when I was growing up I told my parents repeatedly three things that I don’t
repeatedly three things that I don’t
repeatedly three things that I don’t want to grow up and be a normal boring
want to grow up and be a normal boring
want to grow up and be a normal boring old adult to I don’t ever want to own a
old adult to I don’t ever want to own a
old adult to I don’t ever want to own a suit for a job and three I will always
suit for a job and three I will always
suit for a job and three I will always listen to punk rock and heavy metal and
listen to punk rock and heavy metal and
listen to punk rock and heavy metal and that for me those are the three things
that for me those are the three things
that for me those are the three things if I do this I will have achieved not
if I do this I will have achieved not
if I do this I will have achieved not selling out his selling out for me when
selling out his selling out for me when
selling out his selling out for me when I was a kid was a really big deal
I was a kid was a really big deal
I was a kid was a really big deal especially as a music fan is a fan of
especially as a music fan is a fan of
especially as a music fan is a fan of any art and culture in general because
any art and culture in general because
any art and culture in general because selling out was that thing your favorite
selling out was that thing your favorite
selling out was that thing your favorite band did and they got famous and you’re
band did and they got famous and you’re
band did and they got famous and you’re like no it’s your favorite artist or
like no it’s your favorite artist or
like no it’s your favorite artist or favorite actor who did indie films and
favorite actor who did indie films and
favorite actor who did indie films and all of a sudden now is doing like big
all of a sudden now is doing like big
all of a sudden now is doing like big blockbuster explosion films you’re like
blockbuster explosion films you’re like
blockbuster explosion films you’re like no selling out is that compromise that
no selling out is that compromise that
no selling out is that compromise that someone seems to make that you feel for
someone seems to make that you feel for
someone seems to make that you feel for yourself for that person has compromised
yourself for that person has compromised
yourself for that person has compromised their integrity and it changes the way
their integrity and it changes the way
their integrity and it changes the way you see them selling out especially for
you see them selling out especially for
you see them selling out especially for bands and for musicians it gets hard
bands and for musicians it gets hard
bands and for musicians it gets hard when you’re trying to be successful and
when you’re trying to be successful and
when you’re trying to be successful and achieve success but you also want to
achieve success but you also want to
achieve success but you also want to keep your punk rock integrity intact
keep your punk rock integrity intact
keep your punk rock integrity intact bands like green day we came gallon on
bands like green day we came gallon on
bands like green day we came gallon on radio and it made a bunch of people
radio and it made a bunch of people
radio and it made a bunch of people angry me as the metal had loved
angry me as the metal had loved
angry me as the metal had loved Metallica and Metallica all of a sudden
Metallica and Metallica all of a sudden
Metallica and Metallica all of a sudden put out the black album and became the
put out the black album and became the
put out the black album and became the sellout band but also came up with one
sellout band but also came up with one
sellout band but also came up with one of the greatest quotes of all time when
of the greatest quotes of all time when
of the greatest quotes of all time when it comes to selling out Jason Newsted
it comes to selling out Jason Newsted
it comes to selling out Jason Newsted the basis was when asked do you think
the basis was when asked do you think
the basis was when asked do you think you’re a sellout as a band he looks
you’re a sellout as a band he looks
you’re a sellout as a band he looks around is llaman sell out we sell out
around is llaman sell out we sell out
around is llaman sell out we sell out every seat in the house every time we
every seat in the house every time we
every seat in the house every time we play I’ve always thought okay I want to
play I’ve always thought okay I want to
play I’ve always thought okay I want to have that kind of sellout integrity so
have that kind of sellout integrity so
have that kind of sellout integrity so it’s like sort of selling out but
it’s like sort of selling out but
it’s like sort of selling out but without selling it may be selling out
without selling it may be selling out
without selling it may be selling out the right way well for me and my career
the right way well for me and my career
the right way well for me and my career my job I had graduated from a Christian
my job I had graduated from a Christian
my job I had graduated from a Christian liberal arts college with a degree in
liberal arts college with a degree in
liberal arts college with a degree in youth ministry so try to do the mental
youth ministry so try to do the mental
youth ministry so try to do the mental punk rock youth ministry church math
punk rock youth ministry church math
punk rock youth ministry church math there and so I went I was like I’m going
there and so I went I was like I’m going
there and so I went I was like I’m going to work with high school kids so I went
to work with high school kids so I went
to work with high school kids so I went to work with high school students in
to work with high school students in
to work with high school students in Southern California so I are keeping the
Southern California so I are keeping the
Southern California so I are keeping the youth thing going Southern California
youth thing going Southern California
youth thing going Southern California hotbed of punk rock and heavy metal then
hotbed of punk rock and heavy metal then
hotbed of punk rock and heavy metal then I went to work in a mega church and then
I went to work in a mega church and then
