Smokin EggNog!!

WOW!!

Let me say that again...WOW!!

If you didn't make it out to this year's "A Very Metal Christmas" then I'm sorry to say you missed one helluva night. Shot Blocks...Chair Massages...Holiday Drink Specials...VIP...and much more!!  Final count through the door was 380 people...not too shabby for the weekend before Christmas.  I personally would like to thank everyone involved from Chronolung and Yayo for putting on great shows to The Parish, our sponsors: Insite Magazine, Massage Envy, and Grahams Treaty Oak  Wine and Spirits, and all those in the SSP Camp that worked hard to promote, sell tickets, and make this a night for the books.

We also had Austin photographer Debbie Jane there, and you can check out all the gnarly photos she took HERE .  So with all that being said, be sure to get your mind right for "A Very Metal Christmas 2" cause we are definitely doing this again next year!!

Now moving forward, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and got if not everything...most of what they asked for.  Among the awesome gifts I rec'd I was also pumped to get the "Ruff" mixes for the new tunes we recorded and I must say it sounds delicious!!  I can't wait for the final product to hit the streets.  Be sure to keep a close watch, cause we'll have more detail on that soon.

Also!! Snake Skin Prison is selling our SSP Hoodies...we only got a limited number printed, so you better get yours today...what better way to keep warm while beating the streets to all those live shows you like to attend :) ... Email us HERE for details!

I was asked this past weekend of my favorite Christmas Memory...and I had to think long and hard about it.  Now remember, I think it's safe to say that we were a middle class family, we definitely weren't rich, but weren't poor...bent but not broke as I like to say.  I can remember being a youngster and getting up @ 3am!!  and I can remember once older, after one too many spiked egg nogs wished I could sleep until noon.  Regardless, thinking back I want to say that my favorite...present...memory would be when my Dad got me my first electric guitar and amp.  I remember turning that baby on,   didn't know the first thing about Highs...Mids...Lows...the only thing I knew was to turn them all up!!  And that I did.  Luckily now I have Keef to help me with all that nonsense :) ... the guitar was an Ovation (yes Electric) Ultra GS.  That's when the beast was first fed...I dove into Early Metallica, Megadeth and Ozzy.  I also waded my way through piles of Lynyrd Skynyrd southern fried licks.  I fell in love with that guitar, and still love it to this day.  And believe it or not, I still play it almost every day.  I'll trade a car...I'll trade a pedal...I'll trade an amp...but I will never EVER sell/trade a guitar...and here she is to prove it...15 years later...

So remember kids...Snake Skin Prison loves ya and thanks you for your support through a VERY Successful 2011, and I already warned 2012, we're about ready to grab him by the balls...

I hope you all have a very safe New Year's...please don't drink and drive...in the words of my old boss Paul Ball, "we can always get another car, but we can't get another you!" ...

See ya on the streets...
MB

I Want my SSP!!!

"Now look at them yo-yo's, that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on the M.T.V.
That ain't working, that's the way you do it
Money for nothing and your chicks for free"

Well I ain't on MTV; definitely ain't getting money for nothing or chicks for free, but one might argue we could be close.  It has definitely been a super busy week for us here at the SSP camp!  Last night, we finished up a new song in the studio then hauled balls up to KLBJ to Rock with Loris Lowe on Local Licks.  We have been pumping the EFF outta "A Very Metal Christmas" and just released this promo video for your viewing pleasure: 

If you were witness to last year's show at the Parish, our album release for "9 Kinds of Bad", you know what kind of party we're talking about.  We have been pounding the pavement selling Pre-Sale tickets and I believe we might still have a few left...but they are selling as we speak (which is a great feeling).  You can get your ticket HERE .  I can't stress enough how easy it is to just hop online, place the order, have them set to "Will Call" and BAM...not only did you save money, but you don't have to keep up with a ticket.  Just show up!! 

Also, I know a lot of people were wanting to come in from out of town and were inquiring about a hotel.  Well, here in SSP Land, we try our best to take care of YOU first!  Management reached out to a couple hotels downtown, but unfortunately, our reputation precedes us...they were afraid of the "after party" factor, thus we were unable to get a block of rooms.  Seriously?? Snake Skin Prison...After Party...is that even real??  However, if you check on HOTELS.COM you can get hotels for as cheap as $70...and the last time I checked that's better than a DWI...remember kids...use your noggin!

VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP

We have VIP packages Available!!  for $30 (this doesn't include admission, so you would have to buy a ticket as well...$40 total) you get: 

VIP/Band Access only Full service bar
VIP/Band Access only Area
Snake Skin Prison Spiked Egg Nog (while supplies last)
3 Drink tickets includes SSP Holiday Shot Block
SSP Stocking Stuffer
SSP Holiday chair massage provided by Massage envy
Signed Official VMC 12x18 poster

You will be able to upgrade at the venue as well...fyi...remember PRESALE TICKETS HERE you know you're gonna wana...EVERYBODY's Doing it!!

VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP VIP 

Also...whew this is a lot of typing!  We will have new merch as well...just in time for those Christmas Presents!!  

Snake Skin Prison has been hard at work in the studio, but also in the Lab writing new music.  So get your mind right, this isn't just going to be a Snake Skin Prison show...This is gonna be A Very Metal Christmas!!! 

"Get your money for nothing, get your chicks for free
Money for nothing, chicks for free
Look at that, look at that
Get your money for nothing, get your chicks for free (I
want my, I want my, I want my SSP.)
Money for nothing and chicks for free
Easy, easy"

Aimed at You!!

 As most youngsters growing up in a hard working middle class family, I wasn't handed money to spend.  Once I got to a certain age and needed (or so I thought) things, I would bug the crap out of my parents, and most of the time their defenses were strong.  So, typical Matt Ballengee, instead of going without I started to hatch a plan on how I could make some cashola.  

I did several jobs, put up hay (twice...and that was enough), ran the clock for basketball games or kept the books for the slow pitch softball games (thanks Coach Boothe!)...but the one occupation I did regularly was mow lawns.  So on the hunt I went...in search of the lawn to be mowed.

So, a cousin's hubby, we'll call him...uhm...well how about Ed...lol...he took a chance and gave me the job of mowing his yard.  Now mind you, this wasn't a very big lot...not even half an acre...maybe not even 1/3 of an acre...but that wasn't the selling point for me...the selling point??  Self Propelled baby!!  Easy $$. 

I mowed a couple times and Ed paid me, and then one day I was in his living room, after working the mower, and he said, "ya know what you need??  Turn around there and pick a CD...that can be your payment..."  I turned around and man O man, there had to be a thousand CD's!!!  I was like, "holy Cow...CDs!!  These are better than tapes!!"  I thought for sure Ed was rich.  So I was looking and looking, keep in mind still fresh and developing my musical tastes...so I really didn't know what I wanted...or should take.  After several minutes, Ed goes, "Here...hell it ain't that hard...this is the one you need!!!"  

