As promised, here's the soldier video, as imagined by my former band Second Hand. Enjoy the rock version. :-)
[Edit... again, I'm lazy, and this was all I got today... Perhaps this weekend.]
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Pause
No music here. I promised to make up for my recent hiatus from posting, but I got in late and I don't feel like it! Thursday evening I'll try to post a rocking video of Soldier, a new song, and an mp3 to go with the new song. Come back then?
blackboxtheater
blackboxtheater
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Seattle
Sorry, dudes, no real updates while I'm outta town until Wednesday... my cousin and I didn't feel too creative. To keep you occupied in the meantime, here's a pretty sweet picture of the space needle. Awesome. I'll post Wednesday night... Adieu.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Pour Myself into the Sand
Another really old song from the cow book. It's hard to put a lot of the older stuff in order because I started in the cow book, but once my friend found out I was writing, he bought me the leather-bound journal. From then on, I just wrote in whatever was closest to me when the feeling struck. It also doesn't help that I used to skip pages between songs and then ended up writing on the blank pages that I had skipped. Some songs I can timeline because of what they're about, but for the most part, it's lost on me. ::shrug:: Guess it doesn't matter...
Anyway, this old song feels a little unfinished. I didn't really nominate anything for a chorus, and the structure of the first two verses is different than the second two. ::shrug:: Again... guess it doesn't matter.
Pour Myself Into the Sand
I remember the clouds that cried that day
When luck turned and walked away
But I can't recall the sun that fell
...is it speaking
...is it speaking to me?
I guess it doesn't matter.
I take a walk along the pilings
To gather what took place that day
The wind whispers to me her secrets
...past my cap turned backwards
...from the moments of that day.
I guess it doesn't matter.
The salt reminds me of the sting
that still resides in my lungs.
I hold my head down low to hide my eyes
from a sun that isn't there.
I guess it doesn't matter.
Well, should I pour myself into the sand
and hold the hand of the one that made it?
Or would that seem childish of me?
Guess it doesn't matter, I'll never know.
I guess it doesn't matter.
Anyway, this old song feels a little unfinished. I didn't really nominate anything for a chorus, and the structure of the first two verses is different than the second two. ::shrug:: Again... guess it doesn't matter.
Pour Myself Into the Sand
I remember the clouds that cried that day
When luck turned and walked away
But I can't recall the sun that fell
...is it speaking
...is it speaking to me?
I guess it doesn't matter.
I take a walk along the pilings
To gather what took place that day
The wind whispers to me her secrets
...past my cap turned backwards
...from the moments of that day.
I guess it doesn't matter.
The salt reminds me of the sting
that still resides in my lungs.
I hold my head down low to hide my eyes
from a sun that isn't there.
I guess it doesn't matter.
Well, should I pour myself into the sand
and hold the hand of the one that made it?
Or would that seem childish of me?
Guess it doesn't matter, I'll never know.
I guess it doesn't matter.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Some housekeeping...
News and notes...
Looking over all the material I have, the blog should have fresh material until at least mid-April... and that's if I post every day. I've got several old mp3s left to reveal, a couple videos, and many many more songs. Hopefully by then I will have even more material. I put my desktop (i.e., my recording studio) in the shop today, so I'll have that available to record new music soon. It's been broken for over six months, so I haven't thought about recording since then. But once it's fixed I'll have new life and hopefully it'll be slightly better quality than the old 4-track demos I've been putting up.
I've got a few more really old songs that I know are recorded on that 4-track, but I don't have the lyrics written anywhere. When I get around to it, I'll listen to those and post more lyrics from my humble beginnings. Nothing special, but for the sake of completeness. This is as much for me as it is the folks reading on the internets. And it's not likely to happen in the next week.
Starting Friday things might get slow for a few days because I'll be in Seattle visiting my cousin. Unless he and I decide to get creative (which is possible... I learned guitar because of his example), I probably won't post much between Saturday and Wednesday. I'll try and make up for it when I get back.
I guess that's it for now. Keep reading, keep commenting, and keep sending art! And again, if I have any songwriter friends out there, I'd like to start showcasing other people one day out of the week. Get in touch with me.
Take it easy...
blackboxtheater
Looking over all the material I have, the blog should have fresh material until at least mid-April... and that's if I post every day. I've got several old mp3s left to reveal, a couple videos, and many many more songs. Hopefully by then I will have even more material. I put my desktop (i.e., my recording studio) in the shop today, so I'll have that available to record new music soon. It's been broken for over six months, so I haven't thought about recording since then. But once it's fixed I'll have new life and hopefully it'll be slightly better quality than the old 4-track demos I've been putting up.
