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Blog http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:50:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com A Benefit for NYC's South Street Seaport: SCC Digital Catalog / T-Shirt http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=2993322 Crew, The area around NYC’s South Street Seaport has been hit particularly hard by the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy. Many of you have personal connections to The Seaport, as do we, and this news hurts our hearts. We want to help the Seaport and contribute to the clean-up and rebuilding effort. For those who don’t know, Erica, our melodica player, began her tall ship sailing career as a volunteer on the Pioneer and then a deckhand on the Lettie G. Howard in 1997. Erica’s message - As a child growing up in NYC, South Street Seaport was a much loved destination and those experiences led directly to my desire to become a sailor as an adult. The connections I made at the Seaport have become life-long friendships, and many of those friends have since become an important part of the community of the band as well. This community, which is now spread all over the country, will always be family to me, and I will always be able to trace that network back to my seaport days. <a href="./store.cfm"> We had already been planning to offer our entire digital catalog as a package to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Sharks Come Cruisin. Now we’ve decided that all proceeds from this digital package will go to help rebuild the Seaport. This package is only available for the month of November AND ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM. For a suggested donation of $20, you will receive digital download codes for: - Hardtack EP - A Past We Forget That We Need To Know - The Providence Piers Sessions - Four Years before the Mast - Live at Jakes <a href="./store.cfm">CLICK HERE TO DONATE T-SHIRT Deal For those of you who prefer something more tangible than a download code, a $30 donation will get you a limited (updated) re-production of the first SCC T-Shirt design (the “We’ll Rant and Roar We’ll Roar” Shirt) updated for our South Street Friends <a href="./store.cfm">
The area around NYC’s South Street Seaport has been hit particularly hard by the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy. Many of you have personal connections to The Seaport, as do we, and this news hurts our hearts. We want to help the Seaport and contribute to the clean-up and rebuilding effort.

For those who don’t know, Erica, our melodica player, began her tall ship sailing career as a volunteer on the Pioneer and then a deckhand on the Lettie G. Howard in 1997.

Erica’s message -

As a child growing up in NYC, South Street Seaport was a much loved destination and those experiences led directly to my desire to become a sailor as an adult. The connections I made at the Seaport have become life-long friendships, and many of those friends have since become an important part of the community of the band as well. This community, which is now spread all over the country, will always be family to me, and I will always be able to trace that network back to my seaport days.

We had already been planning to offer our entire digital catalog as a package to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Sharks Come Cruisin.
Now we’ve decided that all proceeds from this digital package will go to help rebuild the Seaport.

This package is only available for the month of November AND ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM.

For a suggested donation of $20, you will receive digital download codes for:
- Hardtack EP
- A Past We Forget That We Need To Know
- The Providence Piers Sessions
- Four Years before the Mast
- Live at Jakes

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

T-SHIRT Deal
For those of you who prefer something more tangible than a download code, a $30 donation will get you a limited (updated) re-production of the first SCC T-Shirt design (the “We’ll Rant and Roar We’ll Roar” Shirt) updated for our South Street Friends

]]> Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:50:00 GMT E7E4F6C6BE5C04C883C3D73756FAC411 Hardtack EP Streaming, Preorder || New Bedford, PVD, New Haven Shows http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=2269929 Crew, We’re back from our long loop around Lake Erie. We want to thank the Kinderhook Crew (Dave, Julia, Amy & friends) and the Buffalo Crew (Kate, Rich, Scott and family) for opening their homes and backyards up to the SCC sing-along. EXCITING NEWS: The Hardtack EP is now streaming right here. Use the player in the lower left hand corner of the site to give the songs a listen. This EP is a collection of unreleased songs recorded during the Providence Piers and A Past We Forget sessions. While you’re checking out the songs, <a target="_new" href="./store.cfm">be sure to preorder the EP which will be released on authentic sailor hardtack..  The EP will be avalable for digital download on July 24th. These tooth-breaking biscuits are packaged in a handsome tin with EP artwork and a digital download for the record. Numbers are limited to the amount of hardtack I want to make, so order NOW. To support the release of the Hardtack EP, we’re playing 3 shows here in New England: 7/19 – New Bedford, MA @ No Problemo w/ our friends The O’Tooles 7/20 – Providence, RI House show w/ Barn Burning Anthony, Cedros Cabral & THE HALL AND OATES CHALLENGE! Email mark@sharkscomecruisin.com for details. 7/21 – New Haven, CT – the Schooner Quinnipiack Shanty and Ale Sail. Ticket info here. Hope to see you at the shows, enjoy the streaming songs and preorder that EP. Talk soon. Mark/SCC We’re back from our long loop around Lake Erie. We want to thank the Kinderhook Crew (Dave, Julia, Amy & friends) and the Buffalo Crew (Kate, Rich, Scott and family) for opening their homes and backyards up to the SCC sing-along.

EXCITING NEWS: The Hardtack EP is now streaming right here. Use the player in the lower left hand corner of the site to give the songs a listen.

This EP is a collection of unreleased songs recorded during the Providence Piers and A Past We Forget sessions. While you’re checking out the songs, be sure to preorder the EP which will be released on authentic sailor hardtack.. The EP will be avalable for digital download on July 24th.

These tooth-breaking biscuits are packaged in a handsome tin with EP artwork and a digital download for the record. Numbers are limited to the amount of hardtack I want to make, so order NOW.

To support the release of the Hardtack EP, we’re playing 3 shows here in New England:

7/19 – New Bedford, MA @ No Problemo w/ our friends The O’Tooles
7/20 – Providence, RI House show w/ Barn Burning Anthony, Cedros Cabral & THE HALL AND OATES CHALLENGE! Email mark@sharkscomecruisin.com for details.
7/21 – New Haven, CT – the Schooner Quinnipiack Shanty and Ale Sail. Ticket info here.

Hope to see you at the shows, enjoy the streaming songs and preorder that EP.
Talk soon.
Mark/SCC
]]> Sat, 14 Jul 2012 19:39:10 GMT AA6C46E39744B50AF132E8B9AF571C02 SCC in New Haven THIS Saturday, NY State June 29, 30 http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=2175324 Crew, We sail on the Schooner Quinnipiack out of New Haven this Saturday. For tickets and info, go here: <a target="_new" href="http://schoonerinc.thundertix.com/ ">http://schoonerinc.thundertix.com/ (scroll down, the shanty and ale sail is listed 3rd). Erica and I will be playing 2 shows in NY State at the end of June, check out the full schedule below. We would also love to play in Detroit and/or Cleveland area the first week of July. If you want to host a house show, or if you know anyone in the area that would, email me<a href="mailto:mark@sharkscomecruisin.com">mark@sharkscomecruisin.com Hope to see you at a show. Mark/SCC Upcoming Shows June 16 - The Schooner Quinnipiack, New Haven, CT June 29 - Kinderhook Lake House Show, Niverville, NY / Contact <a href="mailto:mark@sharkscomecruisin.com">mark@sharkscomecruisin.com for details June 30 – Buffalo House Show , Buffalo, NY / Contact <a href="mailto:mark@sharkscomecruisin.com">mark@sharkscomecruisin.com for details July 21 - The Schooner Quinnipiack, New Haven, CT Aug 11 - The Schooner Quinnipiack, New Haven, CT Sept 15 - The Schooner Quinnipiack, New Haven, CT Sept 22 – Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH Sept 29 – Working Waterfront Festival, New Bedford MA COMING SOON: The SCC HARDTACK E.P. The HARDTACK EP is 4 unreleased songs (2 from the Providence Piers Session and 2 from the A Past We Forget… Session) that will be released as a digital download on limited edition authentic sailor hardtack. You read that right, hardtack. What Crewmember doesn’t enjoy a good piece of hardtack? Pre-order will be up on the site soon.
We sail on the Schooner Quinnipiack out of New Haven this Saturday. For tickets and info, go here: http://schoonerinc.thundertix.com/ (scroll down, the shanty and ale sail is listed 3rd).

