![JonnyUps[dotcom]](http://bp0.blogger.com/_Iv5xuqvrBoo/SJIKL82hM1I/AAAAAAAAAAM/xKmc-fF3WY0/S1600-R/logo.gif){kind=logo}
Mushi Mushi.
So here I sit. 5:16pm in Shibuya (Tokyo), Japan. 1:16am in San Diego. I am far from home.
After a million hours of travelling, we landed in Tokyo, took a train for an hour to Shibuya. Shibuya is part of Tokyo. It's where Lost In Translation was filmed. We hit up our hotel, showered, and went out for dinner. Had some great Japanese beer, and feasted on fish salad, beer, pizza, fries, sushi, beer, ramen, more beer. It was great. I ate a LOT of raw fish. Yellow Tail, Salmon, Tuna, Scallops, Shrimp. All raw. It was nuts. Thanks to the beer, I had no problem. :)
We slept like rocks.
Today we walked around a ton, ate more great food, saw our album in HMV (we were on a listening station with Waking Ashland, Brighten, Copeland, Bayside...pretty sweet) and Tower Records. Quite exciting if you ask me.
Tonight, in about an hour, we go back to the venue we're playing at, and watch the openers. At the end of the night, we take the stage for our cd release show, and see how japan likes us. Maybe they'll hate us. :) Jonathan from Waking Ashland will join us on stage for 2 songs, then we'll finish our set. Our itinerary clearly states that after the show, we "party" so I guess we do what our label tell us. :)
The photo attached is just a reflection of a building on another building. This city is so photogenic.
Love from Tokyo,
`jonnyups
5.26.2007
5.21.2007
Can Anybody Hear Me?
Photographically, this photo isn't anything special. Your mom with a little point and shoot could have made this happen. That's not the point of this picture. The point of this picture is to post it so I have an excuse to blog.
You see, I ditched my LiveJournal a little while back because I turned myself into the internationally known ".com" that I am now. ;) All joking aside, I am giving you all a follow up to some previous posts.
My dad is still battling cancer. He finished up his intense radiation on Monday, the 14th (aka, my birthday). His next appointment is on May 30th, and I think they'll be discussing chemo options, and if any progress was made with the radiation. This could be a huge turning point in the fight to survive. My dad has the option to accept that the cancer is stealing his life away, and he also has the option to fight it with chemo. I have come to the point of not being angry. He has earned the right to make that decision, either way. I can't be selfish and expect him to fight if the outlook is not in his favor. I love my dad, and he has inspired me, and taught me so many things. So whatever his decision be, I respect him and his love for the family he has taken care of for so many years.
In other areas of my life, things are great. I have had the best week in a long time because I have come to realize that my sad little excuse for depression isn't a part of my life, it's just an intruder. My band is leaving for Tokyo on thursday morning, and we'll spend 5 days there, play 3 shows including an in-store performance at Tower Records, and we'll fly home. I'm excited. I have heard nothing but good comments on the country of Japan, and the people who live there. I am excited to meet them and spend some time with them.
In my joy for life this week, I have been caught off guard with some happy transitions and thoughts. I wish I could say more, but I am still figuring things out. Life is good, and God has made it evident in my life that He is the creator of all, and he can change hearts and change minds. And with that, He has transformed thoughts that were in my head into bits of joy that have caught me off guard. So...joy...keep coming. I enjoy you. And I enjoy the people you bring with you.
I must show my thanks to all of you who read this. Cairo, Egypt ... thank you for reading. China, Japan, the UK, Canada...thanks for reading. I appreciate every brain that takes in the story of my life.
`jonnyups
You see, I ditched my LiveJournal a little while back because I turned myself into the internationally known ".com" that I am now. ;) All joking aside, I am giving you all a follow up to some previous posts.
My dad is still battling cancer. He finished up his intense radiation on Monday, the 14th (aka, my birthday). His next appointment is on May 30th, and I think they'll be discussing chemo options, and if any progress was made with the radiation. This could be a huge turning point in the fight to survive. My dad has the option to accept that the cancer is stealing his life away, and he also has the option to fight it with chemo. I have come to the point of not being angry. He has earned the right to make that decision, either way. I can't be selfish and expect him to fight if the outlook is not in his favor. I love my dad, and he has inspired me, and taught me so many things. So whatever his decision be, I respect him and his love for the family he has taken care of for so many years.
In other areas of my life, things are great. I have had the best week in a long time because I have come to realize that my sad little excuse for depression isn't a part of my life, it's just an intruder. My band is leaving for Tokyo on thursday morning, and we'll spend 5 days there, play 3 shows including an in-store performance at Tower Records, and we'll fly home. I'm excited. I have heard nothing but good comments on the country of Japan, and the people who live there. I am excited to meet them and spend some time with them.
