Closing out 2023 and setting up 2024

 Holy shit it has been 5 years since I posted to this blog!  This is all changing as we close out 2023 and move into 2024.  So what does this mean for the blog?  Well I plan to cover as many concert events as I can this next year, attend the 2024 Gathering of the Juggalos, review as many albums as I can for Faygoluvers.net and most of all get back to the energy and love of the Juggalo community!  This post is short but I will be working hard the next week to get a review of some new music posted!  If you want me to review your album hit me up at juggalotus0069@gmail.com

Peace,

Juggalotus

Who are the Internet Psychos?

  I have seen a growing and stupiud trend in the underground, mostly Juggalo, fan base lately.  That is to post surveys like "If you were on a psycho killing spree what song would you be playing?" or "Do you prefer knife, hatchet, or gun?"  Here is my take on any and every single person who posts or answers these surveys, if confronted with the possibility of actually killing someone a vast majority (98+ %) would not have the guts to do it.  I am sick and tired of these people thinking you have to act or claim to be a psycho killer because you listen to our music!  If you listen to the music and dig it, that is great.  But if you honestly think any of the lyrics that ICP, Twiztid, etc have in a song is actually anything they have ever done you are a complete moron!  Their music is entertainment.  Nothing more and nothing less.

 For me the music is a way to release certain emotions that I have no other outlet for.  It helps me battle anger and depression.  It has helped me through so much and these kinds of displays do nothing but devalue the music and what it helps people through.  It also helps the outside world to say "See they are all degenerates."  That is why when we have shows and Gatherings the cops are always there and in some cases shut it down.  In life peoples first impression can make or break what they think of an entire group of people.  Why would we as a fringe group want to further push that negative image?

  ICP and Psychopathic have done a lot recently to help change that perception.  With toy drives and other charity events they are showing us what we need to do to help fix the FBI and gang label problem.  Why is it that they get mocked and made fun of for doing it?  People say they are getting soft or bitching out, I disagree.  They couldn't be any better an example for the fans to follow.  There is nothing wrong with being a socially responsible person in society.  People will never look at our fan base any differently unless we give them something different to look at. 

  Don't get me wrong there are a ton of groups in local communities that are doing good work and trying to make positive changes.  But if you go on Facebook and browse through Juggalo groups you will find a large population of these "Internet Psychos" and that is what some people see first.  I personally try very hard to change peoples ideas when I am in public.  I don't flip off cops and yell fuck the police.  I wear the hatchet proud while acting like a productive citizen.  You know how many times I have been harassed or arrested for wearing the clothes or chain?  Not once.  The cops have so many other things to be concerned with that what someone is wearing or listening to on their iPod makes no difference.  If you do the things I said then you more than likely will get hassled.  If you draw attention to yourself no matter what you have on you will be harassed, period.

  When it comes down to it the fact is we are the ones making us look bad.  We are the ones continuing to make people think negative of us.  We are the ones who can ultimately change these things.  As a united group we need to do the right things, act like productive citizens, and try our best to improve our communities.  Until we do those things all anyone will see is a bunch of "Internet Psychos."


MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

2014 Year in Review

  This was a very productive and busy year in music for me personally.  With Faygoluvers I was able to do 23 album reviews, that is a little less than 1 every 2 weeks!  I was hoping for 2 a month so I missed that a little but I was so close.  I also did Interviews with Gangsta Boo, Madchild, Adlib, Ganxsta NIP, Slaine, Zug Izland, Cryptic Wisdom, Mr Grey, Raz Simone, DJ Clay, Prevail, and Sozay.  That is an average of 1 every month!  Once again I could not have done any of that without Scottie D hooking it all up on Faygoluvers.net.

  I also hosted another concert this year.  It was Mr Grey and his "Warpath to the Gathering of the Juggalos" tour.  It was a super small venue but the show was dope and all the artists threw down!  I attended a ton of concerts and wrote reviews for Faygoluvers and I once again owe all that to Scottie D, James Wright, and a few others for the hookups on that.

  In 2014 we saw Twiztid create Majik Ninja Entertainment and announce their first artists signed as Blaze and ROC.  They have also announced they will be releasing an album called The Darkness on Jan 27, 2015.  When their tour came through Tucson I had a chance to lead their street team and actually meet them for the first time since I was in the Homies video way back in the day.  This year the label released it's first album Blaze Ya Dead Homie "Gang Rags: Reborn".  In 2015 we have been told Twiztid will release "The Darkness" and "The moment You've All Been Waiting For" and re-releasing "W.I.C.K.E.D" and "Abominationz", R.O.C. "Digital Voodoo", and Blaze's next untitled album.  I can safely say I am super excited to see what is coming next from the dynamic duo and MNE.

  2014 saw Psychopathic Records release some bombs.  They released AMB "The Garcia Brothers", Boondox "Abaddon", ABK "The Perfection Collection", Dark Lotus "The Mud, Water, Air, and Blood", Killjoy Club "Reindeer Games", ICP "20th Anniversary Hallowicked" "The First Six" box set, and "House of Wax".  This was a much better year for Psychopathic than 2013 without a doubt.  We also saw the Gathering moved to a new location.  From all accounts it was a nice change and went off without a hitch.  Coming up for them in 2015 we have been told albums from DJ Clay, DJ Paul, ABK, AMB, ICP, Otis, Big Hoodoo, Boondox, The Hav Nots, Vanilla Ice, Zug Izland, Legz & the purple gang, Rydas, and more are coming.  But that is purely speculation.

  2014 was a big year for Strange Music as well.  They released Tech N9ne "Strtangeulation", Mayday and Murs "Mursday", Ces Cru "Codename: Ego Stripper", and Rittz "Next to Nothing".  They went on a massive nationwide tour.  Not much has been announced for 2015 yet except Tech N9ne "Special Effects" and K.A.B.O.S.H. "Amafrican Psycho".

All in all 2014 was a really good year for Underground Horrorcore and it's fans. 

As I look forward into 2015 I would like to accomplish the following things with Faygoluvers:

1. Write and post at least 4 album reviews a month (1 major label & 1 independent artist every 2 weeks)

2. Continue interviewing artists and try to broaden our reach into other genres our fans are interested in (Metal, Rock, and Hip hop)

3. Make it to Dallas and ride to the Gathering with the Faygoluvers crew.  Then make the Gathering as accessable to our fans as we can!

Personally I would love to do these things in music:

1. Host 2 concerts in Tucson.

2. Finish recording and release JV's album.

3. Work with artists I have worked with in the past to get production credits to add to my resume!

 I have a feeling 2015 will be a dynamic and highly evolving thing this year.  Faygoluvers is just starting and I project we will continue to dominate the internet coverage of all thing Underground.  I also hope Juggalos can truely embrace what I know as "Family" and stop the division in the fan base.  We are all in this together, artists and fans alike, and we need to have each others backs cause noone else will!

MMFWFL Family,

Juggalotus

My 20 min with interview series

For those of you who might not know, I do an interview series for Faygoluvers.net called 20 Min with.....  In this series I interview various artists for about 20 min.  Now the difference in my interviews is that I take a lot of pride in asking questions that other interviewers may not.  For instance I interviewed Potluck a while ago.  At one point I began asking about their song "My Dad" and in the interview I ask 1 Ton about his father who just passed and how much of an influence their fathers were on their career.  The question seemed to catch them off guard a little bit.  But that is what I do.  I actually research my interview subject and try my best not to ask the same thing they get asked all the time.