Erica and I will be playing 2 shows in NY State at the end of June, check out the full schedule below. We would also love to play in Detroit and/or Cleveland area the first week of July. If you want to host a house show, or if you know anyone in the area that would, email memark@sharkscomecruisin.com

Hope to see you at a show.
Mark/SCC

Upcoming Shows
June 16 - The Schooner Quinnipiack, New Haven, CT
June 29 - Kinderhook Lake House Show, Niverville, NY / Contact mark@sharkscomecruisin.com for details
June 30 – Buffalo House Show , Buffalo, NY / Contact mark@sharkscomecruisin.com for details
July 21 - The Schooner Quinnipiack, New Haven, CT
Aug 11 - The Schooner Quinnipiack, New Haven, CT
Sept 15 - The Schooner Quinnipiack, New Haven, CT
Sept 22 – Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH
Sept 29 – Working Waterfront Festival, New Bedford MA

COMING SOON: The SCC HARDTACK E.P.
The HARDTACK EP is 4 unreleased songs (2 from the Providence Piers Session and 2 from the A Past We Forget… Session) that will be released as a digital download on limited edition authentic sailor hardtack. You read that right, hardtack. What Crewmember doesn’t enjoy a good piece of hardtack? Pre-order will be up on the site soon.

]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:27:29 GMT 3CF1C36D1E5833DE7D7682F45CC797AF Things are changing with SCC, read all about it! http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=2047818 Crew, We can’t control the wind, but we can adjust the sails. Things are changing with SCC. As with other iterations of the band, the current line-up is in flux and I’d like to take a minute to explain what’s happening and what you can expect in the near term. After five years, 100 + shows, three trips up and down the east coast, one to the mid west and countless nights at Galway Bay and The Box, James is shifting his focus from nightclubs to classrooms. James is finishing up his associates degree this spring and will be continuing his education this fall. Given his busy school schedule, James will have less time to dedicate to the band. I’ve been asked “Is James is quitting SCC?”. The answer is no. James is focusing on different parts of his life right now and that means he won’t be playing as many shows. I’ve also been asked “will you find another drummer?” The answer is, not right now. Right now, we’re figuring out where the band will go next. Erik, Michael, Erica and James – these are the people I hope to grow old playing music with. The shanties are the songs I hope to be playing with them. I’ve felt this way for a while now and with James taking this break, I feel it more strongly than ever that we’ll all be around for a sing-along, just sometimes we may not be singing along at the same time. We are lucky enough to be playing a few more shows with James this summer on the Schooner Quinnipiack in New Haven before he starts getting wicked smaht this fall. As for SCC, we’re adjusting. We’ve done a number of acoustic shows so far this year and it’s been really fun at times and really uncomfortable at times. Uncomfortable for us and maybe uncomfortable for you too. As humans we are uncomfortable when things change, as Rhode Islanders it’s practically unbearable. Don’t believe me? Take a left where the Almacs used to be. The nice thing about change is what comes of it. If SCC never changed, I would have never had the opportunity to play music with James and I’d still be doing the open mic at The Custom House Tavern, which is weird because The Custom House has been closed for a lot of years now. We will be taking the next month or so to chart the course for what’s next for SCC (pun totally intended). Until then, please join us in thanking James for all his massive, arena rock drum fill endings and wishing him well on his road ahead. Upcoming Shows: - Sat May 19 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack - Sat Jun 16 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack - Sat Jul 21 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack - Wed July 25 Providence RI – House show w/ Jason Kutchma of Red Collar - Sat Aug 11 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack - Sat Sep 15 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack - Sept 22 Portsmouth NH – Prescott Park - Sept 29 New Bedford MA – Working Waterfront Festival
We can’t control the wind, but we can adjust the sails. Things are changing with SCC. As with other iterations of the band, the current line-up is in flux and I’d like to take a minute to explain what’s happening and what you can expect in the near term.

After five years, 100 + shows, three trips up and down the east coast, one to the mid west and countless nights at Galway Bay and The Box, James is shifting his focus from nightclubs to classrooms. James is finishing up his associates degree this spring and will be continuing his education this fall. Given his busy school schedule, James will have less time to dedicate to the band.

I’ve been asked “Is James is quitting SCC?”. The answer is no. James is focusing on different parts of his life right now and that means he won’t be playing as many shows. I’ve also been asked “will you find another drummer?” The answer is, not right now. Right now, we’re figuring out where the band will go next.

Erik, Michael, Erica and James – these are the people I hope to grow old playing music with. The shanties are the songs I hope to be playing with them. I’ve felt this way for a while now and with James taking this break, I feel it more strongly than ever that we’ll all be around for a sing-along, just sometimes we may not be singing along at the same time. We are lucky enough to be playing a few more shows with James this summer on the Schooner Quinnipiack in New Haven before he starts getting wicked smaht this fall.

As for SCC, we’re adjusting. We’ve done a number of acoustic shows so far this year and it’s been really fun at times and really uncomfortable at times. Uncomfortable for us and maybe uncomfortable for you too. As humans we are uncomfortable when things change, as Rhode Islanders it’s practically unbearable. Don’t believe me? Take a left where the Almacs used to be. The nice thing about change is what comes of it. If SCC never changed, I would have never had the opportunity to play music with James and I’d still be doing the open mic at The Custom House Tavern, which is weird because The Custom House has been closed for a lot of years now.

We will be taking the next month or so to chart the course for what’s next for SCC (pun totally intended). Until then, please join us in thanking James for all his massive, arena rock drum fill endings and wishing him well on his road ahead.

