the life and times

Gold Tooth Display

2009-12-12T21:19:12.243

Happy Merry,

ZZ Times

This pic was taken from our most recent excursion with the Get Up Kids while playing Irving Plaza in NYC on Halloween Night, '09. We closed our set with a rousing rendition of Just Got Paid that would've made Rapeman very proud, not to mention the Top themselves. The whole tour was so fun and was easily the biggest crowds we've played to 18 nights in a row. Thanks to the GetUpKids, Kevin Devine and the Goddamn band and all who made it out to get rocked.

Old Souls, The Film

Clayton Brown was/is 1) my old college roommate, 2) the very first drummer in Shiner, 3) currently a film professor at Northwestern, 4) has made all things video for TLAT, but more importantly has released a documentary called The Atom Smashers that was featured on the PBS series Independent Lens, about the Large Hadron Collider.

Yet, even more important than that is the newest video he's created for our song "Old Souls" from Tragic Boogie. The actor in the film/video is musician Jim Becker, who carries residences in Caliphone and Red Red Meat among others. The girl in the video is played by Kate Tummelson, about whom I don't have much info, other than she's beautiful. Keep in mind, the effects in this vid were created solely organically, old school. Not one CGI. Enjoy!

The Almighty Church of Science

Also, we're really excited to have had another of our songs, "The Politics of Driving" used for a Richard Dawkins Foundation video, directed by my old friend Josh Timonen. Check it here. If for some reason you're unaware of just who Richard Dawkins might be, the link here is a good start. But suffice it to say he's one of the brightest minds in this increasingly superstitious and religulous (yep) world of ours, demanding sound thinking on all subjects, not just about The God Delusion, his latest book.

Hoodie Winked

Hot as shit yet, yet somehow cool as Hell. Our NEW HOODIES are navy blue and feature the "reel to reel' design that's increasingly becoming our 'Ugly Organ" design. In zip-up and pull-over. Get you some NOW!!!!!

January

23 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
28 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar w/ Adam Franklin and Bolts of Melody
29 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle w. Adam Franklin and Bolts of Melody
30 Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club

RIP Matt Arluck

Sweet Cobra have recently lost one of their founding members and guitarists, Mr Matt Arluck, after a long battle with cancer. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the boys in Sweet Cobra and especially Matts' family in this difficult time. Please go by their site to see more about Matt.

ae. cm. ea.

http://thelifeandtimes.com - Shit-hot Hoodies! http://myspace.com/thelifeandtimes
http://arenarock.com
http://richarddawkinsfoundation.org
http://myspace.com/sweetcobra

Fishtailing On The Turnpike

2009-10-08T20:07:26.607

hello you

take a peak at this http://www.lawrence.com/turnpike/. if you'll recall, this was shot at the end of our East Coast jaunt this past April at the Replay Lounge in lovely Lawrence KS, about 40 minutes west of KC. I wasn't sure how it'd turn out but it's recorded and shot really well and we didn't say too many ridiculous things during the interviews, which is often the case it seems. So enjoy!

oh yes, and we're beginning a world domination tour with the Get Up Kids and Kevin Devine and his Goddamn Band, starting October 20th in Minneapolis and ending November 8th in Columbus OH. please take special note of the details of each show, including start times and garment restrictions. no spikes, leather chokers, or fore-arm armor.

i love you more than you know.

PS yes that quote is from Bored to Death. anyone?...

http://thelifeandtimes.com - sweet updates to Merch, Press, and Bio pages.
http://myspace.com/thelifeandtimes
http://arenarock.com
http://stiffslack.com

Mid By MidWest

2009-09-18T19:39:05.803

spent the last few days letting the "tape" roll at our rehearsal/recording studio and are quite pleased with what's come out and about. it's amazing to practice at night vs day time. the vibe is different to say the least. in a good way. it's hard to be funky and creative from 1-3pm tuesdays and thursdays and sometimes wednesday and half of monday and sometimes every other saturday from 2-3:30. much better to loosen up and let it eat, if you will.

so, we're super pumped about these shows and the Get Up Kids shows also in october. should be a good time for one and all. please come and see what's been happening. see you soon as shit!

ps we play at 8:30pm at the St Louis show at Ciceros!

http://thelifeandtimes.com
http://myspace.com/thelifeandtimes
http://arenarock.com

Me and Blago

2009-08-26T19:07:01.367

The Duplex Suplex

hola amigos y amigas! sorry there's been precious little updating here at TLAT HQ2, due to the high rate of weeding through 15 years of shit that has accrued at TLAT HQ1. seriously so much shit. and it all has to be inventoried to some degree. when moving from a relatively big house in KC, to a much smaller but still sizeable duplex-down (that's Chi-speak for 1st floor and basement dwelling), all your belongings go in one of 4 places: in the home, in storage, donated to Goodwill, or in the trash.

it's actually been a pretty cathartic if not ridiculously trying and difficult experience overall. it can put you back in touch with little gems one stuffs away for another time, like now! in fact, my music collection took a massive jump in span when i unearthed boxes and boxes of dusty cassettes which sound surprisingly fat and rich, if you can find your cassette player. my REM and Rush collections jumped back up to its college numbers. it's affirming in some nostalgic way. (sniff). i'm ok.

Keeping Bizzy

since me and the boys haven't been able to rock the bells recently, i've took the opportunity to work on some collaborations with several different and really amazing artists and rockists. the full extent of these shall be revealed in due time. it is totally liberating for me to not build the frame of the song but instead be the one to decorate the room, if i'm not mixing metaphors here. i think you guys will dig each. more on that as soon as i get clearance to blab about it.

September Morn

wicked dates coming up. shows at Play St Louis and Pygmalion Festival in Champaign in September coming up. then we're honored to be included on a massive leg of the Get Up Kids reunion tour in October. the rooms are fucking huge. at least bigger than we're used to...but we're so stoked to finally get loud for a while. check these sound events on the Tour page. see you soon!

ae

http://thelifeandtimes.com - TB + 3 and vinyl now on merch page!?!
http://arenarock.com
http:://stiffslack.com
http://myspace.com/thelifeandtimes

Hang 'em High

2009-07-09T15:33:48.647

Tragic Magic

There is much afoot this summer in the house of the Boogie. and because of that it's been tough to schedule shows. for that we apologize. but nevertheless, we serve a higher god that goes by the name of Thunder Strings Inc., and so we praise thee, oh God, and give to thee sacrificial sacraments of...sacrifice.

to wit:

JULY

11 Kansas City, MO @ Czar Bar w/ Thee Water Mocassins.
15 Ft Worth, TX @ Lolas w/ Adam Franklin solo (Swervedriver, etc)
16 Austin, TX @ Mohawk w/ TV Torso. TLAT is 1st @ 11pm!
17 Little Rock, AR @ Vinos w/ Now Now Every Children
18 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird w/ Now Now Every Children

72 Musicians - The Movie

roughly 2 years ago, a local Kansas City via LA filmmaker named Bob Moz began to chronicle the stories of a batch of local musicians. he wasn't trying to create a story about KC musicians, per se, but it was more about any set of musicians. it just so happens most of the musicians he knows are from KC. i digress.

among many others that you'll likely recognize, Allen (Epley) was asked to contribute an on-camera interview for the film, and it turns out he (I) features quite prominently, he's (I've) been told. in fact, for the trailer they decided to use a live version of our song Que Sera Sera. in addition to showing at all the major film fests in the coming year, they'll be debuting the film at Screenland here in Kansas City, MO on Sunday July 19th at 7pm. please follow this link, watch the trailer, read his blog and try to make a donation to this amazing piece of filmmaking if at all possible. do it now.

Keep It Up Kidz

so, some of our closer friends have known that Eric Abert (4 strings, hairdo) moved to New York with his girl last November. he's been commuting back and forth for tours and writing, etc. it's tough but it's working. now, it turns out that Allen Epley (6 strings, beard, old) will be a resident of the Windy City (Chicago) beginning August of this year, which helps to explain why there haven't been as many shows planned as there normally would've been this summer. Chris Metcalf (no strings, super-skinny) will remain in our HQ here in KC, where we'll reconvene to write, record and rehearse for tours.

But fear ye not for the Life of the Life and Times, for much is planned into the coming year, nee', into the new year even! in addition to these shows next week, we have a September tour taking us to the Pygmalion Festival in Champaign, IL, and then a 3 week tour with the Get Up Kids in October, then to Japan and Europe in Spring '10. Persistent rumors also have TLAT linked for a tour with a band that shall remain unnamed, but rhymes with the word Pursive. more on that soon!

Big A out. check our merch and make us rich!
thanks so much!! stay tuned.

Get Tragic Boogie here:
http://thelifeandtimes.com/merch
http://arenarock.com
http://itunes.com
http://amazon.com

My Right Foot of Fury

2009-06-12T22:55:56.207

From The Mouth of a Gift Horse

wick smith has chronicled several of the shows from this US tour to offer at thelifeandtimes.com as a bountiful gift of sound and sight. on the docket for free viewing and download are the shows from New York at Webster Hall on 4.18.09, Chicago at the Empty Bottle on 4.23.09, and from Kansas City MO at the Record Bar on 5.30.09. take and eat, for this is my body. take and drink, for this is my blood!

