I'm gonna be unavailable to post anything from this point up until New Year's Day. Maybe I'm still gonna be busy after that... Anyway, before the place gets all crowded, I'd just like to greet everybody a Happy New Year!
As is always the case, this time of the year always brings to my mind one of the best songs to ever come out of the 80's - U2's New Year's Day from their album War.
Check out the video.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Feed The World!
Well, it's Christmas Eve again. As the season, which has devolved into a pathetic level of crass commercialism, finally climaxes, I think it would be timely for us remember what Christmas is really all about.
Oh sure, everybody'll say "Christmas is all about peace, love,and giving,". They'll all yak like they're God's gift of salvation to the poor and needy. "I come to help, all ye downtrodden souls of this wretched earth" yadda yadda yadda. Or, they'll make like "hey, let's give to the poor - after all it is Christmas" and proceed for the rest of the year living like the world is their personal toilet. Or worse still, some of them may go "let's give something to the poor people of this world this Christmas - it'll be good for the company's image". Fuck. (Oops, that's one non-Christmas word that'll definitely keep me in Santa's Naughty List.)
Am I beginning to sound like Scrooge? Sorry, can't help it - I'm related to the guy.
Anyway... Christmas really is about peace, love, and giving - really. It's just sad that people only remember this within a specific period of time during the year, when the marketing mavericks tell us it's time to go crazy with the credit cards "so that we can enjoy a truly Merry Christmas!" Really now. Is Christmas really meant to surround people who already have enough with more stuff bought with money that could've been used to help others for a longer period of time? I don't believe so.
I mean, if you have the capacity to give, why not give where it'll count more? Sure, you'd like to buy your niece or nephew that nifty new toy she/he has been badgering you about because they've been good all year. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I guess it'd be nice too if we remember to give to those who really don't have much at all even in terms of the basics of food, shelter, and clothing - which brings me to the heart of this post.
In 1984, a group of British artists, led by Boomtown Rats' main rat Bob Geldof, set about to record a song the proceeds from the sale of which would be donated to the famine relief efforts in Africa. The song was called "Do They Know It's Christmas" (credited to Band Aid) and a veritable who's who of British rock and pop music took part in this laudable effort: Geldof, Sting, blue-eyed soul star Paul Young, Boy George and the rest of Culture Club, Phil Collins, ex-Wham star George Michael, Simon Le Bon and the rest of Duran Duran (Nick Rhodes really doesn't go out of the house without his trademark thick eyeliners), Tony Hadley and the rest of Spandau Ballet, U2's Bono, Paul Weller (ex of the late lamented punk group The Jam but by this time leader of the jazzy Style Council), Midge Ure (of Ultravox, and Geldof's main partner-in-crime for this project), Brit girl group Bananarama (Sarah Dallin, Keren Woodward, and Siobhan Fahey), model Iman, gender-bender artist Marilyn, and a lot of other big names in British music at the time.
The success of this single sparked a similar action from across the Atlantic. In the U.S., American artists also came out with their own fund-raising single: "We Are The World". Like in the U.K., this American single (credited to USA for Africa or United Support of Artists for Africa) also featured the top recording artists and personalities at the time: Quincy Jones, Lionel Ritchie (yep, Nicole's dad), Michael Jackson (hey, he may be weird but at least back then he knew a good cause when he saw one), New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen, country stars Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers (yup, the fried chicken guy), calypso king Harry Belafonte, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, piano man Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, Journey's Steve Perry, the legendary Ray Charles, spokesman-for-his-generation Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and a host of other big-name personalities.
Eventually, with the success of both "Do They Know It's Christmas" and "We Are The World", Bob Geldof got it in his head that maybe, just maybe, they can do more to help the starving people of Africa. It was here that the concept of Live Aid was born. Live Aid was the biggest gathering of musical legends and exciting newcomers to ever hit the stage. It had two venues: Wembley Stadium in the U.K. and JFK Stadium the U.S. The shows at both stadiums were connected via satellite, ensuring a continuous flow of music for everyone. Concorde donated its services for free, flying Phil Collins, who played drums at the Wembley show, to the US so he could beat skin at the US venue. Live Aid was to the 80's what Woodstock was to the 60's, so you probably get the picture.
Anyway, I scavenged YouTube for the appropriate videos. For those of us who saw it live or on TV, here's your chance to relive everything. For those of you who weren't around yet at the time, check out the videos and ask your parents about it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the entire human race!
DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS - BAND AID
WE ARE THE WORLD - USA FOR AFRICA
EXCERPTS FROM LIVE AID
(Awsome performance by Queen!)
(U2 did a damn great set!)
(The event's main man himself, Bob Geldof, with his band the Boomtown Rats!)
Oh sure, everybody'll say "Christmas is all about peace, love,and giving,". They'll all yak like they're God's gift of salvation to the poor and needy. "I come to help, all ye downtrodden souls of this wretched earth" yadda yadda yadda. Or, they'll make like "hey, let's give to the poor - after all it is Christmas" and proceed for the rest of the year living like the world is their personal toilet. Or worse still, some of them may go "let's give something to the poor people of this world this Christmas - it'll be good for the company's image". Fuck. (Oops, that's one non-Christmas word that'll definitely keep me in Santa's Naughty List.)
Am I beginning to sound like Scrooge? Sorry, can't help it - I'm related to the guy.
Anyway... Christmas really is about peace, love, and giving - really. It's just sad that people only remember this within a specific period of time during the year, when the marketing mavericks tell us it's time to go crazy with the credit cards "so that we can enjoy a truly Merry Christmas!" Really now. Is Christmas really meant to surround people who already have enough with more stuff bought with money that could've been used to help others for a longer period of time? I don't believe so.
I mean, if you have the capacity to give, why not give where it'll count more? Sure, you'd like to buy your niece or nephew that nifty new toy she/he has been badgering you about because they've been good all year. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I guess it'd be nice too if we remember to give to those who really don't have much at all even in terms of the basics of food, shelter, and clothing - which brings me to the heart of this post.
In 1984, a group of British artists, led by Boomtown Rats' main rat Bob Geldof, set about to record a song the proceeds from the sale of which would be donated to the famine relief efforts in Africa. The song was called "Do They Know It's Christmas" (credited to Band Aid) and a veritable who's who of British rock and pop music took part in this laudable effort: Geldof, Sting, blue-eyed soul star Paul Young, Boy George and the rest of Culture Club, Phil Collins, ex-Wham star George Michael, Simon Le Bon and the rest of Duran Duran (Nick Rhodes really doesn't go out of the house without his trademark thick eyeliners), Tony Hadley and the rest of Spandau Ballet, U2's Bono, Paul Weller (ex of the late lamented punk group The Jam but by this time leader of the jazzy Style Council), Midge Ure (of Ultravox, and Geldof's main partner-in-crime for this project), Brit girl group Bananarama (Sarah Dallin, Keren Woodward, and Siobhan Fahey), model Iman, gender-bender artist Marilyn, and a lot of other big names in British music at the time.
The success of this single sparked a similar action from across the Atlantic. In the U.S., American artists also came out with their own fund-raising single: "We Are The World". Like in the U.K., this American single (credited to USA for Africa or United Support of Artists for Africa) also featured the top recording artists and personalities at the time: Quincy Jones, Lionel Ritchie (yep, Nicole's dad), Michael Jackson (hey, he may be weird but at least back then he knew a good cause when he saw one), New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen, country stars Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers (yup, the fried chicken guy), calypso king Harry Belafonte, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, piano man Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, Journey's Steve Perry, the legendary Ray Charles, spokesman-for-his-generation Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and a host of other big-name personalities.
Eventually, with the success of both "Do They Know It's Christmas" and "We Are The World", Bob Geldof got it in his head that maybe, just maybe, they can do more to help the starving people of Africa. It was here that the concept of Live Aid was born. Live Aid was the biggest gathering of musical legends and exciting newcomers to ever hit the stage. It had two venues: Wembley Stadium in the U.K. and JFK Stadium the U.S. The shows at both stadiums were connected via satellite, ensuring a continuous flow of music for everyone. Concorde donated its services for free, flying Phil Collins, who played drums at the Wembley show, to the US so he could beat skin at the US venue. Live Aid was to the 80's what Woodstock was to the 60's, so you probably get the picture.
Anyway, I scavenged YouTube for the appropriate videos. For those of us who saw it live or on TV, here's your chance to relive everything. For those of you who weren't around yet at the time, check out the videos and ask your parents about it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the entire human race!
DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS - BAND AID
WE ARE THE WORLD - USA FOR AFRICA
EXCERPTS FROM LIVE AID
(Awsome performance by Queen!)
(U2 did a damn great set!)
(The event's main man himself, Bob Geldof, with his band the Boomtown Rats!)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Rock N Roll Grampa
Check out this really cool anime video. I wish I could play guitar like ol' gramps.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Along Came Emo
Every kid I know (yeah, all three of 'em)is into this "emo" thing. They yak about bands with names like Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Fall Out Boy, and My Chemical Romance. Now, I don't know who these guys are (and who gives a rat's ass anyway?!). I just hear their names a lot from the so-called "emo" kids who look the same, talk the same, act the same, and, fuck, maybe even smell the same. So I got curious. How the hell do these "emo" bands sound?
When I was seventeen, a band that could blast your eardrums clean out of your skull and spit out lyrics that would guarantee your eternal damnation in hell really got my juices going. It got me interested. It got me doing research on the band. In short, it made me fan.
So I gave some of these emo shit bands a little listen just to see what the fuck the kids are being so stupid about. Here's what I thought:
1. Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Uh-huh...
2. Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy
Uh-huh...
3. Cancer by My Chemical Romance
Uh-huh...
Well, that was an absolute waste of time. I couldn't fucking tell them apart! They all sound the same! Aaargh! What has this world come to?! Maybe this "emo" music thing is an acquired taste? I dunno; I guess I'll have to check it out some more.
But a lot of kids are really sucking up this emo shit. Especially the look: hair dyed black and parted, black eyeliner, black nailpolish, skinny jeans, and an experession that looks like their friggin nuts have been thoroughly crushed by a pair of rusty old pliers. I guess for every one "real" emo kid (whatever the hell that is), there must be - what? - a bazillion other trying hard wannabes that are desperately trying to crossover from being ordinary normal dorks to becoming the newest "It" kid in town.
I came across this really hilarious clip on www.emobands.com. It's a very educational (albeit funny) clip on - get this - "How To Be Emo". I laughed so hard, I farted nerve gas! Go check it out.
When I was seventeen, a band that could blast your eardrums clean out of your skull and spit out lyrics that would guarantee your eternal damnation in hell really got my juices going. It got me interested. It got me doing research on the band. In short, it made me fan.
