Welcome 2014, next year, hoverboards!

"YOLO MOTHA FUCKA, IT'S MY MOTTO, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE BRA!"

-Drunken Reveller, out a taxicab window, New Years Eve 2013 

I was gone but now I'm back. Let's call 2014 the year I take blogging seriously. The past year saw some big changes, along with some big same. I can get into all that shit later. I'm really excited about the possibilities 2014 brings.

Here's one excuse for not blogging: My computer died in October. It was a workhorse that lasted me a good 6 years. When I brought it to the apple store they told me they could not do anything for antiques. It was an antique, but not one that was worth anything, one of those worthless antiques that nobody wants. It has been tough without a computer, as a blind person I use it constantly as a visual aid.

Thankfully, I was due for a new computer through the assistive devices program. I'm typing this from a brand new macbook pro. It's so quiet, my old mac sounded like a jet taking off. This is a really powerful machine so I hope I can learn how to maximize its potential, I guess that just means "be productive".

The Stormalongs rock once more, December 30th 2013

Apparently Santa Claus got my letter, and reunited my friends The Stormalongs for the holidays. With Matt Thompson visiting from his new home in BC, it was an opportune moment for Captain Colin J. Gibson to steer the good ship Stomalong into port for a rare original lineup jam session. Even Mo-Mo More-el-o showed to rock. It was great to see the band back together. But it was much better to hear them back together. It was amazing how quickly everyone jumped in again as if they had filed all the Stormalongs rock knowledge in some part of the brain that was impervious to the passage of time. These are my friends and they don't rock like this anymore but they are rocking in this moment and that just feels right.

Happy Birthday Nick Stormalong!

I'm blogging from the floor of Stomalongs jam space, deep beneath my brother's office, from which I'm ganking internets. I carry earplugs in my bag for just such an occasion, it is very LOUD.

The pre-jam ritual of beer and Pixies was on. Then, just before the rock began, Colin presented Nick with a gift of 12 year old Scotch on behalf of the band to wish him a happy birthday. Colin made note of the auspicious nature of their meeting, and that without Nick, the rock would cease to exist and The Stormalongs never would have been.

The Stormalongs will be playing a show at the Garrison this Thursday, November 18th. It's on Dundas just west of Ossington (1197 Dundas W). If you're in Toronto then please come out.

Happy Birthday Nick, from a huge fan of you and your band!

Sunny J's Albums of the Decade 2000-2009

The year is wrapping up and so is the decade. A decade marred by terrorism, economic collapse and auto-tune. How can so much music suck? Billbord declared Nickleback the band of the decade, gross.

Douchebags win TV singing contests and are considered legitimate acts, so it's no surprise music sucks enough Nickleback could be considered the "best".

But not everything about this decade sucked, some really good albums came out. Notice most of these came out toward the beginning of the decade, maybe they have had longer to settle in my brain as great. I haven't heard anything lately that has had that instant classic album feeling, so here is my list, the best of the decade, in no way complete, in no way difinitive:   

Big Dumb Face, Duke Lion Fights the Terror!!

Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit's first solo record is sheer brilliance, epic in scope and concept, hilarious and yet to many people, unlistenable. Drugs help but are not necessary. I love this record, but it's not for everyone. I'm putting it at the top of my list because the next record is at the top of everyones list, and is starting to get smug.

Radiohead, Kid A

This album poster has been on my wall for almost ten years now, but I still remember the day Colin showed up at O'Gorman just as school ended with Kid A in hand, a day before it's release. I remember the impromptu listening party at Jay Byck's house, and finding the secret liner notes. Everyone was expecting something different from Radiohead and they delivered. Kid A changed the game.

Weezer

Colin and I listened to all 28 minutes of Weezer's highly anticipated follow up to Pinkerton on the edge of our seats. It was the soundtrack to our summer, it was playing at every house, and in every car. You could not escape it. I let a teacher borrow it and he ended up having to buy it for his son.

Queens Of The Stone Age Songs for the Deaf,

I knew this would be huge, it wasn't. It did put QOTSA on the radar of everyone who missed Rated R. Dave Grohl on drums, fucking incredible.

Peaches, The Teaches of Peaches


I saw Peaches live at the El-mo after seeing her in a one page spread in Spin. I read about her music and knew I wanted to listen to it. That first show blew me away and I bought the LP. I love to introduce people to her hyper-danceable raunch.

A Perfect Circle,Mer De Noms

Incredible production and songwriting as well as the vocal powerhouse that is Maynard James Kennan. The follow up Thirteenth Step could not hold a candle to Mer De Noms. I'm glad I never got that APC tattoo.

Auf Der Maur

Her debut, solid. She just rocks. If you don't know it your a shitty Canadian. Can't wait for new music next year!

