I saw this documentary called Blondie's New York, that aired last week on the Smithsonian Channel (yeah, i never heard of that either). It was about the making of the album Parallel Lines. It featured the band and producer, Mike Chapman now, talking about making of the album, the writing and the recording. Things like this are so awesome. They usually have the artists sitting at a mixing console, soloing tracks as they talk about them.
Hearing Debbie Harry's vocals on "One Way Or Another" solo and her describing the recording and Mike Chapman describing his perspective really takes you back into the studio in 1977. I could watch stuff like this all day.
Parallel Lines was a total coming of age album for me. I was 9 when it came out and Debbie Harry was my 1st crush. Her voice, her look (even today) is still one of the sexiest women out there.
From the moment "Hanging on the Telephone"* starts with a UK telephone ring tone, I get transported to when I first heard the album. It still sounds just as fresh as it did 36 years ago.
*"Hanging on the Telephone" was originally written by The Nerves
Of course, this made me feel nostalgic and sad that bands like this don't exist anymore. So while I spent all this time listening over and over to the album, my mind subconsciously ventured to another band favorite of mine from the 90's, Letters To Cleo.
I can't believe I never drew the comparison. Not that Letters to Cleo were trying to be Blondie, they just shared a lot of the same musical DNA. Which would easily explain my immediate attraction to the band.
Musically, both bands crafted great pop/rock songs. Both had great lyrics with a great sarcasm and truth. Romance, great chorus and just great musicianship. Their live shows also carried this vibe and you couldn't take your eyes off of their charismatic singers.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Letters To Cleo and call a few of them friends! Even their Manager, Creamer who I love even though he's a Red Sox fan... That's a whole other blog.
Kay even performed one time with Sponge on Conan O'Brien as a guest while they were on tour together. Even with her just standing in the back singing back ups, she stole the show.
Letters to Cleo never reached the level I feel they should have, but that's not their fault. If the label was like Chrysalis was in the 70's and 80's, I have no doubt they would have gotten there. The business was just different. Their records to me are timeless.
Blondie keeps doing it, Debbie Harry is still hot. The songs are forever and albums like Parallel Lines are what make me LOVE music.
I have had a great week just listening to both catalogues of 2 great bands. If reading this gets you to revisit them on YouTube, pull albums from your catalogue or even Spotify.
If you trashed all your old albums, I hope you take the time to go to a record store, buy a CD, LP or even to iTunes and put these bands into your rotation for a week. It will leave you with a smile on your face.
Blondie are New York and Letters to Cleo are one of the only things I will ever admit to loving from Boston.
After being someone who worked in the music industry for half my life, the one thing I dreaded becoming was the guy that would look at new bands or labels and say things like "back in my day". I'm only 44, so my day wasn't really that long ago.
The speed that things have changed (not for the better) is incredible. I don't care about the music and whether it's shitty or just unoriginal replicas of music from the past. Ok I do care, but that's not the point of this post. My issue today is how the opportunity of growth and development for an artist or band has become a thing of the past at a major label. Now before I hear all about the indies, etc, that also is not the point of this. I'm more talking about the boutique labels that existed as placed to grow and nurture before the big money and hits came. Labels that existed within a label or were distributed by a major system, but didn't have the major label money to spend to develop those bands. Sure the costs today are higher and the demise of record stores are also part of that, but there is always a way to adapt and adjust while still carrying on with the same marketing strategy.
Labels like IRS, Stiff, Reprise are ones that immediately come to mind. But more important to me, Sire. Sire was home to The Ramones, Talking Heads, The Smiths, Madonna... The list is endless of great artists and bands. Sire was special mostly because if their large range of musical taste. What they brought was almost always quality stuff that was new or important (even if we didn't know yet). The commitment they had to artists was what mattered. I didn't work with any bands that were on the label, nor did I work there (so those people might have a different thoughts), but I base my opinions on how I saw it. Some of these bands broke into super stardom, some never got as big as they should have, but they did make a careers worth of material to be a band as a career (for the most part). But specifically, Sire put out albums that made a mark and were important in their quality and what they will mean to people in the future. Benchmark albums that get cited in the "most influential album" lists.
