Tour's a comin'

Hey everyone. Happy Turkey (tofurkey) Day, depending on your choice of dish. Either way, hope your stomachs are feeling filled, and your spirits are spirited.

So, this weekend we start a few shows that ultimatley lead into our slightly longer tour. Things kick off tomorrow in Providence, RI as we play two shows with our buddies The Headies from Delaware.

Our buddy, Todd from the Headies drew this up. And speaking of Todd drawing things up, here's a poster for our full tour.

Here's the spots.

11/26- Providence, RI- New Catalonia

11/27- Bethpage, NY- Mr. Beery's

11/29- New Hope, PA- John and Peters

11/30- Queens, NY- Hi-5 Bar

12/2- Baltimore, MD- The Bell Foundry

12/3- Asheville, NC- So. French Broad St. House

12/4- Nashville, TN- Little Hamilton Collective

12/5- Birmingham, AL- TBA

12/6- Tallahassee, FL- The Shark Tank

12/7- Gainesville, FL- Wayward Council

12/8- Atlanta, GA- The Wonderroot

12/9- Durham, NC- The Motorco

12/10- Harrisonburg, VA- TBA

If you need any info, email us @ vikingoncampus@gmail.com

Also, on December 12h, we're playing a killer show in New Brunswick, NJ @ Rehab House with:

Manipulation (members of This is My Fist), Black Wine, and 3Jane 6:30 PM. There will be treats served for the holidays. Don't be a bitter punk. Eat treats. Don't miss it.

Happy Jollydays.

We Will Run in the 2012 Election

.... Just kidding. 3 people can not run under the same ballot, to in fact, become the same president. It does now work this way folks.

We are however, working on some BIG (fuc*ing) plans for 2012 (fucking) 12. That's twice the 12's, man. You can't go wrong.

But first, let's see where we're at. We're still working on filling a couple of holes for our Nov/Dec tour. Here's the places we'll be!

11/26- Providence, RI

11/27- Bethpage, NY

11/29- New Hope, PA

11/30- Queens, NY

12/2- Baltimore, MD

12/3- Asheville, NC

12/4- Nashville, TN

12/5- Alabama!/South Carolina/ Georgia/south (HELP!!!!!)

12/6- Tallahassee, FL

12/7- Gainesville, FL

12/8- Atlanta, GA

12/9- Durham, NC

12/10- somewhere in VA (HELP!, please, maybe)

So that's about that. If you can help in any of these spot that say HELP, it would be awesome. We'll give you a free drink (beer, soda, or a bottled water of your choice. But don't waste it by choosing bottled water).

As for the upcoming events, here's how 2012's shaping up so far:

1. NEW LP recording in March or so (anyone wanna put this out? We're broke.)

2. Split LP with Black Wine on Viking on Campus Records, recorded around the same time for the same budget as above LP (we're broke).

3. split 7'' with Snow What from Massachusetts

4. Spring tour (south) and summer tour (all over the f'in Continental map)

5. Finish planning the rest of the year.

Ok, so that's that. We are finishing up crafting a tub load of new songs in the basement, woodsheding our days away on busted guitar cables and cheap wine (not to mention holding down killer day jobs).

SO on that note. See y'all out there. If anyone needs info on a show or wants to book something/ hang out and watch a movie, email us @:

vikingoncampus@gmail.com

-Eric

Upcoming Shows/December Tour

Hey fellow patrons of the free nation. It's been some time since we've posted on this internet Juggernaut known as "the blog."

Guess I just got tired of typing and writing bullshit. However, things are still as nutty as ever in the Brick Mower universe. Bunch of shows coming up.

(that's one scary-ass lookin' flyer)

10/28/11 @ Stanhope House- Stanhope, NJ w/ Gypsy Wig, + more

11/3/11 @ Rehab House - New Brunswick, NJ w/ Failures Union, Black Wine, Street Eaters

11/4/11 @ The Root Cellar at Bard College- Annandale-on-Hudson w/ Giant Peach, Ink Mouth

11/19/11 @ The Trash Bar- Brooklyn, NY w/ TBA

AND THEN,

We'll be embarking on a little tour around our area and then down south. We'll be posting dates soon as things become more solidified.

