Just wanted to extend my thanks to the podcasts that have played State Shirt songs recently (and not so recently). Check these out!

The Awful Show
Suffolk ‘N’ Cool
PC Podcast
Borderline
Amplified
Five Gallon Podcast
Makeshift Magesty

Had a great time playing with the SongFight.org regulars down at the Spot Cafe and Lounge this past Friday. Got to see a bunch of fighters that I haven’t seen in a while as well as meet a few new shiny happy faces. Got to hear a bunch of classics and some new songs by The Seamus Collective, Merisan, Ross Durand, Minty Handy, Ken’s Super Duper Band ‘n Stuff, and Evil E. I played a few newer unreleased songs, ‘Computer’, ‘This is Old’ and an yet-to-be-titled song, which I currently call ‘Edison hates this song’ because my dog Edison howls like crazy when I play it. Below are some photos courtesy of Ross Durand. I’m trying to get back into the swing of things and play more shows and get this album finished, and SongFight always seems to help me get going again.

When I’m not writing music, and sometimes when I should be writing music, I’m driving too fast on Southern California race tracks. I just got started with racing, and am not very good. But it is fun and I enjoy learning how to drive faster, it’s a much different brain activity than writing/recording/performing music which is cool. Here’s a video of me attempting to tear it up at California Speedway. My little Mazda doesn’t have a ton of power but it was still fun to get up to 120mph on the oval.

The website that really helped me actually finish songs is having a show in Culver City, CA tonight. Come on out. Here are the details:

:::: Friday March 28, 2008 – 7:00pm
:::: SONG FIGHT! Show!
:::: Spot Cafe and Lounge
:::: 4455 Overland Ave.
:::: Culver City, CA 90230

And the lineup:

The Seamus Collective
Merisan
Ross Durand
State Shirt
Minty Handy
Ken’s Super Duper Band ‘n Stuff
Evil E

Thanks to everyone that came out to the show at Crane’s Tavern this past Sunday. Played a few new songs and a few songs from Don’t Die. I’ll post some of the new songs up on the site soon. HalfMonk did a very cool set complete with about 30 effects pedals and even a toy reverb/spring microphone.

A couple weeks back I went to the SCCA (sports car club of america) racing school at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, CA. Spent 2 days driving in circles (well not exactly circles but at the end of the 2nd day it felt like that). I guess I didn’t drive too poorly because I did in fact get my racing license. I think my first race will be at Buttonwillow Raceway in May. I’ll post here and let y’all know how great I did. Until then, here’s a video of me chasing a Corvette in my little tiny 110 horsepower Mazda.

I can’t believe that Don’t Die came out nearly 4 years ago. I have been working on new songs and writing and recording but sometimes the shit in my life piles up and I can’t quite get everything finished. But I’m finally there, 10 songs recorded and almost ready to go. Still putting the final touches on some vocals, and then it’s off to meet with producer Chris Fudurich (Nada Surf, Jimmy Eat World) to provide his expertise with mixing and production. I like the sound I get in my little 8′x8′ bedroom studio but it’s nice to have someone that I trust stick their ears to it.

I’ll be playing some of the new songs at Crane’s Tavern in Hollywood, CA on Sunday March 16. I think I’ve finally worked the glitches out of my gear setup. Two digital Echoplexes and a bunch of pedals. No more acoustic guitar, I’ll be kicking it with my $150 Fender Toronado. Come on out and see some live loop versions of the songs and have a $3 Pabst Blue Ribbon.