Today, we go back to Canada and visit with Andy from The Riptides for his best/worst of the year.
My BEST / WORST 2012 
BEST:
5. “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
4. Jack Huston as “Richard Harrow” (“Boardwalk Empire”)
3. “Skyfall”
2. “The Walking Dead” (AMC)
1. Obama re-elected

WORST:
5. Unnecessary remakes like “Total Recall” and “Red Dawn”
4. Deaths of Gore Vidal and Adam “MCA” Yauch
3. NHL Lockout
2. NHL Lockout
1. NHL Lockout

Happy Halloween!!! Here’s The Riptides’ brand new SPOOKY FUN video for “I Don’t Wanna go to the Movies” - a new song off their upcoming limited 7-inch split with The Apers called “What About the Monster?” ENJOY!!!

Andy Vandal of THE RIPTIDES contributes his favorites of the year:

Ricky Gervais hosting the Golden Globes
He was so controversial in the 2011 ceremony with his skewering of Hollywood egos, they asked for him to come back and host in 2012. Genius.


“Game of Thrones” (TV / Books)
Admittedly, I was late to the table in discovering George R. R. Martin’s brilliant series “A Song of Fire and Ice.” But after watching the exceptional HBO series, I dove into the novels and I am now consumed by them like wildfire on the Blackwater Rush. Winter is Coming.


Seal Team Six’s Dog
The Team that silenced Osama had help from a four legged friend that served to detect explosives, protect the soldiers and locate Bin Laden himself. That’s just awesome. The President thought so and insisted on thanking the dog personally.


“Ron Swanson” (Nick Offerman) from NBC’s “Parks and Recreation”
One of the funniest characters on TV.


Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins)
It’s hard to remember an NHL goalie who has dominated a season as Thomas did in his 2010/11 campaign. Vezina Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy (ie: league MVP), Stanley Cup winner, NHL 1st-line All-Star. 2011 was HIS year. And he did it all with a smile on his face.


“Breaking Bad”, “Walking Dead”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “Game of Thrones”, “Sons of Anarchy”
Best dramas on TV.


“Modern Family”, “Happy Endings”, “Louie”, “Community”
Best comedies on TV.


Dan Aykroyd’s “Crystal Head” vodka
No, this has nothing to do with the disastrous “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” - this is simply a vodka that Mr. Ghostbuster has packaged into an insanely awesome crystal skull. Made in Newfoundland too, eh!


And lastly, this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw

The two RIPTIDES split 7 inches with the DWARVES and the QUEERS are now available. Both are limited to 500 and come on fancy swirled colored vinyl. These will never be re-pressed. Once they are gone, they are gone for good. It is highly likely that these will be sold out by the end of the month, so if you are a vinyl collector then get these collector items before it’s too late.

Buy them here!

THE RIPTIDES TO RELEASE SPLIT 7“‘s WITH THE QUEERS AND THE DWARVES + NEW SONGS STREAMING!!!

The two separate splits, “Stillborn in the USA” (with THE DWARVES) and “Buy It You Scum” (with THE QUEERS), are set to be released in December. Both of these records will be limited to 500 copies each. More details to come on the vinyl…

In the meantime, stream the new tracks “Wise Up” and “Agent Silhouette” on THE RIPTIDES‘ Facebook page. Click here to check out the songs and keep up to date with the band on Facebook!

Catch THE QUEERS on their last tour of 2011!

