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