Convinced the Internet Is Turning Us to Mush

between facebook, myspace, twitter, shitter, drudge, huff, puff and all the rest, there's so much fucking nano-info on the net anymore that no one seems to be truly retaining much of anything. there's headlines to mouse over without actually reading the story, ridiculous donkey porn to sidetrack, bands to forget, and so much bullshit that matters to nobody that basically everything is a big wash. anybody still here?....

So sound the gong when i re-announce that Tragic Boogie is available at all our shows, itunes, emusic, arenarock.com, thelifeandtimes.com, amazon.com and probably countless file-sharing sites that think all music should be free like the wind. but fuck that because they don't offer our DVD or T-shirts to buy!

Warp Speed

our travels on this last tour, out west you may recall, took us to some different locales than we normally get to play and that's pretty cool. what ain't cool is driving roughly 600 miles a day for the last 3 days of tour to get from Salt Lake City to Billings(?) to Fargo(!) to Des Moines then home. so Dr. Heavy Foot drove roughly 90 mph to make up the difference. no shit.

the shows up there were mostly cautionary tales: if you must go, try to make it a weekend when playing the Great Upper North Territories. the day after Memorial Day will only get you some disinterested folks who apparently get mind-blowing rock bands 7 days a week. so, plan ahead if you must venture upwards!

overall, however, our experience out west was one of our best to date. hope everyone got rocked like we did. played with some amazing bands too: portamento, st. elias, traindodge, kinch, hialeah, ganji, system and station, microtia, cale parks, other lives, shark speed, little brazil, pet comfort, mr. gnome, wolves in the attic, the rest is noise, and others i may have been too ruphied(sp?) to recall. google or bing em to see what i mean. i've been waiting to use bing as a verb.

ok more shows announced soon! word.
ae

OMFG!?! Live Webcast From Record Bar in Kansas City Tonight at 12am CST!!!

2009-05-31T02:35:45.783

yep it's on again.

for those who missed out on the last 35 shows we've just played in the last couple of months, here's your chance not to flake out and stay home to watch Deadliest Catch. here's what you'll miss. rookies get seasick. lots of crabs. big waves. secret stashes of meth in the galley. the end. now enjoy the hell out of this show!!

How To Buy Tragic Boogie

thelifeandtimes.com merch page, arenarock.com merch page, itunes, amazon.com, emusic, our live events at which we play loudly, and surprisingly it's available at many stores in the US, including these here:

AEC HQ *One Stop Coral Springs FL
Amazon.com *Web Store Seattle WA
Amoeba Music Hollywood *Key Indie Hollywood CA
Amoeba Music San Fran *Key Indie San Francisco CA
Baker & Taylor HQ-Accts Pay *One Stop Charlotte NC
Bull Moose Music *Regional Chain Portland ME
Cactus Music CIMS Houston TX
Caiman Holdings, attn: A/P *Web Store Miami FL
Carrot Top *Indie Onestops Chicago IL
Compact Disc Store Indie Baton Rouge LA
Criminal Records AIMS Atlanta GA
Culture Clash AIMS Toledo OH
Dearborn Music Indie Dearborn MI
Dimple Records *Regional Chain Sacramento CA
Disc Exchange CIMS Knoxville TN
Ear X-Tacy *CIMS Louisville KY
Earshot Music CIMS Greenville SC
Easy Street Records *Key Indie West Seattle WA
Everyday Music *Key Indie Portland OR
Fingerprints CIMS Long Beach CA
Good Records AIMS Dallas TX
Grimey's *AIMS Nashville TN
Independent Records *Regional Chain Colorado Spring CO
Insound *Web Store Brooklyn NY
J & R Music World *Key Indie New York NY
Jack's Music Shoppe AIMS Red Bank NJ
Love Garden Sounds Indie Lawrence KS
Lunchbox Indie Charlotte NC
Melody Record Shop Inc. Key Indie Washington DC
Music Millennium *Key Indie Portland OR
Newbury Comics HQ *Regional Chain Brighton MA
Park Ave. CD's CIMS Orlando FL
Phillips Enterprises HQ CIMS Raleigh NC
R5 Records Indie Sacramento CA
Rasputin Music HQ *Regional Chain Berkeley CA
Record Exchange Boise CIMS Boise ID
Salzer's CIMS Ventura CA
Shake It AIMS Cincinatti OH
Silver Platters LLC *Key Indie Seattle WA
SJ Distribution, LLC *One Stop Streetsboro OH
Sonic Boom Records-WA *AIMS Seattle WA
Sound Garden Baltimore *Key Indie Baltimore MD
Streetlight - San Jose CIMS San Francisco CA
Super Discount CD's *One Stop Irvine CA
The Exclusive Co. *Regional Chain Oshkosh WI
Vintage Vinyl St. Louis AIMS St. Louis MO
Von's Records Indie Lafayette IN
Waterloo *Key Indie Austin TX
Wax N' Facts Indie Atlanta GA
Wax Trax Main Store HQ Key Indie Denver CO
Zia Enterprises, Inc. *Regional Chain Phoenix AZ

In A Future World

2009-05-21T16:07:57.36

Murdering The Clock

todays an off day so we got the rocksuite at a motel 9 in medford, OR. shows have been off the hook for the large majority. big props out to Traindodge, with whom we rocked in at modified arts in phoenix. their new record I Am Forever is pretty effin great. thanks to everybody for coming out and getting their foundation shifted. more soon!

We're Playing Quite Loudly Very Near You

MAY
21 Portland, OR @ Satyricon w/ System and Station
22 Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern w/ Cale Parks
25 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
26 Billings, MT @ Railyard Ale House
27 Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
28 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews - EARLY SHOW! doors @ 5pm, TLAT @ 8:30pm
29 Omaha, NE @ The Sydney w/ Little Brazil
30 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar w/ Pet Comfort and Mr. Gnome

Watch the Rawk from KC

webcasting to your soul again, although this time we're live from the Record Bar in KCMO. tune in for that rocka-rolla.

Again?

yep, because so many people ask at the shows, Tragic Boogie, among many other items of our prolific catalogue, is available NOW and is well worth your nickel. get it at the shows listed above, itunes, thelifeandtimes.com, arenarock.com. hear it at myspace.com/thelifeandtimes.

word. see you soon! ae

Intermissionary Style

2009-05-10T16:50:04.327

Home...Home Again

great start to the Boogie Tour De Dragonforce. seems like everybodys getting their Boogie on. if you know somebody who's life would be better off with a li'l Boogie in it, please pass our info along. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, whatevs. it all works and helps us out. hell even YouTube.

Coat of Arms

speaking of YouTube, it seems that Coat of Arms (from '05s Suburban Hymns) has been posted there recently and gotten over 7,500 hits. i think the origin of the blast comes from Saints Row 2 which has that song included in the playlist. why not go over and vote us in to the history books...or whatever you do there. it'll be posted for download on our site in the next day or so also.

The Fork

Pitchfork Media threw us a big bone the other day. take a peek and let him know if you disagree or agree. considering that even the cool kids get skewered on there regularly, i was satisfied with our marks. you can't force somebody to get rocked...or can you?

Girls Gone Wild Wild West

heading west at the end of May. as i said before, please let your peeps know. don't assume that everyone is as stealthily connected to all that is cool as you are. please forward emails and reviews and nonsense so folks can up-close and personal with our glory on tour. dates posted later today. thanks so much for making this last tour our best. seriously.

MAY
14 Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
16 Phoenix, AZ @ Modified w/ Traindodge
17 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
18 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
19 San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
21 Portland, OR @ Satyricon w/ System and Station
22 Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern w/ Cale Parks
25 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
26 Billings, MT @ Railyard Ale House
27 Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
28 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
29 Omaha, NE @ The Sydney w/ Little Brazil
30 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar w/ Pet Comfort and Mr. Gnome

ae. cm. ea.

PS we'll be doing more live webcasts from the West Coast Tour de Dragonforce too. Wick has the Chicago show and our Webster Hall show in NY also. both will be archived and posted at some point very soon.

http://thelifeandtimes.com - buy like crazy
http://arenarock.com - Tragic Boogie, but faster!
http://stiffslack.com - Tragic Boogie +3
http://myspace.com/hawthornestreetrecords - Tragic Boogie LP
http://myspace.com/thelifeandtimes - listen to much of TB, more.

AGAIN : LIVE WEBCAST FROM THE EMPTY BOTTLE TONIGHT, 4.23.09 10:00PM CST.

