I told ya that to tell ya this....

In closing, 2010 was definitely the year of The Snake. I said that this time last year and I also said, "If the Good Lord blesses us as good in 2010...as He did in 2009...I can't wait to see the outcome!" And thus the outcome is this:

-New Music Video
-New Album
-Played w/Hell Yeah @ the Uproar show (among others, but shared the stage with Hell Yeah, Airborne, etc)
-Damn near sold out the Parish and had an extremely successful release
-Blew my Email List # (1500) out of the water (1800+...and growing like a weed)
-Made a lot of good friends
-Made some better enemies
-Drank a lot of cold free beer
......
Now I'm just rambling...the list can go on and on.

I'm anxious to see what 2011 brings...

The thing about this band is, at any time, any moment my phone can ring and our entire life can change. It's like the lottery except, I have a better idea of what numbers to pick (if that makes sense). It's very exciting and sometimes about half nerve-racking! But, just like everything else, you play hard you make your own luck. I truly believe that if you just flat out refuse to quit...you will not lose. Just as a rock over time will give way to a steady drip...I like to think of SSP as more of a Niagara Drip...if you're picking up what I'm laying down.

Next SSP show isn't until Jan 28 2011 @ Dirty Dog on Dirty 6th!!




Thank you all for all your support...hold on cause we got a long way to go and we ain't going home!!

I'll leave you in some of the words of the infamous Joe Walsh:

"Spent the last year Austin Texas Way...couldn't get much higher!!"

Feliz Navidad!!






Mucho El Amor!!

Fight for Freedom

Well here we are, 2010 is almost dead and gone. It's definitely been a great year for the Snake! We finish it off with a killer show @ Emo's outdoor stage w/our good friends from Powderburn this Friday (12/17). If you're in Austin and need one more Face Plaster...then come get your fix!! SSP @ midnight.



After this show, SSP will take a well deserved break, since the dawn of 2010 we have played: close to 78 shows this year. To put that into perspective, there are 52 weekends in a year, if you played every Friday and Saturday, you would play 104. Don't tell me this band isn't road ready.

If I had to pick my favorite show of 2010...hmmm...Corpus w/Hell Yeah was pretty sweet, however, I really don't think you can top our Album Release. That show was so crucial for this band, and not only was it a success, I feel like SSP knocked that bitch outta the park. SSP proved we're more than just your bullshit garage band. We are ready for the next level...now it's my job to figure out how to put us in front of the right people. See you thought it was just hookers, sluts, and hockey pucks...there is actually a business side to this massive monster.

Speaking of Road Ready, we were just talking at rehearsal last night about going out on tour, so that is definitely in the melting pot!! I'm thinking a tour across the South, up to WV, show my peeps back home what I've been doing for 4 years, and back to Austin. That would be a very interesting journey I'm sure.

I know that Thanksgiving has come and gone, however I personally am always thankful. I get to go home soon and am thankful for that. I'm also very thankful for you, the person that supports Snake Skin Prison. I try to say it as much as I can on stage, but truly if you have the numbers you cannot be ignored. It's not rocket science, and thanks to the people, Snake Skin Prison is getting the numbers. Drastically fast!!

I can promise you this, I don't know how; but I will repay everyone that has helped support SSP...be it a free guitar pick or a huge show with an open bar; one day...some way...I will thank you for your support in one way or another.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!!

Keep your eyes wide open and your ears peeled back...cause we're coming like a heart attack...We've got a long way to go Mama we ain't looking back!!

\m/

Alcohol of Shame!

WHEW!!....(tires screeching...heavy breathing...panty stealing <-added that last part for style points...)


Man o Man have I/SSP been busy. I know I've been doing nothing but spraying ALBUM RELEASE...ALBUM RELEASE...all over you for the past 5 months, however, there is something to be said for consistency.

Since then we jammed Red Eyed Fly with Dangerous Toys this past Saturday night, thank you all that came out! I had a blast (which I think was obvious!).



We've got 2 Killer shows this weekend in San Antonio and San Angelo, then the following weekend (12/17) we headline Emo's outdoor stage...so things are pumping!!

I'm very excited about our new vid for Alcohol of Fame:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WbW2MkFSIs


I have had several people ask me what that song was about, so I thought I would blog on the lyrics, and what was the meaning behind them.

Now before we get started, I wrote this song based upon a true story...I wrote this song from the eyes of a musician/person that is battling daily with the struggles and demons of an addiction. In this story, it's Alcohol, but in life there are many addictions. Do I personally think that I'm an Alcoholic?? Of course not, cause step one would be admitting you have a problem :) ... however can I put myself in those shoes...you bet your sweet ass I could...and probably if you look deep enough, you could too. So here we go:

Sometimes sunshine, and sometimes rain
Sometimes a little bit of nothing can drive a man insane
A whole lot of trouble and a whole lot of pain
A whole lot of bloodline brings the alcohol of fame

Verse 1 speaks about the extreme ups and downs with addiction, some days are very good...you have fun...enjoy what you're doing; where some days you'd just as well crawl back into bed, cause you are NOT going to win and the smallest thing can push you over the edge. It also speaks about how hard it is, even when you're not trying to make it hard...the monster makes it hard before even getting out of the gate; and that monster could be in you from birth...that addictive personality that you never ever even asked for.

Should I be happy or should I be ashamed
Rather or not you even know my name
If I could would I or feed it all the same
Guess that’s the price you pick in the alcohol of fame

Verse 2: as an aspiring musician, should 'said musician' be sad that he is still unrecognized?? Or is it truly a blessing in disguise, for with fame and money comes more problems...and normally the problems an addictive personality should steer clear of. When faced with these temptations will the wise decisions be made or will our weary traveler fail the test so many before him have...be it as it may...that's the path that has been chosen.


