Survival never goes out of style.

Record store scores, California vacation edition. Many thanks to @palmspringsvinylrecords, @amoebahollywood, @fingerprintsmusic and @toxictoastrecords for having plenty of good music available for purchase. . L-R: #davidbazan #pedrothelion #muchthesame #blackmidi #themoneypit #gatsbysamericandream #vermont #thepromisering #stephenbrodsky #cavein #foxyshazam #nofx #robbmaclean #limbeck #motioncitysoundtrack #bigdandthekidstable #greenday #rageagainstthemachine #theclash #weezer #deathcabforcutie #betteroblivioncommunitycenter #takingbacksunday #walterschreifels #bignothing #vinyl #vinylgram #vinyligclub https://www.instagram.com/p/B6mDNliglGZ/?igshid=17a9j3f5jgae7

Record store scores, New York City edition. Thanks to @limitedtoonenyc and @blackgoldbrooklyn for always having the good stuff. … L-R: #aset #boysetsfire #christiefrontdrive #franklin #jawbox #theoneamradio #personl #savestheday #vacationer #thevidablue #thecurse #paintitblack #knivesout #goforthethroat #bars #theclash #gates #oxfordcollapse #mikepark #tompetty #pinegrove #adamrubenstein #stifflittlefingers #vinyligclub #vinylgram #punk #emo #screamo #hardcore https://www.instagram.com/p/ByAiEGsgwoA/?igshid=1qwout72k4tj7

If I could hang the stars up, I'd hang 'em up one by one, to leave this world with something my hands made. And when that sun came up and made 'em all disappear I'd know my work was real, because nothing real can stay. (at Lodge Room Highland Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrcV5y5g5Uo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b1bmz7w8fqq7

It pays to dog-sit for @katieavila and @marcusgilmer when they go out of town for a comic-con. Thanks for the gift of rad artwork, friends! https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZIYvAAXvG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2ybji2j81n6a

#nofilter (at School of Rock Cleveland West) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoQHsaZAJE7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=oivx3yz21lin

I made a friend at #incuya. His name is Winston. He is a certified therapy rooster. The world is a magical place. (at Incuya)

1998: I discover @alkaline_trio’s ‘Goddamnit’ via @jheisel. It quickly becomes one of my all-time favorite albums (which, when you’re 16, isn’t that hard, but still). The following year, my band gets to open for them on the last show of their ‘Goddamnit’ tour in Bloomington, Illinois. @matttskiba wore a yellow MU330 shirt. @danielandriano wore a red Tuesday shirt. Glenn Porter had a camo tee on. They opened with “Clavicle.” I bought a ‘For Your Lungs Only’ 7-inch. I remember everything about this show. In 2000, I book the Trio a show in my hometown (technically it was a suburb of Rockford called Cherry Valley, but stay with me). I believe it was their second-ever gig with @the_bigger_empty on drums. Their guarantee was $250. I couldn’t believe it was that cheap. Everyone in my high school buys their goat girl hoodie. A few weeks later, I break my ankle — only a few weeks before my 18th birthday. My brother takes pity on me and invites me down to see a Trio show he booked at the Agape Java Hut in Bloomington, which just so happened to be on my birthday. I stood in the front, on crutches, singing along as loudly as I can. I don’t even think there was a stage to speak of. I have countless Alkaline Trio stories like this. I could go on forever. 2018: It’s two decades later. In the intervening years, I’ve seen the Trio countless times (it’s probably somewhere north of 25, but maybe even higher), I’ve written nice (and sometimes not-nice) things about many of their records, I’ve interviewed Matt and Dan on numerous occasions, I’ve seen all three members’ side and solo projects as often as I could — and I consider ‘Goddamnit’ to now be my third-favorite of all time (which is still pretty good, all things considered.) I still get amped when I hear the opening chords of “Cringe” — so much so that tonight, when the band played it, I sprinted from the absolute very back of @agoracle, politely shoved my way through the packed crowd and was finger-pointing along by the end of the first chorus. Long live Alkaline Trio. (at The Agora)

It was a good vacation for record shopping. Thanks to @thirdmanrecords and @grimeys in Nashville and #UndergroundSounds in Louisville for carrying good music. Top to bottom, L-R: #autolux #thewhitestripes #deathfromabove1979 #lydialoveless #butchwalker #shone #neutralmilkhotel #e #rocketfromthecrypt #mariachielbronx #thealbumleaf #greenday #joycemanor #charlesbradley #alkalinetrio #vinyligclub

The tour so nice, I went to it twice. (at Ascend Amphitheater)

Some record store this is. They didn’t even have the new Papa Roach album in stock. #smdh (at Third Man Records)

#Dollywood forever. (at Dollywood)

Doing my part to advance human-bear relations, one day at a time. (at Cades Cove)

Guys, I think this #taylorswift girl might be the next big thing. Just a hunch. #reputationworldtour (at FirstEnergy Stadium)

These four #SORCLE students became friends in my pop-punk/emo show last season, and that friendship led to forming a band. Tonight, @islanduprising played their first-ever show which included killer covers of @jimmyeatworld’s “The Middle” and @paramore’s “Misery Business” just to name a few. To say I’m a proud papa is the understatement of the century. Excellent work, @helloifailed @mary.klym @wyatt_koehler.v2 and Elliott! I can’t wait to see your next gig. (at Phantasy Nightclub)

Weezer forever. (at Blossom Music Center)

Weezer forever. (at Blossom Music Center)