So I gave some of these emo shit bands a little listen just to see what the fuck the kids are being so stupid about. Here's what I thought:
1. Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Uh-huh...
2. Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy
Uh-huh...
3. Cancer by My Chemical Romance
Uh-huh...
Well, that was an absolute waste of time. I couldn't fucking tell them apart! They all sound the same! Aaargh! What has this world come to?! Maybe this "emo" music thing is an acquired taste? I dunno; I guess I'll have to check it out some more.
But a lot of kids are really sucking up this emo shit. Especially the look: hair dyed black and parted, black eyeliner, black nailpolish, skinny jeans, and an experession that looks like their friggin nuts have been thoroughly crushed by a pair of rusty old pliers. I guess for every one "real" emo kid (whatever the hell that is), there must be - what? - a bazillion other trying hard wannabes that are desperately trying to crossover from being ordinary normal dorks to becoming the newest "It" kid in town.
I came across this really hilarious clip on www.emobands.com. It's a very educational (albeit funny) clip on - get this - "How To Be Emo". I laughed so hard, I farted nerve gas! Go check it out.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Watching The Monster Mutate
I've always been an avid observer of how music transforms into different genres and sub-genres. It's like having a seven-headed Hydra for a pet: everytime you cut off one of its heads, a couple of new heads grow from the bloody stump. Yep, I've been a keen watcher of musical mutations - up until the 90's.
With the coming of the new millenium, I seemed to have lost a good deal of interest in checking out the current music scene. I mean, after the thrill of watching grunge rise and fall, there really hasn't been much to watch in music, for me. I guess that comes with age. But wait, no. Age has nothing to do with it. I could be 80 but still be bang in tune with what's going on in music. I guess tt's just that I can't find anything to write about in today's music that really interests me.
Nothing.
A lot of new acts today strike me as absolutely lazy in coming up with really engaging original stuff. They're too lazy to write new stuff so they stick to covering old tried and tested chestnuts. And if ever they do get the tiny inspiration to move their asses to write their own song, I almost always never see or hear anything fresh from it. I mean, it's like eating the same dish everyday at a restaurant, but each time the waiter calls it by a different name.
Also, a lot of new bands today are populated by the so-called third-wave-of-emo types: guys who wear their bleeding hearts on their CD sleeves and whose main purpose in life is to come across as vulnerable and sensitive new age dweebs. Now, I have nothing against people who are really like that. That's who they are. But if somebody wants to use that as a marketing tool, well maybe they should just - I dunno - kill themselves and leave achingly sad suicide notes so the world can see just how vulnerable and sensitive they are. Besides, in some instances, suicide (or just plain death) have proven to be a very effective marketing tool.
And that another thing that I find really boring about today's music scene. EVERYTHING IS SO FUCKING FOCUSED ON IMAGE AND MARKETING AN IMAGE! I know the music scene is a business. And I know that you do have to do certain marketing moves to make sure you don't just survive but also thrive. But come on, man! A lot of times, the scene markets a lot of acts who are certainly lacking in talent, originality, and potential. These days anybody can become a recording star! I know that's democracy at work, and I'm all for democracy; but if things don't perk up really soon, we'll all be like the late fifties after the fall of the true originators of rock n roll when truckloads of non-talent Elvis wannabes took over the scene singing about saccharine subjects like crushes and undying romantic love. (Excuse me while I throw up.) As it is, I'm already getting sick of all the Fabians running around stadiums worldwide.
Who's Fabian, you say?
That's exactly my point.
With the coming of the new millenium, I seemed to have lost a good deal of interest in checking out the current music scene. I mean, after the thrill of watching grunge rise and fall, there really hasn't been much to watch in music, for me. I guess that comes with age. But wait, no. Age has nothing to do with it. I could be 80 but still be bang in tune with what's going on in music. I guess tt's just that I can't find anything to write about in today's music that really interests me.
Nothing.
A lot of new acts today strike me as absolutely lazy in coming up with really engaging original stuff. They're too lazy to write new stuff so they stick to covering old tried and tested chestnuts. And if ever they do get the tiny inspiration to move their asses to write their own song, I almost always never see or hear anything fresh from it. I mean, it's like eating the same dish everyday at a restaurant, but each time the waiter calls it by a different name.
Also, a lot of new bands today are populated by the so-called third-wave-of-emo types: guys who wear their bleeding hearts on their CD sleeves and whose main purpose in life is to come across as vulnerable and sensitive new age dweebs. Now, I have nothing against people who are really like that. That's who they are. But if somebody wants to use that as a marketing tool, well maybe they should just - I dunno - kill themselves and leave achingly sad suicide notes so the world can see just how vulnerable and sensitive they are. Besides, in some instances, suicide (or just plain death) have proven to be a very effective marketing tool.
And that another thing that I find really boring about today's music scene. EVERYTHING IS SO FUCKING FOCUSED ON IMAGE AND MARKETING AN IMAGE! I know the music scene is a business. And I know that you do have to do certain marketing moves to make sure you don't just survive but also thrive. But come on, man! A lot of times, the scene markets a lot of acts who are certainly lacking in talent, originality, and potential. These days anybody can become a recording star! I know that's democracy at work, and I'm all for democracy; but if things don't perk up really soon, we'll all be like the late fifties after the fall of the true originators of rock n roll when truckloads of non-talent Elvis wannabes took over the scene singing about saccharine subjects like crushes and undying romantic love. (Excuse me while I throw up.) As it is, I'm already getting sick of all the Fabians running around stadiums worldwide.
Who's Fabian, you say?
That's exactly my point.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Kevin DuBrow, 52
For those like me who grew up in the 80's and tripped out on the shambolic metallic music of Quiet Riot, the death of lead singer Kevin DuBrow is sad news indeed.
Kevin was found dead in his Las Vegas home. He was 52. The Associated Press released the following report:
Lead singer of Quiet Riot Kevin DuBrow found dead
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAS VEGAS --Kevin DuBrow, lead singer for the 1980s heavy metal band Quiet Riot that scored a hit with Cum on Feel the Noize, was found dead in a Las Vegas home. He was 52.
The cause was not immediately known.
A neighbor summoned police and paramedics Sunday to the house, where Mr. DuBrow was pronounced dead, police and coroner's officials said.
There was no forced entry, and no suspicious circumstances were reported, police Officer Jose Montoya said Monday.
Quiet Riot was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of Cum on Feel the Noize. The song, featuring Mr. DuBrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album Metal Health -- which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
Mr. DuBrow recorded his first solo album in 2004, In for the Kill, and the band's last studio CD, Rehab, came out in October 2006.
"I can't even find words to say," Quiet Riot drummer Frank Banali wrote on his Web site. "Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow."
Determination of the cause of death was pending an autopsy and toxicology results, Clark County coroner's spokeswoman Samantha Charles said.
I remember first hearing Quiet Riot's version of "Cum On Feel the Noise" in 1983. Man, it blew me away - all that noise, the addictive guitar-solo, and DuBrow's smart-alecky gravel voiced howling. There was a time back in high school when every self-respecting rocker in school should own their "Metal Health" album and be able to sing at least a couple of lines from "Cum On..." if they wanted to maintain their creds.
We'll miss you, Kev. Rock on!
Kevin was found dead in his Las Vegas home. He was 52. The Associated Press released the following report:
Lead singer of Quiet Riot Kevin DuBrow found dead
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAS VEGAS --Kevin DuBrow, lead singer for the 1980s heavy metal band Quiet Riot that scored a hit with Cum on Feel the Noize, was found dead in a Las Vegas home. He was 52.
The cause was not immediately known.
A neighbor summoned police and paramedics Sunday to the house, where Mr. DuBrow was pronounced dead, police and coroner's officials said.
There was no forced entry, and no suspicious circumstances were reported, police Officer Jose Montoya said Monday.
Quiet Riot was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of Cum on Feel the Noize. The song, featuring Mr. DuBrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album Metal Health -- which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
Mr. DuBrow recorded his first solo album in 2004, In for the Kill, and the band's last studio CD, Rehab, came out in October 2006.
"I can't even find words to say," Quiet Riot drummer Frank Banali wrote on his Web site. "Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow."
Determination of the cause of death was pending an autopsy and toxicology results, Clark County coroner's spokeswoman Samantha Charles said.
I remember first hearing Quiet Riot's version of "Cum On Feel the Noise" in 1983. Man, it blew me away - all that noise, the addictive guitar-solo, and DuBrow's smart-alecky gravel voiced howling. There was a time back in high school when every self-respecting rocker in school should own their "Metal Health" album and be able to sing at least a couple of lines from "Cum On..." if they wanted to maintain their creds.
We'll miss you, Kev. Rock on!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Name Game 2
It's been a long established and accepted practice, musicians adopting stage names. I don't know why they do it. Anomimity? Shock value? Additional street creds? I dunno.
But every now and then, somebody in popular music would break out carrying a name he wasn't really born with. There's nothing wrong with that I guess. I mean, they are, after all, still part of the whole tradition of showbiz.
The stage names that musical artists have come out with in modern music have been witty, tough-sounding, apt, not-so-apt. Whatever it is, most of them have all been interesting and memorable.
Let's take a look at some examples.
1. Johnny Rotten
Okay, since I'm extremely partial to old school punk, let's start with one of my anti-heroes. The Sex Pistols howler was born John Lydon. The "Rotten" appelation is said to have referred to his precarious dentures.
2. Sid Vicious
Another Sex Pistol alumnus, the Pistols' main image guy's real name was John Simon Ritchie. "Sid" was said to be the name of his pet hamster (he had a fucking pet hamster?) and "Vicious" was an intentional misnomer as, to paraphrase his buddy Johnny Rotten, "Sid was the most non-vicious person I knew."
3. Ringo Starr
The drummer for the legendary (they deserve this tag, like it or not) rock n roll band was Richard Starkey in real life. "Ringo" was a nod to his predilection for rings while "Starr" was simply an abbreviation of his real surname.
4. Ritchie Valens
The pioneering rock n roll star was born Ricardo Valenzuela. To make him more acceptable to a then very caucasian-oriented music-buying public, his manager convinced him to shorten - and anglicize - his thoroughly hispanic name.
5. Freddie Mercury
Queen's flamboyant and inimitable lead singer was born Farrokh Bulsara. I guess his onstage alias does sound more bang in tune with his mission to make it to rock stardom.
6. Flea
Red Hot Chilli Peppers' bassman was born Michael Balzary. How he got this nickname is still something of a mystery to me.
7. Bono
The U2 frontman originally went by the name Bono Vox, which means "good voice" and which was taken from an advertisement for hearing aids, but later decided to shorten in to just "Bono". His real name is Paul Hewson.
