2009 YEAR END MUSIC AWARDS...

ONE WAY RICHMOND 2009 YEAR END AWARDS...

Best Band: Bermuda Triangles

Best Piano/Keys: Marlysse Simmons of Bio Ritmo

Best Guitar: Chris Conrad of Amoeba Men and La Mere Vipere

Best Drums: (tie) Nate Rappole of Snack Truck/Gull and Frayser Micou of Ultra Dolphins

Best Bass: Eddie Prendergast of Amazing Ghost and Bio Ritmo

Best Vocals: (tie) Samsun of Photosynthesizers and Laura Ann Singh of Miramar

Best Vocals/Frontman: Danny Trice of La Mere Vipere

Best Singer/Songwriter: Liza Kate

Best MC/Rapper: (tie) RUIN (The Southside Superstar) and Barcodez of Photosynthesizers

Best Party DJ: All the DJ’s from the Audio Ammo Crew

Best Original/Techno/House/Other DJ: Joanna O

Best Experimental DJ: PSY/OPSogist

Best Drum and Bass DJ: Will Miles

Best Noise/Pedals/Other Odd Musical Objects: Leah Peah and Gary Stevens of Head Molt

Best Acoustic/Unplugged Band: The Whiskey Rebellion

Best Up and Coming Musician: Diamond Black Hearted Boy

Best All Around Musician in Richmond: Nate Rappole of Gull, Snack Truck, and Ultra Dolphins

The Hardest Working Person in Richmond’s Music Scene: Jason Hodges of CNP Records and the bands - Amoeba Men, Bermuda Triangles, and Suppression

Best Local Record Label: CNP Records

Best Record/Music Store: Vinyl Conflict

Best Jukebox: Big John's Grill

Best Show Flyer/Poster Artist: Joe Legzz

Best Venue: (local acts)(tie) The Bike Lot and The Triple & (national acts) The National

Best Club: Fallout

Best Venue Sound: Cary St. Cafe

Best Recording Studio: (tie) Etching Tin and Sound of Music

Best Record Producer/Studio Engineer: John Morand of Sound of Music Studios

Best Show Sound/Mixer/Engineer: Jonathan Kassalow of Gallery 5/The Bike Lot/Other

Show of the Year: (Major) My Bloody Valentine at The National. (Local) The Intelligence, Bermuda Triangles, Spirit Fingers, The Order

Best Official/Yet Underground Party: DECEMBERWEEN (Brought to you by the PLF)

Best Richmond Music Scene Media Source: RVA Magazine and Website

Best Local Radio Station: WRIR 97.3

Best Local Radio DJ: Fontaine of WRIR & WDCE

Best Music Calendar of Events: Mike Rutz’s ACTIVATE! Weekly Music Calendar at www.wrir.com

Best Non-Music Show (radio or live in person): (tie) Richmond Varietease, Wordy Birds (Interviews with writers by Liz Humes from WRIR) and comedian David Marie Garland

Best Local Music Documentary: Loosen My Tie: A Documentary about David Shultz & The Skyline

Best Multiple Day Music Event: Best Friends Day

Best Richmond Music Scene Photographer: PJ Sykes

Best place in Richmond to get news on what bands are up to:
821 Café

Best neighborhood for Richmond musicians to live in:
Jackson Ward

Best blog site about the Richmond Music Scene: None

Best place to see a local musician when he or she is not playing: The ABC Store

Cecil B. DeMiller and Rhodes Richmond Music Scene Lifetime Achievement Award:
Danny Ingram & Tiffany Cale of Community Chest Booking

Best Video: (tie) I’ll Never Run by ChiChi the Kid and Shackleton by GULL (directed by Chad Middleton)

ChiChi the Kid...



GULL...



Local Musicians In Memoriam: Mikezie of Young Richmond Outkasts and ex- Richmonder Jack Rose of the now defunct local bands Ugly Head & Pelt

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

Shot Outs to places, people, and organizations that contributed to the 2009 Richmond Music Scene: Crossroads (Jackson Ward), Richmond Symphony, The Mosque (Landmark Theater), Alley Katz, Church of the Crystal Light, VCU School of Music, Art, Film, Photography, The Camel, Cary St. Café, Godfreys, Commercial Taphouse, Balliceaux, Café Diem, Legend Brewery, Bogarts, Fieldens, Richmond Jazz and Blues Society, People’s Blues of Richmond, Gallery 5, Ada Gallery, Weekly Rant, Lonnie B, All the staff at Strange Matter, CenterStage, City of Charlottesville, WNRN, WDCE, WVCW, WVNZ, Virginia Union, Xscape Club, Club 534, VCU Ram Band, VCU Gold Rush Dancers, Every area high school band, Cous Cous, Plaza Bowl, Cotton Club, The Clubhouse, Dullhouse, Food Not Bombs House, Illegal underground house/space venues, Any small yet extremely inspirational gospel group in the area, Lift, Velocity Comics, Various dishwashers and bartenders, RVAFreaks.com, rvashows.proboards.com, Myspace, Facebook, Street performers, Chris Bopst, Kevin and Erin Willoughby, The Bucket Boys all around town, Richmond Coliseum, Modlin Center for the Arts, McCormack’s, First Fridays, Silver Persinger, Ward Tefft & Shelley Briggs, Rumors Boutique, Fridays at Sunset, Bill Reid, High school music teachers, Ipanema, Grace St., Robinson St., Broad St., Fulton Hill, MUSE Creative Workspace, Record Finders, Turnstyle, Deep Groove Records, Plan 9, BK Music, Candyland Music, Richmond Music Center, Metro Sound, Chop Suey Books, Sound of Music Studios, Etching Tin Studios, Empire, All the rehearsal spaces around town, Video Fan, GWAR, Lamb of God, Avail, Denali, David Lowery, Pen Rollings, Skillz, D’Angelo, Mechanics who fix band vans, and all the others…Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

And last but not least...
Song of the Year: Johnny Paycheck’s Paycheck –
Richmond Is So Scene
Free MP3 below...

Johnny Paycheck's Paycheck - Richmond Is So Scene.mp3

All those hot dreadlocked girls...

The mesmerizing freedom dance I respired last night at Cary St. Café was a 14 Quarter Horsepower jam march. It has been awhile since I’ve seen a good hippie raspberry jam band. I kinda stopped because they all sound like a cornhusker on acid. Get this through yall’s head; The Former Champions do not suck. Even their covers brought out the fly by night stand. They reach a summit of mercury sound, and went higher with chopping sticks and a guitar that even Grover Cleveland would admire.