Now granted, he could've handed me Madonna...Vern Gosden...or Run DMC...but nope...he handed me a CD that I quote as a definite influence on myself as a musician...

PANTERA "COWBOYS FROM HELL"  

I remember going home and blasting that baby enough to where my parents thought I was gonna burn the house down and start a cult...they had never heard anything like this, my dad's like, "boy this ain't The Freebirds of Southern Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd!!!"  But something just kept me playing it...I can't explain it.  

And that my friends is how you know you got it.  When you can reach out across the country and infect people's lives, hearts, and minds with your music.  And regardless of what kind've music you're making (in my book as long as YOU are making it...be it with a guitar...a banjo...a trumpet...any INSTRUMENT)if your music does that...it's better than gold.  

"Better than gold??  Matt you're crazier than a shit house rat!!!"  <---that's probably what you're thinking...well actually that's exactly what I am :).  However...

This body is just a vessel and will carry us as far as it can...then we will move on...but the music...the music my friends will last for ever...whether there be an ear to hear it or not...it will never die.

Today is the day Dimebag Darrell died, and even though I never met Dime...he reached out and touched my life, changed my life, blew my speakers, and gave me something to strive for.  

For that I am very thankful.  

So crank the Dimebag of your choice folks, scare the parents a bit (it's good for them), sling a black tooth grin if you so choose...and remember....

WE'RE TAKING OVER THIS TOWN

Don't forget our Christmas EVENT!!

PRESALE TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE CLICK HERE!

PRESALE TIX AVAILABLE ONLINE CLICK HERE!!!

Save the Blessing for the Final Ring

Money Money Money...oh how people long for it every day; then get it and realize it brings more problems then they could ever imagine.  One of Kid Rock's Lyrics (yes I'm quoting Kid Rock, his album "Devil Without a Cause" I can listen to from beginning to end without skipping one song) states, "I wish I had your life, and I know you wish you had mine..."...or something to that extent.

I remember when I was younger my mother told me, "Matthew, you can make $30,000 a year or $300,000 a year...you're still going to spend it."  And you know what that's true.  My first job I got, working at a video store (BEYOND VIDEO FO LIFE), making $5/hr...straight cash...why you might ask?  Cause cash don't leave no tracks that's why :) ... anyways...I remember thinking, "Man if I could only make more money...I could afford the things I want and need!!"  Like a new stereo for my truck, or a new combo amp...yeah those are things I definitely need!! LOL.

Then as I progress down this twisted highway we call life, I had a job making $10/hr...DOUBLE what I was making at Beyond Video.  DOUBLE...had you told me while renting a "Girls Gone Wild" video that one day I would make double...I would've laughed in your face then offered you free popcorn...

However, making $10/hr still wasn't enough...I still found myself spending it and needing more.  EFF!  If only I made more money...so I moved to Austin, chasing that neon rainbow and got a job making $16/hr...Oh...now we're talking...take me straight to the dealership and I'll have one of your newest...hmmm..wait I still need more money...If only...

If only...sounds like a statement of someone that's going to wish their life away...always dreaming and wanting more, never being satisfied. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer in wanting more and using that fire to burn the desire to attack your dreams, however, that doesn't mean you shouldn't appreciate the things you have...the time you have...or the family and friends you have...cause trust me sweet cheeks...NONE of that is a guarantee.

And you can take that to the bank!!

I thought about this whole money deal when hearing about the NBA lockout.  I assume it went something like this:

Owner: "Sorry son, we're gonna have to take a bit more off the top, gas is rising and filling up my Hummer SUT isn't cheap."
Player: "What?!?! are you nuts??  Have you filled up a Lambo lately??  I need more money, insurance is a B!tch"

LOL...Maybe...

Then I thought...wait a minute!!  I got it the answer to this whole debacle...let's treat em like unsigned bands...then it would go like this:

Owner: "Alright son, you've practiced really hard, and you're really good, you got a big game coming up...so we're going to pay you based on attendance...not all attendance, just the people that quote your name coming through the door, then after taking %'s for my costs...we'll pay you"

Something tells me you'd get a better quality game real quick...and they probably wouldn't be arguing about gassing their Lambo...

Either way, I think it's a bit of a shame, with everything going on in the world around us and these jokers can't even get the season underway.  Hopefully with no NBA, people will have more disposable income to get out and support some music!! 

This weekend SSP Travels to San Angelo to our home away from home known as The Deadhorse!  I've spoken of The Deadhorse before, but if you haven't checked them out, you should...it's more fun than one should have in one day!!

Then SSP has in order off to prepare for the Christmas Event of the Year!!

Snake Skin Prison Presents "A Very Metal Christmas!!" 

 

We are pre-selling tickets for $10.....they will be $15 the day of...so if you're planning on coming you better hit us up.  Anyone in the band can help you, or you can email ME HERE . 

If you were in attendance at last year's Album Release @ The Parish then you know what's up!!  This year will be double the action...And you can take that to bank as well!!  

At about 0:40 sec you see a great shot of the crowd that came out!!
Click HERE to see more vids from that Killer NIGHT!!


Alright...Keep those heads held high and the tolerance held higher...
We'll be seeing ya on the FLIP!!

MB

Everybody's Doing It

So we're selling tickets hot and heavy now!! After a killer weekend in San Antonio, and San Marcos the weekend before; "A Very Metal Christmas" is alive and running!! We've also added the first band to the bill. Austin's own, "Chronolung"!! CHECK EM OUT!!

Snake Skin Prison headlined The Deadhorse in San Angelo a while back and these guys were on the bill. I personally was impressed and when the time came to start booking for VMC (that's A Very Metal Christmas for you newbies) I knew these guys would work well.

MORE bands to be announced, this party is just getting started folks...so you better save your drinking money and get your Presale tickets today. Only $10 if you pick them up from someone in the band....soon to be available online via Front Gate Tickets...and of course if you're going to be a hard ass...you can pay "day of" prices of $15.

December 17th it's going down, it's on like Saigon, I promise you this to be the biggest event Snake Skin Prison has ever been apart of, and definitely the LOUDEST Christmas Party Austin has seen \m/.




Also...Snake Skin Prison is hard at it writing new tunes, preparing to hit the studio before the end of the year (fingers crossed). If you've caught a live show recently, then you've heard some new tunage...but there's plenty more where that came from. So spread the word...get excited!! It's a great day to be a part of Snake Skin Prison...and a part of it you are!!

