than 4 hours till the show!!!!

is having a blast and counting the minutes until Porcupine Tree & King's X tonight!!

thinks Boston rocks!

has landed safely in Boston!!! Boo-ya!

is up way too early but our flight is on schedule!!! Up up and away!

shares, "Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you.” -Aldous Huxley

feasted on some fine grilled seafood this evening, yum!!

six days until Porcupine Tree in Boston!

is soaking up great new music from Porcupine Tree and Muse; it is an amazing week!!

thinks Porcupine Tree's "The Incident" is a brilliant work of art! Cannot wait to see them on the 27th!!

is psyched that the Porcupine Tree limited edition box set arrived today!!!!!!!

looking forward to this fun, busy and productive week!

shares, "When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams." -Dr Seuss

shares, "Do I listen to pop music because I'm miserable or am I miserable because listen to pop music?" - John Cusack (High Fidelity)

put new tires on the Z3 today...thank goodness for extended warranties!!

shares, "Where's your will to be weird?" -Jim Morrison

shares, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known" -Carl Sagan

wonders if I am the only one who knew State Of Play was a BBC mini-series before it was a Hollywood Movie. (P.S. Both are excellent!!)

loves a good thunder storm!

will be glad to see the heat of August go; hoping September brings cooler temps!

enjoyed good food and great companionship...looking forward to an amazing week! Cheers

hopes your weekend rocks, too!! Cheers

likes the new Facebook app for iPhone. Well done, guys!

will have to figure out how to get the cats to simultaneously poop like the dogs just did! That is talent, my friends!!

is juggling two dogs and three cats today...woohoo!

thanks Best Buy for releasing Shaun of the Dead on Blu-Ray a month early!!

shares, "All the good music has already been written by people with wigs and stuff."-Frank Zappa

shares, "You know what your problem is, it's that you haven't seen enough movies - all of life's riddles are answered in the movies." -Steve Martin

shares, "Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body" -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr

shares, "ake a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body" -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr

reminds gamers that Wolfenstein hits stores today for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC!! http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-08-17-wolfenstein_N.htm Going to pick up my pre-order, woohoo!

shares, "It had never occurred to me before that music and thinking are so much alike. In fact you could say music is another way of thinking, or maybe thinking is another kind of music." -Ursula K. Le Guin

is listening to lots of electric guitars today in remembrance of Les Paul! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul

R.I.P. Les Paul http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul Thank you for making rock n roll possible...among other musical things! Cheers

posted a new poll at www.rockfileonline.com Please visit and let me know your music listening preferences. Cheers

shares, "Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life." -Ludwig Van Beethoven

R.I.P. John Hughes, thank you for the memories! (insert quote from Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller or Sixteen Candles.)

38 days and counting: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/porcupinetree/incident/

shares, "Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."" -Jack Burton

shares, "Like I told my last wife, I says, "Honey, I never drive faster than I can see. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes."" -Jack Burton

Jack Burton

Jack Burton: When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."


Big Trouble In Little China will always be one of my favorite John Carpenter movies; it hits blu-ray tomorrow!

[;-)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yM3-YO7qHs

shares, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything." -Plato

posted a new blog at www.rockfileonline.com

24 July 2009: Progressive Nation Tour 2009

Friday night, I met my rock and roll road warrior & friend Bryn Schurman for the opening show of the Progressive Nation Tour 2009 at the confusingly named, but very cool, Fillmore at The Jackie Gleason Theater at Miami Beach. Dream Theater started this idea last year with a tour that included personal favorites 3 and Opeth, along with Between The Buried And me. While I enjoyed last year's show, this was a “proggier” evening.

Houston's Scale The Summit opened the evening with their unique brand of instrumental progressive jazzy metallic rock; music that truly takes you on a journey. Finding out afterward that this was the band's biggest show so far was a bit of a surprise as they gave an inspired and professional performance of technical virtuosity and melodic composition. Hearing them perform the music from their second album live made me a die-hard fan…this band is only getting better!

