I really wanted to have fun with this song.  I wanted to explain my feelings about my new house on the river.  This was written just after I moved from Oahu back to Orange County and I couldn’t help but observe the extreme differences (and also similarities) between the two.

The River

Did I Tell you we live by the River now?
Did I Tell you we live by the River now?
Some folks would say that we lucked out but
As the seasons change, I guess we’ll find out.

So Listen, I’m not sayin’ that my place isn’t hot.
Two-bedroom, two-bath in a real good spot,
We got floors made of hardwood,
Homies in my neighborhood,
Girlies lookin like they should,
It’s lookin’ real good, In my new hood,
But it just ain’t the same as my island lifestyle
Man, I went insane when I moved back home,
Back from my place alone, back from the land of sand
With no cellular phone!

Chorus

You see we didn’t have power, not even a broom
So candles lit up our filthy livin’ room
We got art on the walls it’s all gifts from friends,
Its right brained proof karma comes round in the end.
You see we left to Hawaii, and kept close with pals,
And when we came home they gave our place some style.
Invite a few friends, they turn my house into a home,
Now when I’m sittin alone it don’t fell like I’m alone!

Chorus

This song, written while living in Hawaii, was a direct response to the Aloha spirit that the islands brought me.  “Mellow” is a tribute to places where relaxation comes easy.

Mellow

You see the words I write down, are straight from in here
Through my guitar strings, out my mouth, and in your ear drums
And though I claim to play for fun I’m not gonna play dumb its for
Mental, and Emotional relaxation.

When my girl stresses me or days aren’t as free
As I want it to be
I just pick up my strings and the music brings
Positive changes, my life re-arranges.
Reality becomes easier to grasp.
Waves become easier to catch.
Days get more mellow and they last.
My brain, it stops thinking about the past.

Slow. The Speed I like to go
Been tryin’ to catch the people but the people like it slow
So that’s the speed I like to go,
Been tryin to catch the people but the people like it mellow.

I like papaya trees and green leaves and mellow rain.
I like when people throw me shaka’s when I let them in my lane
I like the, the types of places, that keep me in the sun
I like the places where doin nothin’s fun.

Fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see
The music lies within me, naturally.
And my Father taught me to love the Sea,
You and me and that Island makes three, girl.

Chorus

Here’s my mockery of our Federal Government set to dub-reggae sounds.  I just think it’s hilarious that this country takes pride in Democracy when we clearly have very little control over politics.

Democracy

We were given the rights. Our rights to Freedom.
But lately the Government, thinks we don’t need ‘em.
People, we must remember not to shoot the messenger.
The media is needed so truth can be feeded, and leaded to…
The People.

We call ourselves a democracy!
That sounds funny to me.
Those of us who live by the shore
We know a bit more
About ocean pollution.
We must find a solution.
Solution.

Chorus

“If there is one word that I would use to sum up the atmosphere in Iraq, that word would be fear.”

I recorded this song first on the album…it took me less than three hours to record it all, and I was super bummed-out the whole night I was recording, but we kept it because it showed the sense of loneliness I felt at the time.

Memories

Pack up all your books
Let me take you for a ride to the South Side
Give this coast a look
I almost guarantee you’ll never see these sites with me again, so
Take it all in.
Cuz every wave that rolls to shore
You’ve never seen that wave before.
Let you life begin.
With island time my family’s blessed and
Winter’s when the sun set’s best.

Memories
They settle me down.

Treat yourself with respect
Nourish your body, soul, and mind
And with your liver, do be kind.
You will come to regret
Every woman, man, and child
Who chose to smile when you didn’t smile.
Look me in the eyes and tell me that you won’t cry when I leave,
‘Cuz I’ve got a few things I’d like to explain to you.

Memories
They settle me down
They put me on the ground.

This track was recorded completely live, in one take.  I wanted you to get the feeling you were locked in the little sound booth in the studio with me.  If you listen closely, you can hear little imperfections that keep this recording raw and real.  It talks about how everything else comes and goes, ebbs and flows, but my guitar is always there for me

Me and My Guitar

Now that I’m at home again,
I have some time to put my pen to paper.
It’s been awhile, I know its been awhile,
we went to Mexico, but I’ll tell you about that later.

Well I seen a lot of change in a little time
I write a lot of music and a little rhyme and
I’m fine
Just me and my Guitar.
Well I’m havin fun just makin’ plans
Just stayin out, until the end of daylight.
and I claim to be bilingual but there’s
certain words in Spanish that I can’t say right.

