Monthly Archives: November 2013

PAUL BRANDT

Posted by amillionmilesblog on

Friday, November 29th

 

Yep, a country artist from Airdrie, Alberta.  Kim’s favourite musician.  For me, he’s OK.  I’ve been to two of his shows, I enjoyed them.  He’s a fantastic musician and singer.  He’s a former nurse still living in Alberta somewhere.  This is a cover he released and is well known for…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQJNnkXSzws

 

Here’s a few of his songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhkcjxLCm8Y

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX91fKvF1f0

 

He wrote this for a friends wedding and got crap from his wife that she didn’t get her own song.  So he wrote a different song for her.  Here they are in order.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ze5boOcxLM

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vsfyIW04tk

 

Kim and I argued about what song should be our first dance.  She wanted “I Do” and I refused to have a country song as our first dance.  I tried so hard, through email, to have Paul Brandt at our wedding for Kim, it would have blown her away. Then Jack Johnson released the “In Between Dreams” album and we both liked it and agreed on this song….

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u57d4_b_YgI

 

 

CANCER

I’m fine, I’m close to 34 years old, in a wheelchair with a patch on my left eye.  No biggie to me, if you or your children want to ask me about something, go ahead, I don’t bite. I can do most things, just slower than others.  I went to 8 of the 10 home games for the football season, in my season ticket seat.  My aunt Diane and her family got my season tickets for me and my mother got my Grey Cup ticket for me.  Every game I went to someone would ask if they could help getting up the stairs or down the stairs.  My dad would always say “Nope, thanks!  We’re good, just slow”!  His answer was spot on.  That’s what everyday life is for me.  Slow but fine.  I just do things differently, that’s all.

 

As for how I learned to sing?  You’ve got to throw in the “Happy Together” album by The Nylons throughout elementary school.  Especially the bass parts, that’s what I’d sing along to!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPRsIjrvs6k

 

 

“Don’t judge anyone until you’ve been in their shoes” I learned this the hard way, but I learned it!

 

“Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the best day of your life. You’ve just got to get their” Today has not been a terrible day.

 

“You’re not perfect so don’t try to be. Just be happy with yourself and everything else will fall into place”

 

“Don’t try to please everyone, it CAN’T happen”

 

“Apologize for your mistakes and learn something from them”

 

Bye,

“Hubby Boo Boo” aka “Butthead” aka Christopher

 

chrisg.fraser@gmail.com or Chris G. Fraser on facebook

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THE HEADSTONES

Posted by amillionmilesblog on

Thursday, November 28th

 

Most Canadians remember the Headstones. That’s another tiny bar group from somewhere in Canada.  Hugh Dillon (the lead singer) became an actor and stared in a movie with a cult/underground following called “Hard Core Logo”.  He then became the lead actor in a Canadian TV series “Flashpoint” about the Toronto police department.  They released a new album this year, now that “Flashpoint” is done as of a few years ago.  Their music is night and day, if you compare the recorded versions to their live show!  If you get a chance to see them live don’t think about it, just get tickets ASAP!  They’re not heavy music, they’re like a 3:40 minutes a song punk/rock band.  I went to see them live more than a few times.  They’re CDs just didn’t sound as good as their live show, it seemed like the albums were missing something?  Here’s a song that’s from way back when.  Don’t be afraid, they’re not a heavy band.  Think “Green Day”, pre “American Idiot”.  I wasn’t old enough to see their debut tour in 1993, I was 13 so that will tell you how old I am!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbWi3eS0uLQ

 

“The Traveling Wilburys” did this first.  “Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehGhUQU2IHE

 

Then “The Headstones” did this cover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLEvl_uplUk

 

CANCER

 

I guess I am a little messed up mentally.  Some people close to me tell me my memory is not so good, and I admit I have a bad memory from time to time.  It just took me along time to admit it.  I’m sort of not the same it was never a challenge for me to be polite and humorous.  Now it’s just easier for me to deflect my anger on other people.  I’ve never really been angry or mad at people, and now it happens far too often!  So please forgive me if I’ve done anything stupid or mean to you despite the fact that so many people have offered whatever they can to help me in any way possible.  I shouldn’t have to “try” to be nice, haven’t I usually been easy going?  I look back and remember so many terrible things I’ve done and think “Who is that asshole?”, me!  I don’t want to play the roll of the victim, which has been a card I’d whip out and play when needed!  I want to help out when I can, do things for others in need, etc.  My problems are 1st world problems, petty problems compared to those in 3rd world country’s.

