last flowers to the hospital

It has been over two years since I last wrote something here. And holy shit it was two years that I won't forget anytime soon. I've been to concerts, played shows, bought way to many records and I mean actual records you know LPs, been in the hospital way to many times, became unemployed, bought more records, you get the idea. I guess we can go in chronological order. Spring of 2010 was rather uneventful, work, played shows, worked, repeat. The summer was good hot, but good. I went to see Spiritualized perform "Ladies and Gentleman We are Floating in Space" at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. I had only just gotten into them thanks to my coworker(who also got me into The Jesus Lizard) he had mentioned the show and asked if I was going but I hadn't bought tickets, his friend had originally said they were going then had to back down so I was up for the ticket, plus I don't mind driving while my coworker drinks. The best show I have ever been to hands down, no doubt whatsoever. It was just Spiritualized playing the record along with, a full choir and orchestra backing them. Absolutely amazing. I'm sure I shed a tear at some point in the set. No other concert can compare to that ever. The next few months were uneventful until around October. I was let go because business slows down in the winter months, but I am still in very good terms with my former employer, as soon as I can get around without assistents the boss said I could return. Then came November, I saw the original line-up of reunited Guided by Voices at Terminal 5 in NYC a great show but soon after that show I found out that the night before New Years Eve they were playing at Maxwells in Hoboken, a band that usually plays 1800 or more capacity venues was playing a 250 cap venue that I have also played at. Tickets were $75 so it took me a little while to decide If I wanted to throw down $150 for two tickets, so I thought about it for about 2 seconds and said absolutely yes. I offered the second to a friend from New Hampshire who I also took to see his first GBV show almost 6 years prior. He said yes so I was excited for this show. I was a bit under the weather(more about that later) but seeing my favourite band in such a small place was absolutely amazing. I think they played somewhere around 50 or more songs, but most of their songs are about a minute. So anyway, I spent that NYE at Neils with my friends from New Hampshire. January 3rd was my 29th birthday, and nothing eventful happened, I turned another year older. I wasn't feeling that great since about Thanksgiving and it can to a culmination about the 10th of January, the day I went into the hospital in the first time in over ten years. What I decided to do, and I don't recommend doing is stop taking my medicine as prescribed so I wound up rejecting my kidney. I am an idiot. I started hemo-dialysis right of way and I started feeling better. I was in the hospital for a few more days and went home. When I am on hemo-dialysis went go to a local dialysis clinic and got hooked up to a machine for 3-4 hours. The machine filtered my blood, something the kidney could no longer do for me. Their is also a pretty strict diet when on HD. I couldn't eat many foods with Phosphorus or very salty foods and I was on a fluid restriction not being able to drink more than 32 ounces of fluid a day, or I would retain a lot of fluid and become a little bloated with extra fluid. Things were getting back to normal but I didn't like hemo-dialysis, the clinic was rather depressing and It actually took up a lot of my time. I really didn't mind but by the time I drove there, had my treatment and drove home it would take six hours out of my day. Plus if I made it permanent I would have a fistula in my arm and be stuck with two needles three times a week, which isn't really my idea of a good time. I decided to switch to peritoneal dialysis. On peritoneal dialysis I have a catheter in my abdomen and 10 hours a night it fills, dwells, fills, a continuos cycle. The amount of fluid and how many cycles I do depends on the prescription my doctor gave me. The nice thing about PD is that I have my days free and I don't have to go to the depressing dialysis center. The other thing I like about PD is that it is easier to travel with it. Also the diet is much more liberal since you do PD every night. The summer was rather uneventful until the end of June. I have bad knees and hips because one of the medications I have been on since my first kidney transplant(1988). This medication over time causes bone decay in the joints, especially the knees and hips. I have actually had about two pieces of bone about the size of a quarter taken out of my right knee. So at the end of June my right hip was bothering me more than usual and I figured it was time to see the doctor and schedule a hip replacement. I finally got to the doctor and got a surgery date of October 5th of 2011. Up until the surgery I continued playing with the band and going on with my life as normal as possible. Then came surgery day, a Wednesday. The surgery went well, no complications. I was moved to a room and the next day the Physical Therapists had me up and putting weight