By Michelle

This week, we met up with Josh Smith (Hydro74) and Adrian Santos of REVOLT Marketing to hang out and discuss plans for the next Back in Black show. We are doing it bigger and badder this year, and the artist list is shaping up to be amazing. Stay tuned for more details at www.backinblackapparel.com.

We started the day meeting up with Vertical Merch and quickly transitioned to eating tacos, drinking margaritas, eating falafel, moshing and dancing the night away.

But let’s discuss the moshing part for a minute. Since we were already in Ybor, we decided to pass the time at the Valient Thorr show at Crowbar. I don’t really get funny bands (other than Flight of the Concords but that’s different). What’s so funny about rock n’ roll and what’s with all the fucking talking? They are constantly talking, spewing dummy-downed nonsense about our troops and partying. Nevertheless, they have played with several bands that I respect, so maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t get it (or want it).

This brings me to another observation, not all jean jackets/vests are created equal. I have had several punk friends try to explain to me what type of patches (generally Japanese, English and surprisingly enough Finnish punk/crust bands), metal studs, etc. are appropriate. But even without this insight, I’m pretty sure this kid fails (yes, it is a Rosie O’Donnell Show back patch).

And while this guy does not pass the punk test, in the dirt rocker test, I bet he wins. I miss Dimebag too.

BTW…the famous tattoo artist, Joe Capobianco, recently curated the “Fist Full Of Metal” The Art of the Jean Jacket Art Show, a 52-piece collection by today’s top tattoo artists. The show opened at the Hope Gallery and moved to Canvas L.A. this weekend, where it runs through April 18th. If you are in the L.A.  area, you should check it out.

At the end of the night, we repented for our sins and begged L. Ron Hubbard to allow us back on to the space ship.

Adrian, come visit us again soon!