Happiness is what you make of it.  I made it my world.

I'm taking responsibility for my happiness.  I'm not going to stand around a fire and wait for it to get me warm... I'm finally growing out of that.

You cold? Life's funny.

Laughing forever,

Ryan Bambery

Too Good.

It's Not A Fight, It's A Good Old War

The beauty of a free show is the low expectations and laid-back atmosphere. March 6 in a small UMass Lowell student lounge was no different and clearly every attendee and passer-by got their money’s worth. The night was a collective toast to creativity and playfully pushing the musical bar in any direction the 4 bands cared to nudge it.

Oh My, The Moon opened the night with their self-proclaimed transcendental experimental instrumentation, following a trail blazed most recently by bands like Explosions In The Sky. The hometown band was met with a warm reception from the rapidly filling crowd as they told stories with guitar parts and a strong rhythm section rather than vocals.

Feels Like July caught the whole room off guard as Dan Bristol, the maestro of the magnificence jump-started the set with a flawless a capella intro leading into a rifling riff commanding the attention of anybody with ears. Bristol; a true showman coming into his own, captivated the crowd as he gracefully dragged himself across the stage while delivering effortless highs and the most menacing lows. His words danced with the demons being summoned from Mat Delorusso’s Vox AC50 as Mat tore through mind altering leads. Feels Like July fused undeniable chaos with now you see it now you don’t blues with the help of an air-tight rhythm section and an energy that was nothing less than contagious.

To say the most in so little, Maps & Atlases was a brilliant mindfuck. Their set was full of funk and uncertainty. It was all so new, so beautiful, and it was alive. The Chicago natives had the crowd entranced and eager to experience each groove and lyric; some even danced in their underwear. Dave Davison led the celebration with a voice and a guitar that had kids standing on chairs just to catch a glimpse of the greatness before them. Maps & Atlases are far ahead of their time (a blatant understatement) with a live set that proved to be a priceless experience.

The night was capped off with the boys of Good Old War. The 3-piece took to the stage high in spirits and broke into a wildly engaging set. Their inviting and pretty harmonies inspired even the softest spoken to sing along with honest songs of love, sacrifice, and self-realization. Their light-hearted yet precise take on their music gave the crowd a chance to be a part of something truly beautiful. Hell, we were all in it together. A true treat of the night was during “Weak Man” as Dave Davison of Maps & Atlases was invited to take it home with a guitar solo which led to dueling solos between Dave and Dan Schwartz. Dave and Dan went back and forth counteracting their bluesy guitar tones with ear-to-ear smiles and wide eyes as the crowd cat-called and howled them along. Each song brought everybody back to why we go to shows in the first place... the innocent fun... the true spirit of the thing.

I don't know nothing.

SUPREME

A great interview with the mind behind one of the most respected companies on the street.

bam

Broke

COME HANG OUT WITH ME ON THE AP TOUR!



