HeyChris's new dvd

[matchbookz]

chris gutierrez/heychris is releasing a dvd and he put up a trailer...it won't let me imbed it here cause it's buzznet but here's the link:

http://deadxstop.buzznet.com/user/video/play/2110601/my-dvd-trailer/

what do you guys think? i'm excited for it, the trailer seems pretty cool!

[popdisaster00]

I don't know much about this guy, but I know he used to be friends with the Fobzzz. Does he bash them now? I think I remember someone telling me that he just tours the country talking shit about them. If so, that's a pussy ass way to make your money. But if I'm totally wrong, you can disregard everything I just said.

[ror.]

already pre-ordered it.

i've seen him speak twice. i loved his books and his speakings are ten times better.

[ror.]

I don't know much about this guy, but I know he used to be friends with the Fobzzz. Does he bash them now? I think I remember someone telling me that he just tours the country talking shit about them. If so, that's a pussy ass way to make your money. But if I'm totally wrong, you can disregard everything I just said.


no he never even mentions them at all. besides that beef he had with wentz is long squashed and he has never even directly mentioned them in a book. the only time they're addressed at a speaking is if someone directly asks a question about it, and even then i haven't heard him bash them in the least.

[popdisaster00]

no he never even mentions them at all. besides that beef he had with wentz is long squashed and he has never even directly mentioned them in a book. the only time they're addressed at a speaking is if someone directly asks a question about it, and even then i haven't heard him bash them in the least.
Cool, so then what does he mainly speak about?

[needles & pins]

Cool, so then what does he mainly speak about?

My college booked him (waste of money - a lot of people on the board are still pissed. no one even showed up) and I guess he was trying to tell inspiring stories, but most of them had really immature content like talking about his cat's balls and someone shitting themselves while running a marathon. If I was a twelve year old boy, I'm sure I would've had a great time. He spent a few too many minutes on "Buy my stuff" lines - I know how much we paid him to be there, he definitely had enough gas money to make it to his next stop.

[popdisaster00]

My college booked him (waste of money - a lot of people on the board are still pissed. no one even showed up) and I guess he was trying to tell inspiring stories, but most of them had really immature content like talking about his cat's balls and someone shitting themselves while running a marathon. If I was a twelve year old boy, I'm sure I would've had a great time. He spent a few too many minutes on "Buy my stuff" lines - I know how much we paid him to be there, he definitely had enough gas money to make it to his next stop.
Haha, sounds like something to skip then.

[matchbookz]

Haha, sounds like something to skip then.

eh, i wouldn't judge too quickly. i don't know when needles & pins speaking was, but i went to one in august 2007 and he didn't talk about any of that stuff...he talked about what's in his books, which is mainly memoirs/stories of growing up in chicago, touring with bands, traveling, and all the generally awesome stuff he's done. i find a lot of his stuff very inspirational (he has a very cool quote i adore: we live deliberate, our words are eternal, live is ours for the taking because we are unbreakable) and i recommend checking his shit out at www.deadxstop.com...you can click on book previews to read two of his stories, both of which are some of my favorites.

[blaqk_my_eyes]

Haha, sounds like something to skip then.

I couldn't agree less. I've seen him a couple of times & found him to be honest & accessible. The stuff that the other poster mentioned him talking about are true, but you have to take it all into context. His first zine, for example, was created back when he was in college. He was a college kid writing for other college kids so yeah, it was about his cat's balls, & his audience found that funny. The thing about the marathon-runner was an aside in a story focusing on him running a marathon - how strenuous it was for him, how close he came to giving up, & how he saw people around him giving up &/or breaking down, the woman in question being one of them.

Seriously, he's a good speaker & he connects with his audience. As for the rumors of the FOB shit-talking... he doesn't mention them, unless, like someone else said, someone asks him a question relating to that part of his life. He does a Q&A session at the end of his speakings & he will literally answer any question you ask of him, so inevitably his ties to FOB are brought up sometimes, but he is by no means encouraging their mention, nor is he shit-talking or making any money off them whatsoever.