In my joy for life this week, I have been caught off guard with some happy transitions and thoughts. I wish I could say more, but I am still figuring things out. Life is good, and God has made it evident in my life that He is the creator of all, and he can change hearts and change minds. And with that, He has transformed thoughts that were in my head into bits of joy that have caught me off guard. So...joy...keep coming. I enjoy you. And I enjoy the people you bring with you.
I must show my thanks to all of you who read this. Cairo, Egypt ... thank you for reading. China, Japan, the UK, Canada...thanks for reading. I appreciate every brain that takes in the story of my life.
`jonnyups
5.19.2007
_MG_7988.jpg
This post is for my own records.
Today P.O.D. posted a bulletin on myspace about my band. Shortly thereafter, we had pages of friend requests, and 800 plays. The picture posted with this post is from Noah's (owner of rescue records/father of P.O.D. drummer (Wuv), and uncle of frontman Sonny) home.
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: P.O.D.
Date: May 18, 2007 6:13 PM
Check out one of our new top friends.. This is the most recent Release from our Old Home.. Rescue Records.
P.O.D.
--------------------------------------------------------------
PARKER THEORY BIO:
A theory can be described as "a set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based,” but, in the case of Parker Theory, it is more like a collection of songs that reflect an on-going journey through life … always moving forward, never satisfied to stay in one place, determined to experience life to the fullest. Almost like musical Polaroid snapshots through the window of a moving vehicle.
“It’s as if I had all these pictures, experiences and emotions in my mind and wanted to bring them to life through music,” says Jesse Pruett, lead singer and guitarist. “I had been writing songs at home and knew it was time for a new beginning musically. I decided to start the band because I wanted it to be something I could believe in and be passionate about.”
Pruett asked his good friend Jeff Forrest, who owns Doubletime Studio, to jump in on drums, and brought in two other friends for guitar and bass.
Interest in the independent pop-rock band began shortly after Pruett formed it in the summer of 2000. Their first recording, a self-titled EP, impressed Steven Harwell, the lead singer of Smash Mouth and opened the door for the band to begin playing some of the “cool venues” in California with the novelty rock band, including Ventura Theatre, Coors Amphitheatre, and Biola University. This immediately exposed the band’s infectious melodies to a wide audience.
After a few years of growing recognition in San Diego, playing many shows and enthusiastic local radio station airplay, Parker Theory returned to the studio and recorded their debut album Can Anybody Hear Me in late 2003. “We had a lot of songs written at the time, so we decided to go into the studio and record a full length album” says Pruett, who describes Can Anybody Hear Me as “full of life experiences and relationships.” After finishing the album, Pruett asked Jeff to move to keyboards and step in to sing more harmonies. “You don’t see keyboards too often at shows in our genre,” he says.
The album quickly gained attention from radio, labels and fans, and was nominated in the Orange County music awards, and the San Diego music awards alongside some of the biggest names in the San Diego music scene—Switchfoot, Unwritten Law, Jason Mraz, and Slightly Stoopid. The first track “She Said” topped mp3.com’s pop rock chart and led to Fabtone Records releasing a twenty-song, two-disc recording in Japan, which included Can Anybody Hear Me and songs from the band’s following EP, One Purpose, One Destination, which they wrote and recorded in 2005. “She Said” was also the top pick in a University of Columbia research project featured in the National geographic news where 14,000 participants chose their favorite song without knowing who the bands were.
The following year Pruett decided to write a new album at home on acoustic guitar. “I wanted to try and just write what was coming out naturally and what I was feeling or thinking about at the time and focus on the basics,” he says. After months of writing, he got back together with Forrest and his bass player Jon Upson, and asked his friends—drummer Jarrod Alexander, and guitarists Nick Maybury of Future of Forestry and Rob Fikse—to play on the album. The album was produced by Pruett and recorded at Doubletime Studio with Forrest (Blink 182, As I Lay Dying, Incubus).
Leaving California is a package of cleverly penned alt-pop-rock songs. With strong melodies ala Crowded House, it sonically covers ground somewhere between Jimmy eat World and Snow Patrol. The strong singles on the album, “In the End,” “Shoe Song,” “I Believe,” and “Build You a House,” would not be amiss on movie soundtracks, advertisements, and television shows such as WB’s Smallville, Grey’s Anatomy, and One Tree Hill. “I think musically we have a lot of different feels on this new record,” says Pruett. “I like so many different styles of music that I think that comes out in the record.”
The stories, experiences, and passions on Parker Theory’s eclectic sophomore release share the universal laughter, sadness, joy and hope of the adventure of life. Pruett says he hopes “people find strength, healing, vision for their life, and happiness” in listening to the album. “I feel like there is so much out there to experience. That is why I decided to name it “Leaving California.” We are on a journey and I don’t want to stay in one place. This goes for all aspects of my life. I want to always be moving forward and enjoying life to the fullest.”