I went to work in a mega church and then I needed a suit I needed a suit for
I needed a suit I needed a suit for
I needed a suit I needed a suit for funerals and weddings and that became a
funerals and weddings and that became a
funerals and weddings and that became a little tough but because it was just for
little tough but because it was just for
little tough but because it was just for those two three times a year we’ll leave
those two three times a year we’ll leave
those two three times a year we’ll leave the suit thing to the side but it kept I
the suit thing to the side but it kept I
the suit thing to the side but it kept I kept my tiger
kept my tiger
kept my tiger intact I didn’t sell out just yet
intact I didn’t sell out just yet
intact I didn’t sell out just yet because i was working with high school
because i was working with high school
because i was working with high school students in the inner city urban orange
students in the inner city urban orange
students in the inner city urban orange county california i was taking these
county california i was taking these
county california i was taking these students it’s lots of rock shows taking
students it’s lots of rock shows taking
students it’s lots of rock shows taking the punk shows enjoying music together
the punk shows enjoying music together
the punk shows enjoying music together enjoying life and culture trying to help
enjoying life and culture trying to help
enjoying life and culture trying to help these kids in the arts and as a part of
these kids in the arts and as a part of
these kids in the arts and as a part of what i did as a youth pastor i had to
what i did as a youth pastor i had to
what i did as a youth pastor i had to create flyers and programs and design
create flyers and programs and design
create flyers and programs and design stuff for events so i got some bootleg
stuff for events so i got some bootleg
stuff for events so i got some bootleg photoshop from my dad and i was working
photoshop from my dad and i was working
photoshop from my dad and i was working on some flyers and stuff and i really
on some flyers and stuff and i really
on some flyers and stuff and i really enjoyed the process and over the years
enjoyed the process and over the years
enjoyed the process and over the years working with high school students i love
working with high school students i love
working with high school students i love designing all of a sudden I kind of like
designing all of a sudden I kind of like
designing all of a sudden I kind of like designing more than working with high
designing more than working with high
designing more than working with high school students and at the church it was
school students and at the church it was
school students and at the church it was cool because they would started asking
cool because they would started asking
cool because they would started asking me hey can you help design us some
me hey can you help design us some
me hey can you help design us some flyers for some events we’re doing this
flyers for some events we’re doing this
flyers for some events we’re doing this big outreach thing can help design
big outreach thing can help design
big outreach thing can help design something and I really like the design
something and I really like the design
something and I really like the design thing and one day when the bureaucracy
thing and one day when the bureaucracy
thing and one day when the bureaucracy and politics of working in a mega church
and politics of working in a mega church
and politics of working in a mega church that was crazy weird and on TV and super
that was crazy weird and on TV and super
that was crazy weird and on TV and super bizarre I said you know what I’m
bizarre I said you know what I’m
bizarre I said you know what I’m declaring to the heavens right now I’m
declaring to the heavens right now I’m
declaring to the heavens right now I’m going to be a graphic designer I’m going
going to be a graphic designer I’m going
going to be a graphic designer I’m going to be a creative I’m going to leave this
to be a creative I’m going to leave this
to be a creative I’m going to leave this church world behind and that was a scary
church world behind and that was a scary
church world behind and that was a scary day for me because I’m like oh no how do
day for me because I’m like oh no how do
day for me because I’m like oh no how do I keep my integrity intact how do I not
I keep my integrity intact how do I not
I keep my integrity intact how do I not sell out and make this huge transition
sell out and make this huge transition
sell out and make this huge transition so today I want to talk about a few
so today I want to talk about a few
so today I want to talk about a few things I’ve learned over the past few
things I’ve learned over the past few
things I’ve learned over the past few years as I transition from one place to
years as I transition from one place to
years as I transition from one place to another place and trying to keep my punk
another place and trying to keep my punk
another place and trying to keep my punk rock integrity intact and not selling
rock integrity intact and not selling
rock integrity intact and not selling out or selling out the right way and the
out or selling out the right way and the
out or selling out the right way and the first way I think about selling out the
first way I think about selling out the
first way I think about selling out the right way is getting in the pit you’ve
right way is getting in the pit you’ve
right way is getting in the pit you’ve ever been to a punk show or a hardcore
ever been to a punk show or a hardcore
ever been to a punk show or a hardcore show or a wheel weird alternative
show or a wheel weird alternative
show or a wheel weird alternative alternative show back in the late 90s
alternative show back in the late 90s
alternative show back in the late 90s you’ve seen the mosh pit right maybe
you’ve seen the mosh pit right maybe
you’ve seen the mosh pit right maybe some of you’ve been in it maybe some of
some of you’ve been in it maybe some of
some of you’ve been in it maybe some of you have seen it in like that stinks
you have seen it in like that stinks
you have seen it in like that stinks that’s weird those are guys throwing