I've got a few more really old songs that I know are recorded on that 4-track, but I don't have the lyrics written anywhere. When I get around to it, I'll listen to those and post more lyrics from my humble beginnings. Nothing special, but for the sake of completeness. This is as much for me as it is the folks reading on the internets. And it's not likely to happen in the next week.
Starting Friday things might get slow for a few days because I'll be in Seattle visiting my cousin. Unless he and I decide to get creative (which is possible... I learned guitar because of his example), I probably won't post much between Saturday and Wednesday. I'll try and make up for it when I get back.
I guess that's it for now. Keep reading, keep commenting, and keep sending art! And again, if I have any songwriter friends out there, I'd like to start showcasing other people one day out of the week. Get in touch with me.
Take it easy...
blackboxtheater
3:37am
This one is creatively titled 3:37am because that's the time when I wrote it. I often have trouble sleeping when there is a lot on my mind (which translates into "most nights"), and this was running through my head in December of 2001. I think it's the only song that I've ever actually recorded the date. In retrospect, I wish I had done that for all of them.
The song is about the one that got away. Reading it now, it was apparently written before she got away. I don't, however, think she ever knew this song existed...
3:37am
I've been locked up in this room for days
No reason to open my door
But i've found someone to show my face
it'll be good to see the sun again.
...good to see the sun again
...good to see the sun again.
You say that you don't know me well
but know my eyes won't lie
so trust me, though i'm scared to tell you
that i won't love and leave you, baby
...i won't love you and leave you, baby
...i won't love you and leave you, baby
~it'll be good to see the sun again~
~it'll be good to know you're smiling when~
~i have my arms around you, even if~
~everything around us falls apart~
I'd sell my breath to watch you sleep
I'd fight off dreams in fear that you won't be there
with me. Your smile, my sun, your eyes, my sky.
I have found that some dreams just won't die.
...some dreams just don't die
...some dreams just don't die.
The candle flickers in the rhythm of your heart,
amazing as you stand before me.
The taste of your kiss, the feel of your fingertips
give me hope when everything seems to fall apart
...when everything around us falls apart.
...if everything around us falls apart.
~it'll be good to see the sun again~
~it'll be good to know you're smiling when~
~i have my arms around you, even if~
~everything around us falls apart~
So...
take me if i come home.
take me if i don't.
take me if everything
inside me falls apart.
The song is about the one that got away. Reading it now, it was apparently written before she got away. I don't, however, think she ever knew this song existed...
3:37am
I've been locked up in this room for days
No reason to open my door
But i've found someone to show my face
it'll be good to see the sun again.
...good to see the sun again
...good to see the sun again.
You say that you don't know me well
but know my eyes won't lie
so trust me, though i'm scared to tell you
that i won't love and leave you, baby
...i won't love you and leave you, baby
...i won't love you and leave you, baby
~it'll be good to see the sun again~
~it'll be good to know you're smiling when~
~i have my arms around you, even if~
~everything around us falls apart~
I'd sell my breath to watch you sleep
I'd fight off dreams in fear that you won't be there
with me. Your smile, my sun, your eyes, my sky.
I have found that some dreams just won't die.
...some dreams just don't die
...some dreams just don't die.
The candle flickers in the rhythm of your heart,
amazing as you stand before me.
The taste of your kiss, the feel of your fingertips
give me hope when everything seems to fall apart
...when everything around us falls apart.
...if everything around us falls apart.
~it'll be good to see the sun again~
~it'll be good to know you're smiling when~
~i have my arms around you, even if~
~everything around us falls apart~
So...
take me if i come home.
take me if i don't.
take me if everything
inside me falls apart.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Everything (nothing) - hear it.
It's been about a week since you've had some audio, and I haven't really posted many songs the past few days (mostly just awesome artwork) so here's a little extra for tonight.
If you remember, or just want to check the post of Everything (nothing), this song is more of a free form story. The audio follows that until towards the end when it gets a little more structured. Recording this was kind of interesting because I had to do it all in one take on my little 4-track. Because of how it was written, I wasn't sure how the lyrics would fit into the guitar line so I couldn't just record the guitar part and then overdub the words. You can tell that certain parts of the song were sung with a little bit of guesswork, as if I were a little unsure how to fit them.