I don’t know if I’m right or wrong, life feels empty so I sing my songs
In the end it’s all the same living life in the alcohol of fame

The chorus I feel is pretty self explanatory...LOL...after so much contemplation and speculation, one often grows tired of it, and falls back to routine...just living life in the Alcohol of Fame (if you will)

The nights are lonely and the mornings are so hard
Sometimes my only friend is this beat up ol guitar
The wheels are humming against that ol’ highway
So much time to think but nothing, nothing much to say

The final verse is truly from the eyes of a traveling musician, and how at the end of the night when everyone else has gone to bed, the "normal" person that works during the day and sleeps at night, as compared to the lifestyle of sleeping all day and working all night...how that can be very lonely. With so much time alone you have so much time to think...but you really don't have nothing much to say...


I don’t know if I’m right or wrong, life feels empty so I sing my songs
In the end it’s all the same living life in the alcohol of fame

You bear that cross for the kings and queens, you gotta bear that cross for the heroin fiends
Bear that cross for your family and friends you gotta bear that cross till the bitter end
bear that Cross…come on bear that cross…bear that cross…come on bear that cross

Bridge: This is probably my favorite part of the song. I wrote this with the attitude that despite the issues and problems you carry, you can still be successful and have a prospering life. With "said musician" being successful he proves to others...that the cross you bear...the burden of your life, doesn't have to slow you down. You shall bear the cross of addiction, or greed, or lack of trust...or whatever it is that is deep inside you that could possibly destroy you as an individual...bear it and not let it break you. And everyone is human...everyone has their faults...from kings to heroin fiends to your family...we all have our faults.

We all have our crosses to bear.

This is why when we play this song live directly following this part, I scream, "Come With Me!!" ... we shall bear our burdens together...

And hopefully stop for a high life along the way \m/...



Sometimes sunshine, and sometimes rain….sometimes a little bit of nothing brings the alcohol of fame

We might have never asked for it...but we got it...so we make the best of it...

Til the Bitter End
\m/
MB

Something to Believe In | Nothing Lasts Forever

Well I'll be damned if we didn't do it! If you made it out to that Album Release, you would have seen the bad ass of bad ass that is Snake Skin Prison!!

Hot DAMN! That was a good show; with final numbers climbing past 300 with 200 pre-sale tickets. There have been Pictures Galore and my good friend and Lonestar Beer Murderer Dave TEEVEE is working on video as we speak.

A SERIOUS Thank you is in order for Yayo, The Bayou City Outlaw Band, and Broken Teeth. Those guys played a great night and brought the house!!

So...here's run down of that day...the Noisiest Night in November:

I woke up @ 9a, ate breakfast and sent some last minute Facebook/Myspace/Emails out in hopes of pulling AS many people as I could. I was a bit nervous, I knew we had pre-sold a shit ton, not the exact amount (the front gate online sales were still out)...we could not, without a doubt, flop on this show...there was just no way it could happen. I need not tell you what happens to bands that plateau...this was Snake Skin Prison's time to prove to anyone and everyone watching that the sky is the limit...and will be.

After a great arm day in the gym, I was onto cardio then the Sauna where I was going over the show over and over and over again in my head. The changes, the differences, the solos...funny how you can write a song, perform it a hundred thousand times, but on a big night, you still have to think about it.

Either way, load into the Parish around 6p...the building is completely empty except for SSP...





Sound Check Went great, great sound in the room and great energy already, with just the bands milling around.

I headed back to the APT and destroyed a subway club, changed clothes...and felt an unnervingly calmness set in...and it dawned on me that the MASSIVE...and when I say MASSIVE, I mean MASSIVE...amounts of preparation that had been put in place left room for just one thing...execution. You've practiced, you've studied, you've promoted...now just execute...quite possibly the easiest part.

Yayo took the stage to a vibrant excited crowd, followed by Bayou City (that's my short version of their actual name, "The Bayou City Outlaw Band") slayed as well.

The Lights went out...and SSP's intro Song:


takes off...we're standing back stage and literally hear the crowd...yelling, whistling...getting ready to get pummeled by the Rock N Roll Pain Train.

We take the stage and Blitz right into "NoWhere".
Now if you've been to an SSP show, you know I myself am never at a shortage of words, however on this night, the music would do the talking....next up came "Scream for Air"



Another Awesome moment was the Premiere of our Music Video for "Alcohol of Fame"



From there SSP blazed on into the night, with Squeals and Thrills and 8 minute Drum Fills.

I still smile when thinking about last Friday...and probably will for a long time. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I want to thank God for giving us Rock n Roll and putting up with me...Also family...friends...and fans...that support Snake Skin Prison...all of you that came out and helped make November 19, 2010 one for the books...








Now...always going back to football, I remember my Head Football Coach, Donnie Football saying, "You play well, and win...you enjoy that win on Saturday and Sunday; come Monday it's time to focus on next Friday."

That's exactly what we're doing...just wait till you get a load of what we got up our sleeve....

Sat. Dec 4 w/Dangerous Toys @ The Fly...





"You're either on our way or in our way, either way hold on tight"
\m/

Let Me Be Your Salty Dog...

1 Week...that's what separates me and one of the biggest nights of my life. I have compared this upcoming Album Release to that fateful night in Charleston WV, when my High School football team, the James Monroe Mavericks squared off against Dupont (Randy Moss and Jason Kidd's old High School) in the State Semi-Finals. We had one helluva season that year, the first undefeated regular season in school history, literally plastered everyone all over the field. Several games I didn't even play the second half, would be more focused on cat calling the cheerleaders.