that’s weird those are guys throwing
that’s weird those are guys throwing haymakers over there I don’t like this
haymakers over there I don’t like this
haymakers over there I don’t like this the must fit is that place it a show
the must fit is that place it a show
the must fit is that place it a show especially a punk show where that’s
especially a punk show where that’s
especially a punk show where that’s where the action is happening as I’m
where the action is happening as I’m
where the action is happening as I’m getting older I feel like I’m the old
getting older I feel like I’m the old
getting older I feel like I’m the old guy at a rock show when I go out and so
guy at a rock show when I go out and so
guy at a rock show when I go out and so I sit around the edge I’m in the back my
I sit around the edge I’m in the back my
I sit around the edge I’m in the back my buddy’s not do that thing we’re just
buddy’s not do that thing we’re just
buddy’s not do that thing we’re just leaving kind of nod our heads why like
leaving kind of nod our heads why like
leaving kind of nod our heads why like there’s a crazy pit happening ahead and
there’s a crazy pit happening ahead and
there’s a crazy pit happening ahead and a few years ago my buddies and I read a
a few years ago my buddies and I read a
a few years ago my buddies and I read a show and they’re like we can we stop
show and they’re like we can we stop
show and they’re like we can we stop being the old guys can we get in the mix
being the old guys can we get in the mix
being the old guys can we get in the mix and so we ran up front and had so much
and so we ran up front and had so much
and so we ran up front and had so much fun because we
fun because we
fun because we in the pit that’s where the actions at
in the pit that’s where the actions at
in the pit that’s where the actions at your active participant in the music and
your active participant in the music and
your active participant in the music and what’s great about the pit or two things
what’s great about the pit or two things
what’s great about the pit or two things first one danger danger is an amazing
first one danger danger is an amazing
first one danger danger is an amazing motivator and an amazing thing that
motivator and an amazing thing that
motivator and an amazing thing that keeps you sharp that keeps you focused
keeps you sharp that keeps you focused
keeps you sharp that keeps you focused and it keeps you grounded what does it
and it keeps you grounded what does it
and it keeps you grounded what does it little danger going on your heads always
little danger going on your heads always
little danger going on your heads always on a swivel you’re not comfortable
on a swivel you’re not comfortable
on a swivel you’re not comfortable you’re in the moment you’re present and
you’re in the moment you’re present and
you’re in the moment you’re present and danger kind of makes you feel alive
danger kind of makes you feel alive
danger kind of makes you feel alive danger at a punk show its kind of goes
danger at a punk show its kind of goes
danger at a punk show its kind of goes hand in hand there’s this venue in metro
hand in hand there’s this venue in metro
hand in hand there’s this venue in metro Atlanta called the masquerade and the
Atlanta called the masquerade and the
Atlanta called the masquerade and the masquerade is where all the punk bands
masquerade is where all the punk bands
masquerade is where all the punk bands play in Atlanta and it’s this old wooden
play in Atlanta and it’s this old wooden
play in Atlanta and it’s this old wooden building that used to be a mill and it
building that used to be a mill and it
building that used to be a mill and it looks like it’s about to fall over with
looks like it’s about to fall over with
looks like it’s about to fall over with a good hot wind and then you go inside
a good hot wind and then you go inside
a good hot wind and then you go inside and there are three venues inside of it
and there are three venues inside of it
and there are three venues inside of it to add to the danger component there’s
to add to the danger component there’s
to add to the danger component there’s heaven there’s hell and there’s
heaven there’s hell and there’s
heaven there’s hell and there’s purgatory those are the three venues so
purgatory those are the three venues so
purgatory those are the three venues so already you’re coming this is awesome
already you’re coming this is awesome
already you’re coming this is awesome it’s kind of scary weird and the danger
it’s kind of scary weird and the danger
it’s kind of scary weird and the danger components amazing and because it’s an
components amazing and because it’s an
components amazing and because it’s an old building there’s these old floors
old building there’s these old floors
old building there’s these old floors that when there’s a thousand kids in
that when there’s a thousand kids in
that when there’s a thousand kids in this place jumping around the floors do
this place jumping around the floors do
this place jumping around the floors do this and you’re like oh this is the last
this and you’re like oh this is the last
this and you’re like oh this is the last day I’m going to see my family okay and
day I’m going to see my family okay and
day I’m going to see my family okay and the danger component keeps you on her
the danger component keeps you on her
the danger component keeps you on her head the head on a swivel keeps you
head the head on a swivel keeps you
head the head on a swivel keeps you looking around keeps you focused on the
looking around keeps you focused on the
looking around keeps you focused on the things are important when my wife and I
things are important when my wife and I
things are important when my wife and I decided to move from Southern California
decided to move from Southern California
decided to move from Southern California to Atlanta Georgia to follow a job in
to Atlanta Georgia to follow a job in
to Atlanta Georgia to follow a job in the design for me it was my first design
the design for me it was my first design
the design for me it was my first design gig no else would hire me because I
gig no else would hire me because I
