Rock Bands You Should Know #2: Elisium

The next rock band that I think you should know about is a Midwest trio called Elisium (not to be confused with a former Polish band that also went under the same moniker). This group is comprised of bassist Corey Compton, singer/guitarist (and Corey's brother) Nate Compton, and drummer Nathan Thomas. The group originated in central Virginia but has called the Quad Cities area home for the last several years.

To date, Elisium has released 4 albums: Things They Carried in 2008, Becoming in 2012, All In a Day in 2014, and Shoreline in 2015. They are currently signed to Imagen Records. I'd say that their sound isn't quite as heavy as some of the bands that I listen to, but their more melodic tunes and inspired songwriting make them well worth checking out.

I first saw this group play live at an outdoor music festival in Iowa several years ago. I was impressed and bought a few of their CDs afterward. Since then, I've seen them a few more times and interacted with band members at Instamix events. They have released a few covers and original tunes since their last album and I wouldn't be surprised to hear news of another album or EP sometime in the near future. Sure, the guys have day jobs and other interests as well, but they always go back to making music that invokes strong emotions. 

Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Rock Bands You Should Know: #1: Alborn

 Hello everyone,

I'm kicking off a new series of blog posts today about different bands that most rock and metal fans should know about. The first article is on my friends in the Quad-Cities based group Alborn. Originally known as Alborn Theory, this quartet is a very talented group that has slowly started to make a name for themselves in the upper Midwest and beyond.

The group consists of Nate Guske (guitar/vocals), Alex Raser (drums/vocals), Justin Taylor (guitar/lead singer), and Zame Lewis (bass guitarist). They've released 2 EPs as Alborn (Impairative in 2020 and Push earlier this year). I've heard people describe the group as a younger, hungry version of Alice in Chains. I can see the similarities, but from what I've seen, this group has the potential to be even bigger and better if just given a chance.

I've gotten to know the guys in the band at different shows and songwriting events. The first time I saw them play live was opening for Sevendust at a show in Lacrosse, WI a few years ago. Sevendust's drummer Morgan Rose signed them to Imagen Records not long after that. A friend and I were fortunate enough to hear Rose and Three Years Hollow singer Jose Urquiza talk about recording songs with them at another concert. Alborn is now on the Pavement Record label.

So far, Alborn has opened for many popular rock bands, such as Sevendust, Shinedown, Gemini Syndrome and Buckcherry, to name just a few. They're usually writing new songs during their downtime, so I wouldn't be surprised to see another EP or even a full-length studio album released sometime in the next year or so. If you see them at a show, pay attention to their performance, and talk to the guys after the show. My friends in Alborn are hard-working musicians who love what they do and are very appreciative of their fan base. They tour the Quad Cities area quite regularly and are tapped to go on tour with Powerman 5000 next March.

Well, that's all for now. Haven't decided on the next groups to spotlight yet, but I'll write about other bands when I feel like it. Until then, have a great week, everyone!

2023 Minnesota Twins Year in Review

Although the Twins' season ended at home with a disappointing loss to the defending champion Houston Astros, their year definitely exceeded my expectations. I didn't think they would even make the playoffs at first, and they finally won a playoff game for the first time since 2004 and a playoff series for the first time since 2002 with a sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round. It's even more impressive that they were able to get this far with 3 rookies (3B Royce Lewis, OF Matt Wallner, and 2B/DH Edouard Julien) getting regular playing time down the stretch.

I'll use this article to examine each player who donned a Minnesota Twins uniform this season in detail, starting with the offense:

Max Kepler: .260 batting average with a team-leading 24 home runs and 66 runs batted in. Kepler was much improved during the second half of the season. I'd once thought of him as trade bait. This year, he proved that he can be a valuable member of the group. We'll have to see if he's retained or moved for younger players in the outfield.

Joey Gallo: A team-low .177 BA with 21 HRs and 40 RBI. Signing Gallo to a one-year deal was a low-risk move for the Twins. He was needed in the lineup with early season injuries, but he's very reminiscent of Miguel Sano, in that he's pretty much an all-or-nothing batter at the plate. His Gold Glove-caliber defense is offset by his low batting average and high number of strikeouts (a team-leading 142 whiffs in 2023). The fact that he was left off the playoff roster and not activated from the injured list near the end of the season are good indications that he won't be back in 2024.