8. The Edge
U2's resident anti-guitar hero guitar genious is David Howell Evans in real life. Why "The Edge"? Well, some say it's because of his particulary "edgy" guitar style. Others say it's because he often preferred to just "stand by the edge" while things happen. You decide.
9. Billy Idol
Prior to adopting the name with which he would gain fame, the Generation X lead singer and one-time member of Sex Pistol fan gang Bromley Contingent was known as William Michael Albert Broad.
10. The Ramones
We know the original line-up of these guys as Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, and Tommy Ramone. Their non-Ramone names are Jeffrey Hyman (Joey), John Cummings (Johnny), Douglas Glenn Colvin (Dee Dee), and Thomas Erdelyi (Tommy).
The other Ramones who subsequently became part of the legend were Marc Bell (Marky Ramone), Richard Reinhardt (Richie Ramone), Clem Burke (Elvis Ramone), and Christopher John Ward (CJ Ramone).
There are still a lot of other musicians out there with intruiging, interesting, or cringeworthy stage names. And there will still be a lot more of them who will choose to present themselves under an alias. But what the hell, it's still rock n roll to me.
But every now and then, somebody in popular music would break out carrying a name he wasn't really born with. There's nothing wrong with that I guess. I mean, they are, after all, still part of the whole tradition of showbiz.
The stage names that musical artists have come out with in modern music have been witty, tough-sounding, apt, not-so-apt. Whatever it is, most of them have all been interesting and memorable.
Let's take a look at some examples.
1. Johnny Rotten
Okay, since I'm extremely partial to old school punk, let's start with one of my anti-heroes. The Sex Pistols howler was born John Lydon. The "Rotten" appelation is said to have referred to his precarious dentures.
2. Sid Vicious
Another Sex Pistol alumnus, the Pistols' main image guy's real name was John Simon Ritchie. "Sid" was said to be the name of his pet hamster (he had a fucking pet hamster?) and "Vicious" was an intentional misnomer as, to paraphrase his buddy Johnny Rotten, "Sid was the most non-vicious person I knew."
3. Ringo Starr
The drummer for the legendary (they deserve this tag, like it or not) rock n roll band was Richard Starkey in real life. "Ringo" was a nod to his predilection for rings while "Starr" was simply an abbreviation of his real surname.
4. Ritchie Valens
The pioneering rock n roll star was born Ricardo Valenzuela. To make him more acceptable to a then very caucasian-oriented music-buying public, his manager convinced him to shorten - and anglicize - his thoroughly hispanic name.
5. Freddie Mercury
Queen's flamboyant and inimitable lead singer was born Farrokh Bulsara. I guess his onstage alias does sound more bang in tune with his mission to make it to rock stardom.
6. Flea
Red Hot Chilli Peppers' bassman was born Michael Balzary. How he got this nickname is still something of a mystery to me.
7. Bono
The U2 frontman originally went by the name Bono Vox, which means "good voice" and which was taken from an advertisement for hearing aids, but later decided to shorten in to just "Bono". His real name is Paul Hewson.
8. The Edge
U2's resident anti-guitar hero guitar genious is David Howell Evans in real life. Why "The Edge"? Well, some say it's because of his particulary "edgy" guitar style. Others say it's because he often preferred to just "stand by the edge" while things happen. You decide.
9. Billy Idol
Prior to adopting the name with which he would gain fame, the Generation X lead singer and one-time member of Sex Pistol fan gang Bromley Contingent was known as William Michael Albert Broad.
10. The Ramones
We know the original line-up of these guys as Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, and Tommy Ramone. Their non-Ramone names are Jeffrey Hyman (Joey), John Cummings (Johnny), Douglas Glenn Colvin (Dee Dee), and Thomas Erdelyi (Tommy).
The other Ramones who subsequently became part of the legend were Marc Bell (Marky Ramone), Richard Reinhardt (Richie Ramone), Clem Burke (Elvis Ramone), and Christopher John Ward (CJ Ramone).
There are still a lot of other musicians out there with intruiging, interesting, or cringeworthy stage names. And there will still be a lot more of them who will choose to present themselves under an alias. But what the hell, it's still rock n roll to me.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Eighties
Over the past couple of days, I've been mulling over the bands I grew up listening to in college, deciding which ones to relegate to the back recesses of memory and which ones to brag about to my kids.
Growing up in the eighties, I got huge doses of the most diverse music to ever populate the airwaves. I mean, back then we had punk, oi, hardcore, rockabilly, punkabilly, psychobilly, new wave, ska, reggae, goth, trash metal, death metal, noisepop, early riot grrl - you name it! What's more, each of those genres had loads of great bands that proudly carried their torches.
But, for the purpose of this post, there is one band - and one song - that, aptly, stands out: Killing Joke and their song "Eighties".
Taken from their 1985 album Night Time, "Eighties" boasts of snappy rhythms, snaky bass lines, impassioned vocals (I just love lead singer Jaz Coleman's thick Brit accent!), and a hook-y guitar riff that people say was ripped off by 90's grunge legend Nirvana for their hit song "Come As You Are".
Anyway, I'm happy to note that "Eighties" hasn't lost any of its teeth despite being two decades old already. Check out the video!
Growing up in the eighties, I got huge doses of the most diverse music to ever populate the airwaves. I mean, back then we had punk, oi, hardcore, rockabilly, punkabilly, psychobilly, new wave, ska, reggae, goth, trash metal, death metal, noisepop, early riot grrl - you name it! What's more, each of those genres had loads of great bands that proudly carried their torches.
But, for the purpose of this post, there is one band - and one song - that, aptly, stands out: Killing Joke and their song "Eighties".
Taken from their 1985 album Night Time, "Eighties" boasts of snappy rhythms, snaky bass lines, impassioned vocals (I just love lead singer Jaz Coleman's thick Brit accent!), and a hook-y guitar riff that people say was ripped off by 90's grunge legend Nirvana for their hit song "Come As You Are".
Anyway, I'm happy to note that "Eighties" hasn't lost any of its teeth despite being two decades old already. Check out the video!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Hey Ya, Nice Cover Man!
I just love it when I run into terrific YouTube performances by non-mainstream musicians by chance. This guy named Matt Weder of Obadiah Parker does a really impressive cover of the Outkast song "Hey Ya". Nice work, my man.
Check out the video!
Check out the video!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
When God Is In The Lyrics
Popular music covers just about any topic under, over, around, and even beyond the sun. I find it awe-inspiring that musical artists can come up with songs tackling almost anything you can think of. Of course, the most covered topic is, well, l-o-v-e. Good love, bad love, straight love, gay love, eternal love, 15-minute love. It gets pretty sickening after a while, really. I wish more artists would cover more off-the-wall topics, stuff that you don't normally hear being sung about. Like God, for instance.
Well, I know God gets sung about all the time in churches, in religious gatherings, in a lot of other places and situations. But when you use the idea of God in popular music, somehow it come across as sacrilege even though it wasn't meant to be. Now I'm not encouraging people to knock God. I just find it intruiging, in a philosophical way, when God becomes the center of a secular song.
Anyway, just the other day this old song suddenly pops into my head and plays in a loop for half a day. It's an quirky and dark old dirge called "Blasphemous Rumours" by 80's synth-pop icons Depeche Mode. Basically, it tinkers with one of the most irritating ironies I know in life: when you have no desire for something (like your own life), you get it by the truckload; but, when you want something real bad (like wanting to live to be 100), you're always left holding an empty bag.
"Blasphemous Rumours" is sort of a rant against the seeming unfairness of a god with a terrifying sense of sick cosmic humor. It tells of a sad and bored young girl who tries to commit suicide but somehow survives. After a few years, she matures and finds peace and Jesus, and decides that life is beautiful after all. This is when she gets hit by a car and eventually dies. What a total bummer.
Check out the lyrics:
Blasphemous Rumours - Depeche Mode
Girl of sixteen, whole life ahead of her
Slashed her wrists, bored with life
Didn't succeed
Thank the Lord for small mercies
Fighting back the tears, mother reads the note again
Sixteen candles burn in her mind
She takes the blame, it's always the same
She goes down on her knees and prays
I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours
But I think that God's got a sick sense of humor
And when I die, I expect to find him laughing
Girl of eighteen, fell in love with everything
Found new life in Jesus Christ
Hit by a car
Ended up on a life support machine
Summer's day as she passed away
Birds were singing in the summer sky
Then came the rain
And once again a tear fell from her mother's eye
I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours
But I think that God's got a sick sense of humor
And when I die, I expect to find him laughing
Well, I know God gets sung about all the time in churches, in religious gatherings, in a lot of other places and situations. But when you use the idea of God in popular music, somehow it come across as sacrilege even though it wasn't meant to be. Now I'm not encouraging people to knock God. I just find it intruiging, in a philosophical way, when God becomes the center of a secular song.
Anyway, just the other day this old song suddenly pops into my head and plays in a loop for half a day. It's an quirky and dark old dirge called "Blasphemous Rumours" by 80's synth-pop icons Depeche Mode. Basically, it tinkers with one of the most irritating ironies I know in life: when you have no desire for something (like your own life), you get it by the truckload; but, when you want something real bad (like wanting to live to be 100), you're always left holding an empty bag.
"Blasphemous Rumours" is sort of a rant against the seeming unfairness of a god with a terrifying sense of sick cosmic humor. It tells of a sad and bored young girl who tries to commit suicide but somehow survives. After a few years, she matures and finds peace and Jesus, and decides that life is beautiful after all. This is when she gets hit by a car and eventually dies. What a total bummer.
Check out the lyrics:
Blasphemous Rumours - Depeche Mode
Girl of sixteen, whole life ahead of her
Slashed her wrists, bored with life
Didn't succeed
Thank the Lord for small mercies
Fighting back the tears, mother reads the note again
Sixteen candles burn in her mind
She takes the blame, it's always the same
She goes down on her knees and prays
I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours
But I think that God's got a sick sense of humor
And when I die, I expect to find him laughing
Girl of eighteen, fell in love with everything
Found new life in Jesus Christ
Hit by a car
Ended up on a life support machine
Summer's day as she passed away
Birds were singing in the summer sky
Then came the rain
And once again a tear fell from her mother's eye
I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours
But I think that God's got a sick sense of humor
And when I die, I expect to find him laughing
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Fright Night
Happy Halloween! It's that time of the year again when things that go bump in the night emerge from the darkest recesses of the underworld to prowl the earth and walk amongst us. I guess all kinds of ghouls will be having a ball tonight. So while they're doing that, I guess they'd like us to put on some goth music.
So to all creatures of the night out there, this video's for you. It's from Bauhaus, one of the greatest goth acts to ever come out of the coffin, and its title is a tribute to a truly legendary Hollywood vampire/werewolf/Frankenstein's monster, Bela Lugosi.
