Tag Archives: The Ramkat

A New Sponsor or: X1 Marks the Spot

29 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Blogging, Life as We Know It, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

So, the entire The Less Desirables Network got a new sponsor this week! I am so very proud to announce our partnership with X1 Communications, the standard of internet providers in the downtown WSNC area!X1 Logo

Nathan Geipel, the owner-operator of X1 Communications is a member of TBD Referral Group that I’m part of (that stands for The Best Damn Referral Group) and I know that most of the businesses in the downtown area rely on them for their internet needs. So, when I was going into The Lab at Industry Hill, I called on him to see if they serviced that location. Wait, what? Don’t all internet providers in the area service all the area?

Nope.

X1 Communications are different than traditional internet providers in town. First of all, X1 uses “Fixed Wireless” technology. According to their website: Fixed Wireless is the process of enabling communications between two locations, using a radio as a wireless link. Say what!? Yes, they do not use wired technology. They’re not renting lines from bigger communications companies. They have radios on a few of the taller buildings downtown. In order for them to service your business, they have to have a line-of-sight connection with your business from those points. At that point, the data is transferred between radios using passwords and high-level encryption to ensure fast and secure data transfer. This stuff is high speed!

Does the line-of-sight provision limit their reach? Well, kind of, but what it does is allows Nate and Josh to take care of and provide high-level service to the folks they do serve. I think that’s important.

They own their entire network. Unlike their competitors who rent wires from the phone company, they are not beholden to those primitive measures and can guarantee 99.99% uptime. Which, is imperative to business owners, especially those like me who are internet-based. I didn’t have to buy any special equipment, either. They put the radio on the roof of the building and the building was already wired internally. I plugged my router into the port and BAM! I’m surfing and uploading.

I don’t have to worry about weather problems, either. Their network is on the 5Ghz bandwidth so it is “weather resistant.” I’m not really sure what that means and it doesn’t matter if I know or not, it’s taken care of.

I know what you’re asking. “Is it safe?” Oh yes. X1 uses AES 256 Encryption – the same
level of security as the Dept. of Defense. So, my info, data, properties and all that are quite secure. And, man… it’s fast. The only thing worse than slow internet is no internet. X1 guarantees consistently high speeds, so you focus on your work, not your broadband service. That helps.

Are you like me and tired of dealing with Spectrum and AT&T? Well now, you don’t have to. No more hassle in dealing with the major telecommunications companies. You’re in the capable hands of a local provider, with a history of excellence.

Have I done an ample job of pushing X1 Communications? I hope so, because not only are they my sponsors, I think they have a great product and we know that I love promoting local businesses, especially the ones that I can get behind. But, if you’re looking for more testimonials, I’m sure you can ask Alma Mexicana, Krankie’s, Inmar, BB&T Ballpark, The Ramkat, WBFJ, Camino Bakery and fellow TLD sponsor, Underdog Records. I am sure all of them would give you raving reviews of X1 Communications, too. If you’re in line-of-sight of the taller buildings downtown WSNC and want high-speed broadband internet, contact X1 Communications at (336) 773-9950.

Here’s welcoming X1 Communications to the CrewTLD family! Thanks, Nate and Josh!

Until tomorrow, broadcasting at breakneck speeds…
Scorp out!

—
“With more than 20 years of combined experience in the field of Digital Communications, X1 is proud to provide custom internet solutions to a variety of businesses and residents.” – X1 Communications

A Picture is Worth… or: X

11 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Life as We Know It

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Salutations™!!

I’m just going to drop this right here.

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©Ean Bartholomew

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I can’t believe summer’s almost here. I made it through another year even if alone. But there’s no tears in my eyes, life is still full of surprise. I’m not looking for a one night stand. I stand behind you and I watch you from a mile away. Wishing you could be the one but not here this way. I got to know your name. I must know who you are, yeah.” – “Goldilox” (Pinnick/Tabor/Gaskill)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 6/9/18

10 Sunday Jun 2018

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Salutations™!!