gig no else would hire me because I worked in churches forever I had no
worked in churches forever I had no
worked in churches forever I had no resume i had no book I had no nothing
resume i had no book I had no nothing
resume i had no book I had no nothing these guys took a chance on me and it
these guys took a chance on me and it
these guys took a chance on me and it was dangerous who moved from a place
was dangerous who moved from a place
was dangerous who moved from a place where we had a community to a place we
where we had a community to a place we
where we had a community to a place we didn’t know anybody but a danger kept us
didn’t know anybody but a danger kept us
didn’t know anybody but a danger kept us frosting it kept a sharp it kept us
frosting it kept a sharp it kept us
frosting it kept a sharp it kept us grounded it kept us connected that’s
grounded it kept us connected that’s
grounded it kept us connected that’s like being in the pit the second thing
like being in the pit the second thing
like being in the pit the second thing after danger that I like to focus on his
after danger that I like to focus on his
after danger that I like to focus on his community this may sound
community this may sound
community this may sound counterintuitive because in a pit it
counterintuitive because in a pit it
counterintuitive because in a pit it doesn’t feel like people are being very
doesn’t feel like people are being very
doesn’t feel like people are being very hospitable it feels like they’re fat
hospitable it feels like they’re fat
hospitable it feels like they’re fat sweaty do just throwing haymakers at
sweaty do just throwing haymakers at
sweaty do just throwing haymakers at each other and it’s like I might get
each other and it’s like I might get
each other and it’s like I might get stabbed I don’t know but really when you
stabbed I don’t know but really when you
stabbed I don’t know but really when you break it down in a pit it is a bunch of
break it down in a pit it is a bunch of
break it down in a pit it is a bunch of like-minded people gathering together
like-minded people gathering together
like-minded people gathering together albeit you try to viscerally enjoy the
albeit you try to viscerally enjoy the
albeit you try to viscerally enjoy the moment and be present but we’re all like
moment and be present but we’re all like
moment and be present but we’re all like minded and we’re all a part of
minded and we’re all a part of
minded and we’re all a part of unity if you’ve ever been a part of one
unity if you’ve ever been a part of one
unity if you’ve ever been a part of one and it’s been a few years since I’ve
and it’s been a few years since I’ve
and it’s been a few years since I’ve really been in there throwing some crazy
really been in there throwing some crazy
really been in there throwing some crazy knuckles or picking up change or
knuckles or picking up change or
knuckles or picking up change or whatever it is what I like to do is
whatever it is what I like to do is
whatever it is what I like to do is what’s really cool is when someone falls
what’s really cool is when someone falls
what’s really cool is when someone falls down everyone stops and picks that
down everyone stops and picks that
down everyone stops and picks that person up it’s amazing thing to see
person up it’s amazing thing to see
person up it’s amazing thing to see because the thing is it’s just super
because the thing is it’s just super
because the thing is it’s just super animalistic and crazy but the minute
animalistic and crazy but the minute
animalistic and crazy but the minute someone Falls would pick each other up
someone Falls would pick each other up
someone Falls would pick each other up there’s a amazing community there after
there’s a amazing community there after
there’s a amazing community there after we moved to Atlanta the company I
we moved to Atlanta the company I
we moved to Atlanta the company I started working for was an upstart web
started working for was an upstart web
started working for was an upstart web company and they lost their funding
company and they lost their funding
company and they lost their funding after six months and guess what we all
after six months and guess what we all
after six months and guess what we all got fired or let go as they say and I
got fired or let go as they say and I
got fired or let go as they say and I losing my job it was like well here
losing my job it was like well here
losing my job it was like well here comes the danger component again I’m now
comes the danger component again I’m now
comes the danger component again I’m now jobless I don’t have a career really I
jobless I don’t have a career really I
jobless I don’t have a career really I don’t have much to show for I’ve started
don’t have much to show for I’ve started
don’t have much to show for I’ve started this whole thing I moved to a new land
this whole thing I moved to a new land
this whole thing I moved to a new land but by the grace of god there’s a
but by the grace of god there’s a
but by the grace of god there’s a community of people there who we met
community of people there who we met
community of people there who we met through working in metro Atlanta who are
through working in metro Atlanta who are
through working in metro Atlanta who are in young bands bands who became friends
in young bands bands who became friends
in young bands bands who became friends with who later get signed a major record
with who later get signed a major record
with who later get signed a major record labels who needed artwork help then we
labels who needed artwork help then we
labels who needed artwork help then we meet with other young bands who are like
meet with other young bands who are like
meet with other young bands who are like hey are young brands and non businesses
hey are young brands and non businesses
hey are young brands and non businesses that hey we’re starting this business
that hey we’re starting this business
that hey we’re starting this business can you help me design something and
can you help me design something and
can you help me design something and before you know it this community of
before you know it this community of
before you know it this community of people that were there to kind of catch