The Former Champions are so good in fact; I wouldn’t even call them a jam band. I’d call them a great green mile about to take over the wonders. Today Cary St., tomorrow Kangaroo, I mean Bonnaroo...Fly Former Champions, Fly.

Note: The polls are closed for the O.W.R Poll...Should girls in Richmond stop having sex with guys that have artisticly poor tattoos and are in crappy mediocre bands? The answer 'YES' won by 71%. Thank you for voting.

O.W.R. 2009 Best of...

In honor of the end of the year, feels like the end of the world...right? I am re posting 4 of the most talked about posts from One Way Richmond. The blog site has been up 6 and a half months now, and many posts get shuffled way to back of the blog site. Many folks don’t want to or have the time to go back that far, so here are some ones you might like. Enjoy...

SPORTS WITH CHIP CASADONTE

Today's call of the 6th race from Colonial Downs:

And there off!
Regency Square takes the early lead...
followed by Virginia Center Commons...
Chesterfield Town Center...
Stony Point Fashion Park...
and Short Pump Mall is 8 lengths back...
Willow Lawn is 10 back
and rounding out the field in dead last is Cloverleaf Mall

Here comes Chesterfield Town Center! neck and neck with Va. Center Commons...
Short Pump Mall gaining ground...
Cloverleaf Mall moves into 4th place...
Willow Lawn is losing steam...
And as 1/3 of the race is completed Regency is hanging on to the lead...

Short Pump Mall picking up it's pace...
Virginia Center Commons holding steady...
Here comes Chesterfield Town Center galloping ahead like never before...
Short Pump Mall falls 15 lengths back along with Willow Lawn...

The Jockeys jockey for position...
Short Pump Mall and Regency are side by side...
oh man what a race, ladies and gentleman...
Regency regains the lead...
And down the stretch they come!!!
Regency Square falls behind a length to Short Pump Mall...
Here comes Cloverleaf! making a surge from the outside!...

Regency takes the lead back!!!...
Chesterfield Town Center gets tangled up with Cloverleaf Mall...
Virginia Center Commons and Regency Square are nack and neck...
It's gonna be a photo finish folks!!!...
And it's Regency Square by a nose!!!...
Oh My! ladies and gentlemen, oh my! what a race from New Kent.

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

THEY SAID IT...

Hey girl…did you hear? Hear what Boo? All dat bullshit going down in Carytown…Word, do tell Boo…
We’ll you know how Nacho Mamas was engaged to Bill’s Cleaners?...
…yea…well guess what?....
Chop Suey Books caught Nacho Mamas giving head behind the Byrd Theater…
Word!?!...to who Boo, to who?...i’m jumpin’ girl…
…Jean Jacques!...thats who…
…oh my fucking God!...are you serious girl?...
As serious as a teenage shop-lifter in Plan 9

We’ll that’s wild, but not as insane as YY Salon getting Chlamydia from Coppolas…
…shit! You did not just say dat…girl…oh my heavens…crazy bitch…yo
…Boo I about had fainted when I heard dat shit…

Could not be as bad as when Weezie's Kitchen shot Mom Siam in the face last June…
Da World of Carytown has done lost it Boo…just done lost it…
…word…

Well I heard First Market Bank is trying to fuck Richmond Camera. I heard that too…
Well okay miss miss, you know about The Complete Gourmet and Legend’s Salon and Spa?...no girl, what bout dem?
…they went to Nag’s Head together, leaving their spouses behind…
Fucking shit!!! Fucking shit!!! No way girl, no way…oh yea, and one of the spouses is Yoga Source. She’s as pissed off as an RPD Officer on New Years Eve in front of Bin 22 at Betsy’s...

O’ Boo on a lighter note, after attendin' a Kickers game with Ciao,
I got a puppy in front of 7-11...Girl dat’s dope…what kind of puppy?…a Rot, she was kind of dirty, but my girl Look Boutique gave my little boo boo a bath...

Hey girl, where you going lata? I’m going to meet Blue Oasis Audio for lunch, wanna join?
…I can’t girl, Babes and Glass Boat are arguing and I said I’d arbitrate…

Well, I still have an hour girl, you know what dat mean?...
…sure doe girl, mo' gossip!...preach it sista…

Well, according to One Eyed Jacks, Galaxy Diner gave her ring back to The Baker’s Crust…awww…I thought those two would make it…guess not girl…

…At least Thomas-Hines and Agees are still together…yea it’s been like 7 years now…that’s so sweet..
…For their anniversary they got a limousine at a discount thanks to some bartering from Montana Bread, and went to The Track…that’s so cute girl…aw Boo…
For real doe, is Bygones preggers? yep…7 months now…Roadrunner is the father…
…true dat…I thought is was Dominion Skateboards…naw

How many kids is that for him?...
...3, but 1 was with The Christian Science Room…
…Well I hope dey kept that one quiet…
…dey did…

How did New York Deli’s surgery go?...don’t know suga…ax Bevs, dat girl know everything bout dis here mile o’ style..

Before lunch I think I’m going to fuck wit Pink, I hate dat bitch!
…why Boo, she think she all dat…I hear ya…but she ain’t as bad as Can Can…
…oh fuck dat ‘ho…
I just wish everyone round here could be as sweet as Jewelers Services,…
I hear ya girl…
Shoot…dis life round here just make you wanna get a bottle at River City Cellars…
…you can say that again sista…
Well I gotta go, okay Boo, til next time…maybe we can meet Thai Diner Two and go dancing some night…
...I hope that fine young stud Mezzanine comes out...oh girl...you so crazy...
Sounds good girl...see ya...big ups to Carytown…ha ha…
...big ups Boo...

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

THE SAM ROTHSTEIN DANCERS

I’ve got a tattoo... I’ve got a tattoo...So do I...
Look at my tattoo...no, look at mine!
My Tattoo is so cool…look at my tattoo,...shit!?...my tattoo is cooler...
Look at my tattoo, no look at mine...I’ve got one, so do I...

Don’t fret girl with a PBR belly, there’s a tattoo parlor on every corner in Richmond...
I’ve got a tattoo of a person getting a tattoo in RVA...look at my tattoo...
No, look at mine...
Your tattoo looks like a dated t-shirt, well your tattoo looks like barbed wire...
I’ve got a tattoo, so do I…..I love my tattoo, so do I…
Look at my tattoo, no! Look at my tattoo……I love my tattoo, wait!
Have you seen my tattoo, yes, and I now want you to see my tattoo...
I have several Tattoos...
I have a tattoo on my back of a map that points out everywhere in Richmond someone that is really insecure can get a tattoo...

