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The Ultimate Anti-Zombie Strongholds – FOR SALE The Ultimate Anti-Zombie Strongholds – FOR SALE So the rumor is that the zombie apocalypse may have arrived. Sure, the Centers for Disease Control denies it, but what does the CDC know? Just to be on the safe side, Realtor.com put together a list of prime zombie-defense real estate capable of putting those with an unquenchable thirst for human flesh at a distance from you and your family. (You can see many more pictures of these strongholds and others at Realtor.com. This slideshow is adapted from Realtor.com with its permission.) Epic Lake Castle in Miami, FL Price: $10.9 million The Skinny: This insanely symmetrical, moat-surrounded masterpiece was designed by architect Charles Sieger. While it lacks a working drawbridge, simply destroying the only path that leads into the compound would be a logical first step. Bonus Zombie Defense Feature: The rapper Birdman filmed a music video here, so there’s likely to be an automatic weapon or two that got left behind. Nuclear Missile Silo Home in Saranac, NY Price: $750,000 The Skinny: For a home that can withstand a zombie apocalypse, not to mention a nuclear apocalypse and other various apocalypses, $750,000 is a freakin’ bargain. Anyway, it’s a former nuclear silo-turned-luxury home. How cool is that? Bonus Zombie Defense Feature: Paved air-strip gets a nod, but the real bread and butter is the former launch control center that sits behind doors made of three-inch concrete and mesh, 125 feet underground. Oh, and there’s a Jacuzzi down there, too. Fortified Mansion in Los Angeles, CA Price: $5.9 million The Skinny: This crazy compound is the (paranoid?) masterpiece of one AI V. Corbi, the founder of a company called SAFE (Strategically Armored & Fortified Environments) that specializes in stuff like mounting lasers on sharks, build missile-proof yachts, line Escalades with tank armor, panic rooms, etc. It’s also set on a private hilltop behind a pair of gates, and has a helipad. Bonus Zombie Defense Feature: Not one, but two panic rooms and a pair of “safe cores,” which is basically when all the bedrooms go on lock-down mode with the twist of a doorknob. East Sister Rock Island in Marathon, FL Price: $12 million The Skinny: Private, remote island with its own breaker that has been designed to be self-sustaining with wind turbines and solar panels. Bonus Zombie Defense Feature: Property includes not only a dock, but also a helicopter pad for making your escape, which might come in handy if the zombies pull a “Dawn of the Dead” reboot and figure out how to make a ship out of corpses. Castle Rogue’s Manor in Eureka Springs, AR Price: $1.8 million The Skinny: A massive and secluded mountain castle that could potentially provide residence for the masses. Also includes a six-floor “Gate’s Keeper” cottage, great hall and other structures. Bonus Zombie Defense Feature: A pair of guard towers and other tall structures for scouting and medieval archer (and sniper) defense.
Modern Castle in Austin, TX Price: $5.25 million The Skinny: Concrete façade and a rooftop deck for headshot contests. Just under 4 acres and over 12,500 square feet provides enough room to take in a roaming survivor or two, you know, to help fight off forces, grow crops, repopulating Earth, etc. Pick and choose wisely, folks. Bonus Zombie Defense Feature: 200-foot wood and steel escape home that leads from the main home to a private boathouse on the lake. Missile-Proof Window Home in Cedar Key, FL Price: $695,000 The Skinny: The name of this place kind of says it all, doesn’t it? Bonus Zombie Defense Feature: Double-lock ship’s doors and Galvalume siding make this one pad that the walking dead wouldn’t want to mess with. Jamesburg Earth Station in Carmel Valley, CA Price: $3 million The Skinny: A former space communications satellite used during the Kennedy administration that’s loaded with tons of tech stuff (albeit dated tech stuff). Other amenities include a 97-foot satellite, helipad, on-site gym and power generators. Bonus Zombie Defense Feature: If you manage to get this thing running, you might be able to contact an extraterrestrial life force to do one of two things: 1) kill the zombies or 2) repopulate the earth with half-human, half-alien beings.