I also review albums on the website.  All of my reviews are 100% honesty as far as my opinion.  Now I have had artists ask me to remove my review once it was posted because they were not happy with my thoughts.  I will never remove a review once it is posted.  I also will never give a glowing review if the album does not deserve it.  I take pride in giving constructive criticism.  I also take pride in being genuine.  I don't get paid to do reviews or interviews.  I do it because I love music and the genre of Horror Core.  I would be lying if I said I didn't hope at some point in the future I could get paid for those things but for now it isn't happening.

If you want to check out my interview series head over to https://www.youtube.com/user/FaygoluversHeaven/videos and check out my latest and greatest with Mr. Grey, Sozay, Ganxsta NIP, Zug Izland, Cryptic Wisdom, Slaine, and many more.

To read my album reviews head over to http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/category/reviews/albumreviews/ and look for reviews posted by Juggalotus0069.

I hope to keep this blog more current as I have been hella busy and slacking.  If you dig my blog here and want to help spread the word I would seriously appreciate it!  Please leave me some comments and let me know you checked it out and where you are from.  I am really interested in where my readers are at!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Underground to the mainstream

  There has been a transformation in the underground that many "fans" have shown immense hate for.  There seems to be this belief that once an artists gets underground fame they should never be allowed to do anything remotely similar or involved in the mainstream.  For instance, once Twiztid left Psychopathic and released New Nightmare they were skewered for working with "mainstream" artists such as Caskey.  The truth is I praise them for doing whatever they want and working with who ever they want.  Another example is Tech N9ne and Strange music.  In the Faygoluvers forum recently someone said "Strange music isn't an underground label anymore. All of the artists are mainstream except maybe."  Another person commented that Tech had "sold out" because he is finally getting recognition in the popular arena.  In the same breath those people praise ICP for their work on Fuse TV for finally "getting their dues."  This is the double standard I was speaking of.  Why is it that the number one group in the underground, the originators of the underground wicked shit are given a pass when others are not? 

  I personally feel that any artists that represent us, the Juggalos, should be praised for getting us recognized.  The fans should continue to support these artists even if we might not like the artists they collaborate with.  Each and every artist that comes from the depths and breaks through in pop culture brings us closer to being accepted and better understood.  Tech N9ne didn't sell out, he MADE IT!  Twiztid is not selling out, they are making music they want to make.  There is absolutely no reason for anyone to hate these guys for making these decisions.  I think a lot of the hate has to do with jealousy.  People don't like that these guys are making money doing the things they love.

I was working with a group for a while out of Amarillo.  From a business perspective I was trying to do what was best for the longevity of the group in the business world.  Shortly after we had a small dispute and parted ways they posted "We don't kiss ass to be accepted period. *********** will stay running local shows before we sell out just because its doing "good buisness" fuck you if you don't like it"  When they mention kissing ass it was in reference to my trying to keep a business relationship with a printer who supplied stickers, backdrops, and other printed items to us at a great discount because of my friendship with him.  Unfortunately this is the attitude that leads to people never getting ahead, never making it, and never, ever getting out of their cities.  Guys like this are proud to be local opener heroes for guys in the business that are making moves and getting ahead.  This group, while very talented lacked the most important traits: Commitment, ability to control their emotions, and common sense.  The biggest problem with guys like this is that they are the biggest haters towards people making moves.  I promise you that guys like this will not get anywhere in this business.  

  So I guess I can sum up this article by saying as Juggalos we should back these artists even if they are working with people we may not like.  We should support these artists until they begin to make music we don't like.  It shouldn't matter if someone is on MTV or BET regularly.  Hell ICP was on MTV back in the day!  We all need to remember, even if you are an underground artist, that if you were offered a good chunk of money to be on Strange, Subnoize, or any other bigger named label you would be an idiot not to take it and run with it!  If you are not in this business to make money, you shouldn't be in this business.  As it is a majority of these artists in the underground will never make it.  Not because they are being shunned, held back, or kissing enough ass but simply because they don't have the talent, connections, or drive to make it.  For most of these guys they do music as a hobby nothing more.  They work from a studio in their basements, garages, or closets to save money.  In order to be successful in this business you need to invest in it.  That means investing time, money, and energy into everything you do.  Find the best studio you can afford, get your tracks mastered by professionals, and don't try to sell cd-dvr's with sharpie as "the hottest thing on the market"  When I get those I rarely listen to them.  A first impression can only be made once.  

I got nothing but love for every single artists struggling to make it in the business.  I got nothing but love for my Juggalo Family.  Let's stop hating on los and lettes for making it.  Let's celebrate their success.  Hate and jealousy will eat you alive and make you do and say things that will hurt you in the long run.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Juggalo Family?

So this is my first post of 2014.  The reason behind this is simple, I have been busy working music reviews over at Faygoluvers!  I have tried to post at least one per week and for the most part have done well with it.  Now lets get to the crux of this post and why now is the time for it to get posted, Juggalo family.

For those who don't know I was introduced to ICP back in 1997 shortly after Milenko was pulled from the shelves.  I knew from the first track I heard that I was a Juggalo.  It wasnt something I learned, became, took a test for, or any of that.  When I heard the songs I knew I had been a Juggalo all along.  I felt a sense of belonging.  I found a group of people just like me.  We don't fit in with other people.  We are outcasts.  We don't apologize for who we are.  When I would go to shows I would feel like I was home.  Everyone treated everyone else with respect.  Regardless of our social class or background, if you had any merch on, or anything.  We didn't need a list of rules.  We didn't call ourselves gang bangers.  We didn't cause havoc, tag shit, or destroy property.  We managed to go to shows and have a blast without cops harassing us.  We could hold a Gathering every year without worry of people dying, FBI showing up, or someone getting robbed.  Well things have changed greatly in the past 17 years.

I am a member of quite a few groups on Facebook that contain "old school" and "Kid" Juggalos.  More and more I am seeing a division in our group.  Things are popping up like the 13 Juggalo Commandments, Juggalo code, etc.  A lot of people think unless you know these by heart and follow them religiously you are not a Juggalo and thus not Family.  This is complete crap.  There is also a group of people that believe we are in a gang because of songs like Gang Related and groups like Psychopathic Rydas.  These people also miss the point.  The music we listen to is ENTERTAINMENT!  Nothing more, nothing less.  The Psychopathic Rydas are a group that rips off other rappers beats and puts their own lyrics on them.  Once again, entertainment. 

For the longest time I was not willing to call out these new school family.  I was hoping they would fade away when the novelty of being a "Juggalo" wore off.  Unfortunately that is not happening.  There are people out there that think old school los and lettes have a mandatory requirement to train the new school on how to be a Juggalo.  This also is crap.  No one ever told me how to be a Juggalo.  I never had to learn rules and follow trends.  When I heard the music I knew I had been a Juggalo all along.  For anyone who has called someone a Juggahoe for not knowing all the lyrics to every song, not wearing all the merch, or not paining up for the shows let me clarify something.  You are the one who is wrong.  Being a Juggalo isn't about all of that.  It is about knowing no matter where you go there will be people looking out for you.  When you go to a show you don't have to worry about being robbed, beaten, or killed.  We have a sense of right and wrong and we always look out for each other. 

Family is Family, period.  No matter how "down" someone is or isn't if they support the movement they are family in my book. 

