It Seems This Orgy Is in Fact an Intervention

Alright, I’ve got this. I’m prepared. Rolling up to the regularly scheduled orgy with my clean STD test, 700 or so condoms, some Lubriderm just in case, snacks, hydration, and a Polaroid camera in case anyone wants to look super retro and cool while they’re getting slammed.

You know, as I’m walking in, I figured it would be a lot louder in here. Like the hosts would be blasting Nine Inch Nails or, appropriately, Orgy. And that there would be moaning and screaming and stuff. Instead it’s like, really quiet. Too quiet.

And hey, why the hell is my college roommate here? I haven’t seen him in years. He’s always texting me that he’s “super worried” about me, and that he can’t come to my 4th of July cookout because I “ruin parties.” It’s odd that he would travel all the way here just to get some sweet gangbang action. You’d think he could do that on his own side of town.

Okay, and my ex-girlfriend? What the fuck? Someone should have told me she’d be here, that’s bullshit. The last time we talked, she was crying and trying to flush all my benzos down the toilet. That was the last straw. Do you know how hard it is to get Xanax without a prescription these days?

Wait a minute. This is fucked up. My parents are here, sitting silently on the couch, fully-clothed like everyone else. I’m starting to think that this is not an orgy after all. Everyone keeps looking at me nervously and gesturing for me to sit down because we have to “have a serious conversation about my drug and alcohol abuse.”

I most certainly did not sign up for this garbage. I came here under the pretense that I would be doing sexy naked writhing with a bunch of hot girls and maybe the occasional overweight hairy guy like myself. I did not come here to get chastised by everyone from my past who has no idea how to party. Do they even realize what utter buzzkills they’re being?

You know what? I don’t have to deal with this. They can yell at me and block the door and threaten to 5150 me all they want, but at the end of the day, I’m more than happy to barrel through them all with no remorse because I did several huge lines of blow while driving here. There is zero empathy left in this swiss cheese brain of mine.

Time to go home and get fucking shitfaced!

Kid Magician So Good He’s Balding

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Wunderkind nine-year-old magician Bucky Hancock wowed a crowd of children and parents at his sister Allison’s birthday party in the Altura Park neighborhood Saturday in large part due to his untimely male pattern baldness, blown away sources confirmed.

“I’m amazed at what took place here today. This kid is beyond his years. By age 17 he could be fully bald and working the seven- to nine-year-old circuit,” said audience member Brent Kostlove. “I mean, I really don’t know how he pulled it off. He was so authentic. His tricks were on par with someone who only does magic on weekends to pay child support, his jokes were subtly off-color, and by the end of the show he was almost completely bald. I’m not sure if that was part of the show, but it certainly didn’t hurt the illusion.”

Hancock had been recognized for his unique gift at an early age.

“I’ve been called a prodigy by Magician’s Quarterly magazine and have even been featured on the cover as an ‘illusionist to watch,’” said Hancock while reading a Rogaine label to see if there was an age minimum to use it. “They say that baldness is passed down from your mother’s father. That checks out considering my grandpa was bald at birth and a nationally touring magician by age 8. At first I aspired to become the next David Blaine, but then, as hair loss set in, I realized the local circuit is where I’d most shine.”

Veteran magician Chuff Edwards has seen a lot of kids give magic a try but there’s something really special about Hancock.

“If I had to put it in words, I’d say it’s Bucky’s professional hairline,” said Edwards. “We saw a kid magician the other day who was extremely skilled at the craft, but he had Ryan Gosling-esque hair. It was essentially perfect, so no one took him seriously as a magic purveyor, even though he could literally levitate in his act. With Bucky, he has us hooked the second he enters the stage even though he gets your card wrong half of the time. He’s a pro.”

At press time, the party had broken for pizza while Hancock made balloon animals so uninspired he had every adult convinced he was a world-beaten middle-aged man in disguise.

Trump Just One Indictment Away From Free Hoagie in Courthouse Commissary

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump announced that he is now just one indictment away from receiving a free, six-inch hoagie from the federal courthouse commissary, confirmed members of his legal team.