Sat. November 26th- Rhode Island/CT (HELP)
Sun. November 27th- Long Island NY (HELP)
Mon. November 28th- New Brunswick, NJ @ TBA
Tue. November 29th- New Hope, PA - John and Peter's
Wed. November 30th- Queens, NY- Hi-5 Bar
Fri. December 2nd- Baltimore, MD- The Compound
Sat. December 3rd- Asheville, NC- @ TBA
Sun. December 4th- Nashville, TN- Little Hamilton Collective
Mon. December 5th- Birmingham, AL- (HELP)!!!!!
Tue. December 6th- Tallahassee, FL- (HELP)
Wed. December 7th- Gainesville, FL- Wayward Council
Thur. December 8th- Atlanta, GA- The Wonderoot
Fri. December 9th- Raleigh, NC- @ TBA
Sat. December 10th- Fredricksburg/Richmond, VA (HELP)

Yea, some places we still need help with. If you have any suggestions, please email us at:

vikingoncampus@gmail.com

Until then, we're woodsheding some new material.

We plan to record a split LP with Black Wine early next year, and then head in to do our follow-up LP a month later. Lot of recording coming up. So little cash. Give us your money NOW!

That is all. Thanks all.

-Eric

Searching for a New New England

Hey neighbors to our north. No, I ain't talking 'bout Canada. I'm talking England. You know, the new one. This weekend Brick Mower will be touring up to some of our most poetic states to drink hot cider and frolic in the leaves, even if it's still 80 degrees 'round these parts. Also, we'll be playing with our buds Real Good from Jersey City.

Here's the scoop.

9/30/11 @ O'Brien's

Allston, MA

w/ Tornado Riders, The Inhalers, Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children Macnuggets

7 PM, 21+

10/1/11 @ 242 Main

Burlington VT

w/ Trapper Keeper

7 PM

10/2/11 @ The Handsome Woman

Willimantic, CT

w/ iwishididntexistrightnow, The Living City

6 PM

Also, we're gonna be dropping down to some of our southern states too for Columbus Day weekend. Here's some details.

10/7/11 @ The Depot- York PA

10 PM

10/8/11@ Haircut 9000- Virginia Beach, VA

10/9/11 @ TBA -Frederick, MD

10/10/11 @ The Main Man's- New Castle, DE

Also, we're in talks with recording a rad split 12'' with a band of note in January or February. ALSO, around this time we're going to be recording our new full-length LP. Songs coming down the pipe.

FINALLY, for now, we're working on booking a 2 week tour in late November/December. Sounds good? Good.

Back to School...

Well it's September again.

Back in May, it was all like...

Now it's all like....

And we here at Brick Mower couldn't be happier about the everpresent onward pursuit toward a higher education. Go get 'em Tiger.

As reported a while ago, we still have an 7'' coming out on Lok Rok Records. The Why Are We Doing This? 7'' of older recordings. It'll be up for pre-order soon on the Rok Lok Records website.

Also, we've got some shows coming up both in NJ and out in the lands.

9/17 @ Mason Gross School of Arts- Piscataway, NJ w/ Alien Father, Snoozer, Rasputin's Secret Police, + more. 5 PM

9/24 @ Rehab- New Brunswick, NJ w/ Vacation, Husky Dudes, + more 6 pm

9/30 @ O'Brien's- Allston, MA w/ Joey Ebola and the Children McNuggets, Real Good 7 PM

10/1 @ 242 Main- Burlington, VT w/Real Good, Burning Streets, Trapper Keeper

10/2 @ The Handsome Woman- Willimantic, CT w/ Real Good, plus one

10/8 @ Haircut 9000 House- Virginia Beach, VA

10/9 @ TBA in Delware

Stick around. Keep up on your studies.

New Video!- and more gurgles from the Storm Drain

So for all you eastcoasteners, it's post Hurricane Irene clean up time! For some of you, this means still waiting around for your power, so you can get on the internet and read Brick Mower updates, I'm sure. If you do not know what Hurricane I'm talking about, or why I'm talking about Hurricanes, I understand.