2009-04-23T17:12:42.597

doors 8:30

story of the sea 9:30pm

the poison arrows 10:30 pm

THE LIFE AND TIMES 11:30

if this works out we’ll do it more often. check in early to see if we’re trying it out just people watching, pre-show.

the life and times buy tragic boogie now. look around the new digs. much to enjoy.

arena rock recording company buy tragic boogie now. get it sooner than from us.

hawthorne street records buy tragic boogie vinyl now.

stiff slack records buy tragic boogie + 3 now.

myspace for TLAT hear and there.

facebook

nuts to butts

2009-04-22T06:48:35.57

posting for the first time from the road here in allston, mass. really amazing shows so far. had a couple of small-but-fierce shows, but overall pretty thrilling. thanks to everyone for making it out and getting shitty with us. had a sumptuous phillly cheesestake sandwich last night delivered to us at 5am in NY. only in NY i might add.

blowin the eff up : seems like folks are digging hard on the Boogie so far. that’s sweet for us because we hated to have to wait so long to put it out. but if people love it then it will have been worth the wait. tell your friends. if you ordered from our website remember that shipping time is 2-4 weeks. sorry but we’re still on tour! megan is also on sabbatical this semester.

webcast of thousands : on THURSDAY NIGHT we’ll be attempting a live webcast from our show at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on Thursday April 23rd, 2009. tune in right here for instant mind blowage.

nuts to butts : bring it on out to the shows everybody and throw your hair around. may west coast tour dates announced soon. ae

And The Early Meek Shall Inherit The Earth Worm

2009-04-17T08:58:24.92

The Bionic Band

welcome to a highly updated version of thelifeandtimes.com. much much thanks to webmaster and filmmaker chadwick smith for creating this juggernaut of a website. look around and see what's the what. and since this is set up like blog you guys can comment and add photos to the life and times flickr pool. no porn please. unless you're smokin hot.

April 14th 2009

Tragic Boogie will be available at www.arenarock.com and on itunes. we'll also have it available here on the site but will be unable to fulfill those orders until we get home from tour. those venturing out to the shows on this tour will be able to buy the Boogie there. in fact, not only can you buy, you have to buy it. it's a new ordinance we just passed. we have a mandatory $30 minimum merch buy just for coming to the show. people working the door and behind the bar even have this mandate placed on them so i don't want to hear any griping or bullshit!! see you at the table...

Tour de Dragonforce

first 2 shows of this tour have gone well and folks seem stoked. please do your best to make the show and bring some friends. playing LARGE doses of the Boogie and small bits of older stuff. we'll spice up the set lists as we go. bear with us playing so much new stuff but we've had this baby in our bellies for about a year and we're ready to rock it. check the tour page for extensive details.

ok more updates on here very soon. tour blog!!
see you soon
ae

Russian Winter

2009-04-15T08:00:02.193

chug it : it's just a scant few weeks until Tragic Boogie is birthed on April 14, 2009. till that release show at the Record Bar in KC on Sunday April 5th, SXSW looms in our cross-hairs. still unknown are the exact shows down there. you'll know when we know.

we're alternative...we were featured in a great article in the March issue of Alternative Press magazine, in a section called AP Recommends. they think we're hot snot and so do we. jk bff.

all the saints : we also have a song featured in the new Saints Row 2 game. let us know when you hear it. i haven't played it yet.

east first, west next...tours are being routed for April and May AS I TYPE THIS that let us grease up and flex off for you folks in many great cities. some of those fine cities are called Texas, New England, the Bible Belt, California and Denver the Sunshine State. more deets very soon.

Life Is Pleasure this award winning documentary was filmed by Chadwick Smith in October of 2006 and features our heroes in action in many exotic locales throughout Japan. through 5 drunken and porn-drenched days, the boys take their lights and brand of brilliance to the hungry ears of young Japanese. find this on the Market page.

word. more soon. ae

PS photo by Forester. (not actual boogie cover...)

Heatmiser Vs Snowmiser Smackdown Pay Per View

2009-04-15T08:00:02.65

WATCHING JEANS FADE : as the snow and ice falls, we try to put thoughts of rocking out in the sun in the back of our minds. oh there'll be rock this winter, but only in fleeting flashes. waiting for Tragic Boogie to be released is something like watching jeans fade, which you may recall, takes a while.

APRIL 14th, 2009: and so, since we now have a great label, Arena Rock, we now have a great PR team at Riot Act Media. i told you guys earlier that the pace at which things happen in the music biz is fucking slow.

part of the wait involves getting ones' record in line to be reviewed at all the mags and zines and weekly papers, so that the reviews are printed to coincide with the release of the record. there are many bands that already put their order in, so to speak, and we're in line too, but somewhere near the back, and around the corner.

HUM SHOWS : should be a great time and we're excited to kick with our homeboys for a couple of days. see you there soon.

MERCH : it's really cool to buy our merchanise. didn't you hear? marvel at the wonders of the Market page.

word, ae

photo of Big A by forester.

Always Moving Towards Progression

2009-04-15T08:00:02.99

ARENA ROCK RECORDING CO : The Life and Times is more than pleased to announce our official affiliation with ARRCO, a Brooklyn-via-Portland label that has been parents to so many influential bands that it's difficult to count them all. the small list includes Calla, On!Air!Library!, Superdrag, Mono, Spoon, and yet so many more. we're honored to be included in this list.

FEBRUARY 17, 2009 : that is official release date for Tragic Boogie, barring any unforeseen holdups or coups. we'd love for it to be sooner, but given the glacial pace of the machinations of the biz and the set-up time involved, it is what it is; es lo que hay.

OH NO YOU DI-INT! : oh yes we did. welcome to the Whitehouse and the history books, President-elect Barack Obama. if there are TLAT fans out there who think a Republican president is what was needed, especially one that rolls around in the mud with Karl Rove and Sarah Palin, please know that we think you're very funny. hilarious, in fact. please do continue to buy our records, but you're hilarious.

TERRIN DURFEY 1974-2008 : Terrin was the singer and bassist The Jade Shader, Boilermaker, and more recently the keyboardist in Pinback. He lost a hard-fought battle with cancer this last tuesday. He was a very unique character and one that I had only recently had the pleasure to get to know, albeit not very well. We've played shows together with The Jade Shader and Pinback, and he was always such a sweet man. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his wife and child, his mother and father and close friends. Terrin, you will be missed. Life is fragile and short; always play hard.

To make donations for his wife and little boy, please go here.

Kiss Me Deadly

2009-04-15T08:00:03.307

Life is Pleasure Tour October 2008
10.4 Urbana, IL @ Courtyard Cafe
10.16 St. Louis MO @ Bluebird
10.17 Toledo, OH @ Rok Bar
10.18 Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Polish Club
10.19 New London, CT @ The Oasis
10.20 Baltimore MD @ Talking Head
10.21 Brooklyn, NY @ Southpaw w/ Magnetic Morning
10.24 Cleveland OH @ the Grog Shop w/ Magnetic Morning
10.25 Milwaukee WI @ Cactus Club w/ Magnetic Morning
10.26 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle w/ Magnetic Morning
10.27 Minneapolis MN w/ Magnetic Morning
11.29 Kansas City MO @ Riot Room

12.31.08 Chicago IL @ Double Door w/ HUM. totally stoked. yes the tix are $65. get'em while you can 'cause they will go.

setting suns, etc...Magnetic Morning are a bit of a super-group comprised of Adam Franklin (Swervedriver/Toeshack Hiway), Sam Fogarino (Interpol) and Jimmy LaValle (the Album Leaf). we're super excited to be playing some show with these guys and other cool bands on our way out to CMJ and back. please make a point to make the show and bring 35 friends. Everyone in attendance will also be asked to make a purchase of no less than $300 from the merch table.

word. talk soon.

ae

photo by Forester at Voodoo Lounge, Aug 15th, 2008.

Doctors and Patience...

2009-04-15T08:00:03.653

Special Midnight Screening of Life is Pleasure at the Record Bar on Wednesday September 3rd, 2008 immediately following blistering live performances from System and Station at 10pm and The Life and Times at 11pm. doors @ 9pm, tix $8. come and get it.

aberts' follies those of you with a shred of decency should send eric money and chocolate. our handsome bassist got his legs smashed by a boat while on vacation in mexico. ruined his vacation and left him unhappy to say the least. he got seven stitches and two leg-fulls of bruises. why not come out and make out with him at some of our upcoming shows on our OVER-SATURATION TOUR OF MO-KAN. check the campaign page for full details.

to lay in waiting :the release of Tragic Boogie is truly a test of the bands' will and our confidence in the quality of product. we absolutely believe that this is the best music we've all made, any of us in any project from our past projects and bands--any of it. we believe so strongly that the record should find a home that reflects and reciprocates the potential of the record.

we've had many fine offers from small and well-intentioned labels that ultimately will not offer a move for us that's vertical but instead is more of lateral move. we may indeed end up with one of the smaller labels, and if that's the case we will go to them knowing that we've exhausted all other options and we'll be excited about whomever we end up with.

outs ae

A Cast of Jillions

2009-04-15T08:00:03.787

life is pleasure : the film made of our tour of Japan in 2006, Life is Pleasure, is now complete, and is being manufactured even as i type. we're pretty thrilled with how it turned out. it's about 50 minutes long, covers 5 shows in 4 cities in 6 days. there's some extras and bullshit and a fair amount of the new record can also be heard on the soundtrack.

however, this is not a concert film!! i will warn those of you expecting to see an entire show or even much less, and entire song, not to get their hopes up. the film would've been too long and we think it's all the other stuff that's so much more interesting rather than the usual rockshow footage. but there is a touch of rock posing, of course.

for the foreseeable future, it will be available only through our website and at live events. we're not taking pre-orders just yet but i'll let everyone know when they go on sale. Megan, our fairskinned yet hardworking intern/assistant, is prepping her mailer stockpiles.

