Happy new year. Again.

Every new year we joke with ourselves that there’s no way we’ll still be playing at the following new year. Amazingly, we’ve said that fourteen years in a row now. To start off the new year we got some good news and will be playing with Guttermouth in Portland. It’s on Jan 24th and tickets are available at TicketsWest. Needless to say, things are starting off well. Hope everyone has a good 2009!

Worst flyer ever?

We were browsing through some old flyers and found this gem to promote one of our shows w/ Thirty3 a few years ago. Sometimes being wrong just feels so right.

Thanks for giving us a web site update

This year we are thankful for Pandemonium Media for giving us a long overdue web site update.

iTunes yo.

Requiem is finally available on iTunes along with many more of our prior albums. If you prefer your music as MP3’s or just want to buy a few tracks you now know where to go. No props to the iTunes store for tagging us as “alternative”.

It’s finally here

Tonight is our CD release show in Portland. Yes it’s short notice, yes, Justin may or may not able able to stand and yes, we aren’t even headlining our own show, but it’s the only CD release show we’ve got so we’re going to make it work. If you live in Portland and are over 21 do stop by this evening.

Surgery update and CD release show

After what has felt like the longest three months ever Justin finally has his knee surgery scheduled for this Tuesday. Despite the fact that he will be drugged up and has been advised for avoid physical activity for a week the CD release show will go on. If you live in Portland and are over 21 you better have a damn good excuse for not going. Just because you have to work early is no longer a good excuse. Justin is having things removed from his knee and is still going to rock for you. If you are on the fence, at least check out one of our most favorite bands ever, The Independents. They are from South Carolina and also have a new album out. Speaking of which? Did you buy our new album yet? Stop what you are doing and do so now. Shows are better when you know all the words.

Radio, radio, radio

The word on the streets is that one of our new songs may get played on Viva La Luna this weekend. The show is on KUFO (101.1) and airs on Sunday nights at 9:00 PM (PST). There is also an internet stram available at kufo.com.

Also, a cool internet radio station called Punk and Beans Radio now has our CD and may play it as well. Even if they aren’t playing us it’s good stuff. Do check them out.

Lastly, one of Justin’s dog’s is named Radio. Since we’re talking radio we figured that was worth some props.

Reasons to buy our new album

If you are still on the fence about whether or not you want to buy our new album, here are a few compelling reasons why you should consider buying a copy: 1) We recorded on an actual reel to reel tape machine. This is a dying art form and should be supported at all costs. 2) With this purchase you will be supporting independent music and independents labels. Independent music is what keeps us from having to listen to the crap on the radio. 3) We haven’t had an album in 4 years. During that time you may have stopped listening to punk, but that means it’s ripe for a comeback. 4) With 18 songs you are bound to like at least one of them. 5) If you do hate the music, we’re pretty sure you’ll dig the artwork. 6) We paid for all the recording ourselves. Every CD sold truly helps out get out of debt. 7) There is a song where Dave actually references french toast. 8) Haven’t we ever gotten you in on our guest list or give you free stuff? Time to pay up! You can get it online at a number of places (Interpunk, Amazon, iTunes) but if you have a PayPal account your best bet is to order directly from us for $10. In PayPal just send the money to 800octane@gmail.com. We pack and ship ’em ourselves. There is also a very good chance you’ll get some stickers along with the purchase.

Album Review from Take 92

800 Octane is retarded. At least, that’s the way you feel about them by the end of the record. They get you all sentimental and sad when you hear “Gather and bow your heads / Say a prayer for the dead,” but you’re laughing at them 30 seconds later. Come to think of it, it’s almost more like a rape. I mean how can this band that I know sound so convincing after all these years? It can’t be some fancy production because you’re not reading my name in the linear notes! It’s the same team that brought you “The Return” and “Rise Again.” Come to think of it, what’s with all the alliteration? Was this planned? Back to the point: For those that don’t know any better, 800 Octane sounds like a well-oiled machine. This is not to say that they aren’t at the top of their game. I mean, the band has never sounded so raw and full of energy in the seven years that I’ve known them. But they actually convince you that there was some preparation involved. This record feels like a live band. That’s not easy to do. Though I was disappointed at the loss of a few great melodies (T-Minus, Great Below), there were also some great surprises. For those that don’t know, I recorded a lot of these songs a year or two ago when they were very new. I didn’t expect that so much of that material would resurface here. The “Guttermouth Song” (Dead End Road) was my biggest surprise, follwed by “Foo Fighters,” which became “Requiem.” The boys are determined to give this thing a proper goodbye and I couldn’t have said it better myself. [And for the record, I haven’t heard the word “pants” so many times in a row since “Live Fast, Diarrhea.”]

Requiem is available now!

Today is the day that our 5th album Requiem is officially released. For those who participated in the Interpunk pre-sale we hope you dig the posters and buttons. For those who have not purchased the album here are some ways to get it:

Online – The album is available at a variety of stores including Interpunk, Amazon, iTunes and many more. Do a search and you’ll find about a dozen sources.

Local – If you prefer to shop locally, you can ask your favorite record store to order it. If they can’t get it, tell them it’s available from Nail Distribution.

Direct from Us – If you have a PayPal account you can order the CD directly from us for $10. Just log into PayPal, choose ‘Send Money’ and send it to 800octane@gmail.com. Order it this week and we’ll ship it out the following day.

It’s been a long four and a half years so thanks again for everyone’s support!