“While these Radical Left Monsters have INDICATED [sic] the 45th President, me, unjustly and unfairly in THE GREATEST ATTACK IN OUR COUNTRYS HISTORY. Your beloved president now needs just one more hole on his punchcard to get a FREE HOAGIE from the Courthouse Comissary [sic],” Trump wrote on his fledgling echo chamber, Truth Social. “Now watch as Deranged Jack Smith and Nasty Tanya Chutkan try to take my hard earned and frankly PERFECT sandwich away. I will not allow the HIGHLY POLITICAL cafeteria workers refuse my order! ITS TIME TO TAKE OUR HOAGIES BACK!”

Commissary employee Sophia Long described one of the more recent visits from the disgraced president.

“It was shocking at first to see Trump and all the decrepit old people that follow him around aimlessly, but at this point it’s just another Tuesday. It’s kind of sad when Rudy Guiliani begs Trump to buy him some salt and vinegar chips,” said Long before reiterating that the free hoagie is only available at participating courthouses. “As for Trump, he’s always looking for a way to abuse the punch card system. At least once a visit he’ll return to the register and claim that I didn’t actually punch his card the first time. Then he demands that I recuse myself and asks if there are any ‘Trump-appointed’ cashiers here. I have to explain again that it doesn’t work that way and then he just sort of shuffles off.”

Presidential sandwich historian Laurie Conley explained the significance of Trump’s hoagie.

“While Trump’s usual sandwich order of an Italian hoagie with double capicola, drowning in ketchup is disgusting, America has an unfortunately lengthy history of disgraced politicians and god awful sandwich orders,” explained Conley. “Nixon, for instance, ate a cow tongue and horseradish sandwich on his last day as president. And Reagan would spread mushed jellybeans and the tears of the gay Americans he cruelly ignored during the AIDS crisis on white bread.”

At press time, commissary employees revoked and shredded Trump’s punch card after it was revealed he instructed Mark Meadows to purchase a hole puncher from Staples.

50 Cartoon Characters Ranked By How Likely They Are to See the Divine Light of the Kingdom of Heaven

Good morrow, fellows. My name is Piteousness Baille. I am, this year, celebrating my 106th birthday. I am one of the last remaining members of the American neo-Puritan sect, the Holy Order of the Mayflower Compact.

Recently, my great-granddaugther-in-law informed me that her son has become quite fond of cartoons. Silly little drawings that bounce and play hideously with the light. I’ve never cared for them. But I’ve now watched a’pleanty. And I have come here today that I may raise my pen to pass righteous judgment upon the fifty worst sinners in the cartoon canon.

Unfortunately, very few news outlets wished to publish an article condemning the wickedness of animated characters. So I have submitted to this periodical, since I’ve been told by friends that it concerns “punk rock,” which I can only assume is a reference to my dear, late cousin Thou-Shalt-Build-Upon-The-Punkéd-Rock Matherford.

In any event, do read on good fellows. And see which of these drawn-out villains will see paradise and which will be cast into the flame.

50. Scrappy-Doo

I do not believe this creature is ensouled. This heinous beast will be forced to wander the underworld in search of pizza and Scooby snacks as punishment for his abominable ways.

49. Mr. Krabs

A most odious crustacean, Mr. Krabs has spent his wretched life glutting himself on the material comforts of the dollar. He has neglected his only begotten daughter, laid waste to the lives of his employees and burnt the land around him. The only hope for salvation lies in his fitting end. To be served to his customers as a meal. He must be boiled alive to mortify his wicked flesh and purify his greedy soul.

48. Roger the Alien

A drinker, a menace, and a hedonist of the first order, this gray pear-shaped extraterrestrial will doubtlessly be smote by the Lord. The only downside would be that he seems the type to enjoy a good smiting. Filthy thing.

47. Jimmy Neutron

He hath usurped the Creator, reveled in the idolatry of science, built machines in the likenesses of the dog, and familiarized himself with Carl, a tubby child who is covetous of his mother. Jimmy Neutron is a he-witch of the first order. He should be pressed to death for corrupting the cadre of youths he has brought under his spell.

46. Timmy Turner

Speaking of witches, we must address the boy-child with the magical fish. A fairy by any other name is, in fact, an imp. A tiny devil. It is clear that brother Timothy Turner has made a pact with Lucifer by way of the fish and has traded his immortal soul for mastery of magic most foul.

