Beckond Blog: Sunday, May 11, 2008

First Show Is in the Books and My Neck Hurts!
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Music

Beckond's first gig with the new lineup is officially in the books. Hooper was definitely not ready for the face-melting wall of sound their cows were going to be hit with. I heard some dairy farmers had to sell butter the next day instead of milk because their cows' udders were shaking so hard from the blistering frequencies of two axes, a bass, keys, and a monster drum-kit that their milk churned to butter. Boo-yeah! Hooper Butter-Churners UNITE!!

We were all very excited to finally play a show. Two flatbed trailers were placed together to make a stage behind our host's home, and we spent a long time setting things up, checking levels and mics, etc. The band "Coveting Aymie" opened up with three of their songs and got the crowd ready for us. They were good sports, and their guitarist hooked me up with some ibuprofen to calm ann emerging headache. Needless to say, good guys all around.

The time finally came, and Trent started playing the opening riffs to Silent Scream. As soon as the first heavy chords broke in, I realized I was witnessing a long-time dream of mine coming true.

Our set including some old favorites as well as a couple of newer songs. The set included Broken, Exile, Slim Jam, New Wave, Empty V, and Whit. To be honest, playing was a little difficult due to sound and light issues, but all-in-all, those in attendance seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves.

The night came to a close way too soon, but the adrenaline pumping through my veins wouldn't let me sleep for another couple of hours. Plus, I head-banged so hard I think I partially screwed my neck off. I couldn't move the next day! I'll have to start doing some exercises, starting slow with head-swaying, move on to bobble-heading, then do some no-no-no's, and ease in to straight on banging!

Everyone who took the time to catch the show: THANK YOU!! You rock!! We'll be playing again soon and throwing out new tunes to make things interesting.

Stay tuned to this blog for Beckond updates, shows, etc. Something big is starting! Make sure you are a part of it! See you soon!

-Ryan

PS. I heard butter is half off in Hooper for a limited time . . .

Beckond Blog: Monday, May 05, 2008

Beckond Revamped: First Show!
Current mood: rockin
Category: Music

Hello Family, Friends, and Beckond Fans:

How is everyone doing? Ryan here. I've been meaning to do this for a while, but have not gotten the chance to do so until now. My first show with Beckond is coming this Friday. I feel electricity in the air and am eager to go out and "melt some faces" with some heavy rock & roll. It has been a pleasure playing with Brody, Trent, Brad, and Jared; four talented musicians with a love for music. I feel honored to share a stage with them.

I would like to formally introduce myself and tell you a little about me. First of all, I'm not as mean as I look in our pictures. I'm much worse. When I'm not venting anger through heavy riffs, I'm kicking kids off of their bikes and stealing suckers from toddlers. I intentionally change lanes without using my blinker, and I like to yell "NOT" at the end of all my sentences. I ocassionally walk up the down escalator, and always try to offend people with my harsh language. Don't come around me if you don't like hearing words like "stupidhead" or "uglyface."

To be honest, I'm a little kid trapped in an adult body. I love being around people and having good, wholesome fun. Music has always been an outlet for me, and being a part of Beckond has been a great way to shove frustrations into lyrics so I can sing them out. I've been singing since I was 3, thanks to my brilliant mother. I began playing guitar with the sole purpose of singing love songs to girls, and because you can't carry a piano with you anywhere you go.

My musical influences are quite varied. I listen to a myriad of different styles of music (except country), but my favorite bands are Breaking Benjamin, Thrice, Mew, Dave Matthews, and Jars of Clay, with a number of Mexican rock groups mixed in. I think my voice has the same quality as Dan Haseltine's from Jars, but dig it when people can sing like James Hetfield (which I cannot). I think my voice gives Beckond a different sound, and hope you all like it.

I am married to a beautiful mexican girl named Yunuen. She is without doubt the best part of me. I met her while studying a master's degree in interpretation and translation in Guadalajara, Mexico. I currently work at Primary Children's Medical Center as a medical interpreter, and I love what I do.

Cars are my passion. Trent and I became good friends while working at an undisclosed government job, mostly due to the fact that we share so many common interests--namely fast cars. We would spend countless hours discussing and comparing different cars in our little tuner minds. Time well spent! Trent is a man I deeply admire.

I am stoked for our upcoming show and hope you can all make it! We have been practicing hard to bring you all a tight show with new songs, and new versions of Beckond songs you already loved. So, keep your calendar open for this Friday, and please come up to me and say hi if you get the chance. I'm the mean looking bald guy that tries to play guitar as well as Trent.

Wishing you well,

Ryan

Yuni's Graduation: July 29, 2008

Yuni looked so pretty in her Cap'n Gown . . . er, cap and gown.  (Yarrrrr!)

Tan bonita.  Tan inteligente.

I'm so proud of my espocha hermocha!

Brother and Sister Berry

Ricardo and Bethany Oporto, Kenya and Victoria

Oscar and Carol Mancilla

Rick, Yuni's ESL teacher

DANG IT!!

I got a speeding ticket yesterday. It is my very first. I felt really bummed about it, but figure the 82 dollars I had to pay will probably plant a flower somewhere in Salt Lake County, so I actually did the city a favor! Anyway, the ticket experience will be filed under "Suckage" in my list of life experiences. Boooooo to the man! Booooooo!

Yuni's First Car!!

I should have put these pictures on a while ago, but haven't had much time to do so. Yuni is now the proud owner of her very first vehicle! I wish everyone could have seen the look on her face when we drove it home. She's never had a car that was all her own, and now . . . ta-daaaaaa! She's a great driver, and passed her road test with a 96%! I think I got a 94 on mine. Te felicito, mi amor, por tu nuevo coche! La mera verdad es que lo mereces. Besos!

Yuni's Turning 27!!

It may be hard to believe, but my beautiful wife is not 22 like many people seem to believe. No, she has been blessed by the fountain of youth to look much younger than she actually is (unlike me). I look every one of my 28 hard-earned years. Not Yuni. She glows with youth and vibrance, and has a sparkle in her eyes that reflects the youthfulness of her heart.

On May 3, we had a little get together with some of Yuni's close friends here in Utah. Fun was had by all, and I rediscovered how much I like humus! Yuni's birthday still isn't for another week, but I wanted to let her know how much I love her and that she is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me! FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS MI AMOR!!

Goodbye to Brett

Brett Favre announced his retirement today. Tis a sad day indeed for cheese-heads all the world around. He will be sorely missed.

I feel sad, for some reason. Typical guy when it comes to sports, I guess. It will be interesting to see in what direction the Pack decides to go after this. I guess we'll have to wait and see.