Wednesday, February 13, 2013

the day i met ian mackaye (minor threat, fugazi, the evens)


Me and my brothers got into punk rock in the early 2000s shortly after moving to Ireland, I was in third year (9th Grade) and i didnt know anyone, had a different accent and felt completely alien to everyone and everything. 

I didnt like any of the music that was popular there and my skate board and blink-182 t shirts were no longer cool. I hated the sports, I hated the dance music and I missed the hell out of all my friends in michigan. not to say there was some amazing people in galway, ireland. there was I just didnt know it yet and feeling different and completely homesick wasnt helping the situation. 



When i left michigan in the summer of 2000, Green Day, Blink-182 and The Offspring were the big thing, they were not very popular in Ireland so when I got over there it became kind of my thing, wich i kind of digged. and as time went on I met more and more cool people through listening to this kind of music and turned some irish school kids into fans, we quickly passed the pop punk stuff and got into bands like Rancid, Minor Threat, Nofx, The Casualties, Bad Religion and stuff like that. I was really hooked on it, I felt different and was known as the American Kid so this was my thing, I would come home from school and just plug in. I would read over lyrics and magazines and there was posters all over me and brother Mikes room. Most of my fav bands were american too soo it was kind of a keeping some America in my life i think. Little of no one even knew who Rancid were and thats how I liked it. Me and My brothers would find new bands through our small circle of friends or Kerrang magazine and burn cds, well try too, computers sucked back than and ordering cds online was super 
expensive. 



Anyway, after all that, my two true Loves were always RANCID and MINOR THREAT, i loved those two bands soo much and still do. another thing about Ireland is shows, here in America, theres shows all the time. not the case there. Bands like Nofx, Bad Religion and all them only come every few years so when they did come in was a huge event. Luckily, my parents were always very very supportive and would make the long drive to Dublin to see bands like The Vandals, Rancid, Nofx, Dropkick Murphys, Green Day and lots of others, they were amazing and still are. This was before internet really took off so we would see show ads in magazines and i remember seeing Rancids show ad in a Kerrang back in 2003, whoo that was one amazing day and an incredible show.

after school I moved to the city because I was going to college, the city is were I found lots of like minded people and really found myself, i seen there was a great punk scene the entire time right under my nose and it was just a matter of finding it. and that i did. made lots of friends and seen lots of great bands. times I will never forget, i moved to galway city in 2003. One of the highlights of those years that sprawled between 2003 and 2011 was the day i met one of my all time favorite musicians and total idol IAN MACKAYE. 



So the year was 2005, my brother told me about the show, I think he read about it online, THE EVENS were playing THE TOWN HALL, right in Galway city, were i lived. The EVENS were a newer group that included Ian on guitar and vocals and Amy Farina on drums and vocals, at this point they had one record out wich I adored so I was very excited. I had been a Minor threat fan for a few years and i was even straight edge at that point. I remember telling everyone about the show and updating my then myspace account with photos and videos etc. Everyone I knew knew I was going and I was soo stoked. me, my brother and my girlfriend (now my wife) Jeannette rushed to The Town Hall right after college and waited outside with minor threat and evens stuff and lots of sharpie markers.

The show was at like 7:30 but we were there at like 5 or earlier, just in case. as some time went by my other two brothers and my parents showed up, so it was my whole family and maybe two other people there. were always first for everything when it comes to punk rock and i dont care if im a punk dork, it's something im pretty fucking proud of.  

as were waiting outside talking about Minor threat and wondering if THE EVENS are walking around our city etc we all come to stand still as Ian and Amy walk up the steps on the venue and say hi to us. I remember just standing completely still and saying "hi" ha ha. it was pretty cool. A few minutes went by and me, my brothers and some friends were talking "Why didnt you stop him", "Why didnt you ask for a photo", "Why didnt you" etc. haaa. We were so nervous. But not even ten minutes later Ian came back out and talked with us, posed for photos, singed everything and was one of the cooliest and nicest people I've ever come across. 



At this point it was nearly 7 and they had to sound check so Ian told us he had to go and he'd see us inside, as we got inside we noticed how small and personal the venue was, a tiny little room with everyone sitting. it was amazing. there was no support but with a band like the evens a support band isnt needed. Ian and Amy talked in between songs and it was amazing, They played all over Ireland that year and picked small venues and made tickets and cheap as possible. They rule hard.

I didnt know but it was also Amys birthday and someone in the crowd brought down a cake towards the end of the night. The whole place was full of about every punk in galway and it was a great moment i know everyone there will never forget. After the show, Ian and Amy posed for more photos and were super cool and super nice. signing everything and listening and interacting with the fans.



A few days after the show i send Dischord Records (Ians Record Label) an email thanking him for an amazing show, a day after that he replyed and eight years later (today, 2013) we still email every few months and keep in touch. When my band CARRY NO BANNERS released a cd in 2007, I sent it too him and He went as far to hand write me a letter back. such an inspiration and amazing person.



 I recently missed my chance to met Ian again, last year in San Francisco but I know it wont be long again till our paths met and I cant wait. IAN MACKAYE RULES. 







BRIAN MCCANN JR. 

