In the living room, next to a file cabinet, sits a guitar case. Inside, a guitar that has stood the test of time… amazing to think of the price I bought if for years ago. Also amazing, the layers of dust it’s collected. Between the frets, the neck, on the outside of the case.
Acoustic covers are awesome. And youtube has provided some great ones many years ago, from a very talented musician. (others out there I know)
Pale as a ghost. Paranoid. Walking past the check in area…tip toe-ing, eyes rotating left to right. Does anyone notice? These steps are heavy, left right left right.
Earlier, you entered the door of a three story apartment complex. The first room to the left. Smoke filled room, and the lady beside the culprit (of the event), stated: “I’m looking forward to this”. She had dated the man, maybe a few months. They both wanted to pollute the mind of the innocent.
Once, twice, my eyes grew weary. Where in the hell is this going? Scatter brained.
… dot dot dot
A few pool tables lined the back. In the front, a bar area. Jukebox in between restrooms, frequented by the over served. “Come back with me”, she said. Now, this would be the second time I’ve entered this apartment complex. “Go right, instead of left.” She said. Her hair was an unusual shade of red, sandy. She handed me a magazine, which detailed a subject I was extremely unfamiliar with. And as she left the room to change, she asked me to choose.
The same apartment complex. The green, the red. Complicated. Cryptic.
He was a fan of Faith No More. And as I was entering a smoke filled room, occupied by a crowd of well “served” people, we began a conversation. Local drummer? What kind of music do you play? He was obviously just looking for some people to rehearse with, nothing serious. At the time, the area was filled with jam bands, or funk bands. Metal, alternative? Just a time limited new trend, but not music that was attracting huge crowds. Especially with the culture at the time.
I played a demo, that a few of us high school kids threw together. And his jaw dropped. Not because we were musical geniuses, but because it was exactly the music that he loved.
He was an artist, painter, mixing black and white images, sculpture like figures on canvas… he had an artistic hand for creating symbolic images on paper, ink, besides a knack for music and drum.
The first time we played at his place, I can remember climbing up three story stairs, navigating through broken steps… looking into dilapidated apartment rooms, with floors deteriorating. Living rooms, with an entire floor missing. A big hole in the middle, broken structural lumber, revealing several levels down. On the roof, he was growing a series of “herbal” plants, which would later facilitate more art, more music.
It’s a shame that us high school friends never took this further. It could have been lots of fun.
At this point in the year, we either continue or cancel. Cancel what? Rest easy young friends. Not friends, not family, not pets. I’m speaking of subscriptions. My team had a rebounding year, and it’s the only reason I pay for cable TV. Yes, I love Wolf Blitzer, Kasie Hunt (there’s something about her), Katy Tur, etc. There have even been times that I have binged off of Ari Melber.
Probably too much information, or at this point “tldr”. But I have to think about budget. Maybe, just me. No simile. And I’m thinking, that maybe, just maybe, if I make another move (location)…or set up a new (networked or not) cable/tv system it will involve roof antenna/mythtv (again) and possibly kodi (again). Restricting as much advertising and marketing as possible. Using vpn or otherwise.
In an earlier post, the subject of athletes and musicians was mentioned. But what about actors/actresses as musicians? Cher, Aaliyah, Jared Leto, Will Smith, almost way too many to mention. “Entertainer” is already in the toolbox, so I imagine it’s not difficult to make the transition.
I was enjoying “Just Wright”, featured on the Bounce network the other day. A nice love story starring Queen Latifah and Common (the rapper). Ms Latifah plays a physical therapist tasked with rehabilitating Common (an NBA star). She gets entangled in a love triangle, which provides both humor and drama, making the movie very entertaining. The two hit it off, challenging each other often. Opposing mindsets seem to work for both motivation and relationship. Will Latifah win a new job? Will Common be fully healed, both mentally and physically, and lead his team to victory? Will love prevail? You’ll have to watch for yourself.
It would be difficult to post about acting/music without mentioning Patrick Swayze. And Bette Midler.
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.
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.
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.