I don't doubt that colleges pay what seems like large sums of money, especially to college students {of which I am one, & seriously $100 looks like a lot of money to me at the moment}, but... he does this stuff for a living. He tours with his books, does speakings, & sells his merch. It's not like this is just a hobby for him. He doesn't have a 9-5 job where he can pick up a paycheck week in & week out - it's his main source of income & it's what he's dedicated himself to.

[PaulsRightNut]

I'm sure he's a cool dude and what not, but what exactly has he done/what are his qualifications to go around speaking to people? I mean, it just seems weird to me is all.

I also found it funny that all the good reviews that were quoted were from like, livejournal or something haha.

[needles & pins]

I don't doubt that colleges pay what seems like large sums of money, especially to college students {of which I am one, & seriously $100 looks like a lot of money to me at the moment}, but... he does this stuff for a living. He tours with his books, does speakings, & sells his merch. It's not like this is just a hobby for him. He doesn't have a 9-5 job where he can pick up a paycheck week in & week out - it's his main source of income & it's what he's dedicated himself to.

We paid him a lot more than $100. A lot more. For the amount of money we paid him, he shouldn't have been trying to guilt kids into buying his stuff. Maybe other people have had different experiences with him and his talks, but it definitely wasn't worth it for us. He even read something off his Sidekick and someone brought up the point later that a speaker should be so connected to their material and stories that it should just pour out of their heart, not their cell phone. I'm not trying to bash him or anything. He just had no connection with the audience whatsoever. Maybe it was a bad night for him, I don't know.

I'm sure he's a cool dude and what not, but what exactly has he done/what are his qualifications to go around speaking to people? I mean, it just seems weird to me is all.

I also found it funny that all the good reviews that were quoted were from like, livejournal or something haha

The girl who booked him through our board, just said "he wrote some books." He made it seem like writing his books was nothing - he said something like "I gave my writings to a friend and said, 'Hey, fix these, make it seem like I'm a literate dude.'" I'm still not sure what his qualifications are when it comes to motivational speaking. Somebody said they felt like their friend could have given the same speech he gave. I wanted to like him, but it just wasn't his night I guess.

[popdisaster00]

I couldn't agree less. I've seen him a couple of times & found him to be honest & accessible. The stuff that the other poster mentioned him talking about are true, but you have to take it all into context. His first zine, for example, was created back when he was in college. He was a college kid writing for other college kids so yeah, it was about his cat's balls, & his audience found that funny. The thing about the marathon-runner was an aside in a story focusing on him running a marathon - how strenuous it was for him, how close he came to giving up, & how he saw people around him giving up &/or breaking down, the woman in question being one of them.

Seriously, he's a good speaker & he connects with his audience. As for the rumors of the FOB shit-talking... he doesn't mention them, unless, like someone else said, someone asks him a question relating to that part of his life. He does a Q&A session at the end of his speakings & he will literally answer any question you ask of him, so inevitably his ties to FOB are brought up sometimes, but he is by no means encouraging their mention, nor is he shit-talking or making any money off them whatsoever.

I don't doubt that colleges pay what seems like large sums of money, especially to college students {of which I am one, & seriously $100 looks like a lot of money to me at the moment}, but... he does this stuff for a living. He tours with his books, does speakings, & sells his merch. It's not like this is just a hobby for him. He doesn't have a 9-5 job where he can pick up a paycheck week in & week out - it's his main source of income & it's what he's dedicated himself to.
Okay, okay. Well that's good for him, then. I have no disrespect for him. Seems like a genuine dude. But we also have to realize that he wouldn't be where he is right now if it wasn't for FOB.

[blaqk_my_eyes]

Okay, okay. Well that's good for him, then. I have no disrespect for him. Seems like a genuine dude. But we also have to realize that he wouldn't be where he is right now if it wasn't for FOB.

oh yeah obviously most kids find out about him through being fans of FOB, but i'm saying he doesn't exploit that connection or anything like that.