Transgender Dysphoria Blues is an album that belongs on Sire. The only problem is, Sire dropped them 4 years ago.
Against Me! Had the luxury of putting out 3albumsindependently and 2 on Sire. The first release came out on (very small indie) No Idea. Got a place to grow and build a fan base with Fat Wreck Chords for 2 albums. Following those releases, they then made the bold move to Sire for the next 2 releases. I'll be honest, I would always get mad when punk bands did this move to a major. And I'll say it. This was always because I was jealous that it wasn't me doing it. That's the truth.
The move to Sire was to grow bigger, get more opportunities, sell more records. Makes sense. Sire made sense. Shit, if I was managing them, I would have done it too. Only at this point the business was changing and the major label system wasn't changing with it. The life span of a new or developing artist is not very long. The numbers needed to keep a band working on a major are also amazing. Because a release that sells 50,000 copies is a huge success on an indie, but a flop on a major.
Against Me! did exactly what what it was supposed to do. They made 2 great album and got bigger. They grew with the opportunity. They were following the Sire model. Only, Sire wasn't that Sire anymore and that model was long broken. I'm not blaming those that were there, it's just the system and the loss of artist development vision. They tore the trees from the field for not growing fast enough. Sure, sometimes things happen faster, but that's a fluke (Offspring). They failed to let them grow even though the roots were strong. The billboard debuts for both records showed they were on their way. New Wave entered at 57 and the follow up White Crosses at 34. The touring was growing and the merchandise was insane, radio was playing them. So why drop them? It became a numbers game and the cost of keeping them wasn't worth it. If this was the case back in the day, The Ramones would never have gotten to Road to Ruin, The Smiths would never have gotten to The Queen is Dead and Talking Heads would never have been able to release Fear of Music.
It looks like it became a blessing in disguise because on January 21st, 4 years after White Crosses came out, Against Me! debuted at number 34. The album was released on Total Treble Music, the bands own label.
I'm happy for them, because this is a true rock and roll record. If say punk album, but the word has been butchered so much, it would devalue it. They never gave up and instead Laura Jane Grace and the band put it all into this, almost rebirth of Against Me!
Transgender Dysphoria Blues is an album about depression, living as someone you aren't, all the things that come with it and changing who you are and the what comes with that. I think it's a important album for anyone who is struggling with any of these issues to know they aren't alone and hopefully gives them strength to live a full and happy life. It's also an album for people to feel the pain some people have when dealing with these issues as well. Learn how they feel and how to be supportive.
When The Smiths released the album "Strangeways Here We Come", the song Paint A Vulgar Picturealways stood out to me. Mostly because of the music and melody, but also because of the lyrics. I kind of got what Morrissey was saying, but not really until I got into the business. The story behind the song, is basically when an artist dies, the record company finds a way to parade the catalogue and anything they can to make a buck from what's over.
Catalogue is the meat of a label to make money. It makes sense. Exploit the catalogue, hope to please fans and make new ones while getting as much from your investment than you can.
But to sell a catalogue, you need to have a catalogue. Having a greatest hits album with only 2 albums worth of catalogue is not a career.
By not developing artists anymore like they used to by investing time and money in something they believe in is killing it off, shortening careers and aborting the possibility of what could be.
Just imagine if the business was then how it is today. I'm sure you can make a list of bands who would never have made it.
I would post a link to stream Transgender Dysphoria Blues, but I would rather you plopped down $9.99 and supported the independent artist, rock and roll and future careers.
For some reason, over the weekend I thought of Jeff Buckley. I went through my CD's to find his album Grace. I don't think I've listened to the album in years. When I put it on, it made me very sad. Sad to think about how he died and how early in his life. The fact that what had been released was only scratching the surface of his potential.
I knew Jeff from working at Columbia Records and from my neighborhood. To say we were friends would be an insult to his friends, so I would say we were friendly. When we would see each other out, we would always have a real fun chat about absolutely nothing, but he always was really nice and such a talent.
