Cough...

“What would you say that flap of skin is?”  The gray-haired doctor said to his assisting nurse staring at my naked body.  “Well, that’s definitely his testicles.” she replied pointing. “Very good, dear.” He smiled.

Today I went to the doctors for the first time in 7 years.

There was a period of my life when I didn’t have health insurance. And that period sucked. I gave up skateboarding, throwing myself into dangerous situations for the satisfaction of my friends laughter and I guess…grew up…at least a little bit. 

Going through my health benefits at work during this years open enrollment it dawned on me “I pay a lot for this shit! I am going to use it!” Not that I am complaining as I knock on wood typing this. It is a blessing I have not had to use any of it but what’s the harm in a little preventative care? Over the last few weeks I have been to the optometrist, general physician, chiropractor, dentist and dermatologist. 

Last week I thought it would be a good idea to head to the optometrist before heading to my physical. Seemed like a good idea and all the scheduling lined up. The only thing I had not factored was they were going to dilate my eyes and that last about 5 hours. For anyone who hasn’t had there eyes dilated or forgot what its like I will fill you in. They put some sort of chemical in your eyes, it may burn, it may not, and then like a snap of the fingers you can’t see clearly anymore. I wasn’t able to see the watch on my wrist…and I had ridden my bike. Luckily the doctor told me I still have 20/20 vision, unluckily I had to ride my bike…on Santa Monica Blvd…to my physical…half blind…good thing I have a helmet.

Arriving to what I believe to be my next doctors appointment I roam around the outside of a building complex trying to read the directory signs. I even asked Siri if she could read for me. She told me she could not very matter-of-factly. Bitch. I called the office and asked for directions and the receptionist seemed very confused with what I was asking. “Are you the tall skinny man standing out front of the office window with a bike helmet on?” She said as she could see me outside wondering around. She then told me to “Just walk in.”  I nodded my head sarcastically, walked into the glass door to the office before an elderly patient woman opened it for me. “Bless you.” She said taking pity on me as I took a seat in the sun-filled waiting room. 

“You’ll need to fill this out before we can see you.” said the receptionist handing me what I think was a clipboard and some sort of medical-legal papers. “Sure!” I said and continued to pick up the pen attached to the clipboard. I can only imagine the look on her face when I handed her the forms back with nothing but scribbles. I think I even tried to draw a pirate from memory on a signature line. 

A few moments later I hear “Mr. Bates? Please come on back.” I picked myself up and made my way to the back. Or at lease I’d hope so. “Okay Mr. Bates. Please remove your clothes and the doctor will be right in.” The careless assisting nurse said closing the door as I muttered “ALL my clothes?” She responded from the other side of the door with “ALL YOUR CLOTHES, BABY!” I can’t be sure but I feel like I heard a faint laugh dissipate down the hallway away from my room as she said it.

...Can people see my name body through this window?...

The doctor came in shortly after and we made small talk before he told me to stand up and cough…

Ice Bucket Challenge...

I accepted the challenge from my friend Ed about the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS. I know there is some strong opinions for and against this...and I try to see both sides of the coin. The fact is I don't have strong opinions about the issue. My friend challenged me, I donated, used recycled water to be respectful to the Earth that I was going to use to water my plants anyway. When a charity sees a 1000% increase in donations and everyone is being kind to each other I can get down with that. If you don't want to dump water on your head thats cool. Just hold all negativity around the subject to yourself. Energy doesn't dissipate, it transfers, and there is already to much negativity around here.

-YourFriendMatt

On Break...

“Holy shit, this place is weird.” - Me

All I wanted to do is read a book and relax on my lunch break. I am lucky enough to work a stones throw away from the breath-taking views of the Pacific. This is my place of choice for taking all breaks throughout the work week, an oasis if you will, from the hell-trap on Earth I work in dealing with the silver spoon, brainwashed to keep-up-with-the-Jones’, American public day in and day out. In all honesty I love what I do, no complaints…if only the damn customers weren’t there…but thats a whole other conversation.

Today, I take the long way to the coast to sit on my usual bench to read and decompress from the first half of my shift. I arrive at my bench just at the edge of the tree lines shade at the perfect time of day. As I take my seat there is a man pacing behind the bench on the phone call of his life. He speaks loud and direct to whomever it is he needs to get his point across to on the other side of that mobile device. I do the usual raised eyebrow dirty look towards him and open my book. As I start to ingest the immoral words from my library-borrowed Christopher Moore fiction my new pacing friend ends his call. Good - my eyebrows did the talking again. Victory.