[fantasma]

He seems like he really likes the cock.

[DeathCabForCoon]

talk about milking modest celebrity for all it's worth. Why would anyone pay to see him?

[ror.]

talk about milking modest celebrity for all it's worth. Why would anyone pay to see him?

ah yes, questioning someone's integrity via the internet! unless you've read his books or seen him speak how could you possibly make that judgement? unless you've met the dude how could you flat out claim to know his intentions? he's a solid guy that has something to say. he was given a platform that he by no means asked for. you can't tell me that if all of sudden you were placed in a situation where you have people listening to you, that you wouldn't say what was on your mind or express your beliefs. the dude barely keeps his lights on every month, its not like he's living large by any stretch of the imagination. He is trying to offer people insight just like any other artist would, his medium is just a little different. it would be different if his books were offering insight into the lives of fall out boy, but thats hardly the case. the words fall out boy do not appear in either of his books and haven't appeared in his journal for more than a year. so, its not like he is flauting that he is the guy from "grenade jumper", he is just using the medium that he stumbled into much like you or i would.

oh and 98% of his speakings are donation only. there's no fee to get in and he stresses that if you don't have the money you don't have to donate.

[matchbookz]

talk about milking modest celebrity for all it's worth. Why would anyone pay to see him?

well...he doesn't charge anything. it's free to see him speak. he hopes you'll give him donations and maybe buy a book or cd, but anyone can come for free. i recommend you check it out if he comes to your city, cause it's free and he has a q&a afterwards where he encourages haters to ask whatever they want, no matter how insulting.

and since he hasn't mentioned fall out boy in a looooonngggg time (like since the whole wentz spat), i don't really think he's milking any connections? more like trying to build something for himself, is the way i see it. and i mean honestly...if fall out boy mentioned me in a song, i'd probably milk it, too. it's kind of like when a friend recommends you for a job, yeah? you try and use the connection as much as you can.

[matchbookz]

He seems like he really likes the cock.

...would it matter if he does? i mean as far as i know he's straight, but if he wasn't, i wouldn't care. gay, straight, bi, asexual...i judge him by his words.

[DeathCabForCoon]

man you guys really have a crush on this dude.

[matchbookz]

man you guys really have a crush on this dude.

sorry to burst your bubble, but not so much. better luck next time! :)

[liveDELIBERATE]

I can understand why people say hes still "riding coat tails" and what not.. and from an outsider's point of view, that may seem to be the case. However, knowing him on a different level than just a "lurker", I can confidently say that he does anything but. Sure, some people found out about him from some song. but its not like he's going to be like "nope, anyone who heard of me from that one fob song can't read my shit" ... why would he? he has had readers long before the song and he will long after this whole thing dies down.

nobody gives gym class or many other bands shit for "riding coat tails" when its a similar situation. pete wentz founded many of those bands and pushed them onto labels. he put their name out, just like the song did for christopher, but no one ever gives them shit. gym class was amazing before they were signed. christopher was amazing before the song. they both still are.

either way, christopher is an absolutely amazing person. he has a lot of good words to deliver to a huge variety of people of all ages, genders and walks of life. he has been on some unbelievable life journeys that he likes to share with people and that the majority of people find interesting or motivating. he has been gifted with the ability to entertain a lot of people, so why not do it for a living?

if you're not sure about this guy, check him out at a speaking. for the most part they are free, and if you still don't like him afterwards, then thats fine. like people said above, he invites you to ask him whatever you want. be it rude, just out of curiosity or completely random. hes up for the challange, so why not take him on?