L.A. band, Bigelf took the stage second with sense of psychedelic style that takes cues from all the biggest names of the 60-70’s; weaving a sound reminiscent of a bazaar mix of Deep Purple and Arthur Brown. Although unfamiliar with their work, I enjoyed their performance…and retro clothing; Bigelf is now marked for further investigation.

Being introduced to Frank Zappa at a young age has its pros and cons; it opens your musical mind to many unconsidered possibilities but almost ruins mainstream music for you…for life. Dweezil spent a long time perfecting this tribute to his father’s work and it shows. Having witnessed the original Zappa Plays Zappa 2006 tour on DVD, I was expecting great things from the current version of the lineup. No one was disappointed as this tight ensemble performed very difficult music flawlessly. If you have ever loved Frank, check out Zappa Plays Zappa in any form possible!

Dream Theater has made their career outside the mainstream; little radio/video support has not hurt the band’s popularity considering they are currently enjoying some of the biggest successes of their entire history. Known for their considerable music chops, this was one of their best shows that I have personally seen. Although never a huge fan, they earned points with me on their current album and tour; especially the epic tune, “The Count of Tuscany”. If you have ever enjoyed a Dream Theater album or show, you owe it to yourself to see this tour; the band is on their game.

Progressive Nation 2009 is a five hour music journey through widely varying artists who deserve your attention. You may not like all four but you will definitely appreciate their passion and you may find a new favorite.

cannot wait to hear the new Riverside album, "Anno Domini High Definition"...in stores today!!!

new poll up at www.rockfileonline.com

p.s. Dweezil where were you...we missed you! [;-)

It is a pleasure to hang out with rockstars who are actually nice! Kudos to Scale The Summit, BigElf and Dream Theater!

Great show! Waiting backstage for Dream Theater!

Blown away by Zappa Plays Zappa! Next up: Dream Theater

Zappa Plays Zappa is about to hit the stage!

BigElf rocked a big 70's vibe in their first Miami show. I am psyched for the next band at Progressive Nation 2009: Zappa Plays Zappa!!

instrumental band fron Houston, Scale The Summit kicked ass! Progressive Nation continues with Bigelf next! Miami is rockin'!

waiting for Scale The Summit to begin!

At the Jackie Gleason Theater Miami Beach for the first night of the Prograssive Nation Tour!

what is that I smell? Ahhhh, The Weekend!!

Coraline was great despite the changes from Gaiman's book. Watchmen's Maximum Movie Mode will have to wait...

Finally sitting down to watch Coraline on Blu-Ray. Now, 2-D or 3-D?

shares a favorite; "If music be the food of love, play on." -William Shakespeare

cannot wait!!! http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/page/News?news_id=80332

Watchmen AND Coraline on Blu-Ray today!!! Cha-ching!!!

Dream well...

feed your brain: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327171.500-electric-cars-juiced-up-and-ready-to-go.html?page=1

http://rockfileonline.com

No Intention of Giving Up

For those in San Antonio and Everywhere:

SAVE THE DATE...

The SA Craft Mafia fundraiser for member Katherine Brown. She is fighting glioblastoma (aka stage 4 brain cancer) and has...

--No Intention of Giving Up--

Save Sunday July 26th 4pm - 8pm at the:

Tiki Lounge at El Tropicano

with music by Austin's TURBO 350.

Free refreshments and pay-as-you-go bar. Kat's art and jewelry will be for sale - take this chance to get an original piece of assemblage art. We will also accept straight-up donations for her and her children. Every penny counts.










Some links to learn more about Kat's journey:

Article in the San Antonio Express News (thank you, Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Battling_to_beat_brain_cancer.html

Article in Handmade News (thank you, Nichole Jeske) http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=1240

SPREAD THE WORD

new blog posted at http://rockfileonline.com

Quick Blu-ray Reviews: 16 July 2009

Knowing

Not what you expect. I can see why some critics are not fans of this film but I thought it was quite entertaining. Alex Proyas (I Robot, Dark City, The Crow) is one of my favorite directors and he pulled convincing performances out of everyone, including Nicholas Cage; who starts the film in typical Cage-mode but then finds great depth in the role. Some complain about the Twilight Zone-ish ending but I enjoyed it. I also enjoy a film that leaves enough room for questions and conversation after; Knowing definitely is one of those! The Blu-ray is about as perfect a presentation as I have seen from recent releases.