Following the success of the band’s first album in Japan, Fabtone Records also released Leaving California in Japan in early April, and the band toured there for the first time in May.
Parker Theory released Leaving California in the U.S. on May 15 through Rescue Records (Mri/Sony Red Distribution), which is owned by Noah Bernardo—the father of Noah “Wuv” Bernardo Jnr. of San Diego-based band P.O.D, and the uncle of Sonny Sandoval, the band’s front man.
May 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Add THEM: www.myspace.com/parkertheory
Today P.O.D. posted a bulletin on myspace about my band. Shortly thereafter, we had pages of friend requests, and 800 plays. The picture posted with this post is from Noah's (owner of rescue records/father of P.O.D. drummer (Wuv), and uncle of frontman Sonny) home.
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: P.O.D.
Date: May 18, 2007 6:13 PM
Check out one of our new top friends.. This is the most recent Release from our Old Home.. Rescue Records.
P.O.D.
--------------------------------------------------------------
PARKER THEORY BIO:
A theory can be described as "a set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based,” but, in the case of Parker Theory, it is more like a collection of songs that reflect an on-going journey through life … always moving forward, never satisfied to stay in one place, determined to experience life to the fullest. Almost like musical Polaroid snapshots through the window of a moving vehicle.
“It’s as if I had all these pictures, experiences and emotions in my mind and wanted to bring them to life through music,” says Jesse Pruett, lead singer and guitarist. “I had been writing songs at home and knew it was time for a new beginning musically. I decided to start the band because I wanted it to be something I could believe in and be passionate about.”
Pruett asked his good friend Jeff Forrest, who owns Doubletime Studio, to jump in on drums, and brought in two other friends for guitar and bass.
Interest in the independent pop-rock band began shortly after Pruett formed it in the summer of 2000. Their first recording, a self-titled EP, impressed Steven Harwell, the lead singer of Smash Mouth and opened the door for the band to begin playing some of the “cool venues” in California with the novelty rock band, including Ventura Theatre, Coors Amphitheatre, and Biola University. This immediately exposed the band’s infectious melodies to a wide audience.
After a few years of growing recognition in San Diego, playing many shows and enthusiastic local radio station airplay, Parker Theory returned to the studio and recorded their debut album Can Anybody Hear Me in late 2003. “We had a lot of songs written at the time, so we decided to go into the studio and record a full length album” says Pruett, who describes Can Anybody Hear Me as “full of life experiences and relationships.” After finishing the album, Pruett asked Jeff to move to keyboards and step in to sing more harmonies. “You don’t see keyboards too often at shows in our genre,” he says.
The album quickly gained attention from radio, labels and fans, and was nominated in the Orange County music awards, and the San Diego music awards alongside some of the biggest names in the San Diego music scene—Switchfoot, Unwritten Law, Jason Mraz, and Slightly Stoopid. The first track “She Said” topped mp3.com’s pop rock chart and led to Fabtone Records releasing a twenty-song, two-disc recording in Japan, which included Can Anybody Hear Me and songs from the band’s following EP, One Purpose, One Destination, which they wrote and recorded in 2005. “She Said” was also the top pick in a University of Columbia research project featured in the National geographic news where 14,000 participants chose their favorite song without knowing who the bands were.
The following year Pruett decided to write a new album at home on acoustic guitar. “I wanted to try and just write what was coming out naturally and what I was feeling or thinking about at the time and focus on the basics,” he says. After months of writing, he got back together with Forrest and his bass player Jon Upson, and asked his friends—drummer Jarrod Alexander, and guitarists Nick Maybury of Future of Forestry and Rob Fikse—to play on the album. The album was produced by Pruett and recorded at Doubletime Studio with Forrest (Blink 182, As I Lay Dying, Incubus).
Leaving California is a package of cleverly penned alt-pop-rock songs. With strong melodies ala Crowded House, it sonically covers ground somewhere between Jimmy eat World and Snow Patrol. The strong singles on the album, “In the End,” “Shoe Song,” “I Believe,” and “Build You a House,” would not be amiss on movie soundtracks, advertisements, and television shows such as WB’s Smallville, Grey’s Anatomy, and One Tree Hill. “I think musically we have a lot of different feels on this new record,” says Pruett. “I like so many different styles of music that I think that comes out in the record.”
The stories, experiences, and passions on Parker Theory’s eclectic sophomore release share the universal laughter, sadness, joy and hope of the adventure of life. Pruett says he hopes “people find strength, healing, vision for their life, and happiness” in listening to the album. “I feel like there is so much out there to experience. That is why I decided to name it “Leaving California.” We are on a journey and I don’t want to stay in one place. This goes for all aspects of my life. I want to always be moving forward and enjoying life to the fullest.”
