Thursday, December 30, 2010

My 2010 Recap + Update

 
Another year has come and gone.  And what a fast year it was.  It seems just like a few weeks ago that I was down in The Hole's basement (1st of 3 locations in one year) watching the New Years show,  freezing my ass off in the bitter cold rocking out.  But just like every other year, I survived, and I look forward for yet another beginning.  2010 was a pretty interesting year for me and Crucial Changes.  I designed and published two zines (something that I have never done before), saw some pretty good shows, got to travel a bit with some friends, guest hosted a local radio show, and came across some pretty good punk and hardcore records along the way.  If this year will have any lasting impression on me it would probably be the fact that I was always busy working on something that was Crucial Changes related all year long.  After eclipsing 2 years of blogging I have further ambitions to continue a consistent rate of posts and try to think of new ways to present it so it is fresh and remain relevant.  None of this would have been possible without the bands, labels, promoters, and especially the fans who come to shows and keep the scene alive.  Thank you.

Going into 2011 I have plans for a new project consisting of a local cd-r comp.  This project is still in it's embryonic stage but I should have more details in the upcoming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.  I also have plans of doing a 3rd zine in the near future consisting of all the Local Spotlights from 2010 reprinted with a few photos of the featured band.  I also have some other project ideas that should be a lot of fun once I get rolling in them. 

In other blog news, I am currently putting together my "best of" list for 2010.  I am slowly finding out that I bought much more new music this year than I have previously thought.  If you have been following Crucial Changes from the beginning it may not come to much surprise in what I will be favoring this year.  But I can assure you that there will be a few off the radar choices on the mind.  Expect to see a more more expansive list this year with better written reviews.  Also for 2011, I may do record reviews of all the shit I buy throughout the year.  I really don't know about this, but if you think it would be a good idea, post a comment and let me know what you think.  I am also thinking of my next poll question.  As you can see, there is less than 2 weeks to vote for what you'd like to see more of content wise in Crucial Changes.  I have less than 50 votes so far which I feel is kind of fucked up considering that I get more than that amount in page views a day on the blog.  So don't be lazy and click one of the five options on the poll!  The more people who vote the better.  Let me know what you think.

Finally, Crucial Changes will NOT be hosting anymore non-local downloads as of Jan. 1st, 2011.  As mentioned briefly before, my main focus is the local scene.  Since Crucial Changes has started there have been many punk and hardcore download blogs popping up and many of them do a good job at doing what they do.  All previous record reviews contained on download posts will remain.

OK, that pretty much wraps up another year in hardcore for me.  To everyone who celebrates the new year, may you do so safely.  Have a happy new year and see everyone in 2011.  Peace.

-Keith

Friday, December 17, 2010

Happy birthday to Crucial Changes - 2 Years! + Winter Scene Report


I have been too busy to notice that Crucial Changes is now 2 years old! For some reason I thought I started the blog on Dec. 18th '08, but in truth is it was the 12th. Anywho, things are back up to speed for this month with a lot of photo updates for Dec. I apologize for the lack of posting for the month of Nov. For my next CC project heading into '11, I am slowly putting the pieces together for a local comp cd-r. I also have some plans for a new all-local zine lined up down the road plus a surprise or two. I will have official updates on all projects as they happen. I currently only have 1 poll up now. It was clear to see that the photographs are everyone's favorite. Thank you for your feedback, and be sure to take time to vote on the remaining poll if you have yet to do so. In final blog news, expect to see my annual year end record list posted up in mid Jan. I have a lot of wax to catch up on, but I'm expecting it to be a good list.



Winter will officially be here in a couple days, and compared to last years crazy blizzard the weather is much better but still very cold (I'm freezing over here in the CCHQ). The December show schedule for punk and hardcore usually dips, but I don't remember this few of shows for any given month. Once the New Year rolls around, shows will be picking up. Omaha's own punk house The Manor has a new blog up and running that has a calendar of all the underground punk and metal shows playing there, so bookmark it and check it often. As reported before, The Hole has moved... again, hopefully for the last time at a fresh new spot in the downtown Benson neighborhood. I have been to one show since it's re-opened and the new spot is pretty nice, especially if you want to skate. I would like to more shows booked there for sure. The skate shop is intact too so be sure to check em' out for all your skate hardware needs. For upcoming shows, NYHC legends Sick Of It All are returning to Lincoln once again in late Jan., and I am excited to see them again. I haven't seen them since fall of '04 so it should be a good time shooting them on film. 3 Inches Of Blood will be in Lincoln as well around the same time with Catheter and Black Market Fetus. It's looking like that '11 will have a little something for everyone early on. For all the show info coming up in Nebraska as they happen, be sure to check out the local message board: http://nebraskadiy.aceboard.com/.

In other local scene news, another record store is closing down, this time in Lincoln. Spindle Records is holding it's last ever show in the building tonight before closing up shop in the next few days. All the remaining records are on sale, so stop in if you get a chance (122 North 14th Street). Nothing upsets me more than when record stores and venues close down. I hope that in the near future, a new record store pops up to fill in. New punk venue MadAve in Lincoln is currently accepting donations to help get their building up to code for shows to happen. Let's not let a few snags ruin what the kind people at MadAve have set to do. For further donation info, email Vic: matt.vicars@hotmail.com