the Effort

2010-08-10T14:00:00.001-04:00

From now on please follow us on tumblr, xeffortx.tumblr.com

It's been a while..

2010-02-10T12:46:00.003-05:00

So many things have happened since this has last been updated. It's funny how life takes you by the hand and doesn't let you even get a word in edge wise, and before you know it your sitting in your basement, trapped inside by a snow storm, thinking about all the crazy things you did in the past year.

Since this last blog post, the effort ran the gambit of things bands usually do over the entire course of their life, within one year. We toured for three straight months in the summer which included our first trip into Canada(Hey Buddy!), a full US tour, and 6 weeks with all our good friends in 'urope. That had to be the longest tour ever, and though it was great fun and probably the best experience we have ever had, it came with a price.

By the end of the summer, The Effort was left with only three member; Tony, James, and Jordan. Tim and Eddie grew apart from the band, and needed to find their own way through life. There really isn't much more to say on that matter. At this point, The Effort could have called it quits right there, but we just had so much more to say, do, and accomplish.

And that is where Christian and Ryan came into the picture.

Christian we met on the interwebs(where all great friendships start), and everything seemed to just click. He is only a quarter japanese, but we figured that would do. He makes the other 75% up with dedication, sick beats, and helping me with my Japanese homework.

Ryan has been around for a while, at least in my life. We met officially back when the Effort played at the Barn in Middletown, RI, an insanely awesome place that no longer does shows(typical for hardcore), but housed some of the best memories of this band. This venue was responsible for cementing our marriage with our brother band Outrage and allowing us to share the space with awesome bands such as Soul Control.

Anyway, Ryan is an amazing musician who plays not just hardcore, and predominately remains outside the mold of most hardcore band guitar players. I wouldn't even call myself a musician, just a kid who picked up a bass and knows how to keep time, but Ryan is the real deal. He brings a style to the effort that was previously never even thought to be possible, with weird time changes and fast finger picking, giving us a whole new sort of sound, while remaining core to our roots. Not only that, but he has to be the cutest 24 year old boy I have ever seen. That helps, too.

Since we got our lineup locked down again, we were now ready to get back onto the paved paradise. After getting the big red van back into shape, and adding a trailer to our home on the road, we were off down the east coast headed straight for the tip of Florida. Cold seemed to seep into every crevice it could find on our rush down to warmth, which made the trip down so much faster. Touring in the Winter is so much different than the summer, where you can stop and jump in the water, or be comfortable just sleeping outside. In December you don't want to ever leave your sleeping bag, unless the reason is to play to 40 kids in a basement or inhale vegan meals.

But after 6 days of what seemed like no sun, we finally made it to Gainesville where we met up with Battle, Dave Pratka, and other friends from the area. They treated us like kings, and let us stay in their home, and play to their friends, all before sending us off to the airport where we made it safely to Guatemala.

Yeah, this past winter we toured Central America, but maybe I'll save that for another blog post. All I can say right now is that James was right when he said after landing back in America a week and a half later: "I feel like that was just a dream, and i'm just now waking up." Safe to say, it was a pretty surreal, yet an incredible experience.

Barreling back up the East Coast, to homes, and jobs, and school, and girlfriends, we let "the white line in the middle of the highway unroll and hug our left front tire as if glued to our groove," something Kerouac once said that reverberates in me every time we pull onto pavement. Unfortunately, that groove got shaken out of us by the clutches of real life.

Tony flew back home to St. Louis, James got dropped off in Fitchburg(with classes literally the day after we got back!), Christian reunited with Elena, Ryan saw all 65 of his highschool kids, and me, I crawled back into my basement with poetry books and Videogames, holding out until summer.

Today, February 10th, 2010, two days from my 23rd birthday, pre-orders for The Effort's new 7inch, "Demo Sessions" are up on the Panic Records website. I have been playing in this band for a little over 4 years now, and I, and the rest of The Effort, don't plan on stopping anytime soon. We will be playing a weekend of shows spanning from NY to Vermont, with everything in between, in a few weeks to support the release of the 7inch. Check out the dates posted on our myspace HERE. Our new full length will be out in June, when we will take the summer by storm and not stop until every inch of the US has been touched by our tires.

We still have so much to say, so many friends to make, and so much energy to release. It is sad to see some of the best hardcore bands of our generation break up so recently, but our time is not now, and the torch of hardcore needs to be carried. These are trying times, so don't sleep on the bands that are pouring their hearts and minds and money(the very little we all have)into this. Bands such as Dangers, Unrestrained, Expire, Nothing to Nothing, Make Do and Mend, Hostage Calm, Outrage, Soul Control, among many others. Don't let the torch flicker and fade, I know we won't. - Jordan

Marseilles, France

2009-01-07T12:00:00.002-05:00

"There is no way out of this city"

Day from hell. Spent the whole day trying to push the vans through the slush that poured down. Marseilles was not ready for this weather, they hadn't had a storm like that in at least 30 years we were told. No plowed roads, no one can drive in this.

In defeat we retreated back to the hostel and paid for another night, we found out our show in Italy had been canceled anyways.

We almost got kicked out for the snowball fight that occurred in the hostel haha

We'll try again tomorrow.

Winterthur to Marseilles, France

2009-01-06T11:28:00.003-05:00

"Abe Lincoln fought for mail order brides"

Woke up to Sci-Fi creepy alarm. Quick breakfast, long drive.....

We almost die, Thomas falls asleep while driving over the speed limit, scary as fuck. Pascal steps in and does the driving. Drive through mountains, tunnels, bridges that are hundreds of feet about valleys. Insane!

Restlessness breaks out, food fight in van. Smells like shit.

Marseilles is a sketchy city, we actually had to completely empty the van when parking it. The venue actually keeps it's doors bolted shut haha. Kind of bummed we had to be cooped up in the venue the whole time.

After the show we went to our hostel, really cool place. Everyone gets showers again!

Paris to Winterthur, Switzerland

2009-01-05T12:00:00.002-05:00

We woke up to snow falling in Paris. Drove around for 1.5 hours trying to find the place we were supposed to go to get breakfast. Cold feet, everyone's shoes have holes, snow everywhere. We never found the place.

Drove to the Eiffel Tower, it's huge. Took some pictures, soldiers with machine guns, and we're off!

Jordan moshes to Slipnot. Justin drinks so much Coke. So many tunnels....

Arrived at the squat and it started to snow some more. Tony and James found enough ingredients to show Europeans what guacamole is.

Played the show, everywhere is so cold! Sleep upstairs, we all cuddle and listen to music as we fall asleep

Duisburg to Paris

2009-01-04T12:00:00.002-05:00

"I don't like it when dogs yell"

Woke up in Paris, thanks to our drivers. Tony was gimping around and becoming very frustrated. We walk to Notre Dame, it was breath taking. George hates churches so he refused to go in. There was a gift shop inside the church haha. Then we went and got delicious falafel.

Walked back to the venue and met this dude who looked like Vin Diesel haha, he called the promoter for us and let us relax at his apartment until the show started.

Eventually we got back to the venue and played our set. Tony decided to not do it on crutches, the adrenaline didn't make it hurt he said. Went back to the apartment and were allowed to call the US!

Explore Paris all night, there is no other city like this

Bremmen to Duisburg

2009-01-03T12:00:00.002-05:00

"You friend is very strange"

Woke up late, short drive. So many fresh baked rolls for all the bands. Scrambles, tofu and onion and tomatoes and cucumbers, SO GOOD.

Mike IS baby gorilla.

Got to the venue, lame venue. Show tonight is a festival with Killing the Dream and The Carrier, same show as New Years Eve. Tony fucked up his ankle real bad during the set, and had to go to the hospital. Came up with a scheme to pretend Tony was Tom, and Tom was Tony. All Tony had to do was not talk and Tom would do all the talking for him. In and out of hospital in 1 hour, and who said universal health care couldn't work?