Nov 17th- St. Augustine, FL @ Nobby’s (AA)
Nov 18th- West Palm Beach, FL @ Respectable St. (18+)
Nov 19th- Orlando, FL @ Backbooth (AA)
Nov 20th- Tampa, FL @ The Crowbar (AA)
Nov 21st- Panama City, FL @ A&M Theatre (AA)
Nov 22nd- New Orleans, LA @ Siberia (18+)
Nov 23rd- Houston, TX @ Fitzgeralds (AA)
Nov 25th- Austin, TX @ Emos (AA)
Nov 26th- San Antonio, TX @ The White Rabbit (AA)
Nov 27th- Fort Worth, TX @ Lola’s (AA)
Nov 28th- Oklahoma City, OK @ The Blue Note (21+)
Nov 29th- Hot Springs, AR @ Maxine’s (21+)
Nov 30th- Springfield, MO @ Lindberg’s (21+)
Dec 1st- Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room (AA)
Dec 2nd- Denver, CO @ The Gothic Theatre (AA)
Dec 3rd- Salt Lake City, UT @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge (21+)
Dec 4th- Bozeman, MT @ The Filling Station (21+)
Dec 5th- Casper, WY @ Hall of Champions (AA)
Dec 6th- Rapid City, SD @ Skullets (AA)
Dec 7th- Fargo, ND @ Nestor’s Tavern (21+)
Dec 8th- Minneapolis, MN @ The Triple Rock (18+)
Dec 9th- Madison, WI @ The Frequency (18+)
Dec 10th- St Louis, MO @ The Firebird (AA)
Dec 11th- Anniston, AL @ The Smokin’ Moose (just The Queers)  

AA = All Ages
*All dates Nov 17th-Dec10th w/ Knock-out*
**Nov 27th-Dec 5th w/ Reno Divorce (excluding Dec 1st)
***Nov 25th w/ Lower Class Brats (one night only)

THE APERS ON TOUR WITH THE QUEERS!!!

Traveling all the way from Rotterdam, The Netherlands, THE APERS are finally in the states, on tour with THE QUEERS, sharing with us their brand of good old snotty pop punk. Get out to a show and show them some love!!!

01.16.11-Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits*
01.18.11-Richmond, VA @ The Camel*
01.19.11-Washington, DC @ Black cat*
01.20.11-Philadelphia, PA @ The Barbary*
01.21.11-Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s*
01.22.11-New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge*
01.23.11-Cambridge, MA @ T T The Bear’s Place*
01.24.11-Portland, ME @ Geno’s Rock Club*
01.26.11-Quebec, QC, CAN @ I’Agitee**
01.27.11-Ottawa, ON, CAN @ Mavericks**
01.28.11-Toronto, ON, CAN @ Horseshow Tavern**
01.29.11-London, ON, CAN @ Call The Office**
01.30.11-Buffalo, NY @ The Mohawk Place*
02.01.11-Toledo, OH @ Frankie’s*
02.02.11-Columbus, OH @ Bernie’s Distillery*
02.03.11-Huntington, WV @ Shamrock’s Pub*
02.04.11-Asheville, NC @ The Get Down*
02.05.11-Atlanta, GA @ Star Community Bar*
*-with the Queers
**-with the Queers and the Riptides

You can buy their album, “You Are Only As Strong as the Table You Dance On,” HERE.

Interview with The Riptides

THE RIPTIDES perform “Drugstore” with Dwarves lead singer Blag Dahlia at Bottom of the Hill / San Francisco - 11/27/10

Get more updates direct from the band on facebook!

Happy Wednesday!
THE QUEERS begin a 6 week tour starting tomorrow in beautiful Pensacola, FL..  Along for the ride are the beloved KEPI GHOULIE and the GHOULTONES.  I just made up the ghoultones because Kepi is coming in with a full band playing the ROCK N’ ROLL and the other guys and girl should have a name.  And for the first time in a long time, our friends the RIPTIDES from eastern Canada will play their RAMONES influenced punk rock to us AMERICANS.  YAY!!!

