1. Does anyone else find the increasing “”fakeness”" of the models in those matchmaking ads that are plastered all over MySpace to be pretty humorous/pathetic? The graphic designers appear to be getting quite lazy, barely smoothing out the lines of the obviously altered body parts… Not that I’m overanalyzing this or anything (ha!), but pretty soon, the models are just going to be overblown cartoon illustrations drawn by creepy old men.

2. Epitaph/Burning Heart has barely made much of a peep about the band HELL IS FOR HEROES here in the US, but their new release Transmit Disrupt is phenomenal, and actually worth of whatever REFUSED comparisons it will generate.

3. Alex went to YELLOWCARD’s show in DC last week and had a great time – read about it here.

4. Is it just me or have we seen more of Dick Cheney lately than Chris Carraba? Hey Chris – where’s the secret location in which you’re being kept?!?!

5. This quote from THE RED CHORD in a recent issue of Decibel magazine cracks me: “”Right now, The Red Chord is trying to get the saying ‘keep it wolf’ going. It means you grow a beard, eat red meat, and if you didn’t wake up early enough to shower, who cares? Go without showering. There’s prissy guys that look like girls wearing too-tight clothes and eyeliner in the metal scene now, and we refuse to be gross hermaphrodites. Grow facial hair. Watch football. Keep it m-a-n.”" (Via Alex’s blog, – aphasicnightmare.blogspot.com)

6. SAOSIN has a previously unreleased demo song called “”Sleepers”" on the fifth volume of the “”Take Action”" compilation series. The question then is – which will come out first – SAOSIN’s debut full-length or Chinese Democracy?

7. THE VINES have a new single called “”Don’t Listen To The Radio.”" You can check it out here. Hopefully the band’s upcoming full-length won’t end up like their last one, having two good rock songs, and ten or so tracks of horrendous guitar meanderings and D-grade filler.

8. Spring training – I can almost taste it.

9. I had to add this on: George Washington is No. 10 in the country for the first time in 50 years. Hail to the buff and blue!!! – Alex