45. Peppa Pig

The split-hoofed one. The she-pig. The child-sow. Her soul contains immeasurable evil. I shudder to think how she wields influence over her minions: Muma Pig and Daddy Pig. She has gripped her hooks into the minds of America’s youth and she won’t let go.

44. Ned Flanders

What is this, you say? Oh-bee-oh-by-oh-bother! Brother Ned? The righteous? The censorious? Cast into everlasting death? Aye, so it is, my brothers and sisters. So it is. For you see, though he plays the virtuous Christ-i-an for the neighborhood and sayeth his prayers by night, Ned Flanders is in fact… left-handed. I think I needn’t say more. The devil doth come in sheep’s clothing after all.

43. Garfield the Cat

Aside from the fact that cats are of the beast to begin with, Garfield is an especially hideous lout. He’s lazy. Slothful. Gluttonous. Wrathful. Filled with pride and pomp and vigor. He’ll be milked like a grape to fill the chalice of Beelzebub. But still, he’s not to blame. For there’s…

42. Jon Arbuckle

His wicked master. Jon is another he-witch of the highest order. He keeps familiars, the cat Garfield, the hell-hound Odie. (Short for Odious, I have scant doubt.) He is a loathsome sort of a man. Lazy, pathetic, dull. Endlessly lustful after the flesh of the female. Specifically, the she-healer, Liz. He is hopeless.

41. Peter Griffin

A boisterous drunkard and a wastrel. Though he lives but an inch from noble poverty, he is content to spend what money he has on tricks and scams and schemes, while the rest of his family is cold and hungry through the wintertime. He should shiver with them. And take each pang of hunger in his bloated belly as a gift.

40. Invader Zim

A being not of this earth, but shaped like the unclean shrimp. He rants and raves and thrashes about madly, screaming about world domination. It is clear he has been tormented by devils. For his own sake, we must put his head in the vice until they leave him be.

39. Bart Simpson

A lad in dire (oh yes, brothers and sisters, I do mean dire) need of a good lashing. It is clear that the fat, ill-humored fingers of his father ‘round his throat have done little to instill morals or values. Desperate measures must be taken. I suggest the dunking stool.

38. Bender

As a mechanical man, he has a mechanical soul and will be sent to mechanical Hell. I have no more words to say for him.

37. Eustace Bagge

This man hath a heart which is black and burdened and twisted. He is cruel to his dog, neglectful to his wife, and unkind to his fellow man. All of these would be fine, of course, but he is also neglectful as a farmer. He is unwilling to work the land and therefore should have no expectation of its graces.

36. Jake the Monkey, et al.

Jake, along with all of his friends, are walking-talking beasts that socialize with the human boy Adam Lyon. Clearly, they are wicked things that have enchanted this lad away from his happy home. Yes, indeed, all of the “My Gym Partner is a Monkey” cast should be burnt. Whether they be talking land-beasts or Slips, the serpent which tempted Adam and Eve.

35. Casper

Oh, you fools. You poor, poor simple fools. There beith no such thing as a friendly ghost. Mark me on that. This poltergeist, this unbaptized boy-phantom, has been cast from G-d’s graces. Now, he haunts the televisions of our children, tempting them unto death. He will need to be purged from the houses and put to rest.

34. Mickey Mouse

I have no idea what tiresome religious order this “House of Mouse” is, and I hope never to. But he is leading a flock of the deceived. Like the Pied Piper, he has led away the children, in the form of his minions: the Mouseketeers.

33. Hello Kitty

This monster should not exist. Cats should not wear little bows. Cats should not wear overalls. Cats should not be able to walk upright and say “hello” to anyone, save a saucer of milk. To this beast, I would much prefer to say goodbye.

32. Peggy Hill

A fiendish woman, Peggy Hill is pride incarnate. She has led her family to disaster on many occasions. To the near brink of financial ruin. But even these misdeeds could be excusable. What I do not find excusable, what compels me to say nay to Goody Hill, are the stumps she parades herself about on. Her giant, clobberous feet. They are not of the Lord. She must remove them if she wishes for life ever-lasting.

