March 17, 2007

Europe

So....we are coming back to Europe..........BEWARE.

we should also have Casting Out demos with us......so ask.

I think I'll actually post something real here someday soon.

rakus

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 01:57 PM

November 25, 2006

here.

I'm almost done my first beer...it's 9:28 in the morning.......I'm at the beach.....I like it.
rakus-----------what the hell is bsf doing....hit me back whenever you see this.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 09:23 AM

September 28, 2006

How we do.

To whom it may concern.

So--I have not written anything in a while.....just been busy running around, and working. The tour was amazing.....hard in parts personally.......with stress...but that went away pretty quick-----and we had a lot of fun. Strange to think we might never be back to europe again......personally music gave me a chance to travel the world (for free) with my friends and see some of the great sights of the world. But---I have so many friends in europe it will be to impossible to never go back.......so that should cause me some debt for the rest of my life. well----just wanted to write a little something.......thanks to everyone who came out to the last tour.......and thanks to everyone for giving me an interesting job over the last three years...........and a special thanks to all the bands we've toured with....I'm sorry that we were way better at drinking and rocking than all of you.................step it up--you know who you are..
chris- rule 3a

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 05:46 PM| Comments (3)

August 27, 2006

For Josh

I just wanted to let you know how much your band has meant to us all... We
finally got to see you play in Sacramento, Ca a few months ago and we have
to say that it was one of the shows that you will always remember... There
was only 40 or so people but all 40 people were there whole heartedly
supporting you guys.. I think you guys made everyone there feel like they
were part of something special.. We will remember that show everytime we
play one of your songs.. Your music will always have a place in our
hearts....

Sincerely,

One Dying Secret...

Cory
Ed
Rob
Jonny
John

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 02:25 PM| Comments (5)

August 15, 2006

I refuse to delete spam from this page any longer.

Spam has won..........I takes too long too empty it out......so fuck it.
rakus-

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 07:43 PM| Comments (1)

August 02, 2006

The last sermon on the mountain

"Human life consists in mutual service. No grief, pain, misfortune, or "broken heart," is excuse for cutting off one's life while any power of service remains. But when all usefulness is over, when one is assured of an unavoidable and imminent death, it is the simplest of human rights to choose a quick and easy death in place of a slow and horrible one." charlotte perkins gilman.

this has nothing to do with anything..I just like it is all.

thank you to everyone who has been part of anything. And above all thank you to my dear friends. robert, matt, chad, josh, nate, gene, gordon, carlton, dusty---and anyone else that has been part of it all.----the reverend

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 10:04 PM| Comments (4)

July 10, 2006

Lean On Rakus.

Sitting here...just in from London. Well----ok..I lied...we have been home for around an hour and a half. So---what is there to say. I'm listening to good music. Drinking a Lion's Head beer. Sitting directly in the path of my fan.....and most importantly in my own bed. Ok --tour...Started off kinda slow....a lot of early bus calls. The first night we celebrated Josh's birthday (our one guitar player). Got drunk. Next night we left pretty early--and someone drenched Josh in a full beer at the bar. It was fucking funny. Sorry Josh-it was...Then off to France ( on the ferry...you have to get up...because if the ship goes down and you're in the hold you will drown...sometimes I would rather sign a waiver and sleep...but we all get food and hang out for a bit....kinda fun in a way) to play some strange metal fest. Kinda boring for me. Cradle of Filth was kinda interesting to see. But --you can only take so much metal in a field. Next day--we had off in some town in the middle of no where...and ate at an american style restaurant in a industrial park........giant bison and all out front. hmmm.....not much to do...me and nate rolled around and I got loaded at the first bar we pretty much saw...ok...one of the only bars in a hundred miles maybe. next to Italy..Milan and Rimini.....hot. Went to the beach in Rimini...where some guys that drove us bought some Italian wine for our little beach gathering......saw Total Request Live from MTV...and now I can die a happy man and fullfilled.....kidding..or am I. ...yes-----so---did some shows in Germany, Austria and Switzerland....all amazing...saw very good friends..you know who you are. And got pretty drunk some nights. OK.....the one day I got drunk twice....and me and Josh hung out in the river and had some beers...not to mention hung out with some nice bands.....deftones and Kettcar(i know i spelled this wrong) etc....good guys....anyways-----did a fest in Praque, and had a day off. Probably one of the best days of my life. So much history...and fun.....amazing. I could write forver about it...but I won't. Then back to germany....and then to London for a show with Tribute to Nothing.....our MATES!!!!!!!........drank......watched soccer the next day...congradulations Italy. --and our hearts go out to all you german fans. Me and josh hit the British Museum..where I finally saw the Rosetta Stone...after many tries......well--i never really tried......the museum was amazing, and we recomend it to everyone if you have the chance........saw so many interesting pieces..and could have stayed there for three days I'm sure......so--more drink with our mates..and today we had an hour and a half car ride to the airport.........and sat in a flying box all day..and we're home. Sorry--not so detailed but------I'm tired.

here is something I tried to post in Europe. But couldn't....--may be a little more insightfull for the moment.

