Guest Post #6: Alex Anderson

Ironically (or, coincidentally), our longest post comes from our shortest contributor. Enjoy this guest post written by the man so nice they named him twice: Ander².

I just finished my freshman year and came home to the less sinful suburbs of Las Vegas. Unfortunately, my father’s supposed sterility delayed my birth until 1987. So, when I look forward to going home, I do not look forward to the lights, bars and strip clubs. Instead, I look forward to what keeps me sane: my friends.

Because I like them so much, I’d like to introduce you to a few of them. One thing binds them together. Music. Well, for everyone but Steve…

Meet Steve Schirripa. Family friend and an all around Goodfella. Steve is best known as Tony Soprano’s brother-in-law Bobby 'Bacala' Baccalieri. For us back home he will always be known as the best Wiseguy Manager the Strip has ever seen. Steve hooked me up with tickets to the NHL All Star Weekend a few years back. The guy who came by to collect the money for the tickets had a thick east coast accent. He scarred an unsuspecting man and his daughter when he asked the man, “Are you ‘ugh?” He was looking for my dad, Hugh. East coasters pronounce Hugh as “you”.

The story reminds me of a love song by Jens Lekman about miscommunication between lovers.

Jens Lekman – Maple Leaves

Please allow me to introduce Christy Coffey. I describe her best with, “she’s my female version.” So, right off the bat, you all know she’s wonderful. Aside from being a great friend, Christy is my go to gal for new music. Christy also knows a lot of people. One of her closet friends is Allex who happens to be the sister of Dustin Abraham. Some say I have a man crush on Dustin for a few reasons. First, he wrote The Runner and How High. Now, he spends most of his time working as a writer on CSI with his boyhood friend, Anthony Zuiker. Recently, Christy was on the set of the filming for the season finale of CSI. She was chosen because she “had the look” to be the Clerk in the opening shot of the episode. Check her out when the episode is on!

Brand New Key by Melanie always reminds me of junior year, driving around the school parking lot with Christy. It’s just fun and light. You might remember it from the earth-shattering scene between Mark Wahlberg and Heather Graham in Boogie Nights.

Melanie – Brand New Key

Now, meet some bands who have members that I know.

Ryan Ross, the guitarist and lyricist of Panic! at the Disco, played hockey with me. He quit our team midseason to pursue his music career. Good career choice. I’m sure you’ve heard of them by now. Check one of my favorite songs by them .

Panic! At The Disco – Time To Dance

Hockey also exposed me to my good friend Michael Catalano – drummer extraordinaire of The Tramlines. I know Chad, Tyler and Cory from school. These guys do great things for the local college scene back home.

The Tramlines – Bottom Of The Sea
The Tramlines – Sail! Sail! Sail!

Robert Ragan and Keith Milgaten played together during high school in The Denver Method. From here they moved into two different paths. Ragan hitched up with The Higher and Keith began playing with The Vision of a Dying World. Two totally different sounds. Both great bands.

The Higher – Insurance
Vision – Barges w/ Banjos

I don’t know what ‘indie’ means, but apparently a lot of bands I listen to fit the genre. If that’s not your style, meet Sunday Afternoon. They have been playing music in Las Vegas and Arizona for many years now. Influenced by Dave Matthews Band and the like, these guys put on a great show and play some sweet songs.

Sunday Afternoon – Brazilian Girl

I’m glad we could meet and you could get to know some of my friends. When you become big and successful, let me know, I’ll ask Danny if I can post again. Until then, I’ll be holding pocket Aces, watching the cards on the river. I’m not sure what that means, I saw something about poker in Casino Royale.

-Alex Anderson