Be Good or Be Good at it...I choose both :)

Either way, this coming Friday, November 19th, is a chance for myself and Snake Skin Prison to show whoever is watching that we aren't just your average bullshit band, in the words of Jim Morrison, "We want the world and we want it now!"

It all begins next Friday. I'm so excited I can't sit still. This show has been in planning for over 5 months now. I read a book, that I would suggest for anyone trying to make it in the music business: "Tour Smart: Without Breaking the Band" by Martin Atkins, and he says, "Being successful isn't about avoiding the problems, it's about handling the problems when they happen....cause they will happen." I have made that statement my mantra. I personally have been through so many roller coaster rides with this band it's insane. Ups and Downs, good and bad. There's been times I thought it was nearing the end and times I could smell the next level calling my name. And through it all, here's the common denominator...never say die. You never give up. Never, it's unacceptable.

I have said this next statement a million times and I will say it again:

"The difference between winners and losers is winners do...losers don't"

It's that simple. The show must go on...period...and it will with or without you.

So with all that said I know that SSP is ready to wield the pistols of Austin Metal and spew the infectious whiskey venom from the darkest corners of Red River to the Highest Mountain in WV, and to have fun. Cause that's what it's all about...(if you read my last blog you're following along right with me)...



As for the night in Charleston WV...we lost...14-7...that night changed my life...I plan on changing my life again next Friday...and it won't be by losing.

Nobody likes a loser anyways \m/
Next Friday we RIDE!!

mb

Never Get out of this World Alive!!

You know, I've been writing these blogs for some time now, they sometimes focus on Snake Skin Prison and sometimes focus more on myself, and sometimes...don't even focus. I wanted to take a quick second and thank you for taking your time to read them. Initially these blogs started as a glorified journal. I had read Nikki Sixx's "The Heroin Diaries" and realized that whereas I might not be shooting Herion, dying, and coming back to life; one day I myself will like to look back and be able to recollect the life SSP and myself are living now. So, I think it's kind've interesting that you will get to take that journey with me...with SSP...regardless of where it leads.

Also, I was looking over my blogs the other night as I sipped a freshly made Love Juice, and noticed that the last several blogs have been very heartfelt and meaningful. You might watch this band on stage, listen to myself and wonder, how in the world can that boozehound think so deep...or you might not wonder that at all!

Any way, I told ya that to tell ya this, I had a revelation the other day and realized that a lot of times we get caught up in the destination and forget to enjoy the ride. And I realized that was happening to me. Before shows I was so concerned about the business of Snake Skin Prison, the Merch Sales, the Credit Card Balances, the Amount of Gas in the tank, the list goes on...that I was missing the whole point...I was missing the best part of the night...and that was the music.

Hell if I wanted to stress over bills and balances, I could've stayed in WV!! So where there is definitely a time for serious, and sensibility...you have to remember this one thing...regardless of how serious things get out there...

You'll never get out of this world alive...

I've started a new book, Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001) by Don Felder. Now there's some feel good music for ya. I'm really excited to get into it because I can remember growing up in Southern WV and the Eagles were alive and well in my Dad's stereo...

So on that note I'll leave you with a quote from The Eagles...who's album:

Eagles: Their Greatest Hits, 1971-1975 is the greatest selling album of all time!!

Said, "So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never know we have the keys...but me I'm already gone"

Till Next Time!
M 2 Da B

Trick or Drink

So Halloween is upon us, I had several good ideas for a costume. I was going to be a $.05 Kissin Booth, then thought I would burn my profit buying up Chapstick...so I changed my mind...however it's a secret you'll have to come out to our shows this weekend to see.

Be sure to check your candy, apples, and airplane liquor bottles to make sure they haven't been tampered with. When I was younger, we used to go "eggin" in which we'd go to the local grocery store and buy up all the eggs they had; paint our faces black, put on Camo (cause that's in such shortage in WV), and hit the mean streets. We'd crawl around, egg teachers' houses, cop cars, other eggers. Then we discovered Paint Ball Guns....wowsa...however I will leave that for another story.

So yesterday I met with a friend that I hadn't seen or talked too since August of 2008. We worked together and I changed jobs while he took on more hours and eventually went to Salt Lake city for a short time. Either way, we hooked up yesterday for lunch for the first time in 2 years. As soon as he sat down it was like we hadn’t missed a beat. That's how you know someone is a close friend, when you don’t have to talk everyday to pick up right where you left off…and I think that's awesome. Relationships are like plants...some need a lot of attention, like this plant I bought one time. I don't know what kind've plant he was, I just know he was green and his leaves stood up like spikes, so I named him Spike. Well, turns out ol' Spike needed more water than once a week (when I remembered he was out there), and ol’ Spike went to the green house in the sky. That relationship needed a little more cultivation…as compared to say…a cactus…which would not.

So friends are a lot like that, some need more than others...so here’s to friends…those like Spike and those like a Cactus...let's just remember to water them!!!

So in honor of Halloween, I'm trying to think of the most scared I've ever been...

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Let's see there was one time I went to the Liquor store and was $3 short, luckily the cashier knew me (imagine that) and spotted me until the next time; however that started out scary...
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I've been in several car/truck accidents, but those things happen so fast it's hard to be scared you either make it or you don't, and thankfully I've made it, so that don’t count...
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Honestly, and most people probably wouldn't admit this, but faithful returner to the blogging world...I will not hold anything from you...