Push

The obvious start to a "superhero" franchise that doesn't really have an ending. Dakota Fanning is a little shaky in the beginning but fills out her "more mature" role nicely. (Although the short "drunken" sequence could have been cut.) Everyone else does fine with what they are given. It is not a bad film, it just doesn't quite come together. Feeling too much like a part one and not a stand alone movie, I still enjoyed my time spent watching. There are enough interesting concepts to rate a rental but a purchase is only for fans. The Blu-ray has exceptional picture and sound and the extras are also in HD.


Iron Maiden Flight 666

If you are a fan, stop reading and buy this now. For everyone else, this is one of the best rock documentaries of all time and as an added bonus, you get a full show of songs. Both the feature and concert are shot in full HD and digital surround sound. (The Blu-ray have both on one disc, the DVD is a 2-disc set.) There are no extras other than the concert, but this is a quality package that should be in all metal music collections! This is the best live Maiden footage you will find and the story of one of the most ambitious tour outings ever is definitely worth seeing more than once. The Blu-ray looks amazing and other than a few audio glitches, the mix was thunderous. Not just for Iron Maiden fans; pick this up if you love live rock and roll! Up the Irons!


True Blood The Complete First Season

Rarely, if ever, has someone adapted a novel and made the show better than it's written counterpart. As a vampire fan who is always looking for another guilty pleasure, this series is much, much more. Created/Adapted by Alan Ball (Six Feet Under) and using a variety of movie proven & up and coming directors, this show truly captures the flavor of the books and deepens the characterizations. A few changes are made but so far they appear to enhance the storylines and maintain the mood of the work. The Blu-ray set is light on extras but has near perfect video and sound. Highly recommended for fans of vampire horror and gothic mystery.


Star Trek: The Original Series: Season 1

At times it is hard to believe this is the show I have watched since I was in diapers. Some of my earliest childhood memories are from Star Trek; it debuted when I was four months old and I can remember sitting on the floor in front of the TV with my Dad. The restoration of this show is breathtaking; whether you watch the episodes with the new, modern special effects or the orginal charming but cheesy ones. Sound and video look almost new and the extras are facinating. This Blu-ray set will definitely be on year-end best-of lists and I cannot wait for Season 2!!

shares, "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." -Aldous Huxley

this sounds so good, I will post again: If you want to hear a 7 minute sample of THE progressive pock release of 2009, visit http://www.myspace.com/porcupinetree

is amazed by the Porcupine Tree album preview now streaming from http://www.myspace.com/porcupinetree WOW!

shares, "A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing." -Emo Philips

Testing iPhone 3GS video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5-zFgq0VvE

posted new Porcupine Tree info at rockfileonline.com. Enjoy

Porcupine Tree News 11 July 2009

PORCUPINE TREE - THE INCIDENT

Written and recorded between September-May, "The Incident" is the tenth studio album by Porcupine Tree. Released worldwide by Roadrunner on 14th September (one week earlier than previously announced in order to coincide with the first tour dates), the album is a 2 disc set, the first disc containing the 55 minute title track / song cycle, and the second CD featuring 4 shorter pieces. There will be 3 editions of the album; a standard 2 CD set, a deluxe edition (contents to be confirmed), and a double vinyl version.

The album cover, as photographed by lasse hoile, can be viewed here:
http://www.lassehoile.com/incident/The_Incident.jpg

AUDIO PREVIEW

The band will be posting a medley of extracts from The Incident on its myspace page -- http://www.myspace.com/porcupinetree - on Monday, 13th July. The medley will also be posted on Roadrunner UK's website the same day at 4PM UK time at http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/.