Michael A. Taylor: .220 BA, and a career-best 21 homers along with 51 RBI and 13 steals in 14 attempts. Taylor made some amazing plays in center field and proved his worth in center field this year. Even if Buxton returns to his customary position in the field next year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Taylor patrolling a corner outfield spot and/or being in the DH mix. 

Carlos Correa: .230 BA, 18 HRs, 65 RBI. Plantar fasciitis plagued Correa all season, but he still made some great throws from short and proved to be a team leader. His batting average was much lower than expected, but he signed a six-year extension with the Twins during the offseason and should be around for a while to anchor the infield defense and provide guidance for some of the team's younger players. 

Byron Buxton: .207 BA, 17 HRs, 42 RBI. Buxton suffered through another injury-plagued season yet again, one in which he never played a single inning in the field. It was encouraging to see him activated in time for the last game of their playoff series with Houston, but I'm starting to wonder if he'll ever play a full season in the major leagues.

Edouard Julien: .263 BA, 16 HRs, 37 RBI. Julien made quite an impact at the big-league level. He has impressive opposite-field power and has a good eye at the plate (he drew a team-leading 64 walks in only 109 games with the Twins). He's been criticized for his defense and has played a few games at first base. I expect to see him break camp with the team next spring. 

Royce Lewis: .309 BA, 15 HRs, 52 RBI. We all know about his 4 grand slams in 3 weeks and his 4 homers in 6 playoff games, but this former #1 draft pick is much more than that. He's persevered through 2 reconstructive knee surgeries and is one of the most positive people in baseball. He's basically secured a spot in the lineup as the everyday third baseman for Rocco Baldelli's team in 2024. 

Ryan Jeffers: .276 BA, 14 HRs, 43 RBI. It took a few years, but Jeffers is finally at a level that we expected him to be at. His offensive improvement kept him in all of the Twins' 6 playoff games. His defense behind the plate is improving and continues to be a work in progress.

Jorge Polanco: .255 BA, 14 HRs, 48 RBI. Julien's arrival meant that Polanco had to split time with him at second base and even make a few starts at third (where he has less experience in the major leagues). Jorge has played second, short, and third for the Twins in his career, so his versatility could make him valuable. However, if Julien has a breakout year next season, I wouldn't be surprised to see Polanco dealt as a result. 

Matt Wallner: .249 BA, 14 HRs, 41 RBI. Wallner had a cup of coffee with the team last year and was a nice complement to the Twins' outfield this year. He still has to learn better plate discipline, but he fits in at left or right field rather nicely.

Kyle Farmer: .256 BA, 11 HRs, 46 RBI. Farmer was going to be the Twins' regular shortstop until Correa re-signed with the team. He was a nice addition and proved that he could also play at second and third base as needed. He's a good bench player who can definitely help the Twins in the clutch.

Alex Kiriloff: .270 BA, 11 HRs, 41 RBI. Another injury ended Alex's season, but he still showed promise. Used almost exclusively at first base this year, he has improved both on defense and at the plate. If he could play a full season without landing on the IL, he could be a good middle-of-the-order regular for the Twins.

Willi Castro: .257 BA, 9 HRs, 34 RBI, and a team-best 33 steals in 38 tries. This former Detroit Tigers utility man proved to be the team's MVP. He can play almost anywhere in the infield and outfield (and even pitch if necessary). His speed on the basepaths kept the Twins in many games. This journeyman seems to have found a home for a while, anyway. 

Trevor Larnach: .213 8 HRs, 40 RBI. This once-rising star spent more time on the St. Paul Saints' roster in AAA than with the big league club. Injuries and a low batting average are primarily to blame. He wasn't on the playoff roster, which leads me to believe that he doesn't really factor in the Twins' plans next year.

Christian Vasquez: .223 BA, 6 HRs, 32 RBI. This former World Series champ was great behind the plate, but his surprisingly low batting numbers are probably why Baldelli didn't play him at all in the playoffs. He signed a 3-year deal with the Twins, so he'll be around for at least another year or so, provided that his offensive game turns around. 