31. Winnie the Pooh

G-d save us! Winnie the Pooh! Winnie the excrement! A fat, debauched, hedonistic bear who lives off of milk and honey and who is content to traipse about nearly naked, fouling himself wherever he pleases and allowing his WIGGLING JINGLE-JOHN to blow freely in the breeze. Disgraceful.

30. Granny (The Looney Tunes)

She is a witch. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life! She keeps a cat familiar known as Sylvester, to whom she has taught the incantation: “Sufferin’ succatash!” and a small yellow imp named Tweety. Still, she appears to be of a benevolent disposition. Perhaps merely a pagan.

Band Graduates to 10-Point Font on Festival Poster

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Members of the hard-working stoner rock band, Fuzz Aldrin, were elated to learn this week that they would be graduating to 10-point font on the festival poster of the most anticipated stoner rock fest of the year, Beards & Bongs, sources close to the band confirm.

“It was kind of a surreal moment when we got the news,” admitted Fuzz Aldrin lead guitarist Sammy Ashbluff. “We never would have imagined as a young 5-point font band, listening to and worshiping all of those amazing 10-point font bands, that one day we would be considered one of their peers. I’m pretty stoked to tell my friends and family that they will only have to squint to see our band name on the poster, instead of using a magnifying glass.”

Veteran Beards & Bongs promoter Liz Cassidy says the evolution of Fuzz Aldrin from a plucky untested 5-point font band to a road-hardened 10-point font powerhouse is a true story of triumph.

“It’s been a long road for those guys, but it’s been a trip to how far they’ve come,” noted Cassidy. “Back when they first played the festival in ‘12, you could tell that they were a bit overly excited to just be there. Before their set, they got way too high, even for us, and tore through a bottle of Jack. The singer ended up vomiting all over the mic and monitors, then proceeded to yell profanities at the audience. They were in 5-point font jail for some time after that. Eventually, they worked their way through the font ranks until they could prove that they were mature enough to handle being displayed in a font size most people under 65 years old can read.”

In-demand entertainment lawyer and professed “lover of all music that makes money” Gerald Chamberlain III commented on the perks and privileges the band can now expect.

“I’ll tell you one thing, they sure as shit won’t be stuck in a sweltering trailer with 5-pointers fighting over sweaty cheese cubes on some party tray!” exclaimed Chamberlain. “As 10-pointers, they can and should expect the best. This will most likely include a semi-private trailer, a complimentary bucket of PBR, and a relatively clean Port-O-Potty within walking distance. Not to mention, they probably won’t have to play before 11 a.m. anymore. Rock star shit.”

At press time, Fuzz Aldrin’s manager announced that this would be the band’s last performance at Beards & Bongs unless 12-point font status was granted for next year.

Every Silverstein Album Ranked Worst To Best

Do you remember those Victory Records commercials that regularly appeared on Fuse? Rather, do you even remember Fuse? If you can say “yes” to one or both of these inquiries, you’re old and weathered, but likely a fan of Silverstein and you are probably wearing a pair of Hurley board shorts as you read this. If not, get off our lawn, hoser. We’d like to give special thanks to both Tony Brummel’s TV advertising budgets (not him; Google it) and “Steven’s Untitled Rock Show” for alerting many about Toronto’s favorite sons. Anyway, the five-piece known as Silverstein has been plugging away for over two decades and has a plethora of music in the form of EPs, live records, compilations, re-recorded songs, and eleven full-lengths to speak for it. See below for the album rankings from one of the better and more underrated bands from The Great White North, Silverstein:

11. Arrivals & Departures (2007)

After the band’s breakout 2005 LP “Discovering the Waterfront” the online buzz on its upcoming follow-up 2007 record “Arrivals & Departures” weeks before its release was said to break the band out into the newly multi-platinum world of both Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold. Sadly, it was more of a departure than an arrival. The band has expressed displeasure towards this full-length many times in the press, and we agree tenfold. Happily, things would soon get better for all outside of your boomer parents.