Following the success of the band’s first album in Japan, Fabtone Records also released Leaving California in Japan in early April, and the band toured there for the first time in May.
Parker Theory released Leaving California in the U.S. on May 15 through Rescue Records (Mri/Sony Red Distribution), which is owned by Noah Bernardo—the father of Noah “Wuv” Bernardo Jnr. of San Diego-based band P.O.D, and the uncle of Sonny Sandoval, the band’s front man.
May 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Add THEM: www.myspace.com/parkertheory
5.16.2007
So this past weekend, I had a good conversation with one of my friends. He basically talked to me about things he's been struggling with, and what he's learned from it. One of the things he said was this,
"Don't let depression define who you are. You'll find yourself comfortable with it, and you'll then convince yourself that you are a person who is depressed. Even if that's not the case at all."
For some reason, this just hit me. This weekend turned me into a new person. For now at least. I have been in the best mood, and that's cause for celebration.
Also cause for celebration, my band (Parker Theory) released our album today in America. At least in California it's in Best Buy. You can find it on all the .com stores I think. Target, Circuit City, Best Buy, Amazon...all the usuals. Please buy it if you love me. Here's a taste of it, just click:
Thanks for reading. If you came directly to the blog, then check out my real website:
www.JonnyUps.com
There, you'll find a directory to my photos, blog (here), myspace, and contact info. It's new, so if you haven't seen it, go check it. Also, if you link to me, change the link to go directly to the website, not the blog. Then peeps can see all that is me. :) Love you all, thanks for the birthday wishes (it was monday, May 14th). Happy Wednesday!
`jonnyups
"Don't let depression define who you are. You'll find yourself comfortable with it, and you'll then convince yourself that you are a person who is depressed. Even if that's not the case at all."
For some reason, this just hit me. This weekend turned me into a new person. For now at least. I have been in the best mood, and that's cause for celebration.
Also cause for celebration, my band (Parker Theory) released our album today in America. At least in California it's in Best Buy. You can find it on all the .com stores I think. Target, Circuit City, Best Buy, Amazon...all the usuals. Please buy it if you love me. Here's a taste of it, just click:
Thanks for reading. If you came directly to the blog, then check out my real website:
www.JonnyUps.com
There, you'll find a directory to my photos, blog (here), myspace, and contact info. It's new, so if you haven't seen it, go check it. Also, if you link to me, change the link to go directly to the website, not the blog. Then peeps can see all that is me. :) Love you all, thanks for the birthday wishes (it was monday, May 14th). Happy Wednesday!
`jonnyups
5.08.2007
I have a sinking feeling you wrote about me today. You don't even read this blog.
I'm fine. In a sincere way, I'm fine. I'm not ok, at all. My heart is feeling more pain these days than ever before. But I'm fine, and I honestly appreciate you thinking enough to write. Even if it wasn't aimed in my direction. ps. I'm not afraid of you saying hi.
In other news...
The picture associated with this post is one I took this last Saturday on a photo excursion with some friends. When I first started taking pictures of this faucet, I only saw a faucet. There was dripping water, some rust, the usual. So this picture is to remind us of something. It's to remind us that there are things in life that are obvious. The funny thing is, the obvious in this case, was the little creature that I didn't see. How did I not see the obvious? Has life grown to such a speed that I can't look down and see what's in front of me?
Here we are before You, we're falling on our knees
Crying out for a savior, we're crying out for You to see.
Here we are, we're crippled and we're failing
Here we are, we're falling, can You see...
That You're the only one who came for me
So rescue me, I'm desperate for You, my broken heart is calling for You
'Cause You're the only one who can save me
So save me I'm in desperation, save me I've been waiting for You, Lord.
(listen to "Rescue Me" by Joel Hosler)
`jonnyups
I'm fine. In a sincere way, I'm fine. I'm not ok, at all. My heart is feeling more pain these days than ever before. But I'm fine, and I honestly appreciate you thinking enough to write. Even if it wasn't aimed in my direction. ps. I'm not afraid of you saying hi.
In other news...
The picture associated with this post is one I took this last Saturday on a photo excursion with some friends. When I first started taking pictures of this faucet, I only saw a faucet. There was dripping water, some rust, the usual. So this picture is to remind us of something. It's to remind us that there are things in life that are obvious. The funny thing is, the obvious in this case, was the little creature that I didn't see. How did I not see the obvious? Has life grown to such a speed that I can't look down and see what's in front of me?
Here we are before You, we're falling on our knees
Crying out for a savior, we're crying out for You to see.
Here we are, we're crippled and we're failing
Here we are, we're falling, can You see...
That You're the only one who came for me
So rescue me, I'm desperate for You, my broken heart is calling for You
'Cause You're the only one who can save me
So save me I'm in desperation, save me I've been waiting for You, Lord.
(listen to "Rescue Me" by Joel Hosler)
`jonnyups
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
