The Official Noise Academy Blog

sorry this just got brought to my attention.
lil wayne

-adam@thenoiseacademy.com

That’s exactly where I was, semi-hungover after the mad night of beer drinking at Octobeerfest. It was the most perfect occasion, for today (the 5th) is my actual birthday and one of my all time favorites, Rancid was closing off their 6 night takeover at the Music Box. Mmmm fuckin amazing.
To those who aren’t too familiar with Rancid, they’re a punk band from the bay area. They are probably one of the first bands that I truly connected with and are definitely still one of my top favorites today. The last time I saw them was maybe 5 years ago (?) in Japan, when Indestructible came out. Since they hadn’t really released new material (besides the B sides C sides collection), I was really interested in their set list. Also, they got a new drummer, Branden, former drummer of the Used so I was really curious on how he contributed to the mix.
They played with different bands on all 6 nights of their shows at the Music Box. On my birthday show (as I like to call it) the openers were MXPX, and local band Los Creepers. I’ve been wanting to see MXPX for a while too so this was a great opportunity.

They played some stuff off their newer albums that I hadn’t heard before. But halfway through the set, Mike was like, fuck the set list, what do you guys wanna hear? So they went into fan favorites like “Move to Bremerton”, “Responsibility” and of course, “Punk Rawk Show”. Tom the guitarist covered “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” which was pretty cool.

and finally RANCID!

They had a huge screen in the back with the band logo and random videos running the whole time (hey, kinda like SENSES!). The projection was synched with music and looked pretty damn nice. Other than that, the production was very simple. No moving macs, just cans lighting the stage for the whole set…and thats all you really need. These guys will blow your face off plain and simple.

They delivered an awesome 32 song (including encores) set! Started with Radio, which was surprising since I thought they might leave that for encores. They picked up a lot of songs from …And Out Come the Wolves, Let’s Go, and even played “Rejected” from their very first album…oh and can’t forget Op Ivy song “Knowledge” that they played as well! It’s so easy nowadays for a punk band to sound just like the rest of the bunch, but these guys really show that they are true songwriters and great musicians. Matt Freeman’s super extended bass solo in Maxwell Murder was definitely one of the highlights of the show… he can shred the bass guitar and melt your face off. Tim and Lars are of course, fuckin amazing. They didn’t play too much off of “Life Won’t Wait” (I was expecting to hear Blood clot or Hooligans) but no worries, the show was still great. I didn’t jump in the pit (though I really wanted to), and I watched the whole show from the 2nd floor. Gave me a great view of the stage and the pit. It’s fun watching the pit move plus the sound was great from my location.
I really can’t explain how awesome this show was. And yes, punk rock is awesome. It gives me the adrenaline rush, excitement and really moves me like no other. I was reminded why I chose to devote my life to the music industry not just from how I felt during the show but from seeing the fans jump around and singing along with the band. It makes such a difference in someone’s life and its why music matters.

“Here it is, here I am, turn it fuckin loud!” Tim Armstrong

-kiko

wierd weather outside: raining then hot and sunny

had a photo shoot @ neo39 w/ glen and mike from the gotti line dogs. mos def hit them up on their site and show support. they’ve been traveling up and down cali, taking pictures for an upcoming calender. the calender is showcasing “biggie” the pitbull and all the profits of the calender go to Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls. BADRAP is one of the non-profit orgs that are advocates for pitbulls and also helped rehabilitate Michael Vick’s Dogs. here are a couple production photos more photos available at soon at neo39, gottie line dogs, marillist.com, and my blog.

i’ll add more later.

-adam@thenoiseacademy.com

So, I went to the LA county fair.



Going during the last weekend was a bad choice, there were too too too many people. There were many occasions when I thought was about to get run over by a stampede of 10 year old kids. Despite the heavily populated parking lot, heat, and the overpriced food, it was enjoyable. Who can resist the disgustingly sweet smell of funnel cakes and cow pies? No one. (I saw a real cow pie too.)

Mmm $9 Turkey Leg, which I probably only ate $4 worth of. The bees got to it.


The best part: animals!

The bunnies must have been having a hell of a party the night before cuz they looked so hungover.



PIKA! PIKA PIKA!

-kiko

Here is a brand new mix I just finished.  It’s totally different from my usual stuff.  It’s hard and it’s German.  It’s only a small taste, a longer one will come out if there is a demand for it.

Enjoy!
-Jason Mixed

So for those who know me I love play two things the decks and the drums.  When I heard that the DJ and drummer Duo were in a plane crash, I was shocked.  Good news though,  both Barker and DJ AM are expected to make a full recovery. DJ AM has been released from the hospital while Barker is in stable condition at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta Georgia, expected to be released in 2 weeks.

Here is DJ AM + Travis Barker @ the Roxy in Hollywood on June 25th.

-Jason Mixed

skeeter with a fixed gear?!!!!! what?!!!

HED trispoke front rim
HED carbon back rim
chopped bull horns
custom seat
angled geometry frame
custom hub/sprocket frame ratio
NO PEDAL CAGES!!!! (that is gangster!)

-adam

Just watch these videos. Luke found this through another blog I think, it’s a short horror film made by a Japanese claymation artist… and I must say, its disgustingly entertaining. There’s more made by the same artist!

Chainsaw Maid

The set up of the whole film is so colorful and poppy, but its more grotesque than any horror movie I’ve seen. Quite Japaneezy indeed…mixing a cute and adorable characters with the goriest things ever. Like Gloomy the pink cuddly bear (by artist Mori Chack) who attacks his owner.

and more japanese WTFs for your viewing pleasure

good night

-kiko

this one is for you karlo and andrea

rotofugi

(oh yea how do you add video? im kinda twisted and its 1pm…… WHY?!)

-adam

Although it’s still a few weeks away, I can’t help myself and thus must brag right away: I’m about to become a US citizen. I am scheduled to take the Oath of Allegiance on October 9th, 2008, as a culmination of a year-long process of going to various appointments and doing lots of waiting in between.

In lieu of this development, I’d like to mention some pros and cons of these shenanigans.

First let’s look at some of the pros:

1. voting - To vote in the US one must be a naturalized citizen. It being a pretty important thing (you know, the cornerstone of democracy and all that?), I’m quite happy I’ll get to do it for the first time this year. Go 08ama!
2. US passport - Granted, there are some passports in this world that are even more efficient (EU, and specifically Switzerland come to mind), but a US one certainly beats my old one (Bosnia).
3. license to whine - Now I will be officially allowed to bitch and whine about the American government. Not that I’ve waited or anything, but it’s still neat.

Next up are some of the cons:

1. $685 - That’s how much it costs to file a citizenship application. That’s about how much I make in a month, before taxes.
2. got time? - I filed my application on 11/30/2007 (maybe a day or two before). My oath is on 10/9/2008. ‘Nuff said.
3. jury duty - Oh dear, I can’t wait…
4. American reputation - There are many places in the world where I’d still be better off as a Bosnian citizen. Most of the civilized world, actually.

So yeah.

“Hi. I’m new here.”

~Nik

P.S.: Senses on October 4th at the Terrace in Pasadena will be my official LA area 23rd birthday celebration. Be there and buy me drinks.