my friends know that i am long time fan of Belgian style beers. of course, i also love a nice stout and Guinness still reign’s supreme as my Number One, especially since you can get it at a lot of bars that server otherwise shitty beer (Miller Lite, Bud Light, etc… if we’re going to have Shitty Beers, make mine a PBR at least. everything else is trying to deny its Shitty.. but i digress).
here’s my review on a few Summer Brews:

Linenkugel’s Sunset Wheat: i’m not a fan. it’s tastes exactly like Fruity Pebbles, and i don’t want that in my beer. or my breakfast for that matter. i’ll drink the six pack my cousin left in my car, but i won’t pay for it.

Linenkugel’s Summer Shandy: better. but it tastes like my buddy’s five year old dumped his lemonade in my beer when i wasn’t looking, and i just said “fuck it” cause we don’t have that many beers left. i will admit, it can be a decently refreshing combo on hot summer’s day. nice for cookouts.

Bell’s Oberon: this is back ‘in season’ or at least that seems to be the word on the streets. enjoyed a couple Tall Daddy’s of these last week with the Skinner and was pleased. I’ve been drinking the Blue Moons for so long that i forgot how great a nice Oberon can be.. but really they are like Brother’s in my opinion. Blue Moon will still win against the Oberon for all-time in my book, but switching it up now that it’s warm out is nice. Fuck the Linenkugel’s.

Grizzly Peak – Steelelhead Red: consistently delicious at GP, i always get at least one of these there. It’s been awhile since i’ve enjoyed a nice Red like this one, and boy do i love those gingers
very smooth and easy to drink.

Grizzly Peak – Victor’s Gold: i haven’t had a whole one myself, but tried a few sips off of a buddy’s. Taste for Taste. seems like a good summer beer – very crisp and delicious. light in it’s body, nice flavor. definitely some apples in here.

Arbor Brewing Company – Brasserie Blonde: this one take’s it. it might be a little early to call, but this will likely be my beverage of choice for the summer. Now that the beer garden is open out back, it’s the Perfect combination.

grab your Balky and become an alchie… come on out to Ypsi and we’ll get tipsy.

PEACE

yip.

a year i go i doodled a face in my sketchbook. it was kind of a self portrait.. inner demons / vices type of thing i guess.
about six months ago i scanned it in, along with a couple others, for a zine my friend erik was making.
a week ago i added it to the extra space in a sticker layout after scribbling the X’s and cherry for the red layer. aaron @ vgkids (where i work) printed it.
a day ago i cut one out of a sheet and stuck it to a matchbook that i had picked up out at FixD night in plymouth.
last night i took a photo of it.

today i used the last match and threw it away.

here’s a photo. i have a bunch more stickers.

what’s up internet homies? in the interest of making my site more interesting, i’ve decided to actually add some crap to it.
crap being the key word. inspired by doogie howser, i’d like to start posting my general thoughts on here more often. if you hate it, then let me know. cause that would imply that someone was actually reading.

i’ve got a slew of pictures i should post. doodles and stickers, paintings and tee shirts, photos of dunny’s and poster’s with tony.. many things.

time to get to gettin’

here’s what i said:

1. Where were you born?
i was born in Southfield, MI. Grew up in South Lyon, MI then lived in Grand Rapids, MI and Plymouth, MI.

2. Where do you live?
plymouth, mi but soon to move to be Ypsilanti

3. When was the first time you exhibited your artwork in public?
i’ve had my art in school art exhibits since i was 8. i have never done a ‘professional’ gallery exhibit, though i have displayed my art at various hip hop shows at which i also perfrom.

the first time i performed my music live was august 06 at the blind pig in ann arbor.

4. What was that like?
the responses have always been positive. it is nice to receive positive feedback, or any constructive feedback, on artwork although it is not the reason for which i create.

performing music live was a whole other experience. with fine art it is visual and is more open to interpretation. and for me, although i do put myself into the art, it’s not as personal as my lyrics. the first time i performed live, there was a lot going on in my life at that moment that made the experience very cathartic. i felt as if i stripped several layers of skin off in front of a room of strangers (and friends) that night.

5. What did you learn from that experience?
i have learned that everyone likes something different, and that others often see things in your art that even you did not see, or they take something out of it which surprises you (in a good way).

performing live, i learned not to doubt myself, my thoughts, or my passion.

6. How do you feel your work has evolved since then?
i feel that my work is always evolving or changing, or at least that is the goal. taking feedback into consideration, whether it be personal perceptions or outside critiques, is definitely a part of the evolution. being able to look at something honestly is crucial – take the good parts of each creation and put those lessons into the next piece. i feel that i have grown a lot as an artist since then and have continued to make things more personal. that could be applied to any of the mediums.

7. What kind of music do you listen to while you work?
i love all kinds of music. but if i am captain of the playlist, it’s usually Hip Hop. of course!