I have a tattoo,...I have a tattoo...look at my tattoo, no look at mine...
I love my tattoo, so do I...
My tattoo is above my ass, it makes me feel like a slut…that’s great because you are a slut...look at my tattoo…no look at mine...

My boyfriend has a tattoo and he’s in a band...that’s cool, have you seen my new tattoo?
Look at my tattoo, I got a tattoo the other day, so did I...

Have you seen my new tattoo on my chest above my breast, no I haven’t...let me see,...oh wow, it’s a tattoo of a hot rod...
Have you ‘scene’ my tattoo? Ha Ha kidding, I meant ‘seen’...I have, let me show you my tattoo...
Hey dude, before Best Friend’s Day lets get a tattoo, sure, sounds like a good idea...let me get a tattoo of that idea on my arm...

Hey before the big game lets get a tattoo…have you seen my tattoo, yes, but wait...
Look at my tattoo, no, look at mine....
I got a tattoo at NARA the other day while playing guitar in my quasi math rock band...Cool!...Hey look, I got a tattoo,...no, I got a tattoo...Have you seen it?
Look at my tattoo, no, look at my tattoo...my cousin in Mechanicsville got a tattoo of a tattoo…
Way cool, have you seen my tattoo? No, but look at my tattoo...

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A STRANGE TALE OF LOVE AND DECEPTION

If Downtown Richmond Skyscapers were drugs, which ones would they be?...

Federal Reserve Bank Building - Cocaine

James Monroe Building - Heroin

CFB Building (oldest skyscraper in RVA) - Marijuana

SunTrust Plaza - Ecstasy

City Hall - Crack Cocaine

Main St. Center - Dilaudid

Bank of America Center - LSD

8th & Main Building - Mushrooms

Riverfront Plaza East & West - Peyote

John Tyler Building - Percocet

West Hospital (MCV) - OxyContin

Ross Building - Alcohol

James Center One - PCP

James Center Two - Morphine

One James River Plaza - Crystal Meth

Philip-Morris Research & Development Center - Cigarette


Note: Tonight is game 10 for VCU. The game matches VCU against East Carolina and an ex VCU coach from back when they couldn’t hit the side of a barn with the basketball.

CODE.

I love finding out about Richmond musical collectives most people in the city don’t know about yet. There’s a new music collective in town, and to pin point exactly what they are producing with sounds would be impossible. Trust me, it’s a good thing. Sounding original and diverse is such a feat these days. It makes me proud to have two ears. The collective fore mentioned is Chocolate Milk. Chocolate Milk is a collection of producers, DJ’s, and intellects defying science and sound before our very ears. They just might be putting Richmond on top of the globe.
You know where that is?...
Right next to God’s Suburb, behind the Galaxy. Caddy corner to Mars.

Chocolate Milk is Annu, Messi, Oh Bliv, Mr. Grif, and the resident Chocolate Milk DJ, DJ Mir (aka Nasa) along with their colleague outta Oak Town aka Oakland, Ca., Muun.

Now, I am not sure about what lies ahead in the future of hip-hop, drum and bass, dub step, jazz, acid jazz, soul, noise, or experimental music, but I think I may have stumbled on this potpourri. After listening to each member’s Myspace pages, I feel like I just sailed to Marrakesh and back via the James River. Chocolate Milk is on to something nobody else is...

Messi is the hard box extravagant inside a dog’s umbrella. His song ‘A Form Up,’ brought out the apostrophes dancing in my yearbook from about tens years from now. The songs ‘Wings’ and ‘Candy' are the I Dream of Jeannie of production mix master drum lords with an appetite of rocks. Messi is the new stereo with a raping of Hi-Fi.

Who needs New York, Paris, London, Tel Aviv, and Melbourne when you got Annu right here in Richmond, Va. This journey will be tested from the songs ‘Snake Eyes’ and ‘Gossip' from the album Def Vibrations. These songs have to jettison the mainstream we are accustomed to vomiting out of our Grandmother’s wine glass. Bring home the science, I love what Annu is doing here.

Oh Bliv is single handedly bringing back funk. I could listen to this miracle all the way home from sexual intercourse. The song ‘Keep Diggin’ is a belly flop to a Trinity. Bouncing would be an understatement. This guy I feel is 5 to 6 years before his time. Well done Oh Bliv, well done.

DJ Mir is wild at heart, but the beats are sonic ecstacy inside a child’s favorite nesting place. I am back in the womb across from John Lennon’s temple. Very well crafted imagery on these dope sick beats.

Mr. Grif is painstaking on a good end. If only he and Mr. Lif could bring the house down. These soundscapes lather up an opinion all your own.

Muun is a giant. He’s bringing the over night sound waves over to Richmond, Va. from Oakland by using the new high standards of depicting what the next best thing really is. Hello, it’s the song ‘Low Tip,’ I’m telling ya. Can we now have a sonic scientific meeting in an upside down chapel? Thank you Oakland, Thank you...

Well by now you are asking, What’s going on? The answer is who just might be carrying the torch in Richmond and America’s experimental scene in a couple of years. Thanks to Diamond Black Hearted Boy aka Chino of Hollywood Cemetery Records, I have run into something very inspiring for Richmond. This inspiration is appointment listening from the beat music collective known as Chocolate Milk.

Listen for yourself...

Annu - www.myspace.com/planetannu

Messi - www.myspace.com/8messi8

Oh Bliv - www.myspace.com/ohblivmusick

DJ Mir (aka Nasa) www.soundcloud.com/djmir/88mph

Mr. Grif - www.myspace.com/mrgrifbeats

Muun - www.myspace.com/muuninverse


See for yourself here...




Note: I just came from Strange Matter (929 W. Grace St.). Wow! Very Nice. Great layout, the bar looks fabulous, and the interior paint job is where it needs to be. I’d say it is very aesthetically pleasing compared to past decades. The stage looks amazing. They still have no beer and wine license; however, they expect it shortly. Bands will have to wait a little longer (cabaret license/zoning issue). Other than that, VERY impressive, and very clean. They have great video games, and they got rid of that stupid walk in freezer bagel lady put in. The back area around the exit and bathrooms has never looked better. Even the 'mini' booths were really cool, along with the eclectic potpourri of bar stools. Great food and coffee. Best this place has looked in years…please frequent this establishment.

Nine Two Nine

pic from RVA Mag

Huge big ups! and thank you! to RVA Mag for reprinting an article I wrote for their annual music issue that takes a historical look at the 929 Grace St. venue now known as STRANGE MATTER on their website. This will be a wonderful venue again, and another MUCH NEEDED venue in Richmond. Along with the venue, Strange Matter will serve lovely food, and will have super cool video games.