Play it again: “If You Could See Into My Soul”
Skip it: “Vanity and Greed”

10. Short Songs (2012)

As ambitious, original, and creative as this nearly-twenty-minute twenty-two-song-release of the appropriately titled “Short Songs” was to listen to front-to-back in 2012, it just doesn’t hold up in 2023 compared to the next nine LPs. Still, for ‘90s punk rock historians, the cover versions of both Gob’s “236 E. Broadway” and NOFX’s “It’s My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite” are fun as fun can be. In closing, Skee-Lo proved that good things sometimes come in small packages, and this LP is nothing short of a six-four Impala.

Play it again: “236 E. Broadway (Originally by Gob)”
Skip it: “Scenes From Parisian Life (Originally by The Promise Ring)”

9. When Broken Is Easily Fixed (2003)

We suck, we know. This album totally rules, we know. The band’s debut fan-favorite LP “When Broken Is Easily Fixed” was a solid introduction to Silverstein in 2003, but after a revisit, the album sounds very young in a non-flattering way. If you disagree, and we know that you truly do for both this ranking entry and its “skip it” section, make your own damn list and post it on Friendster for at least one click. Maybe if this entire album was re-recorded a la the more than solid recent two-part “Redux” series it would’ve been listed higher here, and what’s subjectively broken would have been objectively fixed.

Play it again: “Smashed Into Pieces”
Skip it: “Wish I Could Forget You”

8. Rescue (2011)

Although pretty uneven at times, “Rescue,” Silverstein’s first post-Victory Records release and debut outing for Hopeless Records, is likely Silverstein’s most slept-on LP. “Sacrifice” is easily a top five single of all time for the band, and “The Artist” (featuring fellow Canadian band Counterparts’ lead singer Brendan Murphy) is an aggressive headbanger (or banger if you talk like an infant) as well. Honestly, if the band modified the release from twelve songs to nine or ten, the album would’ve been revered much, much more.

Play it again: “Sacrifice”
Skip it: “Live To Kill”

7. A Shipwreck in the Sand (2009)

“A Shipwreck in the Sand,” Silverstein’s first-ever concept album and subsequent follow-up to the poopy, poopy misstep listed at number eleven, satisfied both the end of the band’s contract with Victory Records and their many ardent fans rooting for the act to return to glorious form. Going back to Canada with Terrance, Phillip, and producer Cameron Webb in lovely, lovely Mississauga, Ontario, was a smart and extremely triumphant move for the group. P.S. The bonus track cover of The Beatles’ composition/album/movie theme song “Help!” slaps (if you talk like an infant II).

Play it again: “Vices” (featuring Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats)
Skip it: “The Tide Raises Every Ship”

6. Misery Made Me (2022)

Silverstein’s most recent 2022 outing “Misery Made Me,” is the band’s second most emo-sounding record title referencing oneself and is quite a solid listen front-to-back. Also, its Deluxe album cover looks cool AF when one views it on Apple Music. Go there right now and read on whilst your mouth stays open for all eleven songs of the non-Deluxe version. Sick, eh? Anyway, since we were given the tough task of ranking ELEVEN albums, we must note that the record just isn’t as memorable as the following releases.

Play it again: “The Altar/Mary”
Skip it: “Don’t Wait Up”

5. I Am Alive in Everything I Touch (2015)

“I Am Alive in Everything I Touch,” Silverstein’s first of two albums for Rise Records, is another concept album for the five-piece, and a very, very solid one at that. Speaking of the number five, we mentioned that “Sacrifice” is a top five single for the band and “A Midwestern State of Emergency” is definitely at the top of the singles heap, showcasing every positive element of both the MidBEST and Silverstein (aggression, melody, and sweet endearing accents) in their respective highest approach. What a milestone! Just try NOT to headbang to that nasty guitar riff.

Play it again: “A Midwestern State Of Emergency”
Skip it: “Desert Nights”

4. A Beautiful Place to Drown (2020)

One badass point to note about this recent 2020 outing (and first for label UNFD; this band definitely experiments with a sort of scene swinger “Eyes Wide Shut”-esque relationship for various indie labels, but we digress) is that the many features from diverse acts as Underoath, Simple Plan and Princess Nokia make “A Beautiful Place to Drown” feel like a Warped Tour veteran’s rock-based hip-hop album. Despite us ranking this just below third and not qualifying for a top-three medal, that’s not a dig! Sincerely. Plus, this album also has FOUR singles and all of them are beyond catchy.