Upcoming Shows:
- Sat May 19 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack
- Sat Jun 16 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack
- Sat Jul 21 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack
- Wed July 25 Providence RI – House show w/ Jason Kutchma of Red Collar
- Sat Aug 11 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack
- Sat Sep 15 New Haven CT - The Schooner Quinnipiack
- Sept 22 Portsmouth NH – Prescott Park
- Sept 29 New Bedford MA – Working Waterfront Festival

]]> Fri, 04 May 2012 21:55:00 GMT B0C331A6C9364012E79AE0FF3D40F28C Record Store Day 2012: The one that got away & the one that didn't http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1999757 In the lead up to record store day, I thought it would be fun to hear about all the records that got away. What is the one record you wish you never sold?  What's the one you're really glad you didn't? I tell the story often, and I’ll tell it again….my journey to becoming financially responsible started at In Your Ear on Thayer St. When I started working at 15, I would drive with friends to Providence and spend my entire paycheck on records. When I turned 16, I stopped buying records long enough to save $500 to buy a car, then I would drive myself to Providence to buy records. I think my first car ride out of Warwick was to Thayer St to go record shopping. With a car came car insurance, so when the insurance bill came due, I would bring a milk crate full of records to In Your Ear and sell back enough to pay the insurance, then when I got my next pay check, I would buy those records back at a much higher price than what I sold them for. Thinking back on it now, the record store was kinda like a hock shop for the 16 year old me.  The lesson learned, if I spent a little less on records each week, I could keep my records and pay my insurance at the end on the month.  Vinyl economic. The one that got away. I really wish I hung onto that Side By Side 7-inch. Not sure why, just wish I did. The one that didn’t, The Clash City of the Dead.  The last time I sold records was to Fast Forward, when they were on Steeple Street. I brought in my milk crate and they gave me a price for all but 1 record. Judy handed me back The Clash Complete Control / City of the Dead single and said “you don’t want to sell this.” She was right, I didn’t. Thanks Judy!
I tell the story often, and I’ll tell it again….my journey to becoming financially responsible started at In Your Ear on Thayer St. When I started working at 15, I would drive with friends to Providence and spend my entire paycheck on records. When I turned 16, I stopped buying records long enough to save $500 to buy a car, then I would drive myself to Providence to buy records. I think my first car ride out of Warwick was to Thayer St to go record shopping. With a car came car insurance, so when the insurance bill came due, I would bring a milk crate full of records to In Your Ear and sell back enough to pay the insurance, then when I got my next pay check, I would buy those records back at a much higher price than what I sold them for. Thinking back on it now, the record store was kinda like a hock shop for the 16 year old me.

The lesson learned, if I spent a little less on records each week, I could keep my records and pay my insurance at the end on the month. Vinyl economic.

The one that got away. I really wish I hung onto that Side By Side 7-inch. Not sure why, just wish I did.

The one that didn’t, The Clash City of the Dead. The last time I sold records was to Fast Forward, when they were on Steeple Street. I brought in my milk crate and they gave me a price for all but 1 record. Judy handed me back The Clash Complete Control / City of the Dead single and said “you don’t want to sell this.” She was right, I didn’t. Thanks Judy!

]]> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT 8B66DE3C1CDEE33CB5945636B8016EF7 SCC hoodie spotted at the Great Wall of China http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1975360 Michael recently returned from China where he took these photos of May (aka Xia), SCC's biggest fan in Beijing.

]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:40:00 GMT BB278B5251F6EEDC3FEA44EEDA4BDFA1 T-Shirt Tuesday #9 Gameface 1997 Summer Tour http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1587292 For over 2 decades I have been moving band t-shirts from apartment to apartment, and now to the basement of my house. I’ve said for years that I want to make a punk rock quilt out of them. What’s more punk than a quilt? I don’t know how to quilt, so until I learn I will be posting pix of these vintage gems and remembering when. I will call this series T-Shirt Tuesday. I graduated from college in 1996 and for much of that year the cassette from Lp recording of Gameface's 'Three to Get Ready' was in heavy rotation in my VW Super Beetle. When it was time for me to begin down the road of a career, I was hearing “All packed up with no where to go, a thousand miles with only one show and just enough gas to get us nowhere” everyday, over and over. Listening to that record, all I wanted to do was get in a van with my best friends, travel and play music. That summer, that's what we did.  There is something very powerful about that experience of traveling and performing together.   It’s funny, just this week I was listening to an interview with Ian MacKaye on NPR and when he is asked If he misses performing he says "sure", then he goes on to explain what he really misses are the 6 hour drives with the guys, because those moments are so hard to come by in life. This shirt is from the Gameface Summer Tour 97 when I saw them at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. They were a long way from home that night, but I bet there was no place they would have rather been. Here’s Gameface’s June: And here’s a link to that interview with Ian MacKaye: <a target="_new" href="http://If he misses performing he says "sure", Then he goes on to explain what he really misses....">http://www.npr.org/2011/12/01/142998596/steady-diet-of-everything-the-fugazi-live-vault

I graduated from college in 1996 and for much of that year the cassette from Lp recording of Gameface's 'Three to Get Ready' was in heavy rotation in my VW Super Beetle. When it was time for me to begin down the road of a career, I was hearing “All packed up with no where to go, a thousand miles with only one show and just enough gas to get us nowhere” everyday, over and over.

Listening to that record, all I wanted to do was get in a van with my best friends, travel and play music. That summer, that's what we did. There is something very powerful about that experience of traveling and performing together. It’s funny, just this week I was listening to an interview with Ian MacKaye on NPR and when he is asked If he misses performing he says "sure", then he goes on to explain what he really misses are the 6 hour drives with the guys, because those moments are so hard to come by in life.

This shirt is from the Gameface Summer Tour 97 when I saw them at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. They were a long way from home that night, but I bet there was no place they would have rather been.

Here’s Gameface’s June:

And here’s a link to that interview with Ian MacKaye: http://www.npr.org/2011/12/01/142998596/steady-diet-of-everything-the-fugazi-live-vault

]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:10:00 GMT 3F97AA523B91D3D34DB1644B04E5FCA9 Saturday December 10th at 121 w/ The Jesse Minute http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1563385 This will probably be our last sing along of 2011. Also, we’re gonna hold a coat/hat/glove drive at the show, so donate something warm for someone that needs it! We’re really excited to play with The Jesse Minute and stoked to be playing the speakeasy @ 121. We’re really excited to play with The Jesse Minute and stoked to be playing the speakeasy @ 121.