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Dear Dead Abby Abby was born and raised in the coal regions of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The oldest of eight, she constantly had her younger brothers and sisters asking her questions about everything from how things work to why that boy threw dirt on her. She’d try to steer them straight with her advice, though sometimes she could be a bit sarcastic. Abby also had an uncanny ability to see the truth in people, despite what they tried to portray with their lies. Unfortunately, this led the locals to believe that she was with surrounded with dark forces. The summer before her final year of school, Abby was sentenced to death by hanging, without a proper trial, simply stating that she was a witch. Abby can’t recognize the faces of her family through death, but she answers questions, thinking it might be one of her siblings needing her guidance. Q. I'm trying to get a job with you guys. What's the best way to go about that? Do you have any inside advice for me? R.H. A. Apply on the website. You have to have a passion for it. If it’s just a cool way for you to meet bands, I don’t suggest it. Music has to be a big part of your life. It’s hard work, not just an easy hobby. If you can’t devote yourself to it, don’t bother. If you think you have what it takes to be a part of the Plug’d In team, then like I said, apply. Sell yourself and what you can bring to the magazine. Q. My girlfriends driving me nuts, but my problem is she's loaded! We are talking about some serious cash. So...I was thinking, what if she had an "accident"? How can I get away with it? I need it to be air tight...no sense ending up in jail you know! Anon. A. You sir, are an ass. Her parents or next of kin will get whatever she has left behind. I can’t believe I even said that much to you. Look back on it when you’re sitting in jail for something like stomping a kitten. Q. You seem like you're getting softer. What’s up with that? B.B. A. Some questions don’t require the harshness. Sometimes there are truly questions which require advice and I try to give the best advice I can. Some questions are just people being completely ridiculous so the magazine will print their stupid question. You can’t win them all. Sometimes the honesty is brutal. Sometimes it’s empathetic. Most times I’m thinking that I can’t believe how stupid people truly are these days. Q. Did you have sex before you died? K.A. A. After as well. Q. I'm starting a new school this year. It sucks because all my friends are at my old school. I'm nervous about meeting new people and I really miss my old friends. Help me get thru this year! V.U. A. They have things like Facebook, email and cell phones for keeping in touch with people. It’ll be good for you. You can’t pal around with the same crowd or you’ll never mature into who you need to be. Find something you like at the new school to occupy you, whether it’s a sport or an academic club. The people in the clubs enjoy it as well. That’s the easiest way to meet people. Just talk to someone. Most people are afraid to initiate conversation. I was. People thought I was a rude stuck up bitch because I never said much in a situation. I would gladly talk to people if they spoke to me first, but actually going up to people and striking up a conversation was not easy at all for me. Looking back on it now….I don’t know why I was scared….Wasted a lot of time that I could have been using getting to know some really great people. Guess we’ll never know….. Then again some people crave the social acceptance. I was always more of a loner. Stupidity seems to grow in masses, and I really had a low tolerance for stupidity. But if you’re the kind of person that needs to be a part of a group, I’m sure some clique is out there looking for a new lacky.
abby@plugdinmagazine.com
Artist Spotlight: Nick Fritchey of From Dead To Worse Interview by Michael Demos PI: Nick, Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started playing guitar? NF: My name is Nick Fritchey, I was born and raised in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, with my brother/our drummer Craig Fritchey. I am 17 years old and I’ve been playing guitar for 4 years and singing for 2. PI: How did your band From Dead To Worse get it’s start and what is your involvement? NF: We formed in the Summer of 2010 with just me and my brother jamming on guitar and drums. We found Zack through one of our old band mates in my older band Angels Over Arlington. Towards the beginning of 2011 we found our guitarist Devin, and our bassist Jon. After a year and a half of playing shows and tours we replaced our bassist with our current bassist Dallas. I play guitar and sing in the band, Craig plays Drums, Zack does lead vocals, Devin plays guitar, and Dallas slaps the bass. PI: You’re pulling double duty in From Dead To Worse…Vocals and Guitar. Is that a lot of pressure? NF: Sometimes, when we play many shows in a row, and I get strain on my vocals, I get worried about losing my voice. Other than that it’s not a lot of pressure. PI: What are you bringing to the table that’s new and exciting? What about your band? NF: We are currently writing and recording our new EP “Integrity”. I really can’t say too much about the release or when a song is being put up, but all I