If I remember correctly, I think I only practiced Everything (nothing) once between the time I wrote it and the time I recorded it. A lot of my earlier songs happened in a similar fashion. Last Waltz took about five minutes to write and another five minutes to record. But back to the matter at hang, this song definitely has that kinda wandering feel that the lyrics have. I think it's interesting. Hope you enjoy...
If you remember, or just want to check the post of Everything (nothing), this song is more of a free form story. The audio follows that until towards the end when it gets a little more structured. Recording this was kind of interesting because I had to do it all in one take on my little 4-track. Because of how it was written, I wasn't sure how the lyrics would fit into the guitar line so I couldn't just record the guitar part and then overdub the words. You can tell that certain parts of the song were sung with a little bit of guesswork, as if I were a little unsure how to fit them.
If I remember correctly, I think I only practiced Everything (nothing) once between the time I wrote it and the time I recorded it. A lot of my earlier songs happened in a similar fashion. Last Waltz took about five minutes to write and another five minutes to record. But back to the matter at hang, this song definitely has that kinda wandering feel that the lyrics have. I think it's interesting. Hope you enjoy...
Josie
This song was written back around the time that Back From Canada was written with that same friend from high school. Most of my songs don't fit into nice, tidy rhyme schemes... I tend to like it that way. Perfect rhymes tend to sound a little cliched to me, or they force rhymes that ARE cliche. If you have been keeping up with the songs I've posted to date, you can probably just read this and tell I didn't write all of it.
In the town where I went to high school, we had a carnival type thang come to town every year called Peanut Fest. Lots of dumb fun. I believe that's what the song refers to... I don't remember exactly... but it wouldn't surprise me. Peanut Fest was a bit silly (generic rides, generic carnival games, a hilariously bad freak show), but it was a fun place to hang out with friends and meet new ones.
Anyway, on with the song...
Josie
Josie, this summer I'll never forget
at the carnival where we first met
and from this summer i have one regret
that summer doesn't last forever
atop the carnival wheel flying
in the breezy summer sun
the flowers on your sundress
begging me to come
on the night of our first date
up to your door i was a half hour late
you just smiled and said it was ok
i was born too late anyway
Josie this summer i'll never forget
standing on your porch for our first date
and from this summer i have one regret
that the summer doesn't last forever
on the night of our last kiss
standing in that carnival field
rides long gone, they're fading fast
but this night with Josie would last
Josie, this summer i'll never forget
saying goodbye where we first met
and from this summer i have one regret
that you can't be mine forever.
In the town where I went to high school, we had a carnival type thang come to town every year called Peanut Fest. Lots of dumb fun. I believe that's what the song refers to... I don't remember exactly... but it wouldn't surprise me. Peanut Fest was a bit silly (generic rides, generic carnival games, a hilariously bad freak show), but it was a fun place to hang out with friends and meet new ones.
Anyway, on with the song...
Josie
Josie, this summer I'll never forget
at the carnival where we first met
and from this summer i have one regret
that summer doesn't last forever
atop the carnival wheel flying
in the breezy summer sun
the flowers on your sundress
begging me to come
on the night of our first date
up to your door i was a half hour late
you just smiled and said it was ok
i was born too late anyway
Josie this summer i'll never forget
standing on your porch for our first date
and from this summer i have one regret
that the summer doesn't last forever
on the night of our last kiss
standing in that carnival field
rides long gone, they're fading fast
but this night with Josie would last
Josie, this summer i'll never forget
saying goodbye where we first met
and from this summer i have one regret
that you can't be mine forever.
Friday, February 15, 2008
More Reader Art!!!
Wow, more reader art. Some of these are really rad... thank you so much. \
For your enjoyment... blackboxart
Here's a play on my old 5-minute MSPaint logo...
A cool photoshop...
This reminds me of those inspirational posters... only rad.
Sweet promo piece... :-)
"Hey, man, you got tickets to the show? I wanna go, but my friends don't really wanna go... can I get a ride?"
Thanks, Mel! Check out Mel's blog at -simply stated-
For your enjoyment... blackboxart
Here's a play on my old 5-minute MSPaint logo...
A cool photoshop...
This reminds me of those inspirational posters... only rad.
Sweet promo piece... :-)
"Hey, man, you got tickets to the show? I wanna go, but my friends don't really wanna go... can I get a ride?"
Thanks, Mel! Check out Mel's blog at -simply stated-
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Reader Art!
A reader made logos for me!!! Very cool. I like the last one the best. Thanks!
...and this is now my header...
Lori's song
Well, it's now officially Valentine's Day, so I guess the mood is right for a cheesy love song.