They gave him these crutches that were useless, and they couldn't steal a wheelchair.

Show was very weird, lots of tension. Decided to drive all night to Paris for redemption.

Darmstadt to Bremmen

2009-01-02T12:00:00.002-05:00

"Dude, do you like Saosin?"

Woke up and had bread with spreads. Starting to love German chocolate spread. We took a photo in front of the venue, it's huge. Start driving.

We are out of merch, need to find a printing company, arguing and headaches ensue. Thomas put on acoustic Saosin, and emoly, passionatly sang along, too good.

Jordan bought a travel pussy, which ended up being a plastic bag with lube haha

Got to the next squat/venue. Lots of nice people, awesome kids and promoters. AYS played and covered Black Flag. So many people in such a small place. No air, no room. Perfect. Sold out of new merch, great.

Cold night, really cold night actually.

Rosswein to Darmstadt

2009-01-01T12:00:00.002-05:00

"AWW Don't get sick in the bin!"

We all woke up and were able to take showers, such a great feeling. Went back to the venue and ate leftovers for breakfast. More Than Life's guitarist is throwing up, listened to stories of the night. Said our good-byes and jumped in the van.

Stopped at a gas station, Dan danced for the employees, Tim pretended he was mentally handicapped so he didn't have to pay to use the bathroom.

Arrived at the venue, and it's a sick old mansion, that was squatted in the 80's and is now a youth center. We brought our equipment in through a window. Ate a huge dinner upstairs.

Played the show, Fall Apart played magnificently. Hot pepper eating contest, USA wins again. Pissed in Jordan's pringles. Tim asked for a pringle, Jordan threw pringles to him. Piss soaked pringles landed on James' sleeping stuff, he's pissed, spirals to Andrew taking a sword to the nuts while wearing the thong, how did this happen? Where do we go from here? Video soon.

Weinmar to Rosswein

2008-12-31T12:00:00.002-05:00

"HI PAUL!"

George cooked us breakfast, best anyone has ever eaten. Germany pancakes, with an apple type topping, tofu scramble, deliciousness! Then we walked to a pool downtown, but it was closed, fuck! Time to go to next show

Got to the venue pretty quickly, huge murals all over it. Tried to drive to the hostel and got lost for like an hour. Small one way roads, the wrong way. U-Turn in farmers house, not happy about it. Guns Up! van mosh, baaahahaha.

Finally get to hostel, huge rat tail towel snap war. It escalates into James being locked into a bathroom, we've taken it too far.

We go back to venue, eat some more food, delicious pasta, fruit and soda. Run into the Carrier, good to see familiar faces. Awesome show, kids went nuts! STAGE DIVES STAGE DIVES STAGE DIVES

The Carrier plays, really drunk haha. Anthony gives Freddy in the chest, some karate shit. New Years celebration, fireworks, cheers. Tony kisses George, Tim gets a kiss from Banana.

Andrew and Justin get drunks to chant "USA USA USA" and "QUACK QUACK QUACK" hahaha. Nonsesnse

Budapest to Weimar, Germany

2008-12-30T12:00:00.002-05:00

"It can't hold them both, looks like a sack of potatoes!"

Driving overnight in horrible fog, George promises it will be worth is, he says Weimar is a beautiful city with many things to do. 9 hours fade...

Got to squat, and it's fucking huge. Yes! There is heat! It's funny how a few days with very little makes you appreciate the simple things. Got situated and cleaned up. They took us to the mall, malls are the same everywhere. Went to the super market, got food.

No pavement, only bricks.

Brought food back and did some exploring. Tony stole a vibrating condom. We got postcards finally, Tim and Andrew found knives.

Went back to squat/venue at sundown. Mike gave Andrew his second b-day present, a lacy see through thong. He wears it for the night. During The Effort's set we convince Andrew to do a stage dive in the thong.

James' vegan pudding was eating while we played, Andrew accidentally threw his thong into James' last pudding. Pissed. Tony fell asleep, we put beer and a lit cigarette in his hand and took pictures. Woke up so confused. We just want to sleep, turn off the fucking lights

Czetochowa to Budapest, Hungary

2008-12-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

"He hasn't been feeling good? Probably because he hasn't been eating garbage..."

Woke up at 9am to leave, Niclas takes out his dick in the kitchen. Andrew hasn't been feeling good since we've left. Dan wants to settle down with a gilf. He entertains us with tattoo and piercing stories.

We backed up into a dude. Said we can pay him 300 Euro or he'll call the cops. Fuck. We gave him 100 and left. Everything is ridiculously cheap in Poland. Small things are hard, we are getting a better understanding on how it must feel to not speak a language in a foreign country.

Gave Andrew first b-day present, cigars and creepy Polish porn, plungers?! Jordan refuses to wear pants. We drove by a town called "God". Giving truckers the goat, AMERICA FUCK YEAH!

We almost drove over a cliff, too foggy out. Who just stops a highway?!

Arrive in Budapest, Fall Apart van jerk off stories.

Nazi in venue, show won't start until he leaves. Promoter WAAAAY to OK with Nazis. "Nazi, not a Nazi, who can even tell?" Lame. Lets get the fuck out of here. No sleep, just driving for miles (kilometers) and miles (kilometers).

Kolbuzowa to Czestochowa, Poland

2008-12-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

"Blind as a fish"

Woke up to another delicious meal made by Karoline and her family of traditional Polish food. Food is where you are able to understand and relate to different cultures.

At 11am we start heading to Auschwitz with Fall Apart. We realize Justin has the ability to get in every photograph. Gray skies, but beautiful scenery everywhere. The small towns with stucco houses and farms do exist.

We are already driving Dan crazy.

Andrew turned 20, so we got him some crazy Polish porn and a pack of cigars.

Young and old riding bikes through small towns. It is FREEZING out. Auschwitz is closed. Still explored around.

Made it to the venue, and it's freezing in here. It's a big open area, looks possibly like another squat. Huge fireplace heats the entire venue. Different place.

Played our set, girls went crazy for Tim haha. One actually went up on stage and hugged him during out set! We're the Beatles. Found out they were hookers though, lame.

Drove to the promoter's house and watched some of the footage from the past couple of days. What made us think it would be ok for Justin to put a camera in our face? Tired, passing out....

Berlin to Kolbuszowa, Poland

2008-12-27T12:00:00.002-05:00

"99 Bottles of beer on the wall, take one down and pass out it around, then smash it on the floor, STRAIGHT EDGE REVENGE"

Tim, Tony, Andrew and Jordan slept in the van. Tony had a panic attack, confined spaces, Andrew had to take his clothes off haha. Woke up to everyone opening the door, where is the sunlight? Freezing cold.

Half hour of sleep, we are all belligerent, so tired.

George from the venue has decided to come with us on tour, great news. He seems like a very cool dude.

Poland highways suck. 6 hours of bumpy rides, destroyed pavement. Boredom, van dives, "my bum is on the _____".

Finally made it to the show. More amazing food. Rice and Lentils stuffed in cabbage leaves. Sooooo good. Cops at the doors, lots of kids. Tony did an interview for a Polish zine, translator needed haha. Getting equipment out, freezing cold.

After the show we went to Karoline's house (one of the promoters). Her family was so nice, and gave us so much food, a warm fire and hospitality . Justin claims the fruit juice is bug juice, convinces the Polish of this. We might have offended Karoline's father by not partaking in drinking with him. It might have been a custom. Sorry if we did. Honestly though, this family, these people are so generous. They let 9 foreign, people into their house, fed them, let them bathe, gave them warm places to sleep and still asked them to return someday. They had trust in us, this is the kind of compassion that is needed around the world, and in us. We are eternally grateful.

Hamburg to Berlin

2008-12-26T12:00:00.001-05:00

"NINE! FUCK!"