people that were there to kind of catch
people that were there to kind of catch us and pick us up helped us kind of
us and pick us up helped us kind of
us and pick us up helped us kind of launch and get us going and keep
launch and get us going and keep
launch and get us going and keep propelling us towards success and got my
propelling us towards success and got my
propelling us towards success and got my business going and got it off the ground
business going and got it off the ground
business going and got it off the ground by getting them the pit having a little
by getting them the pit having a little
by getting them the pit having a little bit of danger and a lot of community we
bit of danger and a lot of community we
bit of danger and a lot of community we kept going and I still kept my integrity
kept going and I still kept my integrity
kept going and I still kept my integrity intact and I sold out the right way the
intact and I sold out the right way the
intact and I sold out the right way the second idea I have its weakness as
second idea I have its weakness as
second idea I have its weakness as uniqueness now this weird way of selling
uniqueness now this weird way of selling
uniqueness now this weird way of selling out the right way is determining that
out the right way is determining that
out the right way is determining that your weakness is not a horrible horrible
your weakness is not a horrible horrible
your weakness is not a horrible horrible thing but it’s a thing that makes you
thing but it’s a thing that makes you
thing but it’s a thing that makes you amazing it makes you unique what I’ve
amazing it makes you unique what I’ve
amazing it makes you unique what I’ve learned it all these years of working in
learned it all these years of working in
learned it all these years of working in creativity and design is that not only
creativity and design is that not only
creativity and design is that not only the just the most talented people are
the just the most talented people are
the just the most talented people are always not the most successful talent is
always not the most successful talent is
always not the most successful talent is one of those things we do measure
one of those things we do measure
one of those things we do measure proficiencies all those things we do
proficiencies all those things we do
proficiencies all those things we do measure but sometimes those are the guys
measure but sometimes those are the guys
measure but sometimes those are the guys who are in the basement noodling on the
who are in the basement noodling on the
who are in the basement noodling on the guitar they’re super talented but
guitar they’re super talented but
guitar they’re super talented but they’re not the most successful there’s
they’re not the most successful there’s
they’re not the most successful there’s a lot of bands who start out terrible
a lot of bands who start out terrible
a lot of bands who start out terrible because they have fire they have energy
because they have fire they have energy
because they have fire they have energy and they’re excited because they’re
and they’re excited because they’re
and they’re excited because they’re maybe not be the most talented what they
maybe not be the most talented what they
maybe not be the most talented what they do they turn their weakness not being
do they turn their weakness not being
do they turn their weakness not being very good at guitar /
very good at guitar /
very good at guitar / and turn it into a uniqueness by playing
and turn it into a uniqueness by playing
and turn it into a uniqueness by playing faster turning up the reverb getting
faster turning up the reverb getting
faster turning up the reverb getting crazy as a designer when I started my
crazy as a designer when I started my
crazy as a designer when I started my career I kind of realized there’s a big
career I kind of realized there’s a big
career I kind of realized there’s a big flaw that I thought every designer must
flaw that I thought every designer must
flaw that I thought every designer must have which is the ability to draw it’s
have which is the ability to draw it’s
have which is the ability to draw it’s kind of a big deal and I can’t draw very
kind of a big deal and I can’t draw very
kind of a big deal and I can’t draw very well and having that in my life was kind
well and having that in my life was kind
well and having that in my life was kind of frustrating but what I did was I look
of frustrating but what I did was I look
of frustrating but what I did was I look for other ways to find new avenues to be
for other ways to find new avenues to be
for other ways to find new avenues to be creative and kind of hide the fact I’m
creative and kind of hide the fact I’m
creative and kind of hide the fact I’m not very good at drawing so I start
not very good at drawing so I start
not very good at drawing so I start taking photographs I started falling in
taking photographs I started falling in
taking photographs I started falling in love with photography then I started
love with photography then I started
love with photography then I started using some weird artwork techniques and
using some weird artwork techniques and
using some weird artwork techniques and some weird software two techniques that
some weird software two techniques that
some weird software two techniques that someone made and also they became the
someone made and also they became the
someone made and also they became the unique look for what I did I turned my
unique look for what I did I turned my
unique look for what I did I turned my weakness into a uniqueness and that made
weakness into a uniqueness and that made
weakness into a uniqueness and that made me hopefully stand out amongst other
me hopefully stand out amongst other
me hopefully stand out amongst other people when I’m trying to fight for a
people when I’m trying to fight for a
people when I’m trying to fight for a job one of my favorite examples of this
job one of my favorite examples of this
job one of my favorite examples of this being a metalhead there may be some
being a metalhead there may be some
being a metalhead there may be some metal heads here today is Tony Iommi the
