Absinthe Junk is a world-fused prog rock band lead by Blair B., former illustrator of the webcomic Star Cross'd Destiny.

Playlist 7 is offering a free download of Commercialized Waste!

http://www.reverbnation.com/playlist7?artist_id=246906

We are the first artist in the list when you click the link above.

ALSO! Download an exclusive track from our Nashy friends, Team Illuminati when you download Absinthe Junk's track!

http://www.reverbnation.com/playlist7?artist_id=206043

The top 7 artists will win $507 so please help us by downloading our track and sharing it with your friends!

Please invite your friends and help spread the noise!

A homeless artist sat quietly on the streets of a popular New York City square, his art strewn around him. The style was of Nitsch, organized yet existential splatters depicting the abstract and objects in bold colors on a blank canvas. A young woman on her way to and from work would pass him daily and admire his art and one day finally stopped to talk to him. She asked him his inspiration and he replied basically, "Life... Chaos..." She asked about his life and learned that he was homeless, that he could never make a living on his art. He dreamed that he would have enough someday to get a nice place where he could paint his masterpiece, his vision of the world. Having admired his work for months as she passed she decided to take a piece home and gave him a couple hundred dollars. In the following weeks she noticed that he had fewer paintings and he asked him how his paintings were selling and he said better and that he almost had enough to rent a small apartment in the city for a few months. She asked about the place and he replied, "It's small... concrete floors and square but the lighting is amazing... and the walls are so white. It's going to be beautiful." She smiled and said she'd love to see his work once he moved in. Weeks had gone by and finally she didn't see the painter anymore. She went to his usual corner in the square and left there was a small note with an address.

The long of the short - the lady went to the apartment at sunset. The door was cracked and she stepped inside. The light poured in and the once white walls were covered in paint in the same style as the artist's paintings. It didn't take her long to realize that it wasn't paint but blood. There was a note in the middle of the floor. "Some consider painting to be rehearsal for death... That art is the outward expression of the inner torment. Maybe it's true. But this torment was yours and your world's. Know now that I am free."

I still live here don't I?

Let me clean off the webs and water the plants and readjust the hand in the glass. I'm allowed to be on the internet during the day again. I have a feeling I'll be musing more often. Or maybe not. We'll see.

In less than two hours I will pick up a pen and sign my band's life away. I will sign to my career, to my music, to hope that people listen and help push it along. I'm terrified out of my mind. I've been indie since 2005- promoting indie, supporting indie, loving all things indie. The label is still indie so I'm still technically indiesque... at least I'd like to believe I am. But I'll have to work with a producer and even though I'm still 100% in control, it's not guaranteed to stay that way. This label is a stepping stone label - the whole point is to hopefully push me off onto someone larger.

But yeah, I'm scared - I'm allowed to be I think. It'll probably all be fine.

I had my first two shows with Eclipse last week and they went, imo, very well. I had some hiccups here and there but for joining the project two weeks out I think I handled everything to my best ability, ie as a professional in this business would. I pride myself on that - being able to walk into a band and make them comfortable and to play a show with them in minimal rehearsals. Glad to know this tickled them pink. :D

For those who don't know, a few weeks ago I took on an extra project that I'd been chasing for quite sometime called Eclipse. Eclipse is a Pink Floyd tribute band of 6 (now 7) members, one of which is Patrick, the lead guitarist on a lot of Absinthe Junk's songs for the EP. I came in as their replacement keyboardist and backup vocalist and to bring in the element of saxophone to their shows. It's been an amazing ride. Of ten shows that we have scheduled this year only one of them is even in Tennessee. The rest? Well, let's see... Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois... to name a few. Ie, the band travels and tours all over the damn place. Which means at least some amount of money in for me. Course I had to up my equipment to get into the band so I'll not be making money at least for a while but it's a start. I'm jazzed to playing with such talented people on music that I love. And I'm not officially in the group yet since there's a contract involved but if you'd like to see more and be their friend please check out their myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/pinkfloydeclipse

In other super secretive news, Junk is hopefully going to be in talks soon with a local record company. I say hopefully because we were supposed to chat today and missed each other. So I'm of course paranoid that I've lost all chance. But the hope is there.

And don't be fooled, there's plenty of bad news. I'm just trying to focus on the good. We all should do that every once in a while. Seriously - try it some time.

Had an insanely productive weekend and look forward to sharing it with the world. To keep from gushing about great things that you can't touch or see yet I won't delve any further but be on the lookout for cool things yet to come.

