::::::December 16th, 2003:::::

So I've been making a lot of progress with the new record and am now in the phase of writing lyrics. 

Buy anything from the merch page and you'll be brought to a bonus page where you can download some tracks off of the previously unreleased Demo 2.

::::::December 7th, 2003:::::

As many of you know, mp3.com shut down, so my page there will not be working.  I hear that it will be back up soon though at some time.

I'm also having a friend convert one of my old demos into the MP3 format which I hope to distribute soon.

I recorded a bunch of songs that will most likely end up on the next album that are *not* on the demos page.  They are of better quality but are still not mastered.

And for anyone who caught Something Corporate, you'll know what I am talking about, but one of the true highlight was the opening band Days Away.  Check them out and you will not be sorry!

::::::November 16th, 2003:::::

I have been really having messing around with the new acoustic amp I bought.  I recorded several new demos which can be found here.  Comments have been added to the unfinished demos.  I hope you enjoy...

I really am looking forward to getting in the studio to get these songs recorded.  I'm still in the process finalizing lyrics and choosing which songs will appear.

Also, RIP to Elliot Smith whose music was always close to me.

::::::November 16th, 2003:::::

The formal Flyer Contest is closed, but if you still send me a flyer with specs as listed below and I like it, I ill send you a shirt and some CDs.  I only got a few submissions and will maybe post them on the site at some point.

::::::October 26th, 2003:::::

A new poll has been set up so you can vote for your favorite complete demo song!  Vote here!

::::::October 26th, 2003:::::

We turn our clocks back as the air gets colder and the skies get darker.  I have put six more demos up on the demos page.  None of them are finished but I am considering finishing most of them to have released on the next album.  I have already made my decision with what studio I will be recording at so the prospect of the new album approaches closer to reality.

I also bought a new acoustic amp.  My first ever...so I will be experimenting with the delays and chorus.

Thanks to everyone who wished me birthday wish last week.  I just got done seeing 28 Days Later.  See it if you have not already as the music itself in the movie is the worth the cost of the rental.  I just bought tickets to see Echo & The Bunnymen with the Stills so I'm kind of excited about that.

Hope the weekend treated you good and as always e-mail me so you can tell me how you are doing! :) Much love....

::::::October 1st, 2003:::::

Hey, anyone with an interest in graphic design, I'm holding a contest for fans to create a flyer.  Send it to abreaction@abreaction.net by 10/31/03 and you could win my CDs and a shirt.

Here are the rules:

- It says "Abreaction" and that alone takes up 1/4 to 1/2 of the flyer
- It has the web address: www.abreaction.net
- There are no pictures of me
- Some "cool" looking designs that show it wasn't made on MS Word but is simple enough that it does not look too busy
- Looks interesting enough, so that if you saw the flyer, you would be interested in Abreaction if you never heard the music
- It is on one sided document as the intent is to have people print it out and distribute
- It is on one page or it can be postcard sized like party flyers
- The theme is mostly dark
- It is readable & legible if a person were to print it out in black and white
- Be creative

Thanks and  good luck!

::::::September 26th, 2003:::::

A new song called Breaking Up is up for download at the demos page.  The lyrics were added entirely on the spot and I think that they may actually end up being the final lyrics, or close to it.  The lyrics are a bit different than a song I sit down with and spend time composing the lyrics to.  I'm interested in what you all think of this song...

::::::September 21st, 2003:::::

Many people have been asking guitar tabs.  I finally set out to tab some songs but since I never had formal music training and I rarely ever read tabs myself, the task was proving to be more difficult than I originally anticipated.

I put the chords used for Coming Up For Air over here.  Let me if you think this is even useful.  If not, I will stop attempting to tab the songs but if you like it I can continue to tab some more.  

If anyone has a good ear and would like to tab some songs, let me know.  Of course, I will give due credit to anyone who wants to volunteer.  Thanks!

::::::September 11th, 2003:::::

Lyrics for Drown The Background have been posted.  Also, a new full demo has posted called Head On Collision.  The lyrics for that song are up as well.  

::::::September 7th, 2003:::::

I just added a new song called Drown The Background to the demos section.  Within the next week, I plan to post a couple more songs tentatively called Worth The Wait and Head On Collision.  I've yet to complete any of the partial songs posted on the demos page.

When I get time, I'm also looking to post tabs to all the songs.  I'll post them as I tab them.  Thanks!

::::::September 1st, 2003:::::

I'm stoked cause I have all these tickets to some great shows like Interpol, MXPX & Dashboard, and Death Cab For Cutie.  I also saw Reggie & The Full Effect this past weekend which was one hell of a show.  Catch it if you still can.

