Joshua P. Simon - The Accidental Author

King’s X is one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time. And for me, Dogman is their best album. It is one of the very few albums I can listen to on repeat. Below are my favorite tracks on the album. Such a great band live too.

Dogman (Live)


Complain (Live)


Pillow

A little something I came up with on how Crohn's Disease sufferers spend their time. I think it fairly represents my life, at least. How about yours?

	In the bathroom.
	Looking for or running to a bathroom.
	Planning their day around bathroom locations.
	Thinking of excuses to explain a lack of spontaneity rather than bringing up their ailments.
	Wishing they could eat something they shouldn't.
	Regretting they ate that something anyway.
	Wondering how much simpler life would be without Crohn's.
	Everything else.

I’m a big Iced Earth fan and the first two albums have some of their best material. However, the vocals especially on the self-titled album are pretty subpar. Thankfully Jon re-recorded those songs with Matt Barlow (one of the best metal singers of all time) when he joined the band (releasing the material on Days of Purgatory).

Below are the two best songs off the first album, sung by Barlow.

Colors


One of my fav IE songs . . .
When the Night Falls

So, the new Man of Steel trailer just came out and it’s awesome. I’ve watched it several times and each viewing makes me more excited than the last for the movie. The action looks like everything that fans have wanted for years. The casting/acting all look great from the few glimpses we get and most importantly, I can believe that Cavill is Superman just as I could believe that Reeves was Superman. From the clips, he seems to have a really strong presence.

I like the tone and depth they are trying to give the character a lot. Although some people are whining and complaining because it isn’t the Superman they want/remember (the Donner films), I think this will be a pretty true representation of the character based on what he’s like in the comics now as well as the last 20 years or so.



What do you think?

I used to be a huge Aerosmith fan. Unfortunately, their last few releases have kind of soured me on them. I think their last good album was Get a Grip. I haven’t liked anything since. Regardless, most fans of the band will agree their best stuff came in the 70s when they wrote their own songs and weren’t trying to follow trends.

Case in point, this is one of my favorite Aerosmith songs (from the 70s) and was a non-hit. Check it out.

Aerosmith – Nobody’s Fault

How good was Steve Winwood? So good that Jimi Hendrix tried to convince him to leave The Spencer David Group and create a super group together him. Winwood would be on vocals (Hendrix never liked the sound of his voice). Unfortunately, that never happened. However, Winwood did some organ work on the Electric Ladyland album. Most notably is the original version of Voodoo Child below.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child (original version)


And of course, this is the song that made Winwood famous as he was only 17 years old at the time of its release and very much considered a child prodigy.

Gimme Some Lovin – The Spencer Davis Group


Lastly, I had to play one of his hits from the 80s…

Steve Winwood – Roll With It

The secret project I’ve been mentioning recently is out! Rise and Fall - Book One of the Blood and Tears Trilogy is now available as an audiobook through the following outlets!!
You should be able to listen to a small sample at each location.

Though you can purchase the book at any of the three locations above, I’d personally encourage you to get your copy through Audible.com. If you join the site, you will receive a deep discount on the list price. There are four different levels of membership based on how many audio books you plan to listen to on a monthly basis. The cheapest plan is $7.49 for the first three months (it increases to $14.95 a month after that). That means that if you plan to only buy Rise and Fall, you will only pay $7.49 for the audiobook. The membership may be canceled at any time. You can read about the membership details here.

Full disclosure: if you join Audible.com and if Rise and Fall is one of your first three purchases, as the author, I will earn a bonus (as long as you keep the membership for 61 days). So, it's a win-win situation for both of us!

Regardless of where you purchase the audiobook version of Rise and Fall, I do hope you give it a shot (even if it isn’t your normal way to enjoy fiction) as I’m very excited about the finished project. Jonathan Waters narrated and produced the book and did a great job bringing the characters and story to life.

If all goes well, Steel and Sorrow (Book 2) and Trial and Glory (Book 3) will also be released in audio form later this year.

As I’ve mentioned before with my previous releases, please leave a review at the place of purchase and spread the word to others. The best form of advertising for authors is through word of mouth and reviews act in this same way.

Thanks!