11/11/99- Two bands have been added to the Bands On A+ page. Check them out. They are Yesterday's Heroes (CD-EP out on Nov. 26) and Llamatron. For those of you that don't know Llamatron, they are from western Michigan. they play strait punk about hating racist and rednecks. The CD they recorded might be out sometime soon insead of next spring as wefirst thought.
11/2/99- I updated the LINKS page, nothing big, just fixed some broken ones and added one or two
11/1/99- I updated the SHOWS page a bunch, lots of new shows so check it out. I also updated the "What's Next For A+ Punk" page for the first time in about 6 months. The MERCH page has info about the Yesterday's Heroes release and how to get a speical deal if you pre-order.
10/21/99- I just added an article I wrote called "Homelessness in Capitalist Society." Please read it then tell me what you think (apluspunk@flashmail.com)
10/16/99- We have more compilation CDs now and any orders that got delayed because we ran out were sent out Thursday with some bonus stuff. I just added 3 new shows to the SHOWS page so check those out
10/11/99- I added some reviews people have sent in about "When Good Kids Go Punk" and I put them on THIS PAGE. Also please vote in the sticker poll on the front page.
10/8/99- You should have seen the sticker poll on the front page.
Vote in it. Also "When Good Kids Go Punk" is temporarily sold out. The
first 500 are gone and we are waiting for the last 500 to be packaged.
They'll be ready next week so go a head an send your order. It'll just
take a couple extra days.
9/30/99- I finally updated the SHOWS
page. it'll be outdated soon and be no good but for now it has a bunch
of cool shows for you to go to so go see it
9/27/99- I can drive tomarrow that's going to be cool. No car but oh, well someday. I updated the About Us page & added Sean's info. I also wanted to point out we have a new e-mail address apluspunk@flashmail.com please use that one. I'll be changing the links on the site to that one over the next few days. Plus I'm finally going to change the links page I promise
9/20/99 (8 more days)- More on the computer saga, as soon as I finished moving the mailing list and all of the other important files to the other computer that one crashed so it can't even get into Windows. So there is a bunch or important stuff like our budget, and a bunch of unread or un-responded to e-mails. But the downstairs one is working (at least at the moment) so this is what I'll be using. There is a guy coming over this week to see if he can fix both the computers so hopefully everything will get back to normal then.
Anyway back to important stuff. Area 51-7 played their first show with the new line-up last Saturday. They played pretty well despite a few broken songs. The rest of the show was good too (except RD couldn't play). The show featured a couple Holt bands (Canine Sugar, Phoney Bastards, and 2 more whose name I'm forgetting) Also the Van Ermans played really well and even premired a new song. It was an instramental with a little ska, little metal, little emo. I liked it a lot. Also some copies of "When Good Kids Go Punk" were. sold. If you are one of the people that bought a copy. Thanx and please tell me what you think of the cd in either the guestbook or through e-mail.
And oh, yeah I forgot one thing. in next weeks issue of the Grub Records newsletter you can see a review of "When Good Kids Go Punk" and the West End Riot tape. So look for that. If you aren't on that mailing list (and you should be cause it's a really good newsletter) you can sign up at the Grub Records page.
9/12/99 (16 days till i can drive)- Well we have some exciting news from A+ Punk. First off, we have a new member here, Sean Murphy. Sean is now our offical promotion guy and beat down crew member. He's working on putting out flyers and promo packs for some zines and street teams. You may know Sean from his band Area 51-7, speaking of 51-7. Their new line-up (new bassist and another guitar) is debuting at this girl Lisa's party on the 18th with Razor Dave, Van Ermans, Phoney Bastards and some others. If you want to go to the show e-mail Sean and he'll tell you more about it.
Also some more good news. The first batch of comps has sold out of the local record stores and there are request for more!!! Anyway CD Warehouse will have more by tomarrow if you are one of those kids that is just dying to get one. They are still just $5.
My computer has officaly died so I am using an
old 486 with a 14.4 kbs modem i have in my room. I am working on getting
all of the imposrtant files off of the other computer but for a while I'll
be updating this page the old fashioned way. So it may take a little longer
than normal.