As Pacer stands there I notice out of the corner of my eye another older man, tattered, in every sense of the word, with a sticker-covered guitar case takes a seat on the grass next to the bench. Indian style now he opens the guitar case to pull out 2 drum sticks. Sure. Why not? What? You expected him to pull out a guitar? No, no. This is California, nothing normal happens here. Especially on the cliffs overlooking the ocean in Santa Monica…I really need to find a new oasis…this place is getting weird. Oh - did I forget to mention he has a tarnished, half consumed wine jug with him? My new tattered friend takes his drum sticks, one in each hand, and in no order or musical computation I can make out starts to sing and bang on the guitar case as if it were a drum using his half consumed red-stained jug to accent his nonsensical beat. I slowly raise my head from my fiction in a mix of confusion, frustration and awe. By the time I look over at this tattered man he has pulled out a recorder, the kind of flute-like instrument they hand out in 3rd grade and starts contributing his own horrific, and once again in no music computation that anyone could comprehend or interpret to paper, soundtrack to the picturesque scenery.

At this point I assume you for got about Pacer. I almost did too. As I rip my eyes from the absurdity that is Tatter to my friend Pacer I notice he is in a trance, barefoot, shoes removed and discarded across the grass like litter in a hunched position looking like he is prepping for a human take-off in the vein of Superman or Peter Pan. He springs upright and releases all the air in his lungs like a party favor balloon squeezed of air. It is at this exact moment I notice another man who has sat down on another bench a few feet from me fighting the air in front of him as passerby’s move out of the way of his mighty fists. What the hell is going on today? I sit and wonder then ask myself, "Does this happen everyday?"

Now, I can’t make this shit up. I wish I was this creative and smart but I’m not. I am on break at work and from all sides around me people are going crazy. How in the hell am I going to focus on a book now? And it is now that I realize. If we stop to notice life, just slow down for a minute...the world is a beautifully insane place. Take a minute this week to break out of your 'normal' routine and look to see what the hell is going on around you. Like Ferris said "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around for a while, you could miss it." Or you might find some crazy assholes doing God knows what in all areas around you. 

But then again...sometimes....you have to go back to work.

-YourFriendMatt

Catching up with Brandon...

Enjoying another warm, picturesque morning here on the sunny Gold Coast as the email notification goes off on my phone. Thankfully it’s not another spam email about today’s sales on whatever website that somehow got a hold of my address…this email lets me know that today is going to be a good day…that I’ll soon be speaking with the lead vocalist of Sons of the Sea—Brandon Boyd. Yes, that Brandon Boyd—the same lyricist and mesmerizing front man of the inspiring, multi-generational band Incubus.

Sons of the Sea’s just released a new music video entitled “Lady Black” and features model Lauren Marie Young—recognizable from ad campaigns such as American Apparel, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Fox Racing Girls and Playboy’s cover, and is directed by Brantley Gutierrez. 

The video, a steady-paced rock track—opens with our hero (Boyd) wandering through a gritty, washed out desert. Boyd staggers over dunes under a black veil and discovers a portal. Through it lies Lady Black—everything he’s been searching the universe for and more. When asked about her role Young stated, “I loved being the energy of Lady Black. The momentum really took on full throttle when everyone was in costume. It really felt like living on Mars.” The location, which is only a few hours from Los Angeles, gives the video an otherworldly feel. 

Since his hiatus from musical ventures Boyd has been a busy man with his art projects. Luckily, we were able to catch up and get some information about Sons of the Sea and what we can expect in the near future:

YFM: Was Sons of the Sea something you had always been working on or was it something that evolved during hiatus from Incubus?

BB: Sons of the Sea was a pretty spontaneous reaction to Incubus taking an indefinite period of time off. There was a part of me that was excited about the chance to stay home and just surf and paint, but the reality was that after about two weeks I was being flooded with song ideas and needed a place to unload them. Brendan O’Brien (record producer to The Fray, Pearl Jam, AC/DC, Rage Against the Machine, Bruce Springsteen, etc.) happened to have a serendipitously timed period in between working on albums as well so we decided to finally make good on many years of threatening to write songs together.

YFM: Does Sons of the Sea have any festivals, concerts or shows booked soon where you'll be performing?

BB: At the beginning of this year we played a handful of shows on the east and west coast and it was a blast. It was a really new and fun experience and the audiences that came out very much seemed to embrace the creative leaps that were being taken. I'd love to perform live with Sons of the Sea more, and in different places, but being an indie project has some serious logistical limitations. What I need is a sugar daddy or a "patron" of the arts to help finance a tour. 