We got our luggage and went through a crowd of people waiting with flowers, obviously expecting someone other than us, well unless this is Fields of Hope's way of saying "Welcome to Europe!". Niclas and Jonas (who will probably be referred to as Beakman on many occasions) met us and took us to the van. Niclas lets us know that he has only had his license for two weeks, sweet. He will drive us to pick up our driver.

Let us just say, we could tell Niclas only had his license for two weeks haha, he's insanse. We arrived at the train station to meet our driver, his name is Thomas. We then headed to Berlin for our kick off show.

Got to the venue, drove down tiny alleyways with graffiti everywhere. The venue is technically a squat, but it's been legal for the past 5 years. Awesome, genuine people here. We meet George, he runs mostly everything, and made us delicious pizza, some of the best we've ever had. We also met the Fall Apart dudes, and they are awesome kids. Spent hours getting to know everyone, exploring and organizing our merch.

Insane venue, it was like stepping back 100s of years and you were in like catacombs or something. Looked so cool, jam packed with kids. No where to move upstairs or downstairs. We didn't end up playing until almost midnight, we've been awake for what seems like days now. After the show, we all immediately passout......

Boston to Amsterdam to Hamburg

2008-12-25T16:00:00.006-05:00

"Sup Frawgson?"

Money exchanged, left on time, airport was easier than expected. Andrew got detained for ankle bracelet. Justin sat next to a cute girl and talked to her (he's obviously not a nerd). Watched shitty in flight movies, but there was a beautiful sunrise on while we were flying over Eastern Europe (omen?)

Connecting flight to Hamburg was short, in a small plane. We are all starting to feel very loopy.

From Our Mistakes ep lyrics

2008-11-26T22:07:00.001-05:00

We Can Learn
Today during my morning commute I heard on the radio, on the news that if I stopped and looked to the east I'd see a pink summer sun rise over the sea. Still I drove on over the Zakim bridge, I couldn't slow down, I didn't give in. My heart screamed stop but my fear said to wait, for job security I'd never be late. And it reminded me of when I was a kid and I promised myself I would always live for the moment each and everyday so I wouldn't have to hear our children say, "Dad did all he could in a world where it's understood dreams die in the heart of the young but as he grew old they died one by one". Now as I tilt my rear view mirror the objects are closer but they do not care if East Boston is just out of reach, these fucking buildings won't let the sky breathe. It seems I'm working on my epitaph. Someday I promise myself I'll put getting to work back on the shelf and I'll tell my kids, "You don't have to live the same way dad did. Do the things
in life that will make you happy while making sure they aren't just momentary. I know they say this world is just too cold but that's only if you fit into their mold..."

From Our Mistakes
And I've fit into their mold for the past twenty fucking years in a world that's far too cold, it's trapping all our dreams into frozen tears. And I've put the last touch on my own epitaph before ten it was just too much for this child who would never laugh when we were born into these classes of a hopeless generation and the target is on the masses where no hope equals no motivation. Have we learned from our mistakes or are we just walking backwards? Never knowing quite what it will take to be known as more than just a coward. And it's true we haven't one thing from our mistakes. When will we realize that the stakes are far too high to walk around with these closed eyes and try to find some truth in these lies when this city and this country says you can't live without property while the powers that make you cower say smile big while you live in showers. And it's true we haven't learned from our mistakes. We haven't learned from these lies
walking around with these closed eyes so when will we realize our misfortunes are just too high. Can we learn from our mistakes when our misfortunes, they fall from the sky?

And Misfortunes
Because when I look into a mirror I see a lost child inside of this decaying body where misfortunes 0build up through time. I am a product of my surroundings, atleast it's what I've been told and I'm seeing it more everyday, the fact that we all eventually will fold. And I'm trying to hold on to the golden days of honesty and clarity but sometimes there's no other way. What the fuck has become of me? As my misfortunes outweigh everything I've learned and everything I say until every last bridge has burned. And now our mistakes and our misfortunes they rain from the sky with instructions on how to grow but all we can do is ask why. But here I am still thinking we can learn, and here I am still thinking our ideas are unworn. Here I am still putting my neck on the line knowing it will get crushed every single time because I truely believe, we can learn from our mistakes and misfortunes, even after all I've seen.

On the Way Home

2008-08-07T06:19:00.000-04:00

Hadn't updated in a while because I just kind of lost touch with it
all. Let me start off by stating that the midwest was absolutely
amazing. So many genuinely good hearted kids out there. Every night we
felt like we were home. Thanks to my good friends Dan, Gabe, Lee,
Jesse, Caleb and the rest of Fare Thee Well and Get Serious. You guys
helped us out so much. Also mad love to Jeff and the dudes in Take
Control for making Iowa such a blast.

It was also so awesome to meet up with some of the bros in Mindset again
last night. Thanks for being the only people to show up, and still
making the show fun as fuck!

We're driving through CT right now and we're about to part ways with the
remains of Hostage Calm and this piece of dog poo van. I'm watching the
sun rise of this familiar scenery and I can't help but think of all the
friends we've mad in the past month. All of the practical jokes, fights
and headaches. All the debates, speeches and talks of revolution; I'm
going to miss it all.

I still have a while to go, and I'm kind of wishing I went back with the
car instead because now I have to take the D line to the red line then
walk 6 blocks with my backpack, sleeping bag and all of our merch.
Coming home from the road always sucks.

-Tony

columbia missouri

2008-08-02T15:54:00.001-04:00

without a doubt these dudes are some of the best i ever met. the show was awesome and i truly felt like i was at home in another state. seriously its not just thefact that these dudes bought us food, let us stay at there house, paid us way more than we deserved, or even that we got free tattoos. these dudes really made me feel like i waspart of an extended family that i don't have. just hanging out in downtown columbia with jesse seeing the bluenote or laughing at funny youtube videos in the shop made it worth it. i am sure this sounds super cheesy but i can't express in words how good i feel right now and i know every single person on tour right now feels the same way. gabe stayed up all night giving us tattoos dan caleb and lee let us stay at there house and they all bought us food but more importantly they made us feel so welcome. where else in this wold can you meet a dude over 10 years older than you hang out until 4am and feel like you've known each other for years. thats hardcore. not mosh calls or new merch or acting hard.. its friends and the family bonds you create through the interaction and common interests. gabe dan caleb lee jesse and everyone else in the columbia scene... thank you for making me feel at home andpart of a family. i'm gonna cut this off now before i bust into a written h20 singalong hah. thanks again guys can't wait to seeyou again!

-jordan

really quick

2008-07-28T09:25:00.001-04:00

Please try and ignore the horrible spelling and grammar haha. I don't
have spell check on my phone and a lot of these entries are typed late
night/early morning. Spelling and grammar will be fixed when I get
home

-Tony

7,332 miles

2008-07-28T09:05:00.000-04:00

Rolling into AZ right now and the sun is just coming up over the vast
rolling terrain. Last night at 1am we stopped at a mountain top rest
stop that over looked three huge cities. The cities lights illuminated
the skies above them, but ontop of this huge mountain it was a totally
different story. I never been able to see stars actually flicker, and
star/galaxy clusters.

There were groups of people converging inside and outside of their cars
last night, blaring music, drinking beer, and kissing their lovers. For
the first time on tour I got a sense of freedom, and a love for this
great country.

-Tony

San Diego, CA

2008-07-27T16:13:00.001-04:00

Wow, the Che Cafe is probably one of the greatest venues I've ever! I
genuinely felt like I was in a remote rainforest jungle in the middle of
a Latin American country, at some crazy guerilla rebel compound.
Fucking nuts. I can't wait to get back there again. It was also great
to finally meet Mike and Ashley Martin.

After the show Rob Mertz from One Choice hooked us up with a place to
stay. That dude is fucking awesome, insisted that we all shower, bought
us breakfast aaand let us make horrible music in his practice space
haha. We're actually about to head to the beach and I think we're going
to try and meet back up with Mike too.

