Goin Back

I was at Will's house yesterday watching Fuse TV and they started talking about Bad Religion and Social Distortion. Both bands I love, but I haven't listened to them since high school. Both are two of the most influential and longest running bands in punk rock history. The genre would not be the same if not for these two bands. I say all that to say this, some things never change....although it's been a while since I listened to them I love them both and I'm glad I had a chance to realize what I have been missing out on lately.
PS- Both are still two of the best live bands around! If anyone wants to get tickets and go see either one with me...let me know

New Songs

So it takes alot for to say a new song is one of my favorites but here are four songs that i think you should get off iTunes... "Teenagers" by: My Chemical Romance, "Insurance" by: The Higher "Misery Business" by: Paramore, and "Icky Thump" by: The White Stripes...so if you want something good to spend $4 on here ya go.

Am I The Only Person Who Likes The White Stripes?

So why is it that everyone I talk to says they hate The White Stripes? I don't know it's just kinda wierd. I realize that they are an aquired taste but I think they are cool and I really wanna go and buy the new CD. Jack White always brings something new and completely random and different to the table and I respect that. He also has some of the wierdest songs, lyrically and musically I have ever heard. So I just wanna say whether or not you like The White Stripes I honestly dont know, but I know that I like them.

From Cop Cars to Father's Day...and all the Ramblings in Between

So yea, this weekend was definately unforgettable. Me and Randy and Will were in the mall parking lot, Will did a little burnout and then the next thing we know Will is being arrested. The cop was a complete idiot and Will did not deserve that at all.....talk to me and i'll tell you the whole story later but it is just too long to post here. Anyways after that whole fiasco Randy and I went and saw the new and improved Triggerfish play. With a new drummer and lead guitar they were nothing short of amazing live...Jeremy Scruggs is an AMAZINg frontman and a goodfriend. If you ever get the chance go see them.

Now onto Saturday, well the day was chill I discovered a place in Powdersville called Atha's that rocked my face and stomach too, thanks Chris and Mandy. Then it was on to the show at The Lofts....it was one of my favorite playing experiences I have had thusfar, the crowd was really into everyone's music and that was great. If you were there thank you for supporting everyone not just me...and especially thanks for supporting Christina Im sure she appreciates it.

Sunday...big Father's Day, well I've learned over the years that no matter what happens to me good or bad my dad has always been there for me either waiting to correct, support, or comfort me. I love my dad, he is the greatest in the world and I thank God for giving me such a role-model and great father to look up to....everytime I look at my parents I have to thank God because he gave me some great ones. So yea that was this weekend, until next time...God Bless btw:Carpenter's was really great this morning....I feel like God is about to do something Huge there.

Summer

Summer can bring new stories and experiences to one's life...all this summer has seemed to bring me is new music(great), close friends(great), and depression from boredom(not so great). But O well, life has its ups and downs. Not everything is always gonna go your way. So you just gotta grab life by the balls and twist, lol...jk. But really though if life has got you down one thing that always makes me feel better is to start thanking God for everything he has done for me and for all he has given to me. After that I realize that being depressed is a waste of time.

There and Back Again

So I'm back from my weekend retreat to the lovely city of Nashville. I honestly hated to leave because Nashville is a mecca for singers and songwriters. I went up there and fought in a karate tournament, it turned out well i took third...which is not bad, its no first place but maybe next time. But other than fighting I went downtown to some local clubs and heard some of the best musicians i have ever heard in my life. These guys i saw were in it for the love, they only worked for only tips and they played great music. I did go to my version of a toy store....The Gibson Shop. I found my future Les Paul if anyone would like to lend me the $3400 it costs lol. But the highlight of the trip was going to the legendary bluebird cafe and hear a few up and coming writers and performers. Overall an amazing trip but of course I'm glad to be back. Speaking of singer/songwriters me and Josh Williams have to play a gig in Florence Sc this weekend. If anyone is near aroma underground saturday night please come in and hear us play.

Memorial Day (A time to desecrate our bodies)

Yesterday was quite eventful. Me and Merritt went to empire to get more ink, I got the bird on the cover of the new Bayside CD on the inside of my bicep. My reasoning for this was, the title of the album is "The Walking Wounded". This to me means that even though I may not be perfect I am still alive and as long as I am God has a purpose for me to fufill. So like the wounded bird he has hope and knows his purpose is not to be nothing...I am the same way, wounded and imperfect before God but he still loves me and uses me.
And on the way back home Hoyt, Chris, and I saw an old man riding a unicycle in the Ingles parking lot. That was truly an amazing thing to see after being in NC all day. The trip was fun but kinda sad b/c Wylie Perry is moving to New York...so that was the last time he would desecrate my body in the south. Hopefully it isn't the last one I ever get from him.

Ten Foot Tall and Bulletproof

If I were 10 foot tall and bullet proof I would run through a gunfight knife held high screaming at the top of my lungs. But seeing as that isn't the case I shouldn't do that. It would be an unwise choice therefore ending my short-lived life of playing guitar and doing random things. Maybe I should do something that matters instead sitting around thinking of what I would do if I was 10 foot tall and bulletproof. Truth is I'm just lacking inspiration for new tunes....but I'll come out of this slump eventually just because I always do.

Good Times

Some of the best things in life can actually be free...(unless you figure in the gas to drive somewhere and the cost of food at a restaurant) but hey that's not what im talkin about. Tonight me and my best friend Randy went and sat around outside at AU and played guitar and shared stories from this school year. He just got back from MTSU which is right outside of Nashville not too long ago and tonight was the first time we've hung out. So therefore it was a good night, and the whole music thing costed me nothing.