RIP George Carlin 1937-2008

magic vinyl : our brethren at hawthorne street records are doing the honors again in the release of the vinyl version of The Magician EP. we'll be selling the shit out of this and the Suburban Hymns vinyl on this next outing with our boys from Barcelona, Nueva Vulcano.

LIFE IS PLEASURE TOUR JULY 2008all dates with Nueva Vulcano.

JULY

17 denver, co @ hi-dive

18 salt lake city, ut @ kilby court

19 boise, id @ neurolux

20 seattle, wa @ sunsent tavern

21 portland, or @ someday lounge

22 off driving

23 san fransisco, ca @ hemlock tavern

24 los angeles, ca @ spaceland

25 san diego, ca @ casbah

26 phoenix, az @ modified

27 albuquerque, nm @ launchpad

28 austin, tx @ emo's jr

29 ft. worth, tx @ lolas

30 oklahoma city, ok @ conservatory

AUGUST

1 omaha, ne @ slowdown

2 kansas city, mo @ record bar

Fall of the Angry Clowns

2009-04-15T08:00:03.913

sunday morning : sup yalls. sorry i haven't updated this recently. been busy making hit records and starring in summer blockbusters. we've been busting our collective ass to get the record finished so we could focus our energy-rays upon the Japanese tour film we foolishly decided to undertake. it's rough work, but should be a good watch for fans and friends. maybe also for the uninitiated. we shall see.

yes master : our new record, henceforth entitle Tragic Boogie, is being mastered this weekend at the Blasting Room in Ft. Collins, CO., by one Jason Livermore. Jason mixed 8 of the 12 tunes on the Boogie and basically turned the badass knob up to about 116 on the whole thing. Eric and i mixed the remaining 4 tunes at home in the Dungeon after the mix sesh with Livermore. all turned out really well, we think.

still aren't sure who'll be releasing Tragic Boogie, but have had nice offers and good conversations with about 2 handfuls of labels. when we figure it out, we'll be sure to send out an APB (all points bulletin).

mui pica : our spanish bros Nueva Vulcano will be joining us on a west coast tour this july, in an attempt to sample gas-price-gouging on a wide scale and find out how it's really done--Cali style. we're hoping to have the Japanese tour film as a nice stopgap measure to sell on tour until the Boogie comes out. dates can be found on campaign page. i'm into you.

all the saints : we're stoked to be contributing a song, Coat of Arms from Suburban Hymns, to the new Saints Row 2 soundtrack. not sure on the release date for that, i'll keep you posted.

word. piece in the middlewest. ae

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lion

2009-04-15T08:00:04.047

getting busy : peep these happenings. be present.

MARCH

13 Austin, TX @ SXSW - Rm 710 - Anodyne Records Day Suarez w/ The Architects, Sirhan Sirhan, Roman Numerals, the Valley Arena. TLAT @ 5pm sharp! free beer and cover. mm hmm, yep. that's right.

and then, later that same night...

13 Austin, TX @ SXSW - Wave Rooftop - NME Showcase w/ Holy Fuck, Yacht, Switches, Dans Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, the Dykeenies. TLAT @ 9pm sharp! cost is $20 or free with badge.

21-25 Ft. Collins, CO @ the Blasting Room - mixing the new record with Jason Livermore, eating a lot, drinking many Jim Beams and water from a Costco sized bottle. you know the one.

28 Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge w/ Black Xmas. $5, 21+, TLAT @ 11:30pm.

APRIL

12 Kansas City, MO @ the Record Bar w/ the Architects and Roman Numerals. $8, 21+, TLAT @ 10pm sharp!!!

23 Kansas City, MO @ Davey's Uptown w/ Dropsonic and Quatre Tete. $7, 21+, TLAT @ 12am sharp!

all apologies to everyone who came out the Crosstown Station fashion show to see us and found that we had to cancel. Big A (that's me) came down with a wicked flu bug. i was freezing in bed by 7pm and blowing chunks by 10pm that night. it was awesome. we'll make it up at some point in the future.

see you soon!
BIG ae

Music and Fashion Were Always the Passion

2009-04-15T08:00:04.183

good morning : i'm having a cup of coffee, add 1-mississippi of skim milk. it's delicious.

fashionistas!! : FEB 22 KCMO @ Crosstown Station -1522 McGee Trwy- Camels' Rock and Roll Fashion Show. TLAT play after the runway event at 11:30. free drugs to all attendees.

mixology : we're getting closer to mix time on this new record of ours. the second batch is moving much faster than the first. 6 songs came from Sesh I, and now 8 are born from Sesh II. the choice of mixist for this record is being made and we'll keep you peeped. prepare ye the way.

merchology : delivery time for goods ordered from our Market page is 1-2 weeks usually. joining us in helping to fill orders, answer merch related emails and fluff our pillows. Ms. Megan Corning as our highly unpaid intern. bienvenidos!!

photo by abert

The Ice Storm

2009-04-15T08:00:04.453

chewing foil pt. 2 : i, for one, love to spend time in our new studio. it's a good thing too, because we've spent the greater part of 5 months in there creating our new record Tragic Boogie in our basement studio and are now considering moving all our porn down there too. that's commitment.

started round two last week and it's even better than the first sesh. better sounds from the kit, and we're learning to use the room better. still not sure who, when or where this beast will be mixed. stay tuned.

hawthorne st records : get Suburban Hymns vinyl at their crib or at ours.

not at sundance...yet : the film of our tour of japan last year is coming along nicely and we hope to have it out either as a companion to the new disc or on its own, perhaps a small tour. we shall see.

show up : new spring shows on the campaign page with soon-to-be-included info re our SXSW dates, so check that out.

make sure to sign the mailing list, because i send out terrifically funny and irreverent mass info-mails. i'm really funny.

outs.

ps shit-hot studio photo by eric abert

hot snot on a silver platter

2009-04-15T08:00:04.997

STEP 1: click the tape reel icon at the top of the page to hear Suburban Hymns top to bottom. begin relaxation techniques, deep-breathing, etc.

STEP 2: order Suburban (Hymns) Vinyl here!

STEP 3: watch us rock a million faces here:

12.13 KCMO @ Uptown Theatre - 96.5 The Buzz- The Night the Buzz Stole Christmas with Jimmy Eat World, Coheed and Cambria and Pinback. doors @ 7pm, all tix $32.50, AA, TLAT @ 7:30pm sharp!

12.14 KCMO @ Record Bar w/ Blue Leaves and Sleep Comes Down. doors @ 9pm, 21+, $7, TLAT @ midnight.

STEP 4: preach baby preach! we've been getting played on 96.5 The Buzz at times other than just the local Homegrown Buzz Show (for which we're always grateful). but now they've been spinning My Last Hostage in the weekday afternoons and evenings recently. shouts out and much love to Jeriney at the Buzz who's been one of our biggest supporters in town.

STEP 5: finish the damn record. still working!!

STEP 6: take it lates. ae

photo by eric abert

Suburban Vinyl

2009-04-15T08:00:05.563

on record : Suburban Hymns, our first full-length work is now being re-released in the vinyl, a.k.a. LP, format on Hawthorne Street Records, a fine Chicago-based label (sweet cobra, pelican). go there now and pre-order it or, better yet, get it straight from us at our upcoming rock shows. prep thine stylus.

on file : we are now halfway through the making of our newest offering, as of yet untitled, in our own home studio. it sure sounds good to us, but it could be that these are just really good demos, or they could be part of the new record. we shall see. we're talking with 5 or 6 cool labels and are trying to suss it all out for a Spring '08 release. booosh.

in film : Wick Smith, our resident webmaster, genius and homeboy for the longest time, travelled with us on our tour of Japan last October for the Magician EP, and brought along his high-end high-dollar camera to capture all the footage. 33 hours of it, to be exact.

just got around to viewing it all with the band recently and, besides watching myself say some of the stupidest shit ever and play one of the worst shows of my life in Tokyo after getting way too drunk, the footage is absolutely stunning. look for a short (half hour-ish) film to accompany the release of our new record, also Spring '08.

in deed : we'll be making sweaty rock faces at the following events, so BE THERE!!!

NOVEMBER

14 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews w/ north of grand, doors @ 8:30, all tix $7, AA. TLAT @ 10:45.

15 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club w/ Planes Mistaken for Stars and Kingdom of Magic, $8 adv. $10 day of. 21+., doors @ 9pm, TLAT @ 11pm.

16 Kenosha, WI @ Hattrix w/ Sleep Comes Down. 21+. all tix $7. doors @ 9pm. TLAT @ 11:45 sharp-ish.

17 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle w/ Sweet Cobra and Sleep Comes Down. Suburban Hymns Vinyl Release Show $8 adv., $10 day of. 21+. doors @ 9pm. TLAT @ rock o'clock.

merchandise warning : music from the the life and times can cause dilation of pupils, a prolonged sense of euphoria and blissful lethargy. conversely, the apparel will often result in sculpting a superhero-like upper-torso. buy at your own risk!

tired but wired. ae

Of Pumpkins and Nekkid Trees

2009-04-15T08:00:06.287

SAG Wages : we'll make that everyone who made it out to the KC Documentary show last month is paid their Screen Actors Guild wages for the day. keep checking the mail. it's coming...and we love you.

