This past weekend we had the chance to play some shows in Arizona.  It was our first time there, so we were especially excited about this trip.  Turns out, Arizona likes them some Shaimus.

“howdy, ma’am”

First we played in Prescott (pronounced press-kit (WHY??)) at Embry-Riddle University.  I thought Arizona was supposed to be warm but apparently when you’re over a mile high, it’s not.  Our show on campus was outside in 38 degree temperature, but it still turned out great.  Here’s us mid interview with the school’s radio station:

Second show was in Scottsdale at The Martini Ranch.  Great show, great venue, great people.  We hope to be back soon.  Afterwards, we treated ourselves to some Domino’s pizza in our hotel suite.  Luckily, Phil mentioned our band name while ordering and the guy he was talking to turned out to be a fan.  5 pizzas for the price of 4 is a little something we like to call a “rock star perk.”

Here I am getting my beauty rest after a great weekend in AZ:

Thanks, Arizona!  We will return.

SPONSORED BY SHAIMUS

In February, Lou had posted a blog about rating fast food. Well between writing new songs, touring and coffee breaks, the band had the chance to put these fast food joints to the test. The results are in and are anything but shocking:

The obvious winner with an uncomplicated menu and fresh ingredients. Here are some of the reasons we love it:
Ev - “ALWAYS hits the spot when you’re really hungry and doesn’t make me feel nearly as shitty afterwards as almost everything else on this list”
Johannes – “I actually crave this at least once a month.  I’ll go out of my way to get it if the mood strikes.”
Steve - “The best fast food to eat in the summer.”
the list of praise goes on… but only for like 2 more comments.

A classic tie.
For Wendy’s: Cam - “The Spicy Chicken Sandwich is the greatest fast food creation of all time.  Plus they have the best dollar menu.”
For JitBox: Johannes – “Although their diverse menu can be dangerous territory, their spicy chicken sandwich can be one of the best tasting fast food offerings available (if it’s done right).  Also their sirloin burgers can be pretty rockin’ at times.
”

Not the first on anyone’s list except our manager.
Sympathizer: Steve - “I grew up on this stuff. The definition of fast food.”

Again… no strong feelings against the Bell. Just “eh”
Sympathizer: Cam - “ I love every single thing on their menu.  I also eat here the most.”

A tie for mediocrity. BKs $1 spicy chicken burgers are a plus, but have a bottle of Pepto handy. Del Taco’s chicken soft tacos are the best thing on the menu, but the rest of it keeps this joint from reaching fast food glory.

Sympathizer: Phil - “6 dollar burgers are actually pretty good.  The only fast food place that has spicy food that actually has some heat to it.”
Hater: Steve - “Awful. I would skip a meal before I eat there again.”

Sympathizer: Cam - “Really like their breaded hot wings and their sides are OK.  Other than that though…”
Hater: Johannes - “I’ve only eaten there once or twice, and I regret both instances.  I’d rather microwave frozen chicken strips from 7-11, they’d have more flavor.”

Can be summed up with “A meal with risky consequences.” Gross.

White Castle is the obvious black Sheep of the fast food universe. We know, however, relatively little about this joint. It just doesn’t have enough of a presence to be taken seriously in the fast food Olympics.

We’d love to hear what you think. And none of this “ooh Dick’s is the best… What about Sonic??” crap. When they make it out to LA, then maybe will think about it.

It’s 3:32 PM.  I seem to have lost all feeling in everything but my head and chest.  My fingers appear to be typing but my chest is pounding out each word.  My legs are a rigid still life bent at 90 degrees and my feet have now completely fused with the drab gray carpet beneath them.  My head feels like a car battery that randomly twitches positive charges, my hair is dry, cracked and frozen, and my eyes feel like fever-stricken testicles rolling aimlessly around in the expressionless crotch that is my face.  My mouth is dry, my nose is stuffy, and my ears are clogged with the clacking of computer keyboards and muffled dull conversation.

‘Oh what’s that?  I have to attend a 3 hour meeting on Google Analytics?  Can’t wait.  Oh, yeah?  You want me to document all the existing functionalities for version 1.1.8?  Totally.  I definitely know what that means.  You want it by tomorrow?  Awesome.  What?  You want me to come in on Saturday?  Really?  My boss slept with my girlfriend?  Yes, I did get the memo.’

It appears as though my life has taken a turn.  I have a job.  I have superiors.  And I gave them a smile, spread wide my butt cheeks, and graciously accepted the giant, throbbing responsibility.  I suppose it’s not so bad, once you get used to it.  Hey in this economy?  I should be screaming with delight.  Well, I finally did it.  My days now belong to an office.  Monday to Friday, 9-5.  I am a normal person.  I am a valuable member of society.  I am an American employee.

So a week or two ago we were up near Pacific Palisades doing a photoshoot.  It was unusual for a few reasons:

1.  We don’t usually do photoshoots

2.  It was raining

3.  There was a pet turkey

Wait, what?  A pet turkey?  That’s right.  In someone’s yard right by this amazing oceanic overlook (where we were trying to take pictures) was a gigantic turkey.  I assume it was someones pet because it had a turkey-house (similar to a dog house, but built for a turkey).

I hadn’t seen one up close in years so I decided right away to go up and try to communicate with it.  Luckily Evan had a video camera handy, and documented this phenomenal encounter between man and beast.  Well, enough building up, here’s the damn video already:

Certainly an oscar-worthy short film.

PS:  The film that won best short animated feature is called Logorama and it’s freaking amazing. I highly recommend checking it out.

Inspiration comes in myriad forms.  The many facets of life during one’s personal pursuit of happiness have more than enough fuel for the inner fire.  That makes for a medley of possibilities that may spur a guy like me to write a song or play a guitar part.  Besides the strictly musical, here are a few things that spark my flame.

Amplifier volume knobs
Speaking in volumes, when done in a manner not detrimental to your ears’ physical health, can be like straight visceral moonshine.  Guitar tones gain nuance, transparency and immediacy with each ascending number of the volume knob.  My guitar becomes the tool, my amp the channel, as whatever is inside me at that moment gets spewed forth unceremoniously from the speaker cone and into the ears and, hopefully, hearts of the listener.  If all goes well, I can pass on my inspiration (and maybe a little attitude) to you.  I don’t care if the neighbors complain.

Extended road trips
Despite their tendency to expel greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, I often feel one with the universe in my car with the windows down, music blaring, sunshine warming my face, barreling through the wilderness at speeds I can’t reach with my body alone.  Prolong this experience, add some ever-changing scenery for a constantly fresh perspective, maybe include a few riding mates, and soak in the pleasures of life.  This is the inspiration of the road trip, often exemplified by a rock band’s shoestring tour.

Dented bottle caps
It may not be the caps themselves so much.  But the image of a delicately bent bottle cap so often accompanies a conversation to challenge the mind’s exploratory capacities.  The gentle hum of a jukebox tune hovering over the warm scent of Irish pub food.  Inquisitive minds scattered in a circular pattern as one smile gives way to another, camaraderie uniting them if only for a moment’s time.  The cool, crisp flavor of hops and malted barley lubricating both the taste buds and the social curiosity.  Maybe a half-empty bottle of Jameson showing that nobody is concerned with how sharply this memory will be retained.  This is inspiration in the truth of the now.

What inspires you?