The Vice Guide To Liberia

Okay, so this is in no way music related at all but I really wanted to share with you guys something that has continued to blow my mind for the past three days.

In terms of places I'd like to visit one day I would put the African country of Liberia waaayyyy down on the list.  In fact, after knowing what I know now I would probably pay good money to make sure I never go there.  I have to admit that before Tuesday I was pretty ignorant about the history and current situation of Liberia, but all of that was about to change thanks to Vice Magazine.  Vice, who has a sister site called VBS.tv which produces original video content on the regular, recently traveled to Liberia as part of their travel series to shed some light on Liberia's situation.  And what a situation it is.  So far Vice has only posted 3 episodes of its 8 part series on Liberia online but already I've seen things that I wish I could forget. 

In roughly about 15 minutes of video they've already shown rampant poverty, unimaginable living conditions, corrupt police, child junkies, cannibalism and government that just doesn't really seem to give a shit.  Did I mention that there are still 5 more episodes to go?

I embeded a preview of the series above and you can catch the first three episodes posted online here.  The whole thing is absolutely incredible and is definitely worth watching. 

Photos: Crystal Antlers & Black Carl @ Yucca (The Vice Party Yo)

If I was the type of person that had regrets in life and I DIDN'T go to this show last night I would be kicking myself in my own self's ass right now. The free drinks were great, Black Carl is only getting better every time I see them and The Crystal Antlers made me 10% more deaf than I was before despite wearing earplugs. I am not a huge "DJ" guy but even Pickster One and Tricky T were making me bob my head a little between sets.

As fate will have it the "official photographer" of the event wasn't able to make it so Steve Chilton aka Psycho Steve, the bro that put this whole thing together with Vice and Hornitos, asked me to fill in and take more than just my usual band shots. So I ventured out into the parking lot n' such and did my own rendition of a lastnightsparty type thing, Tempe style, you can check those pictures out HERE. There are several more pictures after the break but you can check out large groups of pictures of both Black Carl and Crystal Antlers by clicking on their names...just back a few words in this very sentence.

Crystal Antlers & Black Carl Tonight! Don't Forget to RSVP

Crystal Antlers @ The Rhythm Room 6/8/09

Vice Magazine and Hornitos are putting on another shindig tonight at Yucca Tap Room. Crystal Antler and Black Carl are playing. Best of all it's FREE and BESTER of all there is free booze! It's tequilla but it's TOP SHELF TEQUILLA and it's FREE! Have I mentioned that all of this is FREE? Let's sum this all up here...Two great bands, free booze and as previously mentioned it's all gratis. All you have to do is RSVP HERE There is one small catch.... It doesn't start till 10pm so if you have to actually function during the day, tomorrow is going to suck, but it is totally going to be worth it...right?

Crystal Antlers + Vice + Free Booze = ?????

This party is going to be what you make of it. It just like in Kindergarten when you and all the other kids where given the same two paper plates, cup of beans, Popsicle sticks, glitter and glue. At the end of the day some kids were taking home something there parents would be proud of and others had spent the whole day eating paste. Wait a minute...I have totally lost where this analogy is even going. But I think my point had something to do with taking a bunch of stuff that is free, like booze and great bands like Crystal Antlers / Black Carl and doing something your parents will most certainly NOT want hanging on their fridge.

Have I mentioned that this whole thing is free and that the Crystal Antlers put on one of the best live shows in the business?All you need to do is RSVP HERE and then show up tomorrow night (11/4) at Yucca Tap Room around 10pm. If I don't have the swine flu I will see you there.

RSVP for "The Desert Bender" with Kinch

If there are three things I like in this world it's open bars, staying up late on a school night and Kinch. If you like even two of these things then it would be in your best interests to RSVP for this most choice event out good friend Stephen Chilton is throwing this Wednesday at The Black Forrest Mill. The event is being sponsored by Vice and Hornitos so you know debauchery will probably ensue...a lot.

RSVP HERE