Well I seen a lot of change in a little time
I write a lot of music and a little rhyme and
Chorus
In Mexico with all my friends,
The surf was mediocre but the fun was never ending.
It changed my life I swear it changed my life
And this USA feels like we’re just pretending.

Well I seen a lot of change in a little time
I write a lot of music and a little rhyme and
Chorus

We had what we thought was a complete studio album e.p. until I jumped back into the studio to record this song at the last minute.  I was driving though San Clemente, California when I realized the amount of development that has destroyed the land in just the last 20 years.

Comin’ Up

The Buildings and the Houses
They Keep comin’ Up, They Keep comin’ Up.
They keep comin,’ Say,
The Buildings and the houses,
They keep comin’ up.

I was around when there wasn’t houses there.
I heard the sound when they cleared the land right there.
I saw the sunrise, before the town was there.
I saw the city man put in the parking square
I’ve seen a lot of change in my 20 years.
And in 20 more, I’ll see my biggest fears
Go up in concrete, It’s not a pretty site.

Chorus

In between my classes or after a day at work
I throw my board in, and go and check the Surf.
It makes me mad when I can’t find a parkin’ place
I get a ticket for bein’ in a metered space
It seems to me the times have changed or
Is that just something old people say?
Well I must be getting’ old these days
Cuz I am beginning to notice the change.
This can’t continue, don’t you know.
Let’s give our children room to grow.

I grew up surfing this little spot called Blackie’s in Newport Beach, California.  When the west swells filled in this winter-time break, there was no better place to be.  There were so many evenings after class where I’d pull up just in time to slide in the water for a few last waves of the day.  “The Right Way” reflects on these sessions.

The Right Way

I started to the liquor store the other day,
But halfway there I turned and I went the other way
I had a notion to go and check the ocean
Like nature cast a spell…

Well, there’s no reason for the season to change today
But the season does what it wants, no matter what you say
And it it always changes, anyway.
So let’s see what the season has brought us today.

So in my tin can with my seatbelt on
I sped toward the ocean tryin’ to beat the sun
And as I arrived at where the land meets the Sea
I picked out a few good lookin’ waves for me
Put wax on my board and headed to the shore
In hopes of some waves that would end my day

I ran across the street with my board in my hand
Jumped over the bike path into the sand
Dipped into the Sea lookin’ straight ahead of me
To get my daily dosage of mental clarity.
Watching the sun touch the horizon line
All things considered I was feelin’ fine.

I ended it the right way
May not have started out my way.

So fill up your jeans with your favorite things
‘Cuz nothing can be brighter than what life brings.
Just take a walk with me to the emerald sea
We’ll sail to the bay, walk through the trees,

Just forget about the people that stress you out the most
Stretch out your legs and enjoy the coast.
I had my problems in the middle of the day
But the sunset came and took my problems away.

Chorus

I was in doing a studio interview at a radio station down in Orange County when my manager recorded this.  We decided to put it on the re-release of The Yellow Jelly EP because it came out like an entirely different song from the studio version.

The River (Live on the Radio)

Did I Tell you we live by the River now?
Did I Tell you we live by the River now?
Some folks would say that we lucked out but
As the seasons change, I guess we’ll find out.

So Listen, I’m not sayin’ that my place isn’t hot.
Two-bedroom, two-bath in a real good spot,
We got floors made of hardwood,
Homies in my neighborhood,
Girlies lookin like they should,
It’s lookin’ real good, In my new hood,
But it just ain’t the same as my island lifestyle
Man, I went insane when I moved back home,
Back from my place alone, back from the land of sand
With no cellular phone!

Chorus

You see we didn’t have power, not even a broom
So candles lit up our filthy livin’ room
We got art on the walls it’s all gifts from friends,
Its right brained proof karma comes round in the end.
You see we left to Hawaii, and kept close with pals,
And when we came home they gave our place some style.
Invite a few friends, they turn my house into a home,
Now when I’m sittin alone it don’t fell like I’m alone!

Chorus

Much love to Ashley of Press Pass Music for having us on KUCI 88.9fm!

Interview #1

Much love to Ashley of Press Pass Music for having us on KUCI 88.9fm!

Live it Up (Live)

Much love to Ashley of Press Pass Music for having us on KUCI 88.9fm!