metal heads here today is Tony Iommi the
metal heads here today is Tony Iommi the guitar player for the band Black Sabbath
guitar player for the band Black Sabbath
guitar player for the band Black Sabbath Tony Iommi is credited with creating the
Tony Iommi is credited with creating the
Tony Iommi is credited with creating the sound and invented heavy metal but with
sound and invented heavy metal but with
sound and invented heavy metal but with Tony Iommi was 17 years old he was in a
Tony Iommi was 17 years old he was in a
Tony Iommi was 17 years old he was in a garage band loved playing guitar wasn’t
garage band loved playing guitar wasn’t
garage band loved playing guitar wasn’t in Black Sabbath yet but he’s working in
in Black Sabbath yet but he’s working in
in Black Sabbath yet but he’s working in the factory and one day he had a factory
the factory and one day he had a factory
the factory and one day he had a factory accident a machine press came down and
accident a machine press came down and
accident a machine press came down and lopped off his ring tips of his ring
lopped off his ring tips of his ring
lopped off his ring tips of his ring finger middle finger on his guitar Han
finger middle finger on his guitar Han
finger middle finger on his guitar Han and I don’t know if you know missing
and I don’t know if you know missing
and I don’t know if you know missing fingers and playing guitar is kind of
fingers and playing guitar is kind of
fingers and playing guitar is kind of tough but he went home determined to
tough but he went home determined to
tough but he went home determined to figure something out and he started
figure something out and he started
figure something out and he started playing on guitar and the regular
playing on guitar and the regular
playing on guitar and the regular strings hurt his new fingers so he got
strings hurt his new fingers so he got
strings hurt his new fingers so he got fatter guitar strings got bass strings
fatter guitar strings got bass strings
fatter guitar strings got bass strings and put on his guitar gave him a nice
and put on his guitar gave him a nice
and put on his guitar gave him a nice lower tone but still kind of hurt a
lower tone but still kind of hurt a
lower tone but still kind of hurt a little bit so he developed these little
little bit so he developed these little
little bit so he developed these little caps and he’d put on his fingers and he
caps and he’d put on his fingers and he
caps and he’d put on his fingers and he play and it felt better and had this low
play and it felt better and had this low
play and it felt better and had this low muddled tone that would go on to kind of
muddled tone that would go on to kind of
muddled tone that would go on to kind of create the sound that invented an entire
create the sound that invented an entire
create the sound that invented an entire musical genre heavy metal he let his
musical genre heavy metal he let his
musical genre heavy metal he let his weakness determine his uniqueness I
weakness determine his uniqueness I
weakness determine his uniqueness I think that’s really important in not
think that’s really important in not
think that’s really important in not selling out because that keeps you
selling out because that keeps you
selling out because that keeps you grounded that keeps you focused and
grounded that keeps you focused and
grounded that keeps you focused and reminds you that you’re not perfect and
reminds you that you’re not perfect and
reminds you that you’re not perfect and in all those ways you can turn a
in all those ways you can turn a
in all those ways you can turn a negative into a positive the third and
negative into a positive the third and
negative into a positive the third and last idea I have for you in selling out
last idea I have for you in selling out
last idea I have for you in selling out the right way is young mimo
the right way is young mimo
the right way is young mimo now this sounds weird and what is young
now this sounds weird and what is young
now this sounds weird and what is young me moments me young me moments have you
me moments me young me moments have you
me moments me young me moments have you ever had those moments or if you said
ever had those moments or if you said
ever had those moments or if you said yourself if sixteen-year-old me were
yourself if sixteen-year-old me were
yourself if sixteen-year-old me were here right now they would not believe
here right now they would not believe
here right now they would not believe what is happening those moments where
what is happening those moments where
what is happening those moments where you’re like wow I once dreamed of this
you’re like wow I once dreamed of this
you’re like wow I once dreamed of this I’m so glad we’re here because very
I’m so glad we’re here because very
I’m so glad we’re here because very often we don’t take time to look back we
often we don’t take time to look back we
often we don’t take time to look back we just keep looking for right we barrel
just keep looking for right we barrel
just keep looking for right we barrel forward and what we’re doing young me
forward and what we’re doing young me
forward and what we’re doing young me moments of those moments where you sit
moments of those moments where you sit
moments of those moments where you sit back and say young me would have loved
back and say young me would have loved
back and say young me would have loved this being a lover of music as you can
this being a lover of music as you can
this being a lover of music as you can tell my but we would buy records all the
tell my but we would buy records all the
tell my but we would buy records all the time my buddies and I would buy records
time my buddies and I would buy records
time my buddies and I would buy records all the time and have to drive an hour
all the time and have to drive an hour
all the time and have to drive an hour to the look closest record store and we
to the look closest record store and we
to the look closest record store and we drive an hour save our money get over to
drive an hour save our money get over to
drive an hour save our money get over to Fort Wayne Indiana and we go to the CD
Fort Wayne Indiana and we go to the CD