]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:55:24 GMT C20B9CB5B9D8434B22BE2B34605BF3FE T-Shirt Tuesday # 8 BYO (Better Youth Organization) http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1387399 For over 2 decades I have been moving band t-shirts from apartment to apartment, and now to the basement of my house. I’ve said for years that I want to make a punk rock quilt out of them. What’s more punk than a quilt? I don’t know how to quilt, so until I learn I will be posting pix of these vintage gems and remembering when. I will call this series T-Shirt Tuesday. BYO is a record label out of LA. They started releasing records in the early 80’s and I became interested in BYO in the late 80’s because they put out many of the early 7-Seconds records. I must have sent away for a BYO catalog to see what other bands were on the label and that must have led me to sending a well concealed 10 dollar bill to California in hopes it would come back to RI in the form of a T-shirt. Two funny stories about this shirt - I was playing a show at a space called Under the Hut. Under the Hut was “under” an indoor skate park called Skate Hut in the Olneyville section of Providence. Under the Hut seemed like it was open for less than a week before it closed down, but there were a few great shows in its brief existence. I was playing in Common Ground and we played with Go! and Bad Trip from NYC. At that show the coolest of cool punk rockers and singer for The Wurst, Rob Phelps, told me my BYO shirt was cool. The punkest of the punkers gave me a compliment on my T-shirt. I was floored. You have to understand, getting a compliment from Rob was like getting blood from a rock, nice words did not come easy. His forte was ripping hardcore bands to shreds in his article in the nicepaper. He once wrote that our band "looked retarded" for covering an LL Cool J song, now that I write that, we probably did. Story #2, I was on Thayer street, walking by In Your Ear, when a dude offered my $20 for the shirt. I thought that was interesting because I bought it for 10 and he could have done the same thing. Plus, what if I went for that deal? Would he have given me his shirt? Would I have had to return home shirtless. I didn’t sell it to him. I thought the guy that made me the offer was the guitar player for Puzzlehead, but looking at the photo on their 7-inch, none of them look familiar except for a very young Ted Leo. These t-shirt Tuesday’s teach me so many interesting things. Until the next shirt, take a listen to this Bad Trip song

BYO is a record label out of LA. They started releasing records in the early 80’s and I became interested in BYO in the late 80’s because they put out many of the early 7-Seconds records. I must have sent away for a BYO catalog to see what other bands were on the label and that must have led me to sending a well concealed 10 dollar bill to California in hopes it would come back to RI in the form of a T-shirt.

Two funny stories about this shirt -

I was playing a show at a space called Under the Hut. Under the Hut was “under” an indoor skate park called Skate Hut in the Olneyville section of Providence. Under the Hut seemed like it was open for less than a week before it closed down, but there were a few great shows in its brief existence.

I was playing in Common Ground and we played with Go! and Bad Trip from NYC. At that show the coolest of cool punk rockers and singer for The Wurst, Rob Phelps, told me my BYO shirt was cool. The punkest of the punkers gave me a compliment on my T-shirt. I was floored. You have to understand, getting a compliment from Rob was like getting blood from a rock, nice words did not come easy. His forte was ripping hardcore bands to shreds in his article in the nicepaper. He once wrote that our band "looked retarded" for covering an LL Cool J song, now that I write that, we probably did.

Story #2, I was on Thayer street, walking by In Your Ear, when a dude offered my $20 for the shirt. I thought that was interesting because I bought it for 10 and he could have done the same thing. Plus, what if I went for that deal? Would he have given me his shirt? Would I have had to return home shirtless. I didn’t sell it to him. I thought the guy that made me the offer was the guitar player for Puzzlehead, but looking at the photo on their 7-inch, none of them look familiar except for a very young Ted Leo. These t-shirt Tuesday’s teach me so many interesting things.

Until the next shirt, take a listen to this Bad Trip song
]]> Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:05:00 GMT 811B2AF5BC7A554EE217A21268F338E5 October 8, 2011 - New Bedford @ No Problemo http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1352123 ]]> Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:03:13 GMT 9FEADA5FBB53831BE4E9717EEF878037 T-Shirt Tuesday # 7 SNFU http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1335880 For over 2 decades I have been moving band t-shirts from apartment to apartment, and now to the basement of my house. I’ve said for years that I want to make a punk rock quilt out of them. What’s more punk than a quilt? I don’t know how to quilt, so until I learn I will be posting pix of these vintage gems and remembering when. I will call this series T-Shirt Tuesday. SNFU put on one of the greatest live shows I have ever seen. They had hand puppets and back flips and a bass slung so low it practically scrapped the stage. This shirt is from the FYULABA tour, probably 1997ish. Can we talk about live shows for a minute? When’s the last time you were floored by a bands live performance? I ask this because I see a fair amount of live shows and more often than not the musicians seem miserable, sometimes I wonder if they would rather be anywhere else but playing music at that moment. Not the case with SNFU, these guys have a blast when they play and I think we should all take a page from Mr. Chi Pig’s book and loosen up. It’s ok to smile when you’re doing EXACTLY what you want to be doing. This Thursday, we play at Club Hell with a band that plays with some energy, be sure to check out Larry and his Flask…. .

SNFU put on one of the greatest live shows I have ever seen. They had hand puppets and back flips and a bass slung so low it practically scrapped the stage. This shirt is from the FYULABA tour, probably 1997ish.

Can we talk about live shows for a minute? When’s the last time you were floored by a bands live performance? I ask this because I see a fair amount of live shows and more often than not the musicians seem miserable, sometimes I wonder if they would rather be anywhere else but playing music at that moment.

Not the case with SNFU, these guys have a blast when they play and I think we should all take a page from Mr. Chi Pig’s book and loosen up. It’s ok to smile when you’re doing EXACTLY what you want to be doing.

This Thursday, we play at Club Hell with a band that plays with some energy, be sure to check out Larry and his Flask….

.
]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT 403B75335A1E70941CEC6CB4B7A8B215 T-Shirt Tuesday #6 - Gorilla Biscuits http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1287128 For over 2 decades I have been moving band t-shirts from apartment to apartment, and now to the basement of my house. I’ve said for years that I want to make a punk rock quilt out of them. What’s more punk than a quilt? I don’t know how to quilt, so until I learn I will be posting pix of these vintage gems and remembering when. I will call this series T-Shirt Tuesday. T-Shirt Tuesday #6 – Gorilla Biscuits Tomorrow night I’m going to see Samiam in Boston, Walter Schreifels is opening up solo. When I was digging thru my pile of t-shirts for this post, I saw this gem and thought it was fitting. There are 3 records that have opening notes, chords and lyrics that instantly transport me back to the summers of 1989 and 90; summers when I would skate every waking hour I wasn't working my part time job and I would spend everything I made on records.  These records are: Operation Ivy’s ‘Energy’, Fugazi’s first EP and Gorilla Biscuits ‘Start Today. Each record begins differently, but they all have this quality of “what you’re about to hear is different from anything you’ve ever heard.” These records were written at a time when there were no song writing formulas, bands were experimenting with sounds and rhythms and if that meant staring a hardcore record with a trumpet, that’s what was done. If it meant a harmonica solo in 'Start Today', let’s try it. What was it about this band that made them special? Why did they stand out in an ocean of other great bands from New York that were all putting out solid records in the late 80’s? Here’s what I think,  Gorilla Biscuits seemed to be having more fun than alot of other NYHC bands, musically and lyrically. More importantly, they were super positive without being preachy like so many of the contemporaries.  It was like they walked this magical line between the struggles and issues the other NYHC bands were singing about and my teenage, straight edge suburban life, doing it all without alienating listeners who didn’t subscribe 100% to the straight edge subculture. So, I have a couple stories involving the Gorilla Biscuits. The first one involves a matinee show at Babyhead when the lights went out and the everyone kept sing along to ‘Start Today’ when all the instruments cut out. I was not at that show. End of story. The second story involves seeing the Gorilla Biscuits “re-union” tour at the Worcester Palladium in 2006. There’s no way to be kind about this, it was awful. I think it was early on in the tour and they were working thru songs they had not played in a VERY long time. The epic trumpet intro that starts the record was awkwardly played thru an ipod and the recording of the first chord of ‘new direction’ bled thru the PA before Walter strummed it out. I did make my way up front for a few songs, to see what had changed since the last time I was up front at a show. I got kicked in the face and had to go to work the next day with a black eye. Here’s ‘New Direction’, reminding us to have fun with music -

T-Shirt Tuesday #6 – Gorilla Biscuits

Tomorrow night I’m going to see Samiam in Boston, Walter Schreifels is opening up solo. When I was digging thru my pile of t-shirts for this post, I saw this gem and thought it was fitting.