Tonight is the opening of this miracle address. Do stop by and show support. Here is the link to the article that shows just how important 929 W. Grace St. is to Richmond, Virginia...

http://www.rvamag.com/articles/full/6147/brief-history-929-west-grace-rva

Losing Water.

Show picks for the early part of the last week of this shitty decade 12/28-12/30...

pic by Tony Lynch

12/28 Pike Possum, Fire Faithful, Lord, Akris, Wizardry @ The Triple 10pm.
- If a baby is born in the mountains, does that mean it's stillborn?...

12/28 Field Day (record release)(pictured atop), Lemuria, Hold Tight!, Black Wine @ Gallery 5 7pm.
- I can't believe it's not butter...

12/29 Another Breath, Safety, In Circles, Landmines @ Empire 9pm.
- I want to jumpstart my life at this show...

12/30 RPG (picture just below), Priestess @ Alley Katz 8pm.
- There is a rage in the cage...


12/30 Keller Williams (pictured below) @ The National 8pm.
- No shit, I use to live next door to Keller...

pic by C. Taylor Crothers

Note: STRANGE MATTER (929 W. Grace St. ex Bagel Czar, Nancy Raygun, 929 Café, Twisters, Chrono’s Café, Hubabas) is opening for dinner December 28th. Inexpensive food with quality ingredients, lots of vegan options, good coffee, free wi-fi, and a dozen vintage arcade games. Coming soon: pics of the menu, freeplay arcade tournaments, daily and nightly events, and more!!!
- I will also have more info about this fabulous new, yet historical venue location, venue/bar/restaurant/arcade in the near future...

And...

Commonwealth of Virginia College Basketball Top 5:

12/28/09

1. Va. Tech (10-1)
2. W&M (8-2)
3. UR (9-3)
4. VCU (7-2)
5. ODU (8-4)

Blue Horse Shoe loves Richmond Funeral Homes...

Bliley Funeral Home... +666

Woody Funeral Home... -13

Bennett Funeral Home... +69

Chiles Funeral Home... +3.14

I'm on the list...

I promised a few weeks ago to make a list of bar/restaurants where one could smoke in Metro Richmond. Well, after much thought, I have decided not to come up with a list. The reason is not because other local media outlets did this already, but because it is easy to figure out. 99% of the places that have smoking permitted legally or illegally are flat out red neck establishments. That’s right; your typical sports bar/restaurants aka big boxes in the middle of parking lots, or strip malls. These type places mostly fall in Henricofield of course, or have a bunch of flags out front.

I am a champion of any establishment that lets the rights of the customers come first. I however, do not like to saddle up with the Tammy Wynettes of the world, listen to Q94 mother fuck music while watching 967 flat screen televisions, and witnessing forty year old men play video games. This is just not my style, nor should it be yours.

Great our waitress is 18 and has big tits. Careful, her boyfriend is a big guy, and has tattoos of barbed wire around his biceps. He thinks working at an auto-detail store is really cool. Love the low riding, Gone In 60 Seconds car with 8,000 decibels of Kenny Chesney pumping you douchebag fuck hole piece of shit anal wipe.

Visiting the worst side of each other is a mandate in any society...

Show picks for 12/26-12/27...

12/26 Terry Garland (picture atop) @ The Playing Field 8pm.
- Who doesn’t have the blues after Christmas...

12/27 Reunion show for Harm Stryker (picture below right), with MAKR of To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie, Black Diamond Hearted Boy, 804noise Richmond Experimental, HzCollective @ Ghostprint Gallery 8pm.
- It's getting noisy up in here, so take off all your clothes...

12/27 El Presidente, Glasseye Sugardaddy (flyer below) @ Cary St. Café 9pm.
- This is the one show where knocking down The Pope is encouraged...

I’m in a universe I should not be in...

Santa dances to the beat of a new drum now...

Here is a wonderful last second idea on what to do tonight. Are you already sick of hangin' with the family? Then slide on down to Godfreys (308 W. Grace St.) at 10pm. and catch two of the best DJ's in Richmond...Joanna O and Jesse Split. Why not, it's free. Christmas music? Fuck no!
The real shit...D&B/Techno/House/Breakbeat...

Fallen for Richmond...

What in the hell is going on in South Richmond in regards to local rappers. Last week the Get Money Green Brothers were taken down by a major drug bust. Now, local rapper Mikezie was gunned down at a local recording studio in South Richmond. This is so sad and senseless especially right before Christmas.

I do not know if these two incidents are related, but I know this, I am sick and fucking tired of black on black homicides. Mikezie was obviously well admired and loved. He was considered a superstar in Richmond. He was part of the sensational rap outfit/family Young Richmond Outkasts. This shooting was probably over some bullshit. This must end! Life isn’t easy in Richmond, but here is a guy doing what it takes. Mikezie’s life was definitely headed to greater heights, and I love that shit. A guy coming from nothing and making something out of his life is extra extraordinary coming from the 804 streets.

Admirers of Richmond’s music scene, regardless of what genre you’re into, should care about local rappers. They are part of the great music scene that is Richmond, Va. Mikezie busted his ass to not only make himself a great rap artist, but also for his child, his people, and for Richmond, Virginia. Mikezie, you will be missed. I wish I could have met you. R.I.P my man.

Below is a video of Michael R. Mitchell aka Mikezie directed by ChiChi the Kid of Young Richmond Outkasts...

The Christmas Dinner.

One Way Richmond Christmas Dinner Seating Chart...

Table 1…
RVA Skins....CNP Records
Cutthroats...VCU Men’s Basketball Team

Table 2…
Hell’s Satans....Sam Moore
RVA Freaks......Mayor Dwight Jones

Table 3…
Jackson Ward Boyz...RVA Magazine Staff
Audio Ammo Crew.....Robinson St. Frat Boys

Table 4…
Every hot girl at Ipanema...U of R Football Team
PLF..............................The Pagans

Table 5…
Diamond Black Hearted Boy....Gene Cox
Commonwealth Club Santa.....Michael Vick

Table 6…
Get Money Green Brothers...Tim Kaine
One Way Richmond............Bon Air Shell


Note: Weekend show picks will come out on Saturday this week.
Also, coming soon will be the O.W.R year end musician awards, and a couple of 'Best Of' posts from the first 6 months of O.W.R.

!GREAT NEWS!

Christmas has been cancelled!

Jihad sells, but who’s buying?

Show picks for the early week 12/21-/12/22...

12/21 Rent a movie...might I suggest...Pizza and/or One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.

12/22 HzCollective Presents noise from The Netherlands feat. Wouter Jaspers/Franz Fjödor (pictured up), Bram Stadhouders, Bas Verbeek, Anduin @ Ghostprint Gallery 8pm.
- The Cannabis Cup comes to Jackson Ward...