Interview #2

Much love to Ashley of Press Pass Music for having us on KUCI 88.9fm!

Caller

Much love to Ashley of Press Pass Music for having us on KUCI 88.9fm!

Summertime Flows (Live)

Much love to Ashley of Press Pass Music for having us on KUCI 88.9fm!

Mr. American (Live)

Much love to Ashley of Press Pass Music for having us on KUCI 88.9fm!

Interview #3

These tracks were filmed and recorded by the good people at One Night Music in Santa Barbara.  You can download all the track (for free!) and watch HD videos of the performance on their site. Check it out!

Recorded in Santa Barbara, CA on April 10, 2009.

“It was a lazy springtime Friday afternoon in Santa Barbara when we recorded Marc B. The sun was low in the perfect sky as friends gathered in the living room of my home nestled between the southern California ocean and the chaparral mountains…. One would be hard pressed to find a care in the room - not even Marc seemed to have a nerve in his soul as he sat poised at the center of the room surrounded by audio and video recording equipment. The entire setting was idyllically Santa Barbara and created a fitting venue to capture Marc B’s mellow acoustic surf rock sounds.”    -Ryan Andersen

The River (Live at ONM)

Did I Tell you we live by the River now?
Did I Tell you we live by the River now?
Some folks would say that we lucked out but
As the seasons change, I guess we’ll find out.

So Listen, I’m not sayin’ that my place isn’t hot.
Two-bedroom, two-bath in a real good spot,
We got floors made of hardwood,
Homies in my neighborhood,
Girlies lookin like they should,
It’s lookin’ real good, In my new hood,
But it just ain’t the same as my island lifestyle
Man, I went insane when I moved back home,
Back from my place alone, back from the land of sand
With no cellular phone!

Chorus

You see we didn’t have power, not even a broom
So candles lit up our filthy livin’ room
We got art on the walls it’s all gifts from friends,
Its right brained proof karma comes round in the end.
You see we left to Hawaii, and kept close with pals,
And when we came home they gave our place some style.
Invite a few friends, they turn my house into a home,
Now when I’m sittin alone it don’t fell like I’m alone!

Chorus

These tracks were filmed and recorded by the good people at One Night Music in Santa Barbara.  You can download all the track (for free!) and watch HD videos of the performance on their site. Check it out!

Recorded in Santa Barbara, CA on April 10, 2009.

“It was a lazy springtime Friday afternoon in Santa Barbara when we recorded Marc B. The sun was low in the perfect sky as friends gathered in the living room of my home nestled between the southern California ocean and the chaparral mountains…. One would be hard pressed to find a care in the room - not even Marc seemed to have a nerve in his soul as he sat poised at the center of the room surrounded by audio and video recording equipment. The entire setting was idyllically Santa Barbara and created a fitting venue to capture Marc B’s mellow acoustic surf rock sounds.”    -Ryan Andersen

Mellow (Live at ONM)

You see the words I write down, are straight from in here
Through my guitar strings, out my mouth, and in your ear drums
And though I claim to play for fun I’m not gonna play dumb its for
Mental, and Emotional relaxation.

When my girl stresses me or days aren’t as free
As I want it to be
I just pick up my strings and the music brings
Positive changes, my life re-arranges.
Reality becomes easier to grasp.
Waves become easier to catch.
Days get more mellow and they last.
My brain, it stops thinking about the past.

Slow. The Speed I like to go
Been tryin’ to catch the people but the people like it slow
So that’s the speed I like to go,
Been tryin to catch the people but the people like it mellow.

I like papaya trees and green leaves and mellow rain.
I like when people throw me shaka’s when I let them in my lane
I like the, the types of places, that keep me in the sun
I like the places where doin nothin’s fun.

Fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see
The music lies within me, naturally.
And my Father taught me to love the Sea,
You and me and that Island makes three, girl.

Chorus

These tracks were filmed and recorded by the good people at One Night Music in Santa Barbara.  You can download all the track (for free!) and watch HD videos of the performance on their site. Check it out!

Recorded in Santa Barbara, CA on April 10, 2009.