9/3/99- We here's the deal with the A+ Punk bands (to the best of my knowledge). West End Riot has broken up. I guess there are a lot of resons, different veiws (politicly) from the members, the lack of practicing, and the fact that there are other projects they each want to persue (is that how you spell it?) If you still have un-dying love for them some of their music can be downloaded at MP3.com. Anyway this is what I think will happen to all the members Joe (the bassist) will most likely join Area 51-7 as a new bassist with Albert (the current bassist) moving to lead guitar. Joe is also going to try playing with PopGun a couple times see how that is (because they need a bass) and Paul is also looking at joining a new hardcore band called Shallow. Tim will continue to drum for Area 51-7. Ryan I don't know about but I'm sure another band is in his future.
Also A+ Punk and some friends are going to put in a few applications for grants to open an all-ages non-profit venue/community center in the Lansing area. If you could offer any advice about writing up a proposal or places to apply for grants (please not government) that would be great. As of right now we only have one grant that we are applying for. We are also thinking about including a petition with the grant application so look out for that.
I guess there is one more thing going on. Everytime I try to save something on my computer the hard drive makes loud clicking noises and comes up with an error screen. So if I don't return e-mail or stuff like that as soon as I should my computer probably crashed.
8/29/99- School started last week. It sucks. Friday there was a show at Tom Renaud's (Razor Dave). It was pretty good even though RD didn't play that well. The Van Ermans played well. The Wristrockets had a ton of energy but it was John Cusack Attack's last show. Anyway back to some stuff that matters. If you want to help us out with promotion for the upcoming release of "Yesterday's Heros" CD-EP e-mail Jarrett of the band to find out more. Also some of West End Riot's songs are available for free download at MP3.com. A journal entry from a friend of mine was added to the Writtings section.
8/20/99- For the bands on the CD, all of your CDs have been shipped out by UPS. If you want the tracking numbers just e-mail me. There were 2 packages I couldn't ship The Distorted Penguins (I don't have the addresss) and Contradict (UPS needs a phone # to ship stuff into Canada) But those will be shipped as soon as that stuff is resolved.
West End Riot finally played another show tonight at the Underground with a band from Lapeir MI, Exit 180, and one from Philly, One-21. The show went ok. A couple of tapes and CDs were sold.
On a personal note I have a little story to tell. Last weekend i was going to spend the nite at a friends house. But for a couple of reasons me and this friend ended up sleeping at another friends house. The next day I come home and my dad tells me "We might have to ground you for this one. But we'll talk about that later." Then when I go out tonight I get a call and I find out that I am grounded for a month and my parents are pissed cuz I was grounded and went out. Of course they never really let me know I was grounded in the first place. And oh yeah school starts back up Monday. Doesn't that suck?
8/17/99- A couple things. Over the past couple days I've been getting mail orders and the packagrs to send to the bands together and they'll be UPSed tomorrow. Also CD Warehouse in downtown East Lansing now has copies or "When Good Kids Go Punk" for just $5 (the same as if you would mail order). You might see them in more stores soon but more on that later.
PopGun played their first show last Friday down in Grand Rapids (an hour & half west of Lansing) at this girl Beth's party. They played about a 45 minute set or orginals, MxPx, Blink 182, and even an Ozzy Ozzborne cover. They played pretty well for a first show, without a bassist and a crappy PA. For more info on PopGun e-mail Criterpunk@aol.com
A+ Punk Records has signed a contract to release an at-least 6 song CD-EP from Yesterday's Heros. Yesterday's Heros is a no horns ska/punk/emo outfit from Battle Creek made up of former members on Ate Crayons & The Pushers. The CD will be titled "For What It Used To Be" and be released Nov. 24. Only 100 will be presser so advance orders will be taken, more info later. Despite the fact they have broken up Ate Crayons debute CD "Look Out World" is still avaible for just $10 ppd and they apear on the "When Good Kids Go Punk" compilation available HERE. For more info on Yesterday's Heros or Ate Crayons click HERE
8/11/99- The CD's just showed up today so they are being packaged to be sent out to the bands. There have already been a few orders so that's cool. Go to the "Stuff To Buy" page to find out how to order.