So to all creatures of the night out there, this video's for you. It's from Bauhaus, one of the greatest goth acts to ever come out of the coffin, and its title is a tribute to a truly legendary Hollywood vampire/werewolf/Frankenstein's monster, Bela Lugosi.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Invisible (?) Bass Player
Have you guys ever seen the Tom Hanks-directed 60's combo movie "That Thing You Do"? It was released sometime in the late 90's and was about this fictional 60's band called The Wonders who managed a short but action-packed roller coaster ride on the rock n roll scene.
I'm a sucker for movies about musicians or bands, whether actual or fictional. The movie was a fun - and ultimately sobering - look at the life inside the rock n roll circus. A struggling band stumbles upon their one hit song. They establish a fan base big enough to get them noticed by a big record company. They become part of an exciting tour with the other acts on the record company's roster. Then they finally succumb to the pressures every band eventually becomes prone to: personality conflicts, conflicts with management, personal problems. The acting was okay and the soundtrack was infectious.
Anyway, towards the end of it, the movie shows some update on what eventually happened to each member of the band. I found it curious that, while everybody in the band had names (example, the drummer, played by Tom Everret Scott, was called Guy Patterson), the bass player (played by Ethan Embry) was identified simply as T.B. Player - "The Bass Player". And, if you watched the film, he was never really called by name. Case in point: when he went missing to join a bunch of marines go to Disneyland, Mr. White (Tom Hanks) asked "Where is your bass player?"
So what's with the nameless bass player?
In an interview, Tom Hanks said this was intentional. He explained that back in the 60's, it was normally the lead singer and/or the lead guitarist of a band who got the public's attention. Bass players usually just hung in the background, nameless and faceless. I guess Hanks was calling attention to the fact that the bass player is as vital a member of any band as are the singer or the lead guitarist.
I guess everybody would totally agree. In fact, it's sometimes the bass player that gives a band much of its image and media impact. I mean, check out these bass-playing spotlight magnets:
1. Stewart Sutcliffe
The original Beatles' bass player was never more than an adequate musician. However, it was Stu who serendipituously became the legendary band's unofficial style guru: he was the one who came up with the trademark Beatle haircut, long and combed down. Also, he's always been the one who had an acute sense of what's hip in terms of clothes.
2. Paul McCartney
Having taken over bass chores after Stu Sutcliffe's untimely demise, Paul rose to eventually become one of the glibbest song writers in music history. Even John Lennon himself acknowledged that the concept behind The Beatles' finest work "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was Paul's idea. In fact, a lot of The Beatles' later works had Paul's mark on them.
3. Lee Rocker
The quiffed Stray Cats bassist (born Leon Drucker) catches everybody's attention everytime he straddles his huge double bass during live performances. On top of such eye-catching onstage stunts, he has also done some vocals for some of the legendary rockabilly band's songs.
4. Sting
Born Gordon Sumner, Sting got his nickname as a result of his penchant for wearing a black and yellow striped t-shirt during the early days of The Police. Well, since this is Sting we're talking about - and everybody knows what he's done in rock music - there's really not much to say that nobody knows about already.
5. Sid Vicious
Ah, the one and only Prince of Punk. Born John Simon Ritchie, Sid gave the Sex Pistols their razor edge. According to a lot of sources, he wasn't even an adequate bass player (If you'd take a look at old footages of the Pistols' live performances, you may notice that his amp didn't seem to be plugged in!). However, whatever he lacked in musicianship, he more than made up for in publicity. I mean, what names come to mind when you hear the name Sex Pistols? Just Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious, right?
6. Paul Simonon
I think it was the late Joe Strummer himself who acknowledged, in an early interview, that it's Paul Simonon who gives The Clash its image. If you wanted to visualize The Clash as an individual person, it was Paul.
I agree. I mean, he did provide the unforgettable image that was used as the sleeve for The Clash's best album ever: he's the guy caught on camera in mid-swing smashing his bass guitar on the cover of the album London Calling.
7. Gene Simmons
The awesome image of Kiss bassman Gene "Demon" Simmons has been capturing the imagination of fans and non-fans alike. Just look at how much money stores make selling Gene Simmons masks! I'm not really a fan of Kiss and, frankly, I'm not that familiar with their work; but who can ever forget the image of the demon-faced bass player puking fake blood during live performances.
8. Flea
Known as Michael Balzary offstage, Flea has always been a strong presence in the Peppers' live performances and music videos with his lunatic edge and bizaare antics: playing bass while suspended upside down by the ankles, getting onstage wearing nothing but his bass guitar, etc. Definitely make wathcing the Red Hot Chilli Peppers a more enjoyable experience.
9. John Waite
Who woulda thought, huh? The former bassman for obscure band The Babys left for a solo career and scored with the 80's hit single "Missing You" from the equally successful album "No Brakes". He then went on to bigger things with the band he formed, Bad English.
10. Kim Gordon
Being the singing bass player for one of the seminal post-punk bands of the 80's Sonic Youth, Gordon has obviously inspired a lot of people in the riot grrl movement. However, despite the multitudes of rock chicks trying to emulate her, nobody even comes close to doing what Kim Gordon does.
I'm a sucker for movies about musicians or bands, whether actual or fictional. The movie was a fun - and ultimately sobering - look at the life inside the rock n roll circus. A struggling band stumbles upon their one hit song. They establish a fan base big enough to get them noticed by a big record company. They become part of an exciting tour with the other acts on the record company's roster. Then they finally succumb to the pressures every band eventually becomes prone to: personality conflicts, conflicts with management, personal problems. The acting was okay and the soundtrack was infectious.
Anyway, towards the end of it, the movie shows some update on what eventually happened to each member of the band. I found it curious that, while everybody in the band had names (example, the drummer, played by Tom Everret Scott, was called Guy Patterson), the bass player (played by Ethan Embry) was identified simply as T.B. Player - "The Bass Player". And, if you watched the film, he was never really called by name. Case in point: when he went missing to join a bunch of marines go to Disneyland, Mr. White (Tom Hanks) asked "Where is your bass player?"
So what's with the nameless bass player?
In an interview, Tom Hanks said this was intentional. He explained that back in the 60's, it was normally the lead singer and/or the lead guitarist of a band who got the public's attention. Bass players usually just hung in the background, nameless and faceless. I guess Hanks was calling attention to the fact that the bass player is as vital a member of any band as are the singer or the lead guitarist.
I guess everybody would totally agree. In fact, it's sometimes the bass player that gives a band much of its image and media impact. I mean, check out these bass-playing spotlight magnets:
1. Stewart Sutcliffe
The original Beatles' bass player was never more than an adequate musician. However, it was Stu who serendipituously became the legendary band's unofficial style guru: he was the one who came up with the trademark Beatle haircut, long and combed down. Also, he's always been the one who had an acute sense of what's hip in terms of clothes.
2. Paul McCartney
Having taken over bass chores after Stu Sutcliffe's untimely demise, Paul rose to eventually become one of the glibbest song writers in music history. Even John Lennon himself acknowledged that the concept behind The Beatles' finest work "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was Paul's idea. In fact, a lot of The Beatles' later works had Paul's mark on them.
3. Lee Rocker
The quiffed Stray Cats bassist (born Leon Drucker) catches everybody's attention everytime he straddles his huge double bass during live performances. On top of such eye-catching onstage stunts, he has also done some vocals for some of the legendary rockabilly band's songs.
4. Sting
Born Gordon Sumner, Sting got his nickname as a result of his penchant for wearing a black and yellow striped t-shirt during the early days of The Police. Well, since this is Sting we're talking about - and everybody knows what he's done in rock music - there's really not much to say that nobody knows about already.
5. Sid Vicious
Ah, the one and only Prince of Punk. Born John Simon Ritchie, Sid gave the Sex Pistols their razor edge. According to a lot of sources, he wasn't even an adequate bass player (If you'd take a look at old footages of the Pistols' live performances, you may notice that his amp didn't seem to be plugged in!). However, whatever he lacked in musicianship, he more than made up for in publicity. I mean, what names come to mind when you hear the name Sex Pistols? Just Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious, right?
6. Paul Simonon
I think it was the late Joe Strummer himself who acknowledged, in an early interview, that it's Paul Simonon who gives The Clash its image. If you wanted to visualize The Clash as an individual person, it was Paul.
I agree. I mean, he did provide the unforgettable image that was used as the sleeve for The Clash's best album ever: he's the guy caught on camera in mid-swing smashing his bass guitar on the cover of the album London Calling.
7. Gene Simmons
The awesome image of Kiss bassman Gene "Demon" Simmons has been capturing the imagination of fans and non-fans alike. Just look at how much money stores make selling Gene Simmons masks! I'm not really a fan of Kiss and, frankly, I'm not that familiar with their work; but who can ever forget the image of the demon-faced bass player puking fake blood during live performances.
8. Flea
Known as Michael Balzary offstage, Flea has always been a strong presence in the Peppers' live performances and music videos with his lunatic edge and bizaare antics: playing bass while suspended upside down by the ankles, getting onstage wearing nothing but his bass guitar, etc. Definitely make wathcing the Red Hot Chilli Peppers a more enjoyable experience.
9. John Waite
Who woulda thought, huh? The former bassman for obscure band The Babys left for a solo career and scored with the 80's hit single "Missing You" from the equally successful album "No Brakes". He then went on to bigger things with the band he formed, Bad English.
10. Kim Gordon
Being the singing bass player for one of the seminal post-punk bands of the 80's Sonic Youth, Gordon has obviously inspired a lot of people in the riot grrl movement. However, despite the multitudes of rock chicks trying to emulate her, nobody even comes close to doing what Kim Gordon does.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The American Toy Boy
I stumbled upon this video while checking out Yahoo videos. I thought it was really awesome. The way the artist twiddled with the Etch-A-Sketch and the song itself really blew me away. Impressive visuals and smart lyrics, it's got it all, man.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Lost in Translation
While the global music industry traditionally thrives on songs written in the English language, there have been a lot of acts - past and present - who experiment with idea of sending their messages using another language.
Of course, these days any song written and performed in any language can get enough exposure to a wider audience, thanks to the internet and the concept of the global village. But back when the internet was not even a blip in the consciousness of the record-buying public, English was the language that artists perfunctorily used if they wanted a shot at the international market. Come to think of it, in a lot of ways it still is.
I know there must be a hundred old songs out there performed in languages other than English that managed to make some sort of dent on the international music scene . Unfortunately for me, I don't have enough time to look them all up. So let's just go with the next best thing: let's take a look at the songs THAT I CAN REMEMBER (WHILE MY BUTT IS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER) that have, entirely or partially, non-English lyrics or songs whose history or origin isn't really English.