Day off today and it's time to go to a Oceanside, CA beach! Then
driving through the night to Tuscon, AZ. Thanks to Andy from Time for
Change for hooking up the show and Joven at the Che Cafe!

-Tony

6,788 miles

2008-07-26T16:14:00.001-04:00

6 lanes of highway going south through CA and we're stuck in traffic!

Only in LA

6,666 miles

2008-07-25T22:59:00.000-04:00

Santa Barbara is beautiful

A Tribute

2008-07-25T00:06:00.001-04:00

To commemorate (sp?) my near death experience from a spider bite I got a
sick tattoo. Enjoy

-Tony

6,256 miles (graphic content!)

2008-07-24T15:55:00.000-04:00

I just came back from the ER in Hollister, CA (as you can probably tell
by the pictures ha). I'm stoked that I don't need to be hospitalized,
but a little bummed that I have to go back to an ER in 2 days. The
pictures I put up are what it looked like the day after I went to the
hospital the first time and the others were taken when they were taking
my bandages off this morning. The black cirlce was the entire infected
area. Yeah I know, it's pretty fucking gross.

Last night we went to go sleep at a beach with Hostage Calm and At Half
Mast but it was closed down so we slept at what we thought was a rest
stop. To our surprize though it ended up being some weird mini
amusement park with crazy peacocks and ghost train II.

Leaving for Fresno in a couple hours, stoked to play with Battle and
Coke Bust! It should be an awesome show, hopefully At Half Mast can hop
on.

-Tony

Oakland, CA

2008-07-24T15:53:00.001-04:00

We slept over our friend Sam's house last night (that's her roomate's
dog). We woke up on the 23rd and then Sam gave half of us a tour of San
Francisco. We saw Little Mexico, Alex got "the best burrito of his
life", we got vegan dinner food, I went to visit my uncle at his condo,
and then we went to Golden Gate Park and Beach. It was a fun day,
actually an amazing day.

Thanks again Sam! You rule, and hit us up when you get to Boston!

-Tony

And this night proves it

2008-07-24T05:39:00.001-04:00

At this moment in time i am in california sleeping on the roof of our van in cool 58 degree weather looking up at a sea of stars. most people would wory about not having a place to stay and a hour or so ago i was one of those people. But after just laying herelistening to the beatles and looking up at these beautiful stars in fucking california, it seemslike nohing else matters and all i can feel is contentment. i love being on the road and moments like this make all the menial bickering or small annoyances from tour irrelivant. im going to shut off my phone now and enjoy this moment.

peace and love
-jordan

5,464 miles

2008-07-22T16:01:00.000-04:00

So I just got out of the hospital because I had this huge spider bite
(as shown above) and because I've been feeling shitty the past 4 or 5
days. They ended up giving me 3 obsurdly large shots in my thighs and
then cutting my arm open to drain the infection. It was fucked up.

My sickness (get up get down with it) has left me too lazy to make posts
and apparently no one else does sooooo just a quick update with
pics......

-Jorge has now turned back into Alex
-Punisher is badass
-the Northwest is absolutely beautiful
-Cliff diving in Twin Falls
-Grilled pizza in Wichita, KS
-the Underground in Dever, CO fucking rules
-the Viaduct in Tacoma, WA was also another awesome venue
-Brian hooked it up with the vegan cake
-Portland basement show with only friend's bands

Hope that's enough of an update!
-Tony

fuck

2008-07-22T12:40:00.001-04:00

we are currently in the emergency room because one of our dudes got bit by something crazy and nowhis arm is alll fucked up. it sucks so much. but hey, at least it wasn't a rattlesnake.

heading to oakland to hang with sam tonight and tomorrow.

driving for 15 hours

2008-07-16T17:19:00.001-04:00

makes me want to kill myself. brett is the funniest dude ever though so it helps having him in the car. heres to hoping that the show and kids tonight rule. if its anything like any of the other shows so far then we have nothing to worry about.

if you can't take the jank get off the plank

-jordan

Nashville, TN

2008-07-16T11:56:00.000-04:00

Hollywood's last show was intense! We played with them a couple times
last year and realy liked those dudes. We were kind of bummed that we
had to meet them again on their departure. We also said our good-byes
to Energy and Verse for the time being, we'll see them when we get back
to MA.

Bad news, we're out of the tank tops until CA. We're getting a restock
of our tour shirts and the maroon transmit shirts in Denver.

Good news, we'll be receiving some copies of the second press of "Wear
Your Heart" in Wichita. Also here are some random pictures from the
south that you can enjoy.....

-Tony

Birmingham, AL

2008-07-16T08:26:00.000-04:00

First off HUUUUUGGGGE thanks to the Schwartzs' for hooking up 4 touring
bands with food and a place to sleep. You really don't see that kind of
compassion and pure selflessness these days, it's awesome to run into
that kind of mentality while on the road. We also had the show at the
Schwartzs' house in a tiny room in their basement. It was fucking
killler!

After the show we went to AL's in downtown Burmingham where we got
delicous food and James experienced Tahini sauce (mayo) for the first
time in his life. The next morning we awoke to a Gwen Stephani alarm
clock (a wretched experience) and then said our good-byes to Jack who is
that handsom greyhound mix in the picture. Then it was off to Nashville
for Hollywood's last show!

-Tony

Significant Fest (Day 2)

2008-07-15T19:32:00.000-04:00

This post is like a day or so late, but the past couple of days really
blended together. Sunday we played the second day of Significant Fest
and it was the hottest show of my entire life. We drove all night from
Chaz's house in South Carolina and got to the venue at around 4am. Our
plan was to just show up at Clearwater and find a nice beach to sleep
on, but of course that plan didn't work. As soon as we were 30 minutes
away, it starts down pouring and we were forced to sleep in the car and
van. The air was so humid and the bugs were so huge, easily one of my
worst nights of sleep. We're all covered in mosquito bites.
We woke up to a harsh sun and humidity that weighed you down. It was
bad. Mindset played their set right before us and they rocked the fuck
out. Right after us was the Clam, followed by Hammer Bros. Have Heart
and Verse headlined that night and it really made me happy to see
friends in another state that's so far from home, it always does
infact.
After that we all sat around with the dudes from Mindset and talked of
revolution and change. Those dudes are so amazing and sincere, there
needs to be way more bands out there with that sort of mentality. I'm
going to miss them until the next time we play with them.
Huge thanks to Have Heart and Verse too, you guys helped us out big time
after the fest and we can't be thankful enough. Seriously not only are
guys inspiring kids all over the world to come out to hardcore shows and
sing their hearts out, but you are also inspiring bands to keep doing
what they are doing.

-Tony

1372 miles

2008-07-12T21:19:00.001-04:00

A few things I wanted to add....

-2 new shirts will be available at Significant Fest tomorrow courtesy of
Hellfish. Michael Hellfish hooked it up again big time and did a 24
hour turn around on these bad boys. We sold out of our tour shirts a
lot faster then we had anticipated, but Hellfish is restocking them for
us and they should be available in Denver, CO and the shows that
follow.
-2nd pressings of the "Wear Your Heart" ep will be available in Wichita,
KS and the shows that follow. Tour versions of the "Iconoclasm" LP will
be available in Twin Falls, Idaho and the rest of the shows after.
-A big thanks to the kids who drove out from far away to watch us play.
Thanks to Colin and Ilyad for making the 8 hour pit stop in Greenville
to hangout.

FLORIDA OR BUST

fuck yeah!