YFM: Where and when was the video filmed?

BB: We filmed it about two hours from LA at a very strange but very cool set that looks a lot like what I'd imagine a lunar base would resemble. A lunar base that was built by someone who used to deal drugs, that is. The second day was filmed at Dumont Dunes in California. 

YFM: Was there any theme or vision you and the production team were aiming for and why?

BB: Brantley Gutierrez and I have made a bunch of videos together and as a result we usually don't have much of an idea of what we're going to do heading into our projects. We'll have an idea or an outline, but then once we start that usually gets overshadowed by spontaneous magical interventions. This video was no different. The level of stunning beauty around us that day made it easy to make though, I have to say.

YFM: What is next for Brandon Boyd, Sons of the Sea or any of your art and music ventures?

BB: Getting myself ready for a couple of art shows in support of my newest book So The Echo; most likely in and around Europe. Incubus will likely be writing for another offering soon and maybe Sons of the Sea will impress someone somewhere enough that they'll invite us for a Yacht tour around the Mediterranean.   

Do I smell a new Incubus album sooner than expected? It goes without saying the man is busy and driven with his artistic passions. Do yourself a favor check out the video, pick up the album and grab a copy of So the Echo. And if anyone knows a sugar daddy…excuse me…“patron” of the arts…send them Boyd’s way.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtqcTIf40RE

-YourFriendMatt

While You Were Gone...

Holy Crap! I am so excited! Here it is! We made a 3 minute short film!

I can't believe that I still get to do creative things surrounded by the people I love who in return continue to push me to do more creative things. I am one of the luckiest and richest dudes on the planet. Please watch, share, laugh, hate it, love it and let us know what you think!

Also, if you have not already done so please check out some of the other shorts we have done under the "I Write and Act" tab on YourFriendMatt.com or at our YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/BrokenSoundRecording.

Thank you all for anything and everything you do!

Stay positive. Smile. Have fun and screw 'em.

-YourFriendMatt

Ol' Trusty...Part Two...

“Oh man. No way. This can’t be happening.” we softly uttered as the engine seized… 

Our band had been invited to play an event for a rock radio station in Philadelphia. We hadn’t played together in almost a year, we had no new material to showcase, some of us moved to other states and we would only be able to get one rehearsal in…we went for it. We missed each other and needed a excuse to play music together again. Besides, we are professionals right? We would all remember the lyrics, harmonies and parts after a hour of rehearsing right? Sure - it's like riding a bike - 'we got this' repeats over and over again in my head.

I landed back in Philadelphia to rehearse, caught up over some beers, packed up and we were on our way. Chris and I drove our ramshackle van full of equipment while the other guys went separately due to prior obligations. When we get together we think we are invincible and even at our age, which is closer to 30 that 20, we find ourselves reverting to our adolescent mindsets. Even the worst ideas seem probable after we all convince one another it's possible. Case in point - driving our band van, which is literally falling apart, 20+ miles to Philadelphia. 

Our final destination...if we make it there...

We got this...

Right before we departed there was a (very) quick conversation about the  possibility of the van not making it. Back up plan? Nope. “She is going to make it! There is no other option!” We decided as we all raised a toast to the van that has gotten us around the world and back. “Here goes nothing.” Chris whispered in a moment of clarity “Okay Ol’ Trusty…all you have to do is get us there. We will take it from there.” caressing the steering wheel. I turn and place my hand on the dusty dashboard. "We got this."

There was traffic so we decided to make our into New Jersey and then cut back over into Philadelphia from there. This made sense if you were driving a vehicle that was well maintained and knew it was going to get your to your final destination. In our case though this was a tricky maneuver. If the van died in New Jersey we were screwed. We crossed the bridge from Delaware in to New Jersey and all was going well. As we had reached the crest of the bridge there was a loud, unnerving bang. Where did it come from? Chris and I side-glanced at each other. “Did you feel that?” I asked. “It’s nothing! Ol’ Trusty will get us there!” Chris responded and then it happened - the van shut off. Died. We were motionless at the crest of the bridge like a roller coaster at the top of its track. “No way!” We both barked “Start rocking forward and hopefully we can coast down the rest of the bridge!” We rocked and pushed and then she went. The centrifugal force and gravity started to pull us into New Jersey as we coasted with a dead van full of equipment. “Oh man! Do the brakes still work?” as I turn to Chris who is throwing an open container out the window. He responds “Man! This is probably an awful time to tell you that the van is uninsured!” We both scream held each other and pray for the best as we careened towards the garden state.