This one goes waaaaay back. This might have been the second song I wrote, about a girl I knew in high school. She had a boyfriend. Oops. blackboxtheater has seen his fair share of unrequited love.
I found this on a folded piece of paper in my cow book after I started this little blog project. I was gonna let it go, but then I decided that nothing is too cheesy or personal or... bad... for this blog. Maybe it's just me, but I only like about 40% of the stuff I've written. But when I'm done with this blog, I'll have a standing piece of work... everything that I've never let people see. As a whole, I'm proud of my writing, but it's kinda funny to look back on the things I used to think and the words I used to write.
Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day. Go grab some wine, I'll provide the cheese...
Lori's Song
I want to look you in the eye
but it hurts
and I want to ask what's on your mind
I won't. Maybe I'm afraid to know.
Would you take me as I am?
...if he weren't there?
I'd love to show you who I am
...if you'd love me back.
Well, I thank you for being there
for me when I need someone
to make me smile and say out loud
I love you.
I'll make it through each day
with or without you
But I could use you at my side
as I take on the world.
How like you to make me feel this way
when my heart doesn't want to smile.
Where would I be
Without you?
This one goes waaaaay back. This might have been the second song I wrote, about a girl I knew in high school. She had a boyfriend. Oops. blackboxtheater has seen his fair share of unrequited love.
I found this on a folded piece of paper in my cow book after I started this little blog project. I was gonna let it go, but then I decided that nothing is too cheesy or personal or... bad... for this blog. Maybe it's just me, but I only like about 40% of the stuff I've written. But when I'm done with this blog, I'll have a standing piece of work... everything that I've never let people see. As a whole, I'm proud of my writing, but it's kinda funny to look back on the things I used to think and the words I used to write.
Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day. Go grab some wine, I'll provide the cheese...
Lori's Song
I want to look you in the eye
but it hurts
and I want to ask what's on your mind
I won't. Maybe I'm afraid to know.
Would you take me as I am?
...if he weren't there?
I'd love to show you who I am
...if you'd love me back.
Well, I thank you for being there
for me when I need someone
to make me smile and say out loud
I love you.
I'll make it through each day
with or without you
But I could use you at my side
as I take on the world.
How like you to make me feel this way
when my heart doesn't want to smile.
Where would I be
Without you?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Art!!!
I'm on the road for business and I don't have my books with me, so... I'm going to put up some blackboxtheater art!
The first one is just a picture of a font i was playing with for the name. Nothing spectacular.
Here is some early concept artwork. Different things I was playing with.
Here is my awesome 5 minute MSPaint logo!! It still makes me smile.
My sister did her 5 minute MSPaint reinterpretation of it. Apparently she can do more in 5 minutes than I can....
More recently she took a quick stab at it... There is another similar one that she did after it, but I can't seem to find it. If she sends it to me, I'll have something for a later post (hint, hint).
And finally, some concept art for an emblem. I wanted something simple with bold lines that's easy to remember. And I love light houses. Imagine that the filled in areas are solid... I did this very quickly with a pen.
I know there are a few artistic people out there reading this... If you feel like spending 5, 10 minutes to make a logo, I'll post it!
The first one is just a picture of a font i was playing with for the name. Nothing spectacular.
Here is some early concept artwork. Different things I was playing with.
Here is my awesome 5 minute MSPaint logo!! It still makes me smile.
My sister did her 5 minute MSPaint reinterpretation of it. Apparently she can do more in 5 minutes than I can....
More recently she took a quick stab at it... There is another similar one that she did after it, but I can't seem to find it. If she sends it to me, I'll have something for a later post (hint, hint).
And finally, some concept art for an emblem. I wanted something simple with bold lines that's easy to remember. And I love light houses. Imagine that the filled in areas are solid... I did this very quickly with a pen.
I know there are a few artistic people out there reading this... If you feel like spending 5, 10 minutes to make a logo, I'll post it!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Atlantis
Well, I'm having trouble sleeping, so I decided to get up and do something for a few minutes. A lot running through my head, as usual. Nothing bad, just a lot going on up there.
So I started reading through my older stuff and decided to post one. This, like Prophet for a Day, is one that got stranded in the early leather journal. Between that journal and my cow book, there is more early songwriting than I remembered. Atlantis was one of those songs that I never thought would see the light of day. I liked parts of it, and I even recycled some of the lyrics in a later song.
Here is the Tale of Atlantis
There must have been a time
when I knew what I wanted
There must have been a time
but I was just a child
When dreams actually meant something
but innocence, it goes away.