We need to stop the in fighting.  The world hates us enough without us making it worse.  When we go to the Gathering we should not destroy everything we touch.  We should take care of the site, each other, and the towns that welcome us (Because they are getting fewer every year).  We saw this years Gathering have to be moved after it was announced because the community didn't want "Gang members" in their town.  The same town that welcomes Hells Angels every year didn't want Juggalos.  Let that sink in.  The Hells Angels.  A murderous biker gang.  Notorious for murder, rape, and many other things is more welcome than us.  Why is that?  Simple, they respect other people and try to make positive changes in communities that welcome them in.  Why can't we be the same way?  One reason, the new school has embraced the gang tag, cause problems, and make no effort to improve anything. 

Instead of us against the world and us against us we should embrace positivity.  Make positive changes.  Make an effort to change our community and help them understand we are just fans of a certain type of music.  Nothing more.  We need to stop destroying shit.  Stop saying Fuck the police every time you see a cop roll by.  Stop trying to make a statement.  Once we embrace the positive we will see positive in return.  In the most recent interview on Faygoluvers with ICP Joe Bruce said "When Twiztid left that was the end of the family era."  I couldn't agree more. 

I do expect a ton of hate for this post and I welcome any discussion you want to throw at me.  I love the Juggalo Family.  I want my kids and grand kids to bump the wicked shit if they choose.  I want to see Gatherings happening when I am an old man.  I do think without change we will become a dying breed.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

End of the Year blog time

Yes we have reached the end of 2013!  With this being my last post of the year I wanted to take a minute to look back and reflect on the changes we have seen in music and then look to the future and give some predictions of what we might see in 2014.  So without further ado here we go:

In 2013 we saw turmoil and upheaval in the Underground music scene.  It has been one year since Twiztid left Psychopathic.  In that time we saw them release A New Nightmare, return to the Gathering as Guest performers, go on two tours in support of their last release on Psychopathic, Abominationz, and open a new web store.  While they have yet to release an official statement about their release the speculation behind A New Nightmare is that it tells their side without a statement being needed. 
  We also saw what many of us hope is not the future of Psychopathic Records.  In the past year the label has released the following albums: Legz Diamond 9 Pistolas, DJ Clay A World Upside Down, Big Hoodoo Crystal Skull, and Zug Izland Toxicology.  Those albums all fell way short of the expectations Juggalos had.  Legz and Hoodoo were both heavily co-written and influenced by Joe Bruce and that really hurt the albums.  Clay's album was good but nothing really outstanding.  And Zug's was not really promoted and I have yet to actually hear it.  We also saw them bounce every check they wrote for the Gathering and have yet to this day not paid those people.  I firmly believe that is why the Gathering is being moved, but I don't have any evidence of that so for now it is a theory.  We saw them let Blaze leave when his contract ended, send people on the road with limited funds and little to no promotion, and have lawsuits filed against them for sexual harassment and other charges.
  We saw the Kottonmouth Kings leave Suburban Noize Records and claim Kevin Zinger was ripping them off.  Since then we have seen hateful accusations in interviews on both sides.  We also watched Johnny Richter walk away from the Kottonmouth Kings after 18 years and go solo.  He released a solo EP called FreeKING Out on Suburban Noize Records and is preparing to release his next solo LP next year.
  The highlight of the Underground music scene this year was Strange Music.  In 2013 the label released ten albums.  Releases from Brotha Lynch Hung, Kutt Calhoun, CES Cru, Rittz, Wrekonize, Mayday, Tech N9ne, Stevie Stone, Krizz Kaliko, and Prozak.  All of those albums were expertly done and will not disappoint both mainstream and underground fans.  This label has shown themselves to be the cream of the crop.  They put out top notch music throughout the year and kept the fans eager to buy the next.  This is how it should be done.

Now lets leave the past behind us and look to the future.  I am going to break this section down per record label or group and then give you my thoughts on what I expect to happen.

  First lets look at Psychopathic Records.  The release of the Joker's Cards Box Set has been delayed from it's Dec 17, 2013 release date and there is no new date given.  The speculation is this was done due to immediate backlash when pics surfaced of the product itself.  We expect Anybody Killa "Shape Shifter", a new ICP EP, Mike E Clark, Vanilla Ice, and Axe Murder Boys "Garcia Brothers" to all be released in 2014 but no release dates have been given as of the date of this post.  We also will see the Gathering of the Juggalos change venues for the first time since 2007.  We still have no information on where it will be but there is plenty of speculation on the net. 
 Now here is what I think is going to happen with them this year:

1. The ABK, Vanilla Ice, and AMB releases will all be released and do horrible due to lack of promotion or they will not be released at all and delayed.
2.  ICP and Mike Clark will be released and hopefully live up to expectations although I am skeptical they will.
3. This will be on of the last years for the Gathering.  After the events that occurred last year I think they will have a difficult time finding groups to perform, sites for the event, and money to make it happen.
4. Finally I think we will see a large number of fans drop the hatchet.  I know I will get some hate for that prediction but we have already seen a lot of old school cats walk away.  Once Twiztid left there was a huge group of fans that lost all respect for Joe and Psychopathic Records.  I expect those trends to continue as long as mediocre albums are released and horrible business decisions are made.

Next lets see what Twiztid has in store for us.  They have announced that a new album is on the way.  It will be titled "The Moment You've All Been Waiting For." They have also announced that they would like to get more TV and movie opportunities.  So let me share what I think is going to happen with the demented Duo:

1. The new album will be released.  I think it will be the beginning of their rise in mainstream as well as cementing their legacy in the underground.
2. I think they will tour for a majority of the year again.  I also think they will make a trip out of the country if legal issues permit it (Canada and maybe Australia).
3. I think we will finally see the collab most Juggalos have been demanding, Eminem and Twiztid.  If it does happen you can count on this being the year of Twiztid.

Next lets look at KMK.  I think we will see KMK really disappear.  Once the "lawsuit" gets settled I think KMK will release a new album and possibly tour in support of the album but I do not see them climbing out of the hole that Daddy X has put them in.

Let now look at Suburban Noize Records.  I think we will see them bounce back from the lawsuit well.  Once the legal issues are cleared up we will see them sign at least 2-3 more acts.  I predict we will see Potluck release a successful album and tour in support of that album.  I think it will begin the rise of Subnoize back to a respectable label.  I do think Johnny Richter will release his next album on Subnoize and it will be a huge success.

Finally here is what I think we will see from Strange Music.  I think they will continue to put out solid releases from all of their artists.  I think they will once again hold the flame for the underground.  They will be the beacon for crossover fans.  Their label is going strong and I do not see that slowing down in 2014.

Now all of these things may or may not happen.  These are just my thoughts.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate you checking out my blog as often as you guys do.  I wish you all a a Happy New Year and want to thank you for your continued support!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

2013 Gathering of the Juggalos thoughts

So the Gathering of the Juggalos went back “Underground” this year.  The event has been going on since Wed Aug 7 as people started lining up to get into the grounds.  Well on Monday Aug 5 there were several people who overdosed and had to be taken to the hospital; mind you this was before anyone was allowed to be there except the crew setting everything up!  Having gone to the event last year I saw more drugs available than anywhere else I have ever been.  This should have been a sign of things to come.  The apparent drug causing the problems is a designer drug called 25I.  The street name for the drug is N-Bomb, Smiles, and 25I.  It is similar to LSD in its effect on people. 

News breaks Friday that someone was found dead in their tent of apparent overdose.  The cause was initially reported as 25I but has also been reported as a Heroin overdose.  No matter what the cause this is absolutely horrible news.  Why you ask?  Well it is simple, the public at large is finding any way possible to label us delinquents and shut the Gathering down.  Drugs have expanded way out of control and last year I saw people who were obviously “professional” dealers who were only there to make money off dumb ass Juggalos who did not even remember their experience at the Gathering because they were wasted the entire time.  Drugs are out of control at this event.  Why is this important to me?  I GIVE A CRAP that’s why!  People need to go out there and enjoy themselves but this is getting ridiculous.  We have now lost Family because of this problem.  I suggest we as Family get this under control.  This is our Mecca (as Violent J said today). 

