#I'm on these pictures somewhere in the mosh

[13xiii13-13]

Cannibal Corpse Budapest 2023.03.26.

pictures not mine:

[stars-inthe-sky]

So, hey. How did you and your family celebrate Passover when you were a kid? How about now?

My Rhode Island aunt and uncle almost always hosted a big family Seder, and it was the absolute best. A good Seder is educational, food-filled, and legit fun—it's a ritual meal that includes storytelling, singing, prayers, and a general focus on including and teaching everyone involved, regardless of age or even whether attendees are Jewish. (If ever you're invited to a friend's Seder, go! Do not bring a challah, which my actually-bar-mitzvahed brother-in-law did once as an attempt at a thoughtful host gift. We still make fun of him.)

And my uncle (the same one who officiated at my wedding, and the wedding of my other sister) may well be the greatest host/leader there is; over the years he compiled from a medley of sources what added up to his own Haggadah (basically the guidebook to the Seder—there are a million published and informal versions working off the same template, with readings and activities and interpretations that can go kid-centric or feminist or traditional or whatever). It was always just insanely fun, and warm, and joyous, with incredible food and an increasing array of baked-in, just-us traditions.

Since I went to college basically down the street from their house, and then lived just an hour away in Boston for so long, that was pretty much the heart of my and my family's celebration most years—right up until Passover 2020, at which point the pandemic negated what had been plans to travel from our new home in Illinois for it, and they also downsized and had their own kids scatter geographically and gain very little ones, so that particular tradition is at best on hiatus now.

But there are fun Seders everywhere—well, the Zoom ones of the pandemic years were a mixed bag, but we've found friends who've make a good go of it, over the years, too, if not quite as an elaborately planned out hourslong celebration as my uncle would do. When I studied abroad in Denmark, Boyfriend and I went to an Orthodox Seder that was in a mix of Danish and Hebrew, for instance—that was novel, and so much of the procedure and the Hebrew was familiar enough to follow along.

Still working on exactly where we'll be for those two nights this year (we haven't really met any Jewish families in Pittsburgh yet to garner an invite, and none of the Reform or Conservative synagogues seem to have community events, which is surprising? And I don't really want to go to Chabad?) but we'll figure something out.

That said, as fun as the Seders can and should be, the rest of Passover is a slog of not eating bread or adjacent products, and experiencing whatever it is matzah does to one's digestive system over the course of a week. It's a meaningful observance, and the fact that the relevant rabbinical boards have stopped including rice and legumes in the "no" column in recent years has been great, but...it's ultimately a holiday recalling the story of the Exodus, and how we were slaves once, so, like, there are some less-fun elements. But the freedom celebration parts usually outweigh that!

[cementcornfield]

Is there any song/songs that make you think of Joe’marr? I keep thinking about them listening to Troye Sivans album 😊 (I’d also like to thank you for your Joe/Ja’marr/Joe’marr/bengals tags bc I’ve totally fallen in love with the team v v quickly 😅)

Hi! lol i've seen you in my notifs the past few days, i love when i can tell people are going through my tags! so glad you're joining the fandom just in time for all the content to start back up <3

and oh boy, okay, i'm the kind of person where once i get obsessed with a ship or character, EVERY song makes me think of them (even some that really don't work at all, whoops!) but here are some that get me particularly in my feelings about joe'marr

Sweet

King and Lionheart - Of Monsters And Men And as the world comes to an end I'll be here to hold your hand 'Cause you're my king and I'm your lionheart

Aquemini - Outkast Nothin' is for sure, nothin' is for certain, nothin' lasts forever But until they close the curtain (y'all know) It's him and I, Aquemini

1950 - King Princess So cold that your stare's 'bout to kill me I'm surprised when you kiss me So tell me why my gods look like you And tell me why it's wrong

Thinkin' Bout You - Frank Ocean Or do you not think so far ahead? Cause I been thinkin' 'bout forever

