everything is temporary (now)

thanks to our fan jason for making this really awesome video to our song "everything is temporary."

we made a transient connection

here's a video of me and phil playing "television" at a recent green party benefit:

thanks to ian for putting this together.
thanks to phil for bringing his cittern.
this song is from my last solo record when it comes on like a dream.

cheers!

save union hall!

I honestly don't think beat radio would have continued to be a band over the last year and a half without the amazing people at union hall. it is the best small room for live music in new york.

Tonight (Wednesday, May 14) could change Brooklyn nightlife as we know it.
Community Board 6's advisory board lead by Lou Sones (the owner of Brazen Head) is taking action against Union Hall of Park Slope. They are recommending the removal of their liquor license based on a group of about 5 people from Union street, with no facts generated to prove any violations. I repeat... THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY UNION HALL'S LIQUOR LICENSE WITHOUT A SINGLE VIOLATION! If this is allowed it could set a chain-reaction through the night life scene. If they can deny the renewal of a liquor license for an establishment with no violations they will be able to close down anyone they like.
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!

The General Board will be meeting on this and other matters at the address and time listed bellow. Show up in numbers with signs stating your support for Union Hall and Brooklyn Nightlife. The press will be there and we have to put the pressure on.

Borough Hall Court Room / 6:30PM

209 Joralemon St

Brooklyn, NY

top 10

i still make mix tapes and top ten lists. here are some songs i've been rocking lately:

kim and jesse - M83
i live for that look - dinosaur jr.
chakka - shudder to think
ctrl-alt-del - the diggs
rave on, john donne/rave on part two (live) - van morrison
stop breathing - pavement
everybody's gotta learn some time - beck
unsatisfied - the replacements
car - easy anthems (daniel johnston cover)
whose authority - nada surf

enlightenment/non-attachment

i don't know what hapens
i don't know what happens
i don't know what happens
i don't know what happens
i don't mind what happens
i don't resist what happens
what happens is what happens
i don't know what happens
i just know it happens
if i know
if i don't know
if i mind
if i don't
i don't know what happens.

lonely from rock and roll

lonely from rock and roll is a song tim lannen and i were working on together in 2002 but then that version of beat radio broke up and i never really felt like the song was finished. i'd pick it up from time to time, i sort of never really let go of anything. anyway, a couple weeks ago i picked up a guitar and randomly started playing it and before i knew it i'd written a new bridge and chorus and i think i can finally put it down. here's a demo i made in my basement:

beat radio - lonely from rock and roll (demo)

here are the lyrics, some of them ended up going into other songs i've written in the last few years, but i guess it doesn't matter:

I got a broken heart
So come and cover me with wings
I got it in my mind
To turn away from everything
I'll sing a song for you
About the shape that I was in
When all your basement clothes
Are wearing thin

this feels like something's missing
i'll talk but no one's listening

but if you feel like hiding out
i know a place where we can go
i changed my mind i miss the life we used to know

I got a broken heart
So come and carry me away
I got it in my mind
To fall down to my knees and pray
But I'll sing a song for you
About the shape that I was in
When your designer clothes
Were wearing thin

In all my dreams too long to tell
I hit the ground with broken wings
And when the morning comes
I can't remember anything

(instrumental)

but if you feel like hiding out
i know a place where we can go
i changed my mind i miss the life we used to know
In all my dreams too long to tell
I hit the ground with broken wings
And when the morning comes
I can't remember anything

hope you guys like it.

here's and old blurry picture of me and rob at the mercury lounge:

closing scene

here's another new song i finished up this week. kind of a sad one:

beat radio - closing scene (demo)

hope you like it. here are the lyrics:

you could storm through a wasteland, believe what you want to believe
set your sails on a ship that could carry you over the sea
you could fold paper airplanes that fly to the edge of the world
close your eyes and imagine a beautiful girl

maybe i bet my future on the dreams i chased
but you traded your dreams for a safe safe place
and i don't feel free
and you don't feel safe
now the colors are flashing in a fever dream
and the tension in building for the closing scene
and i miss the way
that we used to be

there is no security
there are no mistakes
there is only destiny
there is only fate

you stayed home for weeks with your records alone in your room
so i said "let's go out cause it's springtime, the world is in bloom."
and we can go walking the backstreets we once knew so well
i can still hear the sound of the church tower bells

what if i bet my future on the dreams i chased
you traded your dreams for a safe safe place
you've got your fears
i've got my faith
now the colors are flashing on your tv screen
and your senses unravel in a fever dream
and i miss the way
that we used to be.

there is no security
there are no mistakes
there is only destiny
there is only fate

this photo was taken by our drummer brian ver straten. you can find more over at his vacant photographs myspace page.