I put some random pics of here and hope to soon post some tabs.

I am in the process of talking to some recording studios and hope to record a new album by year end.

::::::August 31st, 2003:::::

I added a new demo song called Fading Faster on the demo page.  The lyrics for the song are posted as well here.  A new one called Drown The Background will be up soon.  I just need to add lyrics to the second verse.

A note on downloading music off of peer to peer file share programs.  The entire fan base has been built up through the Internet so in many ways these programs have helped spread the word.  I have CDs on sale though, and any financial support will help me to continue to host the site as well as record future albums.  So, if you spread the word, please let others know that I have CDs as many may not know since I just started selling them.

::::::August 15th, 2003:::::

I'm pleased to post that CDs are finally available on the merchandise page.  There are also combinations deals so check that out!

You can also check out and listen to some of my demos that will most likely end up on the next record.

::::::August 4th, 2003:::::

I added lyrics to some of my earlier stuff before Recovery,

::::::August 4th, 2003:::::

CDs will be available next week.  I am going to Vegas tomorrow and wanted until I got back before releasing them.

I recorded Words and Lines, Honesty, and The Moments on my PC mic, so please forgive the poor quality.  I plan to keep these songs on my next album.  You can download them here.

Thanks!!!

::::::August 4th, 2003:::::

Today I wrote, finished, and recorded a sing in less than an hour.  Probably the shortest time for me ever creating a song.  It's called Sacrifice and here are the lyrics:

Sacrifice

Sometimes I don’t know how hard it would be

To look through your eyes

With all the wasted memories aside

It’s a miracle that you even survived

It makes me numb

To think about the years

You’ve filled your heart

With too many tears

I would give my life

To turn some things away

With your sacrifice

It’s like a brand new day

Sometimes it’s not so easy when you’re closed

But you’ve made me who I am

You always made sure that I had the most

Opportunity to be my own

I appreciate

In more than

A few words

For

The way you are

The way you act

The times you looked over my back

I love you

I love you

::::::August 3rd, 2003:::::

I recorded a bunch of stuff on my computer.  These are all mostly unfinished songs with made up lyrics and poor quality but thought I would post it for listening since you guys have not heard anything new from me in a long time.  You can download it here.

::::::July 27th, 2003:::::

CDs will be put on sale on this sometime next week.  Since they will be CD-Rs, I will be selling them for only $7.00 USD.

::::::July 27th, 2003:::::

Hey I just posted two in the links section.  The first interview was one I had with Helldriver Magazine.  The other interview is with one by a fan named Rachel. 

I have decided I want to play some venues in Chicago, so if anyone works for or knows someone in a Chicago venue and you think they'd dig Abreaction, let me know.  Thanks!

::::::July 21st, 2003:::::

Thanks to everyone who has bought t-shirts.  Because of the demand I may now sell my older two CDs for a very cheap price.

::::::July 1st, 2003:::::

For the first time, I have merchandise available here!!  Two t-shirts are on sale for $15.00 USD.  I'm so excited and thanks to everyone for their input on the design!!

::::::June 28th, 2003:::::

I just saw the Made tour with Further Seems Forever, Anberlin, and the Movielife.  Highlights of the show were Anberlin and FSF's cover of Bjork's Pagan Poetry.

::::::June 22nd, 2003:::::

I just got confirmation today about the t-shirts and they will be arriving the week of July 7th.  After I get them, I'll post how you can order them.  Thank you so much for your continued patience.

::::::June 14th, 2003:::::

Sorry for the lack of updates but the t-shirts will be here by the end of the month (fingers crossed that there are no more delays).  Thanks a lot to Jeff again for pulling together the t-shirt designs.

I'm also working on new  music but I really do not have a date planned as to when I'll get to record and distribute them.

On a side note, I went to the Starflyer 59 show and a band called Ester Drang opened.  Wow, now this is emotion and very intense.  They sound like a motion picture soundtrack with a hint of Radiohead, Sigur Ros, and the Cure.

I'm also going to see Owen this Tuesday.  For those who don't know, this is Mike Kinsella's (American Football lead singer) solo project.

Thanks and much love!

::::::May 27th, 2003:::::

I haven't posted lyrics to the new songs in quite some time because I have not completely finished a song since Words and Lines.  This past weekend, I felt inspired to write another song and it's called Honesty.  This song is quite simple and really is not an indicator of what the rest of the songs are like. 