Tenacious D

One of the best comedy albums ever, funny lyrics with well crafted songs and Dave Grohl on drums, So overplayed in the Sam the Record Man basement, it would elicit cringes from some staff.

Steve Nishina is a fucking sex criminal

This is a tape of songs recorded in Colin's basement back in the day. It was me, Colin, Josh and Jagger. I remember


Steve Nishina is a Fucking Sex Criminal

Stormalongs Cure Rock Scurvy

The Stormalongs, Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto On 07.10.08
I have been having a crazy bout of rock scurvy, my fucking teeth have been falling out from lack of rock music. Thankfully the Stormalongs have come to the Horseshoe with limes of rock n' roll.

The band was great, Colin's vocals were way too low. The crowd filled out as the guys rocked out. Everyone came to this show, Deidra made it out for her first show ever, as did my mom! Josh Mckay was also there as was Steve Horsecock Weir. A great show and good times.

Weezer Red Album in stores now!

Weezer's new self-titled red album is out today. It is a serious evolution for the band. I like it. My Ipod will be rocking this for the rest of the summer.

I bought a copy of The Great Gatsby, which I have never read before. Many of my friends are surprised I didn't read it in school. Most of them went to Timmins High where it is required reading, but at O'Gorman it was not. We had to read the Elephant Man, a novelization of the film, because Mr. Claussi was too tired to change his lesson plan from the 80's(what a fucking education). I was in the book room at O'Gorman once, it was full of tons of incredible books and none of them ever got read.

Back in March I went over to Colin's place and he and Matt played some Stormalongs. I recorded a few songs and totally forgot about it, till now. Please enjoy these rare acoustic Stormalong-lite songs:

Colin & Matt, Acoustic Stormalongs 03.09.08

Shaken Monkey Syndrome

The Stormalongs @ Kathedral Toronto Ontario 05/08/08

Kathedral has no liquor license so it sucks. Paul was there to record the show and I will put it up here when he sends it to me. We had a good time and the guys got to show off the new songs, the setlist was:

Days Alight
Clowns
Wounds
Paincoaster
Missiles through the floor
Elucidate

It was the last show before they go in and record the new songs. Here is an Olde Tyme Stormalongs Tale I picked up hanging around the band.

While on tour in the eastern block, Colin needed a new killer riff to play on Europe's most influential pop program Ihr Geschmack ist Scheiße, diese Musik ist gut . As he paced the back alleys of Hamburg he came upon a small capuchin monkey dressed like one of the Village People(Unfortunately it is not important for the purposes of the story which Village Person the monkey was dressed as). Colin thought this strange, so he followed the monkey down a narrow path that led to an open area where an Organ Grinder was cranking his Organ. A small door on the Organ box flipped open and the monkey climbed up the man's leg and into the box. The man continued to played a tune that overtook all of Colin's senses. The music sounded incredible, it felt like a backrub, it smelled like fresh baked cookies, it tasted like Poutine from Chez-Nous, and it looked as if Colin would have to beat this man to death with his Organ and steal his riff....

Well the Stormalongs played the show and the song was a great hit and we all got strippers for each day of the week(which was confusing because some of them were named after days of the week so we were often late for gigs after that).
Sadly the monkey died of rare affliction known as Shaken Monkey Syndrome.

"Pork and Beans" NEW Weezer in stores 06.24.08

weezer has a new self-titled record out June 24th. Hear the first single Pork and Beans in its entirety here.

It is further proof that Rivers is a God. Album-wise It is much more blue than green. The lyrics are very funny and self-referential, which hasent really been done since Pinkerton. I knew the other band members were contributing vocals on this record and as for this track it sounds great, the harmonies, that "Ahhhhhh"! I can't wait to see them play this live!

I transcribed the lyrics
Pork and Beans
They say I need some Rogain to put in my hair
working out at the gym to fit my underwear
Oakley makes the shades that transform a Tool
You'd hate for the kids to think you lost your cool

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think

everyone likes to dance to a happy song
with a catchy chorus and beat so they can sing along
Timberland knows the way to reach the top of the charts
Maybe if I work with him I can perfect the art

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think

I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think


I picked up tickets to see the White Sox vs Blue Jays when Manimal comes in May. It's Bobblehead Day! I am really looking forward to his trip. It's gonna be short, but we are gonna get lots done.

In my capacity as Karl for the Stormalongs I also went to pick up a block tickets for the Stormalongs show at the Kathedral on May 8th, 10$. Ian and I went to check out the jam session in the "Hell Pit". I gave Colin the tickets and did some rhythmic sexualized dancing!