Frantically, Chris pumps the brakes as we whiz by a colorful "New Jersey Welcomes You" sign. We were running out of road fast as we see our lane was coming to an end. "Woo! The shit hit the fan quick on this one, baby!" Chris yells and he jerks the wheel steering us into another lane. I could see there was a fork in the road at the end of the bridge. "Aim for that shoulder man! If we can land there we'll be fine!" I point as I pull out my phone to document with a quick social media post...and to send to the rest of our band to keep them up to date with our current whereabouts. What? If we are going down like this I want social media to know we went out in glory. "Already ahead of you!" Chris responds as our ship starts to course correct towards the fork 's shoulder. 

With a screech of the tires, a cloud of black road dust and a touch of luck we land on the shoulder of the road. We wipe the sweat from our brows and slowly turn to look at each other in awe. After a wide-eyed, jaw dropped pause of amazement we slowly crack smiles. "Holy shit! We did it!" Double checking my phone for the video playback. "Damn straight we did. Now, lets fix this beast." Chris motions to me exiting the drivers seat to pop the hood. In a few moments, along with a a lot of cursing, hitting the engine with hammers and readjusting battery connections we were back on the road.

"I don't know? Should we hit it with a hammer?" - Matt & Chris

The rest of the ride was steady besides a few pops and sputters. We made it to the venue in time to load in, sound check and grab a brew together. The show went on and we had a blast seeing all our family, friends and creating memories. See…like I said…we got this.

-YourFriendMatt

While You Were Gone...

I am so excited to announce we are going to be releasing another short film on August 1, 2014! It's under three minutes! We are always looking for new hurtles to jump and to push our creativity. Trying to get a point across in three minutes is a challenge but I am proud of this outcome.

Above is a quick trailer about the film. We submitted this to a film contest here in California and no matter what the result this is another project of love and passion. Create because you love it, you get to make your friends laugh and screw what everyone has to say. Please check it out and let us know what you think! Thank you for everyone's continued support and love! 

The Return of Owls...

Some would say it is about time and way over due. We can all relax now, it’s finally here and fans could not be more excited. Owls have released their sophomore album ‘TWO’after a 13-year hiatus, through independently owned Polyvinyl Records. Back in action and touring the globe Owls is a super group of progressive, emo and pop rock royalty. Featuring Tim Kinsella, Mike Kinsella, Victor Villarreal and Sam Zurick from groups Cap’n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Owen, American Football and The Promise Ring, Owls second album marks a more defined, mature and confident sound.

An hour before the doors a line has already formed for the die hard fans who wish to claim their spot on the standing room only floor, and as they take the stage, the crowd goes ballistic. With a simple, soft spoken “It’s good to be back”from smiling singer Tim Kinsella the band breaks into their title track from TWO “Four Works of Art”—a slow-paced, riff driven rocker that allows the band to groove and fans time to watch Owls musicianship. They flawlessly transition to their single from TWO “I’m Surprised”with Kinsella’s trademark eccentric vocal stylings. The club participates with Owls call and response choruses and metaphorical lyrics.

For the rest of the set Owls transition from one progressive emo track to another showing that their was no rust to shake off from their hiatus. They are as energetic and captivating as they were a decade ago…if not more. Check out Owls in a city near you this summer and pick up TWO as soon as humanly possible if you know what is good for you.

An Evening with Into It. Over It...

Welcome to the one-man show. Catch him slinging his vinyl records, hoodies and t-shirts at his merch stand then transition to social butterfly before hitting the stage to put on a flawless performance of emotional rock songs to which everyone can relate. Is this person a superhero you ask? No. This person is Evan Weiss of Into It. Over It., and Weiss has a long history of performing that dates way back to his high school years in Cherry Hill, NJ. Into It. Over It. has played as a full band but these days primarily tours as solo act.

Tonight Into It. Over It. is solo and Weiss is preparing for the crowd at the iconic Roxy on the Sunset Strip. As the curtain rises Weiss cracks a joke about how he thought it was going to open sideways; before ripping into the intro riff from the title track “New North-Side Air”off the new album Intersections. It’s Weiss’emotion and honesty that make his live shows so damn compelling. There’s an electricity to Into It. Over It. and Weiss commands every lyric, drawing his audience in. When the chorus hits you can’t help but get involved chanting and belting every unforgettable melody. Weiss has a magic about him that allows Into It. Over It. to bring its audience into the inner circle of participation.