But, listening to Grace, brought back more feeling for me than just those for Jeff. Hearing the song "Last Goodbye" brought me back to the time of when I worked at Columbia. The memory is so amazing, because I could feel and remember everything from the time I was there. My friend Steve Berkowitz, who signed Jeff to Columbia, had his office 2 doors down from mine, so when he would be listening to tracks, they would come through my walls. So, I could walk over to his office and ask him questions about it or just give my opinion. You see, this time I'm talking about was a time when all of us in the A&R department worked together. Not together in the same office, but together as friends and supporters.
This period of time (for me at least) wasn't in this place the whole time I was there. This was after David Kahne came in as head of the department and under the direction of our boss Don Ienner, the label was going to be lead by A&R. Our signings were to be done for both creative growth and commercial success. Some were instant and some we growers over time. The idea was great and maybe really stuck for a few years, but in the end, you need to sell records (it is a business, right) and the patience for growth got a lot shorter. Not to say it didn't exist, it was just a lot harder to wait for something to become (financially) big for the investment. I get it. It's a bummer, but I get it.
Anyway...so this period of time, the people I had the honor of working with were A&R people. I'm talking about people who LOVE music and wanted to create careers (and of course have hits and sell records...yes you can do all of the above at once). This is before the photo-op A&R people or political a&r people came to the company (these types were usually the same guys). This is why I say it was a short period.
We would go to bat for each other. Give advice. Constructive criticism. Sure, there was definite competition, but it wasn't an angry type, it was only because you didn't want to lose out priority to someone else. But again, it wasn't bitter, it was healthy competition.
During this time, there were young guns like me, who had the passion, but lacked the experience. There were the mid level executives that had the passion and the experience. These guys were there for me and other friends to help us learn and guide us through both the creative and corporate waters. Then there were the veterans who (in my eyes) were my elders (like "Uncle" Don Devito or "Papi" Mike Corbett), whom I respected, admired and went to for everything. The guys that would take time out of their day to tell me old stories of working with legends, to ask me how they can help by speaking to the bosses. It was a true team of what real trickle down guidance would look like. In the end, you would gain experience through success. Real on the job training. But, trust me, without these people looking out for you and helping, you would never have gotten there.
The department didn't work in a state of fear. I wasn't there to take anyone's job and they weren't there to steal my artist is they did well to take credit oh don't forget the photo OP.
This was a magical time for me. I'm sure other people had a similar type of experience, but those who worked with me during this period will totally understand and recall how it was (or maybe think I was high and it was never like this). That snapshot of how it should always be in a creative environment. I had a good run while at Columbia and other than being my bootcamp, it's my fondest memory of my career.
I have been so fortunate in my career where I was employed at several other companies. I have met and worked with so many amazing people and have had the honor of helping so many talented people. To see where they are now, from where they were when I met them is so rewarding. I have also seen where a lot of the most talented people I know fell into the dark from all the changes that happened over the years through mergers, redundancies and the general collapse of the music business and this makes me sad.
I watched the business change as I would move from company to company and realize that I will never have that same experience I had for that period of time I had at Columbia. The competition, the fear that others had, the backstabbing I witnessed was just a canary in the coal mine of what was going to happen. Here we are not 15 years later and we are really just down to a handful of labels, no records stores and a lot of unemployed people.
What makes me bummed in the current environment is the talent that is hired in the entry level of the companies who have no people there to guide them. Like I said earlier, if it wasn't for these guys in my early years, I would never have gotten anywhere. There are so many people with the experience that exist today that could be that role at the labels, but they seem to be passed over. So what I have seen has been a bunch of young, enthusiastic kids getting hired, who in the end have really short careers due to the fact that A&R is more than going to the clubs and knowing what bands are cool. The veterans that are at the labels are scared to death to lose their jobs, so don't really mentor these guys to the degree they need it, so you end up with a bunch of stillborn artists and stiff releases (and a loss of jobs for these under experienced guys). For the ones that squeak through, it's almost like a miracle (but it does happen).
The a&r process is a lot like the idea of building from the middle class out. With a strong group of well experienced (and helpful) people in the middle helping those learn and excel, you would grow a strong foundation and have better odds at success. It's the middle (the core) that strengthens it all. But, I guess it's not cost effective when you have over paid executives and really underpaid entry level people, not to mention the increase of quick turnover, conveyer belt artists that have a really, really short time to succeed before it's onto the next.
