Any music column worth its weight in salt should begin with an album that means something to the writer. I am not going to bore you with an unnecessary description of the band's roots or influence on any scene or movement it may be associated with. Additionally, I am going to spare you any "This record saved my life!" moments as well because, if anything, this record was the soundtrack to a very dark period of my life characterized by alcohol, drugs, stupidity, pawn shops, and an unwavering pursuit of oblivion. The record in question is EYEHATEGOD's "Take as Needed For Pain."
It is something that is buried in the layers of sludge, down-tuned guitars, feedback and screaming that seemed to fit my descent into a very Bukowski-like life. Most days I would show up to work still half drunk and stoned to go through the motions required of me to earn a paycheck. Immediately after payday, I would spend the weekend drinking Budweiser, eating pills, smoking like a freight train while EHG blared from my stereo. It was like always having good company around you; the kind of company that always approves of your self-destruction and never seems to pass judgment. Many days and nights were spent with the boys from NOLA; They would be jamming and trying their best to explode the cheap speakers of my stereo while I, beer in hand, cheered them on.
I am not trying to glorify or recommend that kind of lifestyle to anyone. However, EHG will always serve as a good soundtrack if you find yourself in that kind of situation. Below I will list a few key points to serve as a guide to help the reader determine if they are in such a condition:
- Missing work due to massive hangovers/still too intoxicated to work.
- Using change to buy booze.
- More of your possessions are in the pawn shop than in your house.
- Planning ways to screw people over for your own amusement.
- Secretly hating everyone around you.
- Random acts of vandalism past the age of 30.
This music is not for the faint of heart. It is not necessarily even intended for "happy" people. Those suburban wasters who are happy to spend their weekends agonizing over which type of shrub or bush will complete their "backyard oasis" at the local mega-home improvement outlet store. It is not for those who worry about how high-interest rates will affect their 30 year mortgage, while still allowing sufficient funds for their wife's long overdue breast augmentation.
You don't listen to EHG on the golf course. You don't listen to EHG on your way to Old Navy. You don't listen to EHG while you are crying to a psychiatrist about how your mom never showed you any affection and how your step-dad was a little too "friendly" when you were alone with him. You listen to this band when you given up and you don't give a fuck anymore. You suck up your problems and accept your broken, hopeless lot in life. You gather up all of your loose change, decide what items will go to the pawn shop today, call the guy who gets the dope and you chase oblivion.
It is something that is buried in the layers of sludge, down-tuned guitars, feedback and screaming that seemed to fit my descent into a very Bukowski-like life. Most days I would show up to work still half drunk and stoned to go through the motions required of me to earn a paycheck. Immediately after payday, I would spend the weekend drinking Budweiser, eating pills, smoking like a freight train while EHG blared from my stereo. It was like always having good company around you; the kind of company that always approves of your self-destruction and never seems to pass judgment. Many days and nights were spent with the boys from NOLA; They would be jamming and trying their best to explode the cheap speakers of my stereo while I, beer in hand, cheered them on.
I am not trying to glorify or recommend that kind of lifestyle to anyone. However, EHG will always serve as a good soundtrack if you find yourself in that kind of situation. Below I will list a few key points to serve as a guide to help the reader determine if they are in such a condition:
- Missing work due to massive hangovers/still too intoxicated to work.
- Using change to buy booze.
- More of your possessions are in the pawn shop than in your house.
- Planning ways to screw people over for your own amusement.
- Secretly hating everyone around you.
- Random acts of vandalism past the age of 30.
This music is not for the faint of heart. It is not necessarily even intended for "happy" people. Those suburban wasters who are happy to spend their weekends agonizing over which type of shrub or bush will complete their "backyard oasis" at the local mega-home improvement outlet store. It is not for those who worry about how high-interest rates will affect their 30 year mortgage, while still allowing sufficient funds for their wife's long overdue breast augmentation.
You don't listen to EHG on the golf course. You don't listen to EHG on your way to Old Navy. You don't listen to EHG while you are crying to a psychiatrist about how your mom never showed you any affection and how your step-dad was a little too "friendly" when you were alone with him. You listen to this band when you given up and you don't give a fuck anymore. You suck up your problems and accept your broken, hopeless lot in life. You gather up all of your loose change, decide what items will go to the pawn shop today, call the guy who gets the dope and you chase oblivion.