I was just snooping around MySpace, checkin’ everyone’s comments out to see what’s up, when I came across a flier promoting an N2Deep show at LaSalles, a local watering hole in Chico.

“WTF?” says I. “Why do I know that name?”

Then I YouTubed them. “Back to the Hotel” yes yes I remember. Now I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I actually wanna go to the show. And I actually want to interview Jay Tee. While some people may think the retro days of boy rap groups are wack, I’ll embrace this shit for a minute if only for the nostalgia. At least these cats are coming through my small-ass town finally! And not even to the Senator, but to LaSalles! Maybe I can even drink one of these with Jay Tee:

Ah the irony! On the same day that their new earning report showed a 21% drop in quarterly earnings, widely attributed to a drop-off in customers, the Downtown Chico Starbucks, which I’ve been fiercely loyal to for the last five years, if not longer, lost me as a twice-daily customer on account of some stupid ass shit. For your edification, I’ll reproduce here the letter I wrote to Starbucks customer service department:

I’ve been going to the Starbucks in Downtown Chico every day, some times, two or three times a day, for the last five years, if not longer. It truly had become, to borrow the Starbucks parlance, my “third place”. For about the last year I’ve been ordering the exact same drink, every single time: three shots on ice in a venti cup. The baristas usually joke about it being a “ghetto latte” since it is cheaper than getting an iced latte but essentially the same thing once you put some cream in it. However, with all the signage in place saying things like “your drink should be perfect” etc, I really didn’t think it was a big deal. Today however, the manager of the store (who has served me the drink in question dozens of times) informed me that I was “stealing” from Starbucks by putting milk in my drink and made it clear that me and my business were no longer wanted, or needed, all in front of the numerous people waiting in line behind me This is unfortunate in many ways, not the least of which is the fact that, in my job as a writer for local, regional and national print and online publications, I have always made it a habit to talk about how much I love Starbucks, despite the hipness currently associated with corporate bashing. I have defended Starbucks in the face of criticism more times than I can count, but now I wish that I had chosen otherwise. If you want to bill me for all the milk I’ve “stolen” over the last 5 years of patronage my address is above.

Fuck it. Peets is better anyway.

We recently had the wonderful opportunity to have Fred Mascherino and Matt Fleishman from The Color Fred come by Synthesis Weekly Managing Editor Ryan Prado’s apartment above the historic Senator Theatre here in Chico to play a couple songs acoustic and chat about life. Needless to say, they were fucking badass. Check out “Complaintor” above and then go to our YouTube channel to see them perform “If I Surrender” and see the interview sesh. And if that doesn’t get your Color Fred jones fulfilled, you can also download our sparkling new Macbeth Digital Magazine, which includes an in-depth interview with Fred himself, along with other exclusive interviews, style guides, music and videos from all the wonderful Macbeth sponsored bands. LEARN ABOUT IT

I had to kick a she-bum out of my backyard this morning for attempting to hijack our recycling. And no, our yard is not open to the alley; she strolled right on through the back gate and right up to the house to hunt for bottles and cans.

Upon being caught red-handed, the 40 year old (looking more like 60) derelict responded, “The girl and guy told me I could take them. They said I could get them whenever I wanted. Does she still live here?” Hmmm… Last time I checked my roommates don’t give filthy street urchins open invitations to scavenge our home. But what? What is that you say?

“Why would I lie?”

Meaning, why wouldn’t I believe you? Oh I don’t know. Maybe because you’re a squalid and contemptible vagabond with no teeth and streaks of black grease all over your face.

Have a nice day! Come back soon!

BUMS: Part 1

A new study by the always reliable Shuttleworth Research Center found that the majority of male roommates ages 18-24 got wasted off their asses the previous evening. I do believe the majority of this research was conducted in Chico, CA.

I caught an amazing show in Chico last night. Three Portland bands played Cafe Coda. There were no local support acts, so the show wasn’t very well attended, but this didn’t stop Nick Jaina, Weinland and Norfolk & Western from putting their hearts into it and digging into their strings, horns, drums and woodwinds. Nick Jaina, playing as a seven-piece, stole the show….for me, my girlfriend, and three or four other people who were in there not working or playing in the band. Then Weinland tore it up as well.

Weinland had stayed at my house last time they were through Chico and shot a bit of video. I’m not much for sports, but drinking games? Solid. Here my room mate Paul Valadon explains to touring band Weinland (nee John Weinland) the rules of Putt-Putt Drink-Drink.

Be sure to check out http://www.myspace.com/johnweinland, as they will be on tour for the next seven weeks.