Mauldin, SC

2008-07-12T21:05:00.001-04:00

So our show last night was seriously played in the middle of a halfpipe.
I know alot of bands talk about playing at this place but actually
seeing it and playing there was a great experience. Kids were running
side to side and not being stopped by walls, instead running up them.
It was so fucking cool! Big thanks to Chaz, Paul, and the entire Gagne
family for showing us a great time. We also played with Mindset again
and like Tony said previously we are envious of thier sweet merch. So
envious in fact that I left the show last night with a Mindset t shirt
and longsleeve! They are great dudes and everyone should definitely
check them out. They are on React records and have an ep coming out
this august so get on that. Right now I am in my car while Tony and Tom
drive us to Clearwater for Significant Fest tomorrow. We are sleeping
on the beach tonight and I hope to see the sunrise over the
water tomorrow morning. Tour rules and the kids who come out really
make it worth it. Thanks!

-Jordan

day three: recollections and revelations

2008-07-11T13:23:00.001-04:00

i am currently ridin in the clam van. i am having thebest time of my life and there is no where else i would rather be. i dont know if people really understand how much it means when someone invites us in thier house for the night and lets us devour thier water supply and coat the floor with our bodies. this morning bobby from headcount records' dad offered me a glass of orange juice and even though it seems so menial, when you are on the road with only a backpack full of clothes and a bit of cash that one glassof orangejuice is such a great thing. just think if everyone in this world was so open and sharing and compassionate like kids in hardore are to one another how much better off our world would be. tony read me and james a speech the dali llama gave and it just made so much sense. we are all human beings and our national pride blinds us from that true fact. why are we so attached to the material possesions we possess and why do most people care more about a monetary value over a persons life? or even life in general? we can buy cds we can buy tvs we can buy houses and cars but we cannot buy life. it seems so obviously wrong layedout in blatent terms but in our everyday lives we see this happening right before our eyes and nothing changes. i made a pact to myself the same time i chose to live a vegan lifestyle that i would to the best of my ability not contribute to the atrocities that happen in our world today and i'm so glad i feel stronger about my dec. everyday . people over profit. -jordan

658 miles

2008-07-11T13:16:00.000-04:00

Almost forgot

FREE SLURPIE DAY AT 7/11!

Jordan sucks at posting

Silver Spring, MD

2008-07-11T05:14:00.001-04:00

None of this might make sense because I am typing it at 5am, honestly
I'm watching the sun rise. Another great fucking show though! Wow
seriously, I hope this is how the entire tour goes. Basement shows are
so much fun to play too. It makes me so happy to be able to play in a
basement just outside of DC, an area that has played such a key role in
hardcore and straight edge.
It was great to see some familiar Virginia Beach faces, and to know that
kids drove out from mid-PA. Thanks to the people who put on the house
show, it takes some huge balls to do that, but it also helps their scene
grow stronger.
We got there at 10pm, and Mindset was just setting up. Dudes fucking
ripped, and we're envious of their youth crew merch designs haha. We're
playing with them for the rest of the week, and I can't wait to get to
know the dudes a little more.
After the show Bobby from Headcount Records and his friend (whom I just
realized that I missed her name) took us to DC where at 2am we ate the
most delishous falafels ever. We get back to the van to realize it will
not start. We try to jump start it for 30 minutes to no avail when Alex
notices the battery connector might be too oxidized and not on
securely. Of course that's what it was. After Brett gives us the DC
tour, we eventually arrived at Bobby's house to sleep at 4 in the
morning. I'm going to try and get some sleep, even though Alex is
snoring like an 80 year old emphazemic man.....

-Tony

in addition to alex shitting...

2008-07-10T17:26:00.001-04:00

i simutaneously peed in my gatorade bottle. tony tried to take a picture of me but i dodged it. james is complaining about my pee smelling terible but i will not and can not liter. sorry james!

-jordan

290 miles

2008-07-10T17:12:00.001-04:00

Stuck in NYC traffic and Alex has to shit. Only logical thing to do is
take a shit on the median stip under the 95 overpass haha. Thank god
for baby wipes......

Wallingford, CT

2008-07-10T14:40:00.000-04:00

Fuuuuuuck Wallingford kids are intense! One of the hottest days of the
year, kids still coming out to support their locals and touring bands!
My beliefs in hardcore are validated when I see sweat pouring down the
face of someone screaming their heart out to me. It sends chills down
my spine. Such a great way to start off this month of screaming,
sweating, starving, and surviving.

Hostage Calm was amazing, and it's just settling in that I'm going to be
lucky enough to see these dudes spread an important message for 28 days
straight.

Thanks to our MA friends for making the long haul down to CT for our
kick off show, it was rad to see you fellas once more before we leave.
Crashing at Tom's place tonight, and then getting the Clam van
registered tomorrow morning haha. What a fiasco that turned into! See
you tomorrow MD!

-Tony

96 Miles

2008-07-09T16:32:00.001-04:00

Eddie already hates Jordan

We're trying to re-name food items like "vegan pancakes" so they don't
have the word "vegan" in them because that is also annoying Eddie.

Jordan rides the ass of every car in front of him causing life to flash
before my eyes every 10 minutes. It's going to be a long 10,000
miles....

-Tony
----------------------------
myspace.com/xeffortx
xeffortx.blogspot.com

A quick update and explanation of whats in store

2008-07-08T00:04:00.002-04:00

Hey guys,

We are so excited to leave for our full US tour with hostage calm in 2 days. we have most of the dates locked down and definitely can't wait to get on the road again!

We will have a few more shirt designs on top of the tour 'on the road' shirts we have currently. the designs will be posted soon. also while on tour we will all (individually) be updating this blog with news, stories, show updates, ideas, frustrations, jokes, pictures and other rad things. blogs are cool so we are going to take full advantage of it so check this often.

Thanks and hopefully we will be seeing you soon!

4/26 VA Beach

2008-04-29T09:52:00.003-04:00

check more of these pics out here haha

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26135402@N06/sets/72157604796361073/

Interview with Tony

2008-03-11T12:25:00.002-04:00

this interview was done on March 3rd, 2008

What or who introduced you to Straight Edge?
When I was 15-17 I was in a band that was well liked in the local punk rock scene. The band was influenced by hardcore bands like Minor Threat, Project X, Ten Yard Fight as well as others, but we had no idea that there was a distinction between punk rock and hardcore. My friend Elie and this girl I had been dating introduced me to the music and lifestyle; they showed me the positive and negative paths that lead from it.

When was your first Hardcore show and who played?
Like I said before I had been going to shows for a while, starting somewhere around 1999. Back then punk and hardcore were the same thing to me so I didn’t know when I was going to a strictly hardcore show. Once I looked more into the hardcore scene however, I realized how fortunate my first hardcore show was. It was at the Worcester Palladium, a huge fest where bands were playing upstairs and downstairs at the same time. That day I saw Bane, American Nightmare, Panic, Shark Attack, Cro-Mags, Soul Brains (Bad Brains) and countless others that I can’t even remember. I was so used to seeing the chaotic pits the punk rock shows had that I was in awe watching the melodic dancing during AN and the acrobatic leaps during Bane. It was Panic’s second show and I borrowed a dollar from my friend to buy their demo tape. I got high off of second hand smoke during Bad Brains, and got kicked in the stomach from a pit that started before Cro-Mags picked up their instruments. It was absolutely amazing and I’ll never forget that day.

When did you decide that Straight Edge was right for you?
Well I had been dating this girl who had been straight edge, but broke a couple months before meeting me. We dated for a while but it ended up getting real messy quick. She drank a lot which made her act like an idiot all the time. I was watching her throw her life away to be a drunken punk rock kid. It made me really evaluate my life and the path of destruction I was on. My friends Elie and Pat were the only straight edge kids out of our large group of friends, and they seemed happy, enlightened and free from restraints. I figured I’d try it out and see if it was right for me. It was awesome, I felt like I was awake and I immediately took to it. It ended up driving a huge spike in my relationship, and my girlfriend got drunk and cheated on me several times. It was painful when it happened but looking back I feel like it made my life stronger.

