-Peter

http://crashmartinez.blogspot.com/

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1. "The Sign" by Ace of Base

2. "Land Down Under" by Men At Work

3. "La Bamba" (Traditional)

4. "Mongoloid" by Devo

5. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day

6. "Amarillo By Morning" by George Strait

7. "One (is the Loneliest Number)" by Three Dog Night

8. "Two Princes" by Spin Doctors

9. "Delores" by MxPx

If you want a copy, just let me know (writersblock@crashmartinez.com), and if you have a copy, let me know what you think!

Anyway, I'm really excited about some of the stuff that's going on for Crash Martinez these days.  We've got some cool shows coming up - including our friend Ant's last show with Plan607; we're getting more local press than ever before; We've had no shortage of inspiration in the form of punk shows we've been to lately and new music we're exposing ourselves to; We're looking forward to putting together a studio production within the next few months; We're opening up a whole new sphere of exposure with our newly active MySpace page; We're getting some brand new songs ready for live performance; AND, we're in the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, which is our chance to play a few stops on the VANS WARPED TOUR!!  Gotta be stoked about that!

Still, I've always striven to be content.  I always try to maintain the perspective that this band has already done some pretty cool things, that I'll be happy to look back on one day, even if they turn out to be the pinnacle of our accomplishments... God has really allowed us to have a great time with this music, and get a positive message out, so I guess what I'm saying is that I don't plan to be complaining if any or all of this stuff falls flat on its face.  But, on the other hand, there could be some really awesome stuff in store for Crash Martinez!  We'll just have to wait and see...

Then last week, we were on their "street team" at a show in Ottawa.  Essentially, our job was to sell fan club memberships.  Along with a couple other members of the team, we broke the record for the most sold in one day.  So, partly because we had been sort of arranging it earlier, and partly as a reward for all our help, Mike and Tom took us to a local pub for a couple pitchers of beer.  Of all the things we discussed, Tom's strongest exhortations to me were, first, that I must become more familiar with the Descendents, and second, that "Latin women have fire in the belly and you don't want to get on their bad side."  The latter presumably resulted from the fact that he was sitting across from my sister-in-law Yusy.

Then a couple days later my other brother Mike and I headed out to Buffalo to see those guys again.  I know, I know, but I'm not a groupie.  It's just that Buffalo was MxPx's last show anywhere near here for a long time, plus it's only a couple hours away.  They put on a great show, even though the crowd wasn't too big.  Afterwards, they gave us t-shirts for our efforts in Ottawa.  David wasn't able to make it to that show, though, because he was sick.  So Mike Herrera came to me and said, "Peter, I just wanted to let you know that I sent Dave a message saying it's too bad he couldn't make it to Buffalo and I hope he feels better."  What a sweet-heart!  Ha ha ha!  Seriously though, I really was impressed with the rock star being so thoughtful...

So now we're hoping the next time they play in the area, they're going to let us open for 'em!  Granted, it's not the most plausible of hopes, but I like to think it's a possibility.  After all, it is my ultimate dream for my career in Crash Martinez.  And as Yuri told me, "You have no idea how many people have told me that.  I used to say, yeah right, it'll never happen.  But now it's happened so often, I say it probably will happen!"

Anyway, I would just like to announce that I am very stoked about the MxPx show that is coming up in a month in Buffalo.  I will have the opportunity to meet and greet the band for my second time, which I think is incredibly nifty.  They are very good to their fans, and indeed, so is Crash Martinez!  So don't worry folks, we'll also do Meet & Greets at our shows, to follow in the footsteps of the legendary MxPx.  Anyway, last time we were able to give them copies of our Punk Roquerismo demo cd.  I don't really know if I'll have anything to give them this time.  I realize I don't have to bring anything, but as far as I'm concerned, I frankly enjoy the opportunity to remind MxPx of the existence of Crash Martinez, and of the fact that they are the band after which we (and many others, to be sure) are largely modeled.

In other news, I recently recorded a demo of 7 brand new songs.  They should be ready for unveiling at upcoming shows within a few weeks.  Of all the songs I've written since producing El Punk Roquerismo, I'm particularly interested in making sure these 7 survive long enough to make their way to the recording studio, along with some of the "hits" from EPR, and then we'll have a real nice pro recording for all those clean-sound-loving radio dj's.  I have a title for this demo, but since it is a possible title for our next release, I will not be divulging that information just yet...

 -Peter

-Peter