MARCH

20 House of Blues Dallas, TX

21 Emo's - SXSW (free show) Austin, TX

22 Warehouse Live Houston, TX

24 Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ

25 Rialto Theatre Tucson, AZ

26 House of Blues Las Vegas, NV

27 The Avalon Hollywood, CA

28 The Glass House Pomona, CA SOLD OUT

29 House of Blues San Diego, CA

31 The Dome Bakersfield, CA




APRIL

01 Grand Ballroom San Francisco, CA

02 Senator Theatre Chico, CA

03 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR

04 El Corazon Seattle, WA SOLD OUT

05 Knitting Factory Boise, ID

07 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT

08 Fox Theatre Boulder, CO SOLD OUT

09 Sokol Auditorium Omaha, NE

10 Station 4 St. Paul, MN SOLD OUT

11 House Of Blues Chicago, IL SOLD OUT

12 The Eagles Club Milwaukee, WI

14 Beaumont Club Kansas City, MO

15 Pop's St. Louis, MO

16 Rocketown Nashville, TN

17 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA

18 House Of Blues Orlando, FL

19 Culture Room Ft. Lauderdale, FL

20 State Theatre St. Petersburg, FL

21 Freebird Cafe Jacksonville Beach, FL

23 Toad's Place Richmond, VA

24 9:30 Club Washington DC SOLD OUT

25 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA SOLD OUT

26 Crocodile Rock Allentown, PA

28 The Fillmore At Irving Plaza New York, NY

29 Northern Lights Clifton Park, NY

30 Toad's Place New Haven, CT




MAY

01 House Of Blues Boston, MA

02 The Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY

05 Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, ON

06 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI

07 The Crofoot Ballroom Pontiac, MI

08 Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH

09 House of Blues Cleveland, OH SOLD OUT

Skate Safari With The Knuckle Draggers

Chilly, but we weren't chilled.  The Sun was present in the clear skies, but offered little warmth to our dismay.  Albert, the heart beat, helmed the Hesh Ship AKA "The Jungle Van" through the suburban back roads us filthy mongrels were raised on.  The Dodger held shotgun, supplying laughter and grin.  I took the VIP seat in the back, might as well have been the mayor.  I was sipping some type of zombie lemonade elixir; created by physicians or witch doctors to increase muscle recovery, as we went to pick up Moores the boy wonder.

What was he doing in there?  After what seemed like hours, Moores crept out of his house high up on a hill with a big wave gun of a Sector 9, ready to pick a fight and discuss urethanes.  Once he settled in the seat next to mine we set sail for a loading dock with a nice bank behind a gymnasium.  

We arrived on the scene and met with Mat and Jared, two best friends from a different yet similar neck of the woods.  We were all lifted and ready to take on a challenge... once we were fully stretched of course.

Jared plotting his operation.

Mat and Moores look on.  "Weird stuff."

Trial & error = the running man.

Albert ripping the stick.

In glory.

Rapscallions.

Get hectic.

Sign of the time.

Jared the untamed.

Stoked!

My arsenal: The Creature Double Feature.

A young Mayhem.

After a long day of sidewalk surfing, we made haste to Doc Mayhem's house for a night of rambunction and deeds of dastard.  A Trojan mixer from the lion of Judah himself had us hopping two-tone and proper.  The night was young and impressionable.  We sensed it's fear and took full advantage.  Fine young hammerheads hepped on blood.

Having fun with the spirit of it,

BAM

Poll The Audience

Should I apply for this?

http://www.warpedtour.com/warpedtour/pitreporter/index.asp

Leave some love and guidance.

bam

Breciole With The Pasta

It's officially one of the most romantic holidays in the world: Enrico Postiglione's Birthday.  If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting the old Sarducci, you'll understand the enormity of this day.

Ricky after meeting his true love... Baby Lyssa from Dog the Bounty Hunter.

Rickstaaa Hardbody with his namesake hanging around his neck.  This picture is exactly 1 year old.

Not what you think... he was having nightmares.

Rocker ass friends.

Everybody better wish him a hell of a day.

Love,

BAM

Grow Up Or Give Up?

I've been taking daylight for granted.  I have been taking myself for granted.  I have this overpowering notion in my head that I was meant to do big things with my life.  This knowledge is either a blessing or a burden in disguise.  At this exact moment in time, it is unsettling (to say the most in so little.)  I've been waiting impatiently for wisdom and creativity.  This train isn't coming, and to seemingly feed my weakness, I don't get out of my bed early enough to find it.  Tomorrow is bringing too many questions that I'm afraid I can't answer.  20 years, and a crooked smile to show for it.  Gimme fiction.

Yours,

an eternal work in progress

PS.  What's your secret?

 

Say That You Love Me

I'm in the works of building an online storefront where I will be selling some neat swag. Look for a launch of this online garage sale later this week.

Products are currently ranging from a small batch of the infamous Beserker Hulk Hogan tee, my MicroKORG, and a few more goodies.

Listen to The Cardigans,

BAM

Goo Goo Muck

RIP Lux Interior

Thanks for showing me that it's cool to be weird. The Cramps are still one of my favorites.