Donovan Solano: .282 BA, 5 HRs, 38 RBI. This veteran proved that he can play first, second, and third base and provide some clutch hits. In one of the games I attended at Target Field this year, Solano doubled in 3 consecutive at-bats. He's not a power threat, but he's a good bench player who will hopefully remain with the Twins in 2024.

Jose Miranda: .211 BA, 3 HRs, 13 RBI. Miranda suffered through a sophomore slump during 40 games at the big league level. He started the year at the hot corner, but never really seemed to find his groove. He was demoted to St. Paul and went on the IL for a large portion of the year. If he does return with the organization next year, it'll probably be with the Saints.

Kyle Garlick: .179 BA, 2 HRs, 4 RBI. Garlick signed a minor league deal with the Twins this year and only appeared in 14 games with the Twins. He spent most of the year playing outfield and first base with the Saints. He hits left-handers well, but the Twins have a logjam of players at the positions he plays. I would be very surprised if he's in the organization again in 2024. 

Nick Gordon: .176 BA, 2 HRs, 7 RBI. A fractured shin kept Gordon on the injured list for most of this year. He proved in 2022 that he can play both the infield and outfield, but the Twins already have utility men on the roster in Farmer and Castro. It remains to be seen when Gordon will be activated and where he'll end up when that happens.

Jordan Luplow: .206 BA, 2 HRs, 4 RBI. Luplow was a nice late-season pickup. He was a good bench option at 1B/OF/DH, but he spent most of the year in AAA, and I can't see him making the Twins' big league roster at this point. 

Andrew Stevenson: .189 BA with 1 RBI in 37 at-bats. Stevenson was a late-season call-up from St. Paul and was primarily used as a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch runner. He has a history of stealing a fair amount of bases with the Washington Nationals, but if Buxton is healthy next year, I don't expect to see Stevenson anywhere near the Twins' big-league roster. 

Now, let's take a look at the Twins' pitchers:

Pablo Lopez: 11 wins, 8 losses with a 3.66 Earned Run Average. The Twins gambled on Lopez, trading AL batting champ Luis Arraez to the Miami Marlins to acquire him. The trade worked off quite well for both teams. Arraez hit .354 for Miami and won another batting title for his team that made the playoffs. Lopez was the ace of the Twins' staff. He also started the "Land of 10,000 Rakes" vest that Twins' hitters wore after hitting a home run this season. 

Sonny Gray: 8-8, 2.79 ERA. Gray is more of a control pitcher. He can be very good and he can be mediocre. He pitched more innings than in 2022 and proved that he can be a valuable member of this team's starting pitcher rotation. 

Joe Ryan: 11-10, 4.51 ERA. Ryan had another solid year. If he can cut down on giving up the home run ball (he allowed a team-high 32 dingers in 161 2/3 innings this season), he'll be another lock in the rotation in 2024.

Kenta Maeda: 6-8, 4.23 ERA. This was Maeda's bounce-back year after Tommy John surgery. He was much better in the second half of the year and was a proven bullpen option in the playoffs.

Bailey Ober: 8-6, 3.43 ERA. Ober didn't start the year with the big league team but eventually showed his worth over 26 starts with the Twins. He made a solid case for being a back-end member of their 2024 pitching rotation.

Louie Varland: 4-3, 4.63 ERA. Varland's second time with the big-league team was much better than his debut in 2022. Rocco can count on him as a starter and reliever, which gives him more options than before.

Chris Paddack: 1-0, 5.40 ERA. Paddack worked hard to return from Tommy John surgery and pitch for the Twins out of the pen late in the year and into the playoffs. If he continues to work hard, I would be shocked if he isn't a starter or middle-inning reliever for the team next year.

Cole Sands: 0-0, 3.74 ERA. Sands made 15 relief appearances with the Twins and rode the Minneapolis-St. Paul shuttle regularly throughout the season. I'm not sure why Baldelli didn't use him more, but we'll see where he ends up next year. 