One more thing, West End Riot has there next show coming up on August 20th @ the Underground here in Lansing with 121 (old school punk). For more info e-mail ryan @ rypunk@hotmail.com or check out West End Riot's page in the "Bands On A+ Punk" page.
8/8/99- Well the comp didn't show up on my doorstep this week so they should be here any day. I've spent about 6 hours over the last few days getting all the packaging ready so as soon as they get to my doorstep they'll be ready to go.
I'm working on an on-line guide to "When Good Kids Go Punk" that will include band bios, track listing, sound clips, lyrics, and reviews. To be one of the first kids on the block to get your copy of "When Good Kids Go Punk" go and order your copy from the ORDER page
8/1/99- I just made a small update. I redid part of the bands on A+ Punk Page. Pop Gun was added. They are very poppy punk with lots of references to girls in songs like "I Hate Girls," "If You Were My Girl," and "The Song Formally Known as the Jennifer Love Hewwit Song." They have shows and stuff coming up if you are interested contact criterpunk@aol.com.
The comp should be in some time next week, shipped to the bands before the weekend and the long wait will be finally be over. Next week I'll update the site with info on how to get yourself a copy.
7/20/99- Wow I haven't updated in a while. Anyway here's the story about "When Good Kids Go Punk." It was to have the master burned the day before I left town and then sent to the presser except my computer with the master on it busted so we had to take it to the shop where they hooked the hard drive up to another burner and burned a master (for $60 an hour). I wasn't in town when the master was finally done so I didn't get a chance to test it. It made it to the presser except it had a few errors on it. So for 40 extra bucks (and 3 more days) the presser fixed it up and it is being pressed right now. I was hoping to have them for the Warped Tour on the 25th but that doesn't look like it'll happen. They should be in the next week some time. Warped should kick ass anyway.
Me and Paul have both been working all summer (about 40 hours a week) to get money for cars in the fall and for the label so we haven't talked each other face to face in a couple weeks but everything seems to be working out well with West End Riot from what I've heard. Area 51-7 is doing well too, except Albert is now taken making the most horny-ist band in Lansing all called for.
A lot of bands have been asking about being on A+ Punk so I put up this page. Check that out for info. I'm also starting to collect more music for the next compillation (probably next spring) so if you're interested in that or being signed e-mail me.
One last thing, I wrote a lot of stuff while I was gone. When I get some motivation I'll type it up and put it in the WRITTINGS/RAMBLINGS section. Wow that was a long update.
6/3/99- A couple pieces of news.
5/17/99- I got all the corections to the Civil lyrics and posted them. I also added another part to WRITINGS about The Jungle by Upton Sincait.
5/15/99- I put up Civil Disobedience's lryics in the WRITINGS section. Civil D will probablychange their name slightly soon because there are a couple other bands with the same name.
5/13/99- We are still debating what to do with the Civil D recording. So far we have sold some self-made tapes to some kids around school and stuff for $2. The response has been great. As for how it will be "officially" released we're not sure. Will it be a CD EP, split CD, or maybe a D.A.M CD available from MP3.com. As soon as I get a copy of the master CD I will put some mp3s at Civil's MP3.com page. I also added a new section to the site. WRITINGS because I feel part of our job here at A+ Punk is to educate & expose people to the views of others. If you want one of your writings on the site just e-mail me.
5/9/99- The comp is so close to being done it hurts. But I won't go into that cuz I have to go in a sec. Anyway, Civil Disobedience went into the studio last Friday and proceeded to lay down NINE (count 'em NINE) drum tracks. They went back Saturday and put down the guitar, bass vocals, & sax to all of those songs and then mixed them Sunday. Long story short, They came out with an absolutely awesome debut CD. I'm am so serious about this, Even I had no idea Civil D was that good (that's a complement coming from their manager). As soon as we put everything together look for the Civil D CD in a store near you (OK probably not, but you'll be able to get it here)
5/2/99- Still inching. Apparently the final stuff for the comp from a bunch of bands is "in the mail" but I've heard that before. Anyway, one piece of good news, Civil Disobedience is going in to record at AP Studios (same place Area 51-7 recorded) next Friday & Saturday. They are going to lay down one track for the comp and then put down as many others as they can, so there might be a release from them in the near future. (and I'll be on backing vocals on "Thought Control").