[differ_26]

Okay, okay. Well that's good for him, then. I have no disrespect for him. Seems like a genuine dude. But we also have to realize that he wouldn't be where he is right now if it wasn't for FOB.

honestly dude.. who isn't where they are now if it wasn't for someone else.. who was there to open the doors for FOB.. name a band you like.. someone was there as a connection.... i think that you should get to know the topic you are dissing before you put yourself in this position... you say one thing and then get corrected and man out and then diss something out.. wtf

[meliisssaaaa]

i uesd to read his blogs. he's a pretty good/entertaining writer. idk if i'll actually wind up watching or buying this though

[jamiechaotic]

Haha, sounds like something to skip then.

come see for yourself. he's going to be in the twin cities on jan 11th. (tentatively speaking at the garage, i believe) judge after you see him. if you don't like it, then you can at least see some bands play.

[popdisaster00]

come see for yourself. he's going to be in the twin cities on jan 11th. (tentatively speaking at the garage, i believe) judge after you see him. if you don't like it, then you can at least see some bands play.
Haha, maybe. I really don't want to be around a bunch of middle school hot topic girls though.

[allhourcymbals]

well...he doesn't charge anything. it's free to see him speak. he hopes you'll give him donations and maybe buy a book or cd, but anyone can come for free.

Hahah you make it sound like he's doing everyone a favor by "allowing them to hear him speak", no one could possibly be that interesting to charge people to hear what they have to say.

[blaqk_my_eyes]

Hahah you make it sound like he's doing everyone a favor by "allowing them to hear him speak", no one could possibly be that interesting to charge people to hear what they have to say.

I see what you're saying but a lot of these kinds of things at least have some kind of entry- or cover-fee. If you choose not to give a donation or buy merch, then the whole thing is completely free.

[musicaloverdose]

He's awesome, simple as. Seriously how can you judge him if you've never read his books or gone to a speaking?

And people really really need to get over the fob thing, they aren't enemies or anything, he's friends with the band just not as close as he use to be, people grow apart, it's called life. Wentz has promoted Chris' book tour on his blog on the fob website, would he promote someone if they were shit talking him? and Christopher hardly ever name drops at speakings, he goes through whole stories with out dropping one name, so it's not like he's using other peoples fame to keep the audience interested.

And if you're still confused about what his stories are about, go here, it's got chapters from his books, so you don't even have to buy it to see how he writes: http://www.deadxstop.com/bookprev.php

[DeathCabForCoon]

He's awesome, simple as. Seriously how can you judge him if you've never read his books or gone to a speaking?



It's the American way.

[DeathCabForCoon]

Hahah you make it sound like he's doing everyone a favor by "allowing them to hear him speak", no one could possibly be that interesting to charge people to hear what they have to say.

Finally a young'in with some sense. If you need to listen to a complete stranger to somehow motivate or inspire you, you probably should drown yourself in the toilet.

[allhourcymbals]

Finally a young'in with some sense. If you need to listen to a complete stranger to somehow motivate or inspire you, you probably should drown yourself in the toilet.

Haha thank you, but I don't think age has anything to do with it, most people in general don't have common sense these days.

[punkpixie]

I've read some his stories and I thought they were nothing special at all. To my mind he hasn't survived anything great or momentous and I don't find him remotely inspiring.

I dunno why you'd want to go listen to him speak; i saw a couple of videos of him doing such and he got on my nerves.

Each to their own though.

[matchbookz]

Finally a young'in with some sense. If you need to listen to a complete stranger to somehow motivate or inspire you, you probably should drown yourself in the toilet.

chris's words are the same as the lyrics of songs that help and inspire me. glad to know you've never been inspired by a song or album by a band. and i'll try that toilet thing but i've hear drowning's a pretty sucky way to go... :/

[matchbookz]

Hahah you make it sound like he's doing everyone a favor by "allowing them to hear him speak", no one could possibly be that interesting to charge people to hear what they have to say.

eh, not my intention. i was just trying to point out that it's free. and many spoken word performances or book readings have a small charge--you have to pay to see henry rollins, or buy a book to meet your favorite author. it's hard to find stuff like this that is free. and i do have to disagree with you, because regardless of how you feel about chris gutierrez, i do think that people like henry rollins and karenna gore schiff are worth paying to see.