Top 5 Songs I listen to when it's too late to call anyone because the rest of the world is sleeping...I'm sitting there watching cigarette smoke dance against the wall and the sunlight shimmer the the trees outside my apartment
In no particular Order
"Over and Under It" - Five Finger Death Punch
"Crazy Horse I Am" - Black Label Society
"What Ya Gonna Do" - Hinder
"Fall of the Peacemakers" - Molly Hatchet
"Venus Bound" - Unknown Hinson

Live Life Like You're on Vacation!
Imma blastin off!!

MB

Good Night Austin Texas...wherever you are

Welcome Welcome my faithful blog reader!! It's been a while, since I put the pen to the paper in the form of this blog, so I figured I'd better touch base before you forgot about me!!
Things have been busy for The Rock n Roll Pain Train...let's see, we played Tulsa (first time outside of the great state of Texas), and we have also scheduled our Christmas Event, "A Very Metal Christmas"....I'm super stoked for this event, it's more than just a "show"...it's gonna be an event...of epic proportions.
Click the Poster to view the Event on Facebook Now this next part is very important...so I need you to take a minute and focus...you will see this material again!!
Tickets will be $15 the day of the show, and $12 if you order them online presale....HOWEVER...being that Snake Skin Prison is on YOUR side, we have physical pre-prints: For $10!! Save some money peeps! You can get them from myself, Keith or Marc...just shoot whoever a message and let's sell some tickets!! Now...check this out!! Let's say you're outgoing, good looking, highly popular, and just flat out a good sales person...Let's say you're a go getter that likes to show off your people skills and initiative. If this describes you, I got just the thing. If sell some tickets for SSP's "A Very Metal Christmas" then you could get the following: 1. Sell 5 Tickets and Keef will buy you a Jager Bomb
2. Sell 10 Tickets and Keef will buy your ticket and a jager bomb
3. Sell 15 or more tickets...and SSP will give you Keef...fo life

Seriously :) ... just collect the $10 each from your rocking friends, hit up someone in the band, and we'll make arrangements to make the swap. It's like a drug deal, just not illegal. There is a lot of info still to come, the lineup is being finalized as we speak, and if you know anything about Snake Skin Prison let me just say the "wheels" of creativity are turning and this will definitely be an event you don't want to miss. Check it out!! HERE Invite your friends spread the word and help make "A Very Metal Christmas" the shindiggity!!
Alright, now with all that being said, we had a great weekend in San Marcos, had a couple hurdles thrown into the mix, but when you mix good friends and bottles of booze, there's really nothing you can't overcome. For those of you that missed the debut of Knuckle Keefers Sammich, it was actually really good and totally cool. For reasons that are none of my business, KS was in need of a bass player and in my Love Juiced mind suggested they contact Keef!! So...Keefers filled in and did awesome.
We also got to pull out our newest creation, "The Place the Sun Doesn't Shine"...I'm really digging this jam, and I think the crowd was as well. We don't have any video footage of it yet, but I'll post the lyrics for ya's...


<Well the sun came down but it never come up…oh them mountains stood way too high Life is hard living above ground….but it’s harder workin down in the mine Oh…you break your back infect your lungs…pray the mountain’s mercy received Blacken your body for the hourly wage…it’s the only life you ever would live

That bright light fades the deeper you go down...the air is hard to breathe Most go in and most come out...but nothing is a guarantee

Set em up top and drill em down low…the money gets blacker with time Said their ain’t no life if their ain’t no coal…everyday your life’s on the line….

The Place the sun doesn't shine

You see a man’s gotta do what a mans gotta do…to keep his family covered and fed And if you ain’t gonna leave you get your ass underground…slap the helmet down on your head It sure ain't easy, and it sure is tough, Lord they doing it every day 12 hours in and 12 hours out, pray the mountain don't take you away

Set em up top and drill em down low…the money gets blacker with time Said their ain’t no life if their ain’t no coal…everyday your life’s on the line….

The Place the sun doesn't shine


Also, I'm excited about SSP hitting up the studio and recording some new tunes in the next couple months...a lot is about to change, I can feel it.

Come see us in San Antonio this Saturday!!



Till Next Time!
Adios!!
M 2 da B

Texas is Burning

Sometimes I sit and think up things to blog about. Sometimes I have something happen to myself, Snake Skin Prison, or someone else around me and I want to make very intelligent insight on that. Sometimes it's a premeditated blog that I've been working up for weeks, maybe months...and then there's times I sit down and write whatever literary vomit I can produce at the moment. I had intended to write this blog about being thankful for the things you have, the people around you, and the beautiful country we live in. What gave way to these thoughts and feelings would be the fact that I spent Labor Day Weekend in South Padre. Now I travel quite frequently, and most of the time it's to cool spots, like The Uproar Tour in Corpus...or Ride for Dime in Dallas...of House of Blues in Houston...or Dave Ballengee's backyard gazebo where the high life's are limitless...however there's always an agenda:
-wake up (very important)
-eat
-drink (something non-alcoholic)
-get in the vehicle
-get to the venue
-load gear
-sound check
-play show -go to merch booth
-sign stuff, shake hands, sell sell sell
-load gear
-get in the vehicle
-leave...then hopefully eat
So it's not really a vacation. However this past weekend was a VACATION!! Literally...woke up, ate breakfast, laid on the beach until lunch, ate lunch, laid by the pool until dinner, went out and destroy Padre Seafood, then back to the beach until you didn't know who you were or where you were!! Total complete relaxation that I would possibly argue I haven't felt in a very long time...


Photo - Kelly Miller

It was awesome...purely awesome and I can't wait to go back...and I will very soon....


This is what I saw when I went to sleep.....(Photo- Kelly Miller)

And then I woke up...............




And saw that...

I woke up logged into Facebook (cause that's what we all do) and that was the first image on my screen and I remember thinking, "Surely to God that isn't in America..."

Come to find out it is...not only in America...but in Texas...not only in Texas but Central Texas...Bastrop...Leander...Northern Austin...

I couldn't believe my eyes, nor thought it was "that bad" I mean shit the damn bed the picture above looks like something out of a horror/war movie...but I still thought, "is it really that bad??" I then searched and found more pictures, talked to friends and read the news...and folks it's that bad...and it's still bad.

I feel I'm a problem solver, I feel I take initiative and make moves...I mean I did move from WV to start Snake Skin Prison...with no template to follow expect Motley Crue's "The Dirt" and Martin Atkins' "Tour Smart"...so the first thing I thought was, "what can I do to help..." well the obvious reason that came to light was, "Put down the love juice and get back to Austin, make sure you have a home!!" Once I got home, I read more, checked more and there are donation spots popping up everywhere, and I think that's what is best. I think you should leave it to the professionals to their jobs (unless other wise instructed) and raid your home...remember at least you have one.

Food, clothes, water, gatorade (prolly want to leave out the liquor for now), tooth paste shampoo...things you use everyday...people have been stripped of.