What is Straight Edge to you?
Ha, the most forward questions are always the hardest ones! Well I feel like there are a lot of people out there who for one reason or another never participated in the use of alcohol or drugs so when they find out about the straight edge lifestyle they say, “Yah! That’s what I am!” Honestly I commend them because I did not have the determination when I was younger to refrain from temptations, however in my eyes there has to be reasoning behind it. It’s a lifestyle with a purpose and intent; a movement for change. I’m not saying there should be some kind of war on drugs like this current presidential administration believes, but straight edge should be a voice of opposition to American lifestyle that can be heard by every citizen. The fighting should be inner and personal, while the message should not be pushed on those who wish not to hear it.

What do you think is good and bad about the current Hardcore scene?
The hardcore scene has the ability to address an opposition to current lifestyles and politics. It’s a medium in which many people can speak their minds and hopefully not be persecuted because of it. Ideally we look out for one another because outside of the walls of our venues it is hard to know whom to trust. There is a socialist quality to the scene where bonds are formed due to hardships and similar backgrounds. I know I present it in such a romantic light, but that’s because it is a very romantic environment. It’s a place where raw dissention and emotion can be released freely as long as we take into account every other person’s right to liberty. This is what I love about hardcore.
It’s sad to address, but something that really disappoints me about the scene is the selfish attitude that people can possess. I can’t really blame them, I know it’s hard living in America and not thinking of what will benefit you alone. It seems we are taught to be capitalists from birth, but really this shouldn’t be brought into the hardcore scene. We’re supposed to be a community that looks out for one another. I’m sick of kids starting fights to give themselves pride. I hate hearing about someone disrespecting a venue’s rule by selfishly getting inebriated on their property. What saddens me the most is when someone is humiliated and taken advantage of so someone else can feel a sense of superiority in our scene. What it comes down to is that almost every problem we have in the hardcore scene stems from an individual’s urge to look out for themselves only. If we acted more like a community this wouldn’t be a problem.

Other than the abstinence of drugs, alcohol, and promiscuous sex, are there any other things you associate with your edge?
Like I stated previously, I think there has to be reasoning behind why you are straight edge. Whatever that reasoning is, it should also directly relate to the things you associate with being edge. I’ve had almost six years to think about it and my feelings constantly change. One thing I am sure of though is that I associate a love for what humanity can be and a compassionate lifestyle with straight edge. To me, the purpose of restraining from drugs, alcohol and promiscuous sex is not only to keep you healthy, but to make sure that you are not medicated in a very ignorant society. I’m not saying a person who casually partakes in a night out drinking, or likes a glass of wine with their meal is a dumb person who has no understanding of their mind’s enslavement. I’m rather referring to the person who uses drugs, alcohol, and promiscuous sex as a crutch, a numbing solution to their problems. This is why I feel the need to be a polar opposite, to be an example and to show that there is light at the end of a tunnel.

"Iconoclasm" LP Lyrics

2008-03-10T18:28:00.004-04:00

track one: Transmit

transcript taken from the film "The Network" 1976

I don’t have to tell you things are bad, everybody knows things are bad. It’s a depression. Everybody’s out of work or scared of losing their jobs. A dollar buys a nickel’s worth, banks are going bust, shop keepers keep a gun under the counter, punks are running wild on the streets and there’s nobody anywhere that seems to know what to do, and there’s no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat but we sit watching our TVs while some local newscaster tells us that today we had 15 homicides and 63 violent crimes as if that’s the way it’s supposed to be. We know things are bad, worse than bad. They’re crazy, it’s like everything everywhere is going crazy so we don’t go out anymore. We sit in the house and slowly the world we’re living in is getting smaller and all we say is, “Please at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel belted radio and I won’t say anything, just leave us alone”. Well I’m not going to leave you alone, I want you to get mad. I don’t want you to protest, I don’t want you to riot, I don’t want you to write to your congressman because I wouldn’t know what to tell you to write. I don’t know what to do about the depression, and the inflation and the Russians, and the crime in the streets, all I know is that first you’ve got to get mad. You’ve got to say, “I’m a human being god damnit, my life has value!” So I want you to get up now, I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now, go to window, open it and stick you head out and yell, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

track two: The Price of Medication
I’ve been medicated my whole life
Clouding my mind until it’s dark as night
And even on the blackest of days
I muster strength just to see through the haze
I’ve loathed those who don’t know what it’s like
To be the loser in a constant fight
Because we’re stuck in this backwards game
Where no one gives a fuck if you don’t want to play
Well I’ve lost so I don’t care if anyone sees
All the shit that’s been taken from me
I’m twenty-two with nothing to loose
I’d give it all away if I had to choose
Because I’ve been pegged since day one
Growing up as a two-faced addict’s son
When everyone loves to preach to me
That the apple doesn’t fall far from its tree
Now the odds are stacked so high
On the noose that my parents have tied
Hoping its use becomes obsolete
And my bloodline won’t be my defeat
So this is the price of our medication
It was your first-born child’s defamation
And it’s the price of our anesthetic lives
It’s easy not to notice when you don’t even try

track three: 1985
And I can’t believe what I’ve turned into
Dad I’m full of hate just like you
I am a spiteful being
On account of everything I’ve seen
But all I want is to show I care
And live a life that’s all too fair
Contrary to my own views
I’m living like a short fuse
This wasn’t my intention
To be a breathing contradiction
I don’t know why it’s so difficult
To change after admitting my faults
I am a product of a flower child
And I’m the thousandth in one square mile
It seems that drugs couldn’t make you love
But they sure did make you numb
Frozen to the point in your history
A time before the birth of me
When the only thing you had to worry for
Where your friends and you next score
Well now I’m my own at crossroads
My eyes squint to see what the future holds
But no matter how much love I preach
I’m afraid of the hate my heart beats
It runs in my family’s blood
It’s in our foundations and every stud
Inside this house of New Orleans
I watch the sun rise over me

track four: Steps Ahead
I grew watching my family bleed
From the tired cracks in their hands
That were calloused by their future needs
And a concept of an American plan
Where everyone can make it to the top
After spending years as the footing
And being covered with the shit that’s dropped
While this impudence is viewed by our children
Keep us numb with pastimes and poisons
And injections to prolong the cruelness
But we need to exploit our own compulsions
Instead of letting our offspring adopt this
We’re stuck being the root of their profit
Watching them get their entitlements
Still there’s not a dime for our pockets
What’s worse is that we don’t feel fulfillment
Our manufactured dreams and expectations
Are controlling the way we lead our lives
And stripping us from our compassion
Leaving vengeance as our drive

track five: Born Again Presidency
The foundations our fathers built have been destroyed
By the very own system which they deployed
And it’s gotten so fucked up
That I don’t want be apart of this anymore
With these backwards rules and everyday is worse than it was before
I’ve grown complacent crossing the sinking sand
Where my arm’s outstretched but no one tries to grab my hand
In the home of the free and the master plan
To turn us into their own Christian Promised Land
Open minds are what I’ve yearned
But you sit back with no concern
You think politics are just a leisure pursuit
But it’s this ignorance that’s at the problem’s root
And one of the main principles this country was founded on
Was a separation between our church and state
But everyday we let the gap cave in so it’s just a little smaller
But I’ll stand up for what I think is right
Even if I have no one by my side
I’ll speak for my self, and no one else
We seem to have put too much faith in our leaders
The people we elected to make our decisions
Leaders we pay to make the right calls
Perhaps we’ve been paying too much
Because we seem to have been taken advantage of
I don’t care if it’s for my own good
I will never give up my liberties for protected freedom
We must stand up to be free

track six: A Breath of Fresh Air
We’ve all spent our lives crawling and struggling just to stay afloat
Scraping our knees on the ocean floor and filling our lungs with salt
Without a soul for miles there is no one to save me from this black water
It’s the epidemic we face as kids with no mothers and with no fathers
This generation has grown up with not a place to call home
With no one to look up to and no voice to call our own
We have to understand this before it gets out of our control
We’ll have to scrape our knees more to get out of this hole
The saddest day was when I found out who you were
You no longer wanted a voice to be heard
And to think I looked up to you as I look your hand
But left in your place was a far weaker man