After the show, we were able to get a word with Weiss who gave us a loose update on a possible new EP or LP coming out with a member of fellow tour mates OWLS. “I can’t really say as of now because I don’t want any rumors to start but it will be cool,”Weiss said, smiling. Sounds like we should be on the look out…but we’re not here to start rumors either.

Ol' Trusty...Part One...

"Dude, this could be her last ride. It's only right we take her." I said to Chris convincing him to take the dilapitated band van to our most recent show.

Throughout the years music has taken me across the nation and back. I consider these some of the most formative years of my life. When you are 1,400 miles from home, have no money, everything you own is broken or smelly you learn a thing or two. Since my friends and I started playing music we have destroyed every one of my mom's cars, most of my friend's parents cars, every one of our own cars, vans bought strictly for the band (old or new) and now we have a hand-me-down 2005 Ford FreeStar.

The band van is a beautiful thing. It's your safe house. Office. Board Room. Mobile home. Sales force..makeshift acoustic performance stage...salvation and worst nightmare. I've learned more about  auto repair on the side of the highway...at night...in a state I've never been too...with 18-wheelers whizzing by...underage...in the snow...than I ever will in a driveway. All in all seeing new things from a bench seat in a busted van was one of my favorite parts of the journey.

Up until this point of my life preforming has been something I have always done. I have had a chance to play with some great musicians in Los Angeles since my move but haven't hit a stage in a few months. When my old band got a call from the biggest rock radio stations in Philadelphia to preform live we all went for it. I landed in Philadelphia the day before the show and we ran through our normal setlist, caught up and went home to get a good night sleep.

We gathered on the day of the show at Chris' house to get a plan together. We needed to figure out how we were going to get our equipment to the show. Take separate cars? No, that is lame. Then it dawned on us (well at least me) that the old band van was still sitting out front.

Side-note: A quick back story on this van: It was Chris' families van for years. It has carted him and his siblings to countless karate and basketball tournaments. As the years progressed the air conditioning eventually gave up resulting in too many summer adventures with both sliding doors open...including a trip all the way to Outer Banks, NC from Swedesboro, NJ with the doors open. I know the van has been in at least one accident on the highway and after that they gave it to Chris...who never fixed the headlight. Why bother? Something is also wrong with the battery connection so we had to carry around a little wrench to undo the positive connection to the battery everywhere we went. We would show up to work, pop the hood and unhook the battery...besides all that...this van is a gem and we wouldn't have it any other way. One more thing, it looks like this on the inside...

"Dude! Let's take the van!" I screech cracking an ice cold Pabst. "I don't know man, I haven't started her in months." Chris says turning to me. "Dude, this could be her last ride. It's only right we take her. Who knows when we will do this again!" Sipping and spitting beer everywhere. Chris shrugs with a half-assed sigh and we make our way outside to check out the van.

She sits on the street waiting for us to come check her out. She hasn’t been moved in months and there is a layer of yellow and brown dust pollen covering her exterior. One of the tires is just about flat but we know we can make it to the gas station to fill it back up. As we peer in the back tinted windows we see our previous filth from the last ride…and its disgusting…just the way we like it. “Let’s pop the hood and connect the battery!” Chris yells getting more energized remembering all the good times we have had in this beauty.

There was a zap of blue electric that shocked us as we reattached the positive connection to the battery. “Yes!” We belted with a second wind of excitement. This was a good sign and we both knew it. Chris ripped open the driver side door ready with his keys and turned the ignition. She turned over with a sputter, pop - and finally roared like a dying old bird…our dying old bird. “Well boys I guess we know how we're are getting to the show! Let’s start packing!”

We packed, drank the last of our beers and decided it was time to head to Philadelphia. Half of our band had to drive separate due to obligations after the show and work the next morning. This was no big deal - Chris and I found it poetic. We had started a lot of bands together and worked on more music than either of us could remember. We had no idea when we would get the chance to drive to preform together again so it made sense to us that the rock gods aligned the stars this way. It was like we were 17 again.

To be continued...

YourFriendMatt

Hey! I'm on a Podcast...

On a recent visit home I was able to check in with my friend Paul over at Questlab Podcasts. He was nice enough to think what I had to say would be funny for his show. So what did I do? We all got drunk, got in the studio and you can hit play to see what happened. Pretty sure we discussed my Wawa tattoo, the happenings of my move to Los Angeles and our adventures of the new taxi-like Apps like Uber and Lyft. Check it out, download and share with friends. 

YourFriendMatt