BLOOD IN THE WATER

Cogs in the wheel...that's what you feel like sometimes.  Being in a band, an unsigned band at that, can be very frustrating.  I mean think about it...you work and you work and you work...you constantly strive to move forward in a world that is constantly pushing you backwards.  I guess that's life in general at times.  Heave...Ho...Heave...Ho...Heave...Ho...

I moved to Austin in 2006, started forming Snake Skin Prison in 2007...it is now 2014!!  That's 7 years ago!  The fact that we're still rocking and rolling is an accomplishment unto itself.  I have seen so many bands come and go.  So many bands with PROMISE...come and go.  It's sad at times, but you realize, just like the flying fish that leaps unknowingly into the jaws of an awaiting grizzly bear...not all were meant to make it.  Or...as Slash says, "So few can stand so close to the flame."

I haven't blogged on Snake Skin Prison in a bit, and for that I apologize, but don't fret, there has been plenty going on.  We have just finished our newest EP, "Blood in the Water", scheduling up 2014, and writing new material.  It's a juggling act for sure (along with the rest of your life)...but as I tell everyone around me..."The difference between winners and losers is winners do...losers don't." ...

Next Friday Night, Snake Skin Prison will return to The Parish for our EP Release.  The Parish holds a special place in my heart; it's where we released "9 Kinds of Bad" as well as "Smokin Whiskey" and it's hosted a couple "A Very Metal Christmas" events.  It's a great venue, with a killer stage and awesome sound.  I also like the fact that is has a green room (that's backstage room to all you rookies out there).  SSP has pre sold a ton of tickets for this, and anticipate a killer crowd! (AS ALWAYS)

There's 3 songs on this EP:  "Blood in the Water" ... "Lost in the Middle" ... "Loudest Night of My Life" ... I can't wait until they are available, cause I'm anxious to dissect them with you...here's a Teaser we put together...

We've got a killer line up with bands from Austin as well as a great band from Dallas, Redefine.  We've pulled together some amazing sponsors as well!  It's truly gonna be a night to remember...if you can remember!!   I hope you can make it, I promise we won't disappoint...I was wrong once...it was a Tuesday...in 2005 I believe...but hey who's keeping score?  You can get ticket info, line up info, show info...the whole works....at the FB event HERE

Get excited folks...we ain't going home!  A lot of times people will ask...how long are you going to do this?  My response...in the words of Robert E Lee as he charged over a hill and into Yankee territory...

"RETREAT HELL!!" 

Keep it on the sunny side and remember sometimes, "Slow is cool!" 

CHEERZ

dMb

Take It Or Leave It!

Hola from the land of booze and money.  It's been quite a while since my latest SSP blog, and for good reason!!  A lot has gone down in the last several months for SSP, and whereas I apologize for not writing as frequently, I must say I regard your time with me here very special...thus I'm not going to just spew shit for the sake of having a new blog.

Let's see...well I got married!!  That's right...that tall drink of water you see in the "Alcohol of Fame" video...yep...I finally gave in!!  Truth be known, Kelly and myself did NOT know each other prior to meeting for this video shoot...I awed her with my charming hillbilly etiquette.   In speaking of the video, since our Distribution Deal with Perris Records the "views" have been climbing, we were at 2k roughly 3-4 months ago and am now almost to 5k!!  Check it out, it's been around for a while, but just like an old lover sometimes you just can't get enough...

SSP is actually in the works of another video...so stand by for that!!  

Shows have been killer, as I told Keith the other night, it's hard to believe that 6 years later we'd still be rocking and rolling!  There is a HUGE show coming up in 2 weeks, at the Kyle Fair and Music Festival!!  You can check out the details HERE ... (show poster below)

Here's something I thought would be cool, I don't know how many of you watch VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" but I love that show!!  It's awesome, if you don't have VH1 Classic you can watch it online HERE ... hosts Eddie Trunk, Jim Flourintine, and Don Jamison are hilarious and accurate at the same time...they host rockers and ask them questions...some of which I thought interesting and good "blog" material...so here goes: 

-First CD bought with MY money:  The Black Album - Metallica.  This album would concrete my love for Metallica thus making them my Favorite band of all time...sometimes threatened by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Motley Crue...through the years Metallica has reigned supreme!! 