I kept thinking what could I do...how could I help...then I got the invite to book Snake Skin Prison for a benefit show...

I couldn't say no...

Mad Respect for Billy Cannon's South Texas Smoke Shop for organizing this along with Dirty Dog and the many other peeps involved.... HERE is the event on FACEBOOK

ALL proceeds go to the Central Texas Wildfire Victims, they are delivering them personally.

I had intended to write this blog about being thankful for the things you have, the people around you, and the beautiful country we live in...and I think I still did...crazy how things work out.

Texas is burning people...Texas needs your help...I know that if the tables were turned...well that goes without saying....

Let's throw down Sunday night...bring whatever...anything...I know I'm bringing mine...

And I don't wanna hear the I can't's and I wish I could's...cause if you can't get to the show you can get somewhere donations are being accepted and if you can't do that you can click HERE and give $5...

TTBE

MB

Hang Em' High

Whew....well after the smoke has cleared, I think we're all here and in one piece!! What a weekend in Dallas. In case you've been living under a rock for the past 6 months, let me fill you in.

Snake Skin Prison was invited to play this year's Ride for Dime. You can find out more about Ride for Dime HERE ... but in a nutshell, it's held in rememberance of one of Heavy Metal's greatest Dimebag Darrell (guitarist for Pantera, Damageplan, and Rebel Meets Rebel). It's a biker rally/charity event where proceeds go to charities that Dime approved of:

LITTLE KIDS ROCK
Ride for Dime Scholarship Fund

If you don't know who Dimebag is or anything else about him, please unsubscribe from my blog...I'm joking!! You can find out all you want about Dime HERE along with other tons of stuff on line, just by googling his name.

Okay, moving forward.

RFD 2011 was AMAZING. I don't have a negative thing to say about it. We played to a full house, played an amazing show, and had an amazing time. Got to see some old friends and meet tons of new ones...not to mention selling almost all of our merch!! I would like to personally thank Rob Eichelberger (prez of RFD) and the rest of his crew, along with Trees in Dallas for providing us with such an amazing experience.

Playing Ride for Dime and rocking that crowd the way Snake Skin Prison did only confirms what I already knew. SSP is a force that's growing by the minute...and when I say by the minute I literally mean I have to put my cell phone on silent because it will drive me crazy buzzing and singing everytime someone joins our EMAIL LIST , Friends me on Facebook, or shakes my hand at a show with a smile from ear to ear...

*side note: Did you know that my goal was 1500 emails by the end of this year and we have already busted 3k?? That's a lot of emails!!*

I'm not always as vocal about what we have going on behind the walls of SSP HQ, but I can tell you this, we are getting ready to hop into some pre-production for our new material and are looking forward to dumping that on ya like a nice big hot pile of ... well Metal!

I think I'll quit cramming that down your throat and let you see for yourself...





Jose Mangin of Sirius Radio Introducing SSP

Now this fine looking gent is my good friend Matt Martinez front man for Cowboys from Hell Paso ... kick ass dude! CHECK EM OUT

Rita Abbott (Dime's Ol Lady) was in the house taking time to grab pictures and talk with everyone...this is one strong gal folks...you better believe that!




So that's what we did this weekend...

Remember, leave nothing behind, cause nothing brings doubt -

Da Hillbilly Ninja

Vulgar Display of Sweat!

So, Satan called and wants his weather back - Facebook post I saw LOL.

But seriously..he did. I mean it's hot folks. It's been over 100 degrees for like 3 months. When I moved down here, I recall hearing people say, "You get used to the heat." Well, to those non-Texans out there, let me tell you, you don't get used to the heat you get used to being hot. Just like if you were to cut your arm off, you wouldn't get used to not having an arm, you'd get used to working without that arm. Wait does that make sense...I think my brain is fried...sorry.

Moving on...

Last night, I want to say in the midst of the heat and the sweat, was a very much needed breeze of relief in this rock n roll heart of mine. Among the days of bullshit bands, bullshit music, bullshit radio...last night proved to me one thing...and I'm about to tell you about it.

I remember once in conversation with Paul Bassman, former Damageplan/Drowning Pool manager, he said, "Matt at the end of the day, the cream will rise to the top." He was referring to music, and regardless of gimmicks, marketing ploys, advertising stunts, parent's money...all that crapola is great and extremely helpful, but as my mother would say, "The PROOF is in the pudding"

Last night, I went to check out Volbeat @ Emo's. It was outside, it was 107 degrees, and Lonestar Tall Boys were $3. I was expecting uhmmmm...30-50 people...maybe 100...and what did I get?



A shit ton of peeps...ON A TUESDAY!!

"So Matt...why does this provide you with a breeze of relief???"

Cause...that showed me that Metal is alive! Metal is here and not going away. I was happy to see Austin supporting Volbeat, from Denmark, a touring band. I was just telling someone, "Man I bet they get here and have shit crowds compared to playing overseas..." and what happens?? Austin slaps me in the mouth with an ice cold Lonestar and says...'FEEL THE METAL!'" LOL...

I was very proud of My Music Scene showing up and supporting. Hell yeah!

It was an awesome show, no fancy lights, no go-go dancers, just straight up metal. Plain and simple. I also had a good friend tell me, "If there are 20 doors, and you continually knock, eventually one of those doors will open." and my football coach, Donnie J said, "If you play hard you make your own luck." I know I've said that before and I'm sure I'll say it again. But the point I'm making is, the music will make or break you, regardless...however I suppose that's why they call it the 'music industry'.

Of course what would I know?? I'm just a geetar picker from WV...


(our crowd from Red Eyed Fly last weekend)

So I guess what I'm saying is...."Hey Bullshit Music and Musicians...you might want to check your rearview...cause there's about to be some Metal up your A$$"

When Nikki Sixx was asked about the resurgence of Motley Crue, he said, "The Music never left...you did...now you're coming back."

Or in the words of our man Big Vin (who was @ Emo's last night)



1....2...Barbecue


Adios Amigos!

MB

Pay Through the Nose

To Pay or not to Pay...that is the question.

I have seen some recent posts on this, as well as been approached by several different promoters and venues about "Paying to Play"

I personally like to think I'm an open minded individual. I think I'm pretty level-headed, that is unless I've been at Red Eyed Fly pounding Love Juice, then I'm pretty water-headed. I try to look at both sides of the coin, and imagine myself on the other side of the table. Often times I try not to make a rash decision and get the counsel of those around me of whom I admire and respect their opinion. Taking all that into account, I then make the decision and hope for the best. I do this in both my personal and professional lives...including Snake Skin Prison.