Fort Wayne Indiana and we go to the CD store buy a bunch of Records and get to
store buy a bunch of Records and get to
store buy a bunch of Records and get to the car and just open them up and start
the car and just open them up and start
the car and just open them up and start pouring into them we look over the liner
pouring into them we look over the liner
pouring into them we look over the liner notes my buddy was a real weirdo and he
notes my buddy was a real weirdo and he
notes my buddy was a real weirdo and he would open it up and sniff the packaging
would open it up and sniff the packaging
would open it up and sniff the packaging and I’m like dude what is wrong with you
and I’m like dude what is wrong with you
and I’m like dude what is wrong with you but he’s like that’s how much in love
but he’s like that’s how much in love
but he’s like that’s how much in love with this product we were and we look
with this product we were and we look
with this product we were and we look over the liner notes you ok this guy
over the liner notes you ok this guy
over the liner notes you ok this guy played guitar here these lyrics are
played guitar here these lyrics are
played guitar here these lyrics are amazing and especially me as a creative
amazing and especially me as a creative
amazing and especially me as a creative mind even though I wasn’t doing design
mind even though I wasn’t doing design
mind even though I wasn’t doing design yet about who did this artwork this is
yet about who did this artwork this is
yet about who did this artwork this is amazing and the drummer at the time too
amazing and the drummer at the time too
amazing and the drummer at the time too I want to be like one day I want to have
I want to be like one day I want to have
I want to be like one day I want to have my name these liner notes as a drummer
my name these liner notes as a drummer
my name these liner notes as a drummer that’s one of my goals again 16 year old
that’s one of my goals again 16 year old
that’s one of my goals again 16 year old goal sure everyone wants be a rock and
goal sure everyone wants be a rock and
goal sure everyone wants be a rock and roll drummer right have their name in
roll drummer right have their name in
roll drummer right have their name in liner notes a few years after get my
liner notes a few years after get my
liner notes a few years after get my business going I started doing projects
business going I started doing projects
business going I started doing projects for friends back to the community aspect
for friends back to the community aspect
for friends back to the community aspect doing projects for friends in their
doing projects for friends in their
doing projects for friends in their bands and the one of the first records i
bands and the one of the first records i
bands and the one of the first records i got that I designed I opened it up was
got that I designed I opened it up was
got that I designed I opened it up was just like okay cool it printed this
just like okay cool it printed this
just like okay cool it printed this correctly this looks nice there it was I
correctly this looks nice there it was I
correctly this looks nice there it was I saw my name the liner notes I was like
saw my name the liner notes I was like
saw my name the liner notes I was like all right I may not be in here is a
all right I may not be in here is a
all right I may not be in here is a drummer but I’m in here as a crazy
drummer but I’m in here as a crazy
drummer but I’m in here as a crazy graphic designer that’s a young me
graphic designer that’s a young me
graphic designer that’s a young me moment 15 year old me would be freaking
moment 15 year old me would be freaking
moment 15 year old me would be freaking out if he knew this day was happening
out if he knew this day was happening
out if he knew this day was happening and I find these young me moments are
and I find these young me moments are
and I find these young me moments are those things that keep us grounded that
those things that keep us grounded that
those things that keep us grounded that keep us established and keep us kind of
keep us established and keep us kind of
keep us established and keep us kind of focused on what’s ahead but reminding us
focused on what’s ahead but reminding us
focused on what’s ahead but reminding us not to forget the past kind of reminding
not to forget the past kind of reminding
not to forget the past kind of reminding us of her childlike heart can you
us of her childlike heart can you
us of her childlike heart can you imagine there’s probably a million
imagine there’s probably a million
imagine there’s probably a million Disney illustrators that work for Disney
Disney illustrators that work for Disney
Disney illustrators that work for Disney who when they were kids grew up on all
who when they were kids grew up on all
who when they were kids grew up on all those Disney films I bet you every day
those Disney films I bet you every day
those Disney films I bet you every day they walk into work and see the big ears
they walk into work and see the big ears
they walk into work and see the big ears and they see all the crazy at latin
and they see all the crazy at latin
and they see all the crazy at latin illustrations and this that and the
illustrations and this that and the
illustrations and this that and the other that is
other that is
other that is don’t go man if eight-year-old me had
don’t go man if eight-year-old me had
don’t go man if eight-year-old me had any idea and that probably is a point of
any idea and that probably is a point of
any idea and that probably is a point of success because for me I was never a big
success because for me I was never a big
success because for me I was never a big fan of spreadsheets I was never a big
fan of spreadsheets I was never a big
fan of spreadsheets I was never a big fan of absolutes that said these are the
fan of absolutes that said these are the
fan of absolutes that said these are the four things you have to do to be
four things you have to do to be
four things you have to do to be successful I get it you have to make
successful I get it you have to make
successful I get it you have to make money but if you can make money cool but