Friday, January 11, 2013

records i bought this week.

I LIKE TO BUY RECORDS. HERE'S WHAT I BOUGHT THIS WEEK. 


Yes, This sweet record is back on INTERPUNK.COM. I just fucking love Noi!se and I collect anything they do. Both singers are so rad and but I especially love Nates snarly and gravel throuted vox on reality tv. this 7" is a split with Gestalts who I havent heard of yet but they must be good if Noise did a split with them and I can't wait to get hear. 

This is amazing! I can't wait to get this in my hands! Matt from Noi!se had the idea to dothis and lots of amazing bands got behind it. Seriously lots of amazing bands here. Noi!se, Toughskins, Harrington Saints, Old Firm Casuals, Roger Merit and the Disasters, Left Alone, Roadside Bombs, Sydney Ducks, Lowerclass Brats, Hounds and Harlots, Bricktop, Street Dogs and a whole lot more!!!! all proceeds to to disabled veterans. amazing music! amazing cause! 


here's another split, Harrington saints and Slick 46, both bands are so awesome and I cant wait to hear this. It came out a while ago but it was out of print until INTERPUNK.COM found a box of them. when I heard that I got on there straight away to get my copy. Harrington Saints rule, slick 46 rule. this is going to be great. 

anything pirates press records does is amazing and when they do comps like this its a no brainer. this is the 2nd comp like this. the first one came out last year and was 11 bands. 11 dollars and came out 11.11.11. this one is 12 bands and came out 12.12.12. like the first one, lots of amazing bands and comes on a cool colorful vinyl. also contains a new RANCID song! fuck yeah! 

I collect anything THE OLD FIRM CASUALS put out cause their one the best bands out there. here is a sweet comp with other amazing bands. I cant wait to get my hands on it. 

NOI!SE rules. SYDNEY DUCKS rule and theres no doubt in my mind the other bands on this comp rule. stoked to have this in the collection. 

last but not least. i found a 1989 re-issue of Bad Religion "How could Hell be any worse" soo stoked a little dinged up but very good condition overall. was only 10 bucks at AMEOBA RECORDS, SAN FRANCISCO. 




Thursday, January 10, 2013

my big wheel magazine rancid 20th anniversary boxset review.



this boxset rules. theres no way i could have just written about it. check out the video links below. i also  made a short video covering my rancid collection. thought it tied in well together. RANCID RULES Ok.

BRIAN MCCANN JR.

My Rancid's 20th Anniversary Boxset Review and my rancid collection so far.

another view of the collection. i still have lots to get.








Saturday, January 5, 2013

harrington saints video premiere. big wheel magazine.

i was so excited about this video i had to write about it. the SAINTS RULE. OK.

Brian McCann Jr.

me and forrest (drummer of the harington saints) 

click link below for the amazing music video and my review. 


http://www.bigwheelmagazine.com/show_reviews/harrington-saints-video-premiere-at-the-oakland-metro-oakland-ca/



photos by paul stevens. 

my rancid collection.

i've been a fan of rancid for some time. and over that time i've collected magazines, records, cds tapes. whatever. there's still alot of stuff i need to get but my collection is still pretty good and im quite proud of it. heres some pics of the rancid shrine. also note. my living room doesnt always look like this. haaa.

Brian McCann Jr





Friday, November 16, 2012

Friday, November 2, 2012

the day i met john lydon (aka johnny rotten)

So i heard John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) lead singer of the Sex Pistols was going to be at Amoeba Records signing vinyls and cds for his newer project Public Image Limited, who were playing the following day in San Francisco.



I'm honestly not a fan of anything Lydon has done after the Sex Pistols so I wasnt too pushed on going, but having his autograph on the wall was something i thought would be pretty cool, so I went down to Amoeba on Haight street to see what was happening.


When I first got there there was a few around but not really that many and there was a selection of PIL (Public Image Limited) vinyls and cds on a stand. Basically, you had to buy one to get your place in the line and get an autograph.

There was also a note saying he would'nt be signing anything Sex Pistols, I was a little disapointed but it was obvious he was just trying to push his newer band. there was singles and full albums, I picked up the double 12 inch and got my place in the forming line, that actually started to get quite long. I waited for about 25 minutes and while I was in line I heard people saying pictures were permitted. i was happy out.



I got closer to him as the minutes went by, he seemed like a cool guy, was really nice to everyone and laughing and posing for pics. etc. than it was my turn. i gave the lady working there my camera and walked over to his table.

And heres what happend next. He took my vinyl and said thanks for the support etc and than seen my Devil's Brigade hoodie. "Who are they he asked" I told him they were Matt Freeman of Rancid's side project and that they kicked ass. and than this happen. 

John "Oh, Yeah. Rancid. New Yorks alright if you like saxaphones"
Me "That's not a Rancid song"
John "It is mate, I know me history"
Me "I think thats a FEAR song"
John "No it's not mate" 
Me "Ok man, I guess you know more than I do"
John "Cheers man, thanks"

and than I walked away knowing I was right. He was a cool dude and its great to have his autograph, I framed it right next to my Jello Biafra one, but seriously. 

Brian McCann Jr