So here's what I think about paying to play a particular venue and/show:

-If you are a brand new band, and looking to get out there, and an opportunity comes along to play a big show...then sure...what quicker way to gather the troops then to drop some cashola and take a chance at a big audience

-I think if you're playing as a hobby you'll play for free...but not pay to play

-I think if you're playing as a business...uh...well the last time I got my oil changed at Pep Boys the didn't pay me...I paid them for their services.

-As for the venues charging to pay...well this again is where I would say, that's a double edged sword. Bringing in a big headliner, then charging the bands to open for them, makes perfect business sense. However, as a musician, I have to question the quality of show you're delivering your audience.

EX: "Just released: Metallica reunites with Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine...this show is going to happen only once...and on MARS!! with special opening guests:
-Tha Shithouse Boys
-Dickhead and the Spermy's
-Diamond Crusted Terd Swappers
-They Rapin Evurbody Up in Hur!
...and 28 other no name shit bands whose parents have money to buy their way in...hence the Rebecca Blacks and Justin Beibers flooding the music channels that were once dominated by real musicians who play real music without the aid of stealing…or sampling…from other musicians and/or machines!!!!

So...again there are 2 sides of the coin here....Donald Trump would say, "EFF it, we're making money and that's all that matters in the world...."

However...Sharon Osbourne would say, "Eff that...we can make money and put together a KILLER Line up...people will pay for good music!!" (hence the success of Ozzfest for the past how many years???...15…)

As a venue you have to ask yourself, are you doing this for money?? Or are you doing this cause you love music and you love the people and you love giving them what they want and want to make money??

That's just my thoughts...

Has Snake Skin Prison paid to play??? yes...years ago when we had 6 songs and Keef had short hair.
Will Snake Skin Prison pay to play now??? yes...if currency is Straight Up Southern Metal!! LOL....if you're talking our hard earned green backs...no...we will not pay to play.

Now...how/and how much should a venue pay a band...whew lawdy...that's a whole other monster. Stay Tuned for that one!

Come check out Snake Skin Prison's next Austin show!!


NEW MERCH
NEW SONGS
SAME 3 COOL CATS

Me, My Book and I

Hola from the land of plenty...plenty of time to write you! I must admit it's been a while since my last blog. This blog operates via Google, therefore I sign in with my Gmail account. Well my Gmail account got hacked and they disabled it. So I couldn't sign into my blog. I thought, "Great Scott!! What if I have to start over...all that knowledge lost!" Luckily for you loyal reader, that didn't happen :).

So what's up...well let's see. Snake Skin Prison literally eff'd Dirty Dog last Saturday during ROT Rally. Bikes, Babes, Boobs, and Booze! What else is there? Well, maybe Bologna?? We played a 2 hour set, got to play some songs that we haven't played in a while and had a lot of fun!! Thank you all that came out!



You might notice we are spreading out our dates...well there's some serious Shizzle about to go down in the land of SSP. Good shizzle and I can't wait to tell you about it, but until then...just keep that head banging and that fist in the air.

Our next Austin show is July 30 @ Red Eyed Fly:



That is probably one of Austin's most powerful line-ups. Ayufa!!

Have you supported SSP lately? Need a reason?? Wanna be the talk of the room when you walk into a party...and not because you're drinking Wild Irish Rose???



Getcha one of those babies....email: matt@snakeskinprison.com for more info!!

So...you might be scratchin your noggin thinking, so what's up with the title of the blog?? "Me, My Book, and I" well...allow me to tell you faithful follower :).

I read biographies and autobiographies as much as I can. It's like going to Rock N Roll School...listening to professors teach from experience and real life happenings. I just got a Kindle for my bday and I love the ayufa outta it! I have since read:

-Sammy Hagar
-Vince Neil
-Dave Mustaine

So in a little over 30 days I have read 3 of them :). As reading these books, one thing dawned on me. They have all written AFTER the fact. Meaning, they are very confident and it's very easy to say some things, when you're sitting in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills. So I thought...what if I wrote a book...before hand.

Ya know, no one knows the future of SSP and we don't know if this band is going to grow into a national/international threat or not. I want it too, however after reading these books it looks like things might be better if it doesn't LOL.

And if nothing else, it will be fun to look back on it and remember the times. Cause regardless of how far this band goes, I've already achieved more than I ever expected. This band has done some pretty awesome things, and there's many more to come, you can bank on that. These are some exciting times and when better to write about something, then as it's happening!!

From time to time, I may leak parts here or there, just to keep it interesting, but right now I'll leave you with the title:

Matt Ballengee

All Aboard the Rock n Roll Pain Train


Long Live the Serpent King

Lyrical Gangsta Pt. 1

Here at SSP HQ we like to keep things interesting.

As you might have seen, we were holding a contest for the SSPrisonite that brought the most people to our Stubbs show. Check it:



Well...the winner of that Contest was Die Hard SSP Supporter Anthony Tod!! He sold over 15 presale tix and brought more people the day of...so...from the above mentioned...Anthony has chosen for Keith to wear Jeans!! Keep on the lookout for which show this will go down at.

This Saturday SSP co-headlines Hanover's Memorial Day Festivities on Saturday with Broken Teeth. Talk about a memorial day to remember!! Come check it out:



Alright, with that out of the way, I have been rec'ing several inquires about lyrics for SSP tunes. We don't print the lyrics in our Album notes, nor do I have them posted anywhere. So, I'm going to start a little series called, "The Lyrical Gangsta" where I'll post and explain the lyrics and what they mean. Got a song that's making you scratch your noggin?? Email me at: matt@snakeskinprison.com and we'll see if we can't scratch that itch.

Today I'm going to start with an oldie but a goodie:

"Let it Roll"
You can hear it HERE!!

Let me take you on a little trip down a dark black road not far from here
(I was driving at night down a back road in WV)
A trip I took now I wasn’t alone but I was so damn lonely so far from home
(I had a gal with me, whom I would end up dating for several years later on in life...so I wasn't alone, however I was very mixed up with where I was going in life...so I felt very alone)
Late night black light no head lights, down a one way road doing 95
(it was after midnight, and I was drunk and forgot to take the black out covers off my headlights...I was flying down the backroads of WV)
That radio blaring rock n roll…I heard a scream so loud nearly shook my soul
(My CD Player was blaring Motley Crue, I looked down to turn it up and the fine feline screamed at me cause I had ran off the road)

*At this point my truck flips 5 times and lands back on it's wheels*

Just when I thought that it was the end, I cranked it back up and I did it again
(this line has a couple meanings, the truck landed on it's wheels, and I remember cranking the motor...it started and I tried to drive off...unsuccessfully. Also it's a reference to how even though I had made a huge mistake it would be years, and a couple more wrecks before I would learn my lesson).