On a slightly related side note I'm feeling the musical burn. We had a terrible show on Friday - some due to me getting ill - some due to a jerk potential bass player who showed up and put us under a microscope. But as things push drearily on I'm still sitting back and wondering if I should just can this whole operation. The tunes I write are not getting played how I wrote them. So why write anymore? If I get musicians that can play them in the studio then the band gets pissed off. There's just no win here - and as usual, I get the shaft and the guilt. Sending a session up to Boston - keep your fingers crossed for me on that one that it works out well.

I dunno. Between that and the comic falling unfortunately to the wayside (thanks economy) I've just been feeling insanely downtrodden. I've applied to *counts* nearly ten jobs in the last three days. I'm waiting to hear back from two from the previous week that I interviewed on. I have very little hope. Just doesn't seem to be a bright side to anything lately.

Wrote more shit that I probably won't finish. How nice it is to be back to that stage of insecurity in my songwriting. But here it is anyway:

Eyes wide shut
As loud as panic can
These lies are simply casual
And they hurt like hell

And this is my cabinet
There's nothing sacred here
It's eating at me
It's eating at me

You're bleeding me
Take this one-way ticket away from here
Riot away from these days
If we run till we tire
We'll never need anything more
No, we'll end this pressure

Living ghosts
As bright as morning's end
These days are simply lies
And they burn like hell

Let lips sleep
So we can see the truth
It's the truth we can't face
What we can't erase

And this is my skeleton
There's nothing sacred here
And it's eating me

You're bleeding me
Take this one-way ticket away from here
Riot away from these days
If we run till we tire
We'll never need anything more
No, we'll end this pressure

You might be the death of me
You just might be the end of it all
You might be the death of me
But I'll live this day like it's my own

So I shouldn't be bummed but I am. I got Featured Artist on ReverbNation today which is just wicked cool. And we have a new kitten named Cleo who is an absolute sweetheart coupled with inner diva - her and Angus have yet to truly interact beyond cage but she doesn't quite like him yet. Had a great dinner at Red Robin - first time there - insanely good. So I should be having a great day but I'm generally bummed which proves to me that it's chemicals in my brain doing it rather than situation.

It's nearly 1am though. I'm damn tired and have early class. And I forgot to update the page. Fuck it. I'll do it tomorrow.

So it's been a seriously hectic last week. First, on the band side of things, our bass player quit 5 days out from our gig so I spent all last week in a fit trying to find someone to fill in. The gig went quite well despite the fact that no one really came. Tori Sparks actually said something along the lines of 'You know, in Nashville your friends don't have to come to your shows so I'm grateful for the ones that do. Yeah, only in Nashville.' It's so sadly true. In San Angelo and even Dallas, friends always came out to support what I did and back then, it wasn't even my band. My friends here won't even support my own group. It's just kinda sad - makes me feel like I don't really have friends here.

But onward with the story. So for two months I've had this foot pain that would not go away. I kept thinking it was just a sprain and it, in time, would just go away. But one jump too many at the show on Friday and I found myself in a ridiculous amount of pain. Saturday and Sunday were spent limping around and with Mike having to literally carry me up the stairs at the end of the day. So I call my doctor on Monday who tells me to wait a week and if it's still not better to call him. Now what?! It's hurt for two months. I somehow doubt it's getting better on its own. So to a specialist I went only to find out I had a stress fracture on the fifth metatarsal. So now my foot is all booted up and sad but hopefully in 4 weeks it won't hurt anymore.

The fact that it's broken does not bother me. The pain doesn't really bother me any either, despite my bitching. What bothers me is now I can't jump around at my K-Street show next week. And more importantly, I can't yoga. I was hoping to start up at one of the studios in town but so much for that. A month of no yoga is gonna make for some unhappy chii. But ah well.

Off the Delaware here in a bit. Wish me luck for 4 days of in-laws. I should have a twitch by the time I get back - I say that simply because it takes every ounce of brainpower I can muster to make sure I don't say anything that can be misinterpreted as rude or wrong. Yup. Should be fun. :/

So I've taken it upon myself to finally post this damn thing - mostly because I'm getting harassed. I hate Christmas lists for the record. I hate asking people for gifts - it's just... backwards. But anyway, my ideals aside.

XMAS LIST 2008:

General Stuff:
- House DVDs Seaons 1 - whatever
- Guitar Picks (medium please)

Yoga Stuff:
- Blocks - 1 green and 1 purple
http://yogadirect.com/yoga_blocks4.html

- Strap - black
http://yogadirect.com/yoga_strapPB8.html

- Junior Bolster - Limited Clingvines
http://www.huggermugger.com/productDetailServlet?ProductStoreCategory=BO-JR

- Yoga Paws -
http://www.huggermugger.com/productDetailServlet?ProductStoreCategory=AC-YOGAPAWS


Because I've lately been suffering from extreme foot pain I've put these two things on my list to help ease the pain I suffer when I practice:

- New Mandara Mat-
http://huggermugger.com/productDetailServlet?ProductStoreCategory=MA-MANDARA
-- sticky surface and at least a quarter inch thick. :)

- Zabuton : Limited Kohl Floral -
http://huggermugger.com/productDetailServlet?ProductStoreCategory=BO-ZABUTON
-- you use this for support under your heel so that the stretch on your foot isn't as bad - it's been a huge help in class.