So, we rushed to do our Saturday Thang (minus Willows Bistro, which we did the night before) because I was opening for King’s X. But, we made it to Mary’s Gourmet Diner and Underdog Records and even got a few listened to before we had to be at The Ramkat. Here’s what we got:

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©EMI America

  • Queensrÿche – Queensrÿche – Historically one of my top 5 bands of all time. However, their later stuff with Geoff Tate wasn’t up there. Conversely, this wasn’t really my wheelhouse with them, either, but there are some great concert staples on here. It was their debut EP that was put out independently at first but then reissued under the EMI America label and is officially part of the QR canon. It’s great stuff and it was VG++.
  • Queensrÿche – The Warning – The follow-up to the debut EP, this too isn’t one of my faves by them but I love having anything I can of theirs. I don’t dislike it and will listen to it often. My time with them started at the next album in their discography, Rage for Order, but I don’t have it yet. I didn’t know about them until right as Empire came out. But, this too has some concert staples and is a great listen. VG++.
  • Tesla – Mechanical Resonance – The debut album by Tesla and it contains one of my favorite hard rock songs ever, “Modern Day Cowboy,” which I think has one of the greatest opening guitar runs ever. A few other hits on this album, as well. “Little Suzi,” “Cumin’ Atcha Live” (which I did in a former band), “Changes,” “Gettin’ Better” (which I did in a different band), and  “EZ Come EZ Go.” VG (but that’s a conservative rating because of a little noise at the beginning).
  • Wall Of Voodoo – Call Of The West – Yes, the album with “Mexican Radio” on it. The whole album was really good. I didn’t know that WOV was so much of a synth band. I knew they were New Wave, Dark Wave and Post Punk but I was pleasantly surprised with the synth part. Great listen. VG++.
  • Marlene Dietrich – Songs In German By The Inimitable Dietrich – I don’t know what it is about Marlene Dietrich but we love listening to her stuff. I think, for me, it’s because that’s where the inspiration for Madeline Kahn’s Blazin’ Saddles character, Lili von Shtupp, the “Teutonic Titwillow,” came from. For The BCPF, I think it’s because she’s German. VG.
  • Soft Cell – Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret – This was not what I expected, either. I have heard “Tainted Love” since this came out in 1981 but the rest of it was very surreal. As NME wrote as a review: “The Soft Cell sex strategy should offer something spicy, rude and even a little wonderful… but Soft Cell are conceptualists who rely on too many preconceptions and play around with too many ideas to convince you of any personal energy or commitment… Soft Cell are very plain fare – unspectacular music and very drab and flat lyrics, wrapped in a hint of special promise which is never realised [sic].” I can’t decide if I liked it or not. VG.
  • Eurythmics – Revenge – The album with “Missionary Man.” Annie’s voice is amazing and I think she’s sexy as all get out. I know some disagree on that last point but it’s okay. I like it! $1 bin find. The outer and inner sleeves are both in rough shape but the vinyl is in great shape. VG+ for the media, G+ for the sleeves.
  • Edith Piaf – More Piaf Of Paris With The Orchestra Of Robert Chauvigny – Because we love French music, we couldn’t pass this one up from the $1 bin. VG.

So, it was a slow week but funds are tight and this is what we could pull off. I can’t tell you how much I love just being in Underdog Records. I love being surrounded by vinyl. I do it there and to a lesser extent come here and do the same thing. But, Jonathan always has a great selection and his pricing is amazing. He’s got a lot of used equipment if you’re looking, as well.

Discogs is my go-to for keeping you up to date on my vinyl travels, Dear Reader.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Al Capone and the Bad Boy Jones, on the wrong side of the law. Johnny D and his company, always first to the draw. Gangster lean, feelin’ so mean, I try to take more than their share. Cause all they saw was ruling it all, the scent of blood was in the air. Bang bang, shoot ’em up, bang bang, blow you away. It’s a showdown in the no man’s land, for the cowboy of the modern day. Come sundown, don’t be hangin’ round, cause the cowboy’ll blow you away.” – “Modern Day Cowboy” (Hannon/Keith/Skeoch)

Sounds Like Saturday or: King’s X

09 Saturday Jun 2018

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Salutations™!!

I had intended to write a big thing about King’s X yesterday but I felt compelled to write my thoughts about Anthony Bourdain in light of what had happened. I’m not going to write a big thing today, that can be something for this week coming, but let’s just say that King’s X was a big part of my musical life in the early 90s and even into the later 90s. I admit I lost touch with their music after Dogman but their first five albums were really great.

Tonight, if I hadn’t mentioned this already, King’s X is playing at The Ramkat and I am very excited to see them again. The bonus (and added excitement) is that I get to play with pals of mine and open for them. I don’t know if we’re first or second but we are sharing the stage with dUg, Ty and Jerry. I look very much forward to it. So, here’s one of my favorite songs by them, probably the one that got me into them, and one that I’ve performed as the bass player and lead singer in a previous band. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Music, music, I hear music. Music, I hear music, music, music oh, oh, oh, lord. Music over my head.” – “Over My Head” (Pinnick/Tabor/Gaskill)

No Piggyback or: Doing My Part

22 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by in Food, Life as We Know It, Video

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Salutations™!!