-First song learned on guitar:  I had to think about this one, but I'm pretty sure it was "Smoke on the Water" ... this tends to be a staple for the beginning guitarist.  I also learned the intro to Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters"...the intro to Manson's cover of "Sweet Dreams" and the intro to "Enter Sandman" ... any advice for a beginning guitar player??  Play with other musicians that are better than you...bottom line. 

-Song I wish I had written:  "Amazing Grace" this song has been sung, and will be sung as long as there is a voice to sing it, and regardless of who's singing it still rings home an amazing message.  Financially speaking...several come to mine:  "Hotel California" by the Eagles would be a good one.  "Start Me Up" by the Stones is played at every sporting event across the country LOL...

-Any other band I would want to be in:  Motley Crue...I've read a lot of biographies...alot...counted close to 50 the other day, and out of ALL of them...The Crue knew how to party...

Alright there ya go, a little insight into the mind that has given you inspiring lyrics such as: 

"Been drinking since 930 am" 

"I ain't working no more" 

"Well that West Virignia moonshine burns like sunshine" 

and many more to come I'm sure!!  

Come see SSP on Oct 18th!!  It's gonna be a great show, we're playing for upwards of 2 hours!!  

- molon labe - 

dMb

Too Much Communication....??

I'm from West Virginia...did you know that?  Peterstown, West Virginia, located at the most southern tip of Monroe County.  I could step off my front porch, and throw a rock into Virginia...well maybe 2 throws...but I could get it there.  We don't have a single stop light in my town, however we do have 5 churches (off the top of my head), a couple restaurants, a fire station...and one VERY LOUD fire whistle (I plead the 5th on knowledge of that last part).

I've lived in Austin since 2006, and honestly loved every minute of it!!  When I sing, "We've got a long way to go...and Mama I ain't coming home...."  I mean it...every time.  WV will always be my home, but ATX will be my Wheelhouse.

On one trip back to the mountains, during a 4th of July cookout/booze-a-thon, I was talking to an "elder" booze hound...and as I was talking to him, my phone buzzed, I was checking it (for I'm sure it was Oh So Important!), while he was trying to tell me something he noticed I wasn't paying attention (I was multi-tasking) and stopped talking...I eventually realized he had quit talking and I looked up and he said in the midst of all the Winston cigarette smoke swirling around his head...

"That's the problem right there Matthew.  That'll be the death of your generation..." I said, "What's that??"  ... he replied, "Too much communication..."  referring to the Blackberry attached to my hip, the Facebooks, the Myspaces, the Twitters, Emails, and RSS Feeds.

Fast Forward to Today...

The past few weeks have really stood out to me, I don't know why but all the...
"Zimmerman deserves to rot in jail!!" ....  "Trayvon was the victim of..." ... "Paula Dean for President!!..."... "Rolling Stone will burn in hell!!" .... blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...

Now before we go any further, trust me, I know I exploit the social media for Snake Skin Prison, I mean, let's face it folks, it's not going away...and will only continue to grow.  Facebook will become obsolete and another Social Media Juggernaut will be born...and another...and another...so on and so forth.

However, through the whirlwind that is our everyday life, I can't help but think...could this be the death of us...too much communication??  Keep in mind, this is coming from a guy that loves to talk and can't shut up!!

I'm starting to think that Social Media should be treated as the Virtual Dinner Table.  There's certain things you don't discuss at the dinner table...Business, Religion, Politics, Favorite Sexual Positions...etc.  There's a time and place for those discussions...possibly?...and when entering that place with an open mind and an open heart...maybe something would get done...maybe there would be a resolution...maybe we would benefit from all this "communication" and not allow it to be the death of us.

Again, I don't know, I'm just talking, and in my experience, the best I can say is to lead by example.  Every time I look into Samantha's big blue eyes, every time I see that toothless grin, every time those little chubby arms reach up and grab my beard...I'm reminded:

It's not about me anymore, I'm responsible for all my actions, and one day I might have to answer to her, "Daddy, why did you do that?" ... something tells me the response, "hell I don't know I was drunk!" wouldn't be best :) LOL.  I think the best answer would be to "Lead by Example"...it reminds me of that statement, "If every man would sweep his own door step...the whole city would be clean."  Maybe if we...myself included...spent half as much time looking inward then we did posting our opinions on Twitter...maybe...just maybe...we might pull the nose of this airplane called life up just in time to make it...maybe...maybe not...maybe we aren't supposed to make it.