Now the other huge news everyone was waiting for was promised by Violent J to be “The biggest news we have ever released in our career!” and we were promised this life changing news at the seminar today.  Let’s briefly go over what they released at the seminar:

·         Juggalos at the Gathering are the most elite Juggalos on the planet!

·         ICP considers the Gathering the mecca of Juggalo-ism

• He gives us the epitome of news in the Juggalo world
• Psychopathic is resuming the Mighty Death Pop tour right after J’s knee surgery
• Tour will include Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Florida, Texas; Last show of the tour will be Hallowicked
• November dates for the tour in Australia
• ICP theater has 8 episodes (3 of which have aired so far).  If ratings are good, they will get 25 more episodes for season 2!
• They are starting the 3rd Joker’s card of the new deck after Hallowicked!
• Planning of the 3rd card will be more precise
• It will be available on CD!  The rumor that it would only be on digital is “straight bullshit”
• He said the difference between a physical copy of the album and a digital copy is like the difference between porn and a real neden!
• They are bringing back Psychopathic Radio after the Gathering!
• Shaggy is off probation (finally!) so they will be touring in Canada!
• On Juggalo day, they will be performing the Great Milenko in its entirety! It will be available on iPPV, and may not be in Detroit!  More Joker’s cards shows are in the works!
• Violent JJ made 3 beats (beatboxing) and they will release it on the Internet
• 6th Joker’s card box set is ready to go!
• Violent J confirmed that Blaze ya Dead Homie did officially leave
• Psychopathic isn’t trying to replace anyone who left, just trying to leave a legacy of great artists!
• They want to do more concept music like Wizard of the Hood or solo albums like Shaggy’s Fuck the Fuck Off
• They said that Twiztid told Psychopathic they were leaving via text message
• They then announced that Axe Murder Boyz and Boondox  are officially back on the label!
• Everyone was handed a ticket before the seminar started, without knowing what it was about.  They then started talking about the  Chronicles of the Dark Carnival series that was filmed for SyFy years ago.
• They said that the end product they got back had a “little twinge of suck”.  Jumpsteady said it was SO BAD that it came full circle and ended up being entertaining again!
• They said it would ONLY be available for Juggalos who were in attendance at this year’s Gathering!

Now with that in mind what could possibly have been the huge earth shattering news? 

ICP is touring Australia? 

AMB and Boondox have resigned with Psychopathic?

Blaze leaving the label?

Are any of those the Biggest news ever?   NO.  So I take this list of news as just that, news.  ICP once again pulled the wool over Juggalos eyes to sell tickets and get people in the door.  As I have discussed before ICP is all about the bottom line.  They don’t care about the Family any more.  They knew the lineup this year, while great underground acts were on the set list, was not enough to sell enough tickets.  So J tells us all they are going to drop devastating, huge, Juggalo world changing news.  And we get nothing.  Then we are told there is a mystery seminar after ICP that I think everyone including me thought would be Twiztid.  Nope Twiztid and Blaze bounced and the seminar became AMB and Boondox.  Don’t get me wrong Boondox dropping some good news that I am pumped about but really why not give Twiztid a seminar? 

How many times are we going to see the fan base abused by this label and do nothing about it.  When Twiztid left I didn’t want to “take sides” and I still support the music Psychopathic, Twiztid and Blaze put out there.  I think J and Shaggy need to seriously look at what has happened.  Alex left and it has been a steady decline into money and ego. 

People will read this and some will agree while others disagree.  I will take heat for saying these things but I know people out there who view it the same way (testdummy22 and I see eye to eye on a lot) and that is ok.  I have opinions and so does everyone else.  The one thing about me that never changes (whether it is CD reviews, Event reviews, my blog and opinions, or anything else I do) is that I am honest and will say what I believe to be the truth. 

I still rep the hatchet and will always support the underground movement.  This years Gathering has shown me that the Mecca for the Family is on life support.  Attendance was down, we had a death, and we saw a glimmer of hope that things were ok with the ending of the Lotus set (which quickly went away when J told the family Twiztid left via text. That was a low blow if you ask me), and the police getting a “financial” advance from the “organizers” (Psychopathic) which let them buy new equipment for the force.

I love my Family and hate to feel like this whole movement has been shifted in the wrong direction.  I hope things will change and we will see Juggalos return and rebuild what has been lost.  I hate to say I feel that movement is now with Twiztid but that is how I see it. 

Let’s hear your opinions people, I welcome everyone’s thoughts!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

The Movement

A ton has happened in the last week and I have learned a great deal.

First thing I wanted to formally address was the first show Wicked Butterfly Entertainment booked and promoted here in Tucson, the Snug Brim Arroggant Tour. After James Barone royally screwed that tour booking up Snug Brim trusted a long time friend to rebook the tour. For those who don't know James Barone was taking deposits from promoters and artists and not passing the cash onto Snug Brim. Anyway the tour got re-booked and I sent Snug Brim the first half of his appearance fee, $225.00. Not a lot but it was what had been negotiated. After he got that money I could not reach him for any kind of flight info, arrival times, or anything. Bottom line is Snug Brim no-showed the appearance and has yet to return any of that deposit money back to me. No I normally don't air dirty laundry on here but I think if a thief is discovered they should be called out! Despite that fact the show went awesome. I heard many comments that it was the best local show they have had here in Tucson in many years. As many of you know from previous blogs I promote so that the artists, venues, and myself all make money in the end. If you want to know how I do it go back and read my last few blogs. The night had a variety of local Tucson Hip Hop artists. They included first time performances by From Tha Ash and Chi!pz, Full Kontakt Entertainment, Tha Silent 1 & J Dawg, The Source and Cultivate Creative Sound(CCS) stepped up as the headliners. Top to bottom all of the acts performed very well. The crowd showed love consistently throughout the night for all of the acts. In the end we all had a kick ass time and I think we all are looking forward to the next show as I bring T.O.N.E-Z and Poe Whosaine to Tucson Aug 28th!

Now to the main theme for the post, The Movement. I have seen this past week a lot of love for my promotion method and how it benefits everyone at the show. I had several people come up to me at the show and after and state that they have never seen a crowd stay through every act in a show. Like I said all the acts and their fans stayed at the show and gave each and every act love. In the weeks leading up to the show all the artists were given a chance to make money bringing people to the show, and I hope most did in the end. So I am starting The Movement, the Promoters and Artists working together to make each and every show a success. Instead of each side trying to screw the other so they make more money, everyone works together and everyone makes money. Sure no one person or group is making thousands of dollars on the shows but in this economy every hundred bucks helps. There are too many times I have seen headliners do what Snug Brim did to me, get a deposit(make it non-refundable) and not show to perform. This hurts everyone and it needs to stop. Artists, if you are paid to show up and perform, do it! That is easy. The promoters are paying you, covering hotel costs, and in some cases travel cost and all you have to do is show up and do 45 min to an hour on stage, that is your JOB! Mars told me once he keeps a list of promoters and performers he has worked with. Each one has notes, if he trusts them and a label on if he will work with them in the future. I have started to keep a list as well. I hope as The Movement gets going we can build a network of trustworthy promoters and artists so we all can get ahead in the music business. That is what it is a BUSINESS! In my blog Business or Hobby  I make it clear where I stand.

