All posting on obscene...

Is officially ceased. Please visit takingrefuge.com for further awesomeness.

Sorry for the confusion, but...

takingrefuge is back.
Owned.

Even with the crappy blog we started when takingrefuge died, we still have a supportive group of people who follow us around listening to our nonsense. We discussed alot about the scene and what the future looks like... I'm really proud of our community and I know moving back to the original site will be a success. I'm not making any promises about content, but I have a few ideas. Plus the site looks better.

And we don't have a writer's strike going on.

Showbread Fans, can you help a brother out?

It's a well known fact that Showbread's earlier cds cannot be found in stores and that the band condones the free sharing of those cds between their fans.

Limewire is being a jerk and making it impossible to find and download all their cds (starting with Goodbye is Forever, the first cd I have a tracklisting for) so can anyone provide me with the links to any site that you can upload these tracks to (I recommend mediafire)??

PWEASE?!?!

Send links to my myspace page.

myspace.com/scooter_rk_fan

Yikes

The Spitfire album cover. (New CD March)

What it is.

Hey folks. Needless to say, we haven't completely kept up with some of the happenings of the indie rock community on this blog. Our shareholders won't be happy. Hah.

Some new bands have signed to some labels. Some bands have broken up.

Basically, I've taken a step back from all this scene stuff and when I look at it from the outside, it appears to be changing a bit. I'm in my second year of college. When I first got into the scene, I was halfway through high school. We've kind of passed the baton, in the sense that the majority of show-goers these days are new high schoolers.

Hardcore shows are less of a sure-thing. They're more hit or miss. 50 kids one night. 200 another. And I've been monitoring other sites news posts, and I can't help but notice that they've been doing the SAME thing for several years. "So and so has posted a new song. They'll be on tour this coming blahblahblah. Their CD will be out blahblah."

I feel like an old man. Talking about how I miss the old days. I'll be honest - 2004 was the best year for music I've ever seen. It brought us Composure, I Am Hollywood, They're Only Chasing Safety, The Need To Feel Alive, No Sir Nihilism Is Not Practical, Catch For Us The Foxes, and so many more quality albums. 2005 was great too with How The Lonely Keep, Son I Loved You At Your Darkest, In Motion...

The point is, at least for me, that can't be topped. The best has come and gone. Who is Search The City? Who is The Becoming? Children 18:3? Corey Crowder? Look, maybe they're good, maybe they've got potential, but here is a FACT:

What makes companies like Starbucks and Apple so appealing? They're more than just companies that create products, they've got magic to their brand name. They've got that special, undefinable substance to their product that makes people pay 4 dollars for a cup of milk. The new Nail bands dont have that. Compared to their previous generation, there's no magic, there's nothing about them that pumps me up for the next album.

This site has spent alot of time, and I like to think has made a small impact, in defending the scene. And I don't think it's completely dead. There have been some standout releases this year. But it's on it's back. I'm sorry that I haven't posted regularly on here, but now you know why. There's no reason to end this blog. Hopefully some peers (AP.net, IVM, The effin NAIL) will see this and it'll make sense. Those of you who want to stick around are more than welcome to. Let's see where this is going. Those of you who are looking for daily posts of who posted what song where: Thank you for your support, but this might not be the place you're looking for.

Thanks for reading this. Hope to talk to you soon.
-Kevin

Except some new stuff from the Ob-SCENE camp soon.

I can't tell you what, but I can tell you it involves a video blog.

And I'm in it.

Ok I just told you what it is.

Terminal is playing another show

Ya I'm serious. It's ridiculously beautiful. The only problem is that it's in Texas. Eff.

Bunch of news. What what?

Corey Crowder has signed with The Nail.

Sullivan has broken up.

We're giving away copies of the new Thrice CD. (Look below for details)

Download the Jonathan Jones EP on the myspace.

If you guys are curious...

About any new faces on The Nail, you might want to search the city for such bands.

I said free Thrice? What what?

To celebrate the release of Volumes 1 and 2 of The Alchemy Index by Thrice, we're giving away some free copies. You better believe it. You want a free copy of this incredible cd? Of course you do. First, I need you to go to Queens to get me a sugar cookie.

Ok seriously, this contest is gonna go down like this -
I'm looking for a great acromyn using the word THRICE. You can submit as many as you like in the comments. We're looking for creativity, and well, it should but doesn't have to make sense. Just do your thing.

A handful of the best acronyms will be chosen by the admins and a vote will determine the final winner. All contest updates will be made in this post. WIN!