Even the best laid plans
will often go astray...
And this time...
And this time...
Don't say to me
all the things I want to hear
I won't say to you
that everything is oh, so clear
Don't take my hand
i'll never want to let it go.
No, don't let me find you
i'll never want to let you go.
You're afraid
that it won't be worth it
Here I am
barely keeping afloat above this
Sinking city
i can't swim forever
I'll let you in
just promise me you'll never let me down.
And this time...
Promise me you'll never let me down.
Am I drowning?
So I started reading through my older stuff and decided to post one. This, like Prophet for a Day, is one that got stranded in the early leather journal. Between that journal and my cow book, there is more early songwriting than I remembered. Atlantis was one of those songs that I never thought would see the light of day. I liked parts of it, and I even recycled some of the lyrics in a later song.
Here is the Tale of Atlantis
There must have been a time
when I knew what I wanted
There must have been a time
but I was just a child
When dreams actually meant something
but innocence, it goes away.
Even the best laid plans
will often go astray...
And this time...
And this time...
Don't say to me
all the things I want to hear
I won't say to you
that everything is oh, so clear
Don't take my hand
i'll never want to let it go.
No, don't let me find you
i'll never want to let you go.
You're afraid
that it won't be worth it
Here I am
barely keeping afloat above this
Sinking city
i can't swim forever
I'll let you in
just promise me you'll never let me down.
And this time...
Promise me you'll never let me down.
Am I drowning?
Saturday, February 9, 2008
On second thought...
Welp, I'm actually out of time for today, so the last set of lyrics and mp3 will just have to wait for another time. My apologies. But since I'm saving it for later, at least I'll have an extra couple of days worth of posts. Hope you enjoyed the frenzy. For now, take it easy...
blackboxtheater
blackboxtheater
The Artist - video
This video was shot in late 2004 or early 2005, so I'm jumping out of order a bit to show it to you. Secondly, of the four videos from this Second Hand band practice, this song is easily the least complete. I had just thrown some music to the lyrics for The Artist cuz the band needed a new song to play. The music ended up being pretty dark... not sure if that was my original intention, but the band wanted new stuff and it was fun to play. Anyway, it's recorded through an old camcorder, and the words are hard to make out (probably because i didn't know them), but... IT'S A CELEBRATION!!! A post frenzy!!! So cheer for the artist!
More to come
Check back later today for more of the posting frenzy. I'll have another set of lyrics, probably another mp3, and maybe even a video. w00t~! That is if I don't get totally distracted by something and leave my house... but I'll try and have everything up by 8pm Eastern, 5pm in my neck of the woods. See ya soon...
blackboxtheater
blackboxtheater
The Artist
This song may or may not be about my sister. It's a song about an artist. Enjoy.
Her charcoaled fingers reshape the paper
As she blends our world with hers
Abstract shapes, happy and painful
And she's lost inside them all
She... she's an artist
Bent over a canvas on the floor
Her tears mix with water colors
Fruits and vegetables,
landscapes and animals
She shades the shapes that flatter her face
And swears that she'll be beautiful one day
If only
Her life
Were as beautiful as her art
Pencils and papers scattered about her
Circle scenes that shout out loud
Places she knows are better than here
Where every day's a new year
She... she's an artist
If only her life were as beautiful as her art
The Dreamers - listen!
Here's the early mp3 for the Dreamers. I got a little carried away with the electric guitar from time to time. Besides that, it's not half bad.
Happy Birthday, Meg!!!!
The lyrics... The Dreamers
...and music...
Happy Birthday, Meg!!!!
The lyrics... The Dreamers
...and music...
The frenzy has begun...
The posting frenzy has begun. Today is my sister's birthday, it's a celebration!!!! Say Happy Birthday if you like!!!! Not sure how many posts I'll get up, but hope you enjoy them! :-)
j
j
The Dreamers
A few years ago, my sister told me that when she was young she used to think that Paradise was a real place, and that she was really disappointed when she found out that it wasn't. It was probably the saddest thing I had ever heard. So I wrote a song. The dreamers are my sister and I.
