Did anyone see the American Atheists billboard that says "You Know It's A Myth," over a picture of the wise men going to see Jesus's birth... well, that's just like an Atheist to pick on a baby.
Now, in all seriousness, you don't have to believe in any age Jesus if you don't want, but it makes me pretty ornery when people are condescending to someone else's beliefs. I don't care if you pray to wood, or robots, I might not agree with you and I might even tell you I don't agree with you, but I certainly wouldn't look down on you. So thanks Atheists of America for being so "tolerant" with all the tolerance you've been looking for all these years. Here's to you this Christmas, maybe next year you can put a commercial in Saturday morning cartoons that says "Santa isn't real." Kids'll love that, since you like picking on babies.
Next topic... two for one in this season of giving!
Dire Straits... best band no body talks about. When we start writing our new record, which should be around the 1st of the year or so, I'm thinking of really taking Dire Straits and the blues much more seriously. I think there's been a lack in blues music's updating for the last few years. There was Jack White, which was cool, but I think I'd like to hear blues songs with chorus's. That might be my new goal. Which kinda reminds me that Mark Knopfler was a genius and people don't say that enough. If you're looking for some new music this year, I suggest you check out his new record. It's called Get Lucky. I love it. And also check out "On Every Street, So Far Away, and Romeo and Juliette" by Dire Straits.
other great records so far in 2010...
The National - High Violet
Fake Problems - Real Ghosts Caught on Tape
I'm gonna try to write more blogs since I'm off the road for a while.
Merry Christmas Everybody! and yes, Even the Atheists of America! XXOO!
I think its funny that I'm listening to real ghosts as I am reading this. Also best knoplfer song is shangri la. I don't know why, but it is.
ReplyDeleteThinking my comment was deleted or eaten or just disintegrated. I'll just say I saw Fake Problems this evening and they were grand, and it's great to hear that new material will be worked on soon. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYou're the second person this year to praise Dire Straits to me (well, sorta as I know this blog isn't directed at me). What is going on. Will there be Dire Straits Mania in 2011? Merry Xmas!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehey man, i'm friends with a guy named cory chisel and i think he may have given you my bands demo. anyway, we fully agree about the updated blues. listen for yourself:
ReplyDeletewww.myspace.com/christophergoldandthedirtyrottensoandsos
i think you'll like it!
Heck yeah, the Dirty Rotten So and Sos! There is a band you will want, nay NEED on your next tour. then what you do is, you all come play Denver, I bring a million people to the show (exactly. 1 million.) tattoo all y'all for free and everything will be amazing. Chris is my brother and Gaslight is one of our favorite bands. So, yeah. You guys get together and get on that. ;)
ReplyDeleteI saw Mark Knopfler play earlier this year. It was an amazing gig and Get Lucky is a good album. It's funny though how you can be talking to someone about Dire Straits but when you tell them 'I saw Mark Knopfler recently' they don't no who you're talking about. The man needs more recognition.
ReplyDeleteyeah...living in a rather rural area for college right now and we have the opposite issue. I mean, the pro-Jesus billboards definitely aren't like that one (at least the ones that aren't just hand painted and erected in someone's field), they're a little more like your parent saying "I'm not angry, I'm just really disappointed in you."
ReplyDeletebest albums of 2010 besides yours of course?
Trampled By Turtles-Palomino.
Mumford and Sons-Sigh No More.
...It's been a string-y year for me.
anyways, best wishes to you and yours!
I've checked out those Dire Straights songs, I'd heard of the band before but never bothered to listen to them, I'm liking them so far!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas :D
welcome back, cant wait for more
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have you back Brian.
ReplyDeleteMore and more you seem like the most decent rock star out there.
Hmm... You know i catch myself sometimes thinking that way about the faith, opinion or way of living of others...and i hate it!!! So i have to thank you for posting your opinon because it again reminded me of how i want to deal with the way of thinking of others... Noone is better or smarter or i don't know what just because they believe or live in some special kind of way.
ReplyDeleteCare about your own stuff and respect others!
Why can't people just show respect...and showing respect doesn't mean i have to like what you are doing or thinking. Just say ok it's your way of dealing with things and that's my way of doing it.
This way of thinking would make a lot of things easier, I think...
