A positive mental attitude can be a powerful thing. Those Bad Brains dudes were definitely on to something. As my days at The Motion Picture Institute continue, I am finding myself more and more inspired to create. Maybe it’s all the movies I’m watching, maybe it’s the scholastic environment, or maybe it’s just the coffee. Whatever the case, I can’t help but feel a sense of rebirth. I’m like Uncle Frank in HELLRAISER, returning from what feels like an eternity of self-imposed torment. My body is transforming from a puddle of sanguine goop and into an unstoppable juggernaut of awesomeness.

It’s been a long time since my last entry; a long time. In some ways I feel like Ash at the end of ARMY OF DARKNESS (the Boomstick original ending, that is): awakened in a strange and distant world that is unfamiliar to my withered and weathered face. But in more realistic ways, I feel as though my life has simply changed: a transition, if you will. No, the Deadites have not been summoned from an eternal slumber. No, I was not transported back to medieval times. And most regrettably, I do not have a chainsaw for an arm. Life simply has a way of getting the best of you and you either succumb or live to tell the tale. With any luck you come out the other end a stronger individual and like Ash, you grab life in a fit of passion, gaze into its eyes and say “gimme some sugar, baby!”

Welcome back to another edition of Face Riff. It’s been a while since my last installment, and I would like to apologize to my New Year’s resolution for slacking on my productivity. Better luck next year, I suppose. All procrastination aside, The Dillinger Escape Plan is about a week deep into a two month-plus tour with The Deftones, and already we have collectively devastated vast portions of the Pacific Northwest and Canada. The weeks to come will undoubtedly bring more of the same, and for those lucky enough to have gotten tickets to this mostly sold-out tour, expect to have your mind blown like that dude in Cronenberg’s SCANNERS.

The holidays are officialy over. For many, it's time to take all that cheer and wonderment and wrap it tightly around rolled up newspapers like yards and yards of Christmas lights and garland. If you're like me, you may not be ready to bid the holidays adieu. If you're like me, you may also be shoveling yourself out of mountains of snow on a daily basis amongst a landscape reminiscent of Hoth. Either way, take this opportunity to embrace your resistance and come on a journey with me into the not-too-distant past. This is me making good on my new years resolution. While others hit the gym, I'm lifting and flexing my carpals in an effort to lose those unsightly and unwanted pounds of procrastination weight. So snuggle up inside your coziest tawn tawn; it's time for NEW YEARS RIFF-OLUTION 2.

Hey there, 2011. How the heck are ya? Glad to make your acquaintance. Have I got some resolutions for you! Lately, I’ve been slacking in the blog department, but it’s a new year and it brings along a newfound sense of responsibility and wonderment—and by that I mean I will be much more productive on the Face Riff front. Have I been busy? You bet I’ve been busy. The past few months have included a two month tour of Europe with the Dillinger Escape Plan, copious holiday parties and way too much LAW AND ORDER: SVU. In the midst of the chaos, my time seemed to disappear like virginity in a slasher flick and November first quickly morphed into the new year. Somewhere in that time warp, I managed to do some amazing horror-related activities. So now, in an effort to recap the end of 2010 and begin anew with a long-overdue brain purging, I give you the first of three NEW YEARS RIFF-OLUTIONS: the best of my November and December.

[Ed. Note: This is a bit late on Fango's part, but we love Jeff and his blogs, so take your mind back about 10 days or so and get back in the Halloween spirit for a few minutes!]

Any horror fan worth his or her weight in gore considers October the true giving season. October is a month-long celebration replete with more good tidings and cheer than December could ever offer. During this time, DVD distributors fill the role of St. NIck by releasing their heavy-hitters. Both new releases and, more importantly, many never before released classics and special editions come wrapped in their cellophane-makeshift wrapping paper begging to be torn open and played with. And who really needs Christmas when you have Halloween? It's the one time a year the nation allows itself to loosen its collective necktie and even the "normals" get with the horror program. Oh what a joyous occasion it is.

I don’t want to say that if you’re unfamiliar with Alkaline Trio, or Every Time I Die that you’re an asshole, but hey—sometimes the shoe just fits. All kidding aside, both are amazing bands filled with amazing people and both ar e near and dear to The Dillinger Escape Plan family. Collectively, we slaughtered Warped Tour fans on a daily basis this summer, leaving our nights free to catch up on some cinematic schooling. We would trade movies like junkies trade needles, always eager to get our nightly fix.