When my now X-Wife told me she was leaving...a little over a year ago...and I was sitting on the the back patio of what was soon to be an empty apartment chain smoking cigarettes and drink hot liquor I remember thinking, "now you are truly alone...the person that loves you the most (my mother) is 1200 miles away...you came all the way down here and now you are all alone." And at that point I was really scared, probably more scared than I've been in my entire coherent life, and for about 30 seconds I thought about going home...I thought about packing everything up and driving straight to WV.


And then I thought of the "Spikes" and "Cacti" in my life. I thought of my new friends and family I had made here in Austin and surrounding areas…and as that cigarette smoke danced in the breeze with that brief stint of where fear had grabbed me, fear and doubt aka the Devil's favorite drink, after a short moment … that fear and doubt was crushed and I thought of Robert E. Lee screaming, "RETREAT HELL!!" as he drove his horse into the oncoming Northern Army.

Just as I say in Moonshine Shake, “We’ve got a long way to go, and mama I ain’t coming home!”

So, the moral of this story folks....water them plants!! Both figuratively speaking as well as literally...


Together we Fly, Together We Fall, Together we all see the Death of it all
\m/
Wait till you see NOV 19....it's coming...22 days

Familia

We all have heard the saying, "Blood is thicker than water..." and another classic, "You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family."

Growing up in Southern WV, Family values were instilled into me from birth. We did everything together (when able), ate together, watched TV together, went on vacations together, went to Church together. Regardless of how mad my sister might have made me, my mother always said, "One day your father and I will be gone...and your sister will be all you have..."

I know that some people might not have been as fortunate as me, but I was blessed with an awesome family. In one of the hardest times of my life, the first person to call me...was my sister, the same girl that socked me in nuts with my football cleat...she was the first one to call years later when I needed someone...and at that time, I needed someone pretty bad.

So Here's to Family...Love em...hate em...they are still your blood...and that is something special.

My dad's Bday is today. Some of you might know ol Dave, or some may not, but he hit the big 55 today. This same day in 1977 all would be quiet on a plane...flying over the southern swamps...until the trees started hitting the wings...the fateful day Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane would go down...

I remember one day my dad telling me, "If you can play guitar like this (as he blared the solo in Free Bird), you can do anything you want..."

My dad and I haven't always seen eye to eye but what father son combo have?? When I was younger I had a hard time understanding a lot of things, but now that I'm older and I understand what it means to pay bills on time, work a decent job, and make sure you have money for the doctor (and I don't have kids!)...now that I'm older I understand a lot of things, and for that I'm very thankful.

My dad worked away from home, and was gone a lot, it wasn't easy on anyone, but some things in this world don't come easy. BOTH my parents sacrificed a lot for me and my sister, and I feel they raised us the best way anyone could ask, to know the difference between right and wrong and why you should choose right...instead of wrong.

However, with this being my Dad's bday I thought I would give you some of the things he taught me, both directly and indirectly:

-Always Pay your bills...ON TIME
-If it's broke, fix it, if you can't, find someone who can
-Change your Oil
-Go to Church and Read your Bible
-Moderation is key

I could write for hours on stories, as you probably have figured out by now, I enjoy to talk, However I will wrap this one up as best I can.

My Dad has supported Snake Skin Prison and my decision to move to Austin more than anything in my entire life. Now some might say he was just happy to see me get out of the house at age 25...however I disagree...I think he is happy that I have realized what it is I'm supposed to do with my life. He is happy to see me attack something with such a ferocity that nothing will stand in my way and I will give my entire all...for this dream. Just as I sit back at times and smile at SSP...watching it grow and run...bigger, faster, and stronger...I sometimes wonder if that's how he feels, watching me...grow and run...bigger...faster...stronger.

Who knows, if I have a child one day, I'm sure I will answer that question, but until then, this gnarly headed rock n roll band will have to do...and that's just fine by me.

So I'll leave you with some words of Wisdom by my Dad...Dave Ballengee...Teacher, Coach, Boilermaker, a man I truly am proud to say...is not only my Father...but my Friend...

- "Whatever you do...don't let em see ya sweat" - Said before my first football game as starting quarterback in 8th Grade...

- "Only one way to do a shitty job...and that's to do it!" - As I rake sour apples that I neglected for a week infested with Yellow Jackets...

- "You know them things leak right??" - You can use your imagination on this one...

- "....for if that were to happen son, that would be bad...that would be 9 Kinds of Bad..." - this one is for me to know and you to find out :)



\m/
MB

ALL ABOARD!!

I have had the privilege to work for some very innovative and inspirational people in my life. And now that I think back to it, the jobs that helped 'sculpt' my view of the business world were all under Self-Employed Bosses, that started their own business...in one way or another. My first job, aside from mowing yards, raking apples, and operating the most popular kissing booth in Monroe County WV, was working at a video store called, "Beyond Video".

The owner, and my boss, Paul Ball was probably one of the coolest people I have ever known. I remember one time myself and one of my friends were sitting outside the store, smoking and Paul pulled up. He got out, walked over and asked us why we were smoking. My friend said, "Cause it'll put hair on my chest..." Paul proceeded to raise his shirt where he had a scar running from his throat to his belly button and said, "Actually it'll put this on your chest..." I put out my cigarette.

Paul also played bass and sang in a band called Bad Habitz. They were the shit...period. He was one helluva front man, and everyone loved Paul Ball. I know I did...and still do. I remember before my first gig EVER...I was playing in a southern rock band called, "Southern Pride" and we were competing in a battle of the bands. Paul called me and said, "I know you'll do well, just do me one favor...do not get f*cked up before the show. You will think you're a lot better when you're actually not..."