12/22 Amazing Ghost (flyer just below) @ Balliceaux 9:30pm.
- This is the sound of the Manatee...


12/23 To The Bottom & Back Bus (Party Bus) (pictured below) benefit feat. No Dice, The Boilers @ The Camel 8pm.
- Get on the bus, get on the giving tip...



Note: Commonwealth of Virginia College Basketball Top 5:

12/21/09

1. Va. Tech (9-1)
2. VCU (7-2)
3. UR (8-3)
4. W&M (7-2)
5. ODU (7-4)

The Maggie Walker/Ansel Adams sex scandal...

Oh my God!!!...Jackson Ward unda this muthafucka...







Note: VCU Basketball is down in the Big Easy, thats New Orleans for you retards, today at 2pm. The Rams are facing Tulane in Game 9 of the year. I doubt the team will be able to fly back to Richmond after the game. Looks like an extra day down there. My advice, hit Bourbon St., drink much, mack on some hot cajun ladies, taste the spicey gumbo, and sit back and listen to jazz music. Us Richmonders will hold down the fort and concentrate on our beards until yall get back.

Other people's snow...

Other show picks tonight to check out, and they have been confirmed as still going on tonight...

12/18 Christmasfits feat. The Riot Before (pictured up) @ Empire 10pm.
12/18 The Dirty Truth @ Gus' (2701 W. Broad St.) 9:30pm.

ALSO...
Postponed...
Carbon Leaf @ The National tomorrow has been moved to Monday 12/21.
Cancelled...
Tonight's show at the Dull House feat. Joe McMahon, Spanish Gamble, Reverse The Curse, This Black Box has been cancelled.

Note: Please check in first with any event you plan on attending in Richmond and Charlottesville this weekend. It is certainly possible that it might have been cancelled or postponed.

!BREAKING NEWS!

Because of the big ass Nor'easter on it's way to Richmond, all 235 Burlesque shows scheduled for tomorrow night in Richmond have been cancelled. However, some still might go on despite the weather. Please check your local burlesque calendar for details.

Allen, Allen, Allen, Allen & Meth...

Show picks for the weekend 12/17-12/20...


12/17 J3 Project (flyer right) @
Emilios 10pm..
- Jam it on the one!

12/17 Holiday Variety Show feat. Frankzig, The Christmasfits, Julie Karr, Zac Hryciak & the Jungle Beat, Milk & Cat Act, Richmond Burlesque, Kyle & Stubbs, The Oregon Hill Carolers, Chris McNew @ Cous Cous 10pm.
- There hasn’t been this much entertainment in one night since the Briley Brothers escaped death row…

12/18 Last Century, Spirit Fingers,
The Dead Sharks, The Way of the Sun
(flyer right) @ Gallery 5 8pm.
- I could shoot myself in the face, or I could go to this show…I’m going to this show.

12/18 Hotel X (pictured atop), Crucial Elements, T-Division, Los Santamarias @ The Camel 9pm.
- Hotel X is way better than Holiday Inn, and One Way Richmond is way better than Magazine 33.

12/19 Cloak/Dagger, GG King, School Jerks, Southside Stranglers, Ladies @ Gallery 5 7pm.
- Loud Loud and Proud...

12/19 10th Annual Happy Skalidays feat. Murphy’s Kids (pictured just below), The Fad, Among Criminals, Swim Champ @ Alley Katz 5pm all ages.
- Murphy’s Kids are still doing it. Guess it’s time they became Uncles.

pic by Joelle Andres

12/19 Guignol & Mischief Brew, T-Division, Pedals On Our Pirate Ships @ Plaza Bowl 8pm.
- A guy tried to sell me drugs once in the Southside Plaza parking lot.

Everyone in Richmond and Charlottesville must go to this show:
12/19 A Benefit for Morgan Harrington - all proceeds will go to www.findmorgan.com feat. Dangerous New Machine, The Chaos Agent, Day Minus 7, Memory Fade, Saint Diablo, Whiplash, At War, Arch Demon Choir @ Canal Club 5pm.
- Please go to this show if you can, or at least visit the website and help in any way shape or form.

12/20 Rent a movie…might I suggest...The Legend of Billie Jean.


Note: There is so much going on this weekend, i'll have a show picks part deux tomorrow evening...

GMGB...

Man, how in the hell did I miss knowing about the local rap group "Get Money Green Brothers.” I just saw on the news that “Big Get It" and "Little Get It," of Get Money Green Brothers were arrested on cocaine distribution, 50 kilograms worth. According to the Times-Dispatch, The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Richmond, Chesterfield County and Virginia Commonwealth University police departments, the Virginia State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Basically, that’s a who’s who of Central Virginia law enforcement. This rap group didn’t fuck around. They are bonafide legends of Richmond’s underground music scene now.

Lil' Get It pic from Myspace

I have since checked out their Myspace page, and wow, they’re pretty fucking good. They represented Richmond like a motherfucker. I wish they hadn’t gotten busted; I would have loved to have seen them make it big nationally. Hopefully they will have a shot at doing so and have a short stay in prison, but this was federal shit, doesn’t look good. The song “Disco Ballin” is very well produced and sounds great. This song has a fabulous video to boot. I believe most of it was filmed in Woodland Heights. If you get a chance, buy their music.

Below are Get Money Green Brothers’ Myspace link and the “Disco Ballin” video…

http://www.myspace.com/getmoneygreenbrothers



And here is another extraordinary video from GMGB for the song “We Run This City” about rappers from the greatest city in the world, Richmond, Virginia…

Richmond.com deserves cancer...

Excerpt from ”The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” article on Richmond.com today...

THE GOOD

“Non-Smoking: Despite thinking that there is no way, no how, a city so under the thumb of the cigarette industry would ban smoking, I am proud to say I am wrong. Richmond restaurants are smoke-free. Finally. I’ve heard some people muttering how this isn’t fair, it’s a restriction of personal liberty. I got news for you folks: B – O – O – H – O – O. Neither I nor my kid will have to inhale your secondary smoke again. I’m sure there’s plenty of room in the sewer for you to smoke in. Have a ball, stinkers.”

- Francis Decker


I have known local freelance writer Francis Decker for years. He is a great teacher as well as a great writer. I personally consider Francis a class act, great father and husband. I think the world of him, and his family. However...

Francis, this play on words from a great movie, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, to express the year 2009 in Richmond is about as original as a local metal band ripping off Lamb of God. Did the powers that be at Richmond.com (Media-General) tell you to title this year end retrospective this way? Francis, I can get by this unoriginality. What I am really concerned about is your harshness towards smokers. You say the smoking ban is ‘The Good.’ Well let me give you my ‘The Bad.’