There are 3 records that have opening notes, chords and lyrics that instantly transport me back to the summers of 1989 and 90; summers when I would skate every waking hour I wasn't working my part time job and I would spend everything I made on records. These records are: Operation Ivy’s ‘Energy’, Fugazi’s first EP and Gorilla Biscuits ‘Start Today. Each record begins differently, but they all have this quality of “what you’re about to hear is different from anything you’ve ever heard.” These records were written at a time when there were no song writing formulas, bands were experimenting with sounds and rhythms and if that meant staring a hardcore record with a trumpet, that’s what was done. If it meant a harmonica solo in 'Start Today', let’s try it.

What was it about this band that made them special? Why did they stand out in an ocean of other great bands from New York that were all putting out solid records in the late 80’s? Here’s what I think, Gorilla Biscuits seemed to be having more fun than alot of other NYHC bands, musically and lyrically. More importantly, they were super positive without being preachy like so many of the contemporaries. It was like they walked this magical line between the struggles and issues the other NYHC bands were singing about and my teenage, straight edge suburban life, doing it all without alienating listeners who didn’t subscribe 100% to the straight edge subculture.

So, I have a couple stories involving the Gorilla Biscuits. The first one involves a matinee show at Babyhead when the lights went out and the everyone kept sing along to ‘Start Today’ when all the instruments cut out. I was not at that show. End of story.

The second story involves seeing the Gorilla Biscuits “re-union” tour at the Worcester Palladium in 2006. There’s no way to be kind about this, it was awful. I think it was early on in the tour and they were working thru songs they had not played in a VERY long time. The epic trumpet intro that starts the record was awkwardly played thru an ipod and the recording of the first chord of ‘new direction’ bled thru the PA before Walter strummed it out.

I did make my way up front for a few songs, to see what had changed since the last time I was up front at a show. I got kicked in the face and had to go to work the next day with a black eye.

Here’s ‘New Direction’, reminding us to have fun with music -

]]> Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:15:00 GMT F5D91456C4E0C312132D1BCE7A66E75B T-Shirt Tuesday #5 Shades Apart http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1151562 For over 2 decades I have been moving band t-shirts from apartment to apartment, and now to the basement of my house. I’ve said for years that I want to make a punk rock quilt out of them. What’s more punk than a quilt? I don’t know how to quilt, so until I learn I will be posting pix of these vintage gems and remembering when. I will call this series T-Shirt Tuesday. So, I’ve recently reconnected with a friend that I played show with over 15 years ago. 15 years ago, that is just crazy. How does this relate to Shades Apart? We played with them at this friend’s house in Mystic, CT in the mid 90’s. Dayne played in Doug and I played in Returnaround. We played so many great shows at that house. I’m pretty sure it was called the Depot House cause it was right on the train tracks, but I could be making that up. The night Shades Apart played, I think it was the bass player’s birthday. It was definitely someone in shades apart’s b-day because in the middle of their set, in the middle of the living room, a birthday cake appeared, it’s a fun memory. These guys were heroes in a way, and I was at their birthday party. It seemed as though Shades Apart opened for every hardcore show at Babyhead for a while. They were one of those bands I really enjoyed seeing, but took for granted because they were always on the calendar. they were an interesting band because they released their first record in 88, then nothing till 92. Four years doesn’t seem like that long now, but then it was an eternity. So much had happened to “alternative” music in those 4 years. The first recording I heard was their cover of ‘Tainted Love’ on a 7 inch that came in a copy of Suburban Voice Zine, that was ‘94. The b-side was doc hopper covering ‘Pink Houses’. The first Shades Apart LP I bought was ‘Save It’, partly because it came out on Revelation and partly because Chris Jones is wearing their shirt on the cover of Verbal Assault’s ‘Your Choice Live Series’ LP. I’m noticing now that Bill Stevenson produced 'Save It", does it seem like that guy has his hand in everything? ‘September Burns’ is a pretty amazing song. I picked up the follow up LP ‘Seeing Things’. So many great songs on this record. ‘Cathode’, ‘Fearless’, ‘Second Chances’, ‘Behind the Wheel’. Really great, catchy songwriting. After those two releases, they seemed to have some commercial success and, in a progression that became all too common, with commercial success came material that I didn’t find as interesting, I stopped picking up their records at that point. I see on their Wikipedia page that they did a reunion at Maxwell’s this past June. I bet they got a lot of requests for ‘Tainted Love’ and “Stranger by the Day’. Until the next T-Shirt, take it easy. Mark

So, I’ve recently reconnected with a friend that I played show with over 15 years ago. 15 years ago, that is just crazy. How does this relate to Shades Apart? We played with them at this friend’s house in Mystic, CT in the mid 90’s. Dayne played in Doug and I played in Returnaround. We played so many great shows at that house. I’m pretty sure it was called the Depot House cause it was right on the train tracks, but I could be making that up.

The night Shades Apart played, I think it was the bass player’s birthday. It was definitely someone in shades apart’s b-day because in the middle of their set, in the middle of the living room, a birthday cake appeared, it’s a fun memory. These guys were heroes in a way, and I was at their birthday party.

It seemed as though Shades Apart opened for every hardcore show at Babyhead for a while. They were one of those bands I really enjoyed seeing, but took for granted because they were always on the calendar. they were an interesting band because they released their first record in 88, then nothing till 92. Four years doesn’t seem like that long now, but then it was an eternity. So much had happened to “alternative” music in those 4 years.

The first recording I heard was their cover of ‘Tainted Love’ on a 7 inch that came in a copy of Suburban Voice Zine, that was ‘94. The b-side was doc hopper covering ‘Pink Houses’. The first Shades Apart LP I bought was ‘Save It’, partly because it came out on Revelation and partly because Chris Jones is wearing their shirt on the cover of Verbal Assault’s ‘Your Choice Live Series’ LP. I’m noticing now that Bill Stevenson produced 'Save It", does it seem like that guy has his hand in everything?

‘September Burns’ is a pretty amazing song.

I picked up the follow up LP ‘Seeing Things’. So many great songs on this record. ‘Cathode’, ‘Fearless’, ‘Second Chances’, ‘Behind the Wheel’. Really great, catchy songwriting.

After those two releases, they seemed to have some commercial success and, in a progression that became all too common, with commercial success came material that I didn’t find as interesting, I stopped picking up their records at that point.