Bodyguard - Beyoncé Be your best friend I protect you in the mosh pit And I'll defend you in the gossip You know how people like to start shit and pop shit I don't like the way she's lookin' at you Someone better hold me back

Nineteen - Tegan and Sara I felt you in my life Before I ever thought to I felt the need to lay down Beside you And tell you I feel you in my heart And I don't even know you

Angsty

Fireproof - The National You're fireproof Nothing breaks your heart You're fireproof It's just the way you are You're fireproof It's what you always say You're fireproof I wish I was that way

Bad Religion - Frank Ocean If it brings me to my knees It's a bad religion This unrequited love To me, it's nothin' but a one-man cult And cyanide in my styrofoam cup I can never make him love me Never make him love me

Earfquake - Tyler the Creator I don't want no confrontation, no You don't want my conversation I just need some confirmation on how you feel, for real You don't want no complication, no

New Magic Wand - Tyler the Creator Can't be in the picture if it got no frame And let the world know 'cause I ain't got no shame Blow the whole spot up, 'cause I ain't— I wanna share last names, I wanna be your number one Not the other one, keep it on the low I'm in my right mind, keep it on a high

Secret Heart - Feist Why so mysterious? Why so sacred, why so serious? Maybe you're just acting tough Maybe you're just not man enough What's wrong?

Somewhere in Between

We Belong Together - Vampire Weekend We belong together Baby, there's no use in being clever Baby, it don't mean we'll stay together Hallelujah, you're still mine All I did was waste your time If there is not some grand design How'd this pair of stars align?

I Want to Know Your Plans - Say Anything I want to know your plans And how involved in them I am [...] I'll look out for you 'til I die, 'til I rot I'll remember you 'til I die, 'til I rot

Never Be Anyone Else But You - Emmylou Harris Cause I hope and pray the day will come when you belong to me Then I'm gonna prove to you how true my love can be There'll never be anyone else but you for me Never ever be, just couldn't be, anyone else but you

Vito's Ordination Song - Sufjan Stevens And when you write a poem I know the words, I know the sounds Before you write it down

Specialist - Interpol You make me lose my buttons oh yeah you make me spit I don't like my clothes anymore You take me to New Orleans where you put me to the test I know what my heart is for

Bedroom Hymns - Florence and the Machine Cause this is his body, this is his love Such selfish prayers and I can't get enough

[fuuckdudewtf]

HEYAAA

Last friday i went to my first death metal(ish) concert, I'm pretty new at the scene and I'm a baby punk so it was really important to me. Here's some things i noticed:

- People there are nice... like SO nice, i was wearing my crust pants and did some Liberty Spikes, people would stop me to say my hair looked nice and that they loved my pants and my style, i felt really loved

- Went to the mosh pit and surprise surprise everyone was SUPER NICE AGAIN, people would help people stand up if they fell and when i was falling over a guy pulled me so I wouldn't fall... it was really sweet and really violent at the same time

- CUTE METALHEAD BOYS damn they're everywhere, in Brazil we have a name for people who only like guys with long hair, it kinda translates to "Shampoo Mary"

- BEER BEER AND MORE BEER, never seen people drink as much

- For the first time in a long time I didn't felt weird, I didn't felt like i was weird and wrong and when people talked to me they really wanted to listen to me, we would talk about music and bands and movies and NOT ONCE they said i was a poser for not understanding something or not knowing something, they would simply explain it to me and get exited about sharing

- GIRLS IN BLACK WITH LONG HAIR AND COLOURED HAIR AND DRESSES AND BAND SHIRTS AND AAAAA I LOVE GIRLS

- Never, not once i was groped. nor was i scared of someone putting something on my drink, it was an open bar and they had water bottles and the keg was in a visible place so it wasn't really a problem

- A guy was rude to me, like screaming at me for a joke i said and people STOD UP FOR ME, they told the guy he shouldn't be screaming at me and shooed him off and hushed to ask if i was okay(people are nice but there's always an asshole)

