0 Watch or Die #30 - Federation X, The Valley, and Tacos!

The flyer hinted at brain wash, but none of us needed the sesh. Hell, we might even request our eye lids taped open after several tall cans of goodness.  Kick us in the pants, smash our faces - we dig it.

Let's start with the headliners: Federation X. These fellas deliver and heavy music lovers eagerly await their next record. Make sure to check out guitarist/vocalist Bill Badgley's guerrilla flavored doc about the mighty, mighty KARP.  But in case you have too short of an attention span right at this moment, check out their live jam, "Maybe We'll Die Young".



Let's get this straight from the get go - I dig The Valley. I like their noisy ass shit. The Valley brings it. Go see them.

But that's not what I want to discuss.

Nothing beats a good t-shirt. Some of the best I have seen (Darth Vader trimming a hedge into the shape of the Death Star, a Crystal Lake camp counselor, and an OBEY from They Live) always spark conversation. A good t-shirt sparks conversation with complete strangers. Hell, world leaders should scrap the suits and find a good tee - it might be the solution to all the madness. 

Simple.

Bassist Tim Basaraba wore a conversation starter - a mother fucking Aquaman shirt. 

Has there ever been a more maligned super hero? Even in the old Justice League, it seemed like Aquaman was always the dude who did nothing. What's he going to do? Really? What's he going to do?

This debate raged on. Within the haze, one might have even heard someone declare that they could beat Aquaman's ass.

Normally, a debate with a drunk ass can go on for ages without rational points, but no one wanted to touch the last statement - it was met with nods and approval.

"Yes, even you, can whip Aquaman."

"You can barely stand up, but I bet you could hang with Aquaman."

Such bravado rarely enters our conversations. Only one other fictitious character has captured our imagination to the point of declaring that one could, "beat his ass without any problem" and that would be Chucky from Child's Play.

The Aquaman shirt most definitely evokes conversation and that people is never a bad thing.

[Editor's Note: We don't know shit about Aquaman.]

Enjoy "Boom Theory" and leave a comment about your take on Aquaman.



Tacos! started the night. Let's face it, if a band possesses members of Mico de Noche and Sugar Sugar Sugar satisfaction awaits. Tacos! have the second best name in the Pacific Northwest (Gaytheist holds the top spot) and utilize the exclamation point to communicate they're not fucking around. Right now, they're my favorite new band smashing faces all up and down the Sound. Come check out what I mean when they blister Chop Suey along with Glose and one and only LORD DYING, May 23.

TACOS! perform "Eclipse". WATCH OR DIE!!!!


[Editors Note: All videos are from the SRG Presents show held this past March 23rd at the Sunset. Thanks to Fed X, The Valley, and Tacos! for playing and a special thanks to those who spent their Saturday night rocking out with us. Great times!]

0 [WATCH OR DIE! #1] Heavy Metal in Baghdad (2007)

Welcome to a brand new SRG column, this one is brought to you by contributor Jerry Howard. With "Watch or Die!", Jerry will be taking a look at music films, documentaries, and live concert DVD's every other Wednesday. Jerry is a member of Taco Cart Productions a guerilla film crew here in town. Enjoy!

Words by Jerry Howard


Talk about blind sided. I thought I was going to watch a documentary about heavy metal in Baghdad, but what I observed was something much more thought provoking: a first hand look at individual experiences in the Iraq War.

The filmmakers follow members of the band Acrassicauda as the war in Iraq unfolds. We see first hand the impact of the war on regular people; citizens not involved with any terrorist organizations, just regular ol' folks. The film crew risk their lives (and the lives of the band) to tell the story of each band member as they struggle to survive in war torn Baghdad. Eventually, we see the band torn apart. One moves to Canada, the others end up immigrating to Damascus where they work for low wages and live in a slum. It is absolutely frustrating and heart breaking.

The guys continue moving forward with Acrassicauda, despite challenges of every day life. When the filmmakers show up in Damascus, they help the band make a demo. Momentarily, you see the guys re-energized as they rock out, laying down and mixing three jams in thirty hours. They're all smiles and even raid the filmmaker's mini-bar back at the hotel in full metal style! The power of music and passion on display for all to see.

But can it last? Tomorrow the realities of their situation will still be there and slowly, we see the weight of the world bearing down on the fellas. My heart was breaking.

Heavy Metal in Baghdad did something to me. I could go on and on regarding the absolute guerrilla style of the production - which I absolutely love and admire. It goes deeper. The story of the band, of the individuals within the band, whose dreams have been trampled moved me. The damage done to Iraq and its people is irrevocable. What has been lost cannot be measure in dollars - much, much more has been destroyed.

This world is mad.