Those people who think the new smoking ban is unfair that you refer to, have that right to say how they feel. Second hand smoke will not kill your child. Look at your's and my generation growing up. We were all over smoke, and we turned out fine. Espacially you. Your fear of second hand smoke is just too much CNN viewing on your part, or you’ve been hanging out with to many tort lawyers. Okay, unless an establishment has a separate ventilated room; one can not smoke inside in ‘ole Vee-Aye. That is fine; I actually can live with that. This might even help me quit. Francis you do not need to refer to these people as sewer rats and stinkers. Have you ever thought that kids stink? I’m tired of smelly children, but I’m not going to publish that fact hoping that Ukrop’s, Short Pump, and Stony Point Mall shoppers will be impressed. You love Ukrop’s because you are a middle aged white male. You too perhaps have some money. Not everyone has money, so Ukrop’s is out of the question. Ukrop’s plays the Jesus card for business purposes as you well know. They are as dirty as any other corporation. See their 49% of Community Pride which helped thousands of alcoholics achieve alcohol in the hood. The Ukrop family didn’t give a shit. Their VCU store went under. To ghetto for them, I guarantee it. Shit customer service too. I thought they were known for that? Their store out by the airport to feed Eastern Henrico racists has shit customer service as well. We had to move because there is a Kroger across the street. Nope, that excuse doesn’t wash. They give a lot back to the community yes, but behind closed doors there are stipulations they as a company expect back. Oh yea, they got Howard Stern kicked off Richmond air. That says one thing, fuck the 1st Amendment! Well, at least the freedom of speech part. Jesus freak fuck whores that like Ukrop’s love Jesus, guns, cigarettes (Ukrop’s is really Philip-Morris’ bitch), but not alcohol and the freedom of speech.

I also want to point out that those sewer rats and stinkers are hard working, tax paying, people that do just as much if not more for society’s good than you. I would like to point out that I am sick and fucking tired of people having children and adding to the World’s problems. Why can’t we as a society not allow children in public places? Wouldn’t that be nice? So where are we now? It appears that in the so far 'glorious 21st Century,' kids are getting softer because their parents are getting softer. Don’t like what I’m saying? Well, B-O-O H-O-O.

Note: I personally am trying to quit smoking. It is severely hard, but I’m making strides. I will never however, characterize folks that do smoke.
Also, smoking killed my father. That's Life...

Sexy Bus Station – W4M...

(((((OUTCALLS ALL OVER!)))))
(((((ON TIME...NO DRIVER!)))))

Hey guys,
My name is the Richmond Greyhound Bus Station
I'm nice, sweet, and petite
I love what I do & I am very Skilled at what I do
I never rush & I love to have a good time
Come have some fun with me
What you see is what you'll get!!!

100% REAL PHOTO!!!

If you like my picture, you will love me in person!

804-254-5910 Ask for Richmond Greyhound…
Also with my friend Carolina Trailways!



Note: Commonwealth of Virginia College Basketball Top 5:

12/15/09

1. Va. Tech (8-1)
2. VCU (6-2)
3. W&M (6-2)
4. UR (7-2)
5. GMU (5-5)

In and out of a canary's thought process...

Show picks for the early week 12/14-12/16...

pic by Steve Misturini

12/14 Dave Watkins (Pictured below), Snowy Owls, The Florentines @ The Camel 8pm.
- Folk the magic dragon!


12/14 Our New Nation (pictured atop), Hold Tight!, Bear Witness, Underdogs of Nipomo @ The Hogs Lair House 8pm.
(info at www.rvashows.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general)
- I’m lost in a sea of hot mess.

12/15 Charles “King” Arthur @ Ashland Coffee & Tea 7pm.
- Ashland has more than just berry farms.

12/16 Thursday, Fake Problems, Dillinger Escape Plan, Endless Hallway, Searching for Timothy @ Canal Club 6pm.
- Screamgasm!

Note: Hey music lovers! Looking for some good Charlottesville shows to check out this week? How about these…

12/14 Bermuda Triangles, Wendy Hsu @ The Box 10pm.
(109 2nd St. on the Downtown Charlottesville Mall)
- Charlottesville gets a taste of the best band in Richmond and
U of R’s old football coach.

12/15 Tickley Feather (pictured below), Birdlips, Nelly Kate @ Twisted Tea Bazaar 8pm. (414 E. Main St. on the Downtown Charlottesville Mall)
- Maybe I should move back to Charlottesville.

Nevermore...

Can I see your license and registration please?

-Um, I don’t have either, but I’ve got a tattoo on my neck...

That will do, hold up one minute...

-Thanks brah

Okay, your okay, I’ll let you off this time because you are an unoriginal Richmonder and girls, along with us cops love that kinda shit...have a nice day.


Note: VCU wins another Black and Blue Classic. Also, the Times-Dispatch cover story on how the Richmond Coliseum is falling apart is something i've been saying for years. It is time to tear it down. Start planning for a new one. How about in Manchester behind Legend Brewery alongside the River.

Oh yea, one other thing...Legend Brewery is NOT Legend's or Legend's Brewery. Legends is a salon & spa in Carytown! Legend Brewery is a brewery. I know local rednecks love to include that lazy S when referring to the brewery, but they are wrong. Yes, rednecks are always wrong.

Beating the crap out of one another.

We are three hours away from the Back & Blue Classic. In case you live under a rock, that is the annual basketball game between U of R and VCU. This is Game 8 for VCU which is 5 and 2 so far this year. I forgot to do a mention of last week's game 7 for the Rams. It was a one point loss to William & Mary who is quite good this year. U of R is just outside the Top 25 at 7 and 1. This is the Spiders best start in years. The game is sold out.

Note: In honor of this great game, here are some MP3s for you to download and give a wonderful listen:

Cannonball Adderley – Bangoon.mp3
Cat Stevens – Matthew & Son.mp3

Ghostdigital – Cracker (FM Belfast remix).mp3
Drunken Boat – Day Long Day.mp3

Christian Death – Spiritual Cramp.mp3
Ofo & The Black Company – Eniaro.mp3
Delta 5 – Triangle.mp3

Bobby Blue Bland - When You Come To The End Of Your Road.mp3
Inspiral Carpets feat. Mark E. Smith - I want you.mp3

Who is in charge?

AUTUMN 2009 ONE WAY RICHMOND POWER 65
OF RICHMOND, VA...