track seven: And to Think
All this time I’ve looked up to you and it turns out
You were wrong and now I guess I just have to move on
Plagued with regret I’ve still been growing up all along
Whatever it takes my will won’t break
I’ll just have to be strong
I’ll have to be stronger than i have ever been
The only person i have to prove it to is myself
How about you?
Stronger than I’ve ever been
For the betterment and the growth of our citizens
I will change and it’s going to make the difference

track eight: Nineteen Years Late
I thought I gave everything I could
And I thought my words finally stood
Above our country’s actions
And above all the violent reactions
But as I see the blood in Burma
My discontent turns to paranoia
When a monk living in tranquility
Loses his life to live in peace
“Let everyone be free from harm
“Let everyone be free from anger
“Let everyone be free from hardships”
I’ve lived too long in a useless bubble
Worrying about this country’s troubles
Because you can’t open anyone’s eyes
If they are content with living blind
The liberties we all take for granted
Pour out the wounds of the enlightened
Our hands are just as unclean
Because back in 88 this should have been foreseen
We’re still fish in a bowl despite the efforts
Making us the logical targets
Nineteen years late, we are too late

track nine: Crashing WavesI’m thinking of a world where no one has to suffer
It’s not as far fetched as you think
But my ideas they only bring you laughter
Trust me you have nothing to give back
If you still haven’t sparked production
and I’m thinking of a world where people actually care
About the quality of human life instead of their clothes and hair
Everyday I think, “How great it must be
To live as you” but I promised I wouldn’t go back to there
And I won’t be apart of your cheap ideals
They don’t take an ounce of thought
I got a vehicle called human ears
Where emotion will hopefully spark
A difference in you and not just through another wave
But a difference that’s true that stays through our old age

track ten: Tips and Directions
While your heart sleeps in your chest
My sleeve is pounding loud
And that’s why I raise my fist
I’ve got to let all the words come out
I’ve been second-guessing all the rest
Trying to understand what it’s really all about
So don’t bother singing along
If the strength doesn’t come from deep inside your heart
Because these words are more than just a song
It’s the spark from which a fire should start
And twenty years ago I was a little boy
Unaware of the shifts I could make
And I had no idea how to enjoy my own life
With the roads I would take
But someone gave me a tip when I had stopped for directions
He told me, he said, “This is it, so stop looking for perfection.”
I want more
I want to be the new beat for our generation
Lost in my own words
We could ditch the destruction and lead a life of contemplation
Bodhisattvas of the 1950s killed their own convictions
And lost their minds but did we learn
From their self annihilation?

track eleven: My Declaration
To my future self I just want to help
I don’t want anyone else to know this ball of hate which I have grown
And I don’t want anyone else to feel this pain I’ve had to shield
From my father’s lips and his resentful fists
Because I promise that I won’t hurt
Someone I bring to this earth
And I’ll lead a life of love
Putting everyone else above
My own intentions
Consider this an intervention
And to my future life with my future wife
I’ll treat you with love and respect with every chance that I get
This is my declaration to our generation

track 12: Black Sheep
I’ve watched so many run
That it makes me feel numb
When I loose a good friend
To another pointless trend
I’m sick of superficial minds
Clogging the ears of our blind
Blind because they cannot see
Their own dismal routines
And no matter what is your label
We’ve got to turn the tables
Before it’s too late
And we have the chance to state
All the shit that is wrong
With this society in which we belong
Where the privileged don’t speech for me
They’re too busy fighting for their green
And this lack of hope
Has been jammed down my throat
To the point where I only care
About my impending air
And I choked up the words came out
And you finally heard what I was talking about
When you said I wouldn’t last too long
Well you were wrong
I am the black sheep of this country
Because I won’t buy what they sell me
My friend that’s what this X means
It’s the symbol of all my beliefs
It’s the ink that’s been used by this world
To cross out my words so they wouldn’t hold
And to crush my defiant thoughts
But it’s only put a fire in my heart
I can pick myself up when I'm down
With this fire in my heart

"Wear Your Heart" EP Lyrics

2008-03-10T17:35:00.007-04:00

track one: All This Time

You sang by my side to words that kept me alive
To meanings you didn't know, to words that helped me grow
Words that helped me grow into the person that I am today
Showing you what I know, I know I'm stronger than I was yesterday
Tomorrow I'll be here on behalf of what I love
Tomorrow I'm still here its the only thing I can be certain of
Friends come and go, hey I thought you were more
There was even a point in time man when I looked up to you
All this time I looked up to you....

track two: And to Think
All this time I looked up to you and it turns out
You were wrong, so now I guess I just have to move on
Plagued with regret I've still been growing up all along
Whatever it takes my will won't break I'll just have to be strong
I'll have to be stronger than I have ever been
And the only person I have to prove it to is myself
How about you?
Stronger than I've ever been for the betterment
And the growth of our citizens
I will change and it's going to make the difference

track three: Wear Your Heart
And I really knew it, you wouldn't have the guts to say, "good-bye"
So I'll say it, "good-bye"
You were too busy thinking of yourself
And how to make a truth into a lie
So good-bye, but heart to heart
We're better off without another kid
Who's stuck on himself and cares for no one else
This isn't a community if there is no you and me
And if we don't have the strength to change ourselves
I know it's hard to say you gave up so try and hear it from someone else
The hate you spread crushed our hearts so just be honest with yourself
There's still an X on my hand and a heart on my sleeve
But it's making it far too easy for the people who are trying to crush me
They have no idea what it's like to be me, to see the things I see
Watch me become who I want to be
They try to keep us down and pick apart what I'm about
But I have to say the words they don't want to hear
From day to day I've listened to what you've had to say
Now it's time things are going to go my way
I'm like the kid who said, "I'll be something someday"
Then the world had to come along and try to crush me
I've found my home, this is where I belong
Don't take that away from me, no one can take this away from me

track four: Crashing WavesI'm thinking of a world where no one has to suffer
It's not as far fetched as you think, but my ideas they only bring you laughter
Trust me you have nothing to give back
If you still haven't sparked production
And I'm thinking of a world where people actually care
About the quality of human life instead of their clothes and hair
Everyday I think how great it must be to live as you
But I promised I won't go back to there
I won't be apart of your cheap ideals they don't take an ounce of thought
I've got a vehicle called human ears where emotion will hopefully spark
A difference in you and not just through another wave
A difference that's true and stays through our old age

track five: Tips and Directions
While your heart sleep in your chest my sleeve is pounding loud
And that's why I raise my fist, I've got to let all the words come out
Don't bother singing along if the strength doesn't come from deep inside your heart
These words are more than just a song, they're the spark from which a fire should start
Twenty years ago I was a little boy unaware of the shifts I could make
And I had no idea how to enjoy my own life with the roads I would take
But someone gave me a tip when I was stopping for directions
He told me, he said, "This is it so stop looking for perfection"

track six: A Price on My Head
Just think of what we could accomplish if we all put our minds together
There would be nothing to abolish and company through nasty weather
The message I send puts a price on my head
Instead of dancing we should put our minds first
Stop and listen to the meaning you'll find out how much it's worth
It's worth more than your new kicks or a ticket to see Gorilla Biscuits
It's worth more than A.N. merch or who's ever is cooler because they came first
We're too caught up in the worldly objects
We're too involved in the mindless gossip
And when the possesion you buy own you isn't that a hint that we're living backwards?
When this whole system revolves around marketing isn't that a hint that we're now the product?
I'm done with all of it, take my hand and quit