- WE ARE ALL FRIENDS. it doesn't matter if you don't know them, if you need something they'll help

i think those are the things that stood out the most, over all it was a really cool experience and I'm really glad i went, I've never felt so loved and never had such a strong sense of belonging somewhere

BUT HEY: here's some pics i took there

( the Last People Standing, whe we're there to the end and the band wanted a pic, it was a really small show so it was easy to fit everyone in one picture) (try to find me I'm the bitch with blue liberty spikes)

(this is me very much drunk off my ass and very much in the parking lot where i said to my friend "hey take a pic of me with the flash on so i can feel cool")

[r3b3lgrrrrrrrl]

A LunaTic and her Gunn (Part 55 Xs2)

Helluva Night

@creatureofthen1ght-v3

@lovemythsworld

@queenieofthesouth

@kellyimagines

@crystalbaby12

Ashley plays Castle and Heaven in Hiding before calling out over Nightmare's delicate opening keytar.

"Minneapolis!!! Are you READY!?!!!! BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO GIVE YOU A HELLUVA NIGHT!!!! I'D LIKE TO WELCOME MY ABSOLUTE BEST FUCKING FRIEND, THAT BROOKLYN BITCH!!!!"

Luna comes out in a cut off T and leather pants.

The girls hug as lights and smoke shoot out around them. Ashley reciting The Lord's Prayer over the track in the background. The girls nod to each other, bouncing to the beat.

"1.2.3.4!!!" Ashley shouts before she kicks into the main chorus strong.

🎶I!🎶

🎶Keep a record🎶

🎶Of their wreckage🎶

🎶And their lies🎶

🎶We're startin' to weaponize🎶

🎶Our powerful minds🎶

🎶They talk shit🎶

🎶 But we won't take it this time🎶

🎶And they'll realize🎶

The crowd is going insane. Jumping in sync with each other and the beat. The band drops as Luna comes in, delicate but strong voice, tiny body marching across the unique stage.

🎶I'm out for blood🎶

🎶And it won't be sweet🎶

🎶Tired of having the rugs🎶

🎶Pulled from beneath our feet🎶

🎶Done trusting lies🎶

🎶Done trusting Men🎶

🎶Picking each other up🎶

🎶And putting ourselves🎶

🎶Back together again🎶

She's shocked when she hears a sea of voices drowning out her own. She bounces along. Smiling and using her hands as she points and sings with them.

🎶We've stared in our mirrors🎶

🎶And punched it to shatters🎶

🎶Picked out our pieces🎶

🎶To have our own daggers🎶

🎶Society has us🎶

🎶Pinching our skin🎶

🎶With our own fingers🎶

🎶Wishing we could🎶

🎶Cut our parts off🎶

🎶With some scissors🎶

Luna and Ashley come shoulder to shoulder, bouncing off each other. Shaking their heads as if they're taunting someone personally. Harmonizing together.

🎶They say🎶

🎶Come on Little Ladies🎶

🎶Give us a smile🎶

🎶No we ain't got nothing🎶

🎶To smile about🎶

Ashley drops out and walks off as Luna continues into the mic with more anger in her voice. The crowd matching her.

🎶We've got nothing🎶

🎶To smile for🎶

🎶I waited a while for🎶

🎶This moment to say🎶

🎶WE DON'T OWE YOU🎶

🎶A GOD DAMN THING!🎶

The room is electric with the last lyric. Lights pop with the slamming of the drums. Luna can feel the bass in her bones as she jumps to it. The energy is insane as her and Ashley strut on opposite sides of the stage. The crowd bursting with the chorus.

🎶I!🎶

🎶Keep a record🎶

🎶Of their wreckage🎶

🎶And their lies🎶

🎶We're startin' to weaponize🎶

🎶Our powerful minds🎶

🎶They talk shit🎶

🎶 But we won't take it this time🎶

🎶And they'll realize🎶

Ashley is head banging while on her knees on one of the three corners of the stage. The beat drops to showcase her voice.