Paul continued to operate Beyond Video for 10 years total, which is pretty impressive for small town WV, where businesses flop daily. He never carried porn (which I was disappointed), and he always made it right by his customers. He worked hard and made his own luck.

Snake Skin Prison is definitely a business, hell we're an LLC for crying out loud! We have an attorney, a manager, merchandise gal, credit cards, bank accounts, and tax identification numbers. I never thought it would grow to this, but just as most businesses do...they grow until the point where they are operating on their own. I love checking my email list to see that this last month I have amassed 156 emails...just this month! Jan 1 I set a goal of 1000 emails (I had 145) for the entire year, SSP now has 1500+ and it's growing daily.

A friend asked me, "Do you miss WV??" Of course I do...but I do not have one regret, moving to Austin and starting Snake Skin Prison was the best idea I have ever had...and trust me I have had a good one. Just ask my mom about the time I was painting the front porch white when my dog Levi (Lab) walked by and I painted a stripe right down his back, from his head to his tail...he looked like a skunk...that was a good idea!!

Speaking of good ideas, I have another one...wanna see it here it goes:




Get your Presale Tix @ FrontGate Tickets


Another former boss once told me, "Running a company is like driving a battleship. If everything is going as planned, you just sit back and let it run; however if not and you have to make changes, change directions and turn that sucker around, it can be very trying..."

I feel like for the past 3 years, I have been twisting and turning this gnarly battleship known as SSP...and come Nov 19...I will have it all lined up...and ready to put the EFFin Pedal to the Metal...

I dedicate this band to everyone that has ever busted their back for something they believe in...cause only then...when a man has nothing...he will give anything...just to have something.

Here's to Paul Ball and my race to the top...I'll see you there \m/
"You ain't gotta go home, but you can't stay here..." - Paul Ball

Feed My Frankenstein

So if you haven't heard, Snake Skin Prison's Album Release is 11/19 @ The Parish down town. The Hippest of Hip will be there, so you need to do your part and buy up your Ticket TODAY!! Click HERE to purchase it on FrontGateTickets.

My mom is buying one and she's in WV (I think it'll be motivation to get the Ol' Man back to ATX).

Speaking ol Dave, he retires this year, I wonder how that feels. I mean, I personally wouldn't mind retiring tomorrow, but I told him he could always go to work for SSP, driving the Excursion and stringing geetars!

I have a good friend, Sean Claes from Insite Magazine, writing a very cool blog entitled, "52 Weeks of Music Do it Yourself Advice" ... you can check it here.

Some really good advice in that. Being coming from the school of hard knocks, I had to learn a lot of stuff on my own, through trial and error, and through pure luck. Trust me, when I attended high school in WV, there wasn't an elective called, "Music Promotion 101". So mad props to anyone willing and able to share valuable information such as that.

I can tell you this, it isn't easy, and if it was everyone would be doing it. Everyone wants to be a Rockstar, but no body wants to hang flyers on a Monday night after a 3 day binge. But as I have said since I got here from WV, the difference between winners and losers is quite simple:

Winners Do...Losers Don't.

Case closed, you can take that to the bank, cause that will not bounce!!

Let's see, what else have I been up to...our show last Friday @ Red eyed Fly was awesome, had a great turn out and I personally was excited about playing a show where it wasn't over 90 degrees.

Saturday was Chillaxin day, where I caught some killer rays by my awesome pool, as was Sunday.

During the week I'm pretty mild, playing my guitar, and working for the weekend.

No shows this weekend, but don't think SSP isn't busy...check it out:




So put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Come to the show!
Get your Presale Tix
And Feed my Frankenstein

Love Peace and Chicken Grease
mb

Money Talks

Friday November 19th, I plan to spew hillibilly venom all over Ausitn Tx and the rest of America. Do you know how long I have been holding that date...in my brain, just itching, busting, biting my tongue until the time is EXACTLY Right...

11.19.10

The biggest show SSP has ever played, this is where we show everyone out there that I ain't going home, that we mean bidness, cause darlin, I got the skillz to pay the billz and you can take that to bank cause it won't bounce...not yet anyways.



11.19.10

To Quote My ol Man, "Son, this'll be one for the books!"

Indeed...indeed it will.

Piece of my Heart

Surreal: Having an oddly dreamlike quality


So, I'm sitting back stage in Corpus Christi, people are piling into the venue as if someone left a faucet on, thinking about the set list, stretching my hands out, and they start playing "Welcome to the Jungle" over the PA.

Instantly I'm taken back to high school in southern WV. When I was in High School, I played Football every year, and basketball up until my Junior year. When our basketball team would come out onto the court, they would enter to that very same song, "Welcome to the Jungle"

I smell the smells, experience the same emotions, and even see some old familiar faces. Then I'm snapped back to reality with Marc holding his Iphone filming, "What are we about to do Matt?!?!?!" I was out of it, and for a moment almost started stuttering LOL. However, Ol' Matt is never at a loss for words, and at the dismay of my mother, dropped the F-Bomb like a sailor...er...or...Rockstar ;).



I turned up the volume on my guitar, and hit the first power chord and the entire venue shook with my guitar...I thought to myself, "This ol' Jackson flying V, has played to crowds less then 5 people..." and couldn't help but smile and think of my Lyric in Alcohol of Fame, 'Sometimes my only friend is this beat up ol' guitar'. Not so beat up now are we :).

We parked beside Vinnie Paul and Hell Yeah's bus:



Actually, we parked IN Vinnie Paul's spot and had to move LMAO...only SSP, never a dull moment.