can say is it will be worth the wait. PI: What does a From Dead To Worse live show look like? What feelings would I walk away with? NF: We put on a show, if people wanted to hear the music they would buy our CD, we want people to come out and see us play the stuff that they love, and see us have fun, but more important is them having the most fun. PI: Supporting Local Music. What does it mean to you? Is it important? NF: It is very important. Supporting your local scene is so crucial these days because there are so many bands now. You need to come out to shows. We aren’t going to shove it down your throat like some people and bands, but you really should see a show at least once in a good while. PI: Have you guys had a chance to play with any National acts yet? If so…who? NF: Yes and many. Upon a Burning Body, The Color Morale, Like Moths to Flames, Jamie's Elsewhere, I, The Breather, Norma Jean, Sleeping Giant, The Chariot, War of Ages, The Air I Breathe, The Plot In You. Icon For Hire, These Hearts, Bullet For A Pretty Boy, Close Your Eyes, Texas In July, The Great Commission, As Hell Retreats, Of Legends, and Sovereign Strength. (Cont’d)
PI: If you were spending money on a ticket to see a show…what do you expect to get from that show? NF: Bands playing the music they worked hard and put time into to show people. And maybe a hotdog. (Laughs) PI: You guys are currently in the studio recording another album correct? NF: Well not an album but possibly a 5 or 6 song EP. PI: What is From Dead To Worse’s writing process? Since you’re pulling double duty are you the major contributor or does everyone have input? NF: This EP that we are writing, we are taking time, and making sure that each and every song has meaning to at least one of us, or someone else that it can attribute to. With that being said we all write the lyrics now, and give input on the vocal patterns. PI: How does your band go about promoting itself? How do you guys support the band? NF: We do most of it on Facebook, with Stickers/Business Cards, and just telling people when we see them at shows. Just playing shows, and selling merchandise. PI: 5 Year timeline. What can we expect to see from you personally and from your band? NF: All grown up, hopefully signed to a half decent record label, and touring the U.S. PI: You guys are playing the All Stars Tour in Allentown. Are you excited? What bands are you personally excited to see on that tour? NF: We are very excited to play this show, we watched it last year but now we get to play it with so many bands we look up to, and listen to. Personally I am excited to see Betraying The Martyrs, and Suicide Silence. PI: What other upcoming shows do you have? NF: We are playing Baindridge, NY on July 20th and we have some more local shows coming up as well. All of our dates can be found at on our Facebook page on the shows tab. PI Thanks for sitting down with us and giving us a chance to get Plug’d In. NF: Thank you, it was a pleasure speaking with you.
www.facebook.com/fromdeadtoworse
Artist spotlight: Mike Hubley of Amateur Theory Interview by Michael Demos PI: Who are you and what band are you in? MH: My name is Mike Hubley and I am the vocalist for Amateur Theory PI: How did you get your start with Amateur Theory? Where did the name Amateur Theory come from? MH: Amateur Theory was formed by myself , my guitarist Kyle Wilson, and my drummer Alex Marschka. The name came from a 90s band known as Penfold. We combined a word from the album title and part of one of the song titles. PI: We’re getting bored with the Central Pa scene. Are you bringing anything new to the table? MH: Absolutely. We have something for almost every listener from every genre. A little bit of heavy, a little bit of jazz, a little bit of melody, and a ton of chaos. We write from every band members influences, not from any particular sound or trend. PI: A lot of people complain that the local metal scene is oversaturated. Why do you think that is? MH: Metal is definitely what’s going around. I think that most bands try to match or conform to a metal style, possibly a favorite band or idol, and there is only so much originality that can be added to something that has been done countless times. Metal has been the "in" thing for a while. The longer it remains the popular genre the harder it will be to expand on the genre because chances are it already has been done. PI: Supporting Local Music. What does it mean to you? Is it important? MH: Supporting Local Music is huge... not only for your local scene but for the artists that give the fans of a specific style of music a place to go, a place to congregate, and a place to meet new people. I believe that most people don't realize the hard work, time, and undying commitment that goes into making music. So the answer is yes, it is extremely important to support your local music scene. Music is a lot more than just a sound, it’s a lifestyle. PI: What National bands live show do you look up to and why? What makes it so good? MH: If I could pick one band I would have to say The Dillinger Escape Plan. It is probably the most involving, energetic, and intense performances I have ever seen. It literally submerges you in the music. Those guys are insane. PI: If you were spending money on a ticket to see a show…what do you expect to get from that show?