Filmmaker Bob Moz showed a 2 minute preview of the film and it looks amazing. it totally looks like a doc you might see on HBO and actually keep watching.

Glocktober : got a sweet midweek tour of KC coming up. get an eyeful right here on the campaign page. we'll be playing more and more new songs from our forthcoming long-player, due next spring, at each of these events. we've played the shit out of Skateland and I Know You Are for the past year so we're kind of ready to show our new wares. more local jamz on the horizon and yet even more out-of-town-bill-paying-events in NOV and DEC. stay tuned.

Suburban LPs : yes, we are releasing Suburban Hymns on vinyl. the release party will be held at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on November 17th. Chicagos' own Hawthorne Street Records will be the ones in charge of the vinyl portion of our lives for the foreseeable future.

if you happen to meet anyone unsure of this happening, please inform them of this website and the information contained herein.

take it lates.

the Lizzife and Tizzimes

2009-04-15T08:00:06.817

Rockumentary Casting Call : needed: 300 white-belt-wearing fanatics for small yet pivotal role in upcoming documentary, regarding the music scene in a certain midwestern city on the western edge of Missouri.

so get your buns to the Record Bar in Kansas City on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2007. local filmmaker (now living in LA?!?) Bob Moczydlowsky is in the painstaking process of documenting what he sees as an important cog in the worlds' musical gears. the first show for this film was shot earlier this year, also at the Record Bar, and featured many great local bands.

a shit-ton of interviews were conducted for the film that weekend also. some of those interviews provoked the filmmakers to get extra footage of bands that weren't included in the initial show, but that he considered intrinsic to the Kansas City Sound (whatever that is). that's where we come in...

some other bands on this on this include the Appleseed Cast, Coalesce(!!), and Black Pool Lights (ex-Get Up Kids/Creature Comforts). the show will start at 6pm sharp, so get there early. hell, you can even eat dinner at Rb, too. the line-up will look exactly like this:
6:oo Sal Retta
7:00 the Beautiful Bodies
8:oo Rich Boys
9:00 Black Pool Lights
10:00 The Life and Times
11:00 The Appleseed Cast
12:00 Coalesce

more details to this show and other upcoming events can always be found on the Campain page.

Breaking Records : well, if our new studio in my basement would let us, we'd marry it, because we love it so much. well, first we'd make out with it, then we'd probably get a room with it (just to test the waters), and then we'd marry it.

started putting down trizzacks a few days ago and it sure is a wonder what new mics will do for your recordings. notes to selves. much love and props to my boy Tim Feret (of Sleep Comes Down) at Music Center in Kenosha, WI for his help in procuring the needed stuffs.

Words and Pics : yes we're still going to put up a lyric page and yes Eric is going to upload a ball-load of his pictures for the Exhibit page. bother Eric here twowatts@hotmail.com and tell him to get his ass moving.

sign the mailing list if your sexy.

ae

on getting up to leave

2009-04-15T08:00:07.567

wake and bake : the temperature at 4:20 this afternoon here in KC was a balmy 103 F. not sure where that fits in stoner theology but it sure is fucking hot.

Suburban Vinyl : hawthorne street records is releasing the vinyl version of Suburban Hymns to coincide with our November 17th show at the Empty Bottle (details still pending) and we're thrilled. these cats usually deal in a heavier currency than ours with bands like Pelican and Sweet Cobra, but we think we'll be a good fit there for vinyl stuffs. we'll be the Cardigans of that label, which ain't a bad thing. sans the hot chick in front.

big rox : rad (short for radical) shows coming up in chicago, dekalb, and here at home in mid-september. dig it:

AUGUST (door-times and tix on campaign page).

24 DeKalb, IL @ Otto's in dekalb w/ Seaworthy, Grenadier, maybe more.

25 Chicago, IL @ the Note w/ Soft Targets, Joesep, Quatre Tete. very hot, very bothered.

SEPTEMBER

15 Kansas City, MO @ recordBar w/ the Appleseed Cast, BlackPoolLights, more more more. Kansas City Music Documentary Showcase Part Deux.

le studio : it seems the dungeon in my basement has taken a dramatic turn for the much better with the addition of a badass new computer, monitors--audio and video, and several new nice microphones. eric's been hooking for extra money recently and it's really paid off nicely. he put all those 5's and 10's to good use here. thanks eric!

now it's time to make this rekkid. over 12 songs ready to put down to "tape". it could be more by the time we're done, you know how that goes. the entirety of the fall months will be spent making this sucker. the tunes are pretty great and definitely take us into new territory.

trying to explain to an engineer what's exactly in our heads has been a daunting task recently, so we're just taking it into our own hands. here's hoping we know when it's done. salut!

more soon.

ae

Lunatic Fringe

2009-04-15T08:00:08.203

FRINGE FEST FRIDAY JULY 27th : rock atop the roof of the parking garage of the Kansas City Public Library, 14 W 10th St. in downtown KCMO (MO is short for Missouri) with The Life and Times and a li'l ol' band from the past called Giants Chair (!?!). we're as happy as happy can possibly be about these happy happenings. TLAT @ 8pm SHARP!. cost is free. but it might not be free. no idea really. so come with money either way. see you soon.

GET A NEW STYLUS : Suburban Hymns, our first full length recording, will be released in vinyl format soon from the fine lads over at Hawthorne Street Records. generally, their trade deals with rock bands wearing a bit heavier armor than we might (pelican, sweet cobra) but these boys are fresh and funky. release party will be held in mid-November in Chicago at the Empty Bottle. more on that when more is known.

feet ground, hands stars.

$40 and case of heineken

2009-04-15T08:00:08.807

cultive the world: 2 cool shows on one hot night, saturday july 21st.

1) KC : Cultivate Guatamala Project Benefit w/ Black Pool Lights and Flee the Seen. Westport lot at 40th and washington. we plat at 9PM.

2) Lawrence : Jackpot Saloon w/ the Appleseed Cast. TLAT @ 11pm-ish. $7. 21+.

Hello Dearest Lover

2009-04-15T08:00:09.17

words and deeds : the rock thrown down on our tour with the Appleseed Cast over the past 4-ish weeks was of such epic proportions that it's difficult to put into words. but i'll try. here's goes: "the population census at the end of the decade will show a spike in pregnancies from the spring of 2007".

it was that good. thanks for being there.

kixx : taking some months to mow the driveway and watch the Royals. yep i still care. we're writing a lot and getting a bit of it put to "tape" and real tape, too. it's a huge step forward, we think. more on that when we get closer. we'll be playing some of those jams live too.

speaking of roxx : check the Campaign page for details on our upcoming shows with the Smoking Popes, the Walkmen, Big Business, and more great folks.

en masse : sign the mailing while you're here. it's cool. everybody does it.

burning holes : those of you with that silly money stuff burning holes in your pockets should make sure you visit the Market page while'st here. something for every wish list there.

sticky buns,

ae. cm. ea.

photo by a lovely bass-playing young lady from the Appleseed Cast who's name is Marc Young...Boosh.

maps and legends

2009-04-15T08:00:09.493

u.s. tour opening for the appleseed cast resumes friday april 6th!? east coast was cold as shit but very fun. thanks to everyone who put us up or said "whooo". much love. west coast awaits us. we're bringing the mobile scrabble unit, baseball gloves, a jug of whiskey, a jar of Jif and the entire Trailer Park Boys catalog to keep us moving. have mercy, will travel.

catching crumbs for callum : one of our new songs we've been playing live has been included in a 2 CD/ 32 track benefit compilation for Callum Robbins, son of J and Janet. the song is called Catching Crumbs, and we're pretty thrilled to be included in something so worthwhile but i guess i'm also just stoked to be on a disc with some of the legendary bands on this disc. to wit: jawbreaker, mission of burma, david grubbs, engine down, medications, travis morrison, the oranges band, pilot to gunner, story of the sea, maritime, channels (of course ) and so so so many more.

lets get tussed up : all shows below opening for the appleseed cast. the real details like start times, tix cost, door times and whatever else can be found on the campaign page. rock you like a tsunami.

april 07
6 denver, co @ marquis theatre
7 salt lake city, ut @ in the venue
8 boise, id @ venue
9 seattle, wa @ the crocodile
11 portland, or @ holocene
12 reno, nv @ holland
13 san fransisco, ca @ bottom of the hill
14 los angeles, ca @ el rey theatre
15 pomona, ca @ glass house
16 san diego, ca @ the casbah
17 tuscon, az @ plush
18 drive drive drive
19 austin, tx @ emo's jr.
20 houston, tx @ walter's on washington
21 denton, tx @ rubber gloves
22 oklahoma city, ok @ the conservatory
27 kansas city, mo @ the record bar w/ system and station

buy our merch : by all means! but when we're on tour the shipping time could increase slightly. it'll get there but it may take a wee bit longer. even more reason to make the show. all apologies.

we're pretty cool : we are very pleased to have been chosen as one of Alternative Press' 100 Bands You Need to Know in 2007. check us out right up front on pg. 167 in the April 2007 issue #225. it's in stores now.

outs. ae. cm. ea

Our Humps

2009-04-15T08:00:10.253

hot hot feet : we're super excited to be joining the Appleseed Cast from lawrence, ks for a full US tour to commence on march12. all dates, start times and tix cost can be found on the campaign page soon.

this tour also goes to the west coast after too long of an absence on our behalf. all apologies. but now it's time. so shake your tailfeather and get to one of these shows.