Fun Stuff:
- Tea Aroma - because zen smells gooood
http://www.huggermugger.com/productDetailServlet?ProductStoreCategory=AC-TEAFORYOU

- Mala Beads
http://www.huggermugger.com/productDetailServlet?ProductStoreCategory=GI-JWLRY-MALA-ROSEWOOD

Gift cards to Hot Topic or Guitar Center always appreciated as well.

I might have contacted you about this but just so it's someplace where I can grab, here's all the info on the Absinthe Junk Online EP Listening Party:

----

My band's debut EP will have just been sent off to be produced so I'm celebrating! Come to any of my four sites to listen to our new tracks as we premiere them to the world. :)

This is an ONLINE party! Over the course of three days! Come by the sites and listen at your leisure. :)

There's no excuse not to come! No cover, no driving - just your time and ears. :) Plus your coming helps support the band by generating plays and visits for us, which always look good to venues and agents who want to book us. So hope to have you with us on this totally awesome occasion!

You'll be able to hear the tunes Nov 19th at:
http://www.starcrossd.net
http://www.myspace.com/mypieceofjunk
http://www.reverbnation.com/absinthejunk
http://www.mypieceofjunk.com

----

Here are a few little banner things too:





Please please if you can help us out by posting about this in your journal, telling your friends, whatever you can do - it'll mean the world to me and the guys.

<3
Juno

On the trend of sin and in an effort to have a more cohesive future LP I give you whatever the hell I end up titling this!

--

I'll never be known
I'll never know why I can't see
Through lies
All my own
It's like I can't
Make a sound

Alone in this town
Surrounded by fear
And inside all the lies
Whispering
All the truths
Stop my sound

But silence is my sin
And I won't

Keep you under my skin
Live with this regret
My secret is
My mess to hold
Define your normal
Until then
This is my sin

Diversity means death
True to your one
Not the one that
They all
Fall down to
In the end
Who will drown?

But this is my sin!
And I won't

Keep you under my skin
Live with this regret
My secret is
My mess to hold
Define your normal
Until then
This is

Me
This is mine
This is my life
My secret
My secret damning life

I'll never be known
I'll never know why I can't see
Through lies
All my own
It's like I can't
Make a sound

But this is my sin!
And I won't

Keep you under my skin
Live with this regret
My secret is
My mess to hold
Define your normal
Until then
Yeah
Until then

I started writing SCD ten years ago this month. I started doing SCD as a comic 5 years ago on September 23, 2003. I restarted SCD with a new direction and hope on October 24, 2006. It's simply irony that I find myself sitting here ten, five and two years later overwhelmed by disappointment and failure. It's unfairly fitting.

I thought I'd write this rant under different circumstances. I thought it would be something with at least a little flower to it like school had gotten in the way but I was going to graduate or the band had really gone a long way and thus I had to rededicate my time. I never wanted anything to ultimately get in the way of SCD but I do feel rather cheated that in the end, money is what got in the way.

I've only made about $30 in the last two months on the comic. And unfortunately because of Paypal fucking me over and not protecting me from a bank reversal I've made a negative $50 this quarter. Mike and I have been living paycheck to paycheck because of the economy. As far as school goes, I'm having to drop out this semester because I can't afford to go back, even with the scholarship, to finish. So that should leave me with a nice heft of extra time, all of which will be dedicated to finding a part or full-time desk job in January, at which point SCD will take the complete and total backseat. The band, which has only been around for a few months has made more money in the last couple months than even SCD has so it unfortunately gets pushed in front.

Nothing, I repeat NOTHING, upsets me more, breaks my heart more, than the fact that ultimately money has torn me away from doing something I love. While I will never stop working on SCD I find it foolish of me to even try to promise steady updates come the start of the new year. I ultimately don't know what the new year will bring but I'm preparing for the worst. I will do my best to update steadily as long as I can. There will always be something here and I'll always continue to work on it as time allows, even if that means ultimately throwing up chapters of the novel so you guys don't get left with an unfinished story. But as far as Book 2 ever being printed, don't count on it. I still have way too much stock of Book 1. And this is nobody's fault but my own, so please don't think I'm blaming anyone. If I could blame anyone I'd blame this shit ass excuse for an economy since we were fine till this happened.

