BEER!

Ahhhhh, Beerfest. For some reason this years beerfest seemed a thousand times bigger than previous years. Then Mattagement, who is the king of planning, pointed out that we have been going in JUNE (to what exactly, I don't know, probably the Retirement Home Jam) the last few years and not the actual all out Fest that people travel from all over to attend. Some of these people take buses that have the word "LAMERS" written along the side. I got a ton of mileage out of this. (this is a real bus company: http://www.golamers.com/)

Anyhow, it was overcrowded, the beer was too expensive, it was too damn hot out, but as always the potato pancakes were the hot shit and this year they had Pretzels (supposedly requested by Mattagement). I grew up where this all goes down, so it takes a lot for me to get out there. So what does it take? Fucking MOGpac, kids. That's what its about. I had a super good time just sitting around with my mates, taking the piss and discussing things friends of many years discuss. So, spending time shooting the shit with Ash, Matt, Danny Boy, Charles and his lovely wife Laura is quality (sadly, the Kidd remained home on couch nursing a hangover and his peepee). Plus, HEY, look at these two handsome devils, they got free tshirts!! So it was worth it. Also worth it was Danny, the guy to your right, giving a half empty pitcher of beer to an elderly couple. I wish I saw that, but Mattagement's reaction was all I needed. Sometimes, you don't need to travel around the world to have a laugh with your pallys, though you might have to go home every now and then.

However, can't we just all go that place on Avenue C next time? They have good potato pancakes.

F

"I just wanna go home, I'll pay you double!"

Mogpac Travel Star Danny Hamill aka G has returned from Greece with tales of tour guide beatings, Pacino impersonations, 10 Year Old bartenders, Austrialans, and someone named Mumbles who, as Danny was heading home, was confined to a hospital bed waiting to have a ball removed. That's a testicle. Seriously. Just based on this alone, you can see why he, at this very moment, is passed out on my couch. This kid knows how to travel right. The opening quote was from my favourite story from his adventures....

F

Tidbits...

Today I woke up to read this in the news "Hong Kong movie icon Jackie Chan said Monday he expects to stop starring in action films in five years, but he'll remain busy by producing and directing." As you know, I have been "Chan Fan Number 1" (according to INSIDE KUNG-FU magazine, seriously) for probably 25 plus years. Over the last 25 plus years, I have read this same quote and have had this said to me directly by the man himself, TWENTY years ago. So, I don't believe it, plus then Jackie can't do romantic roles with girls old enough now to be his granddaughter (pictured here with the Kidd's next wife). Anyway, Jackie, I still don't believe you.

Meanwhile, I have caught up on some more movies. LORD OF WAR, Executive Produced by MOGworld old-schooler Bradley J. Fox is an interesting and thought provoking look at the world of arms-dealing by writer/director/producer Andrew Niccol. It's his most complete film to date (I feel). This was my second time seeing it and I liked it more the second time. It's a really clever story and I'm told Niccol went and met with 5 or so arms dealers and used their real stories to create his main character (played by Nic Cage). It's very smart and occasionally very funny, especially since it's all based on real events. Check it out.

Also saw CORPSE BRIDE which is nowhere near as great ast NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, but is cute and fun nonetheless. It's plagued by the usual problems I have with Burton (inability to wrap things up, characters disappear), but no one is doing this kind of thing and if anyone was, I doubt it would be this original. This is more Irene's territory (she of course loved it).

In the world of music, Brandt and I returned to our roots and checked out the reunited Die Warzau as they played their CMJ showcase. Jim Marcus, what can I say, along with Dan Neet and Jared, is one of the best vocalists of this genre ever. Certainly one of my favourites. They have a really super band, including the always entertaining Van strapped to a guitar. They focused a lot on the new album, CONVENIENCE, which is excellent and played some scattered hits as well. I would like to have seen a few more diverse older tracks from their BASSFACE era, but I'm more happy these guys are out and playing. It's a shame it was at fucking Don Hills, which is fine if you're a local hipster band, but not a 6 piece Industrial funk band with great production values. Anyway, this was the hot shit and despite feeling like I was at a high school reunion, a good time.

Anyhow, I'm hard at work on some things that should make it to your sweet ears sooner than later before heading off to LA next week. However I leave you with a great quote relayed to me by my lovely and talented LA friend Jenni Wren. It comes from Tom Kasabian (yes I am mentioning them) who proceeded to tell the crowd at their Hollywood Bowl gig this week "And Remember...Life is NOT Planet Hollywood". I can appreciate that (and need to remember that).

F

WARNING

It has come to my attention that there is a new trend of "Blog-Spamming" which has effected this site. Basically if you read comments like "yeah great, now buy my christmas cards" or something, thats spam, but if it's "Frank you pretentious cunt boy" then it's ok and acceptable here. This kinda spam usually didn't bother me, but it bothers Mattagment (pictured), who actually has gone after several culprits (much to my enjoyment). To make his life slightly easier, as he has several bands to manage, I, being a good client, have changed the settings to make it so you have to REGISTERED to post on this blog. I'm sorry for all you regulars who just randomly post, but for my friends such as D'orge, G, etc who are not registered, it's time you did it. It's easy and don't let it discourage you from sharing in my ever day here on the MOGblog.

Was this ok, Matt?

F

Dusty Reznor

This is my annual 9/11 nod to be thankful that 4 years ago, I saw some of the worst shit a human being could ever see and while I can still see it all like it was yesterday, I'm alive, healthy (at least physically), handsome and blogging. And that alone is enough cause many others were and are not as fortunate. I think about that every fucking day, especially in light of what's going on South of here.

However, once again being proven the "luckiest bastard on the planet" (quote (c) 2005 Frank DeSanto Senior) and having a life second to none, I would like to lighten the mood by telling you all how impressed I am that Trent Reznor has perfected the Dusty Elbow and should be appearing on Raw when it moves to USA Network next month. I know this is only funny to a select few, but it's early and I don't see YOU blogging, bitch. Seriously, though, doesn't he scare you a bit? I've seen the guy onstage for something like 15 years and to see this scrawny midwesterner (now living in LA, which is scary enough) transform into the next cruiserweight champion of the world. If he can do a moonsault, he might have potential. Anyhow.

Striaght From MOGworld, alive and well and entertaining you daily.

Frank Jeffrey DeSanto