I find so much joy in finding a young musician, or a young talent booker, young a&r people with a job at a label or a student who just loves music and giving them help or guidance to meet their true potential. There is such a reward when you see others succeed for me. Sure, I'm currently unemployed and maybe writing this post is therapy for myself to just get it out or maybe it's hope for someone to rediscover me...who knows.
I just know that without the support system we had at Columbia Records, I don't think myself and many of my former colleges could have ever had long term careers.
I made some of my best friends over these years. Some I speak to daily, some monthly and some hardly ever, but I know we all shared the same experience and we will forever be connected because of that.
I can't listen to the 90's station, Lithium or Back Spin on Sirius without hearing a song during an hour where I can say Nick, Josh, Jim, Mitchell, Mary, Randy, Matt, Faith, Benjie or Steve signed that. It's pretty amazing.
The day I heard the news of Jeff Buckley's passing, I thought of Steve. I was sad like everyone else who was touched by his music. Jeff was Steve's signing, but at the Columbia A&R department, he was all of our artist. That support system was what made us so strong.
Jeff tragically died walking into a river by himself and got caught up in a strong and violent current that swept him away into the dark.
As I wax poetic (not Wax Ecstatic) about this period of time at Columbia Records, I feel as though this time also got pulled by a strong current of change where the art and family support system on the creative side of the music business has also disappeared into the dark.
I hope it can come back to the light and not be our Last Goodbye...
Has it really been almost 4 months since I posted last? Wow... and so little has happened. It's pretty interesting to reflect on where the time has gone and why I stopped any form of banter that I spew on this page. After said reflection, I can honestly say that nothing happened. Just life.
Summer came and went. Kids home bored, kids at camp, me bored, wife works...
Things of note include watching both seasons of The Walking Dead and Both seasons of Boardwalk Empire. I really love TV and love the fact that you can download (legally) these programs. Of course, now I hate waiting a week for the next episode.
Music: Nothing new. New music pretty much sucks. Rediscover old records and realize how much music sucks today. Justin Bieber thew up on stage while the track of him singing kept playing, which made him run off stage. This of course, made me think of Milli Vanilli on the Club MTV tour, where their hit "Girl You Know It's True" skipped win the middle of the show "Girl you know its, Girl you know its, girl you know its..." where Rob Milli (or was it Rob Vanilli) then ran off stage.
All these hacks are the same... I feel like Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Lester Bangs in Almost Famous now. Is this a sign of age? bitterness? or truth? Perhaps a bit of all...
Anyway... I hope to get back to this blog on a regular, because even if nobody reads it, It's a nice outlet to just talk about nothing.
Today is Fathers Day. I've been a dad for 9 years, but for some reason, this year seemed to be the first time when I felt like it was recognized by many friends and the wife. Not to say she never recognized it, but this one felt different. I'm sure it's because it's really the first year where I haven't had a full time office job and our 2nd kid is now 2. Huge difference between 1 and 2. At one, they are little things..at 2, they are little people.
It was really nice to get this unexpected recognition. Mostly, because being a stay at home dad just becomes a job and like most jobs, you tend to feel overlooked for your achievements (understandably, because they are expected of you...just like at an office job) and criticized for for under performance (again, just like an office job). But, being put on a pedestal and being given a day, really is rewarding.
I started out the day getting up early to go surf with my cousin and nephew... no better way to start fathers day. And on my way called my dad. We had a great chat and the conversation made me reflect on a lot of things.
I always looked at my father as my own personal Ward Cleaver. He worked real hard all day. Was a loving husband and cared about his two boys. Like Ward, he always wore a dress shirt and slacks and dress shoes. Would help us with our homework (sometimes got really into it and would actually DO my homework). But, really set the bar high for me as a Father.
I had the great fortune of being raised by 2 great parents. Both brought different things to my life, but both were equally important. My Mom and I were extremely close and until she died. We would speak daily (usually 2 times a day) and she helped me though a lot of things. It's tough not having her around. My Father was important because he taught me the importance of working hard and discipline. He taught me how to be patient, pick you battles and always go through life with understanding for others.