on my new hip. The next day was the same with some walking and other leg exercises. This routine continued until Saturday. I was moved to a rehab facility to continue my healing and getting the new hip to work. Not much happens on the weekend in rehab so I basically sat in my bed. The following Monday my mom came in to check on me and I wasn't feeling well. It turned out that I had a fever. I was sent back to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune to see if they could figure out what caused the fever. As days progressed I got less and less coherent. I had lost most of my appetite and was barely eating anything. Most of this I don't remember which is probably a good thing. Around this time the doctors were still trying to figure out what exactly was wrong with me. I was getting sicker and sicker as the days passed. It got to the point that the doctors decided it was best for me to be intubated so they could put me on a ventilator to help me breathe. They moved me from a regular floor to the Intensive Care Unit(ICU). I was in a coma for around 15 days and woke up around a week before Thanksgiving. I don't know if I subconsciously heard things around me or if it was just my brains imagination but I remember dreams that I had. The main ones that I remember was being on the beach in Aruba and skiing down a mountain in Alaska. I also dreamt that I escaped the hospital and that my dad chopped of his toe with an axe. The "dream" that I remember the most was when a women told me "don't do this" I'm not quite sure what that meant, and I still don't. I don't really remember that much else from the coma. While in the coma, and I was showing symptoms of this before they intubated me was I also went septic, which means pretty much all your organs shut down. My blood pressure kept going lower and lower and that is one of the first symptoms of septic shock. I just kept getting sicker and sicker until they figured out what was wrong with me. I ended up having a fungal infection that anyone with a normal immune system wouldn't even know they were sick, but since my immune system is so compromised it really made me sick. I remember parts of this and also when the Doctor came in to tell me they would intubate me. I'm not sure if I signed a consent but I am sure I did and I can't imagine my hand writing being any good. But I'm sure that didn't matter. When I woke up they took the tube out of my throat. I still had an IV line in my neck and they had to change the type of dialysis I was doing so I had a catheter in the vein in my leg. When I was unconscious I had a feeding tube in my nose, to my stomach. At that point I still could't eat solid foods, so I was on a liquid diet. I started with applesauce and jello and eventually ate real food. I started to eat solid foods again....slowly but surely and the first real meal back was my on my sisters birthday, it was homemade spagetti and meatballs, and It was delicious. My circulatory system was not working well so I ended up developing a dry gangrene on some of my toes. I also had developed bed sores on the back of both my feet and on my sacrum. Because of the bedsores the doctors ordered me a special bed that had sand in it and it moved around so there wasn't always pressure on my wounds. It was a horrible bed and I even had a panic attack in it, and it was horrible. I also eventually had three toes amputated, the two big toes and one pinky toe, but that happened after I was out of the hospital. I left the hospital on December 6th, two months and a day since I went in for my hip replacement. I went to rehab in Wall Township to learn to walk again and get better. I went to dialysis three days a week and the other days I had physical therapy in the mornings. It wasn't that bad, but learning to walk again was difficult and on top of that the pain on somedays was pretty unbearable. So Christmas came and I was still pretty under the weather. I spent Christmas in rehab and my birthday, which was one hell of a way to spend your 30th birthday. I had a little party in my room and a bunch of friends came so that was nice, it was good to see them. The following weeks were the same, therapy and dialysis, a constant cycle of boringness and being around people who you feel like you have nothing in common with. I did have visitors and on my birthday(Jan 3rd) We were supposed to go to Applebees but I was feeling sore so everyone came to my room. I spent another month in the rehab and was released on Feb. 4th. I continued therapy at home and tried to get things back to normal. It was still difficult for me to get around so I was in a wheelchair and used a walker. Things started to get back to normal. I eventually started driving again, going back to band practice and generally socializing more. It felt great. I got to the point were I didn't need a wheelchair anymore. I had my toes amputated(as mentioned before). After that I wanted to go back to Peritoneal Dialysis. So I had the surgery in July and was able to start PD in August. My brother got married in August and I was the best man. I continued going to band practice and physical therapy. And besides not having a job right now things are back to a fairly normal schedule.