So a couple of things on the beat. First off, our good buddy and keeper of darkest secrets, Miranda Taylor (also full time drummer/guitar slinger in a bunch of rad bands), has put together this rad music video for our song "Slow Too Fast" with some footage from out past mid-west tour we just finished with Black Wine (in which Ms. Taylor plays the kit).

Also, we got a pretty rad write up on Seattle's 90.3 KEXP's blog for our album "Under the Sink" Take a moment to browse the review in the link below, if you wish.

KEXP review- Brick Mower "Under the Sink"

Finally, we have some shows coming up this weekend. And a few more scattered about. We'll be doing a weekend tour later in September with NJ's own Real Good up to MA, VT, and CT. BUT first, stick around for these shows.

-Sept. 2nd- New Brunswick, NJ @ House Party Vietnam w/ Trash Ride, No Dice, The Terrordactyls (on tour from MN)

-Sept. 3rd- Richmond, VA @ The Hospital 7 PM ask for address

-Sept. 4th- Washington, DC @ The Velvet Lounge w/ Crimes, Monteclair

OK. Also, with the cold weather coming, it's time to hunker down and finish up a batch of new tunes. So stay tuned.

Upcoming shows in the tri-state...

Hey everyone. Here's 3 show's coming up in NJ and on Long Island over the next week. Check them out and donate some greenbacks to the touring bands at each show. Get at them.

This is in New Brunswick, NJ. 6:30 PM email: vikingoncampus@gmail.com for address

This is @ The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ 8 Park St. 9 PM Please bring some bucks for Warm Needles on tour.

This is in Bethpage, NY at Mr. Beerys. Come hang out.

That's all for now dudes.

Back from Summer Tour

Hey guys. We made it back from our trek out to the mid-west with our buddies Black Wine. In past post tour entries I've posted some semi-detailed accounts about the travels. But this was on the longer side, and too much happened to already separate the mundane from the notable and quotable. SO, here's some tour stats for you to better sum it all up.

Miles traveled: 4, 064

Total shows: 15

States played: 9

New states for brick mower: 3

Vehicle of choice: 4 door sedan, Nissan Sentra (Black Wine in super cool red mini-van with bird sticker on the back)

Broken strings during sets: 6

Broken eyeglasses during sets: 1

Cracked windshields: 1

Items lost on tour: cell phone charger, t-shirt in Chicago, underwear somewhere, a bunch of change when relaxing in a sofa, more items to be discovered MIA.

Shows canceled: 1 (Appleton, WI)

State with most shows played: Ohio (3)

Times Eric freaked out over car keys being lost: 5

Number of times Eric felt awesome after finding said keys: 5

Times we couldn't find our camera: 1

Coolest dude who found our camera: Luke from Grist Mill

Places that we ate at named Melt: 2

Best food: Melt- Lakewood, Ohio

Times Eric ordered the exact same thing as J. Nixon: 2 (embarrassing, but crucial)

Freakouts over possibly running out of gas: 2

Number of dumb, but kind of awesome roadside pictures taken next to statues: between 7 and 94

Shortest drive: Elgin, IL to Chicago

Longest, coolest drive: Chicago to Duluth

Longest, uncoolest drive: Milwaukee to Cincinnati

Cool cats met on tour: 7,020+

Mean cats: 0

Blind dogs: 1

Crazy, fun dogs: 4

Number of BBQ/hot sauces obtained by Brick Mower and Black Wine: 6 (I think)

Smelliest day in the car: Last day of tour. WOOF!

Thank you again to our friends in Black Wine for lending us some gear, helping us out, and being all around great people. Can't imagine hanging out with any other 3 nuts who love to eat awesome food and are as willing to do it as much and as often as we do. And thank you to all the people we met on the road who put us up, helped out with the shows, picked up some stuff from us, and gave us free food. Now, time to shower.

Photos coming shortly!

Summer Tour w/ Black Wine UPDATES

Hey guys. It's been a while since I sat down and typed some spiel on this spiel machine. Feels good to get the blood flowing through the fingertips again. Ahh, the art of typing.

In 1 week, we'll be heading out with our compatriots, Black Wine (makers of such things as "Couch Critics" and the new Summer of Indifference LP) Speaking of Summer of Indifference, if you haven't heard it yet, or picked it up well you better have a good excuse. Loosing all your money at the track. Your house just burned down? Sure. These are acceptable reasons.

