Shot on iPhone 8 Plus
I took a few weeks off from creating playlist and writing. A lot has happened in the few weeks, but the quest for good jams never stops. Here is a quick list I have been playing non-stop on Apple Music.
-YourFriendMatt
It's Miller Time...
This week's list is interesting. We have some different kinds of rock. Milk Teeth bring the older vibes of 90's grunge, while Bilmuri brings almost a Cure-eske flavor to the mix.
And, of course, with the celebration of Dude Ranch turning 20 this week, I had to throw in an old Blink track.
Music Saves.
-YourFriendMatt
Los Angeles, CA
I don't think this weeks playlist can get any more pop-punk. We have some catchy new jams for you; including the kings of pop-punk, New Found Glory, the Brooklyn-based stylings of The Traditional (very reminiscent of The Wonder Years), along with new Direct Hit! Plus a bonus 30-second track...
Music save. Listen, share and enjoy!
-YourFriendMatt
Check this off the bucket list...
Earlier this week I checked "get guest listed at a Blink 182 show" off the bucket list so this weeks playlist recaps the bands I saw that night!
It's like 2003 all over again!
Here is this weeks installment of the Friday 6-pack. You know I love the alternative jams (and Blink). This one starts out with something tasty from Pup, has a tasty jam from an unknown Jersey band Save Face, and ends smooth with a poppy, soothing sounds of a new band for me, Bad Suns.
-YourFriendMatt
Great few days for music for me...and everyone. New Descendents! New Blink! And a couple other older jams that I have been driving around to over the last week. This is a short 6-song power pack to get your Friday off, or ended, in an energetic place! Enjoy, listen & share!
-YourFriendMatt
"Holy shit, I moved across the country 2 years ago today." - Me.
This week, 2 years ago, Jamie and I woke up to what would be any other typical sunny California morning to an empty apartment. Except on this morning we could not have felt more out of place. We slept on a air mattress, had no idea where anything was and the pressure of getting it figured out quickly was upon us. What else were we do to do? Go get coffee.
This was the first photo I took as a Santa Monica citizen...
From there we decided to go max out my credit card on buying a bed and max out her Target card buying all the stupid shit you need for a home...such as tupperware, bath room rugs, extension cords, cleaning supplies etc. Such a bummer to see how much all it cost and realize you are an adult. There was nothing fun on this receipt...but I do love having tupperware for left overs.
But, that was year one. This year was all about figuring out who we are and exploring our surrounding. We kicked the year off celebrating with friends and getting too drunk to remember! We drove up the coast to San Fransisco and it took forever! Someone broke in, I got promoted and we saw the Phillies lose to the Dodgers. I got stuck in the airport for 2 days, we found Randy’s donuts and stayed in an airstream in the middle of Malibu.
I was able to start recording with bands and play shows in historic venues like Whiskey A Go-Go, The Mint and The Viper Room. We found Marty McFly’s house and hung out at the Pawnee Municipal building…its in Pasadena…not Indiana. We became Disneyland Passholders and have gone as often as possible…celebrating most holidays and birthdays there. I even spent Back to the Future day there and then watched all three movies back to back.
We have explored museums, found Santa Barbara and Laguna Beach. We almost died on a mountain and found some of our favorite restaurants. We were able to catch Back to the Future on the big screen at The Hollywood Bowl with a full orchestra. My mom and sister came for a visit and Jamie and Liv got piercings in Venice…that then got infected and neither of them currently have them in. Met Travis Barker our from of their show at the Roxy. I was able to shoot a music video with a band and I even got to see The Movielife in Ponoma for their reunion show.
We have made a lot of memories this year, while experiencing the up’s, downs and b-sides of what life has to offer. I look forward to seeing where we are next year…and how many more memories we can make.
-YourFriendMatt
Throwing it back this week to the fathers of pop punk. Without these guys my life would be a lot different. I didn't pay them any attention while I was listening to blink, green day, weezer and NFG in my adolescence, but I have grown an appreciation for them now. Give this a listen on your Friday afternoon and I guarantee you can take on that 3pm wanna-take-a-nap Fever.
Yeah. I have a Blink 182 tattoo.
Fuck Tom! No. Wait. Fuck Mark! Or is Travis an asshole? Who should I be pissed at?
If you haven't heard, and care about Blink 182 at all, Tom (kind of) quit the band. Or didn't? It all seems very confusing as of now as more news and allusive Instagram, Facebook and Twitter post keep coming out from the band. This is basically a 27-year-old, pop punk loving dudes worst case scenario of a soap opera.