.Lean on Rakus.

Eastern Germany-June 30th, 2006. 7:26 pm

Here is the reality of the situation. I'm hearing claps from the front lounge. Germany is playing Argentina in World Cup soccer. I'm sure thousands of Germans are huddled by the festival screens outside screaming their heads off in anticipation of a win. On the other hand- I am hiding in the back of the tour bus........surrounding myself with the new Bouncing Souls record...and looking at pictures of my recent trip to the Delaware beach.....It's funny how boring tour can be sometimes. I walked through the crowds earlier to kill time, a beer in hand of course. People covered in grass from hours of laying on the sun scorched earth........insane attire.....and bad metal stealing every breath of air as it is thrown from stage speakers. Better things-..........so----it is nice sitting here though......and tour has been fun. We haven't had much time to hang out really......because of long drives...but we have seen friends, and soon some family from Munich should be around for Robert. Anyways-tonight we will probably get drunk..and that's it. And no one will read this except Josh. So in that spirit.....this is dedicated to you sir.
Chris>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
Pigeon kicking is bad.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 10:27 PM| Comments (1)

May 22, 2006

shake shake. a few steps to the lobby. are you in?

Sitting here is the corner of a room in Hotlanta, Georgia (ok...Atlanta.....seeing that I'm not an urban boy). Anyways-last night was consumed by our favorite activity this tour....the endless sitting in a van for an overnight drive. We rotate positions between driver, floor space and sitting up.........and all of them are uncomfortable. But-we will survive....we just like to complain a lot...not our strongest trait. So-it has been a while since I've updated anything on the internet..being my personal myspace, email or this. Just too damn tired for any of it. What has happened?....after Denver we had some serious drives.....long and with bad weather....I mean who the hell drives through hail, snow and rain within thirty minutes in Wyoming in the spring..what the fuck. Then we hit the Pacific coast...had some good shows..saw some friends from bands and from regular life. drank some beer. It was the first time I saw the Pacific Ocean....kinda strange that I've seen so much in life..and had never seen that really. In San Diego we had a college show with no use for a name, my chem, and the guys from our tour...not to mention cypress hill....and my favorite Talib Kweli.........who I've have been waiting to see for like 7 years or something...damn....amazing. After that we headed through the border check points and deserts of Arizona..where Versus the Mirror are from. I'm sure they enjoyed seeing family and friends. Then back out and across Texas....oh god. San Antonio was nice. Scenic river walks through the center, and we took some pictures at the Alamo. First time we had seen that historic structure as well. So we win. What else in Texas.......hmmm.....saw the Thing (a desert mummy they found...ok ...tourist trap..but they had Dairy Queen....good)......one night we hit a giant hail storm coming out of Houston.....we were getting gas..and once we were under the overhang it started....i guess they were a little smaller than gum ball size......so of course we were running back and forth from the store to the van...almost making it...but then getting hit hard as hell. The sound of it hitting the tin roof above was insane. Ok.....so that was the beginning of a twenty hour drive to Florida.....through the swamps of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.......Florida had some good shows.....especially Orlando last night...then we left...and now we're here in Atlanta......we just stayed in this same hotel in November on the From Autumn to Ashes tour.....so it feels like home..we know where the rooms are, where the coffee shop is..and the club is near by. So- I hope the show will be good tonight...and I hope that we stay here in town..and don't have to overnight to the next destination of North Carolina..................so I guess we're heading home now..........crazy how fast time goes by.

been listening to a lot of The Notwist, Get Up Kids, and Snow Patrol....watching the show Weeds and Ali G.
posting this on myspace also.
www.myspace.com/therakus

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 03:11 PM| Comments (6)

May 03, 2006

"Denver-the sunshine state....beautiful"

