Best Fwends Gear Stolen - Why Do People Keep Doing This?

This is some shitty ass news. Anthony told me about this a few weeks ago, but below is the whole nightmare of a story. Tis the season for gift giving and giving back. Best Fwends are such an awesome band and two sweet guys, let's help em out by buying some of their t-shirts and cds to give away as holiday gifts. You can purchase both directly from their MySpace or their cd and eps from Moshi Moshi.

(picture courtesy of Sup Mag - go there and read an interview with them from a couple of years ago)

SO dustin and i were coming back from touring Iceland and England. and our flight was so late that we were stranded overnight at BWI airport in [shitty, scum-filled] Baltimore. after talking to various airport employees, we learned that on occasion the Maryland Aviation Administration sometimes allows civilians to sleep upstairs on this observation deck. so we acquired the "proper" authorization from Mr. Craig Jackson of Landside Operations and he allowed us up there. then all these janitors were watching us and asking us questions. dustin unfurled our banner for them and i checked my email and read my mom's obituary for the first time. at 10pm we fell asleep.

WHEN i woke up at 4am, my bag was gone. my bag, containing our laptop, passport, wallet, ALL the cash i had in the world (which was a lot since we actually made money for the first time EVER on this tour) and all sorts of souvenirs, Icelandic Kronur, bus tickets and stuff. basically this bag was the entire "stuff I can't afford to lose" collection, since i was told not to trust luggage handlers. (Note: don't trust anyone else either. in fact, if you can't lock something down just throw it away.)

SUPPOSEDLY the police officer who took my report didn't even file it until 2 days later. his name was Edgar Caraballo P.O.1166 and he basically stuffed a Grand Larceny report into his trousers, hung up his hat and went home because it happened at the end of his shift... but not before 1.demanding identification from me after I told him that my wallet and passport were stolen and 2.accusing me and dustin of being in an unauthorized "secure" area (well done on that). i hoped he could have had some people look in some dumpsters and trash cans maybe... i would have done it myself but the airport is a fucking maze of security zones that only authorized personnel are allowed through. (i.e., janitors and cops.)

TERRORISTS: according to the cops at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport, the cameras aren't even working. imagine all the shit you could get away with when they wouldn't even know who did it! security level orange! security level red! we are going to bounce back harder than ever... no more iPod? i guess so! why not play real instruments for once!

<3/hate, anthony

The Soundscapes, Best Fwends & Cheeseburger @ Make Music NY 6/21: The Wind and the Rain

Yesterday was the kick off of JellyNYC's free summer shows in an outdoor concert called Make Music New York. The main event happened on N7th between Bedford Ave and Driggs in Williamsburg but there were supposedly shows going on all over, though the only other ones I saw were on Bedford near the main stage.


The clouds cleared, the sun started to shine and The Soundscapes were playing in front of an out of business Chinese restaurant. Watching them was amazing. It is not that their music was groundbreaking, though it was good and heartfelt, but standing outside, watching a couple of guys sweat and play their heart out right out in the street was magic. It made you remember why you listen, why you go to shows, why you bother standing outside hoping to score a spare ticket - it's all for the love.


After The Soundscapes, I made my way over to the main stage where one half of Best Fwends was standing in the middle of the crowd dancing around while Matt and Kim egged him on. Apparently Dustin couldn't be there but A soloed a few songs to the enthusiastic throng. Reminded me a bit of our anniversary show where we had one Gasket do a little karaoke to his own songs, totally fun.


Before the heavens opened up once more, Cheeseburger hit the stage. I've been chasing this band for a while and their live show did not disappoint. Fun, funny, full of energy and well worth standing around in the rain for. Their music may sound familiar but it doesn't really matter, it's all about having a good time.

Good News For Those With No Money

Tonight has two insanely awesome shows going on in Brooklyn timed perfectly with each other and set at a price we all can afford- FREE.

First is the awkwardly titled The Williamsburg MAKE MUSIC NEW YORK Stage presented by JellyNYC and featuring Oxford Collapse, Best Fwends and Cheeseburger. All bands are worth seeing so make sure you hop the train right after work to get there by 6pm. The show ends at 10pm when I am sure the coppers will shut it all down.

But have no fear you party animals. After you are hosed off the block party, hop a cab and head to Matchless where one of my favourite new singer, song writer, rockers, Luke Wesley, will make you wonder why you are just getting hip to him now.