A History of Good as Dead

Good as Dead. Three words that have really defined my life. Good as Dead. Sure its a band, but before that it was a movie, and before that it was no more than a group of shit heads in high school living life. From the black dungeon, to shopping, to homeless Pat, to the Last in Line and Whatsoever days. Good as Dead has been a constant in my life since 2001. One thing I have learned on my short time spent on this world is that I can always count on my boys. I've had the same group of friends for years, and the shit we've been through is what has made me the man I am today. A proud man to say the least. Good as Dead, Misspent Youth, The Final Curtain, Stupid and Reckless, No Brains No Headache, Hello Tomorrow, Boxcutta, Zombie Zombie Zombies, A Good as Dead Christmas Carol, the list goes on and on. From these movies something else was born though. A band. A band that has giving me what I was looking for. Having a group full of musicians is amazing cause its never a chore. Its not practice, its jamming. Jesse and I have been "jamming" for over 6 years, and Craig and I just short of that. I've had the honor of playing with Evan, Aaron, Jeremy and the newest dude to "slap some bass mon," Mr. Rob Chavez. Rob is an extraordinary bass player. He'll never tell you that though, but if you see that guy on stage you better bring a fresh pair of pants. Good as Dead. What a negative band name for 4 positive dudes. But now you know where it came from. A band of brothers with a bond of love. As long as they'll play I'll still play with them. A Light in the Dark or first album was such a learning experiance. I've never been reconginzed for my music so to win 2 awards for it is an absolute honor. "Way to go Romeo," for best rock mainstream for the 2008 New Mexico Music Awards, and "No Retreat," for best punk rock in the 2009 NMMA. "People are over seas dying so we can be hear playing some F*cking music." Learn to Swim is going to be released on September 17th of this year. It is a very diverse cd and hope that everyone enjoys it. We've been writing songs for a 3rd album these past few weeks. Craig's song writing ability has really been impressing me too. He is on another level then he was before. By no means do I call myself a guitar player, but its such an honor to be able to say I taught Craig his first power chord. Craig is an amazing guitar player and a humble dude. I'm blessed to have such gentlemen in our band. He'll unload and load all the gear all the time and he has never once complained about it. He gives us a place to practice and a place to swim after we jam. Craig Berry is a top notch guy. All aces. But these songs (Berry Meadows and For Better or For Worse) have blown me away. I can't wait for everyone to hear them, and with Jesse holding that microphone, its going to be something else. I remember when Jesse and I where jamming in Last in Line. Everyone always said, you guys sound good, but your singer sounds sharp. You know what i have to say to those people now. Jesse has become an amazing vocalist. He has the sexiest voice i've ever heard in a man. His range as tripled and his delivery has quickend. Jesse Mee is Good as Dead. Without him we would have nothing. For the 3rd album I've been working on two sets of lyrics that Craig is going to be putting to some sweet rifts to here soon enough. The first one is called "Give me Truth." Its about the freedom that the land provides. Escaping the monotony of the blue collar business and really appreciating what Mother Nature has made for us. The second one is called "Hello Beautiful." Its about a gal name Julia Jarrard who has really touched my heart these past few weeks. She's a brilliant gal with a heart of gold and she deserves a song, so i'm going to give one to her.
So now that you know where GAD comes from. Go listen :)
www.myspace.com/goodasdead

My First Blog

So as i sit here staring at this bright LCD screen and listening to the constant chomping noise of Olivia gnawing on her bone I wonder what to blog about. My eyes wander to the top of the screen where they see my ridiculous title, "The Life of a Real RocknRolla." Sure Rock n Rolla happens to be one of my favorite movies, but its a lot more than a Guy Ritchie film. A real rock n rolla is more than just a man in a band, or a kid who can sing, or a guy who can squeeze his legs into a history of bizarre pants. Cause you see a real rock n rolla wants the whole lot. A real rock n rolla knows his age and lives that age. But by living such a fast pass life you tend to forget the little things. My life in the last 6 years has been for a lack of better words...bananas. Its been so wild that as I look back on it at 24, only a few things pop into mind. San Diego 2007, Chicago 2009, Heron Lake 2009. But its the people I'm with and the places we've lived that help me to remember. Robs apartment, the Sam, Rex and Jesse show, Pat's whore house, Feline Estates, Ventana Ranch and now, Sam and Dave take old town for a spin. I guess what I'm really trying to get at is that by blogging I give myself good documentation of my life. A life that is that of a Real RocknRolla.

Hope you all enjoy my blogs. I'm going to shoot for one a week. If I am important enough for you to be read this, then I know you hold a special place in my heart.

Sam Blankenship