Hey everyone, Mike here— Even though this post may have nothing to do with what’s going on with the band, I thought I’d spread the word about some artists who I’ve been keeping my eye on for a while now. If you’ve got a few minutes, go and check them out.

Here’s the list, in no specific order:

1. Blaine Fontana
2. Sylvia Ji
3. Jeff Soto
4. Mike Giant
5. Kurt Halsey

PS: I created a Flickr page with some of my own artwork on it. Go and check it out. Leave comments. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikevanmeter/

So when we were practicing/recording last time Ryan Lee Roth was dressed as an old HC sXe singer and we were both reminiscing about Earth Crisis’ Firestorm lyrics.  This, in turn, made me think about great music paramount I had had throughout my life and I thought I may share some of them with you, well the three I can recall immediately.

1. Meeting Slayer at The Record Exchange in 1998 when they released Diabolous en Musica-When my good friend Chris and I went to that there were Chevy I-Rocs and Firebirds from the 80s as far as the eye could see and each car had a different album playing.  Slayer was hammered, I was 16, and it was the best experience of my life at that point.
2. Seeing Ministry in 1996 with Chris again.  That was my first show I ever attended and it was pretty awesome….Ministry is ungodly washed up now but at the time they were the shit.
3. Seeing Hot Water Music a few years back and meeting a big influence in my life, Jason Black…not too much I can say about that encounter other then my future child’s birth probably will pale in comparison.

So there are a few…you may not think they are interesting but I sure do….stay tuned for other top three experiences in this guy’s life, I take requests.  Until next time, keep it real.

-Jon

PS I tried desperately to post a pic on here and failed…..