The next show Wicked Butterfly Entertainment is hosting is DJ Clay's Scratch the Surface Tour with Mars in Albuquerque, NM on July 26th! 2 weeks away so get the word out!

I truly feel as though this movement is needed and wanted in the business. Leave me some comments and let me know where you stand!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Wicked Butterfly Update!

So the past few months I have posted a lot of things on this blog but today I am here to give a little update on Wicked Butterfly Entertainment and what we have going on, so here we go:

  Black Project officially has a demo out in the public space.  It contains five tracks from our upcoming album and is pure fire!  This demo has two collabs on it that are absolutely the best of the best.  The first is "Lay my body to rest" it features both Bukshot (Underground Avengers, Mobstyle Records) and T-Razor (Underground Avengers).  This track took us several months to get together but it is one of the best things we have ever done.  The second collab is with a guy named Stacc Styles of Cultivate Creative Sound.  It is called "Wrote this letter" and shows a softer more deep side of Black Project.  The demo is rounded out by "Darkest Place", "Dig ya Grave", and "Never make it out".  If you are in Tucson or Amarillo hit up our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Project/479855342036749?fref=ts leave a message and we will hook you up for just $5. 

  Black Project has two shows coming up on the nationwide "Eerly Birds Tour" with J Hornay & Cultivate Creative Sound.  The first is in Albuquerque, NM on June 8 @ Blackwater.  The second is in Tucson, AZ on June 12 @ The Rialto.  These shows are not to be missed!

  Finally Black Project has been steady in the studio finishing off more tracks for the "Highly Classified" Album.  We are hoping to have at least 4 more tracks done before the Eerly Bird shows, if so you might just get to see them performed live at the shows.

  I have been busy working on a lot of concerts and scheduling with Unstable Promotions.  The big news is that July 7, 2013 former Strange Music artist Snug Brim is bringing his Arrogant Tour to Tucson, AZ!  You heard that right the show is 8 pm at DV8 on July 7, 2013.  It will be headlined by Snug Brim, Mr. Grey and Cultivate Creative Sound.  Tickets are just $8 presale and $10 at the door.  Cheap price for a great show and one that shouldn't be missed!

  At the end of July Unstable artist Jigsaw is going to be in Tucson for a show.  Details are still being worked out and I will give you an update as they get finalized.

  Wicked Butterfly Entertainment and West Coast Chill are teaming up to bring the new energy drink in a self cooling can into the market here in Tucson!  This can is awesome, it cools the drink 30 degrees in just 3 minutes!  We are also working on bringing West Coast Chill to the Gathering of the Juggalos so be on the lookout for that.  If you don't know about this energy drink hit up www.westcoastchill.com and see what it is all about!

Finally it has been my pleasure to continue to do reviews for www.faygoluvers.net.  Scottie D has kept putting his trust in me to give my honest straight forward opinion on the music he sends me and for that I am greatful.  I have had the pleasure of hearing a wide variety of good, bad, horrible, and great music and hope to continue into the distant future. 

With all that in mind here is my shout outs:

Scottie D- Much Love Homie.  Thank you for the trust and confidence in me.
Randy Forester aka 806 Outlaw- Been a year man and I couldn't be happier with what we have accomplished with Black Project.
Cecil Martinez aka Narkotix- The past year you havent made my job to easy but it has been an awesome ride.  Keep you feet to the fire homie and lets get this CD out this year!
Stacc Styles- Thank you for the love, support, and trust you have place in me for the past few months.  Your new solo album is going to be pure fire. Still wanna work that Heel Stacc "I'll pull your Bitch" album.
Crookyd- Road trips have been interesting to say the least!  Been a great time with you and all the guys from CCS.  Cant wait to get crackin on that solo project!
Bukshot- As one of the truest and most honest musicians I have ever worked with it is my pleasure to call you my friend.  I will get you out here for a show and we will bring that Mobstyle to Tucson!
Mars- People love you and people hate you man.  Been that way since day one.  I consider you my friend and have truely enjoyed working with you and hope we can do more together in the future.
Kung Fu Vampire- What can I say man you are doing big fangs!  No doubt you have earned everything you have gotten and have still managed to stay humble in this business.  I proudly say you are my friend and I am always here to help out.
Mr. Grey- Hopefully the beginning of big things man!  I have enjoyed your work and the times we have had to meet up or talk have been awesome.  I am here if you ever need anything homie.
Steven Natale- As Black Projects Producer and main mixer you have been awesome.  One of the best I have ever worked with and I definitely look forward to a long and hopefully prosperous future making hits!
Kristina (My Wife)- I would not be where I am without your support.  You have been there since day one in this music business.  I have made good decisions and bad decisions and you have always had my back.  I have no doubt with you in my corner I can make it in this cut throat business.  I love you and thank you for everything.

  Thats it for this post.  I know a lot of shout outs and love in this one.  But I feel truely blessed to be where I am and doing the things I am doing.  Keep your eyes peeled on the blog for more info on the album release and upcoming concerts.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus!

Brutal Honesty

For a while now I have written blogs about honesty in music.  This week I got a shock when a review I did on an rapper's CD led to his quitting.  Yes you read that right, I made him quit.  The CD was good as far as recording quality but it lacked substance, originality, and passion.  Since I started reviewing CD's for Faygoluvers.net I have prided myself on giving brutally honest reviews.  I have done a few negative reviews in the past and had artists take my criticism to heart and change the way they do things.  I have also had artists disregard my opinion totally.  But never have I had someone quit.  I have said in the past that any artist in any genre needs to surround themselves with people who will tell them the truth.  People who will tell them when what they are doing is not good or needs improvement.  So many rappers surround themselves with yes men.  People who refuse to tell them what they are doing might need work for fear of losing their friendship.  So it came as little suprise that this review was so hurtful the guy quit.  I hope he takes it in stride, modifies what he is doing, and comes back to prove me wrong.

I do not review albums this way to be cruel or force people to stop being creative.  I do it because without that brutal honesty the whole genre suffers and gets a bad name.  I am trying to make the overall acceptance of the music more common.  There are a ton of talented artists in Horror Core that are often overlooked or lumped in with the unimaginative and uncreative masses in the genre.  I have reviewed so many artists who deserve to "make it" but are not even given a glance because they are Horror Core.  I will never back down from the standards I have set for music.  I will always be as honest as I can in my opinions.  But at the same time they are just that, my opinions.  I do not expect everyone to agree with me, heck I expect at least 90% of people to have a different opinion.  I always welcome comment, opinions, and feedback.

Scottie D over at Faygoluvers appreciates my honesty as do many big name artists in the Underground.  That is why I will never comprimise that position.  If we as fans, reviewers, and artists set a higher standard for our craft we can make positive changes.  We can make our genre more accepted.  If no one speaks up nothing changes.  Sure 1 man can't changes the world but no man speaking up cannot change anything.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

14th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos

So the 14th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos tickets went on sale today.  In looking at the costs several things came to mind.  Holy crap that is expensive and what is going to draw the Family this years.  So let's take my reaction to each individually.  I will give my experience from last years gathering in my analysis.

Here is the info directly from the most recent Hatchet Herald:

Running from February 1st until March 1st, when you purchase your Ticket from juggalogathering.com for $175 you will receive a free exclusive Gathering of the Juggalos t-shirt! That freshness can actually be seen in the picture above. This t-shirt combo will only run in the first month for the early bird ticket buyers. If you wait until after March 1st to get your ticket it will still be $175 but no t-shirt freshness. A ticket to The Gathering of the Juggalos will get you free parking in the parking lot outside of the grounds and access into The Hatchet Landings. This includes all the shows, all the concerts, all the madness, and free camping!