I see on their Wikipedia page that they did a reunion at Maxwell’s this past June. I bet they got a lot of requests for ‘Tainted Love’ and “Stranger by the Day’.

Until the next T-Shirt, take it easy.

Mark]]> Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:45:00 GMT B6D74F753A9E68FA247F3D1F331A2793 Goodbye my friend, thx for brightening my mornings for 14 years http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1128158 After 14 years of stellar service, my coffee machine has brewed its last pot. There are few (non-musical) inanimate objects that have brought me so much joy as this coffee machine.  In homage to my loyal friend, I’m posting two of my favorite songs about coffee. RIP coffee machine.

]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:20:00 GMT 8A4B5FE1E175159FE5915DE35F62154F A short, but powerful video http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1106090 Here’s a quick clip of Caleb and Tony performing “Still” by the Commodores at the Lionel Richie Challenge. Who else has video from that night?? Send em my way <a href="mailto:mark@sharkscomecruisin.com">mark@sharkscomecruisin.com Who else has video from that night?? Send em my way mark@sharkscomecruisin.com

]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:30:24 GMT FE7E9E65CCC46B0756E7CD852A9A867D T-Shirt Tuesday #4 Quicksand http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1051094 For over 2 decades I have been moving band t-shirts from apartment to apartment, and now to the basement of my house. I’ve said for years that I want to make a punk rock quilt out of them. What’s more punk than a quilt? I don’t know how to quilt, so until I learn I will be posting pix of these vintage gems and remembering when. I will call this series T-Shirt Tuesday. This one seems appropriate because James recently gave me the new Rival Schools record. Thanks James! I seem to remember seeing Quicksand a bunch, but I do have one specific memory of a show. I think it was the first time I saw them. It was Quicksand, 7-Seconds and I’m pretty sure the Bouncing Souls opened up. Me and some friends from high school drove up to Babyhead, primarily to see 7-Seconds. We all had the Quicksand 7 inch because it was “Walter from Gorilla Biscuits new band.” We got to the door and the bouncer asked for ID, that was strange for a hardcore show. He told us the show was 18 +. We were all bummed out and  wandering around Richmond St asking each other "when the club started 18 and over shows?" That’s when Kevin Seconds came out and let us all know 7 seconds would not play until we were all inside. The guys from Quicksand followed saying the same thing. A very cool moment for a 16 year old me. Before the club worked it out with the bands, 7 seconds started asking us if there was a basement they could move the show to. I remember my friend Derek offering up his parents basement. It never came to that, the club worked it out with the bands and all the under 18 kids piled in. It was a pretty magical night. 7 seconds was touring with Soulforce Revolution. When they played “tickets to a better place”, Kevin Seconds asked “does anyone want to buy tickets to a better place?” I was up front and yelled “are the tickets 18 plus?” I think he laughed. I thought I was the most clever kid in the club at that moment. I really hope I’m remembering that correctly. For the record, it could have been someone else that said that and all these years later I’ve retold the story enough in my had that I’ve convinced myself it was me. Anyway, check out my sweet high school ID. Mark

This one seems appropriate because James recently gave me the new Rival Schools record. Thanks James!

I seem to remember seeing Quicksand a bunch, but I do have one specific memory of a show. I think it was the first time I saw them. It was Quicksand, 7-Seconds and I’m pretty sure the Bouncing Souls opened up. Me and some friends from high school drove up to Babyhead, primarily to see 7-Seconds. We all had the Quicksand 7 inch because it was “Walter from Gorilla Biscuits new band.”

We got to the door and the bouncer asked for ID, that was strange for a hardcore show. He told us the show was 18 +. We were all bummed out and wandering around Richmond St asking each other "when the club started 18 and over shows?" That’s when Kevin Seconds came out and let us all know 7 seconds would not play until we were all inside. The guys from Quicksand followed saying the same thing. A very cool moment for a 16 year old me.

Before the club worked it out with the bands, 7 seconds started asking us if there was a basement they could move the show to. I remember my friend Derek offering up his parents basement.

It never came to that, the club worked it out with the bands and all the under 18 kids piled in. It was a pretty magical night. 7 seconds was touring with Soulforce Revolution. When they played “tickets to a better place”, Kevin Seconds asked “does anyone want to buy tickets to a better place?” I was up front and yelled “are the tickets 18 plus?” I think he laughed. I thought I was the most clever kid in the club at that moment.

I really hope I’m remembering that correctly. For the record, it could have been someone else that said that and all these years later I’ve retold the story enough in my had that I’ve convinced myself it was me.

Anyway, check out my sweet high school ID.

Mark
]]> Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:22:48 GMT F67FAABCE63ED61EAB4FE17AB076F840 The Lionel Richie Challange to kick-off 6/17 show w/ Restorations, Highlites & Cedros @ The Box 9PM http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=1026208 I've issued the challenge and it has been accepted...... Here’s how it works, 4 "performers" have agreed to interpret a Lionel Richie song of their choice to kick off the 6/17 show (Commodores era Lionel is perfectly acceptable). Each "performer" will have 5 minutes (including set up) to complete the his or her song.  At the conclusion of all performances, the audience choose a winner (by applause). The winner will receive a trophy of some sort (to be determined). There are two slots unaccounted for, if you wish to take part in the challenge, contact <a href="mailto:Mark@sharkscomecruisin.com">Mark@sharkscomecruisin.com not later than Thursday 6/16. The challenge starts promptly at 9PM. After the challenge we will hear music from our new friends in <a target="_new" href="http://restorations.bandcamp.com/">Restorations and <a target="_new" href="http://highlites.bandcamp.com/">Highlites (who are traveling from Philly) as well as sets from Cedros and SCC. Restorations have put out one of my favorite records so far this year and I highly encourage you all to check em out online, then get yourself to this show. I've issued the challenge and it has been accepted......

Here’s how it works, 4 "performers" have agreed to interpret a Lionel Richie song of their choice to kick off the 6/17 show (Commodores era Lionel is perfectly acceptable).

Each "performer" will have 5 minutes (including set up) to complete the his or her song.

At the conclusion of all performances, the audience choose a winner (by applause). The winner will receive a trophy of some sort (to be determined).

There are two slots unaccounted for, if you wish to take part in the challenge, contact Mark@sharkscomecruisin.com not later than Thursday 6/16.

The challenge starts promptly at 9PM.

After the challenge we will hear music from our new friends in Restorations and Highlites (who are traveling from Philly) as well as sets from Cedros and SCC. Restorations have put out one of my favorite records so far this year and I highly encourage you all to check em out online, then get yourself to this show.