BAM

Here Comes Your Man

I do designs. For reasonable prices... Just saying.

BAM

Flaming Lamorghini

My best friend Mark turned 21 last Sunday.  Here he is, about to take on a Flaming Lamborghini at Chauo Chow in Chinatown yesterday...

He didn't know what hit him.

I drew this for him.  Wasters Till Death.

Chinatown was rad! There were firecrackers going off in the streets for the Chinese New Year that took place today.  The parking lot attendant looked and bobbed her head exactly like Harry Caray, the voice of Wrigley Field.

On MLK day, Molly took me to the Bruins game. It was the first I had been to in a while. We lost but the game was intense and our seats were amazing.  She spoils me.  It made me really miss being a goalie.  I haven't played since my last varsity game when I graduated in 2006.  What a view...

This is Tim Moores.  He owns and operates Ultimate.  I have been spending a lot of time with this kid and we have some big ideas for the future.  Each piece of work he does is built from so many different elements and the utmost attention to detail.  I could stare at his art for hours.

Power to the peaceful!!!

BAM

Available at the Feels Like July / Chris Albert & The Affective Collective show in Braintree on 1/24 at the First Congregational Church.  Super Limited Tees & Treasures!  

Stuff your wallets and drag your friends along!

BAM

Above The Clouds

Reflecting on a younger me, time was just an excuse to be somewhere.  My latest project is delegating shares of my mind to what's what and what's next in a beneficial manner to project myself into a whole new realm of human being.  Soaking up beauty and wisdom at a snails perception yet producing at a healthy rate. 

Isn't life fun?  There's always the option for a positive answer...

...Just gotta look for it.

Seek & Destroy,

Bam   

HOPE & PROGRESS

Guided By Voices- I Am A Scientist

I am a scientist - I seek to understand me
all of my impurities and evils yet unknown
I am a journalist - I write to you to show you
I am an incurable
and nothing else behaves like me

and I know what's right
but I'm losing sight
of the clues for which I search and choose
to abuse
to just unlock my mind
yeah, and just unlock my mind

I am a pharmacist
prescriptions I will fill you
potions, pills, and medicines
to ease your painful lives
I am a lost soul
I shoot myself with rock & roll
the hole I dig is bottomless
but nothing else can set me free

and I know what's right
but I'm losing sight

of the clues for which I search and choose
to abuse
to just unlock my mind
yeah, and just unlock my mind

I am a scientist - I seek to understand me
I am an incurable and nothing else behaves like me

everything is right
everything works out right
everything fades from sight
because that's alright with me

Robert Pollard is magnificent.  I hopped on the Twitter train, hold on to your boots Johnny Minardi!

BAM

Damaged Goods

I just found out last night that my girlfriend's new survey teacher at the New England Institute of Art is Hugo Burnham, the original drummer of Gang of Four. Epic.

To Hell With Poverty (1981)

What We All Want (1982, opening for The Police)

Ahead of their time is an understatement.  Gang of Four is your favorite band's favorite band.  Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers names Gang of Four's debut "Entertainment" as the single most important influence on RHCP's earliest material as a band, not to mention it is listed as one of Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 greatest albums of all time.  There wouldn't be Fugazi, if there was never Gang of Four first.

Stoked,

BAM

Since I've Been Back

Ricky's last night.  Always epic.  We chilled hard and laughed harder.  Raymond Shinobi Wellen is the best host a friend could ask for and a great artist to boot... I'll fill you in on him soon.

Ricky with dinner.

Enthusiasts 

Sooooo I picked up a sketch pad and started drawing.. a lot.  Here's some work I was messing around with..

Evil Ape

Probably will never finish this one

Where my head's at

To infinity and beyond

The Devil Wears Dazzle, do you?

Get into it

My girlfriend hooked it up!!!

Car wash with Bilotas and Rat Fink

How have you been?

BAM

Never Stress

You're only going to make things worse for yourself.

bam