Happy Birthday Matt Thompson

This really was a great day. I got to see all of my favorite people. Deidra called me and I grabbed a coffee with her. Iantxted me not far from my place Dee-Dee went to take care of some things and Ian & I went for a drive. By the time we were back, Dee was finished and I got to hang out with her a bit longer, I walked her home since she lives right next door to the gym. I ran for a half hour and watched the Simpsons, good workout. I got back to my house and Ian picked me up and we went to get Colin at the airport. Once Colin was home safe Ian drove back downtown and dropped me back at my place. Mike W is in town, HOORAY! I gave Mike a call and we went to Sneaky Dee's for a beer, then we went to check the Stormalongs jam session. It's Matt Thompson's 26th birthday. I remember his 19th, that was when he got the Shlong-Bong. So being a Birthday jam, it had a very special vibe. My brother Paul was there recording, and I got to rock my scream on Kierkegaard.

So I really got to see all the people I love and care about today, I'm going to sleep a happy dude.

We sprang forward one hour. If I used my time more efficiently it may have actually affected my life.

I cleaned my bong today. It had developed a nasty stank, which led to nasty tokes. I went to Friendly Stranger and got some Orange Chronic bong cleaner and a new rubber gasket which was surprisingly easy to change. The cleaner got the stink out, thankfully.

I went over to Colin's house tonight. Matt came over too, acoustic jam session styles! They played some Stormalongs songs, and then there was the obligatory lute number(w/solo).

Standing in the shadow of the Midnight Mansion, by the snowmobiler who is not supposed to be there, Gibson waits, cold and wet, and just in time for another round of the bowlaroos. Saturday April 14th 2001

Weezer, Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto Ontario 08/31/00

I was living at my Dad's house in Parry Sound, it was the summer. I had my first job, washing dishes at Resort Tapatoo. I was on my break reading the concert announcements in the Toronto Star, and I was shocked, I couldn't believe what I saw. Weezer was going to play Toronto.

I got 2 tickets, I knew I could convince Colin it was worth the trip. I actually didn't plan on staying in Parry Sound. I hated the school and I missed O'Gorman. I figured I'd go back to Timmins with Colin and stay at his house till I figured something out. His mom gave the o.k. and the plan was hatched. Colin took the bus to Parry Sound and we partied.

I had a huge bottle of rum, this is Colin and I enjoying Rum and Lemon.


We took the bus to Toronto and went to wait in front of the Phoenix. Some girls were already waiting, and they had an extra ticket which they sold to this guy Mark, who lived across the street. He let us use his bathroom which was great after Colin went for food and came back with Steerburger. we waited out front all afternoon, which was a good idea cause look who showed up:


It's Weezer's drummer Patrick Willson and Weezer's Karl Koch, Karl Koch!Colin was like "Hey Pat! Is it true Rivers wears disguise so fans don't recognize him? Like I hear he wears a fake beard and a Nor'easter!" Pat confirmed Rivers often travels incognito.

The opening act was Dynamite Hack

Weezer played Mad Kow, a rocking track they still haven't put on an album.

After the show we slept outside the bus station. When it opened, Colin tried to wake me and then went inside. I woke up on the sidewalk, looking in the bus station to see Colin asleep on the bench.

We got back to Parry Sound and Roly drove us to Timmins.

Tool, Air Canada Centre, Toronto Ontario 9/18/01

On September 1th, 2001, some assholes almost ruined my chances of seeing Tool for a second time. Thankfully, a week later everything was back to normal and touring resumed. There was this really loud fat faced homeless kid on Queen Street and he said he could hook me up with some ham, to smoke at the show. We walked up University to St. Patrick to supposedly meet his guy. On the way we passed the US consulate. There were people leaving flowers and saying prayers, and this CRAZY FUCKING HOBO starts YELLING at everyone, "They Deserved it!". It was so uncomfortable and I wanted to not be with him but I was bound to him by a need to get scooby snacks. This crazy bastard didn't even hook me up. His guy wouldn't show, and I had to go meet Jagz at Union. Jagger lent Colin some bucks and he scored a ticket from a filthy fucking scalper. When we got into the Air Canada Centre I bought a 12$ beer, that I had to drink in the hall, so I missed most of Meshugga. Colin had a closer view of the stage, Jagger and I rocked out to some wicked jams. The set went something like this:

grudge
ions (the zappy part)
stinkfist (extended bridge)
46 & 2
pushit (salival)
schism
disposition
reflection
-intermission-
parabol
parabola
eon blue apocalypse
the patient
aenima
lateralus

They had the weird contortionists from the Laturalus video come out and bob their heads. And Jagger was SHOCKED when they played the salival version of pushit(One of the best Tool songs). I was really happy to hear Aenima, cause its my favorite Tool song, and they din't play it at Edgefest.

Somebody had some bowlaroos, cause Colin came over to where we were sitting and we all partook, under the watchful eye of Air Canada Centre Security.