I actually recently found all my report card from High School and after reading them, called my dad to apologize for being an idiot in school. Sure, I graduated, finished college in 3 years, but man, for being the son of an overachieving genius, I must have been a disappointment on the academic side for sure.
After my mother died, my dad and I went thought a bit of a rough patch, but that was short lived. People get emotional and confusion at the loss of a family member, but in the end, the example he set for me growing up was much more valuable to me than any issue we had. You only have one father.
I feel bad for people that don't have that kind of relationship with their families. Understandably, many are for good reasons that make it so the should never communicate, but I have seen more that usually are from petty or short term arguments that blow out of control to where they can't put the cap on the bottle again. It's kind of sad to watch, because when its too late to fix it, it becomes a thing that you live with forever. It haunts your soul and you wish for that one more chance to say "I'm sorry" or "I love you".
I came home to two wonderful card from my wife and my kids. OK... both from my wife. And they were the most touching cards a dad could ask for. I felt important. Important to my family and recognized for what I have done being at home taking care of things. Yesterday, I was down on where I am. A former executive folding laundry and doing household chores. Today, I feel like I'm making a difference. I hope to be Ward Cleaver to my boys.
I don't know if this feeling will last. It's a tough transition for any stay at home dad. But, If I'm making the same kind of impression on my boys that my folks made on me to shape who I am. It's a good day.
I'm not a fan at all. It's not just because he's a Boston guy (I'm sure that might be how he first got on my douche radar), but more from watching how he has killed franchise films, characters and ruined the careers of everyone he has been close too.
I would like to start out my noting that fellow Bostonian and co-academy award winner and former best friend, Matt Damon (I am a huge fan, regardless of the love for the Red Sox) ran for the hills. I would guess he has some sort of Spider sense that was beyond tingling... Another reason that I love Matt Damon.
Back to Affleck... The first time I saw him was in 1993's (and personal top 10 favorite film of all time) Dazed And Confused. He played the douche character "O'Bannion". A bully dickhead who gets his from the kids he gets off torturing. I didn't think much of him, other than he was a dick. Interesting, that the 1st impression I got of him stuck with me all these years. But, he was playing a character, my dislike for Affleck came more from his uncanny ability to ruin a lot of things I really like.
After Dazed and Confused, the next time I saw him was in Kevin Smith's sophomore film Mallrats. As a huge fan of Clerks, I had beyond high hopes for this film. Kevin Smith was my favorite up and coming guy. He liked comics and movies... He put good music in his movies (I credit my buddy Benjie for that, since he was the music supervisor on that film when we worked together). But a good comic guy and film guy shows how smart he is by who he chooses to advise him on music....
Mallrats was pretty bad. Not horrible, but not great. The curse of Affleck began. Kevin Smith, unlike Matt Damon, did not possess the Spider Sense. You would think a comic freak, who believes in the Force would see or trust his instinct. My Guess is Affleck was too far in his head. Then along came Chasing Amy. Again, not a horrible film, but was not going in the right direction for career building as Clerks had set up Kevin Smith. This would be where I would have hoped Kevin Smith would cut Affleck from his downward spiral... No. His work wasn't done yet.
Then along came Good Will Hunting. A brilliant film that was (allegedly) co-written by Affleck. But, from watching that film, I have always been suspect that Affleck jumped on the Damon coattails and rode the wave. An academy award later, he had credibility. But, I'm positive that Spider Sense was tingling in Damon's head. Matt went his own way and got involved with films like Saving Private Ryan, Rounders, The Talented Mr. Ripley...later to get involved with franchise films like Oceans Eleven, The Jason Bourne series and Martin Scorsese... Sans Affleck. He ran for the hills. Smartest career move ever.
Affleck looked like he was going to make it back. Get off that bad streak. He went into Armageddon. Huge hit (he did kill Bruce Willis though). It was looking better!
He got to star with Sandra Bullock in Forces of Nature... That force made old Sandy run to never make another film with him again. Spider Sense. Bravo Sandy...Just wish it worked for your with Jesse James...we can't win them all. But you saved your film career.