It’s gonna be a fun tour as I patiently wait for their arrival in San Francisco in exactly 17 days.  Please do us a favor and help spread the word about the QUEERS coming to your town.  As always, we rely on word of mouth for everything, so please help get the news out.
THE QUEERS, KEPI GHOULIE, THE RIPTIDES-ROCKET TO AMERICA TOUR 2010
11.11.10-Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
11.12.10-New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
11.13.10-Houston, TX @ Fitzgeralds
11.14.10-Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock
11.16.10-San Antonio, TX @ Korova
11.17.10-Austin, TX @ Red Seven
11.18.10-Denton, TX @ The Boller Room
11.19.10-Oklahoma City, TX @ The Conservatory
11.20.10-Albuquerque, NM @ the Launch Pad
11.21.10-Tempe, AZ @ Chasers
11.23.10-San Diego, CA @ Casbah
11.24.10-Victorville, CA @ Victorville Events Center
11.26.10-Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
11.27.10-San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
11.28.10-Santa Cruz, CA @ Blue Lagoon
11.29.10-Stockton, CA @ Plea For Peace Center
11.30.10-Sacramento, CA @ Plea For Peace Youth Center
12.01.10-Porland, OR @ Dante’s
12.03.10-Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
12.04.10-Spokane, WA @ Cretin Hop
12.05.10-Billings, MT @ Railyard
12.07.10-Denver, CO @ The Marquis Theater
12.08.10-Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
12.09.10-Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
12.10.10-Madison, WI @ Frequency
12.11.10-Chicago, IL @ Reggies Rock Club
12.12.10-Detroit, MI @ Small’s
12.14.10-Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
12.15.10-Newport, KY @ The Southgate House
12.16.10-St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
12.17.10-Paducah, KY @ Gamers Paradise

In about 4 hrs I’ll be leaving for STOCKTON, California where our non-profit art space the PLEA FOR PEACE FOUNDATION will host the ALKALINE TRIO.  Pretty darn exciting to be honest.  I’m looking forward to seeing my friends play a 350 capacity room.  If any of you are coming, please say hello.  I’ll be the asian man.

And finally, the METHADONES play their last show ever this Saturday at REGGIE’S in Chicago.  Please give them a strong farewell.
be well friends.
peace, mike park

CONTEST: OPEN FOR THE QUEERS!!!

Hey guys, don’t forget that there is still one week left to get in your submissions for your band to open up for THE QUEERS on their Rocket To America Tour this fall, featuring KEPI GHOULIE and THE RIPTIDES.

We are now running this contest with the help of Punknews.org, and the rules have changed ever so slightly. Here are the contest details, again:

The following contest is for your band to open for the queers. We will have a virtual talent contest. Just send us a link to your music whether it be myspace, facebook, youtube.. or whatever. But nothing to be downloaded. And the punknews staff will pick a winner in each city on this tour. Take a look at the tour dates below and if you are from any of the following cities(or close by) then go ahead and submit your band to open the show.

THE PRIZES
an opening slot for one show with the QUEERS, KEPI GHOULIE, and THE RIPTIDES. each winner will also receive a prize pack consisting of QUEERS T-SHIRTS, CD’S, and POSTERS

RULES
Open to all bands who are local to the cities on tour.
Send an email to queers@punknews.org
Punknews.org will only contact you if you win.
You also give us permission to use your band name and city when announcing the winners.
All entries must be received by September 27th.
Each entry needs to send a link to their music, but nothing to be downloaded. Easiest thing to do is send us to your myspace player.

FORM should have the following:
BAND NAME
EMAIL ADDRESS
STREET ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP CODE
MUSIC LINK
DESIRED TOUR DATE

We are getting more and more entries every day. So don’t miss out!

ASIAN MAN RECORDS: VOL.1
We are really excited to put this up for you. We been working hard on it and we hope you like it as much as we do. 
Pretty much this is a collection of all our favorite music (new and not so new) that has inspired us here at Asian Man Records. It’s great and crazy because this is what we are surrounded with. 
Click on the picture for your free download, this one is on us.

