SFX Miss Jess’s Blog

“EVERGREEN TERRACE is a melodic hardcore band from Jacksonville, FL that takes cues from no other. The band transitions effortlessly from fast, powerful heavy hardcore to melodic punk/rock. This has allowed them to tour with a diverse group since their start in late 1999, including Rise Against, As I Lay Dying, Strung Out, Norma Jean, Thursday, Every Time I Die, Hatebreed, Gwar and many others.”

So back in the day when I was a freshman in high school (6 years ago) I took this guitar class. All the cool underground hipsters had that class because they could all skip and practice with their band and it’d actually count for a grade. It was one of these hipsters who actually turned me on to their favorite band at the time named Evergreen Terrace. He kept saying how awesome they were for representing the Florida scene in the hardcore music industry and I decided I’d give them a listen. Just one song, “No Donnie, These Men Are Nihilist” did it for me. I was an instant fan. Fast forward to 2009 at the Miami Tattoo Expo, I saw Evergreen Terrace was playing and it was a no brainer I had to see them live. They were just as great as I thought they’d be. Feeling inspired I thought I’d try and get an interview with one of the guys and relate it to SFX-360. Kill two birds with one stone. Turns out Craig was a bit of a gamer and up for doing an interview with me. And the following text is the aftermath…

About the Band

Q: What’s the name of the band and its origin?

A: Evergreen Terrace is the street the Simpsons live on.

Q: How long has Evergreen Terrace been a band?

A: We will be celebrating our 10th year this year. I smell a party.

Q: How did you guys meet?

A: We all met at Hedonism. That’s a swingers resort.

Q: What style of music is Evergreen Terrace?

A: Some people say hardcore…some say punk…some say metal…we are all over the place. We are influenced and inspired by so many different genres. Hence our identity crisis.

Q: Where are your favorite and least favorite venues?

A: That’s a tough question. We have played every type of venue that you can imagine. Big or small. The Downtown (rip) in Farmingdale, NY was a great venue. The Showcase (rip) in Corona, CA. Both amazing venues-staff-room-kids-everything. Worst would have to be the Killtime (rip) in Philadelphia. It was a crack house. Fun shows though. Crack wasn’t half bad either.

Q: What is your favorite song to perform? Are there any songs you’re tired of playing?

A: After being in a band for so long, your passion for earlier material starts to wane, especially with lyrics. We were in different places 9 years ago. We’ve grown up a lot, have different beliefs, listen to even more diverse music, and are pretty much completely different people than who we were. We’d like to think for the positive. Traveling the world provides an honest, eye opening education that has a profound impact on people. So, I’d say we prefer our new songs to the old. They are a more honest/relevant representation of our band. But we will always play the hits.

Q: What has been your most memorable experience with Evergreen Terrace?

A: I’d say that just touring the world has been completely memorable. The people we’ve met, the places we’ve seen, the shows we’ve played. This last tour was quite memorable. Slightly mind-blowing. We were in Australia on the Soundwave 2009 tour with Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains, Bloodhound Gang, and several other great bands. Not only did we play amazing shows every day, we got to hang out with watch some of our favorite bands every day. It was one of the most amazing tours. Oh, and also that one time when we filled up a kiddie pool full of vomit, milk, beer and baked beans and had a UFC match in the middle of it while only wearing XXL t-shirts from our own band. I think there was fire involved as well.

Q: I saw on your MySpace that you’re recording an album; can you tell me a little bit about that?

A: We just finished tracking drums for our new record “almost home.” We are beyond stoked on the new music. I feel like we are finally tapping into our sound. Expect to hear a combination of all previous Evergreen records with some unicorn ashes and Lindsay Lohan tears sprinkled on top.

Q: What is Evergreen Terrace’s goal for 2009?

A: Well, other than the new record coming out in Sept, we have a few tours lined up including a U.S. tour with the band Acacia Strain, another tour with a band called Emmure, a headliner, and a few European dates. We have a few more tours in the works as well. Another goal is to makeout with as many women over the age of 84 as possible.

Q: Will South Florida see you guys soon?

A: I believe one of these tours will be bringing us down south. We love the south Florida hangdown.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add about Evergreen Terrace?

A: Yes. Make us chocolate chip cookies without the chocolate chips. No, not sugar cookies.

About Craig

Q: What is your full name and where were you born? If you aren’t originally from Florida how did you end up here?

A: My name is Craig Tiberius Chaney. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. In the forest behind the Wal-Mart on 103rd street. By homeless, guitar playing, meth addicted raccoons.