1. Larry Sanders
2. Fallout
3. Weinstein Family
4. Danny Ingram & Tiffany Cale
5. Bill Reid & The National Theater
6. Ronald Stallings
7. Jason Hodges & CNP Records
8. PLF
9. The Party Bus
10. Mark Holmberg
11. RVA Magazine
12. Kendra Feather & Ipanema
13. Ralph White
14. Gallery 5
15. 821 Cafe
16. Chris Mooney
17. Face Jay Promotions
18. Lamb of God
19. The Robins Family
20. Ben Wallace
21. Travis McKie
22. Hispanics & Latinos in South Richmond
23. The Byrd Theater
24. Greg Burton
25. (tie) Jon Baliles & Shaka Smart
26. Museum District
27. Davenport & Co.
28. Silver Persinger
29. Sam Moore
30. Bob Cox
31. CenterStage
32. (tie) Valentine History Center & The Sauer Family
33. Audio Ammo Crew
34. Joanna O and Jesse Split
35. (tie) Pete Humes & Ghostprint Gallery
36. Municipal Waste
37. Ward Tefft & Shelley Briggs
38. RPS I.B. Program
39. Rumors Boutique
40. Gene Cox
41. Diversity Thrift
42. Jason Roop
43. Bryan T. Norwood
44. (tie) Michael Paul Williams & ADA Gallery
45. (tie) Philip-Morris & The Luck Family
46. Michael Rao
47. Granite Pool
48. Cathy Graziano
49. (tie) Richmond International Raceway & Mid to High Level Local Drug Dealers
50. Mike Rutz
51. (tie) Christina E. Newton & WRIR
52. WDCE
53. Dirtwoman
54. Open and Maggie Walker Governors High School
55. (tie) Tim Kaine & John Newman
56. Chris Bopst
57. (tie) Eric Ward & Ed Trask
58. Richmond International Airport
59. (tie) Elwood Thompson’s & Angela Pellerano
60. Hamilton Glass
61. Alicia Raisin
62. The Camel
63. Croaker’s Spot
64. Panhandlers on Richmond corners
65. VCU Theater Dept.

Give blood...

Weekend Show Picks 12/10-12/13...


12/10 Fire & Ice Ball Featuring DJ Spydar & DJ Elbert, DJ Reinhold, Joanna O & Jesse Split, and Mr. Jennings headlining (flyer above) @ Godfreys 10pm.
- The best DJ’s in Richmond all in one room, and, yes it’s free!!!

12/11 Municipal Waste (picture right), Brutal Truth, Phobia, Cauldron @ Alley Katz 7pm all ages. - Forget jerking off Friday night, i’m going to AK!

12/11 Whiskey Rebellion @ Cary St. Café 10pm.
- Best bluegrass this side of East Timor…

12/11 Meat Cleaver, El Presidente, Way of the Sun, Carbuncle @ 360 Graphics
(216 W. 6th St. in Lower Manchester) 8pm.
- Santa…I want the following: Legend lager beer, graphics, scooters, and a shut down aluminum plant.

12/12 Ghost of Pop 4 feat. Zack Hryciak & The Jungle Beat, Jason Horst & The Best of the Worst, Horsehead, Palominos, Long Arms, David Shultz and The Skyline, Prabir and The Substitutes (final performance) @ Gallery 5 7pm all ages. - This is a lot of quality muthafuckin bands.

12/12 FIST FEST ’09 feat. Battlemaster, Bastard Sapling, Inter Arma, War Graves, Lord By Fire, Street Pizza, Hellbear, Cough, Balaclava, Neckbrace, Human Smoke, Might Could, Suzukiton @ The Clubhouse 6pm. (info for The Clubhouse which is in Manchester near Hull and W. 16th St. is at www.rvashows.proboards.com/index.cgi)
- Who doesn’t love a good fisting!

12/12 The RATWARD Holiday Celebration feat. Brian Lewis Saunders, Buck Gooter, The Growth, Head Molt (flyer below) @ The RATWARD in Lil-Baghdad (Downtown Richmond) 10:30pm.
- If you don’t know this place or where Lil-Baghdad is, then don’t even bother…Noise I tell ya, Noise!


12/13 forgetters, Brainworms, Drunk Hugs, Bogus Machine @ Gallery 5 3pm.
- I wish I had three ears.

Sports with Chip Casadonte...

2009-10 Bowl Games announced...

James River Bowl – The Mosque (Landmark) vs. Richmond CenterStage

Gilpin Court Bowl – Granite Pool vs. Country Club of Virginia

Shockoe Slip Bowl – Lamb of God vs. GWAR

Philip-Morris Bowl – Gov. Tim Kaine vs. The Avalon Restaurant

VCU School of the Arts Bowl – Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Richmond Kickers

Winsor Farms Bowl – Henrico vs. Chesterfield

Carytown Bowl – CNP Records vs. RVA Magazine

Fulton Hill Bowl – Westhampton Theater vs. The Byrd Theater

Oregon Hill Bowl – Dirtwoman vs. Eugene Trani

Ipanema Bowl – Richmond C.A.P.S vs. Rumors Boutique

Highland Park Bowl – Heroin vs. Crack

Dominion Resources Bowl – VCU Basketball vs. UR Football

The Tattoo Bowl – Style Weekly vs. One Way Richmond

Sound of Music Studios Bowl – ADA Gallery vs. Quirk Gallery

Jackson Ward Bowl – Gallery 5 vs. Mayor Dwight Jones

Arthur Ashe Bowl – The National vs. The Hat Factory

Millie’s Diner Bowl – WRIR vs. WDCE

Virginia Union Bowl – Ginter Park vs. Battery Park

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Bowl - Devil’s Triangle vs. Museum District

Plan 9 Bowl – Robinson St. vs. Grace St.

Regency Square Bowl – Bridge & Interstate Crowd vs. The Fan District

GRTC Bowl – Napoleon Taxi vs. To the Bottom & Back Green Bus (The Party Bus)

90 Days of the Condor...

Retro the July month of 2005 is what I’m asking. I had just two more months of college (VCU) to knock out, and what do you know, I was only 35 years old. The ‘17 Year Program’ is how I defined the waste of time I spent in accord with higher education. Right around this time, I resided right in the middle of a Floyd Ave. block. The apartment was only 20 feet from a bar which came in handy for I am a functional alcoholic. Well my niche on Flood Ave. was compromised by a young girly who bought the shit hole building I lived in at auction. I personally bid $35, but that wasn’t quite enough. This tootsie out bid the crowd and everybody else went back to the Far West End and molested their children while reading the bible. I really just needed a few more months at the Floyd Ave humble abode, but The Great Fan District Rent Jack Up of ’05 took me down. I had to go thanks to the girl who won the auction.