Remember, I'm just an old guitar picker from a small town in Southern West Virginia, 2 rock throws from Virginia...where we don't have a liquor store...gas station...or a Wal-Mart...but by-golly we had a Beyond Video and that was the best damn video store in America (love and miss ya Paul Ball)...

I dunno...I think...I think...sometimes I think I think too much!!!  Either way...come see the most Socially Communicable Band from Austin Texas this Friday Night in San Angelo TX!!!  :) :) :) We aim to please, I promise you that much.

Adios!!
dMb

Snake Skin Prison signs Distribution Deal!!

Nationwide??  How about WORLDWIDE!!  Snake Skin Prison is excited to announce the joining of forces with Perris Records Distribution!!  What exactly does that mean you might be asking yourself??  Well, allow me to inform you...

First off, thank you...yes YOU...the person reading this blog.  If it weren't for you, then our music, my words, my always pressing, world changing words of experience and wisdom would fall on deaf ears.  :) ... so let's take a minute and give yourself a round applause.  In the words of Gomer Pyle.... "ShaZam!"

Alright, with all that being said, in the always shape shifting world of the Music Industry anything is possible.  People ask me all the time, "So when do you think you'll get a record deal?"  or  "When do you consider yourself to have 'made it' ... ?"  My initial response is, "Making the initial sacrifice to move to Austin, to leave my family, my friends, my home...to chase this crazy dream...to conceive Snake Skin Prison...when I put my first foot forward on that journey...that was the beginning of making it."  People often times focus on the end point and not the journey...when it's the journey that has the most to give!!

Times have changed in the music biz, you don't have to work for Revolver to know that.  The days of the million dollar record deals are probably gone / close to extinct.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm sure Aerosmith and Metallica don't have a problem paying the cable bills, but those "types" of bands are far and few in between...but I digress. SO...

Back to SSP :) ... we have been approached and agreed upon working with Perris Records, to distribute...GLOBALLY... "9 Kinds of Bad".  This is definitely exciting, for most bands don't even get an opportunity to record a full length album, much less have it distributed around the world!!  So with all that being said SSP is excited and honored to be accepted into the Perris Records Family and look forward to the future and working with Perris!!

Here's some Links...

Perris Records Website
Perris Records on FB

Links where SSP is GLOBALLY available \m/
BESTBUY
COLLECTOR'S CHOICE MUSIC
NEH RECORDS
IMUSIC
RAKUTEN.COM
IMPULSE MUSIC
DISK UNION

This is just the beginning, and I held off as long as I could :) ...  Where do we go from here?  Beats the Fuzz out of me!!  Forward that's where!!  As long as the good people want better music, Snake Skin Prison will have a place to rest it's weary head.

This Friday the Rock n Roll Pain Train travels to West Texas to the town of San Angelo.  Known as the city where livers go to die, San Angelo is home to probably one of my personal favorite places to play...The Deadhorse.  SSP has been blasting The Deadhorse since August of 2008!!  It's a great bar, with a great staff, and amazing fan base.  If you're within driving range of 210 S Chadbourne Street, San Angelo Texas, 79603, then you should def come by this Friday Night.  There's no Cover and SSP takes off around 1130p!!

If you would've told me 10 years ago that in 2013 I'd have a CD available for purchase in Japan I would've probably finished my drink and then laughed in your face...however this world is rough, you ain't going to make it alone, so you stand by your friends and the ones that you love...and sometimes you might find, that you ain't gonna make it, well you don't lay down and die....


Come and Take It!
dMb

Brother will kill Brother....

...spilling blood across the land...Killing for religion, something I don't understand.

You know, if you want to talk about someone that's a bad ass...I mean straight up brass balls bad ass...that man would be Dave Mustaine.  I try to think of other musicians that left a hugely successful outfit (Metallica is more than successful, they are game changers, hell game starters!)...say...Slash.  He left GnR and went on to do Slash's Snake Pit, Velvet Revolver, Solo stuff...and I'd say he's pretty successful.  Definitely Ozzy, after leaving Black Sabbath (who's new album is amazing!!).  Uhm...Michael Jackson after leaving Jackson 5 :) ... lol the list can go on I'm sure but those are off the top of my head.