money but if you can make money cool but
money but if you can make money cool but make your end goal the things that make
make your end goal the things that make
make your end goal the things that make you happy it seems young me moments that
you happy it seems young me moments that
you happy it seems young me moments that determine that the last illustration
determine that the last illustration
determine that the last illustration I’ll give you is when I finally felt
I’ll give you is when I finally felt
I’ll give you is when I finally felt like I had arrived as a professional
like I had arrived as a professional
like I had arrived as a professional creative and that’s the moment someone
creative and that’s the moment someone
creative and that’s the moment someone actually pays you for being creative and
actually pays you for being creative and
actually pays you for being creative and it was this perfect storm and this
it was this perfect storm and this
it was this perfect storm and this perfect amalgam there was a heavy metal
perfect amalgam there was a heavy metal
perfect amalgam there was a heavy metal and punk rock festival in metro Atlanta
and punk rock festival in metro Atlanta
and punk rock festival in metro Atlanta and this blog needed a photographer they
and this blog needed a photographer they
and this blog needed a photographer they called me and they actually wanted to
called me and they actually wanted to
called me and they actually wanted to pay me so I got to go to this festival
pay me so I got to go to this festival
pay me so I got to go to this festival of my buddy who is writing the stories
of my buddy who is writing the stories
of my buddy who is writing the stories and at this festival it was like I can’t
and at this festival it was like I can’t
and at this festival it was like I can’t believe I’m here right now all my
believe I’m here right now all my
believe I’m here right now all my favorite bands i got that cool backstage
favorite bands i got that cool backstage
favorite bands i got that cool backstage pass lamb in it i can go anywhere it’s
pass lamb in it i can go anywhere it’s
pass lamb in it i can go anywhere it’s like hey guys i can come in that’s cool
like hey guys i can come in that’s cool
like hey guys i can come in that’s cool and we it was just an amazing experience
and we it was just an amazing experience
and we it was just an amazing experience so all my favorite artists but that
so all my favorite artists but that
so all my favorite artists but that wasn’t really the moment that blew my
wasn’t really the moment that blew my
wasn’t really the moment that blew my mind the moment that blew my mind it was
mind the moment that blew my mind it was
mind the moment that blew my mind it was says all right I’m doing the right thing
says all right I’m doing the right thing
says all right I’m doing the right thing this is the direction I need to be going
this is the direction I need to be going
this is the direction I need to be going is when I got invited by one of my
is when I got invited by one of my
is when I got invited by one of my favorite bands of all time to have a
favorite bands of all time to have a
favorite bands of all time to have a hamburger with them did they say could
hamburger with them did they say could
hamburger with them did they say could you design my next record package can I
you design my next record package can I
you design my next record package can I give you a bazillion dollars no we just
give you a bazillion dollars no we just
give you a bazillion dollars no we just had a hamburger and talked about
had a hamburger and talked about
had a hamburger and talked about football for like two hours it was
football for like two hours it was
football for like two hours it was amazing and that was the out-of-body
amazing and that was the out-of-body
amazing and that was the out-of-body moment I had that a 15 year old me or 18
moment I had that a 15 year old me or 18
moment I had that a 15 year old me or 18 year old me knew this was going to be
year old me knew this was going to be
year old me knew this was going to be happening they would freak out and not
happening they would freak out and not
happening they would freak out and not believe it it’s about selling out the
believe it it’s about selling out the
believe it it’s about selling out the right way and remembering why you’re
right way and remembering why you’re
right way and remembering why you’re where you’re at and keeping your feet
where you’re at and keeping your feet
where you’re at and keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground and we do
firmly planted on the ground and we do
firmly planted on the ground and we do that I think I’d do that in three ways
that I think I’d do that in three ways
that I think I’d do that in three ways get in the pit it’s a little dangerous
get in the pit it’s a little dangerous
get in the pit it’s a little dangerous there’s community around you to help you
there’s community around you to help you
there’s community around you to help you remember your weakness is your
remember your weakness is your
remember your weakness is your uniqueness is those things that maybe
uniqueness is those things that maybe
uniqueness is those things that maybe not the best at but they help you find
not the best at but they help you find
not the best at but they help you find other ways to rise up a third and last
other ways to rise up a third and last
other ways to rise up a third and last point is those young me moments that
point is those young me moments that
point is those young me moments that keep you focused and grounded and keep
keep you focused and grounded and keep
keep you focused and grounded and keep you in the right trajectory on the right
you in the right trajectory on the right
you in the right trajectory on the right path hopefully that path is on the path
path hopefully that path is on the path
path hopefully that path is on the path to selling out just the right way
to selling out just the right way
to selling out just the right way thank you and I’ll see you guys in the
thank you and I’ll see you guys in the
thank you and I’ll see you guys in the pit
”
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