Josh Winder: 2-1, 4.15 ERA. Winder made 19 relief appearances for the team in 2023 and could be a good spot starter or a guy who can pitch multiple innings out of the pen in 2024.

Dallas Keuchel: 2-1, 4.97 ERA. Dallas was a late AAA signing and got into 10 games (6 starts) with the Twins. An injury kept him out of the playoffs, but he's another option worth considering next year.

Griffin Jax: 6-10, 3.86 ERA and 4 saves. Jax defined his role as the 8th inning guy. He's much improved and much more confident as a reliever than as a starter. He finally seems to have found his niche. 

Caleb Thielbar: 3-1, 3.23 ERA. Thielbar was the team's only veteran left-handed arm in the bullpen. He usually doesn't give up many home runs and is a good situational reliever.

Emilio Pagan: 5-2, 2.99 ERA. Last year, I pleaded for the Twins to release Pagan. This year, he was a much improved player. He struck out 65 batters in 66 innings and proved to be a reliable option for the 6th or 7th inning. 

Jhoan Duran: 3-6, 2.45 ERA, 27 saves. Baldelli finally gave Duran the closer's role this year, and he took advantage of it. He did give up a few runs for consecutive games during the summer, but his triple-digit stuff and 84 strikeouts in only 59 innings proved why he's someone most big league hitters don't want to face in the 9th inning.

Brock Stewart: 2-0, 0.65 ERA. Stewart came from out of nowhere to become a dominant reliever for the Twins this season. He only gave up 2 earned runs in 27 2/3 innings during the regular season (with 39 K's). I don't expect him to be nearly that outstanding in 2024, but if he's healthy, he can be a reliable resource for Rocco in 2024.

Brent Headrick: 3-0, 6.31 ERA. Injuries and ineffectiveness marred Headrick's season. If healthy, he could be another bullpen asset next season.

Kody Funderburk: 2-0, 0.75 ERA. Funderburk spent most of 2023 pitching for the Saints. He only gave up 1 run in 12 innings for the Twins, and can be a good left-handed bullpen option in 2024. 

Jordan Balazovic: 1-0, 4.44 ERA. Inconsistency late in the year kept this reliever in St. Paul for most of the 2nd half. If he can work out his issues, he may be back in the Twins' pen again next season.

Jorge Lopez: 4-2, 5.09 ERA, 3 saves. Lopez was acquired last year in a trade but was much better for the Twins in 2023. He was sent to the Marlins for Dylan Floro before this season's trade deadline and ended up with the Orioles yet again before being released.

Dylan Floro: 2-1, 5.29 ERA. I wasn't impressed with most of Floro's outings for the Twins. It's a 50-50 shot as to whether he'll return next year. 

Jorge Alcala: 0-1, 6.23 ERA. Another promising reliever whose season was interrupted by injury again this year. If he can stay healthy and figure things out, he may return to the big league club sooner rather than later.

Tyler Mahle: 1-2, 3.16 ERA. Mahle was acquired from the Reds in a trade last year and has only made a handful of starts for the Twins because of injuries. It's doubtful that he'll return from Tommy John surgery in time to pitch for the Twins at any level in 2024.

Oliver Ortega: 0-1, 4.30 ERA. Another inconsistent right-handed reliever. Ortega will probably pitch for AAA St. Paul at the start of next season.

Jovani Moran: 2-2, 5.32 ERA. Rocco sure seems to use Moran often out of the pen, but he seemed to get worse as the season went on. He went on the 60-day injured list with a left forearm strain in August and will likely need to pitch a few minor league games before he'll be reinstated with the big league club. 

Jose De Leon: 0-1, 4.67 ERA. Except for a spot start, De Leon was a reliever for the Twins before injuries derailed his season. I don't think he'll return to the Twins next year. 

Dereck Rodriguez: 0-0, 13.49 ERA. The son of a Hall of Famer (catcher Ivan "Pudge' Rodriguez), Dereck, only pitched in 1 game for the Twins. He was claimed off of waivers by the Atlanta Braves in May. 

Simeon Woods-Richardson: 0-0, 9.64 ERA. This former prospect only pitched in one game for the Twins and proved that he isn't quite ready to face big-league hitters. More seasoning in the minors appears imminent for him. 

