Ouch! The Bannerman Castle is falling further apart

All That Remains…

A major portion of Bannerman’s Castle collapsed this weekend. On Saturday December 26 or Sunday December 27, the southeast corner of the Tower collapsed. The Tower is the tallest portion of the castle, built by Francis Bannerman VI as Bannerman’s Island Arsenal, a private military surplus warehouse. Approximately one-third of the south wall of the tower collapsed, and approximately two-thirds of the east wall of the tower collapsed.

According to the Bannerman Castle Trust, “the unprecedented damage, caused by aging mortar and unprotected brick damaged by the elements, underscores the need for immediate action to save this endangered historic and scenic treasure in the Hudson River.” To learn how to help the Trust preserve Bannerman’s Castle, visit the official Bannerman Castle Trust website, www.bannermancastle.org, and read the official press release.

This hurts. I was fortunate enough to tour the castle/island in 2007 and take in its immense rustic beauty. It was so moving to consider that such a structure could exist present day and is one of the very few American Castles. The area has seen Native American legends, the Revolutionary War and is just an important piece of the Hudson Valley region.

Please help save this historic gem! Please donate to help the restoration to keep this sight and experience alive for future generations.

SAVE THE CASTLE
BENEFIT CONCERT

The Loft at the CHANCE

6 Crannell Street
Poughkeepsie, NY

Thursday March 25, 2010

Bands to be announced

3 - All That Remains

Song: Rare 3 "Be Afraid" sans Dr. Know

3 - Be Afraid (lost rough mix sans Dr. Know guitar solo)

This unfinished track is dated circa fall 1998 and features theband3’s original line-up: Joey Eppard, Josh Eppard, Chris Bittner. Background vocals were provided by Michael “Clip” Payne of P-Funk and the empty-sounding instrumental section after the second chorus is where Dr. Know of Bad Brains’ guitar solo should be. This version of the song was ripped from cassette exactly a decade after it was recorded.

>http://myspace.com/officialbandthree

Song: Live "Happy Birthday" to Josh Eppard at Eppard Extravaganza

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• Eppard Extravaganza Write-Up

Chills all up and down my spine. Tears to my eyes. Still. 5 years later. Epic. Never the same again.

Though much better on the DVD I can’t seem to locate. At least I can find the audio

Video Interview: Weerd Science at CBGB 2005

My my, how things have/n’t changed! #WeerdWednesday

this is not a revolution...

Initials’ Fred Mascherino and Josh Eppard
The Note
West Chester, PA
Saturday, January 9th

Initials reminded me of an era that’s near and dear to my heart. The songs performed at Bam Margera’s bar were drenched in emotion, but much more mature and intricate than what’s presently perceived as “emo.” It was Josh Eppard’s first show with the band, playing with so much energy I thought he was going to pass out before the set was finished! His drumming wasn’t like in 3, Coheed and Cambria, Counterfeit Disaster, Eppard Brothers, Mours or even Weerd Science. It sounded like a whole different animal, yet still had the familiar feel of Josh Eppard. Fred Mascherino announced from the stage that they were to fly down to Alabama today to record their album which will apparently come out on a major label in Summer 2010. I absolutely cannot wait to hear the recordings after that moving performance! In this article I read that Fred and Andy Jackson have been referring to their sound as, “American Rock Revival Music.” Allegedly the forthcoming record will be a concept album about a couple experiencing a “turbulent time” inspired by the fires in Fred’s hometown (Coatesville, Pennsylvania) last year. Deeply intriguing! The next tour dates I could find seem to be the mid-west leg of Warped Tour.

To quote Josh Eppard,

“no matter what project I’m committed to, Weerd Science is always at the forefront of my creative mind.”

Josh will be back home this weekend for his hometown show. It’s been 5 years since he’s played his material in Kingston, New York. That last show was entirely last minute (“booked” a mere hours before doors) at The Forum on 744 Broadway and completely packed in. This show will have no openers and will be at the same spot (note: it has a new name- The Basement). I’ll be selling merch and spinning the entire “Sick Kids” record at the end of the set for the crowd to preview while hobnobbing with each other and Weerd Science. Also, I’m going to run a live stream before doors open- from my laptop where anyone anywhere can tune in and chat with Mr. Eppard. I can’t promise a solid time since we’ll be running around trying to get everything in order… but it should be some time between 7pm EST and 8:30. I’ll update the status of it on my facebook and twitter. We’ll be going live on http://www.ustream.tv/channel/butterflies-and-butcher-knives, so I hope to see you there!

In more Josh Eppard news… The E-Males have also been in the studio (that Josh Eppard is one busy bee!). E-Males = Eppard Brothers plus half of what made them- their father, Jimmy Eppard. I can’t share any more about that though! We’ll see what happens with that…

John the Baker - Jesus Was A Punk

trying to vid a song of mine and someone came to the door as song was ending. at end i answer door, as guy leaves and I walk back in I mumble “If you wanna keep your soul” In response to him saying he will just come back another time and huring away. funny.

JTB is now on tumblr. Follow him if you know what’s good for you! http://johnthebaker.tumblr.com

Man, Record Labels.

I’m feeling physically sick about the fact that Roadrunner worked on a deal for about a year with 3, then when it was time for them to work out getting in the studio to record their debut record for the label… 3 was set free. Immediately after, Roadrunner picked up Coheed and Cambria. Now, I don’t hate Coheed. That band still means a lot to me… but this is just gross. When will it be 3’s turn to shine? Few know that Coheed and Cambria wouldn’t even exist had it not been for 3, Joey Eppard and Chris Bittner. It’s been about 16 years since 3 was formed and they’ve been dropped from two labels (Universal in 1998). They create the most unique, beautiful, genre-less music… but continue to be ignored and misrepresented. Yuck. This shit is outrageous!