Marc actually go to meet Vinnie Paul, one of his Idols, and Keith was johnny on the spot when asked to give Big Vin a CD:



SSP played a great set, and the crowd was diggin it for real. I really had no doubt, I feel very strongly that this band is ready for the next level, it's just about taking the steps to get there.



All and all it was a team effort and this SSP team is meaner than a striped snake and hungry...real hungry. I love the team concept, a group of people, with one goal in mind willing to do whatever it takes, sacrifice anything, stop at nothing, bleed for me and I'll bleed for you.

But here's the catch, it's more than me...Marc..and Keith. It's everyone involved, pushing and pumping Snake Skin Prison. From our Fabulous Merch Boss Panda:



who worked her A$$ off selling merch in that hot, humid, Corpus Weather

to our family and friends, management, counsel, etc...the list goes on and on. We're all in this together now, it's too far to turn back, I'll drive this Train straight to the Gates of Hell and burn them down when I get there if I have to. My mother tells me, "Matthew just don't get your hopes up..." my hopes were up when I left WV, for it was hope for a better future that put myself in that vehicle and drove 1200 miles to Austin TX. Hope is all we have, for if you can't hope for a better future then, let's just meet at the pool and drink Love Juice!!

More importantly, when hope becomes belief, and when you believe in something, there's nothing that can stop you. And I believe in Snake Skin Prison, I believe in Snake Skin Prison because I believe in my team. And the main reason I believe in my team...in SSP....



Because this many people can't be wrong...

Man in Black

I love to wear black, I feel like it brings out the color of my eyes. Or maybe it's because you don't have to worry about matching...black goes with anything. Like my new Jeep...solid black...like my coffee...strong and black...similar to my wom...well let's move on shall we??

Big Doin's (that's straight from Dave Ballengee)...

Big Doin's is Hillbilly/Redneck for "Big Things". So if my Dad was in SSP and I said, 'Dad...what's up for the weekend and ol' SSP??" He'd reply, "Big Doin's...son....Big Doin's!!"

And you know, I couldn't agree with him more!!

This Saturday we travel to Corpus Christi to play the Jager Mobile Stage on the Rockstar Uproar Festival. Not only that, we will have our New Album and New Shirts Available, so I'm excited to see how well that does. We'll document the entire trip...so you'll all get to see the Pain Train in action!!

Someone asked me, "Matt will you be nervous playing in front of Thousands of people??"

I had to quote Willie Nelson with my response of, "Nope, after the first 10 rows you can't see them anyways..." However, I honestly don't get that nervous on stage. I worry about things that I can't control, like a failure of equipment, weather, a drunk girl throwing her panties on Keef's face during his solo causing him to mess up. But after I think about it a little more I realize it does you no good to worry about things out of your control. Life isn't about dodging all the bullets, it's about reacting to the ones that hit you, and moving forward, staying positive and getting back up.

Speaking of Quoting musicians...I finished my Steve Earle biography, definitely one to read. Honestly I haven't found one that wasn't interesting. So...off to Half Priced books (on South Lamar) I go to see who's life I will infiltrate next. It's exciting to me to do it at Half Price books because, if I bought the book online I can get whatever I want, so I myself decide. However when I go to Half Price, I have to pick from their selection, so it's like opening an Easter Egg, it could have $20 in it (if from My PawPaw), a piece of candy (if from my mom), or a beer cap (if from my Dad...LMAO)...

sorry sometimes I digress

So...going through the selection I found one that I couldn't quit thinking about:



I'm excited to read about Bob Marley, I know some of his music and a little about him, but not that much. I have been to Jamaica, but there's always more to learn.

My friend had a pet snake, Red Tailed Boa, and he would power feed it...more mice then normally would be eaten. That's my theory with SSP...I'm power feeding it..more..more...more and if it works out to the level I'm aiming for...then one day people may read a book about me and/or SSP. And what's cool...you as a reader of this blog...have already started reading it.

Put that in your Hash Pipe and Smoke it!!

I'm out!!!
Next blog will be After the Corpus show..get excited cause I am!!
love ya bye
mb

Bleed for Me...I'll Bleed for YOU

WOO HOO Shirts are on order!! Hellz to the yeah...take a Gander:



Can't wait to get all this together...I've been working this album for close to a year now...from the first time I stepped foot in Sugar Hill last September to re-record Rock N Roll Pain Train:



To the writing of the new music, to producing the funding for the album to go back to Sugar Hill to record the rest of the album :



Upon returning to then get the artwork laid out:





Then traveling to Dallas to create our first music video:



WOW...alot has happened over the past year...and it's just getting started. I remember telling my Dad, "I have a plan...somewhat...but it's a start." My Dad then responds, "Just don't let 'em see you sweat...and hand me another High Life."

I'm very excited for this album to drop, video to air, and shirts to scatter. I made a statement to a very good friend earlier today and I thought I would share it. Every now and then, I have my moments where I say something that makes sense...the remaining part of the time I write Lyrics :)....

I was talking about how pumped I am to get this thing rolling, get this train finally moving in one solid direction with all the parts of the puzzle in place and said,

"I feel like a dog...waiting for the gate to open...so I can run a race I'm going to win...I just can't wait for the gate to open...a race I know I'm going to win, it reminds me of playing weaker opponents in football, I couldn't wait to play them so I could toy with them and see how bad I could destroy them..."

Is that cocky?? I dunno, I don't believe so, I believe it's confidence.

So to all those that have helped with this journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart, we really have a chance here to do something Immaculate, and to those of you that didn't believe...buy a CD and be somebody.

I shall leave you with the ever inspiring words:

"Cocky will get you killed, Confidence will get you paid..." - Dave Ballengee

Come to The SHOW
\m/

It's Evolution Baby!!