In other news, I went to my old high school's graduation yesterday and I must say as usual it was redneck city. Although I was proud of my boy Will for graduating, and seeing some other people I was glad to see it honestly wasn't that great. Do I ever want to go back to high school? No, because college is way better.

Crush

Lately I've figured out if I had to date a famous person it would definately be Haley from Paramore. She has such an amazing voice and is so hot. This morning I was watching the rock countdown on MTV2 and they had Paramore on there and Haley was playing an acoustic guitar....now that's so hot. So yea thats definately my celebrity crush.

In other news I wrote another new song and im debating whether or not to record it. Hmmm such a problem. O well I'll find a solution soon enough so keep your eyes and ears peeled.

Saying Goodbye to Things Regarding The Jew Fro and Old Friends

First off...the jew fro is no more. That's right I am no longer bound by the hairy monstrosity which overtook my head since last July. Yay short hair.

Anyway, moving on. My little sister lost a classmate the other day, he died in a car crash early last saturday morning. I felt horrible that iwasn't sitting there being a crying sympathetic brother, but if you know anything about me you know I lost my best friend when i was in 9th grade. I watched him suffer and die with cancer for two years, then not long after that my grandmother passed on. So the idea of death really doesn't phase me. I also knew God had a purpose for taking them home when he did. Whatever God lets happen now although we may not see it, will eventually work out to give Christ the most glory. That is what we have to remember, also if they have recieved Christ we will see them again. So death doesn't have to really be the final frontier, and to whatever happens in life....to God be the Glory.

Fun Filled Weekends

I played a custom Martin acoustic this weekend that sounded amazing...and Im starting to get ideas for at least one new song...hopefully it will be ready by my trip to Flo-town June 9th.

It's Over!!!!

Another semester come and gone, now its finally summertime. Hoping for a good one this year filled with mischeivious adventures of monsterous proportions. But who knows. Ive already got two shows setup for the summer, one at ecity in July and one at Carpenter's Cellar this August. Check myspace.com/mourningformorgan and purevolume.com/elirhodes for updates.

One More to Go

Just got back from my english exam, and I must say I believe I just kicked it in the balls. I feel like i did really well on it, which means there is only one exam left! Math tomorrow then im done for this school year, this should be fun. I am also now bookng summer shows, if you want to book me let me know via virb.com/elirhodes or facebook look up eli rhodes or even myspace.com/mourningfor morgan.

Getting There

Almost done for the semester. Kind of excited about having free time to write new music and chill, but I've gotta get a job and make some extra cash. I mean I'm not complaining, just making a true statement. O well, life is good and exams are almost over, just Monday and tuesday to go. Hopefully new shows will be coming your way soon too!

Exam Time

Exam week...actually kinda relaxing compared to last week, o well....summer is well on it's way. Gonna be a good one lol.

Today

I had my final guitar ensemble performance of the semester...tear. Now I have my jury left, which has got me a tad nervous but I'll pull through. After coming back from a successful trip to wok n roll with my three favorite dudes on the hall I started working on my research paper, all that is left is to type it thank God! In other news The Used has a new single/video out for a song called "The Bird and The Worm" I highly recommend checking it out. I've always liked The Used but never really got into them that much but this song is great, i love the loops going on. Check it out, you'll enjoy it.

Does Bringing a Knife to a Gunfight = Balls or Just Utter Stupidity?

If you get caught up in a situation where you are certainly outmatched, why try and stand to fight. Why don't you get out of the way before getting shot? I'm not saying just give up, but just play smart. We are supposed to be brave creatures but part of being brave is also being smart and choosing our battles and when to fight them wisely. You wouldn't just run balls to the wall in front of a loaded cannon screaming "Shoot!" Have a little tact and use a little of your God-Given wisdom instead of being so stinkin stupid.
In other news school is winding down so that means the work is winding up. So it's been a tad more stressful than normal, but then again it isn't supposed to be a walk in the park affair. I normally don't do this but I have two recommendations of hardcore bands to listen to...now I'm not the biggest fan of hardcore and these bands are in the all-time greats list to many hardcore fans, but I just wanna say that Between the Buried and Me and Norma Jean are soooo freaking good. If you want good hardcore you can't go wrong there. Btw me and my dad have a floor seats to see Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr. in June. Who's excited????? this guy is!

Something New

Before this blog I must say...someone on another blog commented saying I have a short fuse during my previous post. I kind of laughed b/c this person really doesn't know me and doesn't realize my situation. I have been holding the feelings in I have right now for a long time and I'm just now making them public. You may say that is unbiblical not telling someone you are angry with them, well you are right. But the Bible also says in James 1:19 "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." So I am just evaluting my current situation because I don't want to say something I will regret. I have no grudge, I just want to do what's right.

Now, anyway I can't wait til this semester is over because it means I will have more time to devote to writing new songs. So anyone who actually listens and looks for new tunes be patient because they are on the way, I have a few ideas in my head right now that i can't wait to put down and record until then keep in tune and lookout lol.

I Don't Know

Used, abandoned, and taken advantage of. This is how I feel. Can I just disappear and get away from life for a while? I feel trapped inside an unbreakable bubble that is holding me down. Maybe it is time for a change, I don't know. I mean I love college and I want to stay here but other aspects of my life seem to be what hold me down. I just don't know anymore, I really don't. Getting away would do me good....maybe I'll disappear for a few days.