I said, O..No…nasty reputation having too much fun
Here we go…some like to let it rock…I let it roll
(I had a reputation of loving to party...and still do I suppose. The title "Let it Roll" is in reference to my truck rolling 5 times)

Knocking on a house that never existed, was the shock of my life now I finally admit it
(This is funny now that I look back on it...but I was so out it I was knocking on a barn that I thought was a house...then proceeded to realize and try to walk to a house I saw in the distance and walked right into an electric fence...hence the shock of my life)

Put my back to the stretcher on the floor…when they asked if I was done I was screaming for more
(Once the Ambulance arrives, I was just wanting to go home, the Head dude informed me that the state police were on their way and if I was there I would have to take a breathalyzer and field test. I then grabbed the stretcher myself...laid it on the ground, hopped on and said "alright let's go!")
Just when I thought that I was free, they asked for the driver they pointed at me
(as we pulled out I heard and saw the blue lights...and thought EFF!...the police officer looked in and said, "who was driving??" and everyone pointed at me.)
*Note on the album I say, "pointed at Keef" for dramatic effect*

Chorus


For the record I went on to the hospital. I remember being pulled out and the first 2 faces I saw was my mom and sister. They were smoking so fast I thought they were eating them. By the Grace of God I didn't get a ticket and no one was severely hurt. The girl with me broke her collar bone, and I felt bad for that, but then again she climbed in the vehicle with me, I didn't tell her to go!! ;)

Now that I'm in Austin we have a thing called, "CABS", and I don't have to drive anywhere!! 512 452 9999 <-in my speed dial!!

Be careful out there folks it's a hard knock life and we'll never get outta here alive!!

Until Next Time!!
AYUFA

Shave Da Hawk!!!

Alright Alright Alright!!

Here at SSP HQ, the wicked never rest.

After slamming Stubbs to a packed out bar and sluggin San Angelo this weekend, yet another wild and erotic adventure is upon us.

You might be familiar with this guy:




Yep that's right...Ol Marc Coronado...

Well, due to outside forces(positive of course), Marc will be shaving his head and dumping the Hawk at our June 3 show in San Antonio @ Clicks.

So...what the ayuf (eff) does this mean to you?? Well...how would you like to be the one to do it?? On stage?? In Marc's Hometown????

Hellz yeah, Me too!! So here's what we're doing. Snake Skin Prison will be holding a Silent Auction, and the highest bidder gets to come on stage during SSP's set, Friday June 3rd @ Clicks in San Antonio TX, and buzz the Hawk off right there!!

So...here's what you do to bid...
Email you bid to: matt@snakeskinprison.com with the SUBJECT: HAWK and in the body, just enter your name and the amount you are bidding. You will receive a response as to whether you are the highest bidder or not.
**must be present to win**
**you will be notified in advance if you are the current winner, in order to make arrangments to be at the show**
**BIDDING WILL END AT MIDNIGHT ON 06/1/11...SO WEDNESDAY NIGHT MIDNIGHT**

Let the bidding begin....if you have any questions again email Matt @ Matt@snakeskinprison.com.

Here's to hair... I wish I had!

MB

The Cradle Will Rock....

In kindergarten we had nap time...whatever happened to that?? I've never been to Italy, but supposedly everyone takes siestas in the middle of the day...we need to get back on that schedule.

Anyway, in Kindergarten, we had nap time and we took turns bringing music (tapes) to school to listen to during nap time. So it was my turn and Mrs. Hazelwood said, "Alright Matthew, go home and tell your mommy and daddy you need music for nap time."

So as any loyal 5 yr old with a cowlick would...I did. My dad handed me a tape and said, "here ya go boy...tell ‘er...put that in on side A and press play"

So as any loyal 5 yr old with a cowlick would...I did.

The next day we all laid down on our mats and as everyone is settling in...eyes getting sleepy...holding favorite stuffed animals, picking noses, other awesome things kids do...the raunchy gritty guitar tone of George Thorogood and the Destroyers comes blaring out of the dual deck cassette tape player...and yep you guessed it...I started playing air guitar...right there in front of my teacher and class.



That's when I knew I was ready to rock... LOL...and they could tell right away I was bad to the bone. \m/

That's a true story. Don't believe me?? Go to the source...my mother. She told me...and she'll be at Stubbs this Friday night along with the Destroyer himself...the ol' man.





TICKETS are selling fast...super fast. So Click the image above to get yours today...you can pay online for $10 and pick them up @ the Venue!!

Adios Amigos!!
See ya Friday!!
MB

NEW ssp PROMOTION

Alright!! Check the Vid!! The ONE person that sells the most Advance Tickets to Stubbs this Friday. The Winner gets to choose between 3 ridiculous acts to be performed by SSP.

Marc - will run down 6th street in his boxers (at a later determined date...not during the show!)
Keef - will play a show in Jeans (he hasn't worn anything but camo pants for 10 years)
Matt - will take a shot of party liquor every 2 minutes for 20 minutes...that's 10 shots in 20 minutes!!!

To get tickets just contact SSP via anyway you know how:
Facebook, myspace, Specs, Adult Megaplex....or booking@snakeskinprison.com

Remember the winner will only get to pick ONE of these!! So get to selling them tickets...

DOA

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Money or Fame

"Matt, why do you do this, is it for the Money or the Fame??"

I get that question a lot. First off, if you're anywhere close to being in tune with the unsigned artist aka the DIY musician/band, there really isn't a lot of money. You see a lot of money, but you see it go right back out the door for other things. I am currently reading Anthony Kiedis' biography, "Scar Tissue" and in one section he talks about how they decided to give 5% of their income from touring to charity...5% might not sound like a lot, however per Kiedis...it broke down like this:

50% - goes to pay for the tour itself
20% - Management
5% - Booking Agent(s)
5% - Legal fees (aka Attorney's that get you out of jail when you kill people drinking and driving...cue Vince Neil).

So that leaves 20% to be divided by the band...Red Hot Chilli Peppers had 4 members...so that's 5% each...

Obviously if you're talking about 100 million dollars revenue that's not bad (5% of that is 5 Million)...but it's all relative. 5 million to Anthony Kiedis is probably like 500 to me and you...a good chunk of change, but you're not going to write home about it.

So...for Money or for Fame?? That's a good question...you could probably find a broke down rockstar with no money and nothing to their name and ask them...they probably still get recognized, get things for free, sign autographs, make cameo appearances...etc. I know there are probably a gaggle of people with plenty of money and no friends...and vice versa.

So that is a good question. If you were to ask me, I would probably say both!! :)

But honestly, I personally have been blessed as a musician and Snake Skin Prison has been blessed far beyond anything I could've ever imagined. I want my/our music to live forever. Money can't touch that...nothing lives forever (ask Bin Laden), regardless of what you have to protect you. This body is just a vehicle to carry you from birth to death. Music however lives forever. Money and Fame are good, they make life easier and harder at the same time, but nothing last forever. I will always play music. I will always have my guitars and be it for a crowd of 1000 or myself on my back porch, I love to play and sing...always have since I found out I could. That's why I do it, and if it ever starts to be for another reason...I might just pack it up and go back to WV where there ain't much money and sure as hell ain't no fame :) ... well on second thought, there is the Alcohol of Fame....