Q: As a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: I originally wanted to be a pediatrician. Then I started sketching when I was a wee lad. That led to an obsession with drawing that dragged me to the University of North Florida where I majored in art, with hopes of getting into SCAD, then moving on to Disney to become an animator. Then I got a guitar.

Q: If you weren’t in the music business right now where do you think you’d be?

A: In a Broadway musical remake of the Lord of the Rings. Maybe a tap dancing Gandalf…and maybe all the songs would be boy band songs. Yes. That’s it. Featuring songs by NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, OTOWN, 98 Degrees, take that, and others. Maybe the Golem scene can be him singing “I’ll be Lovin’ You Forever” (by New Kids on the Block) to his precious. Ok. I’m rambling.

Q: What music did you grow up listening to?

A: I grew up listening to whatever my mother listened to. There was always music on. One day would be Motown, one day pop, one day rock, etc. I was exposed to so much. My dad liked the heavier stuff. KISS, Black Sabbath, etc. The most listened to record of my youth was the Chipmunks Christmas. Now it’s #2.

Q: What instruments do you play and how long have you been playing them?

A: I play or have played: guitar, bass, trombone, baritone, keys, jaw harp, rain stick, washboard (when I was in a jug band), electric bagpipes, and jazz flute.

Q: Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why?

A: I’d have to say my mother. Because she raised me. Duh.

Q: Do you have any other talents?

A: Other than being able to communicate with the dead animal world? No. but I suppose that’s a gift. Sort of a 6th sense meets Dr. Dolittle. Not really cool.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I like to lasso gerbils with shoestrings.

Q: Do you have any advice for other musicians who’d like to make it in the music industry?

A: Yes. Learn about the industry in order to avoid getting screwed..

Q: What are your own personal goals for 2009?

A: To not die.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add about yourself?

A: Ok. So the chocolate chip cookies without chocolate chips is what I want…not the band. So what?

About Gaming

Q: What is your earliest memory involving video games?

A: I’m old. So I’d have to say Atari 2600 is my earliest memory of video games.

Q: What was the first gaming system you owned? Did you purchase it yourself or was it a gift?

A: The first system I owned was an original Nintendo Entertainment System that came with Tetris. It was a gift from my mother. She couldn’t afford a baby sitter.

Q: What was the first video game you ever beat and how long did it take you to beat it?

A: It was the game Ikari Warriors. It took quite some time. I think Punch Out was the next one beat.

Q: What has been your favorite gaming console so far and why?

A: I went from 2600 to NES to Genesis to PS1 to PS2. I skipped SNES and GameCube. I had zero interest in those consoles. Don’t know why, just went the other route. It’s hard to say what my favorite console is. They were all great in their prime.

Q: What has been your favorite video game of all time and why?

A: This is a tough one. I’m going to go console by console. NES: Dragon Warrior, Mario Brothers 3, Contra, etc. Genesis: Stryder, Sonic, etc. PS1: Final Fantasy 7, Clock Tower, Resident Evil, etc. PS2: Resident Evil, Ratchet and Clank, Onimusha, Dynasty Warriors, most rpgs, Tekken, etc. too many games to mention. Not to mention sports games.

Q: What game are you playing right now and what do you think of it?

A: I finished a few games recently that were alright. On PS2: Rogue Galaxy. Space Pirate rpg. Fun stuff. PS3: I finished Uncharted, which was amusing, and Resistance, which was short. I’m curious to check out the new Madden on this console.

Q: Tea bagging and Halo? Match made in heaven? Your opinion?

A: I have not, nor will I ever play Halo. Not knockin it, just doesn’t interest me.

Q: What do you think of music themed games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero?

A: When Guitar Hero was initially introduced I purchased it and thought it was great. As a guitar player, you can’t help but notice the similarities and differences in technique and execution, but overall, I think they nailed it. As far as Rock Band goes, I have yet to try it, but I think any game that gets humans involved in music on a new level is ok with me. Not to mention quite addicting.

Q: Have you played guitar or vocals for either of these games? How does it compare to playing guitar and performing vocals in real life?

A: I’m not familiar with Rock Band, but as far as the realism factor of the guitar playing goes, it’s pretty close. Close enough for a piece of plastic with no strings and buttons on the neck. Not the same, but gets the general vibe across with some accurate fundamentals.

Q: If Evergreen Terrace could have one of their songs on Rock Band or Guitar Hero, what song would you choose?