 

I don’t have a cell phone!  Does anyone have an iPhone 3?  Are you using it?  Why not donate your phone or the money you’ve spent on it to a 3rd world country.  Help them have clean water, a roof, a home, electricity from solar panels, etc.  One person can’t fix these problems for an entire country, but we can help one person everyday.

 

My cancer, well…………..I survived and I don’t want to sit here and have a pity party for myself, nobody else needs to either.  Everybody that cared about was a victim on Tuesday, February 5th 2008.  I don’t really remember much about that day, and I don’t need to.  Lot’s of people almost lost a friend, husband, nephew, grandchild, cousin, sibling and whatever else I was to people.  I’M NOT LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY, JUST FOR FORGIVENESS!  I’m sorry for the bad things that have happened to EVERYONE because I lash out and try to push good people away.

 

“Don’t judge anyone until you’ve been in their shoes” I learned this the hard way, but I learned it!

 

“Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the best day of your life. You’ve just got to get their” Today has not been a terrible day.

 

“You’re not perfect so don’t try to be. Just be happy with yourself and everything else will fall into place”

 

“Don’t try to please everyone, it CAN’T happen”

 

“Apologize for your mistakes and learn something from them”

 

Bye,

“Hubby Boo Boo” aka “Butthead” aka Christopher

 

chrisg.fraser@gmail.com or Chris G. Fraser on facebook

ROBIN THICKE

Posted by amillionmilesblog on

Friday, November 22nd

 

I don’t know or care if he’s Canadian, but his father is!  This is among one of the most annoying songs for me ever and it’s every where.  And I don’t even listen to the radio!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDUC1LUXSU

Alan Thicke is his father ’85-’92 on the TV series “Growing Pains” as the father!  I don’t want to talk about Robin Thicke, that’s not music I want to hear……EVER!

 

http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/exclusive-premiere-alter-bridge-x-teaser-video/10856547 So ten years and they’re AWESOME!  But nobody really knows about them!  WHY?  Is everyone scared of the “Creed” connection?  If so, don’t be!  Myles Kennedy has a very good tenor voice!  Is it because the only north American date they’ve ever played was in Florida earlier this year?  I would call “Alter Bridge” hard rock.  Others may label them as metal.  The first show we played in my brother’s band, first song on stage, was this song….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcYOS4btnmE We didn’t have many original songs at that point.  We hadn’t even recorded our demo yet!  I remember Corey saying to me that he thought we’d make it big, until he heard me say into the microphone right after the song that it was a cover of the first song on their first album.  It was Jordan on drums, Mitch on lead guitar, Jerry on bass and backing vocals, and me on lead vocals and rhythm guitar.

 

“Alter Bridge” just released their 4th studio album, “Fortress”, played Florida then took off to Europe and the U.K.  I have 2 blu-rays of them live.  One in Amsterdam on tour for their 2nd album, “Blackbird” and one in Wembley stadium for the “AB3” tour that came with a live album.

 

Some people just don’t like their music and that’s fine.  Lots of other people have never heard about them or they’re afraid that it will sound like “Creed”, don’t be afraid of that, it sounds totally different than “Creed”, same drummer, bass player and guitarist, just a different singer.

 

2nd album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz_j7nVCJJ0

 

3rd album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PABO3RC2c7k

 

4th and current album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S9OHPth364

 

Worth checking out to have an opinion about them, if you like hard music!  They are on tour in Europe with Halestorm and Shinedown at the moment.

 

Cancer wise I’m fine.  Woke up at 6am yesterday because I had a coffee late in the day!  Alarm clock went off at 7am since I had a routine cat-scan at 8:40am.  Same deal next year if all is well.  I’m sure it is or I would have heard something from my blood test 2 weeks ago!

 

“Don’t judge anyone until you’ve been in their shoes” I learned this the hard way, but I learned it!

 

“Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the best day of your life. You’ve just got to get their” Today has not been a terrible day.

 

“You’re not perfect so don’t try to be. Just be happy with yourself and everything else will fall into place”

 

“Don’t try to please everyone, it CAN’T happen”

 

“Apologize for your mistakes and learn something from them”

 

Bye,

“Hubby Boo Boo” aka “Butthead” aka Christopher

 

chrisg.fraser@gmail.com or Chris G. Fraser on facebook

JUST STUFF ROLLING AROUND

Posted by amillionmilesblog on

Thursday, November 21st

 

And now I’ve forgot, so we’ll see what happens!  OK, I’ll be at the Grey Cup and I won’t complain about the cold weather in an outdoor football field.  Why?  It’s winter, suck it up princess!  It’s supposed to be cold at this time of year.  I can wear multiple layers in the winter but only get so naked in the summer.  FACT!