Misfits and Mistakes

The UPS guy Andy, came into my work Thursday and said he had something for me, but couldn't find it so he said he would drop it at my house(he usually gives it to me at work). I didn't remember ordering anything but apparently I ordered a few records from Insound. I got home and was excited as usual to open my package. The records included "Los Campesinos!": Romance is Boring, "Robert Pollard": We all got out of the Army, "Superchunk": Leaves in the Gutter EP and "Beach House": Teen Dream. The Beach House record wasn't on my invoice, but I'll never turn down a free record.

The Los Campesinos! record is good, it's a solid indie pop record that does not disappoint. This is LCs second full length record and was released by Canadian label Arts and Crafts(Stars,Broken Social Scene, American Analog set) Having seven people in the band often ruins some bands, but LC does not let this happen. It seems everyone is playing something different but it all fits somehow. No one is stepping on each others parts. They have very good harmonies and melodies throughout the record. I really like the boy/girl vocal trade offs as well.

First was Guided by Voices, and when they broke up in 2004 Robert Pollard didn't stop writing music. I can't even count how many side projects he has had in the past, but he has over 1,200 songs registered with BMI, so I guess that says something there. I don't have all his solo records, or all his side projects records. I'm for the most part a completest of an artists discography, but I just can't keep up with BP. That being said I bought his new record because I haven't bought one in a year or so, and this guy probably puts out 3-6 records a year. I picked a good place to pick up where I left off. Not every song on every record is amazing, or even good. Sometimes I feel like giving up on him, nothing is going to be as amazing as GBV's Bee Thousand, but on every record there is at least one great song. Anyhow, this new record "We All Got Out of the Army" is good, it brings me back to a Bob Pollard I love. Simple songs, that keep you singing the song long after it's over.

Ahh, Superchunk. I tend to forget how much I like Superchunk until I hear a song on my Ipod when its on shuffle, then I usually have to listen to that whole record. I not only love Superchunk, but am inspired by what Mac McCaughan made Merge records into. He started the label to put his friends and his own music out, now Merge records is a label any band would be lucky to be on. This new EP "Leaves in the Gutter" came out in 2009 and it still sounds like the Superchunk of the early 90's. Up beat and catchy. This CD is the first Superchunk new music in quite some time, and it does not disappoint.

WOW, I kinda forgot I signed up to this...lets start all over again.

Well, here it is, a year since my last post, what a year 2009 was. Michael Jackson and Billy Mays died. The Minus Scale called it quits( I almost shed a tear), and I had knee surgery, and moved back home with the "rents." So lets focus on the positives of the year.

Music. Cd's are a dead format(that's positive right?), vinyl is back, and thanks to Jeff my awesome neighbor and the awesome records/record player he gave me a while back I've been almost exclusively buying vinyl, both new and used. I don't download a lot of music from Itunes. I like having the physical copy of a record or cd. Most vinyl these days comes with a download card that will give you a website and code where you can go and download the record you bought, an absolutely awesome thing. Fairmont released a 6 song LP (The Meadow at Dusk) that is also available at Itunes.(go download it now!)

So from now on, hopefully more often then once a year I will be updating this blog, again, mostly music related. I'll finish with my favorite music moments and records of 2009, and hopefully a preview of 2010.

I only got to a couple shows that were non-Fairmont related, My favorite being Built to Spill in October at the Trocadero in Philly. This band will never, NEVER, let me down. I love them and they played an almost perfect set, and I loved them trash talking the Brooklyn crowd that they played for the previous 3 nights. Brett Netson was kind enough to give me a set list after the show and I think I had a smile on my face for a week after that show.

Another show I went to was The Jesus Lizard at Irving Plaza in NYC. My co-worker's friend bailed on him last minute and asked me if I wanted to go, I'd heard of them but never really listened to them, but all I knew about them was that they were Steve Albini's favorite band to record so I just assumed they were good, and they were. For being 50ish years old, this band was as hard and abrasive as I could have imagined. Not halfway into the first song David Yow was crowd surfing like it was 15 years ago, an amazing site to see. I am now a proud owner of a few of their reissued LP's, I am now a fan.