10 inches of magic : no, that's not what i'm referring to, you naughty thing. i'm talking about the Magician EP being released in vinyl form by the fine spanish label Trece Grabaciones. these are los gentes that brought you the Nueva Vulcano Split cd/10". also included could be a fall european foray. or foret(?).

disclaimer : please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery of all merchandise ordered from the Market page. it's been tough recently keeping up with all the orders, which is a good thing for us, not so much for you. so, when you order please keep in mind that it could be 2-4 weeks, but most likely it'll be about a week or so....unless we're on tour, in which case, the 2-4 week window stands.

te amo,
ae.

Loddy Doddy

2009-04-15T08:00:10.803

we likes to party : and we party by selling our new Magish T-shirts to you sexy people for a very reasonable price.

speaking of reasonable : the Magician EP is now only $8 (plus $2 S&H) as we are getting them at a cheaper rate these days. and we pass these extraordinary savings on to you, the consumer!

what the hell did he say? : a page for all you TLAT lyric hunters is in the works on this site. all lyrics mumbled for the past 4 years will be available very soon. i hate to be misquoted...

rubbing elbows with stars : great shows coming in January and beyond with bands like Black Pool Lights (ex-GetUpKids, Creature Comforts) Chin Up Chin Up (Flame Shovel) , and Bobby Conn (Thrill Jockey). get your assets out to these shows.

Olive Juice,
ae. cm. ea.

photo by eric abert - wine, pasta and artur estrada of nueva vulcano, spanish tour - june 2006.

the New Normal

2009-04-15T08:00:11.327

holiday greetings to one and all : our Canadian and US eastern seaboard tour was as cold as expected. but we apparently dodged a pretty big bullet when an ice storm covered the midwest while we were in Canada. thanks to everyone who made it out to get rocked and/or put us up. shouts out. for now we're staying home for the majority of the winter months, save for a few one-offs tossed asunder, hither and thither.

for the benefit of Mr. Robbins : Cal Robbins is the beautiful infant son of J and Janet Robbins pictured here and has just recently been diagnosed with a severely advanced form of Muscular Dystrophy called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. he will never walk and many with this condition do not survive past the age of two. but Cal is strong and responding greatly to extra-curricular therapy. however, this therapy is very expensive and is not covered by their current health insurance. so, kim coletta and bill barbot over at Desoto Records have started a fund to which we should all give. please follow the link here and give what you can. it's a small thing that can make a big difference in Cals' life. J and Janet don't want us to feel sorry for them, because they don't feel sorry for themselves. but they will need a lot of help with what J and Janet call the "new normal". here is his update at Jrobbins.net.

the life and times has been asked to play the Cal Robbins Benefit at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on January 27th, 2007 with a bunch of other amazing and some possibly legendary bands. we are truly honored to participate. i urge everyone within several thousand miles to make this show. i'm only half kidding.

the Magician EP : is selling like hot flapjacks. i probably should've included a 2-4 week shipping disclaimer on the Market page, especially when we're on tour. my apologies to all who had to wait or may still be waiting. it's coming.

bu ya ka sha,

Frozen Assets

2009-04-15T08:00:11.92

November, 27 2006 at Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: $6. 21+ w/ locals.

November, 28 2006 at Magic Stick
4129 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan
Cost: $8. All Ages w/ Planes Mistaken For Stars and North Atlantic.

November, 29 2006 at Horseshoe Tavern
370 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Cost: $7. 19+ w/ Sometimes Why.

November, 30 2006 at Casbah
306 King St. W., Hamilton, Ontario
Cost: $8adv/$10day of. 19+ w/ The Germans, A Northern Chorus and Astroknaughts

December, 1 2006 at Cafe Dekcuf
Not Available, Ottawa, Ontario
Cost: $8. 19+ w/2 locals

December, 2 2006 at Main Hall
5390 Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec
Cost: $10. All Ages w/ The Grates and local.

December, 3 2006 at TT the Bears
10 Brookline St., Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: $8. 18+ w/ Tiny Amps, the North Atlantic.

December, 4 2006 at Rock and Roll Hotel
1353 H Street, District of Columbia, Washington DC
Cost: $10. All Ages w/ Maritime and local.

December, 5 2006 at Rebel NYC
251 W. 30th St., New York, New York
Cost: $10adv/$12day. All Ages w/ Shelby and The North Atlantic.

December, 6 2006 at Greene Street
113 N. Greene St., Greensboro, North Carolina
Cost: $7. All Ages w/ Mercy Mercedes, Joe Fain, Waiting for Wednesday.

December, 7 2006 at Drunken Unicorn
736 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia
Cost: $8. All Ages w/ Rahim and Bound Stems

December, 8 2006 at Off Broadway
3509 Lemp Ave, St. Louis, Missouri
Cost: $8. 18+ w/ Ghost in Light

see you soon!

ae

photo by eric abert

Back in the U.S.S.A.

2009-04-15T08:00:12.267

the Magician EP : it's time! get it now before we sell out of these suckas. it happens. dischord records is also on the US distro tip with The Magician. get it from them. i dare you.

from us to stiff slack records, with luv : extra effing special thanks to takuya shinkawa for making our experience a reality. the Japanese tour was simply amazing. every show was very well attended or near max cap. every ear was poised for the next note from us. every soundman (or girl) actually cared about making the band sound great and (gasp!) made you feel like they were working for you, and not the other way around.

in fact, everyone there just gives a shit about what they're doing or making more than in the US. whether they're running sound, delivering mail, flipping burgers or pumping gas, it's all done with great pride. what a concept. mental note.

etcetera and so on and so forth: can't say enough about the whole thing. to do so would waste lots of space and all of our time. suffice it to say that our experience along with chadwick smiths' experience, who was along filming the whole affair, was a pivotal moment for us all. we returned change men with severe cases of yellow fever, i might add. yeah, i'm married, but lord knows i ain't blind. or am i?

U.S and Canadian tour dates await your inspection : get thee hither. we'll no doubt have the Magician EP for sale, along with the Flat End of the Earth EP, Suburban Hymns, Suburban Hymns +1 (japan import), the new eponymous split CD/10" with nueva vulcano (spain import), and scads of sexy new winter tees and hoodies.

sign the mailing list if you're cool. if not, sign it anyway. we don't care.

j/k. f/f. thx. ame. cam. ewa.

photo by takuya shinkawa.

ohayo gozaimasu!!

2009-04-15T08:00:12.643

huzzah : we're closer than ever to giving birth to a 5 song monster called The Magician EP for Stiff Slack Records in Nagoya, Japan. not going to Japan any time soon? fear not, because we are, and shall return loaded. and loaded with plenty to sell from our merch page beginning in November. domo arigato, mr. miyagi. Japanese tour dates can be found on our campaign page.

kanooks like musik too : the Magician EP will also be available for purchase on our upcoming headlining tour through Canada and the east and south coasts in late Nov/December. if your band a) is good, b) can draw some folks to the venue, and c) able to put up 3 road-weary gents for the night, then please contact the local promoter. we'll start posting the tour dates when more become confirmed so you'll know whether we're coming close to you. booking agents don't like announcing tentative things, real or imagined.

we're good : we feel really good about the new EP, but it, by no means, is a summation of where we intend to go. already in the bag are 7 new songs which are taking us to new heights in our new direction...jazz fusion. or maybe jazz fission. figuring out who's going to put this sucka out since DeSoto is once again in a self-imposed state of deep slumber. but they did release a really cool record of childrens music with a bunch of indie rock stars recently called Play. check it out.

doing the splits : we have just received a new shipment of the Nueva Vulcano split CDs. we sold out about a month ago and several of you had quite a long wait for your merch. sorry 'bout that. but we gots em now so find your way to the Market page and get you some.

i want to vacuum (whispered).

september morn

2009-04-15T08:00:13.257

the magician e.p. : n, (english) an abbreviation for an extended play record, shorter than the long play--l.p., and yet longer than a 45, a.k.a. 7". in this case, reference is made to the magical 5 song recording from the life and times due out on stiff slack records in a scant few weeks.

a warning salvo : micro tour with story of the sea (featuring the prince brothers - ian and adam - and the mighty traveling soul revue) in pre-celebration of the imminent and long-overdue release of the magician. and yes, we'll be selling the magician e.p. on this tour, even before it's official release date. that's how we roll.

thursday 9-21-06 : kcmo : the brick : w/ story of the sea. 21+. doors at 9:30.

friday 9-22-06 : champaign, il : canopy club : w/ Man Man, the Living Blue, Canada, Watery Domestic/Metal Hearts. 18+. doors at 7PM

saturday 9-23-06 : chicago, il : subterranean : Story of the Sea. $10 advance, $12 day of. 21+. doors @ 9:30.

sunday 9-24-06 : milwaukee, wi : cactus club : w/ Story of the Sea. $8, 21+. doors @ 8:45.

monday 9-25-06 : minneapolis, mn : triple rock social club : w/ Story of the Sea. $6 adv, $8 day of. 21+. doors @ 9PM.

tuesday 9-26-06 : omaha, ne : o'leavers : w/ 2 locals. $5. 21+. doors @ 9PM.

october japanese tour dates found on campaign page.

domo. ae. cm. ea.

dog day afternoon

2009-04-15T08:00:14.02

omfgomfgomfg!!!!!!!!!

friday, aug 18 : kansas city, mo : record bar : 18+. early show.