Here the track listing:
1. TOGETHER ON THE GROUND - THE WILD
2. CAN I PAY MY RENT IN FUN? - BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
3. SLOW CAR CRASH - CLASSICS OF LOVE
4. HUNG UP - THE RIPTIDES
5. …BUT THEN SHE SMILES - THE APERS
6. NO GOOD EGGS - KEVIN SECONDS
7. COLD EMBRACE - NOISE BY NUMBERS 
8. THE PRETTY ONE - LAURA STEVENSON AND THE CANS
9. AS THE CROW FLIES - SUNDOWNER
10. PAPER BAG (SPILLING) - JAAKE MARGO
11. S.O.S - SKIBA
12. BYE BYE BRAIN - KEPI GHOULIE
13. AIN’T EVERYTHING - MUGWUMPS
14. HOT LUNCH - MONKEY
15. MAX’S MANKINI - THE HOT TODDIES
16. LONG DAY - SMOKING POPES
17. OR DOES IT EXPLODE? - FOR.THE.WIN.
18. CREATIVE DESTRUCTION - THE MAX LEVINE ENSEMBLE
19. SENSE, SENSIBILITY - ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD

Leo Henderson approves.

CONTEST: OPEN FOR THE QUEERS!

THE QUEERS w/ special guests KEPI GHOULIE and the RIPTIDES present: ROCKET TO AMERICA TOUR 2010

Ok, since it’s no secret that the QUEERS love the RAMONES, we’ve decided it would be great to have bands do a cover of their favorite RAMONES song. Here’s the info. we need from you:

-Send us a link to your band doing a cover of a RAMONES song. It can be from a live show via you tube or a ghetto recording posted on myspace. Please do not spend money trying to record something fancy. Any ghetto recording will do. And please don’t attach a wav file, just a link to the song. And do not send more than one song for us to check out.
-Please list the show that you are applying for.(Only one show per band) And that goes for the unconfirmed cities too. Please apply only for your hometown market. The purpose of this is to give a boost to the local music scene, so if you are from San Francisco, please don’t apply for the HOLLYWOOD show.
-When sending your info., please email gabe@asianmanrecords.com Do not reply to this email. Submissions not to Gabe will get tossed in the trash.

Ok, that’s the info. we need. As for how we are deciding the winners?? Well, I’m not quite sure. I’m thinking of doing some kind of online voting, but I’m not 100% sure yet. But wanted to at least open the door for submissions.

-The deadline to submit stuff is September 17th.
We will have all the winners announced by September 22nd.
The winning bands will receive a QUEERS prize package that includes a copy of their new album, button, and t-shirt for each member of the selected bands.
Below is a list of the confirmed shows and the unconfirmed shows. Again, please only apply if you are a local band in one of these markets.

CONFIRMED SHOWS:
NOVEMBER
11th-Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
12th-New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
13th-Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
14th-Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock
16th-San Antonio, TX @ Korova
17th-Austin, TX @ Red Seven
18th-Denton, TX @ The Boller Room
19th-Oklahoma City, TX @ The Conservatory
20th-Albuquerque, NM @ the Launch Pad
21st-Tempe, AZ @ Chaser’s
23rd-San Diego, CA @ Casbah
26th-Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
27th-San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill


UNCONFIRMED SHOWS:
WED 11/24/10 Riverside or Pomona or Las Vegas or TBA - not sure where yet
SUN 11/28/10 Santa Cruz or SAN JOSE
MON 11/29/10 Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo
TUE 11/30/10 Sacramento
WED 12/1/10 Chico or Reno or Redding
THU 12/2/10 Portland
FRI 12/3/10 Seattle
SAT 12/4/10 Boise
SUN 12/5/10 Sat Lake City
MON 12/6/10 off
TUE 12/7/10 Denver
WED 12/8/10 Omaha or Lawrence
THU 12/9/10 Minneapolis
FRI 12/10/10 Madison
SAT 12/11/10 Chicago
SUN 12/12/10 Waterloo
MON 12/13/10 Detroit
TUE 12/14/10 Cleveland
WED 12/15/10 Newport
THU 12/16/10 ST Louis
FRI 12/17/10 Paducah
SAT 12/18/10 Atlanta