Yeah, well I'm sorry that some atheists take it to a point that could start making Christians mad, I try not to be one of those. And to be fair it's not like Christians are scotch free when it comes to advertisement. I.e., the bible.
ReplyDeleteBut religion aside, what's new with that whole nightime music thing you were talking about last blog? I saw some video of you and Chuck Ragan performing a song called "Goodnight Irene." Is that part of the nighttime music? It rocked by the way =).
The advertisement isn't the problem he's pointing out, it's the intolerance. I also know a few atheists and they all gripe about how intolerant christians can be, but they're just as intolerant themselves. Go ahead and have your beliefs, but let others have there's as well. This was a great read Brian. Keep on keepin' on and all of you have a Merry Christmas! :)
ReplyDeleteSpot-on re: the billboard. "well, that's just like an Atheist to pick on a baby." Love it.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Santa not being real, I saw Megamind and Jonah's character pretty much told every little kid in the theater that the tooth fairy and the easter bunny aren't real. I felt bad for the little girl sitting two rows in front of me. I would start throwing popcorn if he mentioned Santa not being real but I doubt Dreamworks is that fucked up.
ReplyDeleteOne more reason Pixar owns!
So glad to have you back and writing again Brian! A great read, as always.
ReplyDeleteHehe, the atheist thing is sort of mad... i really cant see the point in advertising things like this.... fair enough if you want to achieve something for a point but it seems sort of pointless. Just because other people aren't the same as you doesn't mean you should force them to be. Especially with peoples beliefs like that :(
ReplyDeleteNot cool D:
Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteGotta say I can't wait to hear any new material you have for us fans. So you're going for a bluesy Jack White with a chorus, that sounds pretty awesome. These the american or british blues?
Gotta love the double standards where everyone can push their agenda and faith, but when a christian does a lawsuit follows.
Anyways I hope you enjoyed your tour as much as your fans did, take it easy and have some amazing holidays.
- Pete
Funny that you mention Dire Straits - I just rediscovered Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms. It was one of the significant albums of my childhood and sounds just as awesome today. A true timeless rock and roll classic.
ReplyDeleteAfter all the 80s synth copycat bands that have been around for the past few years, I think a Dire Straits influence would be a refreshing change.
I agree with you on the atheists and tolerance thing. Being a young christian that's into alternative music styles, I get picked on a lot. Wish they would chill out.
ReplyDeleteThe new Fake Problems album is ace. So is your new record :)
As an Atheist, I can say the only reason for an ad like that is pure jerkishness. All they are doing is proving every critic on Fox News right (unless it was ACTUALLY put up by Fox News people to give them more reasons to have "War on Christmas" stories....)
ReplyDeleteA band you should all check out: Red Cortez. They have a great EP out and a new album coming this next year.
Oh Brian, I laughed so much at that thing about babies :D
ReplyDeleteTo be fair I don't see any point in advertising either atheism or a particular religion, people will believe what they want to believe and that comforts them, someone's ideology can't be swayed by propaganda. Fair enough have your opinions, but if they're so precious then let others have them too. Good to see you're spreading tolerance, hope you all have a lovely Christmas and we're wishing you guys great things for next year! XO
Blues! This excites me!
ReplyDeleteI've been getting into the Black Keys lately and *highly* recommend them! (Girl is On My Mind..)
Paul Reddick and the Sidemen are pretty good too, find 'em on youtube if you're looking for anything canadian :)
The Blues Had A Baby....
ReplyDelete'Everybody's walkin' the cake'
Couldn't be happier - More blues!!
I'll argue the point, blues paved the way. What is disappointing, too many people could careless. So seeing this blog excites me. I look forward to hearing the end result (& your influences).
Journey into 'Zydeco' "les haricots"
Love Dire Straits. My Wife got me Making Movies for Christmas. It's been a while since I listened to it. Great album. Was lucky enough to see Mr. Knopfler at the Count Basie in may. I felt honored.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite songs by Dire Straits, which I only discovered recently, is "Solid Rock". Extremely excellent and very rock 'n roll! I've got tickets for Knopfler/Dylan in October in Antwerp, Belgium and I do hope he plays "Solid Rock" (as well as "Industrial Disease" and "Skateaway").
ReplyDeleteKeep rockin' the crowd, Mr. Fallon!