Ok, I'm not really hip to the whole "blog" scene, so I'm just going to kind of do my own thing in here.

This will serve two purposes. 

1.) I go on a lot of road trips to see shows, and often I write up unofficial reviews of said shows, haphazardly placing them on my various BBs and website. So from now on, when I go to a show, I'll just keep record of it here. I do keep a separate journal of setlists, but that's for posterity/remembrance's sake mainly. And by the way, said journal is publicly available on my last.fm site:

http://www.last.fm/user/Rifugium/journal/ 

It's not complete, but I've been keeping up with it for at least a couple years.
As some of you may remember, the original Rifugium Chronicles took place during the first extensive AIC tour back in 2006. And here it is, in case anyone wants to read it:

http://www.aliceinchains.com/forums/thread/32383.aspx

I just reread it myself, and relived some good times. Though I also blow my cover by admitting that I thought Hurt was a good band the first time I saw them. But I recanted, dammit, I recanted.

 

2.) REVIEWGIUM. I started doing album reviews two years ago, and due to lack of interest, I pretty much ceased posting them here. But I think now that there are more people here (only a few more, mind you), that are becoming more and more aware of the importance of the current music scene. We've got Coma, we've got Richey...um....Deimos is doing pretty good.....maybe one or two more. Maybe I've played a part in helping you find new stuff, maybe not. Please let me know, because it makes me feel better knowing that I can help people find new music as opposed to people thinking I just hold my ever-growing and self-proclaimed diverse collection in their faces. And if you want to ask me about something, just go for it.

Anyway, I haven't done any album reviews yet for 2008, but I'm going to start soon, possibly this week. I'll also post those here. All of my reviews are also publicly available on Amazon:

HERE

Or if that link doesn't work, just search for me there (same username).

So I think that's about all I can say about that right now.

Is this what a "blog" is? I don't know. Whatever. This is what you're getting. 

 

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Cheers, Riffie!    It's about time you made a bloggity blog. 

Looking forward to reading your reviews and tales from the road.  I have read a lot of your reviews, and I respect your knowledge and willingness to travel to shows.  I have very few friends who are willing to put time and effort into music, and sometimes it brings me down because I feel like can't relate to a lot of them.  I have started to go shows alone, but then I am freaking paranoid the whole night! 

I am slightly offended at your elitist position that only a few of us are into the current music scene.  Music is the center of my family's life.  I just told Creep the other day that if I don't get live shows and new music, I start to wither.   And I have had many conversations with fellow boardies about new music, and I am thankful for each one.  You guys ROCK!!!!  

 So, will the open mindedness apply to you as well? 

And, when are you going to answer Punky's ? about your avatar?  Your viking shrimp is giving me cravings again! 

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Hip ROCKS!

Way to go, Shrimpy!!!!

I'll be sitting here, wet with anticipation for the next couple o' days.

ALL HAIL THE VIKING SHRIMP!!!!!! \m/    \m/

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Rifugium ®
“Pitying your absence of musical eclecticism since 1981”

"Sittin' here resting my bones, and this loneliness won't leave me alone"

Viking shrimp?

Where did PL ask me about that? I guess I missed that thread.

 

I didn't mean to offend by what I said. I just meant that not too many people here seem to have a very diverse taste in music. I like to think that I do. Maybe I'm wrong, and others do, but if so, they sure seem to be keeping quiet about it.

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Solitude:

And, when are you going to answer Punky's ? about your avatar?  Your viking shrimp is giving me cravings again! 

The funny thing is, reading your posts here, you sort of are a shrimp, so...

I'm totally offended that there's only 3-ish people who are 'open-minded about music' according to you. You don't even like the White Stripes, who put you in charge of that?

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HiP QWNS

By open-minded I mean giving anything a chance. Which I did with the White Stripes. Upon listening to several albums, looking at their image, and thus finding them horrible, I moved on.

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Then I think I should be on that list, for at least giving bands a chance then. I DEMAND that you edit me in right now.