This was my personal experience last year with this package.  We got into the parking lot fairly quickly.  Then we realized we had to pack all our gear into Hatchet Landings, with out a cart of some kind this took us about 9 trips and a ton of lifting and hauling.  Had we known this we might have put out the $$ for a car pass.

Next is the car pass option.  Here is what it includes besides the ticket and entry:
Car Passes are available for $100. While there is free parking for everyone at The Gathering of the Juggalos outside of the grounds, if you would like to bring your vehicle into The Hatchet Landings then you will need to purchase a Car Pass.
      As a side note, once your vehicle is parked at your campsite that is where it has to stay. For the safety of your fellow ‘Los and ‘Lettes you CAN’T drive around the grounds of The Juggalo Gathering unless it is an emergency situation. This is simply so you can have the convenience of having your car at your campsite and camp out in it if you want.

So with this option and an extra $100 you get the pleasure of not hauling your gear by foot and having more security for you things (a few people got caught stealing last year).  I think $100 is excessive though.

Then we get to those who want to bring in RV's:

If you’re looking to bring in something bigger than a vehicle, an RV or a trailer, then the RV Pass for $150 is for you. It gives you the same sort of access as a Car Pass, but for a larger class vehicle. Same as before, when you park your RV or trailer at your campsite, that’s where it has to stay until you’re ready to pack up and leave The Gathering.

So $50 more on top of the car pass for a larger space.  I saw a lot of RV's getting tagged and damaged.  Nothing extra with it.

Finally they offer Big Ballas campsites:

Finally, for everyone who wants the top dog experience at The Gathering of the Juggalos we suggest the Big Ballas Campsites. The Big Ballas Campsites are a designated area for you to camp that will include an electrical outlet and a water source for your convenience. A Big Ballas Campsite will run you $400. These spaces are limited and there hasn’t been a year of the Gathering when they haven’t sold out quick as shit. So, we suggest if you’re even remotely interested with goin’ in on this site with your homies that you pool your cheddar and get to gettin’ before they’re gone.

This is the most expensive and really only adds water and electric to your rv spot.  So for $400 you get an RV slot with utilities.  Thats it.  Last year many of the Ballas sites had a ton of issues with the utilities and I would say this option is not worth the money for that reason alone.  All of the last three options do not include your ticket so that makes the total cost this:

Camping no car: $175 and a lot of footwork
Car Camping: $275
RV Camping: $325
Big Ballas: $575

Now keep in mind that none of these include the gas and food money.  You are welcome to cook at your campsite but last year if you sold food to fam at a discount so they would'nt have to pay the $7-9 for a plate you were told to stop or be kicked out of the Gathering.  The vendors at the Gathering know this and charge way to much for food, ie a slice of pizza $5.  Then we get to the merch tent.  The first day the lines are insane but the deals are pretty good.  Then after that it is back to the same as buying on Hatchetgear minus shipping.  So at least they didn't raise prices there.

Now on to my second reaction, what is going to draw the Family to the event.  All the years we have had seminars from ICP, Twiztid, Blaze, ABK, etc.  This year will Twiztid be allowed that courtesy?  Perfromances have always had Twiztid headline a night.  Will they get that this year?  Will they even be at the Gathering?  I would say yes to being there but I don't know to anything else.  I guess as the lineup is announced we will see what Psychopathic will pull out of their hat. 

Please don't misunderstand, I went last year and had an absolutely kick ass time.  It was an experience I will never forget.  But that being said, Psychopathic has gotten greedy and forgotten what brought them to the dance, The Family.  In the beginning the Gathering was our yearly release and while it cost a little bit it didn't put us in debt.  I can't tell you how many Los and Lettes I saw on the way out last year with signs asking for rides to all over the US because they had spent their last dollar just to get there.  More and more people snuck in last year than ever before.  Why?  Simple most of us do not have $600-1000 to blow on the Gathering.  I hate that Psychopathic has become this way.  I love the music and principals we stand for but hate seeing the exploitation of the fans.  Twiztid left and has since stood up and reclaimed the Family.  All of their shows still have the magic.  They preach the principals I stand for.

Anyway that is my take on the big announcement today.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Kung Fu Vampire Interview

So my interview with Kung Fu Vampire finally got posted online today!  In it we see a suprise guest spot by Twisted Insane, KFV gives us the low down on new projects, and we find out who will be included in the next album for guest spots!  So take 20 min and go check it out.  It was filmed at the Love Bites Tour stop in Mesa, AZ.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Opening acts and fans are being used

  I have been rolling this idea around in my head for a while.  Several years ago when Alex Abyss left Psychopathic Records I noticed a shift in the promotion, marketing, tickets, and merch that made me a little more than concerned.  The focus of the label shifted from taking care of the fans (family) to making the almighty dollar.  Now don't get me wrong I understand you are in the business to make money.  But from the beginning ICP and Psychopathic Records has made great effort to treat the fans as family.  They always kept ticket prices reasonable for most fans.  The merch was relatively inexpensive.  And the CD releases actually gave a little back with free add ons and other releases outside of the main ones.  Since the change in management I now see ticket prices for shows higher than ever, the Gathering unattainable by most of the fans due to cost, VIP access is $100 and now does not include the $20-25 ticket for the show (the Gathering is only $175 and covers the 4-5 day event) making normal shows almost as much as the Gathering, album releases are at least 3 versions with the only difference being 1 or 2 tracks, and merch through the roof so most of the family cannot afford it.  Psychopathic Records knows their fans are rabid and will buy almost everything they put out regardless of weather or not it is worth it.  All of these things make me feel like they are taking advantage of us as fans.  We deserve better and I think that is one of the main reasons Twiztid has left the label (although they have kept the VIP with no ticket thing).

When I moved near the Amarillo/Lubbock area I started this whole managing musicians thing.  I also booked, promoted, and threw my own concert.  That is when I noticed the opening acts being used.  A promoter will book a show and then charge openers $200-$400 for a 10-15 min slot on the show.  Then they book 8-10 openers which if you add it up comes out to $1600-$4000 from their opening acts!  That covers all of their cost for the show so anything they make from ticket sales goes directly into their pockets.  The crappy thing is opening acts feel that is just how the business works because they have been fed that crap for so long.  Truth is if a promoter wants an opener to sell let's say 20 tickets for a slot at $10 a piece I understand that.  It benefits everyone because more people are at the show and some of the cost is deflected.  But if they do that they should be willing to give their opening acts say $1-2 per ticket they sell as incentive to sell more tickets!  Then everyone is making a little something and is happy.  This is how openers are getting robbed and being used.  If you are an opening act don't fall for it.  Find promoters willing to do the last thing I suggested.  You will still have shows to do, you just wont be getting used to cover all of the promoters costs.  If you guys unite against this stuff it will stop.  The promoter should be making his/her money off the ticket sales from his/her own promotion of the shows.  If they can't make their money back they shouldn't be doing the shows!  I thought it might have just been that area but now I live in Tucson and am seeing the same thing here.  For the upcoming Drive By shows in Farmington and Tucson openers are being asked to sell 75 tickets at $20 a piece.  That comes out to $1500 for a 15 min time slot, or $100/min!  Why would this be ok?  Why would a struggling local act pay that much money to get on a show that will pull some fans but not anywhere near enough to justify that cost.  The only Psychopathic group that would be worth that would be ICP.  I have seen 40-45 date tours with a cost to join of around $2000.  That is 40-45 shows not 1!