“It was a lazy springtime Friday afternoon in Santa Barbara when we recorded Marc B. The sun was low in the perfect sky as friends gathered in the living room of my home nestled between the southern California ocean and the chaparral mountains…. One would be hard pressed to find a care in the room - not even Marc seemed to have a nerve in his soul as he sat poised at the center of the room surrounded by audio and video recording equipment. The entire setting was idyllically Santa Barbara and created a fitting venue to capture Marc B’s mellow acoustic surf rock sounds.”    -Ryan Andersen

Comin’ Up (Live at ONM)

The Buildings and the Houses
They Keep comin’ Up, They Keep comin’ Up.
They keep comin,’ Say,
The Buildings and the houses,
They keep comin’ up.

I was around when there wasn’t houses there.
I heard the sound when they cleared the land right there.
I saw the sunrise, before the town was there.
I saw the city man put in the parking square
I’ve seen a lot of change in my 20 years.
And in 20 more, I’ll see my biggest fears
Go up in concrete, It’s not a pretty site.

Chorus

In between my classes or after a day at work
I throw my board in, and go and check the Surf.
It makes me mad when I can’t find a parkin’ place
I get a ticket for bein’ in a metered space
It seems to me the times have changed or
Is that just something old people say?
Well I must be getting’ old these days
Cuz I am beginning to notice the change.
This can’t continue, don’t you know.
Let’s give our children room to grow.

These tracks were filmed and recorded by the good people at One Night Music in Santa Barbara.  You can download all the track (for free!) and watch HD videos of the performance on their site. Check it out!

Recorded in Santa Barbara, CA on April 10, 2009.

“It was a lazy springtime Friday afternoon in Santa Barbara when we recorded Marc B. The sun was low in the perfect sky as friends gathered in the living room of my home nestled between the southern California ocean and the chaparral mountains…. One would be hard pressed to find a care in the room - not even Marc seemed to have a nerve in his soul as he sat poised at the center of the room surrounded by audio and video recording equipment. The entire setting was idyllically Santa Barbara and created a fitting venue to capture Marc B’s mellow acoustic surf rock sounds.”    -Ryan Andersen

The Right Way (Live at ONM)

I started to the liquor store the other day,
But halfway there I turned and I went the other way
I had a notion to go and check the ocean
Like nature cast a spell…

Well, there’s no reason for the season to change today
But the season does what it wants, no matter what you say
And it it always changes, anyway.
So let’s see what the season has brought us today.

So in my tin can with my seatbelt on
I sped toward the ocean tryin’ to beat the sun
And as I arrived at where the land meets the Sea
I picked out a few good lookin’ waves for me
Put wax on my board and headed to the shore
In hopes of some waves that would end my day

I ran across the street with my board in my hand
Jumped over the bike path into the sand
Dipped into the Sea lookin’ straight ahead of me
To get my daily dosage of mental clarity.
Watching the sun touch the horizon line
All things considered I was feelin’ fine.

I ended it the right way
May not have started out my way.

So fill up your jeans with your favorite things
‘Cuz nothing can be brighter than what life brings.
Just take a walk with me to the emerald sea
We’ll sail to the bay, walk through the trees,

Just forget about the people that stress you out the most
Stretch out your legs and enjoy the coast.
I had my problems in the middle of the day
But the sunset came and took my problems away.

Chorus

These tracks were filmed and recorded by the good people at One Night Music in Santa Barbara.  You can download all the track (for free!) and watch HD videos of the performance on their site. Check it out!

Recorded in Santa Barbara, CA on April 10, 2009.

“It was a lazy springtime Friday afternoon in Santa Barbara when we recorded Marc B. The sun was low in the perfect sky as friends gathered in the living room of my home nestled between the southern California ocean and the chaparral mountains…. One would be hard pressed to find a care in the room - not even Marc seemed to have a nerve in his soul as he sat poised at the center of the room surrounded by audio and video recording equipment. The entire setting was idyllically Santa Barbara and created a fitting venue to capture Marc B’s mellow acoustic surf rock sounds.”    -Ryan Andersen

Me and My Guitar (Live at ONM)

Now that I’m at home again,
I have some time to put my pen to paper.
It’s been awhile, I know its been awhile,
we went to Mexico, but I’ll tell you about that later.

Well I seen a lot of change in a little time
I write a lot of music and a little rhyme and

I’m fine
Just me and my Guitar.

Well I’m havin fun just makin’ plans
Just stayin out, until the end of daylight.
and I claim to be bilingual but there’s
certain words in Spanish that I can’t say right.

Well I seen a lot of change in a little time
I write a lot of music and a little rhyme and

Chorus

In Mexico with all my friends,
The surf was mediocre but the fun was never ending.
It changed my life I swear it changed my life
And this USA feels like we’re just pretending.

