Closed Tabs, Open Entries
Joan Baez? Woody Guthrie? Springsteen? Marvin Gaye ? Anybody know any other songs from Mr. Marvin? On the verge of another war, are more political tunes imminent? SOAD, BSF, Metallica?
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the media. And if a new, brave, band like the legends of yesterday appear again.
Time will tell. And by time, I’m thinking of Saddam Hussein. And the other Middle East adventures our nation has become involved in.
So, I’ve been enjoying listening to music through some M-Audio AV-40s for a very long time. Love them. They were originally purchased as studio monitors, when my friends and I were creating music. Later, I created some music of my own (solo), but that’s besides the point. What is the point? If you can get your hands on a working set of these, buy them. Get them used, mine show no signs of failing (built very well). In layman’s terms, they are bookshelf AC powered monitors (speakers), and they crush any currently listed speakers in the same category. Highs, mids, lows, volume, bass, treble. Color, response time. They’re good. They’re very good.
You know that bass…that bass that just growls? A combination of a significantly tuned down guitar complimented by a bass drum or bass guitar? The sounds that make “earthquake” (shake the earth), transitions sound fantastic? Or hanging lows hum, like in this gem:
These speakers make it all sound great, and obviously are highly recommended. Other great songs by this band? Get Adrenaline, best album, in my opinion.
Was going through a bunch of old disks today. USB drives. Doing some cleanup, and realized life has been pretty damn awesome. Mostly, because of music, but also because of technology. Media has provided the incentive to be curious about technology. And since the late 90’s/early 00’s, motivated and inspired to research and learn.
The trip to New Jersey, to see the Fire (for like the 10th time). North, south, central areas of the state…simply travelling for concerts. The bluegrass state, for the “Initial” fests.
Golf trips, also inspired by media reviews; golfnow. Trips to the upper Midwest and southern states.
The very early days of my own computer/technology introductions…Gateway, Encarta.
Research before my favorite vacation (as a kid). The trip to Alcatraz, Oakland, Monterey, CA.
It continues to be fun.
Some times you go along to get along, and that has been the case with me at this time of year. Seafood, Fridays (no meat). And often this forces one to get creative. Shrimp (fried or scampi?), fish (grilled, baked, fried…breaded or no?). Grilled cheese?
As you get older you understand two important life lessons.
However, I’m going to revisit something I used to eat years ago. I almost forgot how it tastes. Yes, it seems like decades since I’ve tasted tuna. So, very early today I whipped up a salad. Cracked pepper, hard boiled egg, tuna, green peppers, salt, mayo, onions, a hint of garlic. And let me tell you what, I just may be born again. Delicious. Invigorating
What’s next? Probably clam.
“Cut the cord”, cable, etc has been a practice occurring for the last two decades. Some of us like to catch the occasional sporting broadcast, so that’s become more difficult. But, services like Sling are beginning to offer some nice options including one day subscriptions for $5. Much less than a price for a ticket to one game (if you’re in the vicinity).
The other thing is, OTA (antenna) channels just have much more to offer than they did years ago. Crisp, clear, digital picture through simple rabbit ears, if set up right. Right now, I’m getting two Bounce networks, and that’s worth the price for the antenna alone. The movies and shows are great! Add to that, ION network (and X-Files on occasion), and it’s a no brainer.
So don’t break out the popcorn, break out the peanuts! In the shell, the ones you have to crack to open. Like at the game. You pay peanuts, we eat peanuts, we love living off of peanuts!
Yo P-Nut, Beat that thang!
In addition, local coverage pertaining to news, weather, updates seem to be more accessible/relaiable through antenna access. (especially during outages).
Strolling through the mall was fun as a kid. The food court provided a plethora of options. Pizza, tacos, burgers, chicken. Cinnamon rolls, ice cream, cotton candy, funnel cake…if you weren’t diabetic (assholes). In the ’90s, there were typically at least two competing record stores inside a mall. At the moment, I’m only remembering NRM.
You would also see competing fashions and cultures. Located across from the Abercrombie store, an urban merchant (struggling to get established, somehow). And going in and out of those stores were people wearing Kani, Pelle, Skidz, then the opposite on the alternate side of the mall.
The middle carts or “shops in the center” of mall halls were always interesting. Sunglasses, supplements, jewelry, cosmetics.
One day, my brother and I noticed someone resembling a face we just saw on a cd we bought. Shopping at one of the carts in the middle of the mall. No doubt, he was shocked to learn we recognized him… in Ohio. He didn’t know we were down with BDP also.
We knew what to call him.
Alarm clock set to seven o’clock. It’s 6th grade year in middle school. Beep, beep, beep…enough!! Take your shower, insulin, go downstairs and mix up your Dominique Wilkins blend of cereal. Chocolate milk + Wheaties. Breakfast of champions.
This year you have a mission. It’s to see MC Hammer in concert. Get on the high honors list, and you’re golden. Naysayers be damned, you can do it. But, you do realize that you may stick out at the show… (this is before U Can’t Touch This hit radio/mainstream).
3.8 Average, scored 3rd row seats! We did it! (You w/ some help from some awesome teachers)
After your letter to the editor (about Hammer) in Right On magazine was published, and your class report on hip hop and Hammer received A++ at a very rural school. What’s next?
Would you actually discover other great music at the Hammer concert?
Yes. Yes you would.
One of the best ways indie labels used to get bands publicity is compilation cds. Sent out as samplers, they would arrive in your mailbox along with an order, or simply in addition to a label brochure. It was a great way to introduce fans to upcoming talent.
In addition, bands (themselves) would also hand out sampler cds and cassettes at shows. Including songs from artists they were currently on tour with. Assuming you were a big enough fan of the music, going out of your way to meet the band, you were sure to be handed this freebie.
Street teams, were those people who were super fans. Fans dedicated to personally promote and spread the message. These fans were often the ones who were given 3 to 5 track discs, encouraged to pass them out to friends and others in the same “scene” (forgive me for using that characterization).
Personally, I’ve been a part/participated in all of it. Some of my favorite tunes/tracks/bands/freebies.
Good times!
Just out of curiosity, I did some searching the other day. Instant messaging software introduced me to many like minded people and music, movies, even art. It was no surprise that AIM and YIM have been gone for quite some time. ICQ, the most recent victim of modern technology and trends.
What surprised me is that IRC is still active. Granted, it appears limited to those there for nostalgia or the extremely tech oriented, but it’s great to see one of the old chat clients still up and running. Through various servers and users. I’ve discovered quite a few bands, movies, and learned quite a bit. My first (chipped) original xbox software was released and supported through irc channels.
Social media and platforms such as discord have replaced many of the “old school” favorites. It would be great if something basic like AIM could be released again, because it was a perfect platform to meet people with similar interests. As well as discuss and discover new things. And it didn’t feel overly invasive.
So, from what I hear, the Super Bowl is coming up. And, once again, there is controversy over the half time performers. Which made me think about the relationship between music and sports. Hate to say it, but during my college years “jock jams” became very popular. A carefully selected collection of tracks from various artists intended to make you move, dance, or cheer for a team (not always your team, because your team may not be playing).
The last very impressive half time show was this one imo.
The Chicago Bears had the Super Bowl Shuffle. Several sports stars have attempted to enter the music industry. And a few made some pretty damn good songs, often times teaming up with known entertainers in the industry. Deion Sanders comes to mind.
And this guy…what a song!: