Backwoods Bash Wrap-up

It was a fantastic weekend of music. If you were there, you may spot yourself in one of these shots... if you weren't, this is what you missed. Hope to see you next year for the Second Annual Backwoods Bash, Memorial Day Weekend 2009.

Friday's Photos - 74 shots

Saturday's Photos - 205 shots

If you'd like to watch the videos I shot:  Visit this link.




Here's a few of the 279 photos I took:

Matt Jostes, Trevor Lane, Damien Hartzell, and Sean Claes. Four men with a mission to create a Memorial Day Weekend Concert just outside Tulsa, Oklahoma. We did it. Backwoods Bash 2008 - www.backwoodsbash.com.


Cosmic Rush


Will Porter/Damien Hartzell


Greg Schroeder


Todd Davis


Steve Liddell


ValerieStar


Cannonball Sunday


Ben Sumner and Sean Claes


The Banner Year


Full Service


Ghosts

Wiener Dog Races on KLRU's Docubloggers

I went to the Buda Wienerdog Races this year... it was great. I took a few videos of the races just to document it and was going to upload them to my YouTube but for some reason it wouldn't upload. So... today I was talking to someone at work who said that KLRU's Doccubloggers was going to do (or has done) a spot on the races.

Being the Google fiend I am... I went searching. Apparently they were uploading it to their YouTube as we were talking about it. I think I was the first viewer of this particular upload. So... I thought I'd share. It's VERY well done and it captures the idea and excitement that is the Buda Wiener Dog Races.

Hope you enjoy. It was produced by Domenique Bellavia.


What they have to say:
Each year in Buda Texas the Lions Club host the County fair, and one of the featured activities are the wiener dog races. Now, people from all over the US bring their Dachshund to dress up and run!

Buy this tape... but as a digital Download

You can download this album for just $5 at:http://cdbaby.com/cd/backwoodsbash2008.
The $$ will go directly towards the gas money for the bands playing the first ever Backwoods Bash at the Thundermoon Ranch in Mannford, Oklahoma.. this weekend (May 23-25, 2008)

Austin Band Tungsten Coil gets Gear Stolen

On Monday May 12 at 5:30am Austin band, and INsite May Cover story, Tungsten Coil's rehearsal space was broken into (Public Storage 10001 N. IH35 in Austin). Two men made off with a good amount of the band's gear.

Including:
- M-Audio Axiom 61-key MIDI Controller (dark grey; 5th volume slider is broken off)
- Roland AX-7 Keytar (white; black duct tape along bottom edge, Tungsten Coil sticker, sanded-down thumb-button on handle) Serial#: ZU48734
- Marshall AVT50H Head - 50watt "AVT Valve State" (black; rip along top, was covered by grey duct tape)
- Big Briar Theremin (black)
- Roland Volume/expression pedal (black; clear tape over volume adjuster knob)
- Yamaha sustain foot pedal (black)
- Ampeg B2RE amp (rack mount; medium grey) Serial#: DGADS50052
- SVT 4x10 Ampeg Cabinet Serial#: DWADS40047
- ESP LTD C305 5-string bass guitar (see-thru blue: could see wood through paint)
- ESP LTD F250 6-string guitar (black; rusted out hardware; Gibson neck pickup)
- Yamaha RGX 520 FX 6-string guitar (red maple top)
- Schecter Hellraiser series 7-string guitar (flat black; 2 marks on back--top and bottom; EMG active pickups)
- 3"x60"x24" carpeted carrying case (black carpet outside, dark grey foam inside)
- 4"x60"x24" carpeted carrying case (black carpet outside, dark grey foam inside)
- 3 Yamaha BR12 black carpeted monitors Serial#: #013934028 13935844 13936600 13936472
- Vanilla 6-plug power strip with "Tungsten Coil" written on the back
- Universal power adapter attached to power strip with zip-ties
- Power supply for Big Briar Theremin attached to power strip with zip-ties
- 15-minute Energizer battery charge
- 2 Whirlwind IMP2 Standard Direct boxes (black, zip-tied together)
- Midiman 2x2 Midi Merge (pink)



Although the video cameras were on.. all they got was fuzzy video.
They have uploaded all of the information they've been able to gather to help a)find their gear and b) bust these 2 individuals who stole it. Click the gear list to go to Tungsten Coils list complete with pictures of gear missing... and other information

Backwoods Bash - Line-up and Album Release

Backwoods Bash Releases Benefit Concert Band List
And 20-Track $5 Digital Download Album


TULSA/ AUSTIN – The buzz is building surrounding the first-ever Backwoods Bash which will happen Labor Day Weekend at Thundermoon Paintball in Mannford, Oklahoma. Entertainment, Camping, Music, and Good times will abound at the festival that has adopted the motto Be Good.

Organizers of the event, Sean Claes (seanclaes.com) of Austin, and Trevor Lane (trevorlane.com) and Damien Hartzell (myspace.com/damiennchamp) of Tulsa have announced the full line up for the Saturday, May 24, 2008 Benefit Show. All of the following bands have donated their music and services for the sake of the charities (TC Lane Foundation and Vertical Life) and for the sake of the song.

The Official Line-up for the 2008 Backwoods Bash
Noon - Will Porter (http://www.myspace.com/willporter)
1:00PM - Greg Schroeder (http://www.myspace.com/gregschroeder)
2:00PM - Joel Wade (http://www.myspace.com/jwadeband)
3:00PM - Steve Liddell (http://www.myspace.com/steveliddell)
4:00PM – ValerieStar (http://www.myspace.com/valeriestar2006)
5:00PM - Cannonball Sunday (http://www.myspace.com/cannonballsunday)
6:00PM - The Banner Year (http://www.myspace.com/thebanneryear)
7:00PM - Somewhat Lucky (http://www.myspace.com/somewhatluckyband)
8:00PM - Full Service (http://www.fullservicemusic.com)
9:00PM – Ghosts (http://www.myspace.com/ghosts2002)

Each band has also donated music for an Album Backwoods Bash 2008 – Good Music. Good People. Good Times. that was released on Cdbaby.com on Tuesday, May 5, 2008. For the next 90 days, this 20-song album will be available for a $5 digital download. “We want to make sure everyone has a chance to listen to these great bands. Most of money raised from the downloads will go right back to the bands in order to pay for their gas and expenses,” Trevor Lane said. “These guys are coming from as far away as Dallas and Austin on their own dime.”

Fine folks everywhere will be downloading the album by visiting http://cdbaby.com/cd/backwoodsbash2008 and clicking on the “add MP3 to cart” button.

TRACK LISTING
Backwoods Bash 2008 – Good Music. Good People. Good Times
1. Songwriter’s Manifesto Will Porter (3:31)
2. Cold Eyes Will Porter (2:26)
3. Nutz N Boltz Ghosts (3:40)
4. Zarro Ghosts (6:34
5. Perception and Belief ValerieStar (3:12)
6. Soul of Me Haunted ValerieStar (5:33)
7. Daylight Robbery The Banner Year
8. A Long Time Coming The Banner Year
9. Blueberry Full Service
10. Hi Ho Full Service
11. Carry Me Home Cannonball Sunday (2:58)
12. Fall Out of Love Cannonball Sunday (3:37)
13. Walk on Water (W.O.W.) Steve Liddell (3:13)
14. Good Love Steve Liddell (3:49)
15. It’s Easy Somewhat Lucky (3:04)
16. Talking Somewhat Lucky (2:53)
17. Dove into a Dive Abaiyo (3:03)
18. Just Breathe Day Dreamer (5:01)
19. Someone’s Waiting Joel Wade (3:41)
20. Fool Greg Schroeder


Backwoods Bash is a 3-day charity event that has been put together for the people and by the people with an independent spirit and a good heart. The entertainment is free, there is a $5 a day or $15 3-day pass fee for parking. For full details and information about the charities we are supporting and the organizations who are sponsoring, please visit http://www.backwoodsbash.com.

About TC Lane "Make a Difference" Foundation
This foundation is dedicated to "Making a Difference" in memory of TC Lane, who was killed by a man who tried to hide with a history of drinking and driving on Christmas Eve. The mission and aim of this foundation is to support Crime Victims' Rights and Educational Initiatives like "Laptops for Leaders." TC Lane was a political science major, who would have "been a senator, sooner in life, rather than later" according to Stetson University faculty and staff. To learn more please visit: www.tclane.org

About Vertical Life Youth Initiatives & Awareness
Vertical Life works with youth social clubs and students. This non-profit organization is designed to enhance the education experience of students and to prepare them for lifestyles of realized potential. Through enhanced education supplements, youth social integration strategies, community service and personal value enrichment programs, we help ordinary students restructure their priorities, redefine their value systems, become socially well adjusted young men and women with an above average education, moral integrity and personal self worth.

May 2008 INsite Austin Magazine

May 2008 INsite Austin Magazine
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

This is the cover for the May 2008 INsite Magazine. The cover is Austin band Tungsten Coil with Fox7's Joe Bickett. They are releasing their "Alpha & Omega" on 5/10/08 @ Emo's Lounge in Austin, Texas.

At the show, Fox7's Good Day Austin anchor Joe Bickett will play his guitar on stage for a song.

Cover photo by Jay West

Backwoods Bash - An Introduction

Grassroots Concert Encourages Folks to BE GOOD
First Ever Backwoods Bash Near Tulsa, Oklahoma

Austin, TX - Good music. Good People. Good times. These concepts lay the foundation for the theme, Be Good, at the first ever Backwoods Bash (May 23 - 26) at Thundermoon Ranch and Paintball on Mannford Lake in Oklahoma. This is a completely grassroots event for the people and by the people.

In conjunction with the TC Lane "Make a Difference" Foundation and Vertical Life Youth Initiatives, concert promoters from Austin and Tulsa are contributing to help identify sponsors and raise money for these charities. Thus far, the concert is 100% sponsored at every level from bathrooms to sound.

The bands are donating their time, energy and gas money to travel from Austin, Dallas, and several Oklahoma cities to Mannford Lake for this event. The bands have also granted a limited license and donated songs to be sold online through stores like iTunes and other popular music channels for mp3's and ringtones. Thundermoon Ranch and Paintball has donated the venue and use of land for this landmark event.

Additionally, graphic support and creative direction has been sponsored by Creative Concepts Design Studio, while the website (http://www.backwoodsbash.com) is powered and sponsored by Musiclovr.com.

Camping is encouraged at this event all weekend for $15 per vehicle or $5 a day per vehicle for parking. Parking is the only cost for attendees. There will be food vendors, but people are invited to bring their own cooler and camping supplies (no glass bottles please). This is true camping, no electricity on-site. Also, no RV's or loud motorbikes are allowed. To reserve a campsite, send an email to camp@backwoodsbash.com.

There is a small window of opportunity left for vendors. This year there will be vendors selling food, event t-shirts, music CD's from the bands, a face painter for children, a production team shooting video for a post-event DVD, and original music throughout the weekend with a small revival on Sunday morning. Sponsors include: Auto Optical, Outlaw Entertainment Group, INsite Magazine, Bluehouse Media, Creative Concept Design Studio, and Musiclovr.com.

See the full music and event line-up at http://www.backwoodsbash.com.

My rant on YouTube Users

I've gotten away from my old blog-style of writing columns... so I thought I'd pop off a little.

Youtube
I know... it's all the rage. Everyone has seen a funny little youtube Video... and there are some great ones out there... If you've got a moment or three to kill...I implore you to search for "Flea Market Montgomery" or the classic "Numa Numa" but c'mon folks... you DO realize that ANYONE can see the things you post, right? Every little uninformed opinion you have is now available for public consumption. Well... not immediately. You have to actually record it and upload it. It amazes me that some of these folks can figure out how to press record on a camera... let alone upload it to YouTube.

From someone smoking pot to a kid blowing up a mailbox to a kid mad at his dad. It's amazing.