I will be discounting SCD merchandise HEAVILY for Christmas sales and to help move stock. I will sign anything I can that goes out the door in thanks for your support. I'll have more information on that as I can and as soon as Paypal wants to unfreeze my account.

What I hope you take away from this rant is this:

1. I am NOT quitting SCD completely. I am merely having to rededicate my time to financially securing my family.
2. This is not a call for donations. There is no hole to dig us out of here. This is a need for constant financial supplement for which donations cannot be expected to remedy. I do appreciate the support but please don't feel like you need to donate. If you'd like to support me personally please consider preordering the band's CD. It's cheap and easily gotten with pocket change.
3. This rant sucks. I hated to have to write it. I breaks my heart to write it. I hate that we live in a world where being an artist, writer, musician or anything of that sort can't make you a living. I think it's terrible that dreams are pushed aside or crushed because of it. Nothing will ever stop me from trying to prove that wrong.

Thank you for an awesome 10, 5 and 2 years and for helping get the project this far. Like I said, I'm NOT quitting the comic. I hope to be here till the end. I WILL BE UPDATING! Weekly! Until we can come up with a plan for the future. The story gets really good from here so do stick around for that. You'll get this story one way or another so please don't think you have to abandon the site.


-----

They've got shiny cars and polished nails
Yeah, those girls they've got everything right
They've got fancy clothes, perfect hair, steady lives
But I don't

They're the first to send out thank you notes
They've got well kept homes to entertain
They'll do anything just to please you
But I won't

--- Different Breed, Carter's Chord

Hope this was worth the void you had to fill with me.

So my yoga teacher offered us a weekend detox agenda and fresh juice. Being the wonderfully unhealthy and stressed out person I am, I took it up like candy. I really didn't think I could make it through the two days without food - and all in all I didn't - but I stuck to the foods outlined in the plan- at least until about 7pm.

I was to have this dinner of vegetable juice, which seemed harmless enough. I bought it at a store even. I came down with a migraine I can only assume was because of either not eating or having no caffeine but I kept chugging forward. By the time I was 3/4s done with my veggie juice I felt awfully nauseous. Not being person who regularly eats tomatoes it didn't occur to me that the acidity of the juice might make me sick. The sickies were getting to be too much so I ate some white rice in an effort to absorb all the acid. No dice. By 8pm I had thrown up twice and detox was officially over.

I tried though - at least there is that. Mike and I have decided that we shall do our own version of detox after I get home from NOLA and his sounds a lot safer. Le sigh - I'd feel bad but I'm about to have Quiznos for lunch. Can't debate that glory!

I remember more of last night than I probably should. The drinks were too strong and I know I couldn't walk to save my life. I remember when I was single and towards the end of my relationship with Keith I would get so depressed when I drank but I couldn't stop. It was like looking in a mirror last night as Joey came back to table with shot after shot of crown. I lost count ultimately. He was too drunk to know better and too broken to know the difference. He's grabbing onto Lorie as a sort of beacon of hope for love again and it'll never work. A friend of Lorie's was on her and Joey was off, out the door. I tried to explain to her it probably had nothing to do with her but if he did have feelings for her it probably reminded him of the pain he felt with his ex-wife and her escapades. We tried to stop him - with a 100 mile drive back to Manchester it was just as likely he'd pass out at the wheel then have a drunken accident.

I've texted, I've called and no word. If he's okay, so help me god... I'm gonna beat the shit out of him while crying.

The worst thing about caring about someone are the moments like these.

I'm so completely sick of you
Couldn't care less about your
Point of view
Everytime I'm off my game
You find a new way to
Taint my name

Bridge
And sick of all your shit and lies
Sick of every way you
Plan my demise
So tired of being scared of you
Tired of everything you
Take away

Chorus:
Swear to me
Don't swear to god
Tell me what you really think
Tell me how terrible you think that I am
Call me negative
And influenced
Call me anything you want
Cause I'm just a reflection of you

So you think you're someone new
Guess you can't see past
Your little lies then too
And everytime you're breaking down
Hope you know that I'm
Happy with the sound that
You're not okay

Bridge:
Cause I'm sick of all your twisted lies
Sick of everything you
Swear I am
So tired of having to live through you
Tired of being trapped by your
One-sided views

Chorus:
So swear to me
Don't swear to god
Tell me what you really think
Tell me how terrible you think that I am
Call me negative
And influenced
Call me anything you want
Cause I'm just a reflection of you