(Cont’d)
MH: I would expect what everyone expects. I would want my money’s worth, good sounding room, and a captivating atmosphere. I would want to completely enjoy myself. PI: How comfortable are you performing live? MH: I am content. I have done it with previous bands. I will admit I wasn't always comfortable... not instantly. As time went on I became incredibly excited to play versus being nervous. It makes my experience a million times better. It is truly the biggest natural high in the world. PI: What is Amateur Theory’s writing process? Are you planning on releasing any material? Is there a demo in the works? MH: Our writing process is simple. It is done together. Everyone, and I mean everyone contributes to every single song. We think every song out completely. We write the song, record, listen back, and then make our final changes before it is complete. For our first record we did a digital release with CI Records. It is available as a digital download card which can be obtained from us at any of our shows, in the CI Records Store in Lancaster PA and at the Championship in Lemoyne PA. It is slated to be on ITunes in about a month. PI: What bothers you about music? What bothers you about National bands? MH: What I am bothered by most about music would be the lack of understanding. Everyone has different tastes some have the same tastes. Criticizing someone for what they like is ridiculous. Every style deserves a chance. You should be able to pull something good from every kind of music. I feel like people group themselves too often when it comes to music, when sometimes opening your mind to something you usually don't listen to can be amazing. Nothing really bothers me about National bands... just like anything else some truly deserve the spotlight and some don’t. Most have gone down the same path as most bands did, they lived in vans off of no money, and struggled from gig to gig. I give them props for sticking it out and making their mark. PI: How does your band go about promoting itself? MH: We do it by flyers, posters, Facebook, MySpace, Last Fm, Twitter, Reverb Nation, and getting our music out their via digital download. PI: 5 Year timeline. What can we expect to see from you personally and from your band? MH: In 5 years I hope that we can have a handful of SOLID records released, a bunch of tours under our belt, and a great fan base. We will continue to work, practice, and promote. Continue striving. PI: What upcoming shows do you have? MH: July 17th - 717 Fest at The Championship, Lemoyne PA, July 24th - Headhouse Philadelphia PA, July 27th The Chameleon Club, Lancaster PA (OUR LIVE VIDEO SHOOT!!!) July 28th - Private Party PA, August 17th Polish Club, Phoenixville PA, August 25th - Charity Event for Music Unites, Lancaster PA. PI Thanks for sitting down with us and giving us a chance to get Plug’d In. MH: Thanks guys i appreciate it. Thanks for supporting music.
www.facebook.com/amateurtheory
For Die-Hard Zombie Fans, A Chance to Romp With the Undead Originally posted in The Wall Street Journal By Owen Fletcher Daniel Smith had run over hills, scrambled through streams and climbed over walls on a recent hot Saturday here, when he came face-to -face with his greatest obstacle yet: a field full of zombies. He dodged through about 20 groaning, glassy-eyed antagonists with oozing facial wounds and streaks of red splattered across their clothes. "I felt like it was just nonstop sprinting for my life," said the 18-year-old from nearby Yorktown. Mr. Smith, who runs high school track and cross-country, paid $87 for the privilege, while the zombies chasing him paid $25—and got a free makeup job and, for those over 21, a complimentary beer at the end of the race. Obstacle-course races and zombie-themed events—from proms to marches to film festivals—have been spreading across the country like a flesh-eating bacteria. Now, a series of races called "Run For Your Lives" are bringing the two together. Runners wade through pools of fake blood, duck under electrified wires and try to avoid letting zombies steal their "health flags" worn on a belt around the waist. A runner with no flags left is ruled dead—or is it undead?—and isn't eligible for awards at the end of the five-kilometer race. Crossing the finish line alive is no small feat: Only about 20% of racers make it with at least one of their three flags left. Mr. Smith had managed to hold on to his flags through several close encounters with zombies when he suddenly found his path blocked by a pair of female twins in checkered blue-and-white dresses, their faces bruised and heads cocked to one side. "They looked sort of demented," he said. He dodged to the side and into a shin-deep creek to pass them, but lost his first flag to a grasping hand. Zombies come up with their own outfits, but organizers do their makeup, including pale skin, sunken eyes and fake blood—a mix of corn syrup, cornstarch and food coloring—splashed on their clothes. Adhesive plastic molds and red goo give some zombies gaping wounds. Zombies preparing