Play it again: “Infinite” (featuring Aaron Gillespie of Underoath)
Skip it: “September 14th”

3. Discovering the Waterfront (2005)

Sorey, sorey, sorey: We suck part two as Silverstein’s biggest-selling album “Discovering the Waterfront” isn’t ranked higher here in this article or your bedroom. Like we mentioned in the truly well-written and insightful opening to this piece, along with popular songs by then-labelmates Hawthorne Heights and Atreyu, Silverstein’s “Smile In Your Sleep” was appropriately featured in Victory Records’ commercials on Fuse Ad Nauseam. Call it bloody karma. Also, we’re almost at the twenty year mark for this now classic LP, so hire your sitters two years in advance and come out to see the band likely play this front-to-back at your favorite venue in 2025! Or don’t, rodeo clown.

Play it again: “Your Sword Versus My Dagger”
Skip it: “Always And Never”

2. Dead Reflection (2017)

“Dead Reflection,” Silverstein’s ninth total album and final release via Rise Records, features two singles that showcase the band at both its catchiest (“The Afterglow”; so infectious, sis) and riffiest (“Retrograde”; so tight, bro). Also, it must be said that many thought that the band would have become a long gone ghost by this time in their impossible-to-predict extensive timespan, and would have featured their last looks albums ago, but they were so, so wrong! We also love the bold and bright album cover sans band and album title words. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Play it again: “Ghost”
Skip it: “Secret’s Safe”

1. This Is How The Wind Shifts (2013)

And another concept album for the win! Yup. Silverstein recently announced a ten-year anniversary tour for 2013’s “This Is How The Wind Shifts,” a perfect listen from start to finish, and we hope that that run sells like guns in the States or poutine in Canada. For vivid proof of our correct opinion on this fan-favorite LP, we didn’t include any tracks to skip below; the album is just that good. Yup. It should also be mentioned that the new addition of Paul Marc Rousseau as an official band member for this record started part two for this band, and the sequel has been quite an enjoyable and fulfilling romp since. Yup. Listen to this album right now and scream!

Play it again: “Massachusetts”
Skip it: Don’t do that. Bad.

 

Opinion: You Guys Cool With Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus, Outro for This One?

Alright fellas, we are almost done writing this album! Super stoked on how it’s starting to come together. I don’t know about you guys but I can really see all the parts gelling into songs right in front of our eyes. I’m just about done with lyrics so once those are in we should be set!

Okay, so hear me out real quick, what if we throw in a curve ball? I’m thinking something that’s really gonna shake this album up and completely take the listener off their feet. What if the next song we write, we hit them with intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, outro? I made a quick outline to see how it plays.

Intro
This opening part is ideally just the riff from the verse section. Maybe we mix it up a little bit and throw in a bendy or some wah wahs. You guys know what I mean. Work your magic, instrumentalists!

Verse 1
This’ll be the potatoes of the song. This is when my lyrics will kick in. Looking at about 4 bars, rhyming scheme TBD. I’ve been doing a lot of A,B,A,B, so maybe for this one we’ll do A,B,C,B and really get loco to match the zany composition of this tune.

Chorus
The meat of the song right here. We need a good hook. Something catchy, not kitschy. Also, what are your thoughts on backing vocals? I know none of you quite have my range, but every little bit helps.

Verse 2
Here we go with more of the same, right? Some bands even do almost the same exact lyrics as the first verse. Maybe change a word or two up so it’s different. I like this idea, but am open to other suggestions (completely new lyrics???). Either way, by now, we are money.

Chorus
Chorus repeated. Maybe I go high on the last line for emphasis. Not trying to reinvent the wheel here.

Bridge
Okay, so we have options here. We could do a tasty solo or another take on the verse riff. We could write an entirely NEW riff altogether if we wanna get nuts. You guys wanna get nuts?! Me either. This song is experimental enough as it is.

Chorus
Wel well well, look who it is? Our old friend Mr. Chorus. This is the third time so we are really hammering home the point now, which is why it has to be so catchy. I believe in us.