4/23/99- Comp is inching closer to being done. Three new bands have been added; the Distorted Penguins, good ska, The Skels, New England Celtic Punk, and Out of Line, FLA punk. I also added a few reviews.
4/13/99- SOME BIG ASS NEWS. There has been a small change in the comp CHECK THE COMP page for full info. EVEN BIGGER NEWS. A+ Punk Records will be putting out Razor Dave's (Okemos, MI) first full length CD!!! Look for it early this summer.
4/11/99- Added some more info to the COMP page. And added two reviews of Rancid's "life Won't Wait" and a comp by Cheapskate Records called "How To Stretch A Dollar"
4/9/99- Updated the LINKS section a little. Added a possible cover design for our comp to the front page. And I FINALLY got off my lazy ass to type up five reviews for the REVIEWS section.
4/5/99- I spent my first day of spring break updating the site (damn I'm a loser). Anyway, I added a bunch more songs to the COMPfrom 3 more Area 51-7 songs on THIS PAGE (thanks to Louis). I also added a page. I also added sound samples new section to the site BANDS" with info about the bands on this little thing I call a record label. I'm still having trouble with 2 or 3 sounds If I can get them to work they'll be up in the next few days.
4/4/99- Well, I've gotten a bunch of tapes in the last couple days and I spent all of tonight converting them to CD. Then I decided I need to update the site. So I went an updated the SHOWS page a TON but now it's 2 am, I mean 3 am (DAMN DAYLIGHT SAVINGS) and I'm tired so I'm going to go to bed; but look for a lot more sound samples from "When Good Kids Go Punk" in the next few days (Skatterbrains, Whoopie Cushion, Stiff One Eye, Misunderstood, Stalemate, Bankshot). Also look for the preliminary track list for the comp soon.
3/28/99 - Well I finally got off my lazy ass to update this site. I added some sound samples to the COMP page (Area 51-7 & Quazi Stellar). PLUS AREA 51-7 IS DONE WITH THEIR 4 SONG STUDIO DEMO AND YOU CAN GET IT FROM THE MERC PAGE FOR ONLY $3 (PPD.) (along with many great releases from Setting Records). Plus I'm still working on some reviews (Ryan from Civil Disobedience is helping me out). Also if anyone knows of a venue in the Lansing area please tell me because A+ Punk & Time and A Half Records are trying to set up a show in Lansing soon. I also changed around the layout of the HOME page and the ORDER page a little.
3/14/99- I added two more sound samples to the COMP page from Radio Riot and Thanx But No Thanx
3/12/99- OK. I made a big update. I ADDED SOME SOUND FILES. There is a sample of Nipon, 19th Hole, and The Bucket Club's tracks on the COMP page (all are in mp3 format)
3/10/99- OK first things first. The name for the comp has finally been picked. WHEN GOOD KIDS GO PUNK. Next, I just heard Razor Dave's song for the comp for the first time it's called "Garnett." It sounds great, It also hasn't been released before and will NOT be on their upcoming album. So you'll have to get the comp to hear that ska-core masterpiece. One last thing Area 51-7 has escaped the jaws of death (aka the flu) and they are going to finish up their 5 song demo (U-G-L-Y Yeah, Yo' Ugly) next Monday!!! I also added a bunch of stuff to the SHOWS page
3/3/99- The Area 51-7 recording has kind of stalled for now. They laid the drums down about 2 weeks ago but then the whole band came down with a case of the flu so they haven't been able to finish up. Also BIG ANNOUNCEMENT You can now order stuff from Holt-based "Setting Records" (Fail Safe, Cannine Sugar, Phoney Bastards, ect.) RIGHT HERE. Go to the MERC. page.