AUTUMN TOUR

The band's Autumn tour is now completely confirmed. For a full list of dates/venues, please go to http://www.porcupinetree.com/tour.cfm. Support acts for the European tour have also been announced: http://www.porcupinetree.com/news.cfm#1678

hopes your weekend rocks! Cheers

had a very productive day! Bring on the weekend!! Cheers

is testing a new iPhone app...guess it worked. Cheers

Interviews: Free Downloads

In an effort to get around the limitations of the player on my www.myspace.com/rockfile page, here are some of my interviews you can download and enjoy from some killer artists:

Jem Godfrey of Frost* = http://rapidshare.com/files/183958216/Frost_Interview_20090113.mp3

Nicolas Chapel of Demians = http://rapidshare.com/files/184265270/DemiansPart1a128.mp3

Nicolas Chapel of Demians part 2 = http://rapidshare.com/files/184271482/DemiansPart2a128.mp3

Joey Eppard of 3 = http://rapidshare.com/files/184275310/Joey01.mp3

Joey Eppard of 3 = http://rapidshare.com/files/184275311/Joey02.mp3


Omer Ephrat of Ephrat = http://rapidshare.com/files/187223614/Ephrat_interview.mp3


Learn about some new artists and music...and enjoy!

For archival: 2008 Favorites

My Favorite CDs of 2008
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Music

Steven Wilson – "Insurgentes"
Demians – "Building an Empire"
Lunatic Soul – "Lunatic Soul"
Frost* - Experiments In Mass Appeal"
Ephrat – "No One's Words"
Pineapple Thief – "Tightly Unwound"
No-Man – "Schoolyard Ghosts"
Anathema – "Hindsight"
Serenity – "Fallen Sanctuary"
Andromeda – "The Immunity Zone"
Into Eternity – "The Incurable Tragedy"
Amaseffer – "Slaves For Life"
Nosound – "Lightdark"
Opeth – "Watershed"
John Legend – "Evolver"



Steven Wilson – Insurgentes

With a career that spans over 20 years and several bands/projects, SW has finally released his first solo album. The standard edition will be out in early 2009 but fans have already snapped up the Limited internet pre-order edition of which only 3000 were made. (Plus, 1000 on high quality vinyl) The set includes the CD, a bonus CD and a DVD with the 5.1 mix of the album and an 18 minute excerpt from the upcoming documentary about the project, all housed in an amazing coffee table-style book of Lasse Hoile's photography. The art presented here is immense and takes a while to digest. All albums should be put together and packaged with this much care.


Demians – Building an Empire

This French progressive rock project from Nicolas Chapel got high praise before its release from Steven Wilson, "One of the most assured and accomplished debut albums I've ever heard, the textures and dynamics within the music are breathtaking. A must for everyone that appreciates the art of epic and ambitious 21st century rock music" Six months after its release, the praise keeps coming from around the world and the CD is winding up at near the top of most year-end lists. This is easily my most listened to album of the year…and you owe it to yourself to get a copy.


Lunatic Soul – Lunatic Soul

Mariusz Duda of Riverside stretches his musical boundaries with an album he describes as Chinese Alternative and is completely devoid of electric guitars. A perfect companion on those self-reflective dark nights, the CD is another of my most listened to albums this year.


Frost* - Experiments in Mass Appeal

Mixing genre's and styles with ease, you will find lots to enjoy on this labor of love. Watch the two and a half hours of behind the scenes footage on the Special Edition's DVD to get the full grasp of the time and effort poured into this amazing album. This, their second album, is even more assured and interesting than their first and finally hits US record stores in January.


Ephrat – No One's Words

With only six tracks on this hour long disc, there is a multitude of sounds and melodies to feast on. A new Israeli artist whose debut album was mixed by Steven Wilson, Ephrat is one of the freshest Prog releases this year.


Pineapple Thief – Tightly Unwound

This UK outfit's 2008 release is their seventh album and their best yet! I am still amazed they do not have a bigger following on this side of the Atlantic. Moody yet spirited progressive pop that is definitely worth checking out!