for the race here lined up to stand in front of a hanging white sheet and have a makeup artist throw handfuls of blood on their backs and chests before they set out to populate a 70-acre course rigged with water pits, log barriers and monkey bars. "That felt really good because it was hot out," said Michael Packer, who drove 45 minutes from Indianapolis with his girlfriend and two other friends—all wearing surgical gear. "It soaked through pretty well and it stayed wet for a long time." Reed Street Productions, a company based in White Marsh, Md., and formed by two friends in their 20s, is making a killing on the races. It held its first race just last year near Baltimore and unexpectedly drew 12,000 people, the company said. It will hold a total of 13 similar events in cities from Boston to Los Angeles this year. (Cont’d)
Next year, it hopes to double that. The company said it expects revenue of $18.8 million this year, but declined to disclose its profits. Between 3,000 and 10,000 people participate in the races, with about 5,000 at the event here. "Why a zombie race?" asked Derrick Smith, cofounder of the Run For Your Lives races and no relation to Daniel Smith. "We came up with the name, and we said, 'Well, what do people run from?' We figured zombies was going to be a pretty popular idea," he said. Indeed, zombies seem to be everywhere these days, including on television. AMC Networks Inc.'s apocalyptic zombie drama "The Walking Dead" has drawn millions of television viewers. Zombies in the Run For Your Lives races are split into two groups. "Chasers" run after racers to grab their flags, while "stumblers" are supposed to "crawl, shuffle, drag, or perform any other type of slow movement in order to horrify runners and take their flags," according to instructions for zombies on the race website. Mr. Packer, a 41-year-old software designer, was a chaser. He was resting in the shade when two men dressed as Elvis emerged on the path up ahead and began jogging toward him. He looked around as if sensing the presence of the Elvises, then reached out with his clawed hands and lurched toward them and two other runners, his back stiffly bent. "I went for the wide-eyed, slobbering, drooling zombie growl," said Mr. Packer. His startled targets leaped into a sprint down the path to escape. Runners Kate Christensen, a 30-year-old microbiologist from Oconomowoc, Wis., and Cindy Rasmussen, a 30-yearold biochemist from Whitewater, Wis., wore plastic hula skirts with hanging green strips that made it harder for zombies to grab their flags. And when Ms. Rasmussen lost her third flag, she started running interference for Ms. Christensen. "We worked together as a team and tried to use other people as bait," Ms. Christensen said. But the zombies worked together too. Daniel Smith, the high-school runner, lost a second flag when a large group of zombies forced him to one side of a path, allowing a chaser zombie to catch up to him. He later dove into a mud hole to protect his remaining flag. Mr. Smith continued on to a maze, where he narrowly escaped a different chaser, and climbed over a cargo net. With the finish line in sight, the race had one more surprise for him—a low, electrified fence to crawl under. Mr. Smith dropped to his elbows and started pulling himself forward. "I looked up to look at the finish line and got zapped in the head," he said. "It stung pretty good." (Organizers later turned off the electricity when a combination of exhaustion and dehydration caused adverse reactions in some runners.) Mr. Smith learned after he went home that he had finished with the fastest time among living finishers. His prize, which he has yet to claim, was a set of zombie paraphernalia including a keychain, a Run For Your Lives T-shirt and drawstring bag. Asked whether the prizes were worth the ordeal, he hesitated and then said: "Not that much."
www.runforyourlives.com
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1402 N. 9th Street Reading, PA 19604 Www.reverbconcerts.com Tuesday, July 24th: TONIGHT WE UNITE Festival Tour: THE CASUALTIES / NEKROMANTIX / DOWN BY LAW Lower Class Brats – Flatfoot 56 – The Sheds + Friends With Murder – Tightfits and more. Wednesday, July 25th: RITUAL…. The Janes Addition Tribute Band ! Monday, July 30th: PRONG + Special guests: SPINEBELT + 20TIL8. Tuesday, July 31st: CALL ME CRAZY and special guests…. Thursday, August 2nd: SWASHBUCKLE – The Day of the Beast – and more TBA Friday, August 3rd: MISSTALLICA (All Female Tribute To METALLICA) + more Sunday, August 5th: ATLANTIC AVENUE (Welcome home from the WARPED TOUR show + special guests…. Thursday, August 9th: STAR CITY MELTDOWN – SidAerial – more. Friday, August 10th: NORTH END and special guests Saturday, August 11th: Scott Reynolds (formerly of ALL / The Pavers ) + Toy Cannons (featuring Pete Cortner formerly of DAG NASTY) Special guests: Big Green Limousine – Couples Only Sunday, August 12th: FORGER – Mayla – xSluggernautx – Rodent Lord – and more
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