The Dreamers
do you remember the dirt road we once lived on?
back when you were five, and i was six or seven?
things were so much better in our childish innocence
the sister i would adore
you said you thought there was a real placed called paradise
and that you were disappointed when you found out otherwise
don't listen to them megan, they're all full of lies
there has to be a place for
you and i
to run away
yes, you and i
will run away
just run away
so i looked at all the maps and i checked the atlas
i read so many books and still can't find an answer
so i'll keep searching 'till i fulfill my promise
we'll live in paradise
there has to be a place we can escape our birthright
where life imitates art and art mocks our real lives
i hate to bear bad news but our lives are not quite paradise
but only not for now
screw the things that screwed our lives and just pretend
they never really happened and we'll be fine, my sister
i promised you so lets run away, just run away so fast that
you and i
will fly away
yes, you and i
will fly away
just fly with me
so i looked at all the maps and i checked the atlas
i read so many books and still can't find an answer
so i'll keep searching 'till i fulfill my promise
a town that's paradise
a life that's paradise
we're the dreamers
back when you were five, and i was six or seven?
things were so much better in our childish innocence
the sister i would adore
you said you thought there was a real placed called paradise
and that you were disappointed when you found out otherwise
don't listen to them megan, they're all full of lies
there has to be a place for
you and i
to run away
yes, you and i
will run away
just run away
so i looked at all the maps and i checked the atlas
i read so many books and still can't find an answer
so i'll keep searching 'till i fulfill my promise
we'll live in paradise
there has to be a place we can escape our birthright
where life imitates art and art mocks our real lives
i hate to bear bad news but our lives are not quite paradise
but only not for now
screw the things that screwed our lives and just pretend
they never really happened and we'll be fine, my sister
i promised you so lets run away, just run away so fast that
you and i
will fly away
yes, you and i
will fly away
just fly with me
so i looked at all the maps and i checked the atlas
i read so many books and still can't find an answer
so i'll keep searching 'till i fulfill my promise
a town that's paradise
a life that's paradise
we're the dreamers
Thursday, February 7, 2008
One more thing...
Hey, special posting on February 9th. Check back. It's going to be a posting FRENZY.
Loss of Ambition in East Suburbia
It's been a couple days since I've updated, so I'll go ahead and post something else. This is the Loss of Ambition in East Suburbia, which I played in some of my earlier sets but ended up getting a little frustrated with the flow of the music, so I kinda ditched. It's basically just an adolescent Jason getting bored with the standard expectations of life. But I guess that's life...
Loss of Ambition in East Suburbia
I don't see why I
must live without decadence
what happened to my independence?
Living out the wishes
of our fathers of modern lore
their standard lines are such a bore
Where have all the vagabonds gone?
Living each day out
with whatever may come about
Forget living each day
One drag at a time.
Is one pack such a price to pay?
I was meant
for so much more.
I look around and see my brothers
living with the degradation
of each day's expectations.
I won't lay down for in between
school, college, wife, and kid
that bores me just a little bit.
I say we throw it all away.
We don't deserve this stigma,
You and I will give them
Something that inspires
Something they desire
Something to remind them
that they still have a choice.
Forget living each day
One drag at a time.
Is one pack such a price to pay?
We were meant
for so much more.
Something that inspires
(I want to give you)
(a light to the door)
(a path that may lead you)
(you deserve so much more)
Something to remind them... that they still have a chance.
Silly kid...
Loss of Ambition in East Suburbia
I don't see why I
must live without decadence
what happened to my independence?
Living out the wishes
of our fathers of modern lore
their standard lines are such a bore
Where have all the vagabonds gone?
Living each day out
with whatever may come about
Forget living each day
One drag at a time.
Is one pack such a price to pay?
I was meant
for so much more.
I look around and see my brothers
living with the degradation
of each day's expectations.
I won't lay down for in between
school, college, wife, and kid
that bores me just a little bit.
I say we throw it all away.
We don't deserve this stigma,
You and I will give them
Something that inspires
Something they desire
Something to remind them
that they still have a choice.
Forget living each day
One drag at a time.
Is one pack such a price to pay?
We were meant
for so much more.
Something that inspires
(I want to give you)
(a light to the door)
(a path that may lead you)
(you deserve so much more)
Something to remind them... that they still have a chance.
Silly kid...
blackboxanthem for those who like to hear
Here's the mp3 for blackboxanthem.
Someone once said I sound like Billy Corgan in this recording. Ha.
And for anyone that followed my songs through the band Second Hand, yes, the guitar part to the chorus of blackboxanthem IS the same as the chorus of Not a Day Goes By. For the majority that didn't, you'll hear it in a few weeks. :-)
Oh, yeah.. and your lyrics... blackboxanthem
Someone once said I sound like Billy Corgan in this recording. Ha.