I'm getting so I'm sad for you
Getting so I don't really care what you say
It's just so you hurt me, I know
That it's only cause you hate
Yourself and your purpose
Shame that you hurt us
And all this on purpose

So why don't just back the hell off
Bite your tongue a little and save
Your breath
Crawl back under the rock from whence you came
Go back to your pointless
Game


Chorus:
Swear to me
Don't swear to god
Tell me what you really think
Tell me how terrible you think that I am
Call me negative
And influenced
Call me anything you want
Cause I'm just your reflection

Swear to me
Don't swear to god
Tell me what you really think
Tell me how terrible you think that I am
It's all too late
For your apology
You can say anything you want
Cause I'm just a reflection of you

You lost your luster
My only beautiful
Tan lines left on a finger
A thousand broken promises
Left for me to figure

Bridge:
And I won’t
I won’t fall down
And let you feel my pain.
And I won't
I won't let you down
And let you win

Chorus:
I won't lie and say
That I don't still
Think about you
I won't lie and say
That I'm all right
There's so much more
Than loving this way
So I'll lie a smile
To get through the day

For once I want
What's mine
Yeah, and who you are
Won’t keep me awake at night.

Baby you know
You know
I’d have waited for you
Baby you know
You know
I'd have given my life
For the both of us

--Chorus--

So I'll lie
So I'll cry
But I'll get
What's mine

I won't lie and say
That I don't still
Think about you
I won't lie and say
That I'm okay
There's so much more
Than a life that cries
My life is a future
Without your lies

Joint effort between me and Lorie. :)

There she cries
This rain falls in vain
Sweetly dismiss my pain
I know I'll never lie
And this will be the last time

Bridge:
Crushed by your selfish ways.
I fall to the floor
I plead for more
It's a life we don't explain

Chorus: (Parenthesis denote bg ambient vocals)
(Tell me why)
The bullets you had
You threw them at me.
(I fell towards you)
Fell toward
The breath of your wings, as I
I watched them fade away.
I fade away.

Is this love, is this hate?
We cross a line we can't recreate
I never stop to ask you why

Bridge:
My heart pounds, My body sweats
Your essence covers me
This will be the last time
The last time I cry

Chorus:
(Tell me why)
The bullets you had
You threw them at me.
(I fell towards you)
Fell toward
The breath of your wings
I watched them fade away.
I fade away.

(Tell me why)
I close my eyes,
As my body writhes
(As the pain rips into me)
Rips into
The breath of your wings
I watched them fade away.
I fade away.

So go babe.
Go, babe.
Hate, babe.
Leave, babe.
Leave me alone
With your empty words.

Into my heart,
Into my soul
Its all about control
Into my heart,
Into this war
My submission is so raw

This will be the last time
The last time

I'm not too sure how to feel about my life lately. School has an awesome way of tainting things for me. I'm already overwhelmed and I got more people pulling at me everyday. We don't have enough violas in the school so I've become a priceless commodity. And thus, everyone wants a piece of the bean. Which would be flattering if they would give me the room to breathe. The money almost isn't worth all this. About the only thing I'm enjoying right now is Guitar Class 2 out of my music programs and I'm not even supposed to be studying guitar. And suddenly, I'm reminded why I ran away from UNT screaming. Might have to cap this before it gets out of control. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

In JunK news, we've been invited to be the entertainment for a sweet Halloween shindig in downtown Nashville. This I am very very excited about. Getting the opportunity to dress super freaky and play dark and creepy music? That's like Christmas. So that's one good thing. Practice tonight without Funk or Tony - Joey and I will work on little things.

RealmsCon next week - shaping up to be a fun trip I think. If I can avoid any and all drama there's no doubt this will once again be the con of the year. Looking very much forward to spending time with my surrogate brother and his new boo. Have only the intention of selling what I can to pay for my ticket to get there and that other than that, party time for the Juno because the Juno fucking deserves some downtime!

Because I need more slow songs that rely way too heavily on metaphors. XD

Lips are cracked
And eyes are red
Dusk is just
About to fall
Dew hangs
Upon your eyes
Swimming
Dreaming

Clutch my arms
Around as I
Begin to
Fall before
The calm begins
Crisp love
Hangs the air
Enclosing
Sweeping

Where has winter gone?
Pale gray
Remembrance falls
Where has winter gone?
Fireflies still dance
A midsummer dream

Crisp winds
Blow a scent
Of sinking familiar
Hearts hang before
The overwhelming
Insecurities
In this

Where is winter?
Ripples
Of disturbance
Expand only to
Collect anew
Where has winter gone?
Fireflies still dance
a midsummer dream.

Where have you gone?
Where have you gone?
Where have you gone?
Where has winter gone?