Anyways, back to Dave Mustaine, I read his autobiography (great read!), and I truly admire and respect him.  He's a bad ass, bottom line.  I mean they (Metallica) woke him up, on a hangover, and handed him a bus ticket saying, "You've been replaced...you have a drinking problem."  As Dave said  in his book, "I was kicked out of a band, nicknamed "Alcoholica", for heavy drinking!!"

And what did Dave do?  When most would've given up, seeing their chance of rockstar fame and fortune turn into a texas twister spiraling the the trailer park of life...Dave started Megadeth...and rose from the ashes!!

Now in the words of my Grandmother, "I told ya that to tell ya this..."

Life sucks sometimes, it really does.  Life can be a true blue boot scooting kick to the head.  Sometimes, when you're down, life can be a real spiteful bitch and kick you again...and again...and again....and when it does...you really have one of two choices.  Stop or Go.  Live or Die.  Forward or Backward.

Other than pure, raw, determination and blessing...there's nothing better to get your moving forward again than the help and love of another.  Someone to reach down into the water and grab your hand as you're sinking, slowly...drowning in the murky waters of life.

And that my friends, brings us to tomorrow night's show.  I was sitting on my patio (some of you have been there) drinking wine and enjoying the breeze...when I got the call to play tomorrow night's benefit for the victims of the recent tornados in Oklahoma.  SSP has played many benefits, and we are always MORE than willing to throw down some Ass Grabbing, Hard Charging, Southern Metal.  We're all in this world together, and in the words of Hank Sr, "No matter how I struggle or strife, I'll never get out of this world alive!!"  I truly believe, that there is a lot of bad in the world.  But there's a lot of good.  When I look down into Samantha's eyes, see that toothless grin, hear that genuine laughter, and feel my unconditional love for her...I believe...there's still some good.  It's a fight.  It's a f*cking dog fight for crying out loud...but it's a fight that must be fought....and I don't know about you, but I hate fighting alone.  I won't fight alone.  And I won't ask you to fight alone.  We'll fight together.  Here's the details for the show:

https://www.facebook.com/events/459918477435473/

here's the link for tickets:

www.loop1tickets.com

Fight the good fight.  Come rock out with Snake Skin Prison and some other AMAZING musicians!!

Why you might ask?  Cause there's strength in numbers, and you wouldn't want to fight alone...no one deserves that.

Until next time!!
Faith. Family.Forever

dMb

I remember playing music with a friend, he yanked up an acoustic and started strumming a "D" chord and he sang, "I feel better when I'm drinking..."  I thought, "Wow...what song is that?"  After learning to play it and sing it, mastering it for the late night camping trips/parties, I was officially hooked on Jackyl.  Mostly known until recently, for the Chainsaw song "Lumberjack", I would say that it's a safe bet to say that Jesse James Dupree and the boys from Jackyl are seeing quit the resurgence in popularity in thanks to the very popular "Full Throttle Saloon" in which Jesse is part "owner" and in charge of entertainment. When the offer to play with Jackyl came down the pipeline, of course we were gonna take it!!   Snake Skin Prison has played with Jackyl before, and it's gonna be nothing but cold drinks and sawdust!!  

As if that isn't enough, Snake Skin Prison has confirmed "SSP's ROT & Roll!!"  Quite possibly the biggest biker rally in the world, ROT Rally is always a good time for Snake Skin Prison.  You see, SXSW...that's not really our scene, people are too busy getting ripped off and watch hipsters hacky sack....however ROT Rally...that's got our name all over it!!  June 14th, Friday, Red Eyed Fly, this is ALL AGES with both stages!!  Snake Skin Prison headlines the outdoor stage at midnight!!  

http://tinyurl.com/ROT-ROLL

SSP also just rec'd some new merch!!  Ladies Summer Tanks!!   These are very popular, and I don't look for them to be around for long!!  

http://www.snakeskinprison.com/contents/merchandise.html

 

I have some other "news" to give, but I'm waiting on it, don't want to count my chickens before they hatch!! Hold on Kiddoes....we're just getting started!!