Bigger Faster Stronger...

That was my first title for the new album. I remember when I was younger and was introduced to the workout program BFS, in which each week you added a little more and a little more, slowly but steadily building your body: bigger...faster...stronger.

I learned a lot in the various weight rooms of WV, most importantly, if you work hard and concentrate on each individual repetition the result is always there.

The same can be applied in life in general. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "If you take a 10 horsepower motor and apply a 12 horsepower load, the motor will eventually burn out. However if you take a 10 horsepower human and apply a 12 horsepower load, they will grow into a 12 horsepower human. Now GET TO THE CHOPPER!!"

LOL...had to put that in there.

Either way, that's exactly right, sink or swim. I took a leap off the deep end 3 years ago when coming down here, and with all my eggs in one basket have only managed to break a few, but for the majority they are still intact.

Snake Skin Prison is constantly getting the load applied, and with a little bit of luck, a whole lot of Blessing, and a charming smile; we continue to grow.

Shows are growing, the New Album is HOT, the Video puts chills where I didn't know they existed.

This Friday we travel to Scout Bar for a show with Cowboys from Hell Paso, and Saturday back @ Gold Crown in San Marcos. Gonna be a busy weekend, but then again...that in itself is the Load that must be applied.

Bigger...Faster...Stronger...

"The main thing to do, is act like you know what you're doing...never let 'em see you sweat." -Dave Ballengee

Come see SSP this weekend!!

Love ya!




And Don't forget!!

Stronger than Death

So my piece of advice to you, do not eat an entire thing of peanuts...I'm not saying a $.50 bag from the Stop and Rob it...I'm talking the glass jars from HEB (that's the grocery store here in TX...if you didn't know)...and eat the entire thing...then go to sleep. Now, I'll be the first to admit, I love me some peanuts...and peanut butter...but I don't like waking up to a stomach that feels like there's a Slipknot Concert going on...and still have to go to work!! So...as with all things in life, moderation is key, even with peanuts.

SSP played a show in North Houston Saturday night and it was a blast. We had a killer crowd, and drank some killer hooch!! Here's a couple pics for ya:







Always havin fun...with SSP you never walk away empty handed.

This Saturday Night we play @ Red Eyed Fly, looking to be a killer show, we headline so get there early and stay there late.



On a very serious and POSTIVE note, we just booked a benefit concert @ The Nutty Brown Cafe. The proceeds go to those that have been affect by this Oil ClusterF*ck that has happened...so I urge you to check out the following link, the line-up is killer...Help US Help You...HELP others. We're all in this crazy world together, and I don't know about you, but I'd rather lend a helping hand than not.
Rockin 4 The Gulf

Alright...well Live the Live you were born to live!!

Kill the Sunshine

"Kill the Sunshine, Cause I'm King of the Nighttime!"

Well...howdy stranger!! Long time no blog :). I have been up to my ears in Rock n Roll as well as life in general. Dean Martin said it best when he said, 'Life's a Kick in the Head' cause believe you me at times it is. A roller coaster of decisions, speculations, memories, and mistakes. However, just when you think things are pretty dismal...bleak and gray...this ol' crazy game called life rears it's ever changing head and says, "How about a Phone call to mix the madness"....my phone call went as follows:

"Matt, this is *** from Jagermeister, and I'd like to offer Snake Skin Prison a spot on the Rockstar Energy Drink UPRoar Festival playing with Disturbed, Stone Sour, Avenged Sevenfold, and Hell Yeah."



So...sometimes life is a kick in the head...a kick in the ass...maybe a kick in the balls. And as a good friend told me this week, it's better than the alternative...and I respond, "what's that?" he said, "No kicks at all!"

I def like my Kicks now that I think about it.

So, regardless, the show must go on, and onward we go!!

ALBUM Release...

Man this is close..so close it spills out of my mouth when I've had too much Love Juice!! I can't wait to drop the dates and other info...

I picked up the Album itself, this week, our first 1000 copies and man did that feel good. After all the hard work, preparation, and determination that went into this. I can remember talking with my Ol' Man in WV, sippin High Life, watching the snow flakes (Last December) and he said, "Son...do you even have a plan??" I replied, 'Oh, I got a plan...not only do I have a plan, I have a good plan...the variable is are the cards going to fall in the manner that I need them..."

That plan is almost completed...it's close...but thus far, everything has fallen into place, and thanks to The Man Upstairs, SSP, family and friends....I can quote my Non-Mentor, Hannibal Lecter:

"I love it when a plan comes together"

I'll leave you with the words of my High School Football Coach, Donnie Football:

"When you play hard, you make your own luck...keep your eyes wide open and your ears peeled back, this is gonna be the biggest game of your life."

TAG...I'm in!

\m/
MB

Motel Tan!!

Man...I'm so busting at the seams to tell you about the CD Release...but I have to wait just a tad bit longer...can't release the info just yet...but when I do it's gonna be the CATS ASS!!

CD's should be ready for pick up any day.
I have an email in for our Merch as well.
I got a small clip from the Music Video.

Man when this hits...it's gonna go off like an Atom Bomb...at least for me...and that's all that matters...yourself...eff other people's thoughts and feelings.


JOKE!

Alright, moving on...this past weekend was a great weekend, decent little show in Fort Worth and a Face Melter at the Dirty Dog. Lights were flashing as was womerns breasts...Sexy Bill climbed up on stage and played "Moonshine Shake" with us...



It was a total blast.