🎶That I'm no sweet dream🎶

🎶But I'm a hell of a night🎶

🎶No, I'm no sweet dream 🎶

🎶But I'm a hell of a night🎶

Walking past each other they toss their mics. Exchanging them in the air. Luna grabs hers as the band kicks in and her voice slices. She bobbing as she squats, singing directly to the crowd singing back at her. Loudly.

🎶No, I won't smile🎶

🎶But I'll show you my teeth🎶

🎶And I might let you breathe🎶

🎶If you just let Us be🎶

🎶We've been polite🎶

These lyrics are louder and more angry as she stalks the four runways of the stage. Playing off both a passing Ashley and the crowd.

🎶But we're done with this trend🎶

🎶Of men thinking they can tell Us🎶

🎶What we can do in our beds🎶

🎶Keep the record executives🎶

🎶In check in their basements🎶

🎶Their ideas are tired🎶

🎶Even worse, they're complacent🎶

🎶I have played nice🎶

🎶But will now be The Bully🎶

Shoving her mic out. She screams with Ashley and the hyper crowd.

🎶We're tired and angry🎶

🎶Digging up The Hill🎶

🎶So scared🎶

🎶Is what you should be🎶

Snarling the girls meet up again. On opposite sides of the same runway, mocking the world, singing together with their hands as they come together across the stage.

🎶They say🎶

🎶Come on Little Ladies🎶

🎶Give us a smile🎶

🎶No we ain't got nothing🎶

🎶To smile about🎶

Ashley drops back as Luna slams into the lyrics again. Hearing more of the crowd then herself.

🎶We've got nothing🎶

🎶To smile for🎶

🎶I waited a while for🎶

🎶This moment to say🎶

🎶WE DON'T OWE YOU🎶

🎶A GOD DAMN THING!🎶

The music hall EXPLODES with the crowd, lights and fire as Ashley and band come in harder then ever over the original chorus. Both girls slamming around the stages. Head banging, moshing into the other when they cross paths and dropping the mic to showcase the crowd singing.

🎶I!🎶

🎶Keep a record🎶

🎶Of their wreckage🎶

🎶And their lies🎶

🎶We're startin' to weaponize🎶

🎶Our powerful minds🎶

🎶They talk shit🎶

🎶 But we won't take it this time🎶

🎶And they'll realize🎶

She repeats the chorus. The crowd and Luna going nuts with her. Lights and fire still blazing. Crossing paths, they successfully toss the mics again, grinning at each other. The band softens as they come in together on the same stage.

🎶Women like me🎶

🎶Can be real nightmares🎶

🎶Completely aware🎶

🎶But I'd rather be🎶

🎶A real nightmare🎶

🎶Than die unaware🎶

🎶Yeah🎶

🎶Women like me🎶

🎶Can be real nightmares🎶

🎶Completely aware🎶

🎶But I'm glad to be🎶

🎶A real nightmare🎶

Both girls look at each other before screaming.

🎶So save us your🎶

🎶FUCKING🎶

🎶Prayers🎶

They both erupt onto the stage. Along with lights, smoke, fire and the crowd. They kick back into the main chorus together.

🎶I!🎶

🎶Keep a record🎶

🎶Of their wreckage🎶

🎶And their lies🎶

🎶We're startin' to weaponize🎶

🎶Our powerful minds🎶

🎶They talk shit🎶

🎶 But we won't take it this time🎶

🎶And they'll realize🎶

Bodies jerking and slamming with the beat. They hop, bounce and dance around all four stages slamming through the chorus together again.

🎶I!🎶

🎶Keep a record🎶

🎶Of their wreckage🎶

🎶And their lies🎶

🎶We're startin' to weaponize🎶

🎶Our powerful minds🎶

🎶They talk shit🎶

🎶 But we won't take it this time🎶

🎶And they'll realize🎶

They end at seperate corners of the stage. Ashley going first as the band fades out from under them.