No-Man – Schoolyard Ghosts

Steven Wilson's project with Tim Bowness returned in 2008 with an album and tour! Not just a rehash of previous works, the pair let the music and moods breathe, providing their best work yet. Kudos again to Steven Wilson, who created a DVD 5.1 surround mix of the album and included it in the package. I hope this becomes the norm for important releases.


Anathema – Hindsight

Having started as a gothic death metal band, you cannot imagine their latest is the same band. Taking classic tracks from their past and expanding on them in surprisingly mellow ways, created one of the most listenable albums of the year. The sole new song on the disc proves bigger things are yet to come from this UK outfit considering the songs were recorded and mixed by the band, independent of any record company.


Serenity – Fallen Sanctuary

Symphonic Power Metal from Austria, Serenity's second full length album builds on the tradition of their first and other artists of the genre like Kamelot and Threshold. Melodic and symphonic, this album rocks from start to finish.


Andromeda – The Immunity Zone

Sweden's Andromeda made their US debut this year, just a week after the release for their fourth CD. The band performed a stellar set at Atlanta's ProgPower Festival in September and created a whole new fan base. The Immunity Zone shows the band perfecting the differing styles showcased on their first three releases. Short, radio friendly Prog metal tunes mingle with more epic and impressive long pieces.


Into Eternity – The Incurable Tragedy

If I had not seen this Canadian band pull off what it does live, I probably would not be a fan. Although there is some beautiful music on this disc, other tracks are as thrash heavy as any band you can imagine. It is how they put this together into one cohesive package that shows their musical range and talent. A semi-conceptual album about cancer, it is not exactly an uplifting album, yet when you are finished you feel…better.


Amaseffer – Slaves for Life

An ambitious project to tell the Biblical story of the Jews through Progressive Metal and atmospheric soundscapes, this is the first of a planned trilogy. Put on this CD and be transported back in time with a story of courage and determination. Following the path of bands like Orphaned Land, Amaseffer's opening segment of this massive project is an amazing work of passion and fire that should have a place in your collection.


Nosound - Lightdark

To quote their last.fm page, "Nosound inventively combines influences from '70s psychedelia,'80s/'90s ambient and contemporary alternative, post and progressive rock." That about sums it up! A bio from their label says, "Formed in Italy in 2001, Giancarlo Erra's Nosound creates a seductive and original fusion of elements of Progressive, Ambient and Post Rock." Lightdark is their second release and even more unique sounding than their debut. Just on the edge of ambient with more structure than abstract, this is something I listen to often.


Opeth - Watershed

Masters of Swedish Metal released an album that succeeds in perfectly blending the heavy and mellow aspects of their past works into a more cohesive whole. They have tried a similar tact (with Steven Wilson producing) the Damnation and Deliverance albums of heavy and light in 2002/2003. Now with some new blood in the band, they sound even more comfortable in the juxtaposition of styles and moods.


John Legend – Evolver

John stretches a little on his third release and comes up with a surprisingly uplifting R&B album, considering some of the more "interesting" relationships described in the songs. Music's most honest voice, John Legend works with several other artists yet still retains what makes him unique in today's music scene.




My Favorite Live Albums of 2008


David Gilmour - Live in Gdansk

Whichever flavor you decided to buy, this is a live box set of epic proportions! Opting for the 5 disc set myself, the performance is as flawless as the production. Loads of extras plus the 5.1 Surround mix of his most recent solo album, On an Island; this is a "must-have set" for any music lover.


Porcupine Tree – We Lost the Skyline

This would be high on my list even if I had not been present when it was recorded. 200+ people in a small music store in Orlando were treated to an impromptu performance from Steven Wilson, with touring member John Wesley, when the stage turned out to be too small for the full band. Having been there, this CD captures the intensity of the performance like few others can. A very worthy live EP to pick up!


Pure Reason Revolution - Live at Nearfest

Creating a completely different mood than their major label debut, this is a vibrant live performance from a band that is still growing. Seek this out and be amazed.