And for anyone that followed my songs through the band Second Hand, yes, the guitar part to the chorus of blackboxanthem IS the same as the chorus of Not a Day Goes By. For the majority that didn't, you'll hear it in a few weeks. :-)
Oh, yeah.. and your lyrics... blackboxanthem
Monday, February 4, 2008
blackboxanthem
Back in tenth or eleventh grade, I went to a Black Box Theater to see a series of plays. I had just started playing guitar, and for some reason, the name "black box theater" really struck a chord with me. I told my friend that if I ever started a band, I wanted to name it black box theater. I began writing songs and the name kinda took on a meaning of its own for me. Instead of a band, I just wrote and recorded music in my bedroom and kinda put it under the blackboxtheater umbrella. The things I wrote and played weren't Jason Liles... they were blackboxtheater.
The idea kinda went in several different directions. I liked the Black Box Theater because it was simple... just that, a black box. Very few (if any) props, just a black stage, a black background, and an artist. That kinda felt like me... nothing special, just me, a guitar, and my simple songs. Everything else was stripped away. From there, though, it caught the black box recorder from an airplane, the only thing that survives a crash - again, when all else is stripped away. I also took it to mean a television... a black box that entertained children when their parents were too busy to look after them. After my initial leather bound journal and first "cow" composition notebook, I started writing in solid black art books... black boxes... and I would scribble in the first page "in every book, a theater." Just a lot of little things that I thought about that I didn't think would ever make it out beyond my own mind.
In all of those meanings is something lonely, though, and I think this song might have felt a little lonely. This is blackboxanthem...
The idea kinda went in several different directions. I liked the Black Box Theater because it was simple... just that, a black box. Very few (if any) props, just a black stage, a black background, and an artist. That kinda felt like me... nothing special, just me, a guitar, and my simple songs. Everything else was stripped away. From there, though, it caught the black box recorder from an airplane, the only thing that survives a crash - again, when all else is stripped away. I also took it to mean a television... a black box that entertained children when their parents were too busy to look after them. After my initial leather bound journal and first "cow" composition notebook, I started writing in solid black art books... black boxes... and I would scribble in the first page "in every book, a theater." Just a lot of little things that I thought about that I didn't think would ever make it out beyond my own mind.
In all of those meanings is something lonely, though, and I think this song might have felt a little lonely. This is blackboxanthem...
A plane crash coming
a last prayer, but nothing
a blackboxhero
a riot. nothing's wrong.
a bleeding of meaning
it all hits the ceiling
here's to that plane crash
nothing that can satisfy, nothing that will satisfy me
a revolution, a revolution
a blackbox coming
they don't know where i'm from
but they can feel it in my eyes that
this box right here is just my size
a constant rhythm is weary
a tired radio station makes me sleepy
from nothing i will hide
something that can satisfy, something that will satisfy me
a revolution, a revolution
but me, yes i know
i know i will not stand alone, i won't be held by catacombs, no
oh, no
please god don't make them think, there has to be something that
will rile that, that will rile them
and stir the stars that will not shine, those lost in a dark place with four sides
their soul, their role...
to be cynically amused and start a revolution
a revolution, a revolution
a last prayer, but nothing
a blackboxhero
a riot. nothing's wrong.
a bleeding of meaning
it all hits the ceiling
here's to that plane crash
nothing that can satisfy, nothing that will satisfy me
a revolution, a revolution
a blackbox coming
they don't know where i'm from
but they can feel it in my eyes that
this box right here is just my size
a constant rhythm is weary
a tired radio station makes me sleepy
from nothing i will hide
something that can satisfy, something that will satisfy me
a revolution, a revolution
but me, yes i know
i know i will not stand alone, i won't be held by catacombs, no
oh, no
please god don't make them think, there has to be something that
will rile that, that will rile them
and stir the stars that will not shine, those lost in a dark place with four sides
their soul, their role...
to be cynically amused and start a revolution
a revolution, a revolution
the mp3 should follow in the next couple of days. And if you're reading this, please comment... I like comments... just a simple "cool" or "ok" will suffice... just want a little feedback and to see who's out there. :-) Go ahead... the comment button is riiiiight there!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Everything (nothing)
Everything, nothing... More of a free form story than a song, but curious, nonetheless. A lonely walk down an empty, late night street with a lot on my mind. To be or not to be? No, to feel or not to feel, that is your question.
A couple of my... not so much my obsessions, but my fascinations come out in this song. I love eyes, and I love the ocean. I really like the line about telling my secrets to the ocean... she's the only one who will know. The ocean is one of the only things that can really calm me down when I get worked up. A lot runs though my mind, but the water is so vast and beautiful, the sound of the waves so calming.
One New Years Eve, instead of going to a party for the ball drop, I drove off to the beach, about 45 minutes away. When the clock struck midnight, I was alone, a lot on my mind, but my feet were in the sand and the waves celebrated my new beginning, and for a few moments, everything (or nothing?) was perfect. Not what the song is about, but it's a testimony to how the ocean has a hold on me.
And eyes... people give away more information than they mean to in their eyes. I've felt for years that I have a pretty good read on people, and it all comes from how they look at me. When they're speaking, when they're acting, when they're not... If you really want to know me, just really look into my eyes.
But without further ado... (adieu?)
Everything (nothing)
I walk listlessly down the blocks that don't notice that i'm here, like a flipbook of badly drawn sketches of poorly taken photographs. Maybe I'll ask myself when I'm not myself just what I'm doing here.
So, hey... would you know me if I told you my name? These city lights can't see us, still we hide just the same. I'm sorry I feel foreign to you, I can't quite help it. Never mind the credits. Check the liner if you really wanna know. I'm myself only for the duration of the show.
That's me, between our skies, don't ask me any questions. If you really wanna know just look into my eyes. Try not to be thrown back.
If I weren't so damn stubborn, I might take my own advice. I'd clear my head, a break from these streets would be so nice. I'd sit and write my secrets in the sand, sing my childish heart, and let the ocean wave hello. She's the only one who will know.
My life is like a sketch, a one line drawing, shaken - i'm no more. A thin black line in dull surroundings, but I guess that's all I care to know. A momentary masterpiece turns into another genius theft. I hide my eyes and spin around, gray's all I have left.
A muddy walk once more around the block... a siren alarms, perhaps it's for me, but it whizzes by. I'll wonder what's going on - so curious - i won't know 'till morning when I check the paper and read about another broken politician, broken window, broken life, and all the things that I don't want to be.
I get me to an elevator to rise above the streets, above another me that I don't want to meet. And I hate it, but don't let the sounds stop... the silence makes me ill, and the noises will always hide my whispered secrets.
To feel or not to feel, there's your question.
A couple of my... not so much my obsessions, but my fascinations come out in this song. I love eyes, and I love the ocean. I really like the line about telling my secrets to the ocean... she's the only one who will know. The ocean is one of the only things that can really calm me down when I get worked up. A lot runs though my mind, but the water is so vast and beautiful, the sound of the waves so calming.
One New Years Eve, instead of going to a party for the ball drop, I drove off to the beach, about 45 minutes away. When the clock struck midnight, I was alone, a lot on my mind, but my feet were in the sand and the waves celebrated my new beginning, and for a few moments, everything (or nothing?) was perfect. Not what the song is about, but it's a testimony to how the ocean has a hold on me.
And eyes... people give away more information than they mean to in their eyes. I've felt for years that I have a pretty good read on people, and it all comes from how they look at me. When they're speaking, when they're acting, when they're not... If you really want to know me, just really look into my eyes.
But without further ado... (adieu?)
Everything (nothing)
I walk listlessly down the blocks that don't notice that i'm here, like a flipbook of badly drawn sketches of poorly taken photographs. Maybe I'll ask myself when I'm not myself just what I'm doing here.
So, hey... would you know me if I told you my name? These city lights can't see us, still we hide just the same. I'm sorry I feel foreign to you, I can't quite help it. Never mind the credits. Check the liner if you really wanna know. I'm myself only for the duration of the show.
That's me, between our skies, don't ask me any questions. If you really wanna know just look into my eyes. Try not to be thrown back.
If I weren't so damn stubborn, I might take my own advice. I'd clear my head, a break from these streets would be so nice. I'd sit and write my secrets in the sand, sing my childish heart, and let the ocean wave hello. She's the only one who will know.
My life is like a sketch, a one line drawing, shaken - i'm no more. A thin black line in dull surroundings, but I guess that's all I care to know. A momentary masterpiece turns into another genius theft. I hide my eyes and spin around, gray's all I have left.
A muddy walk once more around the block... a siren alarms, perhaps it's for me, but it whizzes by. I'll wonder what's going on - so curious - i won't know 'till morning when I check the paper and read about another broken politician, broken window, broken life, and all the things that I don't want to be.
I get me to an elevator to rise above the streets, above another me that I don't want to meet. And I hate it, but don't let the sounds stop... the silence makes me ill, and the noises will always hide my whispered secrets.
To feel or not to feel, there's your question.
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