Note: I'm not going to add the pitching stats for Castro or Luplow, because I'd rather focus on their primary responsibilities.

This team was the only one in the American League Central with a winning record. Detroit seems to have improved, while Cleveland, Chicago and Kansas City all regressed. We'll see how the Twins fare in 2024, but if their core players stay healthy and the pitching staff remains reliable, I'm confident that they will have a much more productive playoff run next year.

That's all for now. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!

I'm Tired

 I'm Tired

An impromptu poem 

by Aaron D. Backes

I'm tired

I'm tired of bad things happening to good people

I'm tired of stupid people being put in positions of power

I'm tired of greed

I'm tired of people who refuse to listen to doctors and educators in favor of politicians and political pundits

I'm tired of the MAGA movement

I'm tired of political fights 

I'm tired of politicians who would rather argue with people in the opposite party instead of doing the job that they were actually elected to do

I'm tired of people who are far different on social media than they are in real life

I'm tired of people who try to push their viewpoints on others

I'm tired of how overly complicated job searches and applying for positions can be

I'm tired of companies whose executives are paid hundreds of times more than their average employees

I'm tired of businesses offering low pay and unappealing benefits, only to complain that "no one wants to work anymore"

I'm tired of not having enough time to pursue more creating writing and drawing

I'm tired of how expensive life can be

I'm tired of people who complain about every little insignificant thing

I'm tired of individuals who always have to be right

I'm tired of policies that simply don't make any sense

I'm tired of programs that were designed by people who aren't the end users

I'm tired of cruelty and hate in the world

I'm tired of the increasing lack of civility

I'm tired of people being shitty to one another for no good reason

I'm tired of the "us versus them" that I've noticed in many different aspects lately

I'm tired of hypocrisy

Hell, I'm just plain tired

That's all for me for now. Had the base concepts for this piece ruminating in my head for a while. Hope you enjoy it. Until next time, have a great week, and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Real is Rare

 Personal relationships were a lot easier when I was little. I had parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends I could trust and count on. I was raised to follow the golden rule and treat everyone with whom I came into contact with courtesy, dignity, and respect. It's something that I still adhere to today.

Maintaining personal relationships can be difficult, even in this age of the Internet and social media. We have so many things trying to get our attention. Some are more important than others, but the people who care for you will show you that they care over time. 

I'm very thankful for the people that I can rely on. Some of them are closer to me than actual blood relatives. I've learned to differentiate between those who are blessings and others who are nothing more than burdens. 

Whenever I meet someone new, I try to keep an open mind. I've met some truly amazing individuals. I've also met some people who are quite attractive on the outside but turn out to be very ugly human beings on the inside. 

I've definitely been burned by some people in the past. As much as I dislike what happened, those experiences have shaped me into the adult that I am now. I learned my limits and what I'm willing to accept and reject.

I'll always be true to those who matter to me, but I'm not going to bend over backward for people all the time. I'm not going to make an effort for those who don't and I certainly won't keep giving for those who consistently take far more than they ever give. 

I know that there are people who will never reciprocate or show me the same kindness and courtesy that I've shown them. I'm okay with that. I'll just focus on those who treat me how I want to be treated and make myself more of a priority in my own life. I can't let others take advantage of me, ignore me, or take me for granted anymore. Life's too short to allow shallow, narcissistic people like that to get into my head and make life miserable. 

There are some great genuine people in my circle, who I treasure each and every day. They make me remember why life is worth living. Real people like that have been increasingly rare nowadays. It's rather amazing how social media has brought forth so many profiles of people who are nothing like their online personas. 

Just had to get that off my chest. I've been removing people that I don't connect with from my life, and I guess it's something that I need to do more of. After all, it's the quality, not the quantity of the individuals in your circle that really matters.

Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Thank God for Rock and Roll!

 Not gonna lie, I've been under a lot of stress lately. Work, Covid and a few other things were stressing me out over the last few weeks. I was unhappy and more importantly, I wasn't my usual self.

I took a much-needed break on Tuesday to attend my 41st Sevendust family reunion. The show was at the Fillmore, a new venue in Minneapolis near Target Field that's only been open for 3 years. It's a smaller club that provided for more intimate performances by MJT, Sevendust and Alter Bridge. 