The last thing I wanted to touch on was the fact that in Amarillo, Lubbock, Albuquerque, Tucson and many other cities there seems to be a trend of division in the local scene.  This means that any new acts to the area are forced to choose sides or not get put on any shows.  It also means that quality acts from outside that city are not being put on shows so that the promoters friends, venue owners friends, or people down with a certain clique are the only people ever allowed to perform.  Promoters if you have a quality act willing to pay their own way to get to your city to perform and all they ask is that you don't make them pay to play or sell a certain number of tickets (due to their cost of travel and hotel) let em get on your shows!  It can only make it better.  Local acts, don't be so quick to tell an outsider to get lost.  They might be really good and you both can help each other.  All the division is the reason we are losing the edge we once had.  We are so worried about our own personal squabbles we are losing sight of our purpose, making money.  If someone gets you into a diss war, you lose focus on making a great album which can make you money!  If you are beefing in your city and fighting anyone who doesn't like you, you will end up in jail, which makes you lose money!  Leaving petty difference behind and supporting another artist will not kill you and it improves your chance for success.

We need to change these things in our own community.  If we don't we will continue to be used and continue to lose money.  I am not an expert by any stretch but I have seen my fair share of business and how successful people make it.  If we don't change the course of these things we can guarantee the Underground movement will not survive.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

End of the year review

Man 2012 has flown by.  As the year winds down I take a look back at this year in my life and realize that so many gears are turning for me right now it is insane.  This will be my final blog of the year but rest assured I will be back in January!  So this is going to be a breakdown of all things that have happened to me personally in music and how things will change slightly next year.

First I became a rap manager to Draztik, Black Project, and Sikone aka Mickey Mangles.  This was my first taste of the music business.  While it has been a huge learning process and Draztik had a few things come up that prevented our business relationship from going further he will always be the guy that got me into the studio to begin my producing and managing.  I have no clue what his plans are from this point forward but I am his homie and am always available if ever he should call.  Sikone is doing his thing out in New Mexico.  He has an album due to be released next year.  I hope to get in the studio and help with that in the new year for sure.  Black Project still has a ton of work to do on their debut album "Highly Classified" as of right now the album might have to be delayed a little bit but I am still pushing for the 4/20 release date.  We have some great collabs on there with Mars and Bukshot as well as a few more artists we can't mention yet.  Both Black Project and Sikone I hope to get out to the Phoenix/Tucson area for some shows in the next year.  Wicked Butterfly Entertainment will be the top entertainment/promotion company here by this time next year, that is the goal.

Next I sent in a sample review to Faygoluvers.net to try and get a spot reviewing CD's and shows for the website.  I got the spot and am loving every minute of it!  I have also been asked and have done several interviews for them and look forward to doing more in the future.  I got nothing but family love to Scottie, Ian and all the Faygoluvers.net staff and fans!

The third thing that happened was I got asked to join American Media Distribution as a freelance reporter!  While my first official assignment isnt until January I hope the coming year will grant me the opportunity to expand my reviews, interviews, and grip on the entertainment community.  That being said I will take that opportunity and say that starting Jan 1, 2013 I will have 2 official music/media blogs.  This one will be maintained for all thing underground.  The other one will be for more mainstream media such as movies, music, and news.  I hope my readers will take a chance on that blog and continue to enjoy my opinions about things other than the underground.  I will most def keep this blog going as I do this for the family and that will never change.  I will get the link to the new blog out as soon as I get that post done Jan 1, 2013.

This year I got to attend the Gathering and it didnt disappoint.  I am hoping to go next year but we will see how things shake out.

I am always willing to sign new acts to Wicked Butterfly Entertainment.  If you are interested hit me up so we can discuss the details of what I offer and what we can do together.  I truely believe that this company is in line to do great things.  I have the effort and dedication to make it happen as long as an artist is willing to let me do the job.

Last but not least I wanted to thank each and every one of you that comes on here, reads my blogs and opinions, and in some cases leaves me feedback.  I love each and every one of you and hope next year to expand not only my own borders fo music but yours as well. 

A Juggalo is not someone who is jumped in, created in a high school, or someone who is claiming it to be faddish.  A Juggalo is born a Juggalo, pure and simple.  Once you realize you are a Juggalo you can stop listening to the music, quit buying the CD's and merch, and renounce the name itself but you will always be family in my book.  Do not let anyone ever tell you you are not good enough or you don't deserve anything because of who you are.

MMFWFL til next year family,

Juggalotus

New interview series

I wanted to take a few miutes and let you all know about the work I am doing with Faygoluvers.net.  A few months ago I was asked to send in a review of the Mighty Death Pop as a try out for a spot reviewing CD's on Faygoluvers.  I sent it in and a few days later was asked to join the team!  To say I was excited would be an understatement.  Well over the past several months I have done a lot of CD reviews including Twiztid's Abominationz which has gotten the most views ever for an album review on the site.  A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to interview Potluck at the Abominationz tour stop here in Tucson.  Now I had been trying since May to get an interview with those guys and our schedules didn't really line up until then.  The interview itself was around 20 min long and that got me thinking.

So this upcoming weekend at Kung Fu Vampires Love Bites tour stop in Mesa, AZ I will sit down with the man himself.  This will be the second interview I do for Faygoluvers.  Since the first one was 20 min I decided that this one will be 20 min as well.  This being my second of what I hope will be many interviews I made the decision to call my interview series "20 Min with..."  So all of my interviews will be about 20 min, give or take, and be in a continuous series to set mine apart from the other guys on the site.

So be on the lookout for that interview this weekend and keep checking the album review section over on www.faygoluvers.net for all of my most current album reviews, many of which are from underground artists you may not have heard of before but will still dig.  My reviews are my honest opinion of the album and I tend to not sugarcoat anything.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Twiztid Abominations Tour review

  It has been like 20 days since my last post on here, but I have been hella busy and trying to do a lot for Faygoluvers!  On Nov 17, 2012 Twiztid rolled through Tucson, AZ on their Abominationz tour and I was there to interview Potluck and check it out!  Here is what went down and how I think the show went.

My wife and I left the house and got to The Rock about 20 min before the doors opened.  Twiztid had tweeted out earlier in the day the venue was tiny but having never been there I had no idea.  I do gotta give a shout out to the Potluck Street Team leadership as they supplied my ticket for the show!  Anyway the doors opened and when we got inside I could see what Mono was talking about, the place was tiny!  I think it maybe could hold 300-400 people if they were packed in wall to wall.  We checked out the merch booth and saw some cool stuff but didn't have any $$ to get anything this time.  Then it was showtime.

The first group up was Cultivate Creative Sounds or CCS Crew, a local staple here in Tucson.  I have to say that my experience with Faygoluvers has been a blessing and a curse.  It has been a blessing because I am getting to hear a ton of music from smaller acts and it has shaped my ear if you will to be more astute, a curse cause it has made me listen to music different and be more skeptical of new groups I haven't heard.  That being said I was cautiously optimistic when they went on stage.  My wife and I were blown away.  These guys knew how to put on an energetic show that kept the crowd into it and definitely set the show off on the right foot.  After their set we went and talked to them and set up an interview with them for later in the night.  I will have that interview posted here in the next few days.  They definitely gave me a good feeling about the music scene here in Tucson.