A: Maybe something off of this upcoming record. Or something off of Wolfbiker, like the single “Chaney Can’t Quite Riff Like Helmet’s Page Hamilton…” has a rippin solo for that star power.

Q: Do you play any online games like World of Warcraft? If so what are they?

A: I definitely do not. I’m a huge rpg fan, but I’m also a fan of completing games. I think that online gaming like Warcraft can be addicting and detrimental to people who end up relying on it as a social circle, never actually leaving the house. It’s all about the moderation, kids. Don’t let Warcraft substitute for real life. I mean…some people wear adult diapers so they never have to leave their guild.

Q: Do you play any games on XBOX Live? What is your gamer tag?

A: No…And no. Don’t own an XBOX.

Q: If you could create your own video game, what would it be about?

A: I think id create an epic action/rpg. Maybe the story could be set in Easter valley (where all the Easter and Christmas creatures live throughout the year. An evergreen valley at the North Pole) set in the future. Tortoises vs. hares. Long time feud or who gets control of the bunny trail…the only way in or out of Easter valley. The feud could’ve originated over the famed race that the hare lost to the tortoise generations prior. The hare fell asleep, thus letting the tortoise win. For years he demanded a rematch. The tortoises never agreed to a rematch, yet boasted for years to come, fueling the fires of rage inside of the rabbits. Hence the civil war between them. Then there can be a twist at the end of the game after the last battle….smoke clears….then the rabbit wakes up to cheering, realizing the whole thing was a dream and that it wasn’t the future, and that the tortoise had just won the race. That’s what my game would be about. I think.

Q: What is your opinion on anime or gaming conventions? Have you ever been to any?

A: I think they are rad. even if you aren’t into anime or gaming or comics. I understand they are primarily there to sell product, but big whoop. I went to Megacon last year. I saw so many half naked princess Leias. Heavenly.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add about gaming?

A: No matter what the technology or console, I believe I’ll always be a gamer on some level. It’s a great escape from the norm and stimulates creativity and imagination. I can see myself on my death bead trying to score a headshot in Resident Evil 69. Get it? 69. Don’t let anyone call you a geek for gaming. EVERY band I’ve ever met has someone, if not all members, that play video games on a regular basis. I’ve seen bands walk off stage, clean off their corpse paint and sweat, then immediately get on Halo, or Warcraft, etc. not to mention that video game sales dwarf record sales of even the most popular artists (who are gamers themselves). Maybe I’m in the wrong business. Then again…I’ve always wanted to write music for games. Anyone hiring?

For more information on Evergreen Terrace regarding tour dates, merchandise, discography, etc. visit: http://www.myspace.com/evergreenterrace

So as many of you know Game NARP was this past Friday and man what an event it was. I arrived at FIU around 1 to help set up the tables for the tournaments and free play and ended up not finishing the layout until 4 thanks to everyone (Dephin) taking the tables and moving them again another way. We finally got everything just how we wanted it and it was time for me to go to the front and start tournament registration with Lightning890 and What Now from the forums.

I was really surprised by how quickly Street Fighter 4 sold out and by how many people were signing up for Gears of War 2. It seemed like no one was signing up for the Halo 3 tournament, until right at the last second it was a swarm of people all trying to sign up before 7pm. I think I went from having 10 teams to 32 in 5 minutes. The crazy part is there were still plenty of people wanting to sign up for all three tournaments. If we had not cap’d it at 32 we would have been up to at least 45. Since I had been sitting at the registration table in the front I didn’t really notice just how many people had walked into Gracies Grill until I myself walked in. I was super surprised, the two rooms were packed with people and all the vendors were neatly situated.

Fast forward to the Street Fighter 4 tournament which Lightning890 and I hosted. That tournament seemed to go on forever. First there were difficulties with people wanting to use the arcade sticks and others wanting to use the PS3 controllers and all that mess. Then people were off walking around and not hearing their names when it was their turn. I have to say it was a bit frustrating. But all in all we got into the groove of things and soon started the elimination process. It got quite intense towards the end with all the competitors being really really good. Then out of nowhere in the corner of my eye I saw people jumping towards the Gears of War Tournament and noticed that two teams were actually fighting. It was pretty funny to watch everyone leap to save the equipment and everyone else trash talking over a video game.

Even funnier was the fact that they weren’t even in the semi finals, just a round of elimination. The tournaments went on for hours and before we knew it the janitors were kicking us out and threatning to call the cops. Lots of free stuff was given away, lots of good food was eaten, and lots of new friends and new rivalrys were made. Carlos Ferro was even there enjoying himself and I bet if you were to ask him if he was having a good time he’d reply, “Shit yeah!”