I think those are the only non-Fairmont related shows I went to in 2009 with 2010 already looking better. Saw Jim Gaffigan(I know thats not music but hey), have Nada Surf tickets and am planning on getting to as many shows as possible this year. Some awesome tours are coming around this spring!

I'll leave it with my favorites of 2009, whether they are actually from 2009 or not. These are in no particular order.

We Were Promised Jetpacks - These Four Walls- I was late on this band, I just bought this LP a few weeks ago and didn't stop listening to it for a few days, I still listen to it at least once a week. Favorite tracks- It's Thunder and It's Lightnin, Roll up your Sleeves, This is my House This is my H.

The Flaming Lips- Embryonic- This brings back the Flaming Lips of old. Kinda noisy, a million layers, but an underlying groove that keeps you listening. Favorite tracks- Convinced of the Hex, Watching the Planets, I Can be a Frog.

Pants Yell!- Received Pronunciation- Lead singer Andrew Churchman grew up around the block from me and we used to play in a few bands together He moved to to Boston and started Pants Yell! He writes simple indie-pop songs that get stuck in your head. Favorite Tracks- Frank and Sandy, Someone Loves You, Marble Staircase.

Band of Skulls- Baby Darling Doll Face Honey- BoS is british rock band, kinda bluesy kinda like The Soundtrack of our Lives meets White Stripes, this is a really solid debut record from a pretty kick-ass band. Favorite Tracks- Death by Diamonds and Pearls, I know What I am, Cold Fame.

Metric- Fantasies- Great Canadian female fronted indie band, kinda indie/synth pop-rock undertones with an amazing female vocals. Favorite tracks- Help I'm Alive, Gimme Sympathy, Gold Guns Girls.

Califone- All my Friends are Funeral Singers- Acoustic type band with banjo, good music to chill out too. Favorite Tracks- Funeral Singers, Better Angels, Evidence.

Bill Callahan- Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle- Also known as Smog, Bill Callahan is one of those artists whose records are always good. Callahan has one of a kind vocals and on this record he shows it off quite well. The music is a little droney/countryish/orchestral . Favorite Tracks- The Wind and the Dove, My Friend, Faith/Void.

Built to Spill- There is No Enemy- Nothing to much to say, another great album by a band who is/and will probably always be in my top 3 favorite bands. Favorite Tracks- Things Fall Apart, Hindsight, Tomorrow.

The Dodos- Time to Die- Originally a 2 piece band, guitar/drums for this record they added a marimba player. The drummer plays without a bass drum, and it really creates a cool and somewhat different feel. Favorite Tracks- Fables, Small Deaths, Acorn Factory.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- S/T- Good indie-pop again. I'd say its like a mix between Belle and Sebastian and My Bloody Valentine. Kinda fuzzy production with really good melodies. Favorite Tracks- Contender, Young Adult Fiction, Come Saturday.

I don't want to forget one other musician that died this year and had probably what I would call the best record of the year. His name was Vic Chesnutt, I'll admit I just bought his records a few weeks before he died, I was just beginning to dive into his repertoire but I wish I had found him sooner. His most recent LP At the Cut, is well, amazing. The story of his life and career is amazing and sad. Please read his story here: http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/7751-appreciation-vic-chesnutt/
I'm sorry for leaving it on a somewhat sad and depressing note, but I feel like like an artist like this has to be heard.

Well, that's it for now.

RIP 106.3

As I drove to work on monday morning, nothing had changed it was monday, I was running a little late and the morning dj's on 106.3 were still on. They were playing "time to pretend" by MGMT. Got to work and went about my day. It comes time to leave at 5 so I get in my car and turn it on here comes the radio. To my dismay some sort of rap was on. I was like, ok, I must have accidently changed the station, but I pushed my preset button and there it was, 106.3 has turned into Hit 106(such a clever name). So I plugged my ipod in and listened to that the rest of the way home. 