This cunt had a pussy, was attractive, and had wealthy white parents in Northern Virginia. I think it’s safe to say she would experience more orgasms than me in life. Our first contact as her as my new landlord was a phone call introducing herself, “Hi, I’m Jackie Slut Sluts.” She thought the building had central air. Um no it didn’t. Question: If you just spent tons-a-doe on a motherfucka, wouldn’t you know if it had central air or not? She still jacked up the rent, and had Ramsey Ruby Fratboy Anal Chew pick up the checks. One month later, I was outta there looking for shelter. However, I would certainly not miss the roaches, termites, anorexics, porky pines and mice.

Anybody ever heard of the Massad House? I had. It was close to campus and had the slant on being a great story to tell my friend’s grand kids someday. I was like, fuck this shit, I’ll get ripped off by these clowns, yet get a college degree out of it. Seems fair I thought to my cerebellum. 4th Street Downtown Richmond living; that was me! Around the corner was and still is The Cotton Club...I heard the following one night...
Whats up nigga!...Yo! Shit Nigga got a gun, fuck! D, yo! D!, get da fuck out of dis motherfucka...Pop! pop! pop!...Yo shit! Pop! pop! Pop!...shit shorty hit yo!...Fuck!
Wait, excuse me. I get carried away sometimes. Where was I? Oh yea, 4th Street. This was one of those ‘buzz you in’ places. I also notice its one of those rooming house/hotel type places that attract men over the age of 50 that really enjoy wearing grungy baseball caps. Could this be Buddys? No, I kid myself. Then again, after Lawrence spends all his money as a youngster at Buddy’s, I could see the bastard moving from Mom and Dad’s basement to the Massad. The Massad was the quintessential place for the 50 and ups, and yes, preferably alcoholics. Throw in a degenerate gambler or two, a couple of divorced men and you got the Waldorf Astoria of mindless Richmond.

I was buzzed in, and walked up to the old man, immediately scared to death. I was introduced to the rudest man in the world. Honestly I never thought we would meet, but there he was the ole curmudgeon himself. I forgot his name, but it was Old Horse Smell to me. I told OHS that I had a reservation. The ledger said otherwise. OHS said they had a room available, and to calm down. Calm Down? I was as cool as a solid bong hit from that guy that lives in The Lower Fan that you barely know, but respect. OHS hearing the fact that I was a student did show mercy and gave me a room on the 4th floor for privacy. The highest floor in The Massad I think, and it was room 444, all the way in the back of the building. The rectum as I fondly deemed the room.

The world’s smallest elevator with a gate got me to the top. Only thing was, I could have read War and Peace cover to cover in the time that ole girl got to the floor I needed to be on. Riding the elevator with someone else was just like riding someone literally. To bad there were never any hot girls at The Massad. Wait a second, there actually were some, but it was a coin flip on if the buttercup was legit or a lady of the evening. There was only one thing on my mind honestly. I just wanted that fucking paper, so the demons would shut the fuck up.

The first night was quiet. The next morning, I learned quickly, do not leave any money or valuables out. Why? Well because the chamber maids were about as trust worthy as a Richmond City Councilman. Some of them, like me at the time I admit, liked to puff on ole granddad crack pipe. Downtown Richmond motherfucka...Downtown Richmond. I never did drugs in my room, just Oregon Hill.

The front desk staff at The Massad had names like Todd, Terry, Reba, Sam, Slick and Murtha. Even ole Bukowski couldn’t have conjured up this crew. They did their best to be polite and nice, but that cheese was like Gouda on its best day. I had some refuge from The Massad thanks to the all night diner next door. This diner was simply known as the 4th St. Cafe. It was a place where you could eat molded food, see Richmond City Councilman jacked up on God knows what drug, and of course hear the same homeless stories from hundreds of different homeless people. Many of them could work if they really wanted too by the way. The anti-3rd St. Diner types were there too. They just didn’t seem to realize that their tattoos had just as bad art work as the 3rd St. patrons and staff. The waitresses at 4th St. Cafe were all very attractive and polite though. I think I fantasized about marrying each one about two or three times.

Having the all night café next to me was nice, but the best part of the Massad experience was a simple one. The rooms were so small, that the bathrooms were smaller. What I am getting at here is the fact that if you had to take a shit, and I’m serious here, you had to have your feet in the bathtub as you sat on the commode. No shit that was the only way. Having the maid service everyday was nice, but sometimes it got aggravating if I wanted to sleep late...Leave me the hell alone!...

The Massad time for me was right after a difficult time in my life. A sell out family, a stint in City Lock Up, lots of drug use, phony friendships, and at least a bottle of some kinda beer in reach, however, it never compared to what happen on Aug 29th 2005. Katrina had come ashore and devastated New Orleans. Think this is bullshit or whatever, I don’t give a fuck, but I really did get emotional while watching it unfold on the shittiest hotel television in the world. I remember just now that I had to adjust the volume with my toe. Yeah, yeah, yeah, here I am complaining about my stay at the Massad, meanwhile the United States Government completely fucked over the residents of New Orleans and most of the Gulf Coast. Since that day I don’t complain as much anymore, and I now vote. Yes, I know the government can’t control weather, but that shit was completely mismanaged. Still is to this day. I got love for you Big Easy!

Well needless to say I finally got the hell out of the Massad, graduated VCU, and guess what? I’m now unemployed and I hate my life. I will always look back on those 90 days in the summer of ’05 as a time I put in to be even ‘more’ Richmond. That’s right folks, to be Richmond you don’t have to dress or act a certain way. You don’t have to hang out with or fuck certain people. You don’t have to be rich or poor. You don’t have to be in that band, but you have to be in this band. And of course you do not need bad ink. No no, what you have to do is congregate with in the soul of Richmond. My time in the Massad House was just one piece of the puzzle.

Sharecropping the Psychiatric Institute of Richmond...

Show picks for the early week 12/7-12/9...

photo by Erin Mullarney

12/7 Cold, Papercut Massacre, Wake The Light, Crashing Reality, Unheard Concept @ The Canal Club 7pm.

12/8 Bermuda Triangles (pictured up), Rasul The Knowbody @ Popkin Tavern (121 W. Broad St.) 10pm.

12/9 Adam Steffey & Kym Warner @ Ashland Coffee and Tea 8pm.



12/9 LMFAO (picture below), Shwayze, Far East Movement, Space Cowboy, Paradiso Girls @ The National 9pm.



Note: Commonwealth of Virginia College Basketball Top 5:

12/8/09

1. W&M (6-2)
2. UR (7-1)
3. VPI (6-1)
4. VCU (5-2)
5. ODU (5-3)