The concert was just what I needed. It was my first show since late May. I got to catch up with an old friend who was visiting from out of state, along with a few MN locals and my buddy who also happens to be the guy in charge of Sevendust's merch sales.

I hadn't seen my friends in Sevendust in almost a year, and it was another great family reunion. The band sounded just as great as ever and I found myself smiling regularly for the first time in months. I'm so thankful that there are great rock and roll bands to listen to and see in concert. They took my mind off of my stressors for a while and let me appreciate living in the moment. 

Still on a concert high, but that'll probably last until the next show. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#37: Creed

 Creed was a popular rock band from Tallahassee, Florida. They recorded 4 studio albums before dissolving for what we assumed was for good in 2013. However, fans were overjoyed last month to hear that the group will be reuniting next year for the Summer of '99 cruise. 

The band was created by guitarist Mark Tremonti and singer Scott Stapp in 1994. The two were school classmates and had some of the same music tastes. The original lineup was a quintet, including rhythm guitarist Brian Brasher, drummer Scott Phillips, and bass guitarist Brian Marshall. They performed their first gig under the moniker Naked Toddler.  came up with the group name Creed, which stuck. Brasher departed a year later and Creed continued on as a quartet. 

Their first album, My Own Prison, was self-produced in 1997 with an initial run of 6,000 copies through Blue Collar Records. It soon got the attention of Wind-Up Records executive Diana Meltzer. She and a few of her co-workers flew to Florida to see the group perform before deciding to offer them a recording contract. Wind-Up re-released their debut effort that August, which became a big hit. 

Creed used the proceeds from that album to craft their sophomore album, Human Clay. It would go on to sell more than 10 million copies. Marshall's alcohol issues led to his temporary dismissal from the group in 2000. Brett Hestla would take his place on bass guitar. Hestla would tour with Creed, but Tremonti played bass on their third album, Weathered. 

The band continued to tour until Stapp needed to take some time off in 2002 because of injuries that he sustained in a car crash. Stapp's pain medication and addiction issues also contributed to Creed's first breakup. 4 concertgoers filed a lawsuit against the band that year, stating that Stapp was unable to complete the lyrics to a Creed song in concert because of chemical influence. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and the band issued a public apology, but the damage to their reputation had already been done. 

Their first disbandment was in June 2004. Tremonti and Phillips joined forces with Marshall and former Mayfield Four frontman Myles Kennedy to form the band Alter Bridge, while Stapp pursued a solo career. Wind-Up issued a Creed greatest hits album in November 2004 and no new Creed tunes would be heard for another 5 years.

The classic Creed lineup (Stapp, Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips) returned in June 2009, and their fourth studio album, Full Circle, was released that October. Eric Friedman joined the group as a touring guitarist and they toured regularly from 2009 through 2012, even though their shows weren't all as well attended this time around as they were when the band was supporting their first three albums. 

Creed has been inactive since 2013. Stapp still continues to perform as a solo act and was involved in the group Art of Anarchy. Tremonti has been busy with both Alter Bridge and his solo group. Phillips has been involved in Alter Bridge and Projected, a group that also includes Friedman and Sevendust rhythm guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vince Hornsby. 

The group announced on July 19th of this year that they would be part of the April 2024 Summer of '99 Cruise. The cruise sold out in a matter of hours. It remains to be seen whether or not they will add more tour dates. In all likelihood, any tour dates would probably be in 2024, because both Stapp and Alter Bridge are currently touring as separate acts. 

I haven't seen Creed play live in concert yet, but this latest reunion has definitely intrigued me. I've seen Stapp and Tremonti's solo acts along with Alter Bridge. In fact, I'm going to see Alter Bridge with Sevendust again on Tuesday. Based on how well the cruise performance announcement was received by loyal fans, I'm fairly confident that any future Creed concerts will be well attended. 

Well, that's all for now. This is the last article in this series that I'll be writing for now. Future blog posts will be on different topics. I may resume this series sometime in the future. If there are certain rock bands that you'd like to see covered, please let me know. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!