We didn’t do The Man Who Ate the Town again this week. This time it was Kelly’s turn to miss as she had something she had to take care of. Next week, though!

I do want to say a very special thanks to DiLisio’s Italian Restaurant, Washington Perk and The Humblebee Shoppe for their support of us, as well as Test Pattern Studios.

Something different for today’s post, though. Here is Jeffrey Dean Foster and Karon Click (McKinney) doing “Under Pressure” at the Ramkat’s opening gala with the Vagabond Saints Society. I was the only choir member that was on this song (other than Karon) and I got to make a few cameo appearances in it. Thanks to Gregory Silva for the video!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“‘Cause love’s such an old-fashioned word and love dares you to care for the people on the (People on streets) edge of the night. And, loves (People on streets) dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves. This is our last dance. This is our last dance. This is ourselves under pressure.” – “Under Pressure” (Mercury/Deacon/May/Taylor/Bowie)

Sounds Like Saturday or: VSS/Queen

10 Saturday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

Last night was amazing! A-MAZE-ING (yeah there’s no “e” in amazing, it’s called effect). Whether I was doing the leads or being marveled by what was in front of me, it was, again, amazing. The crowd was singing along with everything Queen. They were into it. The Ramkat is amazing. It’s run amazing. It is amazing. There were probably close to 900 people there. That is amazing.

Here’s a little of me doing my thang. Sorry, no video, yet.

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©Jason Faylen

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“All I want to do is…” – “Bicycle Race” (Mercury)

Is This the Real Life? or: Ramkatting

09 Friday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

Tonight is the night. There has been a big buildup in the local media about this this week. The “old new Ziggy’s” is getting its fresh new makeover and it’s a “royal” one. queen-logo-0C3566206E-seeklogo.com

Tonight is the grand opening of The Ramkat and for the opening, it’s the incomparable Vagabond Saints Society doing a night of Queen. Yes, Queen.

I believe, if I’m not mistaken when you take into account the sheer scope of the situation –  the biggest music venue opening in the last many years, having a massive choir to sing, the 11 on a 10 scale difficulty, singing Freddie Mercury – this is probably the biggest show in the history of the Vagabond Saints Society.  It’s scary and exciting all at the same time.

Yes, if you were wondering, I am participating. I’m part of the choir. That in itself isn’t a huge deal. The fact that most of my parts are the “soprano” parts, when I’m a baritone/tenor, that’s a pretty big deal. At least for me. Doug Davis, yes that Doug Davis, said that he could use my falsetto because Queen drummer Roger Taylor has an amazing falsetto (or at least he did back then). I was kind of scared shiteless when I got the assignments, but really they’re not that bad and I’ve been through three practices (once with choir) and I held my own. Luckily, I’m not the only soprano, there are several of us.

But, wait! There’s more! I am also doing lead on two songs. Two that I requested, so I”m really looking forward to them. I’m not going to tell you which two, you’ll have to come to find out (or wait until some video surfaces).

This is going to be a big night and the place will be packed so I suggest you buy your tix early, which you can do right here. This is soooo exciting! I want to see your smiling faces there and help us sing these songs that you have grown up singing and been singing all these years.

Until tomorrow (or tonight!!!)…
Scorp out!

—
“Oh… won’t you take me home tonight?” – “Fat Bottomed Girls” (May)

Hi-5 or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

21 Wednesday Feb 2018

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Salutations™!!

City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Hi-5 IPA from Terrapin Beer Company, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.

Hi-5_Header-1500x430

I actually enjoyed this IPA. Is it my favorite? Nah, but it’s pretty good. Terrapin does their beers right. And, this is absolutely right. It’s not too hoppy. The ABV is 5.9%.

BeerAdvocate has it as 3.88/5 (Very Good). Untappd has it at 3.76 caps out of 5.

Have you had it? What did you think? If you’ve not had it or just have a hankering for more, head down to City Beverage and grab your sixer. Tell them that we sent you.

Tune in now and hear what Danielle, Bethany, Josh, Richard, Andy, Led and I think of it. You can do that HERE.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“This IPA features 5 tropical, orange, & citrusy aromatic and flavorful hops, a medium body with biscuit and caramel malt notes that bring balance to the beer. This California Style IPA’s big citrusy aroma and huge hop presence will keep you in awe sip after sip.” – Terrapin’s Hi-5 page.