Happy Birthday HENRY ROLLINS (video)

A big Happy Birthday to one of my favorite people on the planet. 

And I'm not even a huge fan of his music, 

but I love what he has to say.

Keep on doing what you do, Henry! \m/

BIO:
Henry Rollins (born February 13, 1961) is an American spoken word artist, musician, writer, journalist, comedian, publisher, actor, radio DJ, and activist.

After performing for the short-lived Washington D.C.-based band State of Alert in 1980, Rollins fronted the California hardcore punk band Black Flag from August 1981 until mid-1986. Following the band's breakup, Rollins established the record label and publishing company 2.13.61 to release his spoken word albums, as well as forming the Rollins Band, which toured with a number of lineups from 1987 until 2003, and during 2006.

 

Since Black Flag disbanded, Rollins has hosted numerous radio shows, such as Harmony in My Head on Indie 103, and television shows such as The Henry Rollins Show, MTV's 120 Minutes, and Jackass. He had a recurring dramatic role in the second season of Sons of Anarchy and has also had roles in several films. Rollins has also campaigned for various political causes in the United States, including promoting LGBT rights, World Hunger Relief, and an end to war in particular, and tours overseas with the United Service Organizations to entertain American troops.

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ATOMSHIP - The Crash Of '47 (video)

While doing research for this week's episode of my show PROGRESS, I found myself looking for some music that may have been "missed" in the last few years.  The short-lived group ATOMSHIP was just what I was needed.

The 2004 album The Crash of '47 has slowly creeped it's way into a regular slot in my personal listening library since I got a copy a few years ago.  Skirting a line between mainstream hard rock and progressive experimentation, the album has a groove and feel that makes me wonder what could have been. 

Here is the only official single/video from the album:

This song was on the Punisher soundtrack:

a favorite from the album:

The members of the original band have something new coming here 

and Joey Culver's latest project is here

Some history from wikipedia:

Watership Down (formerly known as Atomship and AtomshipDown) is a three-piece rock band, composed of Derek Pardoe, Chad Kent, and current Together Tomorrow guitarist Jesse Duncan. Nathan Slade was the band's original guitarist until his death in December 2009. The band was known as Watership Down in 2002, before changing their name to Atomship that year, which ran until the band's disbandment in 2004, shortly after the release of their debut album, The Crash of '47. Joey Culver stood in for Derek Pardoe on the recording of The Crash of '47, as Pardoe was unable to due to his anxiety. Atomship was dropped from Wind-Up Records due to poor record sales. In 2006, Atomship reformed as AtomshipDown. In 2010, AtomshipDown reverted their name back to Watership Down.

source: wikipedia

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INTRONAUT release Milk Leg (video)

I got to see this band open for Cynic a couple of years ago and was blown away.  

This is the first track from their upcoming album.

from the band:

Post-metal prog phenomenon INTRONAUT has revealed the album artwork and track listing for their highly anticipated album, HABITUTAL LEVITATIONS.  Due out on March 19, 2013 in North America, HABITUAL LEVITATIONS will be the group's fourth full-length album.  The album artwork and layout was done by David D'Andrea who has worked with the band on previous releases.  The cover art along with the track listing was posted by Loudwire.com earlier today and can be seen below.

"Milk Leg" - the first song to be revealed from the new album - has caused a stir amongst INTRONAUT fans with MetalInjection.net declaring, "The track is everything that rules about a 'naut song" and MetalSucks.net stating, "If you don't love it, you should probably go bang your head against a wall for an hour, as you appear to have gone stupid."  INTRONAUT just released a track video or "Milk Leg" which can be seen and heard here and as of today, the song available for purchase on all digital outlets.  In addition, the song will be released as a single sided, etched 7" vinyl, release date TBA and can be pre-ordered here:  http://www.cmdistro.com/Item/Intronaut_-_Milk_Leg_Etched_7_inch_Vinyl_-PRE-ORDER-/44283

Leading up to the release of HABITUAL LEVITATIONS, INTRONAUT will be on the road with MESHUGGAH and ANIMALS AS LEADERS, following a small run of headlining dates. 

Band history:

INTRONAUT features guitarist/vocalist Sacha Dunable, guitarist/vocalist/percussionist David Timnick, drummer Danny Walker, and bassist Joe Lester. In 2005, INTRONAUT released a four-track demo entitled Null – Demonstration Extended Play Compact Disc. They signed to Goodfellow Records in October, and in early April 2006, recorded Void at Shiva Industries in Santa Ana, California with producer John Haddad.

In January 2008, the band announced that they had signed a world wide deal with Century Media Records, and completed their next album, Prehistoricisms. They also covered Eyehategod's Dixie Whiskey for the Century Media 20th Anniversary cover album.

In April 2009, INTRONAUT went on tour with Kylesa and Mastodon to support Mastodon's release of Crack the Skye.

In October 2009, INTRONAUT played several shows in front of thousands of fans in Kolkata and in Pragati Maidan, Delhi for the Great Indian Rock Festival XIII.

In the summer of 2010, INTRONAUT released their third full-length album, Valley of Smoke, featuring a guest appearance from Justin Chancellor from Tool.

In late 2010, INTRONAUT opened for Cynic as part of Cynic's "Re-Traced/Re-Focused Tour" all over the United States and Canada, and shortly thereafter toured North America again opening for Helmet.

In mid-2011, INTRONAUT toured Europe with The Ocean and Red Fang, then toured North America with Animals As Leaders, Dead Letter Circus, and Last Chance to Reason, and then toured Europe again with Ghost Brigade and A Storm of Light.

In early 2012, INTRONAUT supported Tool on the first leg of their North American tour.





source: INTRONAUT  






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BIOSHOCK INFINITE trailer (video)

The makers of BIOSHOCK INFINITE have posted a new trailer to get us ready for the March 26th release.
Here is a quick look back:

The underwater setting is what drew me to the first Bioshock game.  

Although too short and not much of a step forward, I enjoyed Bioshock 2. 

But, this looks like a whole new level of fun!

Pre-order here:
https://store.irrationalgames.com/Category.aspx?c=BioshockInfinite

source: Bioshock

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Installing a NEST (pictures/video)

After reading many reviews and looking at all the options, I bought Lisa a Second Generation NEST Learning Thermostat for her birthday. (I know romantic, right?)

Well, it is a sexy piece of technology and, since we enjoy home improvement, she was very excited.

It really could not have been simpler to install.
First, look at your old connections and let the Nest website know what you have.
They instantly tell you if you are compatible or not. We were. 

The old unit

The packaging is very nice. Very "apple". 

You are given many options for installation. 

Once you input your old configuration,  
Nest gives you a printout of what your new setup will look like.

 Label the wires with the stickers supplied.

Install whichever of the options you need for your situation.

Connections are spring-loaded clips, like the ones for audio speakers.

Snap the unit on.

Turn on the power.

The icons rotate around the screen And setup starts.

When finished, the unit began to function. Then I set up the wifi connection.

It will give you as much info as you like. Even when a software update is available.

 

When I logged into the website... tadaaa

Once connected, we can control the unit for any web browser or smartphone.

The iPhone App

The Nest will chart our activity and usage.

Now that is has been working a couple of hours, all is well. It seems to be working as advertised. I will post updates after we take some time to evaluate. So far, so great!

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