We are sitting in a hotel room in Denver, Colorado. The rain streaming down onto green pool covers below the window to my left. I thought it might be sunny today-I guess I was wrong. So far the weather hasn't been too bad. A lot of rain the past few days..but yesterday was real nice....blaring Jay-z through van speakers.....making fun of one another...and talking about "big bags"...and "waffle houses.".......It's good to be west...it's been a while. Traveling through the fields of Iowa....giant spinning blades of electric generating windmills in the hazy background.....hundreds of them......the flat land of Kansas and Colorado.....that juts to mountain peaks seemingly from nowhere....and of course nothing can compare to the early morning hours.....the sunlight creating a mural of purples, blues, reds and pinks upon the landscape.........time to destroy this coversation. RAKUS>>>>>

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 04:14 PM| Comments (2)

April 13, 2006

Who want's my job!!!

I got up today. Did some fishing in the creek. Went and looked at compound bows. Ate sunflower seeds on my porch. Wore a Pabst blue ribbon shirt....Jack Daniels belt buckle....flip flops...shorts..and girl's leopard sunglasses all day. Shot 100 rounds on a glock 9 mm handgun. Ate meat. watched hockey. I'm a fucking redneck.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 09:17 PM| Comments (4)

April 01, 2006

stealing internet...suckers

So. A complete update. We are now in berlin. JUst cleared outta the bus a few hours ago, and have checked into a hostel in the downtown area. As soon as we get here matt broke about three beer bottles in the stairwell..and it began to rain alcohol all the way down to the dirty white tile on the first floor...funny....can't take us anywhere. fuck. Anyways..then a few of us got food...that was overpriced. --by the way..all of us are jammed into a single room....and nate is actually sleeping in a real VW beetle that is in here with us...it's purple and has a bed inside...fucking insane...so he's in there right now on the internet...what else. Said goodbye to tribute to nothing last night..gonna miss those guys..it was fun, and we wish them the best of luck. I also fucked my ankle last night at the club....so now I look ridiculous walking around trying not to put weight on it....figures that we have a few days off and I destroy myself..so---we will stay here in berlin for a few days, and see some good friends..and drink some beer..etc. Thanks to everyone who came out to the shows...cause you give us the chance to come over here and see different places....even if it's just the inside of clubs and bars sometimes..ok--rambling aside..I'm out...
the rakus
living the dream.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 09:32 AM| Comments (7)

March 31, 2006

flensburg..end of tour

it was fun..so there..........how is that josh...I'm tired

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 02:13 PM| Comments (1)

March 20, 2006

GERMANY IS FOR LOVERS

So-here we are in Germany--the shows have been great....I've made new friends and new enemies...............mainly that kid I hit with a shot glass from like 30 yards away. sorry-I guess...Anyways-josh says I need to do an update...so here we go.....as of late we have been drinking, playing ipod trivia (which nate is strangely good at), running around, getting locked out of clubs when we need to get back in, aquiring carpets, wondering where gordon has gone constantly (kidding joines), making fun of tribute to nothing (even though we love them), seeing girls that I miss too much, having friends come and hang out, celebrating kevin's birthday yesterday, watching kids do bad stage dives, yelling at security sometimes and loving others for being good to the kids, getting hit in the face by drum sticks, not really breaking any strings (thank god), destroying microphones, kicking over drum sets, aquiring 8,000 power strips from various locations around europe, not finding internet enough, drinking irish car bombs in amsterdamn on st. patty's day, not calling home really, being sick and being hung over. so-there you go...weak update..but that is what we're doing for the most part.

body shots,
yours--chris rakus

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 11:06 AM| Comments (16)

March 10, 2006

here we are..

braford, uk-------I'm tired and have been fighting a sinus infection....what the fuck..(so I really can't drink) .we are happy to be here......I was just rubbing josh's leg from inside my bunk...............not in a gay way.....robert hates me though....he just told me......sucks..
the rakus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tribute to nothing are good dudes.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 08:47 PM| Comments (1)

March 07, 2006

EUROPE. MARCH 06

Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. It is conventionally considered a continent, which, in this case, is more of a cultural distinction than a geographic one. It is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, and to the east by the Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea.
AND WE WILL BE DRINKING THERE VERY SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 10:43 AM| Comments (5)

February 14, 2006

Valentines Day

Valentines Day-
people steal from one another, kill each other, lie, cheat, argue, envy, distrust, hurt themselves, lack control, lack loyalty, see color instead of respect and lack faith--------but still have time to buy chocolate.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 05:16 PM| Comments (3)