You think you're too cool? You're an idiot? Those are just plain old dumb excuses. Pick up their record here.

I want to pick up Black Wine's new record...

SO, here's the newly updated list of where we'll be and what's goin on down:

Sat. July 23-York, PA @ The Depot

Sun. July 24-Buffalo, NY @ Sugar City

Mon. July 25-Lakewood, OH @ Soggy Dog House

Tue. July 26-Detroit, MI @ Jumbo's

Wed. July 27- Elgin, IL @ The Gasthaus

Thu. July 28-Chicago, IL @ TBA

Fri. July 29-Appleton, WI @ The BFG House

Sat. July 30-Duluth, MN @ The Round Up

Sun. July 31-Minneapolis, MN @ Hexagon Bar

Mon. August 1-Iowa City, IA @ Public Space One

Tue. August 2-Milwaukee, WI @ Ground Zero

Wed. August 3-Cincinatti OH @ The Drinkery

Thu. August 4- Columbus, IN @ DiHi Records (early show, 7 PM)

Thu. August 4-Indianapolis, IN @ The Melody Inn (laste show, 9:30 PM)

Fri. August 5-Columbus, OH @ Monster House

Sat. August 6-Hanover, PA @ Kclinger's

If you, or your loved ones are in on of these area, we encourage you to come out, and say hello.

ALSO, you can stream our 7'' Why are We Doing This? here:

It'll be out on Rok Lok Records next month, and features 4 songs recorded in early 2010, more of a demoing session. But it's nice to see these artifacts see the light of day.

Carry on, you wayward bum.

Why did the chicken cross the road...?

....because he had to go play a show.

And we're playing some stuff this July 4th weekend. Get psyched on that, you so and so.

July 1st @ The Banana Stand in Philadelphia, PA w/ Ah Horse Hockey, Short Bread, and Jeff Riddle 8 PM

July 2nd @ Empty House in Hauppauge, NY w/ The Broosevelts, Censors, Sons of Young, Let Me Crazy 6 PM 184 Linconln Blvd.

July 3rd @ Cliff St. Church in Canajoharie, NY w/ Les Trois Chaud, Japanic Attack, Melissa and Paul + more (invite only. Sorry upstate NY residents)


Also, July 13th, we'll be at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ w/ Mountain Dude, Harpoon Forever, and the Sloppyheads. That's at 8 and costs $8.


Finally, here's a review for our Under the Sink LP via Punknews.org

http://www.punknews.org/review/10348


Until the rapture, goodbye for now.

Summer Time Blews/ New 7'' Information/Future 7'' Information

Hello there. It’s been quite some time since we posted in the blog. Quick update. Actually putting the feet up on the coffee table until the beginning of July. Enjoying some downtime, and taking Tylenol. Ahhh, feels nice. Writin’ new tunes too. But that is neither here nor there.

Few things to report. The July/August tour with Black Wine is shaping up nicely. Here’s what we've got so far, with other places TBA-ASAP (follow all that).

Sat. July 23-Earville, NY at The Barn
Sun. July 24-Buffalo, NY at Sugar City
Mon. July 25-Lakewood, OH at Soggy Dog House
Tue. July 26-Detroit, MI
Wed. July 27-Elgin, OH at the Gasthaus
Thu. July 28-Chicago, IL
Fri. July 29-Appleton, WI at BFG House
Sat. July 30-Duluth, MN
Sun. July 31-Minneapolis, MN
Mon. August 1-Iowa City, IA at Public Space One
Tue. August 2-Milwaukee, WI at Ground Zero
Wed. August 3-Bloomington, IN
Thu. August 4-Cincinnati, OH at Goetz Alley
Fri. August 5-Columbus, OH at Monster House
Sat. August 6-Hanover, PA at Kclinger's


And we’ll be playing some dates before that:
July 1st @ The Banana Stand- Philadelphia, PA
July 2nd @ Empty House- Hauppage, NY
July 3rd @ The Church- Canajoharie, NY
July 13th @ Maxwell’s- Hoboken, NJ

If anyone needs info on these shows, let us know. We got info coming out our EARS!