3/1/99- Not much has happened in the past week. I heard the Area 51-7, Friction show Saturday went great, I couldn't go. The only change is that I put up a list of all the bands on the comp HERE
2/22/99- I just added some pictures from BJ's show on Feb 13th to the PICTURES section. I also added reviews of 19th Hole, The Bucket Club, Radio Riot, and John Cusack Attack to REVIEWS. Made a small update to the SHOWS page. The counter just hit 500 this week, HELL YEAH!!!
2/14/99- We are still looking for about 2 serious bands for the comp, e-mail me if that's you. I added 2 reviews of BJ's show on the 13th. More reviews and pictures to come.
2/12/99- I'd still like to hear from bands for future comps or just in case bands drop out. I'm trying to go through everything tonight and organize stuff. We've already gotten the tapes or CD's from Nipon, Radio Riot, Ate Crayons, Thanx but No Thanx, 19th Hole, and The Bucket Club with the stuff for the comp or some demo tracks. They all sound great. I think this comp is going to kick ass. I'll also be reviewing a bunch of stuff within the next couple days so look for that soon. ALSO I'D LIKE TO GIVE MY EVERLASTING LOVE TO EVERYONE THAT VISITS THIS PAGE. OUR COUNTER HIT 400 THIS WEEK!!!! THANX FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!!!!
P.S. I'll also be updating the Links section soon.
2/5/99- Just sent out another letter to the bands that should explain everything about the comp. I updated the SHOWS page (the Valentines Day Show @ BJ's has been changed). I added a review of Occidental Music Vol. 1 to REVIEWS page. Again thanx for visiting this site so much. We also might be changing locations to www.skapunx.ml.org soon so be on the look out.
1/30/99- We'd like to thank all you guys out there that have made this site such a success. In the past 2 weeks we've gotten 58 & 64 hits. After two weeks of only having 2 each week. Help get the word out even more by putting this button on your page and linking it to http://www.msu.edu/user/smithj56.THANX!!! There is also some new info on the comp on the COMP page (clever place for it huh?)
1/25/99- I just added some pictures from BJ's show HERE. Also to all the bands I'm starting to get some major intrest from some bigger labels that want thier bands on the comp. If you don't think you can get stuff together by April please tell me now so I can sign some of the other bands on. We are also considering letting each band have only 1 song instead of 2. (That would also decrease the amount of money each band has to pay)
1/23/99- I changed the question on the first page. I'm starting to get confirmation from the bands on the comp. WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE THAT CAN PRINT UP HIGH QUALITY STICKERS AND A VENUE FOR A FUNDRAISING SHOW. E-MAIL ME WITH IDEAS
1/20/99- NEW LOGO. IT'S ON THE FRONT PAGE
1/19/99- We finaly sent out an e-mail to all the bands about the comp and we'll see what kind of response we'll get. We are still looking for 1 or 2 (possibly more) bands for the comp so if you want to be on it E-MAIL ME and I'll send you a copy of the letter (it's kind of long sorry). Also look for pictures of the Jan 15 show @ BJ's soon. YOU CAN ALSO GET A TAPE OF AREA 51-7 SHOW FROM THE "STUFF TO BUY" SECTION. I even put up a few more reviews
1/9/99- It looks like my partners in crime are going to help out a little more so A+ Punk won't die, yet. I updated a bunch of stuff on the site, added some more links, that type of thing. I ALSO GOT THE NIPON TRACKS THAT WILL BE ON THE CD. IT'S PROBABLY BE "BILK", AND "BEHIND THE MASK" OFF THE NEW CD THEY'RE WORKING ON.
12/21/98- I added a page of reviews, plus a page of info about the comp, plus added a new show to the shows page. I also tied up a lot of loose ends, broken links and stuff like that. Next Up PICTURES!!!
12/10/98 - We've got a couple more spots on the comp but they're filling up fast, We're probably looking at 2 songs each or 5 min total. I also made a couple minor changes to the site plus put up the NEWS Page.
12/1/98 - Put up this site, It took me a grand total of about
1/2 hour. I know it's pretty crappy and I'll probably be able to work on
it a lot over Christmas Break.