So here we go...
1. My Way
This old chestnut, popularized by Ol' Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra, has English lyrics but French origins. The melody is adopted from the French song "Comme D'habitude" and was composed by Claude Francois and Jacques Revaux. The original French lyrics were written by Francios and Gilles Thibaut. It was U.S. pop sensation Paul Anka who provided the song's English lyrics, although his words had nothing to do with the original French version.
Anyway, as additional trivia, "My Way" has been covered over the years by many artists as disparate as Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and the late legendary Sid Vicious. It is also said that it is the most frequently played song at British funerals. (According to one interview, J.K. Rowling said that "My Way" would be the song she would want to play at Professor Dumbledore's funeral.) Here in my beloved country, "My Way" is often the related cause of death or injury to a lot of poor souls who sing it in seedy karaoke/videoke bars that are usually full of drunk, short-tempered, razor-wielding hooligans. I guess these morbid connections are but fitting as "My Way" is said to be a song about a person who's nearing death.
2. Sukiyaki
This song by the late Japanese artist Kyu Sakamoto holds a unique place in American pop music history: it is the only Japanese song to not only chart but also reach No. 1 in the Billboard singles chart. Originally recorded in Japanese with the title "Ueo Muite Arako" ("I Look Up When I Walk"), it was given English lyrics after an English record company boss heard it while on a trip to Tokyo. Recognizing that most British DJs would find it difficult to pronounce the song's original title, the exec decided to change the title to something more familiar to radio listeners. Hence, "Sukiyaki" , a kind of Japanese stew that has absolutely nothing to do with the song. So this exec then had jazzman Kenny Ball record the new version which became a UK Top 10 hit.
It was around this time that Washington state DJ Rich Osborne got a copy of the original version of the song and started playing it on air. Despite the language barrier, "Sukiyaki" became a huge hit for Kyu Sakamoto.
3. La Bamba
Originally a Mexican folk song, La Bamba became one of the first entirely non-English hits during the infancy of rock n roll when seventeen year-old Ritchie Valens (real name: Ricardo Valenzuela) recorded it around the start of his short but action-packed career. Despite misgivings by his manager who was worried they might offend the Spanish-speaking population by reworking a beloved folk song into a raucous rock n roll outing, Valens insisted on releasing the song in vinyl, citing that Nat "King" Cole also injects some Spanish into some of his lyrics. (Come to think of it, yeah, I did hear Cole sing in Spanish in one of his songs. I just can't remember what song it was right now.)
For a better appreciation of the song and the artist, I suggest you guys go see the late 80's bio-pic "La Bamba" starring Lou Diamond Philips as Ritchie Valens.
4. Govinda
After listening to the 90's hit "Govinda", it's not improbable that you'll be asking your self: Are the members of Kula Shaker George Harrison's kids? Well, in a manner of speaking, yes. The band, led by singer/guitarist Crispian Mills (son of 60's British actress and hitmaker Hayley Mills), evokes the same ethereal eastern mysticism and psychedelia that characterized much of Harrison's music during the latter part of The Beatles life. Like Harrison, Kula Shaker's decidedly Indian influence came after Mills went on a spiritual pilgrimage to India.
Written entirely in the Indian language, "Govinda" is haunting and mood-heavy, and sticks inside your head like a mantra for inner peace. I dunno what the lyrics mean - yet (I still have to look it up). But if you're in the mood for 60's style psychedelia with exotic, mysterious lyrics and tabla players, "Govinda" is it.
5. 99 Luftballons
The 80's wouldn't have been what they were without this radio staple. Recorded in both its original German version and in English, Nena's "99 Loftballons" is a song about the ugly business of war. While its English version has been more popular and has been inevitably covered by other subsequent acts, the German version, says those in the know, is still lyrically better and more fluid. I dunno. I'll have to learn German first before I make any comments on that.
So, that's it for now. If I get to dig up some dirt on some other related songs, I'll post it ASAP.
See ya.
Of course, these days any song written and performed in any language can get enough exposure to a wider audience, thanks to the internet and the concept of the global village. But back when the internet was not even a blip in the consciousness of the record-buying public, English was the language that artists perfunctorily used if they wanted a shot at the international market. Come to think of it, in a lot of ways it still is.
I know there must be a hundred old songs out there performed in languages other than English that managed to make some sort of dent on the international music scene . Unfortunately for me, I don't have enough time to look them all up. So let's just go with the next best thing: let's take a look at the songs THAT I CAN REMEMBER (WHILE MY BUTT IS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER) that have, entirely or partially, non-English lyrics or songs whose history or origin isn't really English.
So here we go...
1. My Way
This old chestnut, popularized by Ol' Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra, has English lyrics but French origins. The melody is adopted from the French song "Comme D'habitude" and was composed by Claude Francois and Jacques Revaux. The original French lyrics were written by Francios and Gilles Thibaut. It was U.S. pop sensation Paul Anka who provided the song's English lyrics, although his words had nothing to do with the original French version.
Anyway, as additional trivia, "My Way" has been covered over the years by many artists as disparate as Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and the late legendary Sid Vicious. It is also said that it is the most frequently played song at British funerals. (According to one interview, J.K. Rowling said that "My Way" would be the song she would want to play at Professor Dumbledore's funeral.) Here in my beloved country, "My Way" is often the related cause of death or injury to a lot of poor souls who sing it in seedy karaoke/videoke bars that are usually full of drunk, short-tempered, razor-wielding hooligans. I guess these morbid connections are but fitting as "My Way" is said to be a song about a person who's nearing death.
2. Sukiyaki
This song by the late Japanese artist Kyu Sakamoto holds a unique place in American pop music history: it is the only Japanese song to not only chart but also reach No. 1 in the Billboard singles chart. Originally recorded in Japanese with the title "Ueo Muite Arako" ("I Look Up When I Walk"), it was given English lyrics after an English record company boss heard it while on a trip to Tokyo. Recognizing that most British DJs would find it difficult to pronounce the song's original title, the exec decided to change the title to something more familiar to radio listeners. Hence, "Sukiyaki" , a kind of Japanese stew that has absolutely nothing to do with the song. So this exec then had jazzman Kenny Ball record the new version which became a UK Top 10 hit.
It was around this time that Washington state DJ Rich Osborne got a copy of the original version of the song and started playing it on air. Despite the language barrier, "Sukiyaki" became a huge hit for Kyu Sakamoto.
3. La Bamba
Originally a Mexican folk song, La Bamba became one of the first entirely non-English hits during the infancy of rock n roll when seventeen year-old Ritchie Valens (real name: Ricardo Valenzuela) recorded it around the start of his short but action-packed career. Despite misgivings by his manager who was worried they might offend the Spanish-speaking population by reworking a beloved folk song into a raucous rock n roll outing, Valens insisted on releasing the song in vinyl, citing that Nat "King" Cole also injects some Spanish into some of his lyrics. (Come to think of it, yeah, I did hear Cole sing in Spanish in one of his songs. I just can't remember what song it was right now.)
For a better appreciation of the song and the artist, I suggest you guys go see the late 80's bio-pic "La Bamba" starring Lou Diamond Philips as Ritchie Valens.
4. Govinda
After listening to the 90's hit "Govinda", it's not improbable that you'll be asking your self: Are the members of Kula Shaker George Harrison's kids? Well, in a manner of speaking, yes. The band, led by singer/guitarist Crispian Mills (son of 60's British actress and hitmaker Hayley Mills), evokes the same ethereal eastern mysticism and psychedelia that characterized much of Harrison's music during the latter part of The Beatles life. Like Harrison, Kula Shaker's decidedly Indian influence came after Mills went on a spiritual pilgrimage to India.
Written entirely in the Indian language, "Govinda" is haunting and mood-heavy, and sticks inside your head like a mantra for inner peace. I dunno what the lyrics mean - yet (I still have to look it up). But if you're in the mood for 60's style psychedelia with exotic, mysterious lyrics and tabla players, "Govinda" is it.
5. 99 Luftballons
The 80's wouldn't have been what they were without this radio staple. Recorded in both its original German version and in English, Nena's "99 Loftballons" is a song about the ugly business of war. While its English version has been more popular and has been inevitably covered by other subsequent acts, the German version, says those in the know, is still lyrically better and more fluid. I dunno. I'll have to learn German first before I make any comments on that.
So, that's it for now. If I get to dig up some dirt on some other related songs, I'll post it ASAP.
See ya.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Name Game
Along with figuring out what influences a band to sound (or look) the way it does, how a band gets its name is an equally intruiging puzzle for me. While a lot of bands can brag about killer guitar riffs, snaky bass lines, thundering drums, and let-go-of-my-balls vocals, some of them carry names that, well, doesn't quite arouse your curiosity enough to give them a first listen when you come across their work at the local record store.
Hey, how a band wants to call themselves is their own business. But I must admit, there have been some bands whose music may not necessarily sound great but whose name definitely does. Which always gets me thinking: how the hell did they get their name?
Let's take a look at some of these musical groups who carry unique sobriquets.
1. Sex Pistols
Their name doesn't really make any sense when you first hear it. It was given by their then manager, the notorious Malcolm McClaren. Back when the Pistols were just a bunch of underage punks, McClaren owned a Kings Road clothes shop called Sex where original Pistol bass player Glen Mattlock was an employee. So that explains the first half of the band's name. But what about Pistol? Well, it was said that McClaren's original idea for the band was to be like - get this - "sexy assassins"! LOL! So Sex Pistols it was.
2. The Beatles
What would a discussion on music be without a mention of The Beatles? Beatle lore, handed down through generations of devoted fans, says that "Beatle" was John Lennon's tribute of sorts to a "bug" band he really admired: Buddy Holly and The Crickets. But the bug connection stops there. With his predilection for word play, Lennon changed the spelling of "beetle" to "beatle" to emphasize the concept of the "beat" or pulse that characterized their music. This explanation on the origin of The Beatles' name would have been totally sufficient had not its author (Lennon) come up with a second more whimsical - but equally convincing - story (which I have heard and read about more than once!).
Version 2 of the story behind the name The Beatles also credits Lennon with coming up with the name. But, as described by Lennon, the circumstances that lead to the band's name can be, at best, charitably described as surreal.
According to Lennon, a man appeared to him in dream. He narrated that this man was standing on a flaming pie (yes, a flaming pie!) and told him: "You will be a Beatle, with an 'a'."
Now, since this is John Lennon we're talking about, I guess both versions make equal sense.
3. The Ramones
The origin of the name of this band is anchored on Beatle history, although it was usually considered out of character and uncool for any punk band to have anything to do with The Beatles as such association was said to be bad for their street creds. But I guess The Ramones didn't give a rat's stinking ass about what other people thought was "cool".