 

Regina is all a buzz “right now”, since the Riders are at home for the Grey Cup.  Friday has been declared as a “green day”.  Everybody in Saskatchewan is to show their Rider pride and wear green or green and white!  Premier Brad Wall says so!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCcLNmOpN3A

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6jtGjiDwIQ

 

I swear if I see someone rip up their 50/50 tickets, I’ll snap and seriously consider punching them in the throat.  With the rules stated before each game “Keep Taylor Field green”, direct quote from the announcement prior to every game! Are people trying to be funny?  It got old when I was 13!

 

I’m glad my tickets don’t include the background music at the game, where you hear “Welcome to the Jungle” by G ‘n R during every starting kickoff!  Didn’t that come out in ’87?  YES!  Live in the now, not the ’80s with terrible music, hair and clothing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg

 

Play Air Supply and make everyone unhappy!  8 players in the CFL were interviewed as to what they listen to last on their iPod before taking the field for game time, 7/8 said this song, which would be awesome for me, but I don’t get to choose.  So be it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA

 

We will be paying more for our suite on the top/3rd floor, yet anyone on the lower/cheaper levels will more than likely tell us no dogs after Brewster dies.  DUMBEST. RULE. EVER!  If that was the rule before, we wouldn’t have chosen that building!  If we didn’t have Brewster we would have already moved!  It’s not like we’re bringing a Great Dane in there, he’s 11.5lbs!  REALLY!?!?

 

My first band with Dave, Rydell and Rob had a rule or at least Rob and I did?  If someone on stage wasn’t bleeding at the end of a show, we weren’t playing our best.  Didn’t have to be gory, just like break a string, cut your finger on a string or something like that.

 

Barenaked Ladies are playing here Friday night.  Had I known that before we spent $100 to see lamb of God in Saskatoon, which was money wasted since we didn’t go.  I would have bought tickets for BNL.  In order we’d get to see “Minnow”, “The Waltons” and “Barenaked Ladies”!  My first concert was in ’92.  I was 12, Mitch was 5 and our parents took us to a BNL show at the Center of the Arts!  With “The Waltons” from Regina opening the show!

 

How did I learn to sing?  Raffi, The Chipmunks, and Sesame Street in my room on my Mickey Mouse record player.    Then “The Lawrence Welk Show” that I’d get up early to watch on PBS, on Saturdays before my parents got up.  Then U2 “The Joshua Tree” and then this song for some reason   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9pIZh1jr-w the low part in the chorus, there’s no way I could hit those low notes now!  Then in the high school choir.  I never really practiced on my own though once I hit high school.  I was always the singer/front man of whatever rock band I was in after high school. Why?  I don’t know.  I could have been somewhere in the background singing and someone else could have been up front instead of me. Being in a group with my brother was great, especially once Todd joined us as our 2nd drummer when Jordan left for school in Ontario.  All of us would bounce off of each other.  Especially Mitch and I.  It was pretty much his band since he wrote the music and he’d tell me “straight up” if something I was doing didn’t fit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El1kgCqD7Xk I blame my cousin Christine for knowing this song!  Thanks!  “Pause NOT”

 

“Don’t judge anyone until you’ve been in their shoes” I learned this the hard way, but I learned it!

 

“Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the best day of your life. You’ve just got to get their” Today has not been a terrible day.

 

“You’re not perfect so don’t try to be. Just be happy with yourself and everything else will fall into place”

 

“Don’t try to please everyone, it CAN’T happen”

 

“Apologize for your mistakes and learn something from them”

 

Bye,

“Hubby Boo Boo” aka “Butthead” aka Christopher

 

chrisg.fraser@gmail.com or Chris G. Fraser on facebook

THE AGONIST

Posted by amillionmilesblog on

Wednesday, November 20th

 

I’m sure they’re from Québec, the province.  Extremely heavy metal, with another female singer.  Death vocals and clean vocals.  I only have the first album, on CD and that’s the only album I have from them “Only Once Imagined” from 2007.  I used to download music for free, if I liked it I’d buy it on CD.  If I didn’t, I trashed it.  I’ll warn you this very heavy music. I’ve just purchased the 2 albums from iTunes that I didn’t have. Anyways here’s a few songs if you like heavy music?  All from the “Only Once Imagined” album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZo4bOZf3B4

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ce4Rnb8qw8

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsH2JudUurU

 

Might as well review Halestorm, not a Canadian group though.  They’re a metal/heavy rock band fronted by a female who also plays guitar.  I don’t know what state they’re from, they’re just really good!  2 EPs 6 songs each of cover songs, 2 studio albums and 1 live album in Philadelphia  Not nearly as heavy as The Agonist.  I love Halestorm, so do Sherry and James. Especially Sherry!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scZY7VNV-Go Cover of the smash hit by Daft Punk!