For videos of all the fun, guests, vendors, and even the fight check out the SFX-360 forums. Congratulations to all who won, and thank you to all who helped or participated in making Game NARP such a success. I hope to see you at Supercon in June.

<3

SFX Miss Jess

Thanks to not updating in weeks, I’ve now got tons of stuff to talk about. Make sure you check out the fabulous SFX Ladies Lady J, Illy, and myself on our Game Goddess podcast now available on iTunes and the SFX-360 forums. Make sure to subscribe and write us any suggestions, questions, or fan mail to gamegoddess@sfx-360.com and we’ll be sure to read your emails on our next podcast. With that said…

GAME NARPPPPPP!
First and foremost I have to mention that this Friday [May 15th] SFX-360 & Destructoid will be hosting Game NARP at Florida International University’s Gracie’s Grill. Now that’s a mouthful. The Game NARP kicks off at 7 PM but registration for tournaments begins at 5 PM. There will be Halo 3, Gears of War 2, Smash Bros, Street Fighter 4, Tatsunoko vs Capcom, NWC 1990, and last but not least Madden ‘09 tournaments. Tournaments are $5 to enter and the prizes range from $100 to www.trittonusa.com headsets. Infinite Bits (www.infinitebitsconvention.com) will be there with a Retro Game Room featuring old school games from the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, & Dreamcast. Gamertag Radio (www.gamertagradio.com), Analog Hype (www.analoghype.com), and Destructoid (www.destructoid.com) will be there doing live podcasts as well as SFX-360. There will be giveaways, vendors, and even special guest Carlos Ferro [the voice of Don Michael Corleone (The Godfather II Game) & Dominic Santiago (Gears of War 1 & 2) ]. For directions and more information check out www.gamenarp.com. It’s sure to be an event you don’t want to miss. Plus you can meet me there. ;p

FLORIDA SUPERCONNNN!
So after all the chaos of E3, comes Florida Supercon [June 5th-7th] at the Double Tree Miami Mart Convention Center. SFX-360 will be there hosting tournaments and doing our thang’. Lots of fun will be had by all including a zombie party and costume contests of course. Which leads me to my dilema. I’m a “con” virgin and I totally want to pop my cherry in a big way. I want to dress up but on such short notice I’ve no idea who to cosplay as and I don’t want to half ass a costume because we all know how that ends up…

It’s way too late to try and get all fit for a Slave Leia Costume so I need quick and easy ideas for costumes. I’m actually really serious about this so let me know. Also I’m not to huge on anime so I might not know some of the more anime-ish suggestions. So help help help.

OH NOEZ ACTIVISION! [DJ HERO & ALL THAT OTHER HERO STUFF]
I’m pretty sure it’s been made more than apparently lately that Activision is just milking their “Hero” idea for all it’s worth. Which makes me wonder, is it really worth that much? I don’t really understand the constant need to release Hero sequels or band exclusive Hero games when DLC does so well. But I guess as long as people are buying they’re going to keep selling. Regarding DJ Hero, there’s already so much controversy with the whole lawsuit from Scratch: The Ultimate DJ it makes me really hope this game is going to be worth the hype. But judging by that boring controller they showed I think it will be disappointing. More than likely they’ll use the first DJ Hero (because we all know there will be plenty of sequels) to test things out and then fill in the gaps later. Either way I’ll more than likely be a sucker and be one of the first to buy it and try it out.

Anyways that’s a big enough wall of text for now I think. Until next time,
xoxo
Jess

Oh PS: Look forward to my interview with Craig from Evergreen Terrace.
If you haven’t heard of them before be sure to check them out. They’re an amazing band from Jacksonville, FL.

So judging by the date of my last update it’s pretty clear I’ve been slacking on this blog. In my own defense I had finals the last 2 weeks but now I’m on Summer vacation for good. Hope you didn’t miss me too much. With all that said, has anyone else noticed the severe lacking of any good game releases lately? I guess it’s the slow season in the gaming industry. Seems like if you want anything new you have to turn to DLC. Which isn’t too much of a bad thing, just different I suppose. I’ve heard Castle Crashers is pretty addictive, I’ll probably give the demo a try later today. I’m still doing my Guitar Hero/Rock Band challenge. If you think you’re up for it add me on XBL and send me a game request. For more info on it check the SFX-360 forums. I’ll be posting up the videos on my youtube account shortly.