Come see us @ Stubbs!!


(click the image for ticket info)

Smoking Whiskey

Music in my Jeep right now:

"Stampede" Hell Yeah
"Beast" Devil Driver
"Rock the Rebel|Metal the Devil" Volbeat
"Far Beyond Driven" Pantera
"Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd" DUH!!

This weekend The Rolling Circus travels to San Angelo to pummel the Deadhorse. I remember the first time we traveled to San Angelo. Miles and Miles of nothing and then out of nowhere San Angelo pops up. I walked into the Deadhorse and immediately thought..."now this is what I'm talking about!" The Deadhorse is my idea of a bar that is top of the food chain. Rex and Lanie (owners) rock...they know how to treat bands because they are in a band!! Check em out here: SHOTGUN REBELS. The staff is totally cool and the atmosphere is completely RAWK!!! I look forward to every trip to San Angelo, we always have fun and normally come back in one piece...I invite you to make the sojourn with us Friday night if you're feeling up for a rock and rolling metal show.



As always the Pain Train is in full swing, knocking down doors and making steps to further our quest of world domination. Some really cool things that have recently taken place:

-Our new Jam, "Farther" has been getting tightened with live performances...a recent one can be seen HERE
-Snake Skin Prison was added to RIDE FOR DIME. This is a Rally in honor of Dimebag and his charities. You need to go...you need to get your TICKETS NOW!!
-I have recently been confirmed a Gibson Preferred Artist...pics to come ;)
-The new logo is effin PIMP...thanks to Billy Perkins again for an awesome job.
-We have some BIG shows in the works...soon to be released...

And I could probably come up with more and more things but we'll leave it at that for now.

Snake Skin Prison had a great week for SXSW, I'm glad it's over, but it is a lot of fun and comes once a year, so you have to embrace it and make the most of it...it is what it is.

Writing new music as we speak...plan on leaking them here and there, to see what kind of response we get. The thing about music that makes it different from a painting or a literary work...music is it's own canvas. Meaning I have written songs, and played them live and through evolution it changes and morphs into the body of work it was meant to be. Once a painting it painted..you can't change it, as with something that's been printed. However with a song...you can alter, shape, twist and bend until it's perfect.

Rock Me Roll Me Outta Control Me!

CHEERZ!
MB

SSPxSW

Well, the week is here...the week every unsigned band/musician that is worth their salt will travel to Austin TX...in hopes of getting discovered. I was curious to find out how many bands actually got "discovered" during SXSW...so I did a little research, and here's what I found out:

Now when I say research, I go to Google and type in: "Signed Bands from SXSW" and out of the returns I found this article: HERE .... and you can see it entitled "25 bands that broke at the Austin Festival..."

So you can see there, some of the people that were fortunate enough to get "discovered" ....

So that got me thinking, what if I typed in, "Bands that DID NOT get discovered at SXSW" and my machine had to reboot.

LOL

So with that being said, the week is upon us, Snake Skin Prison has 3 shows this week:

Thurs 3/17-Armadillo Hall, Taylor TX, 9p
Fri 3/18-Chupacabre, 6th street, 1130p
Sat 3/19-Roial, Texas Rockfest, 120 w 5th St, 9p

So that should keep us busy for this weekend :). I urge you to come out to the shows, be sure and tell everyone you see...

We played House of Blues on Friday, and that show went off like a roman candle in a WV Trailer Park on the 4th of July. From start to end it was 100mph!!

You know SSP...pure Rockstars:



Onward to The Dirty Dog on Saturday Night where SSP started the night with CrackerPaloosa! Indeed a blast it was, where we debuted a new jam:




It's exciting to see the same faces out to the shows...keep spreading the word...keep spreading the disease...the difference between winners and losers is the fact that winners do and losers don't. Never give up and never give in. I remember playing football in High School, we were the visiting team, and in their visitor's locker room (which was their JV locker room) on the wall a quote was painted:

"The nose of the bulldog has been slanted backwards so that he can breathe without letting go." -- Winston Churchill

That's my take on life, as hard as you can as long as you, never give up, never let go, you will eventually succeed, just as water wears down a rock.

After this week comes and goes, millions of gallons of booze later...when everyone goes back home to resume their normal life...you can always count on SSP...we'll still be here...why?...cause we ain't got nowhere else to go...

After all...


we're just Rockstars :)

\m/
Live it Like Ya Mean It!
mb

Life is a Highway

Alright...seriously...I have never had that much jager in my entire life.

We traveled to Houston this past weekend as VIP guests with Jager @ the Houston Rodeo. We get there, and there's a line out the a$$...I grab the first person that looks like they know what they're doing, only to find out he's drunker than Cooter Brown!

Finally I get someone that knows what they are doing, they take us down the side, and into the Tent and what do I see...but all the beer, brisket, and Jager a man can imagine. I had jager with root beer, Jager with Orange Pop, Jager with Sausage, Jager with cigarettes, Jager with Jager...and Jager with oxygen.

Needless to say it was a great trip, met some interesting people, and spread the SSP Charm.

There's a lot going in the SSP camp, somethings I can tell and some I have to wait until further developed...but I assure you this. You may not hear from me...you might think...that SSP band is just drinking jager at the rodeo...well yes we are :) but things are brewing.

I think the name Snake Skin Prison is very fitting for this band. Just as a snake sits...and patiently awaits it's unsuspecting prey...so does SSP. When the time is right...BAM!...the snake strikes and it's lights out! Unless of course the snake is drunk, then he will probably miss and chip a tooth or something, but you get my point!

I've scheduled us a lot of good shows, SSPxSW, Houston House of Blues, Tulsa OK, ... and many more to come :) .... Check out the Dates...:









I've also been writing new material, ready to unleash some new and improved tunage on your skulls!

This Friday SSP travels to D-Town...home of the High 5...home of the Dallas Cowgirls...Home of a cool place to eat called The Angry Dog...we play Reno's Chop Shop...if you're from Dallas, come check it out, if you're not...tell anyone you know from Dallas to come check out SSP.



Alright, well I'm busting outta this motel...keep your ears to the ground...it's coming...

MB

If I were King

Well, I noticed I haven't written a blog in bit, and it's definitely not from lack of things to write about. In the world of SSP there's always something to say!!