 

Another cover from the 1st EP.  The other is of course from the 2nd EP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2siEQsADk

 

The 1st song from the recent album B WORD MAYBE NOT FOR KIDS! Kids are going to learn these words at some point anyways, but I’ll keep doing a warning, don’t worry, uncle Chris will keep it clean! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmkHqUwa4zg

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpJAmlnBxoA

 

Their 1st album now…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVYgoejO3ac

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naIT6XfsjAw

 

New A Perfect Circle Live album!

http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/11/stream-a-perfect-circles-new-live-album-stone-and-echo/

 

Bob Dylan releases video for “Rolling Stone”

http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/11/50-years-later-bob-dylan-shares-interactive-video-for-like-a-rolling-stone/

 

I did my floor exercises, with my mom. I was her “personal trainer” today.  She had back surgery years ago.  She has a bad left leg as well, she can’t feel her left leg and that’s why she’s not going to the Grey Cup.  The handicap parking is now only on the opposite side of the stadium.  She can’t walk that far.  I didn’t except her to do as much as I did so she got off easy today.  Shhh!  Don’t tell her that I won’t be as forgiving tomorrow. DAMN IT!  I hope she doesn’t read this!

 

“Don’t judge anyone until you’ve been in their shoes” I learned this the hard way, but I learned it!

 

“Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the best day of your life. You’ve just got to get their” Today has not been a terrible day.

 

“You’re not perfect so don’t try to be. Just be happy with yourself and everything else will fall into place”

 

“Don’t try to please everyone, it CAN’T happen”

 

“Apologize for your mistakes and learn something from them”

 

Bye,

“Hubby Boo Boo” aka “Butthead” aka Christopher

 

chrisg.fraser@gmail.com or Chris G. Fraser on facebook

THORNLEY & BIG WRECK

Posted by amillionmilesblog on

Sunday, November 17th

 

We didn’t go to Saskatoon to see lamb of God.  Next time I guess, hopefully!  What did I have for breakfast?  “Rice Krispies you’re the one.  You make breakfast time so much fun!  Rice Krispies I’m awfully fond of you.  Doo doop de doop!  Rice Krispies joy of joys when I eat you, you make noise!…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh85R-S-dh8

 

So, I picked Toronto and Calgary to be here playing in the Grey Cup.  That would be fine for me.  I lost 16 points on the facebook page when I put my picks in late last night. Our home town Roughriders won the western final, GREAT! Unfortunately the Hamilton Tiger Cats won the eastern final.  I really just loathe that team.  I don’t want to see BOOOOORIS, one of the angriest head coaches in the CFL former Rider QB and coach Kent Austin back in Regina.  I was really considering not going after Hamilton had won the game today, then the Riders won.  I hope we kick they’re butt.  Now I want to see a blow out in the Riders favour! OK, Jon Cornish.  I thought you called yourself the best RB in the CFL, so what’s your excuse for today against Kory Sheets who rushed for 177 yards for the entire game and you had -1 yards at half time? Calgary’s not in the Grey Cup next Sunday on my parents 35th anniversary.  Dad’s going, I’m going and Kevin bought mom’s ticket, she’s literally a fair weather fan.  I’m the total opposite!