And finally, seeing the light of day are some earlier, pre-Steve on drum recordings that are coming out on a new 7’’, Why Are We Doing This?, courtesy of Rok Lok Records. These guys have finally gone to print, and feature 4 songs recorded back in early March 2010, with the vocals getting done last August.

Here’s what they look like.




Side A’s got a slower version of our live staple “Cheap Gasoline” and an earlier/slightly faster version of “Instant Rectification” which is on the Under the Sink LP. Side B’s got 2 unheard cuts, “National Washboard” and “Supernatural Bakesale.” Scary stuff.


Info will be up soon on how to get your hands on these bastards.

And in other 7’’ news, we’ll be recording a few new tracks in August to put on some upcoming split 7’’s we have planned, with the full band and all! Whoooa.

Bye.

Upcoming shows this week

Hey Guys and Ladies. The weatherman/woman says it's gonna be oppresively hot these next three days. So much that you might pass out. No wait, strike that from your brain, and come out to some of these shows we got goin' on. Here's some digital flyers for 'em.

6/8 @ Asbury Lanes- Asbury Park, NJ w/ The Groucho Marxists, SLAW, and Sharkteeth (VA) 8 PM 18 and up $7

6/9 @ Silent Barn- Queens, NY w/ Hop Along (on tour from Philly with...), The Dangerous Ponies (on tour from Philly with Hop Along), Dead Ringer 8 PM all ages $7

AND 6/10 @ The Main Man's- New Castle, DE w/ The Headies, Oh-Shit, Ba-Durr!, and Nona (on tour from PA) all ages 6 PM gas money

And unfortuantely, our 2 shows we were gonna do in VA, including our spot at Read All Over Books in Fredricksburg, VA isn't going to happen. Thanks to Elliot and Janus for trying to piece the weekend together. Such is life. But hopefully we'll be in VA soon taking in the sights of Mount Trashmore and Thomas Jefferson memorabilia.

Later.

UNDER THE SINK Lyrics

After torturous weeks of waiting, you can finally trudge through the murk of mumbled and cracked vocals to find out what the hell is going on in the grooves or laser intricacies of your brick mower record. Please, let this guide you from your day to day, and aid you at future shows. Print them out and read them, or forward them to your local community youth group. The Under the Sink lyrics.

Tuxedo Bitch

Another boring rant about minor altercations
It seems these hobbies have become full on obsessions
Cause I know the space you share with me, is limited with its charms
You’re crowding up the pillow
5 scratch marks in the arm

Cause it’s days like these when you’re chasing bugs
And they seem so out of reach
A constant that just falls apart, the more you try to teach
Cause she is wandering and sleeping half the day.

Slow Too Fast
It’s been so long since I’ve had time
But everything’s fine
And I could read the writing on the walls
The words I’ve never known

It’s been so long since you’ve been home
And I could rewrite history
But there’s no need (use) to read
And they just closed the book so there’s no need

It’s been a while since I’ve been fine
You arrived on a dime
And I could film the pictures on the wall
The one’s they never show

Weaving
I can’t stop lying through the thick of my teeth
The change falls hard and you’re gone
It's all that I see on a cracked TV
and no more money to burn
And every time you stop the words from which they came

You distance yourself from the biggest risks
We’ll leave it at that for a change
Muddy coffee cup and a side of stale crumbs
We wait, and we wait, and we wait
And when you call my name, well I just do the same

With ease fall to your knees
And you are right with me

Falling on screens, making a scene
And you won’t let me be

Swinging in trees, pulling off leaves
Cause you won’t ride with me

Pulling down leaves, through the skinned knees
But you won’t ride with me

Going out of your way could put me to sleep
I never thought I’d be the one
To wrap you in tight, your hands in a bind
Suck it up, move your feet
And everyone you meet returned from where they came


Voula's Lament
Spent the last 5 years in bed
Spiders weaving webs in my head

Now it’s understood
Tried it out on bail
But I swear that I tried but I failed
Like Buffet said “it’s my own damn fault”