Rush – Snakes & Arrows Live

Even better than their 20th anniversary tour, Rush is at the height of their game of Snakes & Arrows live. The audio document of the tour highlights killer classics with the best of their new material…which is their strongest since the early 90's. (Since the tour was also captured with high def cameras, spring for the Blu-ray release, too!)

The Police - Certifiable: Live In Buenos Aires

This CD/DVD or Blu-ray set is a Best Buy exclusive and an amazing portrait of a band that has only gotten better with age. Shedding all preconceptions, the band took the stage and rocked. Taking songs that could have mellowed with age and re-infusing them with rock and roll. One of the best tours of 2007 made a great live release in 2008.

Linkin Park – Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keynes

Linkin Park has always been a very strong live act and this CD/DVD set captures their latest tour in a truly professional fashion. The music mix is hot and having the video makes it.

Muse – H.A.A.R.P.

See the above review but substitute a blistering set at Wembley Stadium. LOL




Best Comebacks of 2008:


Metallica – Death Magnetic

Like most fans, I was very disappointed by St Anger and really hadn't felt the love since before "the black album". Well, Metallica returned with their best album since And Justice for All and proved they still have what it takes to rock. Not the true classic I hoped for but a terrific comeback nonetheless.


R.E.M. – Accelerate

The Athens, GA favorites I practically grew up with returned with their best album in 20 years. It is everything you love about the band and then some.


Journey – Revelation

The YouTube addition of Arnel Pineada re-energized these arena rock stars back into an image of their former fiery selves. No, it is not the same as the old days….but it is a lot closer than you think. Seeing them live proved it.


AC/DC – Black Ice

The Australian rockers returned with a heaping helping of what they do best. Arguably as strong as any album since Back in Black, the Wal-mart exclusive is a worthy spin of retro heavy rock.


The Pretenders – Break Up the Concrete

The Pretenders' new album rocks, plain and simple! The band returns to its "punk-ier" roots and adds a dash of rockabilly jam. They haven't sounded this good since the debut.


Zappa Plays Zappa - Live

Dwezel worked hard to come up with a fitting tribute to his late father Frank and took the show on the road. The audio document is not really a comeback but a re-introduction of what made Zappa's music great. And I am so glad it is back!


Extreme - Saudades De Rock

Boston rockers Extreme returned from the land of lost rock bands with a tight album of polished rock and roll. Bettering most of their 90's output, this album captures the spirit of a band maturing…in a good way.


Guns N' Roses– Chinese Democracy

Too many years and WAY too much money, I honestly think the album would have been better received as an Axl solo CD. Not nearly as bad as I expected, some of it was obviously "overcooked" but there are some interesting musical ideas in the mix. Here is another rock artist maturing, in surprising ways…it is more listenable than anything that followed Appetite and Lies.




2008 Honorable Mentions:

Nine Inch Nails – "The Slip" and "Ghosts I-IV"
ASHES dIVIDE – "Keep Telling Myself It's Alright"
Joe Jackson – "Rain"
Richard Barbieri – "Stranger Inside"
Dr. Horrible Cast - Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Soundtrack
Austrian Death Machine – "Total Brutal"
Henry Rollins – "Henry Rollins Provoked"
Truth – "Machine"
Evergrey – "Torn"
Shinedown – "The Sound of Madness"
Dust For Life – "The Consequence Of Vanishing"
Snow Patrol – "A Hundred Million Suns"
10 Years – "Division"
Unitopia – "The Garden"
Sia – "Some People Have Real Problems"
Thea Gilmore – "Tearjacker"
Jupiter Society – "First Contact Last Warning"
Seven Steps To The Green Door – "Step In 2 My World"
Sieges Even – "Playground"
Sylvan – "Leaving Backstage"
King's X – "XV"
Alanis Morissette – "Flavors Of Entanglement"
Satellite – "Into The Night"
Black Tide – "Light From Above"
Apocalyptica – "Worlds Collide"
Jenny Lewis – "Acid Tongue"
All That Remains – "Overcome"
Pistol Opera – "Obama EP"
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Re-masters

All of the above are great efforts, I just ran out of room and time. NIN and Joe Jackson are among the artist's best work and Ashes Divide made a formidable debut. I need to listen to Richard's album more, I enjoy more with each. When I want to smile, Dr Horrible and ADM bring much joy…for different moods. I haven't had this much fun with an album since the first Tenacious D.