[DeathCabForCoon]

chris's words are the same as the lyrics of songs that help and inspire me. glad to know you've never been inspired by a song or album by a band. and i'll try that toilet thing but i've hear drowning's a pretty sucky way to go... :/

Being inspired by a song is WAY different. Music is a form of art, a motivational speaker is no better than getting life lessons from Dr. Phil. Don't even try to compare the two.

[jamiechaotic]

Haha, maybe. I really don't want to be around a bunch of middle school hot topic girls though.

believe me, you won't be. the bands that are playing that night will draw more people than he will, and from the looks of the line up, they are not of the hot topic type.

like everyone else is saying, give him a fair chance. the worst that could happen is you wasting $5-$8.

[matchbookz]

Being inspired by a song is WAY different. Music is a form of art, a motivational speaker is no better than getting life lessons from Dr. Phil. Don't even try to compare the two.

well, he's a writer, and i happen to think that writing is a form of art, so i think comparing it to a song is completely equal. i don't care what you think of chris's writing, but can we agree that in general writing is a form of art and often equal to music? i mean, that's why there are books like revolution on canvas!

anyway, though his speakings are often motivational, he's not trying to be dr. phil. if i had to compare him to someone, i'd compare him to henry rollins (a review in the chicago reader actually compared him to henry rollins and james frey) sometimes his stories are uplifting, but sometimes they are actually quite sad.

you know, i completely understand that chris isn't for everyone. obviously, to use the old cliche, if we all like the same stuff...we'd all be the same...and that would fucking suck. i'm just trying to say...before you think he's the second coming of dr. phil, maybe check out his book excerpts (http://www.deadxstop.com/bookprev.php) or listen to some spoken word (www.myspace.com/thedeadxstoppublishingcompany) (http://www.myspace.com/thedeadxstoppublishingcompany%29). all i ask is you listen with an open mind...and if you still don't like it, cool. at least you were open and didn't pre-judge him, which is all i want people to do. :)

[matchbookz]

believe me, you won't be. the bands that are playing that night will draw more people than he will, and from the looks of the line up, they are not of the hot topic type.

like everyone else is saying, give him a fair chance. the worst that could happen is you wasting $5-$8.

haha yeah i'm going to second jamie here that i have no idea what chris's fans are like out in mn, but the fireworks/2*sweet/high court fans are definitely NOT little hot topic fangirls...

[forget regret]

Haha, maybe. I really don't want to be around a bunch of middle school hot topic girls though.

hahaha. At the speaking I went to, the hot topic youngin's were actually in the minority...thankfully. It's really surprising the diverse crowd of people that he can draw in.


I saw Chris speak over the summer and I think that even since then, he has constantly been progressing. Awesome dude who has very entertaining and inspirational stories to tell. Hopefully I'll be able to see him speak again soon! I highly recommend just at least checking him out if he swings by anyones city.

I really love this trailer. I'm interested to see how the whole dvd comes out, although I'm sure it will be quite awesome.

[jamiechaotic]

haha yeah i'm going to second jamie here that i have no idea what chris's fans are like out in mn, but the fireworks/2*sweet/high court fans are definitely NOT little hot topic fangirls...

and to correct Zoe, fireworks and the high court will not be at this show. the line up is still tentative, but from what i've seen of it so far, no hot topic kids.

[kate_vox]

i saw chris speak back in November. although i had read his stories and journal entries, etc. i was still a little unsure of what to expect. but it was probably one of the best nights i've had in a long time. the stories were gross, and silly, and serious, and everything all at once, but most importantly, they were moving [to me, anyway].

either way, i'm pretty stoked about the dvd...
that is what this thread's about... right?!?

[valderie]

i am so excited for this dvd! that tour was really moving and i cant wait to watch his chicago date

[matchbookz]

either way, i'm pretty stoked about the dvd...
that is what this thread's about... right?!?

haha thank you! i thought everyone had forgotten...!