9:30 = the life and times
10:30 = vedera (second nature records)
late show w/ this alibi @ midnight

sold out : well, they went quickly. so we're already having to re-order copies of the new split cd with nueva vulcano. we do still have some vinyl copies of the split, however. those of you who have orders already placed will have your new copies within a couple of weeks. our deepest apologies. they went a lot quicker than we expected, but we've got an order in for more and they should be here soon...ish. standby.

sold out v2.0 : also completely out of copies of the Flat End EP right now. so, for the time being order them through 54 40 Or Fight Records. we're close to our third repressing for this one.

sparticus : some slanderers have unjustly accused me of repeatedly saying that the last shows (that we may have done at any given time) were "the most amazing shows" or "fill in band name here" are the most amazing group of people" or "we were hopped up on so many goofballs with them" or what have you.

however, and i'll stand by this one, the fact remains that the shows with sparta last weekend were some of the most amazing shows and they are the most amazing group of people and we were SO hopped up on goofballs with them. there. i said it. take that. but only because it's true.

to be continued...

i love you.

ae

nueva vulcano

2009-04-15T08:00:14.477

splodin like bombs: our new split CD/10" with our brethren from barcelona, nueva vulcano has now officially "hit the streets", as they say. it's an untitled 6 song masterpiece that david fricke calls "frighteningly brilliant work that reflects almost alien-like perfection". shucks. we say it rocks but also shows hints of genius. whatever. anyway get it now, here. seems they're already going quickly.

however : this release should in no way be confused with the upcoming release of The Magician, our 5 song EP due out on stiff slack records in september of this year.

victorious tour of spain : as expected, our tour of spain was nothing short of amazing. 11 shows in 11 days, great shows to boot, delicious cuisine, award-winning tourmates, absolutely crazy geography, 4 on 4 futbol on the beach, wonderfully topless women on the beach, a heartbreaking world cup loss for the spanish team against france, and shit-tons of cool people rabid for good music. we are forever in debt to the fine men of nueva vulcano for all their deeds and amazing music. inspiring stuff, indeed. think chavez with sing-along choruses, in catalan.

cool shows coming up. check em and wreck em.

take it lates. ae. cm. ea.

PS you need this.

photo by eric abert.

a new volcano

2009-04-15T08:00:15.077

we're off : we leave for Barcelona, Spain on tuesday, june 20th and the first of 11 shows with nueva vulcano is in Alicante, wherever that is. either way, we're so pumped. if you have friends in spain or portugal, or maybe you are there right now, tell them to get out and come see us play.

we added : 3 songs to a split CD/10" with nueva vulcano for this tour. it will be available in the states on our website (and maybe some stores) when we return in early july. the first song is a remix of an existing tune from Sub-Hymns by that wicked DJ Freeman Moxy, the second is a sweet little instrumental tune--sans guitar, and the third is a cover tune that is sure to get you some lovin everytime you put it on the turntable. works everytime.

japan : just got the mastered version of our japanese EP, entitled The Magician, back from alan douches, and it rocks. we love it. artwork is being finished up as we type this urgent update, and i can't say enough about how awesome the art is. we're lucky. release date is SEPT.

again? : it may seem strange (to those of you who actually read and ingest the information on this site) to see me mention the exact same things over and over and over again in this forum. however, when i meet so many of you folks, nobody ever seems to have any of this info.

people will ask me "did you guys bring the new EP to the show?" and then i say "no, sorry", and then i mention to those people that we have a website with lots of info about that which they ask. they often say, "oh yeah i know about that", and then i say, "cool, well all the info is there just in case". then they say "ok cool". then i say "right on". then they say, "i really like pelican and mono", then i'll say something like, "yeah, they're badass". then they say "fuck yeah". then i say "alright, take it".

so, take it.

ae. cm. ea.

PS photo of the calf by andrew schwegly

my arms were snakes

2009-04-15T08:00:15.597

next show : june 10th, chicago, il @ metro w/ pelican and mono. there or square, nerds. do not miss this.

miami is a strange place : woo hoo! we just spent an amazing two and half weeks with pelican and mono, two absolutely awe-inspiring bands, touring the east coast and the south coast. our undying thanks to each of them for having us along. and thanks to everyone who made it out to get rocked and/or put us up. if you didn't put us up, shame on you. j/k. f/f. (not really).

vamanos : next up, we're off to spain for a tour with a handsome band that makes beautiful new music called nueva vulcano (ex-aina). we're releasing a split CD and 10" with them on a label called trece grabaciones. each band contributed 3 songs for the effort. we recorded ours with dave gaume here in kc, who for those in the know, is the bassist for stella link. we are more stoked than you can imagine. spain, yallz.

tambien! : we're liscensing suburban hymns to a badass barcelona based label called cydonia records that will include the song coda that (i realize) was also released on the japanese version. cydonia has released many great bands from cool labels from all over the u.s. and spain. we're super duper pooper stoked.

more soon. ciao.

ae

ave maria

2009-04-15T08:00:16.173

splitting 10 inches : with nueva vulcano (ex-aina), our boys from barcelona, spain for a spanish label called trece grabaciones. we added 3 songs, one of which is a special remix by Freeman Moxy. very hot. nueva vulcano will also add 3 songs to their side of the vinyl. this won't be available until june. tour of spain begins june 22-july 2. for those of you who don't habla espanol, nueva vulcano means, uh....new volcano.

for the benefit of mr. kite : part and parcel with our altruistic ways is a song were contributing to a benefit for muscular dystrophy for smile time records called catching crumbs. other bands for the comp include cursive, deerhoof, jad fair and mucho mas.

domo-kun : finishing touches being put on our japanese EP for stiff slack records which will see light of day in early september in japan and US, and then we conquer foreign shores in october '06. i'll tell you about this many more times.

did we mention? : since we're turning japanese here, we happen to be heading out for two weeks-ish with an amazing japanese band called Mono and a monolithic ensemble from chicago called Pelican, beginning this friday, cinco de mayo. we're atremble with anticipation. you should be too. see you there. ae

circus dates : exact show times, tix prices, venue websites all found on campaign page. we're either 1st of 3 or 2nd of 4 bands on the Pelican/Mono dates.

5.05.06 Creepy Crawl w/ the midwesterners and von erichs
5.06.06 Beat Kitchen w/ piglet, black pool lights and whale/horse
5.07.06 Mac's Bar w/ Pelican
5.08.06 Mohawk Place w/ Pelican
5.09.06 Avalon NYC w/ Pelican & Mono
5.10.06 First Unitarian Church w/ Mono & Pelican
5.11.06 Black Cat w/ Pelican & Mono
5.12.06 Nanci Raygun w/ Pelican & Mono
5.13.06 The Grey Eagle w/ Pelican & Mono
5.14.06 Drunken Unicorn w/ Pelican & Mono
5.15.06 Drunken Unicorn w/ Mono & Pelican
5.17.06 The Social w/ Pelican & Mono
5.18.06 Churchills w/ Mono & Pelican
5.19.06 Common Grounds w/ Mono & Pelican
5.20.06 Spanish Moon w/ Pelican & Mono
5.21.06 Walters w/ Pelican & Mono
5.22.06 Hailey's w/ Pelican & Mono
5.23.06 Emo's w/ Mono & Pelican
5.26.06 Record Bar w/ In the Pines

6.22.06 Coyote Bar (Galopa Fest) w/ Nueva Vulcano
6.23.06 La [2] (Galopa Fest) w/ Nueva Vulcano
6.24.06 Bilbo Rock (Galopa Fest) w/ Nueva Vulcano
6.25.06 Siroco (Galopa Fest) w/ Nueva Vulcano
6.26.06 TBA w/ Nueva Vulcano
6.27.06 TBA w/ Nueva Vulcano
6.28.06 TBA w/ Nueva Vulcano
6.29.06 Arrebato w/ Nueva Vulcano
6.30.06 Bonberenea w/ Nueva Vulcano
7.01.06 Festus Festival w/ Nueva Vulcano
7.02.06 TBA w/ Neuva Vulcano

big black beauty

2009-04-15T08:00:16.827

cool props : iriveramerica.com has us as a featured artiste in their rock category. nice words and in good company, too.

rearview mirror : just in from a few shows out west. the large majority of these were rad-tastic, as the battle-bot is known to say. thanks to all who were there, and/or put us up. extraordinary thanks to all the bands we played with, especially the jade shader, roma 79, traindodge, magnet school, hialeah and manifold.

muzik : as part of the tour to spain this june with our boys in nueva vulcano (ex-aina), we are releasing a 6 song split CD with them (3 songs each) on a great label from barcelona called trece grabaciones. this will be available in spain but only through this website in the u.s. and at thelifeandtimes shows upcoming. vinyl may also be in the works for this, too ya'llz.