Best Re-releases:


Genesis – 1970-1975 Box Set

Every classic collection should be handled with this care. Re-mastered CDs, DVDs with 5.1 mixes, interviews and archive footage, booklets and bonus tracks (also in surround)…this is one amazing set, equaling, and maybe even topping, the 1976-1982 set from 2007.


Kansas – Two for the Show (Re-master)

Take a classic live album, remaster it and include a full second CD of tracks that never made the original 30 years ago. Wow. The band comments that the first thing they thought when they heard it for the first time in years is how fast they played everything. This is a document of a band on fire and at their peak. Grab it!


3 – The End Is Begun Special Edition

Add a classic Pink Floyd tune and a DVD of live performances and videos to one of the best albums of 2007 and tadaaa…a classic! No one does Progressive Rock live 3!


Kamelot– Ghost Opera Second Coming

Add a second CD with their first concert from Belgrade to an already great CD from 2007 and the Tampa band is still not as huge as they should be in the US. Symphonic Power Metal as it's finest.


Symphony X - Paradise Lost 5.1 Edition

The already classic 2007 album remixed into digital 5.1 surround and includes both videos made for the release. The best part is the inclusion of the lyrics on screen while you listen. (So few audio DVDs do that, why?)

My Favorite Blu-rays (& DVDs) of 2008
Current mood: thoughtful
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

I made the switch to Blu-ray in the summer of 2007 and I have been loving high def movies ever since. As a consequence, I buy very few standard DVDs anymore. Other than a few releases near the bottom that are not available ..ay, all of the titles below are next gen:

My Favorite Blu-rays of 2008

Wall-e - A classic, period.

There Will Be Blood - Surprised me in many ways, a must see for original cinema

No Country For Old Men - Perfectly executed film, a beautiful Blu-ray.

The Dark Knight - Attains levels above all super hero movies!

Iron Man - As fun as a super hero movie should be.

Hellboy II The Golden Army - Took a super hero movie into the fantasy world and topped the original.

Tropic Thunder - A classic comedy with a smokin' Blu-ray picture!

Wanted - The action movie re-defined on a perfect Blu-ray.

30 Days of Night - A modern vampire classic, beautiful Blu-ray.

Speed Racer - No matter what you think of the movie, nothing else blows away eyeballs ..ay better than this.

The Fall - A visual tour de force that become a feast to enjoy ..ay.

I Am Legend - The closest in tone to the original book gets a perfect HD transfer.

Sweeny Todd - Tim Burton's most beautiful Blu-ray.

Shoot Em Up - A pure action movie with a razor sharp HD transfer.

Sunshine - An almost perfect sci-fi mind job with a flawless Blu-ray transfer.

Cloverfield - Surprisingly effective style translates perfectly to high def.

The Proposition - A quirky little western from down under that looks amazing in HD.

The Bank Job - Classic style done today, with a really sharp transfer.

Across The Universe - One long music video with colorful images that sing in HD

3:10 to Yuma - A remake that becomes a modern classic western is given stellar treatment ..ay

Catalog re-releases

Baraka - The restoration from 70mm must be seen.

Dark City: Director's Cut - A better cut of the movie that looks brand new ..ay.

James Bond 007 - Six movies have been restored digitally frame by frame and released: so far, so amazing!

Serenity -A modern classic gets a sweet HD transfer.

The Matrix Ultimate Box Set - The first gets the most re-mastered treatment, but what really makes the set shine is the Animatrix in HD

Batman Begins - A cut above the average super hero movie and a great transfer

I, Robot – A Perfect Transfer

The Nightmare Before Christmas – Beautifully restored

Jet Li's Fearless – Looks amazing. Now where is Hero??