Then, old Kevin Smith broght him back for 2 more movies that were the precursors to hitting rock bottom, again courtesy of Affleck. I'm getting ahead of myself. Affleck and Smith convinced (I think I would call it guilt) Damon to appear in a small roll in two more failures, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
He also was responsible for blowing up Pearl Harbor again with his horrible acting in a horrible film.
Somewhere in this time period, he met and started dating Jennifer Lopez. Lopez, coming from nothing but hard work to get up in the business was at her highest point at this point. Starring in her breakthrough role of Selena, acting with George Clooney in the fantastic film Out of Sight and having number one hit songs and tours as a singer. J-Lo was on fire. Then came Affleck.
The two of them started dating, he appeared in her videos and the two of them starred in the (before mentioned Rock Bottom) fall of Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl. As the final nail in coffin of Jennifer's rising film career came Gigli. Sure, both Smith and Lopez would recover (kind of), but it wasn't until they got rid of Affleck.
The same year, Affleck took the time to really ruin one of my favorite comic book characters and kill the film franchise before it even had a chance to become one. In the same film he met his future wife Jennifer Garner, who was fresh of the brilliant JJ Abrams TV series Alias. She had nothing but success in her future. She could be an action star, America's sweetheart. Sky was the limit. Then came Affleck. The two of them starred in the horrible Daredevil. She played Elektra (why, I have no idea). Not only was the film a flop, but so was any future Daredevil movies. Frank Miller wrote a series that could have been a film franchise. Garner went on to do a horrible spin off of Elektra (another bomb) and so was the rest of her film career. The two had kids, she's pretty much over with A list status and He is still out there getting more chances.
I can go on, but it makes me sound insane.
So below are some other examples of his career/franchise killing:
The Sum of All Fears - He played Jack Ryan. A character Harrison Ford had made a franchise (fucker) Clerks 2- Really Kevin? I feel like I need to stage an intervention
Things I will give him credit for, because I try and find a positive in everything:
I looked him up on IMDB and it looks like he will be spending more time directing and writing than acting. I fear for the poor up and coming actor that may get caught in his web of career death. I also saw Matt Damon may be in an untitled production as well. I'm guessing the every ten years guilt film.
I hope you have that Spider Sense, Matt. I'm a huge fan.
I was doing my normal surfing the web stuff checking out new bands and seeing if anything would blow my mind. I have been lead down the bad path my entire career. People that know me, know that there are buzz words that get me excited. When I read reviews, and I see some of those words, I'm quick to jump and give it a shot.
Back, pre MP3's or even as that whole world was just starting up, a lot of indie bands and unknowns were not easy to find, so that's when I would go to the local record store and find it or even ask them to order it for me. I can't tell you how many times I threw Cd's out my window so bummed that I got sold a bill of bullshit. There are some writers that I actually like. Cameron Crowe, Robert Christgau, Jon Parales, Toure...I was too young to have been around for Lester Bangs, but I'm sure I would have loved him. I'm also sure he would have annoyed me too. But writers like these examples always write (or wrote) from a standpoint of merit, not what's cool. I don't want to listen to music because you are supposed to, I want to listen because it matters and is good.
The one that stands out to me this day (and I still think are bullshit) was The Gossip. I read some review in maximum rock and roll or some magazine like that, that said they were a modern take on the garage band of whatever. I wish I remembered who wrote that review, so I could kick him in the ass. Years later, I would see NME and Perez Hilton, praising Beth Ditto as some rock goddess... I stared to question NME from that day on... Perez Hilton, well, he's the last person I'm going to follow when it comes to music recommendations.
The London Souls
Anyway... I was looking and came across a band from NY, I had never heard of called The London Souls. The place I got the tip from didn't compare them, but mentioned bands like Cream, Led Zeppelin as similar artists. This was exciting. With the wonders of the Internet, I was able to find their album on Spotify.
It was easy and didn't cost me a dime, but I must say, It took away a lot of the discovery process I used to love.