more muzik : also proud to be contributing a song to a benefit compilation for smile time records that is raising funds for muscular dystrophy research. other bands on the comp include cursive, xbxrx, deerhoof, the plot to blow up the eiffel tower, and lots more.

japanese muzik : finishing artwork and mastering for japanese e.p. release date is set for september. tour in october. domo!!

showing off : stellar tour with pelican and mono starting may 5th. tour dates on campaign page. see you soon.

a to the e

photo by andrew schegley

and you will know us by the trailer park boys

2009-04-15T08:00:17.417

this just in : we're the fuckin best. also, we have a badass new shirt design with messianic statue of liberty peering beatifically out to the masses. get you some now. this is a kelly green shirt with silver ink. very hot. all sizes including baby dolls.

also: original mermaid marquee design shirt now in ups brown with yellow ink. also very hot. all sizes except no baby dolls. sorry ladies. (and the mick.)

march 29-april 9 : west coast tour featuring select events with the jade shader (ex no knife, boilermaker), traindodge, roma 79 and magnet school.

may 5-may 23 : north, east, southeast and south with pelican and mono. select events with russian circles. detailed dates posted soon on campaign page.

june 22-july 2 : tour of spain with nueva vulcano (ex-aina) including 4 B-Core Records Festivals. fantastico!

much new music coming : even more than we originally thought. i'll break all this on you folks very soon. fyi, the 5 song EP we mixed with J Robbins this past week turned out sparklingly beautiful, we think. you'll know soon.

hasta esta noche! ae

finish him

2009-04-15T08:00:18.033

so : folks have recently queried about how to get ahold of the EP we're currently mixing for the fine japanese label stiff slack records. and they also want to know how much it might cost. they want to know what has driven us to create such sounds. they need information. they need it now.

i can tell them that it will have some u.s. distro (biz talk for distribution) but to what extent i'm not sure. also, not sure about cost yet, but i think it'll be well worth whatever it comes to. also, unsure about what our inspirado might have been for this latest offering. pink floyd probably. a dash of chaos. a pinch o' sugar. much is unknown. known is a very rough release date for this EP. release: july-ish. japanese tour: october...ish.

but before then it's east, west, pelican, perhaps spain in june with my boys in nueva vulcano, perhaps the rest of europe in aug/sept. much to discuss.

speaking of stiffening slacks:

march

2 champaign, il @ cowboy monkey w/ russian circles

3 dayton, oh @ night owl w/ swearing at motorists, russian circles, and captain of industry

4 baltimore, md @ talking head w/ tba

5 mixing EP w/ j robbins @ magpie cage

6 mixing EP w/ j robbins @ magpie cage

7 mixing EP w/ j robbins @ magpie cage

8 new york, ny @ mercury lounge w/ tba

9 pittsburgh, pa @ gooskies w/ tba

10 columbus, oh @ the high five w/ russian circles

11 bloomington, in @ rhino's all ages music club w/ russian circles and alexander the great

14 kansas city, mo @ jilly's (1744 broadway) w/ the plastic constellations (frenchkiss records)

april dates to west coast found on campaign page.

take it.

freedom is the only way...fuck yeah.

2009-04-15T08:00:18.703

rockshow : feb 18 '06 kcmo @ the brick w/ the string and return, liz durret

good times : wonderful shows this past week. props and shouts out to all who got their rumps shaken with us. and thanks to WNUR for having us in for live rocks. it was fun this time.

bad times : watched the state of the union address tuesday night. about half -way through i got an interesting text message from a friend in cali who proclaimed that he wanted to kill president bush. and i was strangely comforted by this message. thank you cali-friend...

show times : live happenings in march and april with the likes of : traindodge, russian circles, swearing at motorists, the jade shader, roma 79, pelican, mono and many many many many more.

soon. ae

fables of the deconstruction

2009-04-15T08:00:19.433

OMFG : forgot to mention on the most recent mass mailer that we will be playing on-air and online at WNUR 89.3 in chicago on saturday afternoon at about 4PM. go there and bookmark it so you can hear what we're really mumbling about in our songs. you'll be amazed.

feliz ano nuevo : despite being lied to, spied on, rifled through, smirked at, taken advantage of, rail-roaded, flooded out, swept away, stolen from and had my basic right-to-privacy raped and pillaged, i'm still cautiously (yet optimistically and idealistically) realistic about our chances of having a better '06. that said, it's been a rough one, but one that nevertheless yielded a diamond. suburban hymns, among many others.

and much of it came from people i know and/or had sex with. my homies from the likes of riddle to steel, the traindodger, dropsonica, and rome '79 have been responsible for some great ones this year. not to mention fellow KC grads doris henson, the golden republic, the string and return, veda, and the minus story(well they're from lawrence, but a great record nonetheless). and as common denominator, i must admit that i think i'm really the one to credit for all these amazing records. what other reason could there be? i'm the link, broseph.

on the docket : quick early march tour over to baltimore to finish the japanese EP for stiff slack records. after that, a tour to the west coast that will include shows with the jade shader (no knife/boilermaker) and traindodge. following that, we'll hit the road for most of may with pelican and mono. we're pumped.

reward for lost cell phone : someone stole old trusty the other day when i went into the thriftway at 40th and main for bananas and sliced cheese, and it wasn't until the next morning the i realized the shits was gone. this cell phone was my confidant, in whose ear i could whisper anything, and have since 2001. it had the old old old school ring and was roughly the size of a brick.

when i finally did get a new phone, i got calls from some thugged out individuals for a few days. plus i'll bet all his homies were laughing at him and his huge ancient cell phone on the side of his head. it's my little revenge.

take it late. happy new year. see you soon. ae. cm. ea

the dreams of stuff

2009-04-15T08:00:20.46

so, to summarize: basically the best tour i've had the pleasure to be apart of in quite some time, if not ever. no shit. the quality of the bands and musicians, the crowd response and attentiveness, the interaction of all the bands and how much crazy fun we had, and the flow of the music presented each night. those of you who made it out--thank you so much. those of you who didn't (barring work, school or extreme injurious emergency) are hilarious. you missed a hell of a night.

murder by death treated us so well and were such an amazing group of individuals and musicians. we are deeply indebted to them for asking us along. we had the privilege of getting to know all the new material from their new record and it all fucking rips. they forced whiskey and pb and j down our throats, took us out to eat seafood and frog legs in tampa after strolling in the ocean, they made us dance naked, shot us with darts, initiated us into the hfc club, took us to titty city, showed us what selling merch is really about and basically reminded us how much fun touring is. and this was every night.

we had the dubious distinction of having to follow one william elliot whitmore every night, who elicited no less than 4 but usually about 6 goosebump moments per set. seriously. you can hear a mouse fart (see: pin drop) when he's on stage because nobody talks. everybody gives 100% attention when he sings. and it's merited. he's that good.

speaking of will whitmore; because he's an absolute rager against the 'man', he, of course, drove his own car on tour with no insurance. well they stopped him for speeding in atlanta and impounded his car. he cut his losses and left it in the atl and did the rest of the tour as an impromptu member of the 'times. even had his own bench seat in big black, our trusty steed.

next up : home for holidays. a "quik trip" to the upper midwest in late JAN that also includes a show with the plastic constellations in chicago. we had the pleasure of rocking faces off with those fellows on the mbd tour and they are kick ass. they have a new record coming out on french kiss records around that same time. after that we are finishing our EP for stiff slack records, aka the japanese ep, with j robbins.

i love your mouth. ae

the murdering times

2009-04-15T08:00:20.99

it begins: all dates with Murder by Death and William Elliot Whitmore. we are 3rd of 4 on all these events (including a local). PLEASE do us all a favor and get your asses to the show for all bands. these shows are relatively early and most are all-ages or 18+. for more details and stats on each show go to the campaign page right effing now.

11/3 Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club
11/4 Chicago, IL @ Logan Square Auditorium
11/5 Madison, WI @ Club 770
11/6 Iowa City, IA @ Gabes Oasis
11/7 St. Louis, MO @ Creepy Crawl
11/8 Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
11/9 Oklahoma City, OK @ Green Door
11/10 Memphis, TN @ The Complex
11/11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
11/12 Orlando, FL @ Wills' Pub
11/13 Tampa, FL @ The Orpeum
11/14 West Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
11/15 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
11/16 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
11/17 Brooklyn, NY @ NorthSix
11/18 Indiana, PA @ Ohio Room @ IUP
11/19 Louisville, KY @ Bulldog Cafe
11/20 Bloomington, IN @ Rhinos' All Ages Music Club

new "live" video for muscle cars : while in Frisco starring in a feature film to be released at a later date, toby lawrence, late of molly mcguire/gunfighter, (but more recently of forevernevercame), shot this impromptu video and got drunk with us as a result of his efforts. this is from the engine down tour we took part in earlier this year. take and eat, for this is our body.

we need you to help sell our merch in your town! : those interested in earning a shirt or disc or a quick handy from us should show up very early to their respective show and get a quick rundown on how to sell our merch. perks include: merch payout, beers with us...hmm. that's about it. but ain't that enough? interested parties should just show up when doors open and flash those eager eyes.

i love you. see you soon. ae. cm. ea.