8. What are your inspirations, historical and/or contemporary?
definitely life and the everyday experiences, things that i have been through which have made me a stronger person, being able to rise past the weaker times. i love all artists as cliche as that sounds, you can take something from everyone who creates and there is always something to be gained.

some of my current fave artists:
Shepard Fairey, Jeremy Fish, Banksy, Dali, Aesop Rock, Brother Ali, Beck, Zack De La Rocha, Van Gogh

9. What’s your all time favorite album?
that’s so tough! i don’t think i have a favorite album of all time, always changing.. today: Paul’s Boutique

10. What album can you listen to non-stop?
Blackstarr

11. What album do you hate the most?
Pussycat Dolls
(edit: i’m guessing here, i’ve never listened to their album)

12. Do you see any strengths or weaknesses in your artwork?
definitely. to not see any weakness is to fail as an artist – must be able to see what can be approved on and try to work on that.
i would say my best strength is craftsmanship.
weakness – procrastination

13. If you had a chance to punch a celebrity, which one would it be?
i was going to say Ben Gibbard (death cab for cutie) only cause he is engaged to Zooey Deschanel, who i love. but he seems like a nice guy and he makes lovely music (the postal service).
i would probably punch Lil Wayne right in his metal mouth, so hopefully he would shut up. i would likely get jacked by his crew, but whatev.

(edit: i changed my mind to Jay Leno. dude, you’re not funny!!)

14. If you had the opportunity to create a snack food, what would it be and what would it be called?
i have already done it. It’s cool ranch doritos dipped in peanut butter (creamy) and it’s called Peanaritos.

15. Are you currently in a band? If not, have you ever been in a band?
i am currently a solo hip hop artist, but i work with a lot of producers and i play live with dj Phog.
i have been in several rap groups and bands: Cold Fusion, 2 Chompsters, Grumpy Taints, Semi-Automatic Clones, Half-Life

16. If you were in a band have you ever been on tour?
i have been on tour, as a solo rapper. i went with Dante and Deck.

17. What was the longest time you spent on tour?
one week for Vans Warped Tour with Dante and Deck. best week ever, can’t wait to get out on the road again.

18. What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened to you?
so much crazy shit.. always getting into new adventures. Having to fight my dad was a crazy one that wasn’t that comical. usually my crazy shit is funny.

19. What is one thing you hate about the music and/or art scene?
i feel that most artists out there that i run into feel that they are owed something or deserve something, when they dont. they dont work hard enough and they bitch that they aren’t getting the recognition they feel they should. the whole primadonna attitude is so tired. there’s also a lot of hating. it’s all jealousy and bullshit.

20. What is the one thing you love about the music and/or art scene?
i love meeting other artists that actually give a damn about the culture and their creations. passionate people are still out there in every scene, and that is what is inspiring to me. people that don’t give up and continue to evolve despite all the naysayers. i have made some great friends through music too. quality people.

21. Did you ever have a favorite stuffed animal when you were a kid?
nope.

22. What was or is your favorite cartoon?
probably Ninja Turtles.

23. Do you have any current projects you??re working on right now?
yes indeed! several paintings are in progress, including a couple on 3-d objects instead of canvas.

musically i am working on my first official solo Under the Weather as well as a ‘mixtape’ called Forget Me Not, which is basically tracks that didn’t make it on the UtW project but are in the same vein.

24. Do you have any exhibitions or concerts coming up?
next live show is Sunday June 14th at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, opening up for Glue with Matt G, Tree City, and more. Paintings will be on display.
I will also be displaying my artwork at Dante’s “Fixtape 3″ album release party on July 13th at the Blind Pig. I might be doing some live painting then as well.
Currently working on a combination Art Gallery / Hip Hop performance show this fall, possibly for my album release, which will have fine art as well as musical performances.

*Note: Please list titles of each art piece, medium(s) used and year it was made.

Michigan Music, 2008. Acrylic on canvas (this is the bird / hand one).
Red Dawn Danza, 2008. Acrylic on canvas.
Zombie Chicken Head, 2008. Acrylic on canvas.
No Sunshine, 2009. Pen on paper, cleaned up digitilly.
Self Portrait vs Inner Demon, 2008-2009. Pen on paper, cleaned up digitally.
Sponge’s Brain, 2009. Digital design done in photoshop for self promotion.

live photos from 2008-2009.

what have i been up to in the last 3 months?
played an awesome show out in grand rapids at the intersection. felt great about my performance. it was a tight set, i crammed in as much as i could in as quick as possible. went over well.
moved out to ypsi. pics coming soon. studio being set up. many freestyles recorded.
#fixD every thursday in Plymouth with Dante and Phog. except tonight. tonight we’ll all be up at the Blind Pig. those two dudes are performing.. i’m sure i will be on stage at some point.
new stuff coming SOON..

jesus it’s about time.

only better, of course.

to all my grand rapids area friends – i’ll be performing at the Intersection on Friday Dec. 4th, with Dante LaSalle and One.Be.Lo (of Binary Star!). more details to come!

for now check out some Awkward Family Photos.

PEACE

check me out all over:

myspace.com/thesponge
twitter.com/allSponge
hix1986@hotmail.com
248.444.3783

check out this decent stencil of the man himself Brian Peppers. if you don’t know who Brian Peppers is you better learn up!

i came across this picture while searching for ‘funny shit’ to post on here to make my friend laugh.
i could’ve gotten some nasty shit but i thought i’d go with a classic and see what new Peppers pictures were out there.

enjoy!