Back to the band. I listened with such high hopes and was once again disappointed. I didn't dislike it, I think I was just hoping for so much more. The vibes were all there, I liked where they were going, but it always comes down to the song. They unfortunately had none. I was actually hoping this post would be a praise of the band, but it became more of a thought about how no matter what the medium (press or blogs), I have to learn once and for all, not to listen to reviews.
I'm sure a lot of people hate my opinions and recommendations, so perhaps someone has the same rant based on something I suggested.
Fast forward to the following day. Again, I have never heard of The London Souls in my life. All of the sudden, I'm reading another post somewhere and there is a post about the band. Unfortunately, It wasn't about new songs or a tour, but the singer Tash Neal was in intensive care after a hit and run incident in NYC.
I have a lot of hopes for the band, I just don't think they are there yet.
I hope everything turns out OK for Tash and he has a speedy recovery to get back to it! I'm pulling for you my man.
I may have said this before, The Ramones are my favorite band of all time.
There isn't a band/artist I listen to more.
When 3 of the 5 original members died, I couldn't have been sadder. Joe Strummer came a close 2nd to breaking my heart. I look back at moments when I could have said something to any of them (Dee Dee lived near me in Hollywood and I would see him all the time), Joey, I would walk by or see at shows in NYC and Johnny, who I recall sitting next to me at a restaurant long after they broke up in Los Angeles. But, one of my issues in life (and my career), is that I'm a fan first and get super scared and intimidated when I'm in the same room as people I admire.
I just spent the evening watching End Of The Century - The Story of The Ramones for the 8th time. Every time I watch this brilliant documentary, I get sad all over again. Sad from the story itself, sad that they are gone and never to play again and sad that I never said the things I wanted to say when the opportunity presented itself.
The words that were written in their huge catalogue and the melody and most important, the influence they had just kills me. This happens so often when pioneers and talented people that are responsible for a sound, for an emotion from the listener, never gets it's due. The Ramones, Fishbone, Bad Brains, Schooly D, the list goes on. It's so frustrating to me. I can only imagine how it feels for those artists.
I hope one day to have an opportunity to tribute The Ramones and let people see these songs and these performances for the beauty and genius they brought to rock and roll.
Being a stay at home dad, you find yourself to be really busy doing chores, housework, running errands and being a chauffeur.
I mentioned earlier that the saving grace are headphones.
I spend a lot of time listening to music. I try to check out new bands, but I swear, a lot of them suck. There are some standouts, but the majority suck. I feel like labels and bands have gone to do things like Facebook. If you don't refresh fast enough, you are forgotten or you move on to the next "big" thing.
That's why I find myself back to the classics or albums I grew up on and making playlists of those songs.
I always loved the labels that created a scene. Labels that when they put things out, you bought it because there was a trust between you and the label. There are some that still try that, but I don't trust them as I would others. Third Man (in theory) would be a modern version of that kind of label, but I feel like I just don't care about a lot of the releases and that it's more about Jack White and what he does than the artists.
I recently saw a documentary about one of my favorites Stiff Records. They were so great for the diversity in what they released. It didn't have to sound like everything else, sometimes it sucked, but I trusted them. I saw they tried to recently revive it and it was retarded.
I see a lot of these names getting revived and hope to see them make it work. It would be nice to go to places for substance and build that trust again.
If I ever get a chance to do something again, it would be to create and build that kind of label.
I had the pleasure of spending one night in Vegas working with one of my favorite bands, Hepcat. I first heard Hepcat in the early 90's while living in NY. Their debut album Out of Nowhere came out on Moon Records and was one of those records that just leaves you in awe.
Years later, I would marry the person who had been managing Hepcat for years. So, by association I became part of that family.
Hepcat went on to record 3 more albums, tour the world and then take a long (of a few) hiatus. The beauty of a hiatus is that you can really start to miss a group, so when they return, It's special. Some bands never take the time off and burn themselves out, ruin all they worked for by making bad decisions and just losing that special element. Bands like Fishbone continuing without the original members that made them Fishbone was a mistake. I get it. It's their livelihood, but at who's expense? The brand? the audience? it's such a hard thing to criticize and hard to understand. Everyone has their own reasons and opinions.