If you don't already know it, this kind of stuff follows you. Here's a little hint to people looking for a job... employers can look you up. Employers DO look you up. Your parents can look you up. Your teachers can look you up. The POLICE can look you up. Get a clue.

How would you like to see this guy sitting across from you in a job interview?:


Then there's folks that complain about their current jobs... Applied Research intern, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, or just a guy the bitches about himself screwing up and forgetting he volunteered to come in early on his his manufacturing job.

This ain't smart folks.

Think before you YouTube.

Now here's something I've YouTubed... and Yes I got the band's permission to post it. Enjoy Mike Truth and the Replacement Killers performing at Texas Rockfest in Austin. (Some adult language).

Nacho Wiener - Buda Wiener Dog Races

This weekend... hundreds of little buddies will be racing in Buda, Texas. I've yet to see this one in person, but I think I'm going to make it out for this one. My 4 year old is afraid of dogs, so it may be an interesting day, but I think she'll take up residence on my shoulders and fall in love with these adorable little wiener dogs.

In case you've not heard the back story, the company I work for, The Wizard of Ads, has been the creative sponsor for I think 10 out of the 11 years of the races. I joined the company last year and the theme of the race was "Teenage Mutant Ninja Wiener."

This year, I was able to write the ad... and if you know me... you may recognize my voice in the ad.

I bring you NACHO WIENER:



If you're in the Buda, Texas area.... we'll see you out there.
I'll be at the Plum Creek Community Wide Garage Sale on Saturday morning... but then it's off to the races!

The Jeweler's Making A Cookbook!

I caught wind of this interesting promotional effort of an independent jeweler in Beaumont, Texas by the name of Alter's Gem Jewelry. Apparently this company has decided to put out a cookbook this December. Wait a second, a jewelry company putting out a cookbook? Yes, I typed that correctly.

Here's the deal. Brian Alter, owner of Alter's, sent a letter to almost 3,000 folk in the Beaumont area, over 1,000 jewelry vendors, as well as over 1,200 celebrities and politicians in order to collect a few hundred recipes for the "First Ever Alter's Gem Jewelry Cookbook."

Last time I talked to Mr. Alter, he explained that he had gotten recipes from the likes of Jimmy Carter and Jeff Foxworthy and declines from folks like Reba McIntyre, George Lucas and Martha Stewart. The funny thing is, not too many local folks had responded, obviously thinking it must be some kind of a hoax.... but it's very real.

What a neat idea.
So... I bring it to you... I'm going to submit a couple of recipes... Want to join me?

Here's the letter that he sent out. Want to be in a cookbook?
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Dear "this could be your name here",

We’re cooking up a new product here at Alter’s Gem Jewelry, and for this one we need your help. We’re creating the First Ever Alter’s Gem Jewelry Cookbook. Why is a jewelry store publishing a cookbook of your recipes? Simple. It’s to thank you.

First, let me put up front that there is no charge for submission. We are compiling, designing, printing, and publishing a hard-back cookbook to be available at Alter’s Gem Jewelry by December 2008. We’d love to have your recipe.

Everyone who has a recipe is welcome to submit one. We’d love to have your secret recipe for pecan tarts, but we’d also like to have your son’s recipe for chili-tater-tots. If there’s a great story that goes along with the recipe, we’d love to hear it. Have a photo? Send it in. Who knows, we may just publish it as well.

Just for fun, we’re also contacting celebrities to get their recipes. We’re going to ask local personalities as well as national stars to submit as well. So, if you’ve got a great recipe please e-mail us with the information below in Microsoft Word or in the body of the e-mail to recipes@hellodiamonds.com.

Please include the following information to be considered for the first ever Alter’s Gem Jewelry Cookbook:
Full Name:
City:
Recipe: (Please be as specific as possible)
Story about recipe: (Please be as specific as possible)
Contact information:

Of course, by sending us the recipe you are agreeing to the fine print… which is:
I certify that I am the author of the material I am submitting to Alter’s Gem Jewelry. Alter’s Gem Jewelry and its licensees may reproduce, publish, display, edit, modify, and otherwise use the material in a cookbook or other media.

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Until next time...
- Sean