So what's the story behind the name?
Well, during their early years, The Beatles undertook a short Scottish tour. This being the early incarnation of the band, they still had with them as original bass player John Lennon's friend Stuart "Stu" Sutcliffe. Paul McCartney, like Lennon, played guitar then.
Anyway, it has been told that during this particular tour, Sutcliffe and McCartney adopted stage names: Stu was Stuart De Staehl while Paul was Paul Ramone. And so it goes that this piece of Beatle history became the springboard from which The Ramones came up with their collective name as well as their individual stage names: Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Tommy Ramone, and any other "Ramone" who would join the band during its long and legendary existence.
4. Duran Duran
The synth-pop band's name was taken from a character from a 60's sci-fi TV show called Barbarella. The character Duran Duran was, if I recall correctly, the villain in that show.
5. R.E.M.
This band from Athens, GA apparently took its name from a stage in the human sleep cycle: Rapid Eye Movement. But some sources cite that the name R.E.M. was derived from a technique used by combat soldiers. I dunno...
So, which version is true?
Who the hell cares?! Bottom line is they were a great band (up to their album Document; everything else that came out after that, I found uninteresting. I especially loathe their played-to-death radio hit Losing My Religion!).
Well, I guess that's all I got for now. I'll try looking up more band name histories. Till then, see ya...
Hey, how a band wants to call themselves is their own business. But I must admit, there have been some bands whose music may not necessarily sound great but whose name definitely does. Which always gets me thinking: how the hell did they get their name?
Let's take a look at some of these musical groups who carry unique sobriquets.
1. Sex Pistols
Their name doesn't really make any sense when you first hear it. It was given by their then manager, the notorious Malcolm McClaren. Back when the Pistols were just a bunch of underage punks, McClaren owned a Kings Road clothes shop called Sex where original Pistol bass player Glen Mattlock was an employee. So that explains the first half of the band's name. But what about Pistol? Well, it was said that McClaren's original idea for the band was to be like - get this - "sexy assassins"! LOL! So Sex Pistols it was.
2. The Beatles
What would a discussion on music be without a mention of The Beatles? Beatle lore, handed down through generations of devoted fans, says that "Beatle" was John Lennon's tribute of sorts to a "bug" band he really admired: Buddy Holly and The Crickets. But the bug connection stops there. With his predilection for word play, Lennon changed the spelling of "beetle" to "beatle" to emphasize the concept of the "beat" or pulse that characterized their music. This explanation on the origin of The Beatles' name would have been totally sufficient had not its author (Lennon) come up with a second more whimsical - but equally convincing - story (which I have heard and read about more than once!).
Version 2 of the story behind the name The Beatles also credits Lennon with coming up with the name. But, as described by Lennon, the circumstances that lead to the band's name can be, at best, charitably described as surreal.
According to Lennon, a man appeared to him in dream. He narrated that this man was standing on a flaming pie (yes, a flaming pie!) and told him: "You will be a Beatle, with an 'a'."
Now, since this is John Lennon we're talking about, I guess both versions make equal sense.
3. The Ramones
The origin of the name of this band is anchored on Beatle history, although it was usually considered out of character and uncool for any punk band to have anything to do with The Beatles as such association was said to be bad for their street creds. But I guess The Ramones didn't give a rat's stinking ass about what other people thought was "cool".
So what's the story behind the name?
Well, during their early years, The Beatles undertook a short Scottish tour. This being the early incarnation of the band, they still had with them as original bass player John Lennon's friend Stuart "Stu" Sutcliffe. Paul McCartney, like Lennon, played guitar then.
Anyway, it has been told that during this particular tour, Sutcliffe and McCartney adopted stage names: Stu was Stuart De Staehl while Paul was Paul Ramone. And so it goes that this piece of Beatle history became the springboard from which The Ramones came up with their collective name as well as their individual stage names: Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Tommy Ramone, and any other "Ramone" who would join the band during its long and legendary existence.
4. Duran Duran
The synth-pop band's name was taken from a character from a 60's sci-fi TV show called Barbarella. The character Duran Duran was, if I recall correctly, the villain in that show.
5. R.E.M.
This band from Athens, GA apparently took its name from a stage in the human sleep cycle: Rapid Eye Movement. But some sources cite that the name R.E.M. was derived from a technique used by combat soldiers. I dunno...
So, which version is true?
Who the hell cares?! Bottom line is they were a great band (up to their album Document; everything else that came out after that, I found uninteresting. I especially loathe their played-to-death radio hit Losing My Religion!).
Well, I guess that's all I got for now. I'll try looking up more band name histories. Till then, see ya...
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Anybody Seen A Cactus In The Desert?
For years I've been busting my ass trying to get hold of a copy of a very elusive album (well, around these parts, the album is practically non-existent). While I have managed to download three excellent songs from said album, I really would want to have the whole album. I got a list of the titles in the album, but I've managed to hear only those three songs off said album.
I'm talking about the album Urban Beaches by almost-made-it-to-the-top Irish band Cactus World News.
Released in 1986, Urban Beaches contained ten songs. Having heard only three of them, I guess it would be safe to presume that the rest of the titles are equally rivetting. The songs in the album are as follows:
1. Worlds Apart
2. In A Whirlpool
3. Promise
4. The Bridge
5. State of Emergency
6. Years Later
7. Church of the Cold
8. Pilots of Beka
9. Jigsaw Street
10. Maybe This Time
The only three songs I've managed to hear from this line-up are Worlds Apart, The Bridge, and Years Later.
History says that the band submitted a demo to U2 frontman Bono in 1985, and it was U2 who gave them a much needed push. Listening to those three tracks, one would recognize how heavily U2 influenced Cactus World News. I mean, listen to the guitar riffs on those three tracks, man: ethereal, howling, melodic, and echo-drenched. And the vocals - it has the same impassioned delivery as Bono during U2's early days.
Now the U2 comparisons shouldn't be taken as put-downs because they're not. I mean, both bands are Irish so that probably explains things a bit: as fellow Irishmen, they may inherently have similar ideas on how to launch their respective sonic assaults. And while Urban Beaches received very positive reviews, it's just sad that they didn't get to eventually follow in U2's steps towards a well-deserved superstardom.
But hey, at least they remain one of the great should-have-beens of rock music and didn't end up as one those middle-aged bands trying unsuccessfully to regain old glories by acting like their still 21.
You can try singing along:
The Bridge (Live at Self Aid 1986)
Cactus World News
(Urban Beaches - 1986)
I, within walking distance of your heart
I'm just within earshot to a fresher start
I get the feeling that somebody else is thinking about me
I'm this close, I can touch it with my hands
Going up and over, over the bridge
Springtide will lift me and take me across
I'm looking down and I should be collapsing
Since the earth underneath us long since opened up
Do you see me falling? Do you see me die in my own way?
When I give up, you always go on
Going up and over, over the bridge
Springtide will lift me and take me across
Bring me down, down on the wings of heaven (heaven)
Bring me down the wings of heaven and on my life
Bring me down, comeback is so wonderful
I will cross to the other side
Here we are now in the strangest of all possible circumstances
I don't understand it but I know that if feels so good
But there's one thing that I do know when I sing this song for you
I'll go across to the other side
Going up and over, over the bridge
Springtide will lift me and take me across
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Freeze Frame
For me, this is one of the best photos ever used for an album sleeve! The Clash's Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar during a gig! The cover of the highly acclaimed album London Calling!
I mean, how often do bass players steal the show like that? Lead guitarists, yeah. But bass players? Way to go, Paul!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Last Song Syndrome
I know this sort of thing has happened to you. You wake up in the morning, walk groggily to the john to take a piss, and emerge scratching your bloated belly when, all of a sudden, a song starts playing in your head. You eat breakfast, take a shower, and get dressed - the song's still playing. You board a bus to work, stare forlornly at the sprawling cityscape whizzing past the window, and count the time between changes in the traffic light - it's still there. You get to work and leave work but it still keeps playing! Ah, you got a really bad case of Last Song Syndrome. And it doesn't last for just a day. Sometimes a song will stick with you for a week! Like what's happening to me now.The song in question is called "Sullivan" by Caroline's Spine.
By today's standards, it's already a pretty old song. Around ten years old maybe. But there's something about it that my brain can't shut out.
"It's not hard to reach back to the days after the attack on Pearl..."
Well, lyrically, Sullivan is a history lesson focusing on the tragedy, heroism, and the utter sense of waste that war brings. It tells the story of five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa - Joseph,
Frank, Albert, Madison, and George Sullivan - who all enlisted together in the Navy during World War II after the Pearl Harbor attack, and who all insisted on staying together during their enlistment. It also tells of how they all died as a result of a Japanese submarine attack, leaving their devastated family to pick up the pieces.
Musically, Sullivan is a very haunting and hook-laden tune. Guitarist Mark Haugh's searing riffs dominates the entire song and gives it it's identity; Jason Gilardi's skin-bashing gives the song a sense of urgency and excitement; while Jimmy Newquist's vocals provides it with an apt melancholy that simmers with the indignity of getting unwillingly getting dragged into the memory of an armed conflict.
All in all, I'll be keeping Sullivan in my collection.
"Say goodbye, bye-bye, Mrs. Sullivan..."
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wake Me Up When September Ends
September's almost over. Funny, but I feel kinda blah. Not that I'm supposed to feel something else. I guess I'm just kinda tired and still nursing a bit of a fever.
Anyway, while I'm writing this, I'm stuck with a very appropriate Green Day song in my head. Yep, you guessed it: Wake Me Up When September Ends.
I always get sad when I hear this song. Reminds me of when my dad passed away a couple of years ago. In between trips from the house to the hospital, from the hospital to the funeral, and from the funeral back to the house, this song was always on the radio.
Maybe that's why I have the blues right now...
Anyway, while I'm writing this, I'm stuck with a very appropriate Green Day song in my head. Yep, you guessed it: Wake Me Up When September Ends.
I always get sad when I hear this song. Reminds me of when my dad passed away a couple of years ago. In between trips from the house to the hospital, from the hospital to the funeral, and from the funeral back to the house, this song was always on the radio.
Maybe that's why I have the blues right now...
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Flashbacks
I grew up in the 80's, that time when people walked around in weird clothes and even weirder haircuts; when there were a bazillion different musical genres jockeying for dominance of the airwaves (I mean, we hand punk, oi, hardcore, goth, rockabilly, punkabilly, new wave, europop, noise pop, thrash metal; you name it); when most people still bought vinyl records and listened to them until they wore out. I was already a pimply teenaged social outcast when the music of bands like Cactus World News, Wire Train, The Smiths, Social Distortion, Husker Du, and a slew of other acts made up the catalogue of my music collection. Yeah, I'm an 80's kid. And am I glad.