]]> Sat, 11 Jun 2011 10:40:00 GMT 16D56856DE8ACE787A1CE790E13689FE "So you're releasing the record on your own, what does that mean?" http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=735027 For starters, no one from the band has been paid for over a year. Since we launched the Kickstarter project to help raise funds for the CD duplication, vinyl pressing and packaging of our new record, I’ve been asked “what exactly does it mean when a band releases a record on their own?” With this post I hope to answer this question and share why I am so lucky to be a part of SCC. When a band decides to “self-release” their record, first and foremost it means that the individuals in the band (not a record label) will be funding the recording, mastering, duplication and promotion of the record. It kills me that this is the first thing that I need to mention, but the fact of the matter is, cash is probably the biggest barrier between making music and getting it to folks who want to hear it. Professionally recording and mastering a record is a labor and time intensive process, and the costs are significant. In addition to the financial impact associated with self-releasing a record, there are also the massive amounts of time and energy that go into coordinating the recording, artwork, duplication, pressing, releasing and promoting the record. The upside to coordinating all these tasks is you get to meet and work with a lot of amazing artists, the downside is the amount of time that is taken away from what we really love to do, which is making and performing music. Without getting into the details, SCC has already invested several thousand dollars into this process to create “A Past We Forget That We Need To Know”. We have been very fortunate to be able to fund the first part of this project with cash we made from the shows we played in 2010. Between our monthly residency at Galway Bay, and the numerous festivals we played this summer, we’ve come very close to paying off the recording and mastering of the record, and we now have electronic files of the music, but nothing else. We need to go a step further if we want to have something tangible to share with the Crew or sell when we’re on the road. I think this is an appropriate time to recognize and thank the entire band for playing every show in 2010 without getting paid a single dollar for their time and talent. We made the decision in January of 2010 that no one would take any pay for the year, instead all cash earned by the band would go into the record. One year into the process, we have no regrets. It’s a passion, we do it because we love it, but it hurts me to think the guys (and girl) would play another year’s worth of shows without any compensation for their time. In addition, we realize that it would take at least another year to release the record this way, so we began exploring other creative ideas to get the music out to the Crew sooner. When we saw Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons successfully fund the mastering and duplication of “White Lighter”, using Kickstarter, we felt this could be a model that would work for us as well. Thanks for reading and I hope this sheds some light on why becoming a backer of our Kickstarter project means so much to us.
Since we launched the Kickstarter project to help raise funds for the CD duplication, vinyl pressing and packaging of our new record, I’ve been asked “what exactly does it mean when a band releases a record on their own?” With this post I hope to answer this question and share why I am so lucky to be a part of SCC.

When a band decides to “self-release” their record, first and foremost it means that the individuals in the band (not a record label) will be funding the recording, mastering, duplication and promotion of the record. It kills me that this is the first thing that I need to mention, but the fact of the matter is, cash is probably the biggest barrier between making music and getting it to folks who want to hear it. Professionally recording and mastering a record is a labor and time intensive process, and the costs are significant. In addition to the financial impact associated with self-releasing a record, there are also the massive amounts of time and energy that go into coordinating the recording, artwork, duplication, pressing, releasing and promoting the record. The upside to coordinating all these tasks is you get to meet and work with a lot of amazing artists, the downside is the amount of time that is taken away from what we really love to do, which is making and performing music.

Without getting into the details, SCC has already invested several thousand dollars into this process to create “A Past We Forget That We Need To Know”. We have been very fortunate to be able to fund the first part of this project with cash we made from the shows we played in 2010. Between our monthly residency at Galway Bay, and the numerous festivals we played this summer, we’ve come very close to paying off the recording and mastering of the record, and we now have electronic files of the music, but nothing else. We need to go a step further if we want to have something tangible to share with the Crew or sell when we’re on the road.

I think this is an appropriate time to recognize and thank the entire band for playing every show in 2010 without getting paid a single dollar for their time and talent. We made the decision in January of 2010 that no one would take any pay for the year, instead all cash earned by the band would go into the record. One year into the process, we have no regrets. It’s a passion, we do it because we love it, but it hurts me to think the guys (and girl) would play another year’s worth of shows without any compensation for their time. In addition, we realize that it would take at least another year to release the record this way, so we began exploring other creative ideas to get the music out to the Crew sooner. When we saw Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons successfully fund the mastering and duplication of “White Lighter”, using Kickstarter, we felt this could be a model that would work for us as well.

Thanks for reading and I hope this sheds some light on why becoming a backer of our Kickstarter project means so much to us.
]]> Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:20:13 GMT C1D74E2423F4757EC5D06AB1730E796F Look back and moving forward http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=708810 2010 was an eventful year for both SCC and me personally. It’s strange for me to write that. I’ve always been the spokesperson for the band, but one of the big changes in 2010 was taking the step to write about my personal life in the framework of the band. It feels good. It’s something I always wanted to do, but wasn’t sure how to make happen. As with so many other things in life, I found the only way to make it happen was to do it. In 2010 we started working on our first full length record. We had 20+ crewmembers join us in the studio for an epic sing-along, helping to create an amazing record that we plan to release soon. More on that later in this post. In 2010 we had the chance to share the stage with the Dropkick Murphys at the House of Blues in Boston. This was a great experience and a highlight for me for many reasons. We made a number of new friends and crewmembers and hope to see them again soon. In 2010 we traveled down to Wilmington, NC to play Rad Fest with some of our favorite bands. On the way down we played in Brooklyn to a contingent of SCC Crew that we are looking forward to seeing more of in the upcoming year. We also played in Richmond, VA for the first time. On that trip we traveled in three cars and in the end of 2010 we bought a van so we don’t need to take multiple vehicles on the road in the future. The SCC Crew did a lot of good in 2010. We starting the year with a benefit for Haiti that raised over $4,000 dollars and continued throughout the year when we raffled off prints of our flyers at shows to raise money for other charities. We donated to Doctors Without Borders, Young Voices, Restoring America’s Estuaries and the Providence Animal Rescue League. The crew also ran the Breeze Against Wheeze 5K, then drank a lot of beer on the porch, all in the name of charity. On a personal note, 2010 was an incredibly busy, wonderful year. Erica and I got married (insert melodica joke here). I also changed jobs after working at the same company for 12 years. I would not have had the strength to make the job change if not for Erica. Funny how that works. These were two monumental, life-changing decisions that I could not be happier to have made. I would not be typing this today if I had not made these changes. Moving forward, we are 2 weeks into an already busy year. We have made the decision to release this record ourselves. This was a difficult decision, but we are really proud of this record and we’re very excited to share it with you. This decision was difficult because with it comes lot of planning, coordination and cost. As with other projects, we will be looking to the Crew for help.The final product will be released on CD, LP (vinyl) and digitally, it will look and sound amazing and I know that we can get it done, together. The official release will be in early March. We feel honored to work with so many of our close friends to make this happen. From the recording and the album art to the video and the packaging, we are privileged to be surrounded by so many talented artist that are always willing to help us out. We’re also thrilled to announce we’ve teamed up with Jeff from Rocket Fuel podcast to help us spread the word about the new record. Who would think that the shared experience of receiving parking tickets at Rad Fest could lead to such an exciting partnership? If you’re a fan of the punk rock, do yourself a favor and subscribe to Jeff’s podcast. <a href="http://www.rocketfuelpodcast.com/">http://www.rocketfuelpodcast.com/ Another goal for 2011 is to do more regional touring. We hope to make our way into more towns in New England, the Tri-state area, and to our west. If you live in these areas and can help us out with house shows or club contacts, please get in touch. We look forward to getting in the Eurovan and visiting you. Of course we will continue the sing-along in Providence. We’ve already booked our yearly St. Pat’s show at the Box and as we get more details on the record release show the Crew will be the first to know. We will also be continuing our shows at Galway Bay. As we have specifics will get them out to you. With that, I will say goodnight on this snowy night in January. Be safe and come out and sing-along with us in 2011. Take it easy, Mark/SCC
In 2010 we started working on our first full length record. We had 20+ crewmembers join us in the studio for an epic sing-along, helping to create an amazing record that we plan to release soon. More on that later in this post.