Honesty

Maybe it’s the lack of confidence

Or being alone

Maybe it’s personality

That made this go wrong

It’s a question of standards

On either side

Losing motivation

After I tried

Honesty

For the first time

Finally

It’s off my mind

Always saying the wrong thing

I’m trying too hard

Finding all these comparisons

It’s gone too far

It could be the places that I go

It makes me feel like trying no more

Honesty

For the first time

Finally

It’s off my mind

::::::May 26th, 2003:::::

I know it's been taking some time but the t-shirts have not even arrived yet.  They will, however, be available soon.  So for all those who have been e-mailing thinking the shirts are gone, don't worry.  Thanks!

::::::May 4th, 2003:::::

Go to the t-shirts page if you want to see what the final shirts will look like.  Also, if you plan to order a shirt e-mail me your size so I can get a better idea of what sizes to order.  If you can, let me know by May 10, 2003.

::::::April 27th, 2003:::::

I have added some links to some interviews.  Check it out here.

Also, four songs are available at the sounds page.

::::::April 26th, 2003:::::

Since it is taking me forever to record a new album, I am going to record some stuff while I play next to the computer.  I'll post them, but they are of really bad quality.  Does anyone know how to plug regular mics into the computer? 

::::::April 25th, 2003:::::

Thanks to everyone who voted for their favorite t-shirt design.  Here were the results:

Design 1 - 22%

Design 2 - 37%

Design 3 - 35%

Design 4 - 7%

So, it looks like people liked Designs 2 & 3 the best.  If you want to see the designs, please go here.  Right now I am hoping to get some t-shirts of each design.  I will post more info as I get it.  It looks like the shirts will be on a navy blue or black background.

::::::April 15th, 2003:::::

Hey, go to the t-shirts page and decide on what design you like!

::::::April 3rd, 2003:::::

I just bought tickets to the Lagwagon/Yellowcard/Rufio concert at the Metro in Chicago so that should be cool. 

::::::April 2nd, 2003:::::

A lot of really cool people have e-mailed me about ideas for t-shirts.  One person even volunteered to make me some free shirts.  If they are cool, I will buy them in bulk and finally have some merch available on the site.

A new CD is planned but any other details about it are vague at this point.  Join the mailing list to get the most recent updates about that.

::::::April 1st, 2003:::::

Wow, It has been a really long time since I updated this page.  This is due to some events in my personal life.  First, I got promoted to a new position as an internal consultant.  So, the good news is I will not be traveling as much but the bad news is more of my life is being consumed by work.  Also, I finally got a new place in downtown Chicago!

Okay, so I have updated the sounds page with some new songs so check that out.

I still am working on finding a way to convert my cassette tracks to MP3 but my attempts have been dismal.  So please bare with me.  To all who e-mailed me on how to do this, please note I only have a Tascam MKII 4 Track as a tape player.  Please let me know what plug I use to hook it up to my computer.

Also, if the demand shows, there may be a message board up soon.

I just got back from the Ataris/Julian Theory/Further Seems forever show.  Good show, but too damn crowded and not enough songs played by FSF!

::::::February 14th, 2003:::::

Hey so today is Valentine's day...I have no one to spend it with, so I think I'll just spend the day writing more songs :)  But anyway,  I am now going to be gone for a month, mostly in Phoenix.

I have been working on converting my older cassette tracks into MP3s, but that may take some time, so please bare with me.

I also want to maybe put a message board up.

I have been working on new tracks and I think they are better than anything else I have done.  For this CD, I am using my electric/acoustic with an amp, so the songs will have a more cleaner and richer sound.  The sound is similar to the guitar they always use in the Cure.

I put three tracks on the sounds page because I will be gone for some time and will not be able to update this page.

Thanks to everyone who writes, supports the music, and spreads the word!  Oh and anyone who has connections to record labels and radio stations, let me know.

::::::January 26th, 2003:::::

Hi, I just got back from Baton Rouge but I am going to Columbus today.  Anyway I was messing with some of my old songs by playing them backwards and it really sounds cool.  They are on tape and once I convert them to MP3 they will be on the website.

I also posted a new song on the sounds page.  This week's song is Coming Up For Air.  Have a great Superbowl Sunday!

::::::January 18th, 2003:::::

I was thinking of putting a message board on this site and I was wondering what you thought.  E-mail me at abreaction@abreaction.net and let me know if you would:

1) Use it a lot

2) Use it sometimes

3) Not use it at all

Thanks!

::::::January 17th, 2003:::::

So I finally came back from Dallas, but I have to go to Baton Rouge and then Columbus for the next couple weeks, so again I will not be able to update the site as much as I would like.

Because of that, I will be updating the Song of the Week with two new songs.  As usual, you can find it at the sounds page.

::::::January 5th, 2003:::::

Hey hope everyone is having a great new year.  I have updated the Song of the Week with two songs since I will be in Dallas for two weeks and therefore will not be able to update the site.  Check it out here.