track seven: Floating Belly Up
We are but fish in a bowl, everyday we're seeing the same fucking view
But being stuck in this cold is making me question the truth
Sadly it seems to me that as long as a hand supplies
It'll keep us too busy to see that all the shit we're eating has been lies
Well I don't want to anymore I want something so much more
Something that money can't buy, something that will change my life
I no longer want to incarcerate this growth I've intended to take
I just want something more, I'm striving for something more
I want a view from a higher ground, try seeing what it means to be profound
It's not too late to change this whole generation of shame
All it will take is a little thought so our lives won't continue to rot
Now let's make this something more than petty fights and even scores
All you have to do is open your mouth and the revolution will start to come out
I'll strive for something more

track eight: The Mass Production of Minds
With tear filled hands over everything that's gone
An unclear mind does not belong with the greedy eyes of the full and wealthy
Because nothing helps me strive and stay healthy
Wealthy is the mind in a zombie state
You can't find compassion through hate, you can't find answers without asking questions
Feel free to ask and take notes
Straight edge to you isn't what it means to me
We've been mixing in excepted self pity
I am not better than anyone else, I still feel pain like we all have felt
(Don't let our morals rot)
Xed up fists are striking blood shot eyes
Now neither one is better, the intention are compromised
I am not better than anyone else, I still feel pain like we all have felt
Use our strength to make a difference
Using our hearts to make others see this

INCONOCLASM PRE-ORDERS UP NOW!

2008-03-10T11:04:00.001-04:00

09/03/2008 - THE EFFORT "ICONOCLASM" PREORDERS

The Effort's "Iconoclasm" is now officially up for preorder. The album will be available on CD, 4 different versions of vinyl, and digital download from our digital distributors. We have some special preorder packs available in our Web store including: CD + limited shirt (out of 50) + 3 stickers, 4 pack of vinyl (black, blue, blue/clear splatter, and silkscreened preorder edition), and CD + 4 pack of vinyl + limited shirt + 3 stickers. The album is scheduled to ship on April 1st. We have everything in hand except for vinyl. The vinyl is taking a bit longer than expected since we had to switch plants at the last minute. But if you order now, you should have them in hand by mid-April.

clearing up our logo....

2008-03-08T11:29:00.004-05:00

I've noticed that because of our logo, a lot of people have questions about whether the Effort is a religious hardcore band. A quick answer to this question is "no". No matter what each member in this band spiritually believes, whether it be Atheist, Agnostic, Buddhist or other, we do not consider religion or spirituality part of our message. However as the writer of lyrics for this band, obviously my personal life will effect the message. I do not consider myself to belong to any organized group of religion, but I have studied Buddhism, Tantra, and Hinduism along with other eastern (and western) religions. I have studied the culture of India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Burma and all of this has effected my outlook on life, resulting in an impact on my lyrics. Nothing in our message and lyrics are intended to push religion or spirituality on anyone, it is simply relating the customs I have learned of to American life.

In our logo there is a symbol between "THE" and "EFFORT". This symbol is called an Anahata. Anahata is a sanskrit word that means unhurt, un-struck and unbeaten.

The Anahata chakra is physically positioned at the heart region. Traditionally, this chakra is represented as a green flower with twelve petals which match the vrittis of lust, fraud, indecision, repentance, hope, anxiety, longing, impartiality, arrogance, incompetence, discrimination and defiance.

Anahata is associated with the ability to make decisions outside of the realm of karma. In Manipura and below, man is bound by the laws of karma, and the fate he has in store for him. In Anahata, one is making decisions, 'following your heart', based upon one's higher self, and not from the unfulfilled emotions and desires of lower nature. The wish-fulfilling tree, kalpa taru, resides here, symbolizing the ability to manifest whatever you wish to happen in the world. It is also associated with love and compassion, charity to others, and forms of psychic healing.

Again, these are all beliefs held by a culture different from the West. It may be completely wrong but I feel like this is not the point. The symbolism and meaning behind the Anahata are far more important than whether it is fact or fiction, and I believe this is the way we should look at a lot of religions. The direct relationship this symbol has with the entire last two releases the Effort has put out "Wear Your Heart" and "Iconoclasm" is beyond coincidental, this is why I felt it incredibly important to use it in our logo.

Anyways, I hope this insight helps clarify things a little better for people. Thanks for your interest too!

-Tony
The Effort

merch/release database

2008-03-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

RELEASES

Wear Your Heart Demo - 2006
track listing
1. And to Think
2. Crashing Waves
3. A Price On My Head
4. The Mass Production of Minds
self released - CD - 200 copies - out of print

Wear Your Heart 3 Song Sampler - 2007
track listing
1. All This Time
2. And to Think
3. Wear Your Heart
self released - CD - 50 copies - out of print

Turn it Down! Compilation - 2007
featured song
1. Wear Your Heart - the Effort
Last Shot Records - CD - 5000 copies - out of print

Wear Your Heart EP - 2007
track listing
1. All This Time
2. And to Think
3. Wear Your Heart
4. Crashing Waves (digital only)
5. Tips and Directions (digital only)
6. A Price on My Head
7. Floating Belly Up
8. The Mass Production of Minds (digital only)
Words of War Records - 7"/Digital - 503 (first press)
100 Gold (30 Numbered Satanic East Coast Tour Covers)/143 Pink (50 Numbered Record Release Covers)/97 Sea Foam Green/21 Black Numbered Test Presses/8 Burgundy (Custom Cover)/5 Mint Green (Custom Cover)

Iconoclasm LP - 2008
track listing
1. Transmit
2. The Price of Medication
3. 1985
4. Steps Ahead
5. Born Again Presidency
6. A Breath of Fresh Air
7. And to Think
8. Nineteen Years Late
9. Crashing Waves
10. Tips and Directions
11. My Declaration
12. Black Sheep
Words of War Records - CD/12"/Digital - 1000/1020 (first press)
400 Blue with Clear Splatter/300 Solid Blue/320 Black (75 Preorder Edition Numbered Silk Screened Covers), (20 Numbered Test Presses)

MERCH

black ink on white shirts - out of print

light maroon ink on maroon hoodies - out of print

white ink on navy blue crew neck - out of print

white and black ink on grey shirts - out of print

white and orange ink on khaki shirts - out of print

orange ink on navy blue mesh shorts - out of print

blue ink on gray shirts - out of print

white ink on navy blue shirts - in stock (reserved for pre-orders)

black ink on self tie-dyed shirts - out of print

dark yellow ink on maroon shirts - out of print

sea foam green ink on white shirts - in stock (out of print)

cardinal red ink on natural fiber shirts - out of print

mustard yellow and fire orange inks on navy blue hoodies - in stock (out of print)

dark yellow and black ink on red shirts - in stock

baby blue and purple ink on black l/s shirts - in stock

new shirts!

2008-03-04T14:49:00.001-05:00

just a heads up, we're printing new shirts. expect these out sometime within the next couple of weeks!

Labor Shirt (30 printed)

Black Sheep L/S shirt (30 printed)

keep and eye out!

ICONOCLASM

2008-02-06T14:40:00.000-05:00

the Effort - "Iconoclasm"
Words of War Records
expected release date: 03/15/08

tracks
1. Transmit
2. The Price of Medication
3. 1985
4. Steps Ahead
5. Born Again Presidency
6. A Breath of Fresh Air
7. And to Think
8. Nineteen Years Late
9. Crashing Waves
10. Tips and Directions
11. My Declaration
12. Black Sheep

1st pressing
1000 CD
500 12" Vinyl (300 blue/200 black)

A lot of people have been asking us, "What exactly does iconoclasm mean?" We decided to put the intended definition in the cd art itself, so there would be no discrepancies. Until then, here is the definition at hand...
i . con . o . clasm n 1. a change to and overturning of traditional beliefs, customs and values.

*pre-order packages will be up soon. They'll include stickers, posters, cds, and limited edition vinyl.