In 2010 we had the chance to share the stage with the Dropkick Murphys at the House of Blues in Boston. This was a great experience and a highlight for me for many reasons. We made a number of new friends and crewmembers and hope to see them again soon.

In 2010 we traveled down to Wilmington, NC to play Rad Fest with some of our favorite bands. On the way down we played in Brooklyn to a contingent of SCC Crew that we are looking forward to seeing more of in the upcoming year. We also played in Richmond, VA for the first time. On that trip we traveled in three cars and in the end of 2010 we bought a van so we don’t need to take multiple vehicles on the road in the future.

The SCC Crew did a lot of good in 2010. We starting the year with a benefit for Haiti that raised over $4,000 dollars and continued throughout the year when we raffled off prints of our flyers at shows to raise money for other charities. We donated to Doctors Without Borders, Young Voices, Restoring America’s Estuaries and the Providence Animal Rescue League. The crew also ran the Breeze Against Wheeze 5K, then drank a lot of beer on the porch, all in the name of charity.

On a personal note, 2010 was an incredibly busy, wonderful year. Erica and I got married (insert melodica joke here). I also changed jobs after working at the same company for 12 years. I would not have had the strength to make the job change if not for Erica. Funny how that works.

These were two monumental, life-changing decisions that I could not be happier to have made. I would not be typing this today if I had not made these changes.

Moving forward, we are 2 weeks into an already busy year. We have made the decision to release this record ourselves. This was a difficult decision, but we are really proud of this record and we’re very excited to share it with you. This decision was difficult because with it comes lot of planning, coordination and cost. As with other projects, we will be looking to the Crew for help.The final product will be released on CD, LP (vinyl) and digitally, it will look and sound amazing and I know that we can get it done, together. The official release will be in early March.

We feel honored to work with so many of our close friends to make this happen. From the recording and the album art to the video and the packaging, we are privileged to be surrounded by so many talented artist that are always willing to help us out.

We’re also thrilled to announce we’ve teamed up with Jeff from Rocket Fuel podcast to help us spread the word about the new record. Who would think that the shared experience of receiving parking tickets at Rad Fest could lead to such an exciting partnership? If you’re a fan of the punk rock, do yourself a favor and subscribe to Jeff’s podcast. http://www.rocketfuelpodcast.com/

Another goal for 2011 is to do more regional touring. We hope to make our way into more towns in New England, the Tri-state area, and to our west. If you live in these areas and can help us out with house shows or club contacts, please get in touch. We look forward to getting in the Eurovan and visiting you.

Of course we will continue the sing-along in Providence. We’ve already booked our yearly St. Pat’s show at the Box and as we get more details on the record release show the Crew will be the first to know. We will also be continuing our shows at Galway Bay. As we have specifics will get them out to you.

With that, I will say goodnight on this snowy night in January. Be safe and come out and sing-along with us in 2011.

Take it easy,

Mark/SCC
]]> Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:25:00 GMT 8972A13B0E1942DC19D2EC301DC14F2D T-Shirt Tuesday #3 Hot Water Music, keep it together http://sharkscomecruisin.com/blog.cfm?feature=1833819&postid=623103 For over 2 decades I have been moving band t-shirts from apartment to apartment, and now to the basement of my house. I’ve said for years that I want to make a punk rock quilt out of them. What’s more punk than a quilt? I don’t know how to quilt, so until I learn I will be posting pix of these vintage gems and remembering when. I will call this series T-Shirt Tuesday. “Keep It Together” is a song off the album The New What Next which was released in 2004, that must have been the tour when I bought this shirt. I know I was with my friend Marg and I think it was at Lupo’s on Westminister. I remember thinking it was some kind of a sign that HWM had a t-shirt with a tall ship on it and I had just started playing sea shanties. How could I not buy this shirt? There have been a few times in my years of music listening when much of what I listen to starts sounding the same. It’s like some formula is figured out and bands start studying the sound and following too closely. It’s usually around this time that a band will blindside me with something new, something really special. The date on the Alachua 7 inch that I’m looking at as I write this is 1998. That was right around the time returnaround was disbanding, that was the first time I heard Hot Water Music. Two dudes, one who sounded like he gargled with gravel, singing different words at the same time in the most chaotic and moving way possible. The guitars reminded me of a lot of late 80’s DC sounding stuff and the rhythm section was like nothing I had heard in punk music, except maybe Quicksand. One quick memory of Hot Water Music I’d like to share is seeing them in NYC with Kel at the Knitting Factory in NYC when they brought Walter Schreifels on stage to sing “Radio Free Gainesville”. I hadn’t had seen Walter perform since Quicksand, it was a real special moment. No Division is consistently on my list of top 5 records I’m bringing to the deserted island. I often wonder if that’s because Walter helped produce that record. Anyone who is a fan knows what I’m talking about when I say HWM is one of a kind and a true inspiration. Until the next t-shirt Mark/SCC

“Keep It Together” is a song off the album The New What Next which was released in 2004, that must have been the tour when I bought this shirt. I know I was with my friend Marg and I think it was at Lupo’s on Westminister. I remember thinking it was some kind of a sign that HWM had a t-shirt with a tall ship on it and I had just started playing sea shanties. How could I not buy this shirt?

There have been a few times in my years of music listening when much of what I listen to starts sounding the same. It’s like some formula is figured out and bands start studying the sound and following too closely. It’s usually around this time that a band will blindside me with something new, something really special.

The date on the Alachua 7 inch that I’m looking at as I write this is 1998. That was right around the time returnaround was disbanding, that was the first time I heard Hot Water Music. Two dudes, one who sounded like he gargled with gravel, singing different words at the same time in the most chaotic and moving way possible. The guitars reminded me of a lot of late 80’s DC sounding stuff and the rhythm section was like nothing I had heard in punk music, except maybe Quicksand.

One quick memory of Hot Water Music I’d like to share is seeing them in NYC with Kel at the Knitting Factory in NYC when they brought Walter Schreifels on stage to sing “Radio Free Gainesville”. I hadn’t had seen Walter perform since Quicksand, it was a real special moment.

No Division is consistently on my list of top 5 records I’m bringing to the deserted island. I often wonder if that’s because Walter helped produce that record. Anyone who is a fan knows what I’m talking about when I say HWM is one of a kind and a true inspiration.

Until the next t-shirt

Mark/SCC
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