Talking Music with a 3 Month Old

      Hola!  As some of you may know, I have recently become the proud hillbilly daddy of a beautiful little girl, Miss Samantha Rose Ballengee!!  Becoming a parent opens your eyes to a lot of things!!  Often times I find myself thinking, "how would I tell her this?"  or "how would I explain that!" lol.  I then (as always) turn to thinking about music, and thought, how would I tell her about music, and how would I express my feelings and love for music....so I put it down...off the top of my head of course so don't judge me...the top 5 things I'd tell Samantha Rose about Music...so here we go!      

      1.       There is no right or wrong.  In the world of music, people will argue and sometimes even fight over their opinion.  I've heard it said so many times, that there is no “sharp…or flat” (which can be compared to right or wrong)….really…it’s just a note(s) put together that doesn't sound that appeasing to the ear.  No one ever said, “This is the right note to hit…” it was just hit and someone said, “Oh…that don’t sound right…” whereas someone else could say, “Hell yeah man that’s awesome!”  As Dave Grohl said in his recent SXSW Keynote Speech, “Could you imagine Bob Dylan singing in front of the judges on ‘The Voice’ ??” So with that being said, I would tell Samantha, “If you like it then like it!!  If you like it chances are there’s someone else out there that likes it.  You have to get out there and explore and experience it for yourself that's the most fun of it!!”

      

      2.   Think for yourself.  Just because they are playing it on the radio, doesn't mean it’s the only thing out there.  And to further that note… “Thank God for Satellite Radio!!”  I can remember being younger and someone telling me , “you need to broaden your horizon’s musically!!”  I thought, “What…I play Metallica and Megadeth!!  What else is there??”  LOL.  Since then I have expanded quite colorfully.  Just look at my Pandora Stations(a quick overview):  The Allman Brothers, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, Black Label Society, Steve Ray Vaughn, Motorhead, Ludovico Einaudi, Trent Reznor, Cinderella, Claude Debussy…so I would say to Samantha, "There’s more than one flavor out there in life...so musically try them all…”

      3.       Give it a listen…and I mean that literally.  Give it a Listen.  So many times I've heard something the first time and thought, “Meh…” but then I continue to jam it and the next thing you know…I’m hooked!!   So I would definitely say, “Give it a listen, give it a chance to grow on you.”

      4.       Get to know the artist/band.  This can be a 2 way street.  I know some artists that I really like their music but I can’t stand their personality…and/or vice versa.  But…I think it’s knowledgeable to be able to make that distinction.  I mean how about this scenario:  “Hey Mom check out my new EyeHateGod tattoo…”  “Nice Matthew, that’ll look great as your singing in the choir on Sunday…”  Again…I’m not personally telling you what to like or dislike, but as I would tell Samantha   “…get out there and get the knowledge….THINK FOR YOUSELF!...Decide for yourself.”

      5.       Music is Time Travel.  This one…I mean…when I wrapped my mind around this I thought I had found the Golden Ticket.  How many times have you been sitting somewhere, doing anything, hear a song and for a split second…just for a moment, you’re transported back to a previous time…and you remember everything.  And I mean EVERYTHING!!  I love when that happens.  A song I heard in high school, or an Album we played over and over in the weight room during our football off season.  Or how about a cover song SSP learned way back…that comes on and I automatically remember me and Keith trying to figure it out!!  So I would tell Samantha:  “Music is Time Travel…remember that…the music you are listening to will shape, define, and help tell your story for the rest of your life…so choose it wisely!!”

Finally, and this really doesn’t get a number because I think it’s an “all encompassing” blanket statement.  Music will never leave you.  Music loves you…and will love you forever.  Music will never hurt you and will never mistreat you.  Just as Nikki Sixx said in an interview a little while back (after the resurgence of Motley Crue)…he was asked, “What’s it like to have Rock N Roll coming back in popularity..??..”  and he responded… “Rock N Roll never left…you did…the people did…they turned to other styles…etc…Rock N Roll has always been here…”  So I would tell Samantha, “Just like your Daddy…music will never leave you, music will love you forever, music will be with you always…forever and ever and ever!”

Then I would say, “Now crank up that Lynyrd Skynyrd and watch me play some AIR GUITAR!!”

Don’t forget NEXT Friday is my 4^th Annual Birthday Show at Red Eyed Fly!!  Hitting the big 32!!! Ow Yeah!!  I hope you can make it!!  

You can get info on the show HERE  

RSVP To the Event on FB HERE

Yee HAW! 

Peace Love and Chicken Grease!

dMb