Tried to listen once, “That’s nice”
Lay my body out on the ice
“Well you’re just fucking up,” she said one time before
Thought about that once, but nevermore


Instant Rectification
Hands around your wrists feel a lot like this
I’ve got a job but I’m too fucked up to quit
A paper trail I left made of old pink slips
I got a lot of debt but I just can’t sell it off now

Just thought I would break to you the news
Thought it’d be the diplomatic thing to do
But this is from a different point of view
Cast out to waste
The future’s here
But it’s not that bad
And the past is gone
And the paper’s torn
And all guns are drawn

Standing out underneath the dim streetlights
Holes in my shoes and a new found will to fight
The less I try the more things turn out right
I got a lot of clues but I just can’t give ‘em off


Garden Variety
You catch a bad one
You must get over yourself
Nail in a jawbone
The only feeling I’ve felt
Paint me a picture
Of the places you’ve been
Recycled storyboards
That I’ll never see

I’m calling out your name but it’s too much to ask for
Cross me off your list
And I’m on your front porch now
I wanted to, I wanted to, I wanted to

give it all back to you

You cue a sad song
The first one’s the worst
So sentimental, until you burst
You’re hanging posters
That dip to the left
Of bottom-feeders
Strung out on stress



Lungs Can't Handle
The progress wasn’t progress
I just thought about your freak scene
And you wondered where we regressed
And I thought it was you on the TV screen

And every time I call you up
I get disconnected by
The sound of your silence
And I wondered where the promises defected

Then it’s all in my mind
It’s such a waste of time
And all the way they go backwards, forwards, moving, intertwined

The timing’s only doubled
You thought about the wood ships sailed
And I took a deep breath down
The tension’s only momentary now
And picking up the shrapnel
I took a turn to see you
And I’m exiting the stage left
Wondered how these moments pass us by



Radiator
They try to blind you
With tales of false regret
I thought about that
Once when I was ten

I’ve got a bookmark
Saving up my time
The pages yellow

Run to the candle burn the wick from all angles
Fall off the edge of my couch
Never crawling back
Fall off the edge of my couch

Run to the hanger grab your coat you’re in danger
Fall off the edge of a world
Never coming back
Fall off the edge of a word

The time will tell you

certain things won’t mend
I thought about that
Sinking in my bed

A deeper pocket
Sucks up all my change
The jagged window
It’s all the same


Looks Like What Gives
Snapping rubber bands
It’s our most pathetic plan
And this is how we waste our time
like a graduation day
with nothing new to say
The future needs no salutations

And it’s plain for us to see
the way it shouldn’t be
and we’re riding around all day
with the cards in the spokes
And you want to live a life
One that takes you by surprise
But I’m home staring at my shoes
That’s why I can’t help you

We number all our days
Try to count but slip away
And this his how we waste our time
Bury my sick heart
There’s no other way to start
This race we’re in won’t get us far

And now it makes me sick of trying every night


Cowboy in a Nutshell
He takes his 40 lashes
He looks through amber glasses now
So tired of turning all the screws
with solos just like Mountain Dude
The power’s in the filament
You know that I’m so sick of it
He likes to torture all his friends
Just like a book that never ends
Already dragged it through the mud
You know it’s all unfun

To you we write these songs
And all the time, where you belong
With the plans I make, and the rules you break
The spinning upside down again
With your mechanic’s grip
You couldn’t hold it anyway

We divided up the equator
With a broken calculator too
He lived through all his mishaps
and worked until he broke his back
So sick of all these factions
These fractions will divide

For you....

Sea to Function
Walking around on 2 hours sleep
and I swear that the demons are real
A quarter short from a full cup of coffee
as the mad-cap laughs right behind me
And I’m just fishing for change
In a memory bank all dried up
I spit where I walk

toward the soles of my shoes
As a slow whip cracks
right behind me

And I would just say shut up
Cause you know you’re so fed up
But when the tone’s turned down
then you won’t turn around
There’s nothing to see right behind me

Slipping off in a trial of sleep
And I know now that nothing is real
The air that I breath is the thing that I keep
and I see you there
right behind me

And I’m just riding around
but the bike I got’s rusted up
It’s sort of unclear

I see that you’re there
as the punch-ups start
right behind me