Well I seen a lot of change in a little time
I write a lot of music and a little rhyme and

Chorus

These tracks were filmed and recorded by the good people at One Night Music in Santa Barbara.  You can download all the track (for free!) and watch HD videos of the performance on their site. Check it out!

Recorded in Santa Barbara, CA on April 10, 2009.

“It was a lazy springtime Friday afternoon in Santa Barbara when we recorded Marc B. The sun was low in the perfect sky as friends gathered in the living room of my home nestled between the southern California ocean and the chaparral mountains…. One would be hard pressed to find a care in the room - not even Marc seemed to have a nerve in his soul as he sat poised at the center of the room surrounded by audio and video recording equipment. The entire setting was idyllically Santa Barbara and created a fitting venue to capture Marc B’s mellow acoustic surf rock sounds.”    -Ryan Andersen

Memories (Live at ONM)

Pack up all your books
Let me take you for a ride to the South Side
Give this coast a look
I almost guarantee you’ll never see these sites with me again, so
Take it all in.
Cuz every wave that rolls to shore
You’ve never seen that wave before.
Let you life begin.
With island time my family’s blessed and
Winter’s when the sun set’s best.

Memories
They settle me down.

Treat yourself with respect
Nourish your body, soul, and mind
And with your liver, do be kind.
You will come to regret
Every woman, man, and child
Who chose to smile when you didn’t smile.
Look me in the eyes and tell me that you won’t cry when I leave,
‘Cuz I’ve got a few things I’d like to explain to you.

Memories
They settle me down
They put me on the ground.

I get a lot of requests to do this cover live, so if you’ve made it out to a show you’ve probably heard it.

If not, here’s a recording of me playing it on KUCI 88.9fm in Orange County.

What I Got (Cover) - Live on KUCI

I say.. Early in the morning risin’ to the street
Say light me up that cigarette and I’ll strap shoes on my feet
I’ve got to find a reason, a reason things went wrong
I said: got to find a reason why the money’s all gone
I say I got a dalmatian and I can still get high
I say I can play the guitar like a mother f—- riot now

Well life is too short so love the one you got cause you might get runover or you might get shot
Never had to battle with my bulletproof vest
Never start no static
I get it off my chest
Say, take a small example, take a tip from me
Take all of your money and give it all to charity

Love’s what I got
It’s within my reach
And this Marc B style is comin’ straight from Huntington Beach
It all comes back to you you’re bound to get what you deserve
Try and test that you’re bound to get served

Love’s what I got
Don’t start a riot
You feel it when the dance gets hot

Loving’s what I got
I say remember that, yeah

I say, I don’t cry when my dog runs away
I don’t get angry at the bills I have to pay
I don’t get angry when my Mom smokes pot
hits the bottle and goes back to the rock
Singing, kicking, and fighting it’s all the same
Livin’ with Louie dog’s the only way to stay sane
Let the lovin, let the love in
come back to me, back to me

Loving’s what I got
I say remember that, yeah

This song doesn’t come out too often, but it was by special request!

I Call the Couch (Live on KBeach)

Well let’s ride our bikes to the liquor store
12 pack of Bud Light, we’re out the door
let’s see what kind of trouble we get in tonight
yeah well i’m sick, sick, sick of this party scene
but who cares, c’mon and have a beer with me
all i gotta say is ‘i call the couch tonight’

yeah well when were you planning on telling me
that i’m bleeding from the knee
and why does my wrist hurt so bad?
no i don’t know what we did last night
but you look like you were in a fight
let’s do the same thing tonight

Chorus

One of the only times I’ve publicly played this song.  Performed here on Cal State Long Beach’s radio station: KBeach.

Green, Green Tree

Well if I were a green, green tree
growing high over this great city
you’d be the breeze that blows right through me

and as the sun sets on this pretty little city
i smile even though the surf is kind of shitty
yeah that’s alright for me

well to my left i’ve got the sun, the water, and the waves
to my right got my really rich people in the caves
straight ahead, well that’s where i gotta go
and behind me, well that’s the reggae show

and if there’s one thing that you really gotta know
listen up and i’ll you, it’s the way it’s gotta go for me:
Stay Free.

Well the key to life is to enough your time
Because it’s here on earth where your heaven resides
Listen to me:
Stay Free.