On Monday one of my half-bearded millennial friends ran up to me asking if I had heard the news. One of my childhood (and life long) favorite bands has made some horrible announcements. Evidently Blink 182 can't get their shit together and Tom quit; then quickly posted that he didn't.
The Breakdown of Blink-Gate 1/26-1/28 as I see it:
1/26 - 12:01pm - KROQ posts article that Tom quit the band...but Matt Skiba will be filling in.
Matt Skiba replaces Tom...Photo from that one weird Matt Skiba album...Wait? Which one? I don't know either.
1/26 - 12:02pm - I cry uncontrollably.
Handsome.
1/26 - 1:34pm - Tom post instagram picture of some overweight Tron guy and says he "Never quit the band."
Pretty sure Tom was actually abducted by aliens in the early 2000's. Remember when his voice changed? And he didn't talk about dicks anymore? AND...this guys dick. You definitely looked. What the fuck is going on there? Good dick, dude!
1/26 - 1:35pm - 9PM - I am happy and I look forward to new Blink music and the future and my life rules.
1/26 - 9pm - Rolling Stone, somehow, has more connections than me and was able to get an interview with Travis and Mark, where they call Tom out for being a boner.
Basically what is going on now. It is crazy how history repeats itself...except now they both have $60 million each...Oh! What money does. Bring back the lip rings, tall socks and backwards/sideway FlexFits...
1/26 - 9pm - 1/27 - 12:27am - The next day - I am inconsolable. Basically and human mess-ball of emotion. I put on my Batman pajamas and drink till I pass out on the couch.
1/27 - 12:27am - Tom tweets and then deletes "Don't pretend there isn't more to the story." With another comment about kicking out Travis.
1/27 - 9:28am - Radio silence...for now...I think all is lost...I start playing my favorite Blink songs...but then...
1/27 - 3:37pm - Tom writes open letter to fans about his side of the story.
I miss the old Blink. The Blink that got naked with its friends and ran around being a bunch of foul-mouth hooligans. This is what I based my entire life from. Boys, get your shit together, have fun, be happy and go do what you do best. Bring smiles to everyone through music or antics. I get it, you have other commitments but come on. Get aligned. I have no idea what to do now. I am going back to bed and listening to Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Not the music. Just the last 30 tracks of dick jokes..
For your viewing pleasure. The year was 2000 and all was right with the world.
-YourFriendMatt
I love you mom!
Dear Mom,
Thanks for always being there for me when I was acting like a dickhead (and still act like a dickhead, I'm still learning). I am the luckiest dude on the planet. Your guidance, no bullshit attitude, and love have molded me into the person I am today. Thanks for always driving us to shows which ultimately led to destroying every car you owned. Thanks for letting us use the basement (and essentially the entire house) as one big rehearsal and jam space for me and ALL my friends. Thanks for being a taxi service. Thanks for buying all those Capri Suns and fruit snacks (Ry and Chris are still sorry they ate all the ones from the 9/11 survival pack). Thanks for letting me host all those New Years Eve parties. Sorry about Ian pulling his pants down and running down the street screaming "Suck my ass!"...we still talk about that and Ry and Bj are still terrified of making you mad. Thanks for letting me play music as loud and as awful as I wanted. Thanks for taking us to Blink 182 (Bj and I still talk about it to this day) at such an early age, buying me all those instruments, letting me dye my hair orange, blue and pink...and thanks for letting me wear those blue plaid pants in 7th grade. Remember taking grandma into Hot Topic? Thanks for surprising us with The Nightmare Before Christmas that one time I think in third grade. Pete and I were so excited and watched it an estimated billion times that weekend. Thanks for always doing anything you could to surprise us or make something special no matter what. Thanks for being organized and precise with everything we did. Thanks for always caring and pulling all the parents together when we decided we were going to go on our first tour. Just the other day Ry and I were talking about it. Thanks for letting me dress up as Dick Tracy, Bill Wilkins, and Batman when we went grocery shopping. All the birthdays, gifts, countless hours you spent on something I took for granted at the time mean so much to me now. Thank you.
I know a lot was put on your plate when we were young and I want you to know how much I appreciate and love you for being as strong as you are. Thanks for being both my mom and dad when I needed you to be. I know I can always turn to you with anything and you will be there for me. It's days like today I wish I wasn't 3,000 miles away and could give you a hug (I can't wait until you come out for a visit).
I love you mom and I want you to relax and enjoy the day. Stop working so hard...maybe that's where I get it from...
Love you so much Mom!
-Matt