So this is why Im kinda sad. From what I know about 106.3 it was the first real alternative/college station at the shore. They started in around 1986 and played REM and some of the other pioneers of the alternative genre. I know Matt Pinfield used to be a DJ there. I think one of the originals. Ok, so your asking whats the big deal. The big deal is that this is the only station at the shore area that played decent music. I mean Fairmont was even played once or twice. 

106.3 was the station that introduced me to bands like, Pavement, Nirvana, Green Day, REM, and countless other bands that peaked in the early 90's. Heck, I remember making mix tapes off the radio, and it was the first place I heard Kurt Cobain killed himself.  About the year 2000 106.3 changed its format, but not the drastic change that occurred monday at 12 noon. They still played semi-decent music though, and they still introduced me new bands like The Duke Spirit, the Long Blondes and some others. 

The reason I'm mad is that no one saw this coming. The 106.3 administration decided to just spring the new station on the public. From what I have read the morning dj's were fired monday, along with a few other people at the station. The owners of 106.3 feel the need to appeal to the 18-33 year olds by playing crap like Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and who ever else is in the top 40 this week, because god knows it will be different next week when the new flavor of the week is out. Im not sure who did the market research here but Im pretty sure they screwed up here. I know people listened to this station and I know these people who will no longer listen to this station because of the format change. I wish them luck and I hope they find their audience.(not really) I don't think they will the audience they want because they all listen to their ipods anyway, and now I have no choice but to do the same. So good luck Hit 106, have a nice life. I kinda feel like I just broke up with a girlfriend who I have been with for many years and we had our fights but now, its actually over. Good luck you dumb bitch.

I'll start with the new year best of list, how's that?

We should start at the top. Happy New Year, although its already 16 days into the new year its never to late to say that, right? 

I'll start with my best of  lists for 2008:

ok, the top records/cds of the year:(in no specific order)

Girl Talk: Feed the Animals. i've really been into the mash up type stuff recently, ie- Jaydiohead etc.

TV on the Radio: Dear Science-. I have to say probably #1 I cant stop listening to this.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Dig!!! Lazurus Dig!!!. I don't really think Nick Cave can to anything wrong(sidenote: I had the privilege to see him in Philly in '08 and he puts on one hell of a show)

Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend. Isn't it some law in the music industry that says this cd has to be in the top 10?

REM: Accelerate. Honestly REM will always be on the top of my lists. they make great music and they do it their way. we should all be so lucky.

Okkervil River: The Stand Ins. There is something about this band I love. It takes me a listen or two to really love it but, I do.

Spiritualized: Songs in A&E.  I am new to Spiritualized and everything i have heard i like. "Soul on Fire" is my song of the year

Of Montreal: Skeletel Lamping. I still enjoy OM even if they did sell a song to Outback Steakhouse. Its fun indie-electro pop.

She and Him: Volume One. Zooey Deschanel, need I say more?

MGMT: Oracular Spectactular. I can't listen to "Time to Pretend" and "Kids" enough in one day.

Stephen Malkmus: Real Emotional Trash. Almost forgot about SM. Still good even after all these years.

The Hold Steady: Stay Positive. Its like a bar band from the midwest went to brooklyn and got famous. Oh. they write good songs too. 

FAIRMONT: TRANSCENDENCE. Yes. I know Im in this band... it's a shameless plug, but, Its also our best record yet. So please go buy it so we can make another one in 2009.

Other music I enjoyed this year:

Jamie Lidell

The Black Keys

Santogold

Boston Spaceships

Ben Folds

Bands that I played and thoroughly enjoyed.

The Narrative

The Minus Scale (their cd is terrific)

The Gay Blades

The Stationary Set

The Rhodes

Hungry Tigers

Tim McCoy and the Papercuts

and last but certainly not least Keith Caputo (thanks for the great tour)

I guess thats it for now. Im thinking this will be a music themed blog so let me know what you think. I'll keep you updated on what Im listening too and what Fairmont and Terror Eyes is doing