 

Big Wreck released 2 albums in ’97 and 2001, the second I turned 19 I went to every Big Wreck show possible. Loud rock shows, nothing as loud as Big Sugar though.  Big Wreck toured until the spring of 2002 then broke up.  Ian Thornley writes/sings/plays lead guitar for the bulk of Big Wreck’s songs.  He was the only Canadian in Big Wreck’s original line-up.  Then we had “Thornley”.  Same singer/song writer/lead guitar player.  The band went through a few lineup changes but remained mostly a group of Canadians!  Completely different music to me.  Even when I had cancer I’d see their shows in Regina!  Always waiting to hear something like Big Wreck, it never happened.  I read some article before I was sick that Ian was interviewed and wanted to do something acoustic, that would have been GREAT!  We got “Thornley” instead.  Not bad but nothing like the greatness of Big Wreck.  2012 they reunited and their 1st single was the title track from the album “Albatross”!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HmW9rVAtVs

 

These were from the 2 albums released in ’97 and 2001.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JtB0Y9oM0I

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-AKI951poE

 

2nd album, “The Pleasure and the Greed”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsco84fcwj4

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2T0Fa-fNGQ

 

Some random “Thornley” songs from their 2 albums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMjEOCkdJbM This song was their first single, I got anxious for the album release when I heard this song and wished the album sounded more like this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBY_nOlpnY

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw46zfWbH8Q This song was good, especially live!

 

2nd album from “Thornley”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDf893roLno

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy5cORzCQy0

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsen7wOIEvU

 

This 2nd album was a bit of a let down for me.  I knew he could do better and I craved Big Wreck, so bad.

 

I’m glad Big Wreck is back!  Others prefer Thornley that’s fine, it will be a few years before they return.  Even Ian was growing a bit tired of the “Thornley” thing, and he didn’t seem as happy with the situation in some of the interviews I read.  I hope he’s as glad as me that Big Wreck has returned.  To me, comparing the 2 is like comparing apples to oranges.

 

“There’s always someone else having a worse day than you or I”.  Think of those in the Philippines or in 3rd world countries.  Is your paper cut or my surviving brain cancer worse than what they deal with everyday?

 

“Don’t judge anyone until you’ve been in their shoes” I learned this the hard way, but I learned it!

 

“Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the best day of your life. You’ve just got to get their” Today has not been a terrible day.

 

“You’re not perfect so don’t try to be. Just be happy with yourself and everything else will fall into place”

 

“Don’t try to please everyone, it CAN’T happen”

 

“Apologize for your mistakes and learn something from them”

 

Bye,

“Hubby Boo Boo” aka “Butthead” aka Christopher

 

chrisg.fraser@gmail.com or Chris G. Fraser on facebook

RAINBOW BUTT MONKEYS/FINGER ELEVEN

Posted by amillionmilesblog on

Saturday, November 16th

 

Obviously we didn’t go to Saskatoon to see Killswitch Engage, lamb of God and 2 other groups I can’t remember!  The roads are terrible “Right Now” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCcLNmOpN3A I thought I’d at least do a Canadian band review!  This is what we’re missing tonight.  WARNING (F-BOMBS) ON EVERY VIDEO FROM THIS GROUP!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKWSVkQHdZk interview with bass player John Campbell. 15 minutes long.  

They rose to success with this song from the “Ashes of the Wake” album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7yK4zHhgU0

 

The Rainbow Butt Monkeys are now called Finger Eleven!  Different music and a different drummer.  Rainbow Butt Monkeys only released one album and then disappeared for a few years and returned as Finger Eleven and have released 5 albums and a DVD with different CD of demos and live recordings.  The first 3 albums my brother really liked.  The next two weren’t bad albums, but sounded nothing like the previous 3 albums.  I don’t think of the 2 recent albums as Finger Eleven albums, just a completely different group that I don’t know the name of.  I’ll give you a link to one song from each album in order!

 

From the Rainbow Butt Monkeys. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0lVjky2roU

 

Now Finger Eleven http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXqhC3qHN1c

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiB_s1gzsaA

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UqxC1JZ-00 Yes they’re in an ice castle in Quebec during the yearly Carnival in Quebec city.  This was the big hit from this album though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FQO1fj1MJU The start of their rapid decline for my brother and I, he was really turned off by this song. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSiSnef0qBk This is from the 4th album where they went away from their regular sound.  They’re most famous for this other song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJk6gZuPKRE

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUzbiNa-upA From the 5th album.  Most famous for this other song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuyrsH9GZ3M

 

“There’s always someone else having a worse day than you or I”

 

“Don’t judge anyone until you’ve been in their shoes” I learned this the hard way, but I learned it!

 

“Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the best day of your life. You’ve just got to get their” Today has not been a terrible day.

 

“You’re not perfect so don’t try to be. Just be happy with yourself and everything else will fall into place”

 

“Don’t try to please everyone, it CAN’T happen”

 

“Apologize for your mistakes and learn something from them”

 

Bye,

“Hubby Boo Boo” aka “Butthead” aka Christopher

 

chrisg.fraser@gmail.com or Chris G. Fraser on facebook