An update

Hey guys. I know I haven't written on here in a while, and you definitely deserve to know what's going on, so here it is -

I'm kinda thinking about the indie/hardcore/whatever scene we typically write about. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like it's lost it's fire. Maybe it's labels signing less than mediocre bands. Maybe it's me just shifting musical preference. But the scene seems watered down and we've gotta figure something out.

Showbread double disc hype

I have high expectations from Showbread for their next release, a double disc set called "Anorexia Nervosa". They exploded with "No Sir..." but have been quietly touring and defending themselves after "Age of Reptiles". This is a release that cuold put them back on top. They're smart, they're creative, and I see no reason why they can't blow people away.

It has little to do with the amount of screaming, so before you start telling me I'm too scene for AOR, don't. Look at the personality, the wild glam attitude of No Sir, then look at the streamlined AOR.

I dont know maybe Im just a hater.

Rap

Anyone have any favorite hip-hop artists? Talking about indie/hardcore all day can be a total burn-out.

The Maine is my new best friend

Awesome = The Maine covering Akon. Here.

Best three minutes of my day.

The Nail Podcast

In case anyone is interested, a new Tooth and Nail podcast emerged last week featuring a new song from Ivoryline, and some chit chat from Josh of Emery. Also on the podcast is A Dream Too Late, Far Less, and some other stuff.

New records abound!

So today, Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007, marks one of the single greatest days in music history, for me at least.

Six, count 'em, SIX new records are out today, all of which I am interested in.

They go as follows:

Say Anything-In Defense Of The Genre

Coheed and Cambria-Good Apollo I'm Burning Star Volume II: No World For Tomorrow

Far-Less-A Toast to Bad Taste

The Glorious Unseen-

Cobra Starship-Viva La Cobra!

Oh, Sleeper-When I Am God

Out of that six, like four of them I am downloading currently. Rhapsody didn't have the new Far-Less or Glorious Unseen's debut, so I'll have to purchase hardcopies of those.

Tell me, which one's would you like me to review? Or would you rather I just review all of them?

UPDATE: My headphones blew out. Reviews will be delayed a few days until I can get a new pair.

Radiohead.

Unless you live in an information-age cave, you've probably heard that Radiohead has released their latest record, In Rainbows, completely free from a label, only on their website, and with giving you the ability to choose how much YOU want to pay for the right to download it.

I've never been a big Radiohead fan, but this idea is something I wish EVERY BAND adopted, mainly because they rarely see alot of money from cd sales and downloads, they get more cash from merch sales at shows, which more kids would be able to go to if they had easier access to the bands music.

Think about it.

anyway, I haven't been able to download the cd yet, but I'll tell you what I think of it when I do, and maybe try for yourself.

Go here.

Love and kisses.

UPDATE: I downloaded it and am currently listening to it. Without having a background to compare it with any review would be unsatisfactory, but I have to say it's pretty rocking for a band I often get mixed up with Pink floyd.

Does this resolve it for you?

You're welcome.

I love you.

Twelve Gauge can't be breaking up because

THEY ARE MOVING TO TAMPA FLORIDA OH YEAH!!

Seriously, they are.

So...yeah.

Oh, I guess you could say I'm back.

Circa Survive

I am listening to the new Circa Survive CD, and I didn't think it would be that great, considering I thoroughly resented a live show I saw a few years back. But I'm enjoying it.

I dont know why im posting this nonsense

And the traffic goes down.

jk - playradioplay

Good news / bad news

I don't know how famliiar you are with the various clothing companies out there specializing in scene-related hotness. Well one of my faves, The Black Sea, recently got their myspace hacked. Kinda sad.

The good thing is, they have a new line of some legit stuff. No they didn't pay me for this post. But Demon Hunter pays me to make polls about them. Too bad the poll's not in their favor so far. GOTCHA DXH!

Sufjan Stevens expected to live to 300

I'm just gonna put this out there -
Unless Sufjan Stevens is expecting to live well into triple-digits, I don't think he's gonna make it to his 50 state, 50 CD goal.

In 4 years he's released 2 states. Meaning all 50 states will take 100 years at this rate.

Dont Poll Me, Bro

Our last poll recently closed by indicating that the majority of you are in As Cities Burn.

Our new poll tests your opinion of the coming Demon Hunter album.

That time of year...

With it being mid October and no amazing records within sight of the rest of the year, I thought it might be a good time to bring up some Album of The Year contenders.

Some records that come to mind right away include (top 5, in order)-
Lovedrug - Everything Starts Where It Ends
Brighten - King VS Queen
As Cities Burn - Come Now Sleep
Haste The Day - Pressure The Hinges
Neon Horse - Ne... wait did he just say Neon Horse???1wtf?!?

I know - what about Anberlin. Im also considering Drop Dead Gorgeous and Falling Up.