Great Crowd...Great atmosphere...regardless of how many shit shows you play, empty bars you rock, late night drives you make half awake...wondering why in the EFF are you doing this to yourself....it only takes one moment...when the Bass drum hits...Keef's standing on the bar across the room...I raise my hands and everyone screams...at that moment...it's all worth it...I'll drive to hell and back for that feeling...and something tells me I just might.

GET EXCITED...CD RELEASE...OMG!!!FTW.....FML!!!



"I like to play"-Garth

\m/

burn baby burn

I come to you today from the 180 degree sauna of gold's gym. Its quite sad to sweat out the love juice, but I'm all about new beginnings! Speaking of Love Juice, its a hit in WV!! Be sure to get some in your life!!

So I approved the artwork for the new album, it looks pretty sick!! Gonna be very proud to get this one out to the public. I remember when we finished "Get Bit!!" And I was listening to it, I thought, "Matt, how in the world are you going to top this??". And call me crazy but don't call me Shirley I think we have :) .

As for the release party I am working on that as I speak, very anxious to throw the biggest party ATX can stand.

We have practice tonight, in which we are working on some new cover material and the high life population in south austin. Tomorrow we travel to fort worth and saturday we are at the dirty dog for Sexy Bill's bday.

Some of you might not know Sexy Bill....but he is one of my best friends. He has truly been there for me when I needed (along with his hot wife famous amos!!)....and trust me, I'm somewhat of a needy guy! So come out and celebrate with me!! Its gonna be the tits!!!

Asta la vista!!

Mb

5 Oclock Somewhere!

Well...after spending a week in the Motherland (WV)...my hillbilly ass is back in ATX...just in time for some killer shows with SSP.

Friday night we travel to San Marcos to play Gold Crown Billiards:



And then on Saturday...a fitting coming home show @ Red Eyed Fly:



So after resting the mind the body and NOT the Liver...it's time to put the rubber to the road and get some!!

I always enjoy my trips back home to WV. I'm a firm believer I am who I am because of where I'm from. I know that sounds like a DuH statement, however, you can never forget where you're from. And traveling back to WV for a week at a time once every several months keeps me grounded.

I probably drank more than should be allowed, but you have keep it honest...and the more things change the more they stay the same.

To all my Familia and Peeps in Tha Dub V...I love ya and will be seeing ya soon...to the Familia and Peeps in the ATX (and the rest of this great state of Texas)...Hold on...it's about to get very interesting :)

cheerz!
mb

Sometimes I don't know if I'll make it...

Another week has come and gone...since my last post...and I'm still just as funny and good looking as ever...if not getting better!! This week has proved to be a busy one, with my second guitar lesson lined up for this Thursday and 2 killer road shows staring me back in the face. Friday we travel to Spring Texas (North Houston) to play the 19th Hole Bar and Grill (202 Sawdust Rd)...then Saturday we lay rubber up to Arlington to headline Dreamworld Music Complex.

A cool side note, we're traveling with our new southern rock amigos... The Bayou City Outlaw Band...really cool dudes and some foot stompin, shotgun pumpin rock n roll...check em out HERE

Then it's on to Tuesday (6/29) where we open for Jackyl @ the Scout Bar in San Antonio...and this my friends is probably gonna scar San Antonio for a while...so...I'm not held responsible for anything...well actually I'm responsible for a lot...so let's fire it up!!




I have the pleasure of travelin back to the mother land soon...I'll take a shit ton of pictures for you to check out...and I might even post a good ol' Dub V lunch from time to time.

I found it quite ironic, the last trip I took home was right before, what I thought...was the shit before the storm...I had to figure out how to get our Album recorded...where to get it recorded..how to pay for it...and hell...had to write some more music!!

Well since then, we got the album done...with some pretty bad ass music...got a music video shot...and are pulling bigger and better crowds than ever...

Now...my plate is even more full...with getting this CD Released...Video Released...New Merchandise...Future Tour Plans...and making sure the world has enough Love Juice!!

But I often say, "You wanna know why The Lord made these shoulders so big?? So they can carry the weight of the world!"

"Sometimes I don't know if I'll make it, Sometimes I wished I could walk away; Sometimes I don't know if I'll make it through...but you know I'm gonna do it anyway!!"

-Till the Bitter End-
\m/
MB

Country Boy Can Survive!!

Well I weighed in at 196 the other day...down from 215...I was curious about the weight loss. I work out 5-7 days a week combining weight training and cardio/sauna. I eat fairly healthy when I can, and drink only the finest of spirits. But I was curious...something else is helping...then it dawned on me. We played 2 shows this weekend, Friday and Saturday during ROT Rally...and for those of you that braved the Son's of Anrachy....you experienced the grave heat...well my friends I sweat worse than 2 rats doing the humpty in a wool sock!! After both shows, I was completely soaked...head to toe. So...when you think this Rock N Roll is all Lonestars and Limos...it's not...it's a lot of work! But I love every second of it...I ain't gonna lie.

Alright, moving on...last night I experimented with my new Adult Beverage, "SSP LoveJuice"...here's a pic:









It's Red g2 (low calorie Gatorade) and Crystal Head Vodka...and it's awesome! I drank on that last night and must say I awoke revitalized and refreshed, ready to take on the world and all it had to throw at me.

So Speaking of ROT...that was an experience, Dirty Dog on Friday and Maggie Mae's on Saturday...pics are coming so hang tight, but both shows were amazing!

SSP is off this weekend...show wise, however I am never off...Monday I had my first vocal consultation and today I'm having my first guitar lesson. You can always be better...bigger faster stronger...the moment you stop growing is the moment you become obsolete.

Alright...this has been a short but sweet one...have a good week...and be sure to come to a show!!