80's music has, after twenty or so odd years, managed to retain its freshness despite what a lot of people might say. Want proof? Well, let's take a look at how some post-80's movies use 80's music to spice up their soundtracks.
1. The Wedding Singer
This early 90's movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore is set in 1985. Thus, it features music from that period: Elvis Costello and The Attractions ("Everyday I Write The Book"), Kajagoogoo ("Too Shy"), J. Geils Band ("Love Stinks"), and Culture Club ("Do You Really Want To Hurt Me", which, by the way, was hilariously covered ad nauseum by Sandler's onscreen in-house Boy George named, well, George) to name a few.
It seems to me that Sandler had more than a little to do with choosing the songs that went in this romantic comedy as the guy evidently really loves 80's music. (I guess he grew up in the 80's, too) I mean, in his next team up with Barrymore, the soundtrack again screams 80's. Which brings us to the next entry...
2. 50 First Dates
The second Sandler-Barrymore team-up is sweet and funny. Again, it features reggae-fied versions of popular 80's songs. Let's see... there was this Thompson Twins song, the title of which escapes me. And... Darn, I can't remember the other songs in the soundtrack! I'll have to watch the damn thing again to remember them all.
3. Sky High
This Disney-produced movie about a high school for superheroes-in-the-making stars kids who were most probably born around the time the 80's were already drawing to a close. Thus, they probably have no idea about where the hell the songs on the soundtrack came from. At any rate, the songs featured in Sky High were not the original versions but covers of beloved 80's songs: Everybody Wants To Rule The World (originally by Tears For Fears), Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want (originally by The Smiths), and I Melt With You (originally by Modern English) to name a few.
I guess we should be expecting more movies which feature 80's music (either the originals or just covers) in their soundtracks. Why? Because those kids who grew up in the 80's - guys like me - are now the movers in show business today. Hah! That means, we call the shots now! So, when we say we wanna put on a Billy Idol song in the background of a tender and romantic wedding scene, nobody can stop us!
Jeez, does this mean we are now the adults that a lot of 80's teen-oriented movies despised?
80's music has, after twenty or so odd years, managed to retain its freshness despite what a lot of people might say. Want proof? Well, let's take a look at how some post-80's movies use 80's music to spice up their soundtracks.
1. The Wedding Singer
This early 90's movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore is set in 1985. Thus, it features music from that period: Elvis Costello and The Attractions ("Everyday I Write The Book"), Kajagoogoo ("Too Shy"), J. Geils Band ("Love Stinks"), and Culture Club ("Do You Really Want To Hurt Me", which, by the way, was hilariously covered ad nauseum by Sandler's onscreen in-house Boy George named, well, George) to name a few.
It seems to me that Sandler had more than a little to do with choosing the songs that went in this romantic comedy as the guy evidently really loves 80's music. (I guess he grew up in the 80's, too) I mean, in his next team up with Barrymore, the soundtrack again screams 80's. Which brings us to the next entry...
2. 50 First Dates
The second Sandler-Barrymore team-up is sweet and funny. Again, it features reggae-fied versions of popular 80's songs. Let's see... there was this Thompson Twins song, the title of which escapes me. And... Darn, I can't remember the other songs in the soundtrack! I'll have to watch the damn thing again to remember them all.
3. Sky High
This Disney-produced movie about a high school for superheroes-in-the-making stars kids who were most probably born around the time the 80's were already drawing to a close. Thus, they probably have no idea about where the hell the songs on the soundtrack came from. At any rate, the songs featured in Sky High were not the original versions but covers of beloved 80's songs: Everybody Wants To Rule The World (originally by Tears For Fears), Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want (originally by The Smiths), and I Melt With You (originally by Modern English) to name a few.
I guess we should be expecting more movies which feature 80's music (either the originals or just covers) in their soundtracks. Why? Because those kids who grew up in the 80's - guys like me - are now the movers in show business today. Hah! That means, we call the shots now! So, when we say we wanna put on a Billy Idol song in the background of a tender and romantic wedding scene, nobody can stop us!
Jeez, does this mean we are now the adults that a lot of 80's teen-oriented movies despised?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Dead Air and Mayhem
It's been pretty quiet here for the past couple days. My monitor conked out on me, leaving me scouting for a new one at the nearest mall. And, I have been down with something for the past couple of days. Tonight, I came home from work shivering harder than a naked man in the middle of the North Pole. I hate it when I get fever chills like that. I'm a bit better now though, thank you very much.
Anyway, these past few days, I've been on a muppet bender. I mean, a real serious muppet bender. I must admit, much of my pre- and grade school years were spent immersed in the happy, sad, and sometimes off-the-wall songs from my main nannies: Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and the Muppet Show.
The past few days, I've been an avid visitor at YouTube, scouting out classic S.S., T.E.C., and T.M.S. "music videos". I found the one on "Lower Case N", a story about loneliness and of finding "The One", set against the strumming of a sad and maudlin acoustic guitar. I also found the one on "Capital I" which is a fairy tale song about - what else - the capital letter I which is situated "in the middle of the desert, in the center of the sky". The real gems, however, were the ones featuring the one and only muppet rock n roll band: The Electric Mayhem.
Before there were virtual bands like Gorillaz, there was The Electric Mayhem. Having been saddled with the dues-paying task of being the house band for Kermit The Frog's Muppet Show, The Electric Mayhem dished out a lot of ear candy for many of the show's musical numbers. What's more, they're one hell of a multi-talented bunch. You can catch several members performing solo and taking part in a lot of crazy sketches. Who are The Electric Mayhem anyway? The line-up stands thus:
1. Dr. Teeth - band leader, lead vocals, keyboards, gold tooth
2. Janice - lead guitar, back-up vocals, pouting lips, blonde hair, in-house-funny-girl
3. Floyd - bass, dark glasses, cool-guy-presence
4. Zoot - sax, fuzz-out-man
5. Animal - drums, destruction, demolition
Occasionally, the band is joined onstage by Rolf (the brown dog) on piano, or by some other musical artist-guest who isn't afraid to rock out with a bunch of muppet musicians. And there have been a lot.
Anyway, there was this video on YouTube featuring the band doing Paul Simon's 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, with Floyd singing lead. While I'm not a huge fan of Paul Simon, I wouldn't say I don't like his work. The Electric Mayhem's cover of this particular Paul Simon song showed a different side of the band, especially Animal. I mean, he was playing soft shuffles on his snare! Usually, he would demolish his drum kit a la Keith Moon. But in this particular number, wow, he really showed some neat chops. On top of that, jamming beside him was Rizzo the Rat playing some percussion thingie. (My favorite Rizzo quote: "Don't forget. 'Rats' spelled backwards is 'Star'!")
Floyd was, as usual, laid back in his delivery of the song. Laid back but still pouring out the potent emotions found in the original. Janice looked quite pensive during the entire number (but still got around to providing cool back-up vocals). I found it a bit unusual though that Dr. Teeth and Zoot were nowhere onstage. Rolf, however, made a hilarious cameo onstage in the middle of the song!
I know talking about a bunch of muppet musicians may sound a bit stupid. But, hey, what do you call it when people rave about a band like Gorillaz, huh?
I guess I just miss the songs I grew up with.
Anyway, these past few days, I've been on a muppet bender. I mean, a real serious muppet bender. I must admit, much of my pre- and grade school years were spent immersed in the happy, sad, and sometimes off-the-wall songs from my main nannies: Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and the Muppet Show.
The past few days, I've been an avid visitor at YouTube, scouting out classic S.S., T.E.C., and T.M.S. "music videos". I found the one on "Lower Case N", a story about loneliness and of finding "The One", set against the strumming of a sad and maudlin acoustic guitar. I also found the one on "Capital I" which is a fairy tale song about - what else - the capital letter I which is situated "in the middle of the desert, in the center of the sky". The real gems, however, were the ones featuring the one and only muppet rock n roll band: The Electric Mayhem.
Before there were virtual bands like Gorillaz, there was The Electric Mayhem. Having been saddled with the dues-paying task of being the house band for Kermit The Frog's Muppet Show, The Electric Mayhem dished out a lot of ear candy for many of the show's musical numbers. What's more, they're one hell of a multi-talented bunch. You can catch several members performing solo and taking part in a lot of crazy sketches. Who are The Electric Mayhem anyway? The line-up stands thus:
1. Dr. Teeth - band leader, lead vocals, keyboards, gold tooth
2. Janice - lead guitar, back-up vocals, pouting lips, blonde hair, in-house-funny-girl
3. Floyd - bass, dark glasses, cool-guy-presence
4. Zoot - sax, fuzz-out-man
5. Animal - drums, destruction, demolition
Occasionally, the band is joined onstage by Rolf (the brown dog) on piano, or by some other musical artist-guest who isn't afraid to rock out with a bunch of muppet musicians. And there have been a lot.
Anyway, there was this video on YouTube featuring the band doing Paul Simon's 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, with Floyd singing lead. While I'm not a huge fan of Paul Simon, I wouldn't say I don't like his work. The Electric Mayhem's cover of this particular Paul Simon song showed a different side of the band, especially Animal. I mean, he was playing soft shuffles on his snare! Usually, he would demolish his drum kit a la Keith Moon. But in this particular number, wow, he really showed some neat chops. On top of that, jamming beside him was Rizzo the Rat playing some percussion thingie. (My favorite Rizzo quote: "Don't forget. 'Rats' spelled backwards is 'Star'!")
Floyd was, as usual, laid back in his delivery of the song. Laid back but still pouring out the potent emotions found in the original. Janice looked quite pensive during the entire number (but still got around to providing cool back-up vocals). I found it a bit unusual though that Dr. Teeth and Zoot were nowhere onstage. Rolf, however, made a hilarious cameo onstage in the middle of the song!
I know talking about a bunch of muppet musicians may sound a bit stupid. But, hey, what do you call it when people rave about a band like Gorillaz, huh?
I guess I just miss the songs I grew up with.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Rain Rain Rain
Waking up to rainy morning always really makes me feel like ditching work, staying at home, and just vegging out. It's been raining for most of the day, which is fine with me. I've always considered perfect weather to have downcast skies and dark clouds with a slight drizzle.
Today's weather got me thinking: how many songs have been written about rain? I know there's been a lot. But off the bat, how many can you name? And who sang them?
While I was at work today, I made up a small list in my head of all rain songs I can remember. Let's take a look at it. By the way, this list is in no particular order.