Anyway, enough about me. How about you? I want some input for when we compile or Top Records of '07 (according to this ridiculous blog) list.

100th ob-scene post and other lowlights

In a series of flat out low points for music as we know it, some hormonal teenagers have come up with some concept based on having sex in honor of acoustic Sullivan songs.

Ever thought of self control? Personal integrity? Self respect?

Or is that too much work for you?

How about Tell Me I'm WrooOOOOOOOOoooong acoustic.
That'd be perdy damn hawt.
And if it sounds as beautiful as I think it will,
I'll bang the next decent looking girl I come across, and make her write
"You're Wrong Brooks" across her chest, after I've done the deed.

Sullivan makes tons of songs about romance and following your heart, heart-break, and dedication. But for Brooks to partake in this is nothing less than hypocritical. Calling out ladies to forsake their purity for a few extra myspace hits is ridiculous.

Ever thought of promoting purity? Chivalry? Romance? Well they did in theory, through their songs. But I guess the truth comes out eventually.

Yes I did see the disclaimer "this shouldn't be taken seriously". Ok so let me get this straight. You want pictures of people as described in the above statment, with lyrics on their bodies, but at the same time, we shouldn't do it cause you're not serious? Which one is it?

I'm not overreacting. Yes I expect a backlash of comments from B4B followers. Yes, I expect B4B to tell ME that I'M wrong. God forbid someone make a statement in this world promoting something positive.

I dont even know what to say

Eavesdropping: Colour Revolt

Colour Revolt recently gave Pause magazine an interview discussing their wacky music and wacky personalities and celebrity status -

We had our first rock star thing yesterday, at Lollapalooza. We all got free shoes.

Demon Hunter freaking video

Here ya go. "Fading Away" is the song. Thoughts? The new CD hits stores next month.

WFT EPs?

So after a few decades of waiting for the sophomore full-length from The Myriad, we finally have the next best thing - an ep called "Prelude to Arrows". It'll have 4 songs off that full-length and two other exclusive tracks.

Koch Records will be releasing this alleged full-length. Check the myspace for info on this ep, unless you're like me and youre tired of the ridiculousness and just want the freaking CD.

The Showdown also has an EP available called "Feel Like Hell EP". It features 3 b-sides from Temptation Come My Way. What were your thoughts on the latest Showdown CD?

If you're thinking about robbing a band - dont.

Does anyone know why it is that bands are getting their belongings robbed/vandalized/broken into so much?

Edison Glass recently has gone through some troubles with having their belongings stolen and van broken into. They lost a ton of stuff totalling $8,000 and you can get more info including a donations link here. The tour with Blindside is still going on ;)

Impending Doom in Decibel

Check out a recent write-up on Impending Doom and their Christian foundation here.

They’ve played with popular offshoots like Job for a Cowboy and experience the same things that every other death metal band goes through: sore throats before and after shows (“On tour, Brook usually won’t speak until he is onstage”)

The Eavesdropping Murders

From Brian of The Handshake Murders:

[Please comment on the following words]
God - cool in my book, but believe what you want.
Emo - Guilty as charged. Doesn't mean I have female parts. Our drummer has an acoustic side project called Land of Tears. We all dig 'emo'. It did turn into something kind of lame nowadays.
Drugs - We're totally un-party... so no? Well, Jeff rides the ganja-train quite a bit.. and likes it. a lot. but is very responsible about it.
Heidi Klum - Didn't she just have Seal's baby? I rarely go a week without listening to a Seal record. Hah, she had a baby Seal.
HSM fans - Better and generally smarter on the IQ scale than Dave Mathews fans. Those who like both are still cool, but one day, they'll have to choose. There can be only one.

New musics.

Solid State signs Once Nothing. We look even stupider than we did two posts ago.

The Classic Crime and Oh, Sleeper have new songs online.

I've been praying about this and..

I'm leaving being a full-time member of the blog.

It's gonna be tough to say good-bye, since I've been a part of the movement since Taking Refuge was still around.

I just don't like the way the music industry is looking, and I don't want to be a part of it this way anymore.

I love Kevin and all you guys still, this has nothing to do with you.

And for once I won't blame Toby Mac...I promise.

Please still support Ob-SCENE. Kevin is trying to do some good.

I just don't feel like my opinion is wanted anymore. I always assumed this was an OPINION blog, and that I could speak my mind.

But, lately especially, it hasn't been so.

So...

I don't want to be a part of it anymore.

Sorry.

Hopefully Kevin will allow me to stay on in some capacity, even if I only get to post once-a-month.

And in case you were wondering, Anberlin sold out.