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