🎶That I'm no sweet dream🎶

🎶But I'm a hell of a night🎶

🎶No, I'm no sweet dream 🎶

🎶But I'm a hell of a night🎶

Luna follows her repeating, crouched towards the crowd. The band fading out.

🎶That I'm no sweet dream🎶

🎶But I'm a hell of a night🎶

🎶No, I'm no sweet dream 🎶

🎶But I'm a hell of a night🎶

"THANK YOU!!!" Ashley screams as she stands up. Luna runs to hug her. As they meet. There's a smooch and lingering hug as she calls out.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, That Brooklyn Bitch!!!! We wanna thank you for your support!!"

"Yes!!" Luna chimes in. "THANK YOOOOOOUUUU!!!!" To their cheers as she squeezes Ashley. Kissing her on the cheek, Luna runs off as Ashley mentions Yellowhammer and their local ACLU.

--------------------------------------------------

"GOD DAMN!!! SHE'S ON FUCKING POINT!!!! Mmmm... Imma fuck the shit outta her... She said today... Fuck dude, she's killing the crowd!!" Colson can't take hours eyes off of Luna. He's never seen her perform live before. Watching her makes his dick rage. "She's sexy as fuck..." His mind wanders as he watches her tiny body and large voice command the massive crowd and open stage.

--------------------------------------------------

Backstage Luna takes a breath. Lighting a joint, she pops a Xan and 2 percs. She tries to stay ahead of her shoulder pain and is slightly panicked from being on stage.

She's only performed in front of a crowd this large before with Colson and that felt different somehow.

Finally able to breathe, but still desiring comfort, she changes into cuttoffs and an oversized hoodie

"The West Coast is destroying my fashion sense." She thinks to herself in disgust before heading out to find Colson and Dom.

--------------------------------------------------

Luna finds Colson's happy face in VIP.

"YOU WERE FUCKING AMAZING!!!!" He exclaims. Lifting her high and kissing her hard.

Luna thanks him and an excited Dom before leaning up against him lazily. They watch the rest of Ashley's set.

She murders it. Hitting everything from Don't Play from Hopeless Fountain Kingdom to Gasoline from Badlands to even kicking out Is There Somewhere from Room 93.

Losing her shit during. Luna loves ALL of Ashley's music. Witnessing the reason, idea and birth of almost all of her art. Ever. The same as Ashley has done with Luna.

Once Ashley finishes her set, they head to meet her backstage.

--------------------------------------------------

OH MY FUCKING GOD DUDE!!!" Ashley exclaims, running up and gripping Luna.

Used to the pain, she doesn't even wince. "OH MY FUCK YOU, DUDE!!! YOU WERE AMAZING!!!" Luna exclaims squeezing her best friend tight "You killed that shit!"

"Thanks!" Ashley laughs. "But, Dude, how fucking fun was that together!?" She asks excitedly.

Luna grins. "That shit was killer!"

"Do it again?" Ashley smirks.

"Fuck yeah." Luna nods with her wicked smile.

--------------------------------------------------

Colson, Luna, Dom, Ashley and her band, team and crew head back to the Up-Down to take it over.

Shots are taken, congratulations are given and bullshit is talked as music blares to laughter and dancing.

The four friends enjoy themselves, mixing with the locals.

It's a FUN, enjoyable night. No one really bothers them expect to chat, which is awesome. They all love a chat. Signing autographs and being respected when asked for no pictures is even better.

They have a fucking blast. Not realizing they close down the bar.

Minnapolis definitely knowing where it's at.

---------------------------------------------------

Word Limit (2 of 2)

To be continued.....