Young Frankenstein

Kill Bill

Transformers

Event Horizon

Beetlejuice

Gattaca

Sin City (Canadian Import)

Starship Troopers

Resident Evil Trilogy

From Dusk Till Dawn (Canadian Import)

Eastern Promises

Heathers

Life Of Brian

Dogma

The Doors

Unbreakable

All of these movies look "night and day" better than their standard DVD counterparts, highly recommended!

TV

Band of Brothers

Firefly – The Complete Series

Weeds - Season 3

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Season One

Supernatural - Season 3

Lost – The Complete Fourth Season

Mad Men – Season One

Some TV was made for High Def; these are the best looking and most improved with Blu-ray transfers.

Music Blu-ray

The Police - Certifiable: Live In Buenos Aires

Rush - Snakes & Arrows Live

AC/DC - No Bull

Heart - Alive In Seattle

The Moody Blues - Lovely to See You

When live concerts are filmed in high def it is almost better than being there. The seats sure are better!

Standard DVD

David Gilmour - Live In Gdansk

Lacuna Coil - Visual Karma (Limited 4-disc)

Spaced - The Complete Series

Penn & Teller Bullshit - 5^th Season

Dexter - Season 2

John from Cincinnati - The Complete Series

The Frolic - Collector's Edition

Zappa Plays Zappa – Live

The Swell Season - In Concert

Genesis - When In Rome

Iron Maiden - Live After Death

Lost Highway - Spotlight Series

Who knows when some if any of the above will be released ..ay, at least we finally got a legitimate copy of Lost Highway instead of a foreign bootleg from EBay!

Tamoh Penikett: Feb 2009

If you are a fan of Battlestar Galactica or Joss Whedon, I just posted my interview this morning with Tahmoh Penikett. He played Helo on BSG and is now FBI Agent Paul Ballard on Joss Whedon's DOLLHOUSE, which starts Feb 13th.

The interview is only four minutes and it is streaming from my "pro" MySpace page linked below. Enjoy

http://www.myspace.com/rockfile







And if you want to download the interview, click this link:
http://rapidshare.com/files/197217772/Tahmoh_Penikett_Interview.mp3


Cheers

re-blog: February 2009

to start my new blog site I am re-posting some previous blogs from other places...sorry for the redundancy.



Now that I have spent a little more time on Facebook....I still enjoy Myspace more. LOL FB has been a great way to re-connect with friends I haven't spoken to in 20 years or more, all my friends from high school and college. Plus, folks I have met on my "travels" during my radio career.

Facebook also has groups and causes you can join for networking and information sharing. Anyone can create one and I stumbled on a choice from my hometown that applies to everywhere. (At least everywhere I have been driving lately!)

Most drivers these days seem to have never passed any kind of driver's education or driving test. Not just a lack of courtesy on most driver's part but the appearance of a complete lack of understanding the rules of how traffic flows. And now I know I am not alone....

If you're not doing 80mph in the left lane, get the F*CK out of my way!!!!!

Atlanta, GA

Description:

Welcome to Atlanta. This is a really big city. It is 50 miles across. We get places in a reasonable amount of time by driving REALLY fast- and the cops know it and give us a little bit of leeway.

We drive fast and reckless. If it is not rush hour traffic, then the average speed on the interstate is around 80mph. This is not in the left lane, but on the entire interstate in general. If you drive at 55mph you are putting your life in danger, as someone is liable to run into the back of your car at 80+mph because you are going sooo slow. If you can't drive quickly, you should not drive here.

But the left lane is reserved for those people who desire to get where they're going especially quickly. PLEASE- if you're in the left lane and you're not doing at least 80, MOVE THE F*CK OVER.... get the F*CK out of my way- because I don't know about you, but I've got places to go. Thank you!

I would like to emphasize that this group does not advocate speeding or
reckless driving, but merely the preservation of the flow of traffic.
The highway is designed such that fast cars drive on the left and slow
ones on the right. The far left lane is for passing. If you're not
passing someone, MOVE OVER!

as of this morning, it has 2,653 members....but I think it will be huge!

Put down the phone, move over and drive safe out there.