Where the Wild Things Are Trailer

Is anyone else as excited as I am about this movie?
I remember being a little girl and reading that story over and over and over again. Like many people I wonder how they will take such a short story and make it long enough for a movie. I really hope they don’t over kill it as they did to Horton Hears a Who and ruin how I pictured the story as a child. I think the Wild Things look just perfect though, not too scary and not too cuddly. As for Max, he’s exactly how I pictured him.

Here’s some nostalgia:

I’m still kind of trying to get adjusted to this whole writing and researching and blogging thing so please bare with me.

Or is it bear with me?

Anyways, as promised I have a trial playlist for you. I’m sorry the number of songs are odd but I stopped with what I felt I liked. I’ll be adding more as I go along.

In other news my room is finally done with the remodeling. It’s now gray and has pretty Bamboo wood floors.

Spring break is sadly over and no Pina Coladas or beaches were involved. ;( Just lots and lots of saw dust and paint. I’m surprised when I sneeze saw dust doesn’t come shooting out my nose.

Classes start again tomorrow and then finals and it shall be wonderful… not. I think I’m going to take the summer off and find a job rather than take classes. I don’t know yet.

In gaming news, I wrote my first preview ever. It’s on the home page which is exciting. Guitar Hero Metallica got to pop my game writing cherry. Turns out Metallica is coming in concert too. Going to be here October 1st. Of course it’s not the same 80s/90s Metallica but hey, I was like 3 back then. My chance at seeing them was quite slim. Tickets go on presale April 4th to anyone who’s interested.

I’d usually have some cool pictures for you to look at but my iPhone had an accident and fell from my 2nd story and shattered. Everything still works except for the camera. So for now you’ll have to enjoy these pictures from last weekends Destructoid party. You’ll also have to take my word that the Street Fighter you’re seeing is being played on the wall of a balcony of a pent house in Mid Town Miami via projection screen. It was pretty awesome. Oh and that’s Gecko dancing with the Destructoid Robot (Niero).

That’s all for now.

Until later.

-Jess

Well let me start off with saying I’m super psyched about this blog and I have great expectations for it that I shall discuss later. For now though let me give you some history. Not necessarily the boring kind of, fell asleep and drooled all over the desk in school history, but the kind of good shit you can’t even get on me if you conducted a background search. This is the kind of embarrassing dirt black mail is made of. ;p

• I was born Jessica Fernandez (not the most exciting name), March 31st 1989 in Miami, Florida.

• When I was younger I thought I could talk to animals Dr. Doolittle style and my first word was “meow”, if you even consider that to be a word.

• I’ve pee’d myself laughing after playing a nearly 3 hour game of Parcheesi when my grandfather finally won, jumped up, slammed his Rolex into the chandelier hanging over the table, and broke it (it being his Rolex, that chandelier was a tough son of a bitch).

• I used to be a Gaia fag, I think that’s bad enough.

• My music taste is that of a middle aged gay man who’s still in the closet and doesn’t want to let go of the 80s. i.e.: Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Erasure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, The Cure, etc.

• I’m a recovering World of Warcraft addict, I played for 3 years and have two lvl 70 NE Druids. Not that this should be considered by any means an accomplishment, rather a testiment to how much spare time I have on my hands.

• Donkey Kong, Pac Man, and Tetris are my three favourite games of all time.

• I’ve been to Disney World so many times I could probably give you a guided tour blind folded.

• I’m currently a sophomore at Florida International University, majoring in Marine Biology, and don’t worry this makes no sense to me either.

• I’ve been that girl that you laughed at when you saw a bird shit on her head and she didn’t notice.

• Star Wars > Star Trek

• I’m only 4′11″. No, I’m not a midget. You have to be 4′10″ to “legally” be a midget. Yes, that one inch matters. ;p

• My gamer tag is: Lil Miss Jess

Now as promised, a glimpse of what’s to come:

• Lots and lots of interviews. Hopefully with bands, MLG gamers, artists, perhaps even you.

• Gaming playlists perhaps every other week for a few genres of music.

• Opinions on up and coming games.

• Accounts of my odd and random life as a 19 year-old female gamer in a male dominated field (ew feminism).

All in all I really want this blog to be about the gamers and for the gamers. I want to talk with you guys not to you guys so let me know what you want to hear and what interests you. If you like what I’m doing, let me know . If you hate what I’m doing, definitely let me know. If you have something you want me to talk about, let me know. Even if you’re just bored, let me know. I’m looking forward to reading your comments.

Until next time.

*I’d like to thank an awesome guy named Taylor from Canada, because plain and simple it’s all his fault. In the best kind of way.*