Outro
Last decision to be made. Do we fade out the intro riff? Do we hard stop on a fourth chorus? Whatever we do, we want to make sure to leave them wanting more. I like the idea of doing things different this time since usually our music leaves them wanting less.

I think that should just about do it. We’re gonna make the most unique noise record ever!

Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service to Offer Yondr Pouches on Upcoming Tour to Prevent Attendees From Texting Their Exes

SEATTLE — Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service announced venues on their upcoming tour will provide Yondr pouches to concertgoers in order to prevent them from making contact with former partners during the inevitable emotional breakdowns they will go through during the show, sources confirm.

“I want these shows to feel as comfortable and joyous as possible. We’re celebrating twenty years of two of my most beloved and revered works,” explained the breathless vocalist and guitarist for both acts, Ben Gibbard, while incessantly jogging in place. “I don’t want to get to the refrain of ‘Transatlanticism’ and see a horde of sobbing faces illuminated by the blue light of their phones because they’re looking at photos on Facebook from 2006. It’s so important that the fans are making direct eye contact with me and me only during that line. There’s just no other way I’ll be able to get into it.”

Longtime fan of both bands and former star of the cult classic television show The OC, Adam Brody, expressed relief at the decision to offer a way to prevent access to phones during the concerts.

“Sure, I may seem well adjusted after a successful career, a wife and two kids, and the smug satisfaction of knowing I’m partially the reason anyone likes Death Cab or Postal Service, but I still think about my college girlfriend a lot. Like, an unhealthy amount,” stated a visibly wistful Brody. “Some of these songs are definitely going to tempt me to derail my entire life by trying to get in touch with her. Initially I was just going to cancel my phone plan and reactivate it a couple months after the show, but that would probably mess up our family rate. This is a way better option, in my opinion.”

Relationship Counselor Jane MacKenzie was dismayed to hear about the proposed Yondr pouches, citing a severe threat to her business, but was overall happy to hear the groups were working toward a positive environment.

“Contact with ex-partners is a major catalyst in many couples’ decisions to start therapy. When one person in the relationship is an avid listener of either Death Cab For Cutie or the Postal Service I can basically expect to just sit back and watch the cash flow” sighed MacKenzie. “This tour could have been a goddamn goldmine for me, but I suppose it’s nice that otherwise happy and loving couples will have a fighting chance during this run.”

At press time, Gibbard was seen trying to find a good rhyme for ‘sobbing faces illuminated by the blue light of their phones’ to no avail.

Photo by Andy Witchger.

It’s National Ska Day Today, and You Can’t Prove It Isn’t

Happy National Ska Day, everyone! That’s right, today we’re commemorating everyone’s favorite Afro-Caribbean-turned-suburban-American horn orgy, ska music!

And, by the way, there’s no point in Googling “National Ska Day,” because it’s a real thing, and has been for a long time. But even if it wasn’t — you have no way of proving it.

Alright, let’s get this brasstravaganza started, shall we? First off, let’s take a moment to acknowledge ska roots. Sure, we’re told there’s something involving black people in England or whatever, but how boring is that?

You remember Rocky “Spit Valve” McGill from Pasadena? Now that guy was a musician. He could burp the ol’ tubes like it was nothing, and back in the ’80s was the first person to checkerboard his own Chuck Taylors with a Sharpie!

…OK, look. We can tell some people are skeptical about it being National Ska Day. But just because you haven’t heard of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. For example, where were you on Hangul Day: The celebration of the Korean alphabet? That’s what we thought. Or how about another zany one, like Hanukkah: the “festival of lights?” Yeah, we didn’t know about that one either, but the point is that we did the research so you don’t have to!

Seriously, don’t do the research.

Anyway, back to the celebration. How dope is that cover of “Take on Me” by Reel Big Fish? Who knew history could be so cool? Our boy Toby’s ska-punk octet covered that cover at the Jarvis County talent show back in 2009 and, man, was it historically relevant and worthy of remembering on this very real holiday.

For real, stop trying to debunk National Ska Day, because there’s literally no way you can. Can’t you let us just have this? Besides, there’s already Edge Day, and we all know how boring that shit is.