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HiP QWNS

Maybe so, but I think open-mindedness is only one step towards "being aware of the current music scene," or any music scene. It involves serious progression into new territories, and a knowledgeable diversion from the norm, while still recognizing that skill does still exist in various forms in conventional musicians.

And that's what I think most people lack. Here, and in general. Which is why "popular music" is popular.

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I finally found a use for this little guy. . . .

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Hip ROCKS!

Solitude:

I finally found a use for this little guy. . . .

good one.

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"I fear again, like then, I lost my way
and shout to God to bring my sunny day"

KashmirKim:

Solitude:

I finally found a use for this little guy. . . .

good one.

Heheh...

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HiP QWNS

Riff, are you a critic or writer in the industry???  Or is your love fore music and reviews just a hobby?

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"Is this the place I search for love?"

It sure is!!! Thanks AIC for bringing Lindsay and I together.

Just a hobby/passion I guess. People have told me I should break into professionalism (because I can actually be professional when I want to), but I never really gave it much thought.

Anyway, I'm off to a show/awesome record shop now. I don't expect too much of a spectacular review from this show since I really don't know any of the bands (if you can believe that), other than my buddy's band. It's their first official gig with their new lineup. So we'll see what happens.

175. 3/15 - Souvernir's Young America, Monolith, City of Ships, Gholas @ Siren Records, Doylestown, PA 

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Rifugium:

I just reread it myself, and relived some good times. Though I also blow my cover by admitting that I thought Hurt was a good band the first time I saw them. But I recanted, dammit, I recanted.

 

Ten Ton Brick has been getting a lot of airplay around here lately and I have to admit I like it!!!!!!!  It grows on you....

 

Yay!  Riffie has a blog!

 

p.s. from the What kind of cigarettes did Layne smoke? thread:

PunkyLunky:

Hey Rif, what the heck is your new avatar????? A shrimp skeleton or something???    Should I recognize that? Just when I get used to what you look like.
p.s. sorry for going off-topic.......

 

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"We play so fine, don't you agree?" ~ Layne Staley

"We want to celebrate what we did and the memory of our friend." ~ Jerry Cantrell

Ah, I see. You shouldn't recognize it unless you're familiar with the artwork of Toby Driver.

 

So here's the report from Concert # 175.

Well, what I unknowingly thought would be a screamo show ended up being a really cool post-rock/sludge performance by 4 good bands. This isn't the first time I've seen a show at Siren Records, and hopefully it won't be the last. It's a great place to go for several reasons: good neighborhood, great music selection, and it draws good bands. I showed up a little early to the second story store to do some CD shopping, and after picking out about 8 CDs, it was time for the bands to start. It's cool because you can keep shopping while they play. :P But of course, of out courtesy, I always shoot over and pay attention to the band.

So my buddy Dave's band Gholas (formerly known as the Black Spoon Brigade) started the show off and did a good job with their massively heavy sludge/doom. Guitarist Bob only broke one guitar string. The new songs sounded pretty good, and I'm looking forward to hearing the studio versions (even though it's going to be a vinyl-only release and I won't be buying it).

The next band was Monolith, a four-piece atmospheric doom band, with some nicely layered--and pretty long--songs. Will keep an eye out for their debut this summer. Following them was the energetic trio, City of Ships. They were a bit heavier, and really looked like they were having a good time. They had two EPs for sale, including a tour-exclusive, both of which I will be listening to later. The last band was Souvenir's Young America, an interesting post-rock trio consisting of a guitarist, a multiple keyboardist, and a drummer/guitarist. I wasn't too crazy about them upon hearing the first song, but I came to really like them by the time the show was over. Also purchased both of their albums.

So, good show. $8, 4 bands, 3 hours. These are the kind of shows I live to go to. It's an underground world. Plus, any excuse to go to a good used shop.

 

Oh, and also, the singer from Rosetta was in the audience, so I got to chat with him. Not like I never met him before though. 

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