We had a killer show Saturday Night @ Dirty Dog, thanks to everyone that came out!! This weekend will prove to be one helluva weekend with back to back shows:



Then on Saturday Night SSP opens for Drowning Pool:





SSP loves both San Angelo and San Antonio...hell, we love everywhere we play. ALSO...I'm super pumped to announce our NON-SXSW show:




When I moved here, I had no idea about SXSW, and it took a while to wrap my head around it. I thought, "Man, this is a great idea!! A huge festival where ALL unsigned bands and gather and play in hopes of gaining the type of exposure one could only get from something of this magnitude..."

Then I actually learned about it LOL.

As with everything else in the world...SXSW has been polluted by $$...so I don't concern myself with SXSW, I'm concerned with SSPxSW :). We'll get all the spoils of SXSW with out the hindering of being an actual SXSW Showcase. I set the line-up, it's a free show and the goodies just keep coming in...it's only going to get better. So I do wanna thank SXSW for building the biggest festival in the world...right in my backyard :). And I won't even have to promote...

SSP played in San Antonio once, and the headlining band bailed at the last minute...the show was packed out, and SSP was moved into the headlining slot. I turned to Keith and said, "We're the last band you want to hand deliver your fans on a silver platter to..." Every show since then in San Antonio just keeps getting better. I view SXSW the same way...in the words of Bruce himself, "Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter..." SSP isn't racist...we'll take them all!!

So! That's the haps for now...currently I'm writing new material to throw into the SSP blender and see what comes out...I've been taking guitar lessons for over 5 months now...so let's see how the songs sound \m/

As always thank you all very much for your support and belief in Snake Skin Prison...

"Welcome to the Jungle said the Spider to the fly, 4 years and you're lucky you're alive; Oh no what are you gonna do, you're slitting your wrists in an alligator cess pool..."

MB

V is for Victory

Well if it isn't my favorite faithful reader! I hope your week is going as good as mine and your weekend was as rocking as well. Friday night the SSP posse gathered for some dirt, liquor, and cigarettes, a slap in the face, a shoulder shiver...and mass amounts of fun for Keith's Bday. Saturday was an excellent turn out for The Scoot Inn. I don't know about you guys (those that got to attend) but I dig that spot, I can definitely see an SSP show on that nice outdoor stage when the weather breaks!

So in thinking about what I wanted to write about today, I was slapped in the face with something that truly gets under my skin...but yet is a necessary evil here in the good ol' music entertainment business.

So...let me quiz you...

-What was the name of the band that won the contest to open for Motley Crue on their tour??...don't Google it...remember Guitar Center was helping promote??...remember?? well...neither do I. So I'm wondering what good it was to relentless push and promote that contest...and in the words of my dad, "If a frog had wings he wouldn't bust his ass!"

So why do I bring that up you ask? Well this is a huge pisser to me, when companies, bands, whoever pitch these "contests" to the ever starving for anything musician/band. Tour with Motley, Open for Kiss, Record with Slash...by dangling these golden carrots in front of a determined individual/band, in return they promote the EF out of the company/band/contest...something like this, :

"Hey...help Joe and the Jack Offs open for Ozzy on the Moon...just vote everyday all day at CorporateAmericaSucks.com and make sure your friends do as well!"

Now, I myself also did the same thing, hounded, pounded and pestered the most cherished and important treasure we have as a band...YOU...and for what? To shove someone else's product down your throat in hopes of you voting for my band. After about 5 of these ridiculous outings I woke up and smelt the vasoline...no Longer will I be a Slave to the Grind and explode your inbox with requests to visit guitarcenter.com and vote!...

So if I or Snake Skin Prison ask you to vote for us, it's for something important, meaningful, and legit. Every year the Austin Chronicle holds it's Music Poll, and every year I'm amazed at the results. Regardless, I would feel like I'm doing SSP a disservice if I didn't try...so take a quick second, hit the link and vote for SSP :)

CLICK HERE




CLICK HERE



As always, thank you for your time...SSP is off this weekend, but getting geared up for next weekend @ The Dirty Dog!!

It's been real, and it's been fun...but it ain't been real fun!

Love Yas!

PS: that band was called The Last Vegas...I googled it :) \m/

Hillbilly Batteries

"Moonshine!! Now that shit'll make ya piss the bed!" -I will leave this person Nameless

I realized I haven't put up a blog since Dec 22!! That's way too long, for you see faithful reader, I just have gallons of information to dump on you ;).

Christmas was awesome, I spent it in Austin as I did New Years. I mean, where else would you want to go for New Years?? The moon maybe, that might be cool, if you could get enough friends to go...either way...I just recently got back from a trip to the Motherland.

Monroe County, West Virginia...God's Country. I remember when I was little, I asked my mom if Tornado's would come to Peterstown and she pointed out the window to the mountains and said, "Those mountains will protect you, they won't let anything bad in..."

I still get that feeling, when I drive down Main Street...home.

HOME!

It feels good, if you've never left your home, then you might not understand, but if you have left home...you know exactly what I'm talking about. I love going home, cause it reminds me who I am, where I'm from, and what I'm doing all this for.

See...you might come to a show and see the 100...200...and think...man SSP has a strong following they are doing really good. Well, I have an entire town backing me, and that my friend makes you feel good. Every time I go home it's like charging the batteries...my Hillbilly Batteries!!

Watching people smile as you tell them stories, hearing people play your music, seeing people wear your shirt...but not because they have to...but because they want to.

People ask me if I ever think I'll move back to Peterstown, West Virginia...and I respond: "As soon as they get a Red Eyed Fly!!" :)

I just did an interview with Lonestar Metal Magazine, and he asked me what my favorite experience with SSP was...and I could've told about Keef pee'ing in the ice machine...or Marc getting us back from a 4 hour destination in 2...or about me sticking a Viking Horn in my crotch and pokin girls in the rear...much to the disagreement of several suitors on hand :) ...

That's all fun...trust me...but it's about the music and about the people...the People in Monroe County...the People in Austin TX...the People EVERYWHERE...when we play a song and I see people in the crowd singing along...it truly warms my heart...as cliché as that sounds...it really does. No Matter how far I am from home...be it my Austin home or WV home.

I'm huge on Family and not just blood...but our SSP Family...and that's deeper than me and Keith and Marc. With out the people that support SSP we'd be playing our music to empty ears.

There's strength in numbers. Period. We stick together and everything will work out fine, it's when you are all alone you are the most vulnerable.

So...I thank you for your support...without you, I don't even want to know where I would be...

So...with my Hillbilly Batteries charged, come out and help me Celebrate Keef's 23rd Bday!! We have some tricks up our sleeve for this show...I doubt any of you have seen before. SSP takes the stage @ 11p-1145p then it's drinky poo time!!



If you're not in ATX this weekend...then don't you fret...




SSP is getting geared up to rip through Texas like a Twister through a Trailer Park.