February 09, 2006

something fresh

CHRIS RAKUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and gene shaw.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 09:06 PM| Comments (1)

December 24, 2005

little baby jesus

Merry christmas everyone and happy holidays........i hope that you all get what you want.........except if it means that i don't get what i want....what are the odds...just know that all the alcohol in the world is on my list.......so there. but whatever..............so be safe and remain calm this season.......
your chris rakus-------------------here in west chester pennsylvania.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 01:09 PM| Comments (1)

December 10, 2005

first installment of tomorrows sermon...pregame

this week--i've decided that life is more meaningful than i could have thought....ok-i'm a liar..i havn't thought about much.............and this sermon will hopefully be uninspiring like the rest.................................this weeks sermon concerns the church's relationship and commitment with it's members....this church- as you all know has always been open minded......loving of drinkers and the straightedge....the poor and the rich..the hot and well....i just like hot girls- sorry guys..so pretty much my reserve power is on..i'm lazy and not charging my computer...so the point is that god wants his followers to talk with their leaders...........hint...write some FUCKING QUESTIONS..........cause i'm too stupid to keep writing about nothing.......................................i need to do a serious sermon right..well tomorrow is sunday..so i will.............

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 09:57 PM

November 24, 2005

thanks for giving us a choice-

sermon-for whatever it's worth we keep moving foward in order to look back and forget-we crave for something that we'll never know-but know this--we know what we need-we might not show it, but we've decided to organize our efforts unto some goal. we, as a people will come out on top-learn from our mistakes..and make it through. we will take oppurtunity, and regret-we will take drunkeness and sober moments, we will destroy what commands us to destroy others........yet we can stop what destroys us......so this makes no sense..i'm loaded...may be look for faith in the sports section of the inquirer.
your rev. rakus-happy thanks day.....

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 12:42 AM| Comments (1)

November 20, 2005

i never post anything meaningful or on time-

yes...dear souls----our sermon has begun....we drink in a van on pilgrimage to pittsburg, pa. under these highway lights we destroy bud cans----then start a new with another---there is always hope once something is gone-and we can always crack another 12 ounce. whatever----that made little sense...maybe someday you will understand the language of the church. so today we rolled through snowstorm from hell and made it out alive and into the safe territory of pennsylvania under the flag of this blacklodge church........so lets just give praise for that....no real point here..but i don't care -do you.
rakus------i like straight girls-......
nov 20th------we are home from tour, and it was fun----if you can't understand that..you never will.......rakus

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 04:39 PM| Comments (2)

November 09, 2005

before i have to kill every beer.

yes-so our sermon from the road has come to life-like the times of old. We have found new life in the bars of the world, kelly clarkson and the like. todays sermon focuses on the curse of the loader........as we all know jesus took pity on the loader-gave him a place to stay-washed his feet in wine. but today's loader is completly fucked- we are"weighted" down and oppressed by our peers....who we wont mention. We call ourselves techs-but fuck that.....we carry boxes, leave carpets in florida and do shuttle runs. But the loader enjoys his work and goes forth with pleasure in his deeds-he does not bitch-he loves-well- loves beer and the ladies....don't pity us-----we go forth into a brand new brave world-so give us a box with wheels and we'll fucking move that motherfucker...........rev rakus----sorry so short my dear churh-but i don't care -fuck you all.

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 07:34 PM| Comments (4)

October 25, 2005

To my adoring flock..let me clear my throat

Mass 10/25/05
Introduction
Dear followers of the cloth; Welcome to the first sermon of this relatively new parish-The Rakus Blacklodge. Erected out of the darkest of human times (June, 2005-germany), and serving as a beacon of freedom and spiritual inspiration to people of all nationalities, creed and color (but mainly to women). The lodge, over time has given hope to literally millions of lost souls. (The original translation and numbers have been lost…..modern estimates reflect a number closer to two lost souls-one being the author and the other being the sole reader of this sermon).

Continue reading "To my adoring flock..let me clear my throat"

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 04:58 PM| Comments (4)

October 06, 2005

October Church Bulletin 2005

The first of many rakus sermons to come is in the works--a short sweet piece entitled "like a vigin-touched for the very first time"-it's a very early american take on the workings of young desire and the dirty deeds that accompany it....i would like to call it a small masterpiece-------biblical in scale with a touch of brown sugar---hmmmmmmm brown sugar--you know what I mean.
and all of Rakus' people said AMEN

Posted by Rev. Chris Rakus at 06:28 PM| Comments (3)