Next up was Potluck and I was very excited, I love these guys.  Let me say I have now seen them twice live and they have yet to disappoint me.  They did a ton of classics like "Stoner Bitch", "Hotbox Anthem", and "STFU" while adding newer flavor like "Pot City".  They threw down a hella tight set and made themselves available after for autographs, pics, etc.  I hit em up and got to sit down with them for an interview!  You can see that here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAzn66C8mD8&feature=plcp.

While we were in back talking with them Lil Wyte went on stage and did his set.  We missed all but the end of his set so I can't say if he did well or not.  The crowd seemed to really like his set though.

Then it was time for me to interview Potluck.  We went outside the venue and found a spot under a streetlight.  Did the interview for about 20 min and during that time Hed PE came on stage.  We caught the end of their set and while it did have people moshing and had decent metal I did not enjoy the Liberal interludes Jerod put in.  I remember a time when Anarchists hated all government and fought the man, not sided with one or the other parties or affiliations.  Kind of a let down but the crowd was digging it.

Then it was time for the headliners, Twiztid.  We worked our way like 2 rows back from the stage middle.  They came out and kicked it off with Bad Side off Abominationz.  They worked a lot of classics in their set and added 5 tracks from the new album, "Bad Side", "Unstoppable", "Rep That Wicked", "This is your Anthem", and "LDLHAIBCSYWA"  This set was not quite as good as the one they had for the American Psychos tour but it was still hella cool.  The boys know how to set the crowd off and make the show hype as hell.

When the show was over we left and headed home.  All in all another great show.  My one complaint was the crowd.  This had to be one of the worst crowds I have ever seen a show with.  The venue being small was bad enough but it isn't like the extra 3 inches someone would get from crushing my wife and I was going to make Twiztid stop the show and be like "Hey come on stage with us you are so flipping cool"  The crowd was rude, self absorbed, pushy, and willing to do things like pull my wife's hair to get her out of the way to get closer to the stage.  For those that follow my blog you know that I am a huge supporter of the Fam, but I draw the line when the fam intentionally hurts another to "get closer" to the stage in a club where Twiztids sweat would hit you no matter where you were!  The crowd was a lot of younger Juggalos and I think that was the problem.  I have found as the years have gone by that younger Juggalos have less respect for the traditions of the Family.  They feel entitled to everything from spot in the crowd to basic respect.  They think being a Juggalo is a fad or something cool to do, they don't understand we as Juggalos/Juggalettes look out for one another and make sure no one gets hurt.  I am hoping it was an isolated experience but fear it isn't.  That alone did not take away from the fact the show was the bomb.  Twiztid did it again and I cannot wait  for their next album, tour, or whatever they are gonna do.

That's it for me fam.  Lets remember what being a Juggalo or Juggalette means and show love at these shows.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Changes, Moves and making moves

Sorry I have been away for a minute!  Just moved to Tucson and getting grounded here.  This month we got some big things coming up over at Faygoluvers.  I have posted a ton of new reviews.  But I will be doing a special interview with none other than Kung Fu Vampire and it will be posted over on Faygoluvers.net the first week of Dec!  Black Project is on schedule to get their album "Highly Classified" released on 04/20/2013.  There will be some great featured artists on there so you wanna check it out.  Also will be posting my reviews for the Twiztid and Kung Fu Vampire shows this month here on the blog!  So there are big things happening, stay tuned for more to come!!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

T.O.N.E-Z and Mars in Lubbock, TX

Whats up fam!  I am here with my official play by play of last weekends T.O.N.E-Z and Mars show at Jakes in Lubbock, TX.

  Friday my cousin CJ and I drove into Lubbock to pick up T.O.N.E-Z and Big Ian from Faygoluvers.  Once we finally met face to face it was like we had been homies for ever.  Fri night we chilled out and ate at this bomb Mexican place called Mar Y Tierra.  It was some of the best mexican food I have had to date.  Then we headed back to the hotel and chilled out.  On a side note the folks at the Red Roof in are the bomb!  So we chilled out all night just waiting for Sat and our hella busy schedule.
 
  Saturday finally came and we were up and at the breakfast by 8:30!  It was really good.  Had some fruit waffles and OJ.  Then we got dressed for the day and headed to the mall for more Promo.  We spent about 2 hours at the mall passing out flyers and having CJ filming T.O.N.E-Z meeting and taking photos.  While out we decided it would be a great idea to have my cousin shoot a music video for T.O.N.E-Z new track "Spotlight" off his High Voltage album.  We spent a little time at the studio that me and Draztik do our music at.  T.O.N.E-Z was able to meet our music producer Scott and get to see where the magic happens.  Then we had to go back to the hotel and pick up my boy Jay and my wife.  We all went out to lunch and had steak and seafood.  We dropped T.O.N.E-Z off at the hotel so he could catch a nap and it was off to Jakes for soundcheck.  All the openers were there and soundcheck went well.  Back to the hotel to get T.O.N.E-Z for the meet and greet.  It was a very intimate meet and greet with a few people there. Took T.O.N.E-Z back to the hotel so he could get ready for the show.  I went back to Jakes cause it was showtime.  We delayed the start about 30 min so people could trickle in.  Finally at 8:30 pm Worlds Kollide Records hit the stage for a devistating 20 min set.  After them came my homies Black Project Records, 806 Outlaw and Narkotixx, theyhit the stage and left nothing off.  After that the SKSCC crew hit it followed by Sikone aka Mickey Mangles and both of his groups, Tierrosos and S.M.K., the crowd was live.  Then my artists Draztik hit the stage for his first ever appearance.  He seemed nervous at first but once he fell into a comfort zone he killed it.  DRP was supposed to be next but fell ill and was replaced by Leaders of the Lost.  They did a really good set and had the crowd prepped for T.O.N.E-Z.  Once T.O.N.E-Z hit the stage it was obvious he was in his zone.  He killed old tracks, new tracks, and everything in between.  I overheard some in the crowd saying it was the best live show they had ever seen and I can't say I disagree.  After he left the stage the club cleared out.  Not sure why everyone left cause Mars was still having his set.  We got the people that had gone out for fresh air back in and Mars hit the stage.  He did his set and killed it for the 30-40 remaining people (much love to him for that).  The show was over.  I had finally had my first show and while financially it was unsuccessful there was a lot of good things that happened.

  So the show was over and all of the remaining audience and all of the openers still there were able to hit the parking lot and be in the T.O.N.E-Z video!  We hope to get that released the next few weeks so be on the look out for that.  Thank you to all the Fam that came out and supported the show.  I appreciate all of you and love each and every one of you.  Thank you to all the acts that performed without you I would have had no show.  Mars and Mastamind is next so be on the lookout for that info!

  All in all it was a good show.  Some things on the horizon for me, well I have 2 more groups that might possibly fall into the Wicked Butterfly Family, Mars and Mastamind will be in Lubbock July 12 to kill the underground scene, and Draztik has his album we need to finish and get out to you guys in Dec of this year!  So it will be a busy summer for your boy Juggalotus.  Be on the lookout as I post new info here and please go show any shows here in the Lubbock/Amarillo/Albuquerque area  underground scene some love.  The promoters around here hustle hard to make this area a viable stop on any Psychopathic tour and if we can't show them how strong the family is here we might never get any of our big family here.

Peace til later,

Juggalotus

The show is finally over!

Ok so this is a quick blog to let you all know T.O.N.E-Z got back to NYC ok.  He survived his first trip into TExas and killed Jakes Last night.

I will post another blog later today or tomorrow with my full report of my trip to Lubbock and my many adventures with T.O.N.E-Z and Big Ian from Faygoluvers!

Juggalotus