For the last time, if you keep this up, you’re not getting invited to our party next month on Vaporwave Eve.

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Top 50 Bands Who Would Be a Lot Better If Their Singer Was Andrew W.K.

Unfortunately, not every band can be good. Obviously, that’s a lie. They all totally could if they had the right singer in place. And by “right singer” I mean party advocate and overall good-time enthusiast Andrew W.K. That’s why we decided to rank 50 bands that would be improved if their singer was the guy who wrote “Party Hard,” “It’s Time to Party,” “Party Til You Puke,” “The Power of Partying,” and many more party-based hits.

50. Kiss

To be honest, the only thing that would improve Kiss is if every member of the band was replaced by Andrew. Even then I’m not sure it’d be enough.

49. My Bloody Valentine

Shoegaze bands are notorious for their immobility on stage. That’s boring to look at. I want to see a singer do mid-air kicks and throw punches with no regard for their personal surroundings and shit. Kevin Shields could never.

48. Cannibal Corpse

There’s no denying that Cannibal Corpse’s music rips. But their vocalist’s death growl reminds me of Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement” grunt. Replacing him with Andrew could be the missing link that would make them a household name.

47. The Misfits

An Andrew W.K.-era Misfits lineup would totally make up for the Graves era and whatever that era was where Jerry Only was the lead singer.

46. American Football

There’s nothing worse than an emo band that doesn’t look like they play the sport they’re named after. Andrew at least bears resemblance to someone who could be a backup linebacker.

45. The Pixies

Black Francis looks less like a lead singer of a band and more like a roadie of a band. If anything, Andrew would be more of a cosmetic change.

44. Dave Matthews Band

If Andrew W.K. replaced Dave Matthews as the Dave Matthews in Dave Matthews Band I would have no choice but to start wearing a hemp necklace, cargo shorts, and sandals. Actually, this is not ideal.

43. Trapt

The only thing stopping me from enjoying this band is their asshole lead singer. That and their music, lyrics, social media presence, and overall aesthetic. Andrew would at least fix one of their many issues.

42. Joy Division

Vocalists shouldn’t bum you out when they’re singing. They should inspire you to buy a six-pack on a Tuesday on your way to commit petty crimes with best friends in the name of “living your best life.”

41. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

Andrew W.K., Andrew W.K., Andrew W.K., and Andrew W.K. just rolls off the tongue better.

40. The Killers

The Killers pioneered Mormon rock for some reason. There should be a clear separation between church and music. Unless, of course, you’re Andrew W.K., who once titled an album “God is Partying.” Preach.

39. Sum 41

It’s not about Deryck Whibley being a poor lead singer so much as him being 5’7”. Andrew W.K. is 6’3”. That’s a frontman I can get behind.

38. Yo La Tengo


This band has been around for almost 40 years but I’ve never had the urge to actually check out what they sound like. With Andrew as their singer, I would finally have an excuse to look them up.

37. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band


The Boss is in his mid-70s, so someone’s going to have to take over for him when he retires. Just thinking ahead on this one.

36. The Smiths

There’s no doubt the Smiths were talented at writing music. Most Smiths songs start off with a Johnny Marr guitar riff that grabs your attention before Morrissey’s voice makes you go “yeah, no.” I’d like to listen to more than 20 seconds of a Smiths song before I have to turn it off.

35. Pearl Jam

I can’t understand a single word Eddie Vedder says. Even if I can’t decipher everything W.K. says, I know what the subject matter is going to be about.

34. Reel Big Fish

I don’t know what a ska band would sound like with Andrew W.K. at the helm, but I’m willing to give it a go.

33. The Smashing Pumpkins

Billy Corgan is severely lacking in exuberance levels and overall charm. It’s the main thing holding this band back.

32. Sublime with Rome

“Sublime with Rome with Andrew W.K.” may be a mouthful, but it’s worth the extra syllables if it means I’d be inclined to actually listen to them.

31. Backstreet Boys

The main problem with boy bands is that there aren’t any grown men in them willing to have a bloody nose on their album covers.

30. 311

311 has two primary vocalists. I can’t keep up with that many. You could just consolidate them into one Andrew W.K. and make everyone happy.