1. Purple Rain by Prince
2. Blame It On The Rain by Milli Vanilli
3. Rhythm Of The Rain by The Cascades
4. Rain In The Summertime by The Alarm
5. November Rain by Guns n Roses
6. Crying In The Rain by A-Ha
7. Rain by Dragon
8. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head by Burt Bacharach
10. Singing In The Rain by Gene Kelly
11. Kiss The Rain by Billie Myers
12. So. Central Rain by R.E.M.
13. After The Rain by Nelson
14. Rain by The Beatles
15. Rain On The Scarecrow by John Cougar Mellencamp
I guess that's it. Can't think of any more rain songs. I would have liked to say a little something about each song... but it already stopped raining outside. Yeah, it kinda ruined the mood.
But hey, there'll always be other rainy days. So until then...
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Eye Wakes Up
Welcome to Sonic Eye.
This is my little corner in cyberspace where I can talk about music, musicians, and everything else that has something to do with - well - music and the artists that make them.
Though I intend to dedicate this site to mostly stuff about music, I may occasionally segue into such disparate topics as movies, pet peeves, people, this, that, and everything else - if I feel like it. I mean, what the hey - I have the space; might as well make the most of it, right?
Right.
I grew up always liking music. Lots of different kinds of music. I consciously started to like listening to music when I was around five. I'd turn on the TV and watch some cheesy movie stupidly chugging along to some equally cheesy soundtrack. Being that young, I really didn't care if the songs sucked. In fact, I had no clue at all if a song actually sucked. I just watched and listened. (I guess I was one of the early prototypes for the zombies that would eventually become collectively known as the MTV generation.)
A year later, I discovered The Beatles. An uncle who was visiting brought a copy of A Hard Day's Night. I was fascinated by the sleeve art. I thought the multiple-photo montage of the Fab Four at the album's back cover was the coolest thing ever. I actually didn't know who The Beatles were at that time. What I did know was that they sounded really great to my uninitiated 7-year old ears. They still do.
Then I discovered Elvis. (Don't laugh, but back when he still wasn't crowned by the money-grubbing music industry as The King, Elvis Presley was actually everything the press eventually hailed him to be: fresh, trailblazing, dangerous, mean, moody, and magnificent.)
I actually kind of accidentally "ran into" Elvis (and, unknowingly, into rockabilly music as well) one day while switching channels on the old black-and-white TV. I think I saw him first on one of those reruns that TV stations show between 7 to 9 a.m. Anyway, there he was: dressed in black leather, hair slicked back into a neat pompadour, an acoustic guitar on his lap, his ass parked on a tall stool. He was on this tiny stage with his backing band (which, if I remember correctly, still included guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black - I dunno) and was surrounded 360 degrees by the audience. Man, he ran through a lot of his early hits: the ones he made when he was still with Sun Records and his early RCA chart toppers. Later on, I would catch The King in reruns of the movies (aaargh! those dreaded movies!) he made during the 60's. Still later, in 1977, I would hear that he had died of a (cough!) heart attack.
My musical education didn't stop with the passing of The King though. I spent the later part of the 70's listening to music representing genres and styles that were totally new to me. I got hooked for a time on ELO (that's Electric Light Orchestra, whose members were from the defunct psychedelic 60's band The Move) and their radio hit "Midnight Blue". In fact, "Midnight Blue" was the first 45 I ever bought. I was also introduced to Queen, Freddie Mercury, and Bohemian Rhapsody. (To this day, it still blows my mind wondering how just four dudes could actually sound like the entire cast of an opera!) Snippets of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Wings, Cheap Trick, Boston, and a host of other hot bands of the 70's managed to make their way into my consciousness (thanks to an older cousin). Everything sounded new, everything sounded different. So, like a sponge, I took it all in. But I wasn't aware that the best musical kick-in-the-head I'll ever have was still to come.
Around 1979, a song came out that featured snappy drumwork, off-the-wall lyrics, weird 60's-like surf guitar riffs, go-go girl backup vocals, and a deadpan drawl of a male lead singer. Welcome to the world of "New Wave Rock"! "Rock Lobster" by Athens, GA band The B-52's (from their eponymous "Yellow Album") gave me an intoxicating dose of quirkiness, hip riffs, and addictive hooks. This was followed by another New Wave assault that boasted of an ultra-tight groove and an enjoyably long and addictive guitar solo. The Knack's "My Sharona" effectively sealed the coffin on my Classic Rock past. This was it, I thought. Nothing can probably top what these guys do. And, most people I know don't like this stuff! Perfect!
However, with the advent of the 80's, I became adventurous and anxious in seeking out music that mainstream audiences wouldn't care to touch. I feverishly dug for the roots of this exhilerating new music. I wanted to find out: where did all this fantastic stuff come from?
Punk was, for me, the epiphany that would become a major guiding light in a lot of things I would eventually do. I know it sounds cheesy, but bands like the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, Cockney Rejects, Husker Du, and a lot of other off-the-radar bands (well, as far as the environment I grew up in was concerned, they were off-the-radar) have influenced me in other ways aside from music. In fact the DIY ethos and the egalitarian mentality of the punk scene I still cherish to this day.
The 80's became the 90's. And, along with the return of bell-bottom pants came the rise (and fall) of grunge and "alternative music". Well, there were a lot of interesting bands that came out in the 90's. Lots of diversity, both in musical style and in the lyrical territory that the artists mined. But, compared to the mayhem, chaos, and experimentation of the bands from the 80's, the acts that came out in the 90's seemed to lack something. I dunno, it just seems that there was something missing.
With the coming of the new millennium, the direction of almost all musical acts these days is towards becoming "all-around family entertainers". Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that, for me, a rock n roll band is a bunch of guys (or girls) who set out to change the system, not to get swallowed by it.
Who knows? Things may still get interesting. I hope that somebody somewhere is getting bored of the complacency that ails the music scene today. That'll give guys like me a lot to write about again.
This is my little corner in cyberspace where I can talk about music, musicians, and everything else that has something to do with - well - music and the artists that make them.
Though I intend to dedicate this site to mostly stuff about music, I may occasionally segue into such disparate topics as movies, pet peeves, people, this, that, and everything else - if I feel like it. I mean, what the hey - I have the space; might as well make the most of it, right?
Right.
I grew up always liking music. Lots of different kinds of music. I consciously started to like listening to music when I was around five. I'd turn on the TV and watch some cheesy movie stupidly chugging along to some equally cheesy soundtrack. Being that young, I really didn't care if the songs sucked. In fact, I had no clue at all if a song actually sucked. I just watched and listened. (I guess I was one of the early prototypes for the zombies that would eventually become collectively known as the MTV generation.)
A year later, I discovered The Beatles. An uncle who was visiting brought a copy of A Hard Day's Night. I was fascinated by the sleeve art. I thought the multiple-photo montage of the Fab Four at the album's back cover was the coolest thing ever. I actually didn't know who The Beatles were at that time. What I did know was that they sounded really great to my uninitiated 7-year old ears. They still do.
Then I discovered Elvis. (Don't laugh, but back when he still wasn't crowned by the money-grubbing music industry as The King, Elvis Presley was actually everything the press eventually hailed him to be: fresh, trailblazing, dangerous, mean, moody, and magnificent.)
I actually kind of accidentally "ran into" Elvis (and, unknowingly, into rockabilly music as well) one day while switching channels on the old black-and-white TV. I think I saw him first on one of those reruns that TV stations show between 7 to 9 a.m. Anyway, there he was: dressed in black leather, hair slicked back into a neat pompadour, an acoustic guitar on his lap, his ass parked on a tall stool. He was on this tiny stage with his backing band (which, if I remember correctly, still included guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black - I dunno) and was surrounded 360 degrees by the audience. Man, he ran through a lot of his early hits: the ones he made when he was still with Sun Records and his early RCA chart toppers. Later on, I would catch The King in reruns of the movies (aaargh! those dreaded movies!) he made during the 60's. Still later, in 1977, I would hear that he had died of a (cough!) heart attack.
My musical education didn't stop with the passing of The King though. I spent the later part of the 70's listening to music representing genres and styles that were totally new to me. I got hooked for a time on ELO (that's Electric Light Orchestra, whose members were from the defunct psychedelic 60's band The Move) and their radio hit "Midnight Blue". In fact, "Midnight Blue" was the first 45 I ever bought. I was also introduced to Queen, Freddie Mercury, and Bohemian Rhapsody. (To this day, it still blows my mind wondering how just four dudes could actually sound like the entire cast of an opera!) Snippets of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Wings, Cheap Trick, Boston, and a host of other hot bands of the 70's managed to make their way into my consciousness (thanks to an older cousin). Everything sounded new, everything sounded different. So, like a sponge, I took it all in. But I wasn't aware that the best musical kick-in-the-head I'll ever have was still to come.
Around 1979, a song came out that featured snappy drumwork, off-the-wall lyrics, weird 60's-like surf guitar riffs, go-go girl backup vocals, and a deadpan drawl of a male lead singer. Welcome to the world of "New Wave Rock"! "Rock Lobster" by Athens, GA band The B-52's (from their eponymous "Yellow Album") gave me an intoxicating dose of quirkiness, hip riffs, and addictive hooks. This was followed by another New Wave assault that boasted of an ultra-tight groove and an enjoyably long and addictive guitar solo. The Knack's "My Sharona" effectively sealed the coffin on my Classic Rock past. This was it, I thought. Nothing can probably top what these guys do. And, most people I know don't like this stuff! Perfect!
However, with the advent of the 80's, I became adventurous and anxious in seeking out music that mainstream audiences wouldn't care to touch. I feverishly dug for the roots of this exhilerating new music. I wanted to find out: where did all this fantastic stuff come from?
Punk was, for me, the epiphany that would become a major guiding light in a lot of things I would eventually do. I know it sounds cheesy, but bands like the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, Cockney Rejects, Husker Du, and a lot of other off-the-radar bands (well, as far as the environment I grew up in was concerned, they were off-the-radar) have influenced me in other ways aside from music. In fact the DIY ethos and the egalitarian mentality of the punk scene I still cherish to this day.
The 80's became the 90's. And, along with the return of bell-bottom pants came the rise (and fall) of grunge and "alternative music". Well, there were a lot of interesting bands that came out in the 90's. Lots of diversity, both in musical style and in the lyrical territory that the artists mined. But, compared to the mayhem, chaos, and experimentation of the bands from the 80's, the acts that came out in the 90's seemed to lack something. I dunno, it just seems that there was something missing.
With the coming of the new millennium, the direction of almost all musical acts these days is towards becoming "all-around family entertainers". Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that, for me, a rock n roll band is a bunch of guys (or girls) who set out to change the system, not to get swallowed by it.
Who knows? Things may still get interesting. I hope that somebody somewhere is getting bored of the complacency that ails the music scene today. That'll give guys like me a lot to write about again.
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