[drinkyowatermindyobusiness]

1. You weren't ready to dance when I was, you let my hand go in the essence of a mosh pit and I've been lost since

2. The night you left I fell asleep on the floor of my shower I was so broken I fell to my knees and asked God if he could take me

3. You would've let him take me

4. I was willing to give up a part of me for you, I was willing to compromise my dreams for you, I was ready to be the person you needed.

You never really needed me the way I needed you to

5. I talked to my grandmother this morning and she asked me where the princess she remembered raising went, she asked me how I could be good for anyone if I wasn't good for me.

She asked me if I were looking for kings who were looking for queens and how somewhere along the way I lost myself so they all missed me

6. You loved me the way my father always loved my mother and I no longer accept men with conditional traits.

7. As a woman, I am obligated to continue loving as a man you are eager to continue lusting.

I was made gracefully with spiritual glitter and faithful glue.

I was given wings that you tried to cut through, I was born with a voice that you tried to silence and a body that you tried to shame me of whenever spilling our love into someone else's.

It took me awhile to see that, someone like you doesn't deserve a heart that only like myself was willing to offer.

8. I'm starting to find myself and while picking up the pieces to my unfinished puzzle I'm realizing that you were never meant to fit the picture

9. You left scars on my skin that will never let me forget what love isn't

10. You were wrong about me, you said I could never live without you, you thought I'd stick around for you to figure out how beautiful we could be, but I've planted scriptures in your palms that no one else will ever understand but all will see and then they'll wonder what happened. Then they'll ask about me, tell them how I used to hold on because I loved you enough to never let you forget me. Then let them know that I've become forgiving and you've grown to resent me. I've grown from every versus I've wrote and every word you've spoke and you've learned my love made itself permanent on its own.You never were into practicing what you preached but I've decided it's okay that you let me go too because I've already set you free.

[youspoketome]

SQUAD FIVE-O - BOMBS OVER BROADWAY (2000)

I don't remember when I first heard Squad Five-O, or I would definitely have written about them sooner. It was probably around when my older brother got a job at Northwestern bookstore that he started buying a bunch of CDs, which I would then dub into cassettes. Some were by Tooth and Nail bands like the OC Supertones and Value Pac that I had heard on comps anyway, but also some bands from other labels like Kosmos Express, Five Iron Frenzy, and most importantly to me, Squad Five-O.

Somewhere in between MxPx changing my life and discovering The Ataris, I discovered Squad's WHAT I BELIEVE and when it was released, FIGHT THE SYSTEM and I was obsessed in a whole new way to me. I started modeling my entire life after that band. I started bleaching my hair because Jeff Squad bleached his hair, I started only wearing my hoodies zipped up about 2/3 of the way because Johnny Five wore his hoodie like that on a tour poster I had, I set my default font on AOL Instant Messenger to neon green with black background to match their logo on FIGHT THE SYSTEM (which they stole from Poison), I got in trouble in algebra class for writing the lyrics to "Fight The System" on my shared graphing calculator at the end of class and leaving it there for the next person. If you read the installment about Me First and The Gimme Gimmes you might remember my camo shorts with knee high argyle socks. I was wearing that because of Squad Five-O. To this day I have one single tattoo, and it's a tattoo I first saw on Jeff Squad and decided I wanted when I was about 15.

I'm pretty sure my first real rock and roll show (meaning not DC Talk at the Target Center or a Billy Graham crusade) was Squad Five-O. They were the perfect band for a Christian music venue like the New Union. Christan venues were notorious for not letting you have fun in the crowd. You can jump up and down, you can move around, but you can't jump into another person or touch someone else while you are moving around. So moshing and crowd surfing were right out. The beauty of Squad though, was since all their songs constantly switched back and forth between ska parts and punk parts, no one got in trouble. The heavier punk parts would play and the crowd would freak out, but before anyone could get pulled from the crowd, the ska part would kick in and everyone would stop moshing and start skanking. Those shows were some of the most fun I ever had in a pit (and I use that term very, very loosely).

So anyway, fast forward to 2000. I've discovered The Ataris and secular music, but I'm still a Tooth and Nail kid at heart. I've started taking classes at community college through PSEO, and so I'm using their computer lab. (I still distinctly remember this.) I go to toothandnail dot com and before the normal home screen loads, there's a page with a giant picture of Squad Five-O announcing their new addition to the Tooth and Nail family. I didn't even hit the continue to home page link, I opened a new window to get to my email and I literally emailed everyone in my address book (95% of whom had never heard of Squad Five-O or couldn't have cared less about them if they had) to let them know that SFO had signed to Tooth and Nail Records. I think I got two responses to that email, one telling me I was a huge nerd and one telling me this was old news and he already knew about it.

Over the ensuing months demos from the new album would show up in a couple different T&N compilation CDs. They were definitely different, but not bad, and I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I continued to excitedly wait for the new album.

Squad Five-O had always had a thing for 80's metal. As I mentioned earlier, they completely stole the Poison logo for their own logo on FIGHT THE SYSTEM. The first time I saw them, every single shirt they had at their merch table was a spoof of Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest, Stryper or some other metal band. But on BOMBS OVER BROADWAY they just went for it. The producer they worked with on this album had previously worked on albums by Cinderella, LA Guns and Ozzy. Gone was the punk/ska hybrid I loved. Gone was the raw energy I soaked up. Gone were the bratty kids shouting anthems. They were replaced by big hair, aviator sunglasses, sleeveless t-shirts and rambling guitar solos.

I still bought it. I still bought a poster and multiple t-shirts (I want to say I had three shirts from this era). I still went to see them (with The Juliana Theory, who I hadn't even discovered yet). But that was the end for me. I didn't buy their next, self-titled album, and to this day I've not listened to their major label album after that. The magic was gone.

I recently listened to a podcast about this album and period for the band, and it sounds like Brandon from T&N heard the demos, knew it wasn't right, and begged them to stick with their previous sound. Even Jeff expressed regret that the producer had made them slow all the songs down and sapped the energy that was there in their live shows and even on the demos.

The thing with BOMBS OVER BROADWAY was until that album I don't think I had figured out yet that bands could change for the worse. Everything I had listened to to that point had just been on an upward trajectory. I had stopped listening to DC Talk and Audio Adrenaline by this time, not because they changed, but because I had. Ghoti Hook's TWO YEARS TO NEVER came out around the same time, and I actually heard the first demo from that album on the same comp as one of the Squad demos, but that one doesn't stand out to me as much. Conrad had quit Ghoti Hook and I think I just assumed they wouldn't be as good anymore without him. Squad Five-O had added members and signed to my favorite record label, who could have imagined they'd get worse? It was kind of an eye opening album for me.

Coda (or: I'm not sure when else I'll get to tell this story, so I'm going to tack it on the end here):

BOMBS OVER BROADWAY obviously had a lot of imagery of planes and destruction and New York City (the lyrics to the titular song literally go "Midnight, New York City/Broadway, going up in flames/Ground zero, big city/Big Apple swallowed by the flames."). At the time it was about vanity and American consumerism, but after 9-11 it became much more real and tasteless. On September 12 or 13, 2001, I got up and got dressed went about my day. While waiting in line for lunch my friend Kara (one of the two respondees of my excited email) kind of looked at my t-shirt and gave me a weird look. I glanced down and said "Squad Five-O. They're a band," and didn't think any more of it. After school I went to work (I was working at Hot Topic by this point, we'll get there pretty soon) where I wore a hoodie most of the night, but after the mall closed and we were cleaning up, they'd turn off the air and it would get really hot and stuffy. So after I got too warm I took off my hoodie and for the first time in the day really took notice of the shirt I'd been wearing all day: a Squad Five-O t-shirt that above the logo featured the Twin Towers falling over with a mushroom cloud coming up between them. I suddenly realized why Kara had been looking at my shirt so strangely, and never wore it again.