Back to Hepcat and Las Vegas. After another 2 year hiatus, the band came back to perform at an event called Punk Rock Bowling. I didn't see any bowling, but I know it was happening. I did see some punk rock. Rancid headlined and always deliver, Cockney Rejects performed and were great as well. I heard them the 1st time on the compilation called Oi The Album in 1981. The songs are still great.
I saw a lot of new punks with their hot topic clothes and their very well manicured hairstyles (and IPhone), I also saw the old punks that really shouldn't look that way anymore, but maybe dust off the old tshirt, old jacket and relive the old days. I have to say, myself and Hepcat aged the best. We can all wear the same kind of clothes and not look like "Payasos".
Having a traditional ska and rock steady group in the middle of a bunch of punk bands was a true example of how the scene was back in the good old days. I don't think the new bands would get it as much today.
The other observation I had was how the hierarchy of punk still exists. Who gets on stage to watch and where is still such an important status symbol. I hate to say it, but the best view and sound is still from the floor. I never understood why everyone was so hell bent of standing behind the drums. You can't hear shit and you really can't see the show itself.
I was on stage for Hepcat, because I had to be. Here's some video from where I stood. oh the sound is awesome (sarcasm)!
I hope to see more Hepcat shows in the future. These guys are all class. Thanks for letting me be part of the family.
I had some of my family over earlier today. We always have a great time. We took a walk down the street to this comic book store called Meltdown. There are very few of these stores left. It's quite depressing actually. The ones that remain are big and well put together, they are still run and employed with the most annoying people in the world. This is not a put down, this is just the fact that these people talk the most nonsense and are always super loud so you know, they know more than you.
I think of myself of having a vault of useless information, but when you overhear them comparing Hank Pym (Antman) with Chris Brown (apparently Hank Pym, like Chris Brown beat his girlfriend and that's a thing that no matter what he does, he can't shake off from being remembered for...Yes, this was the conversation I just heard) my vault of dumb information runneth half full. The comic geek beats me hands down.
In New York in the 80's, I would go to stores like The Batcave on MacDougal street to buy my comics, I would go to conventions (they always smelled) and had, really, no problem following a series and a storyline. Back then, all the stationary stores and magazine stands by the bus stop carried them as well, so it was easy to keep up. I could read Daredevil, X-Men, Spiderman, The Flash, etc and it was real simple.
Walking through Meltdown, I had no idea where to even start. There were so many comics that even if I decided to start now, I would be out an easy $500.00 out the door. So, after a couple walkthrough, I decided to not even bother, but to see where the current books are compared to the old days.
Well, everyone has changed. The appearance and what I knew is now gone. This was proven with two books alone. Classic "comic"characters. Archie and Richie Rich. I'm not going to even try to describe the difference, but show you...by the way, Archie Meets Kiss. Why is Archie meeting Kiss?
I know the writing is great these days and the stories have moved to be relevant to real life.
I actually applaud Archie comics for standing up for Gay characters and welcoming them into Riverdale as well as addressing the Occupy Wall Street movement. It was a bold and brave move. My favorite thing was the outrage by Christian retards and how the CEO of Archie Comics responded, “As I’ve said before, Riverdale is a safe, welcoming place that does not
judge anyone. It’s an idealized version of America that will hopefully
become reality someday. ... Kevin Keller will forever be a part of
Riverdale, and he will live a happy, long life free of prejudice, hate,
and narrow-minded people.”
The X-Men just took on gay marriage (much respect to Marvel)
As far as current comics go, I think I just need someone to guide me through where to start and what's great. I saw tons of graphic novels, so maybe that's the solution. I just know my "collecting" days are way gone.
On of my fondest memories comic related and I still laugh about this day, was back when I used to collect action figures (dolls, if you want to be a dick about it), and my friend Benjie and I were at the Toys R' Us in Union Square. We were just minding our own business browsing. Benjie picked up a pretty cool Dr. Doom action figure and was contemplating buying it. He decided not to and carefully placed the action figure back on the shelf when this fat, smelly guy with glasses came running down the aisle yelling (and i mean yelling) "YOUR NOT GONNA GET DOCTA DOOM????" I have never seen Benjie jump quicker to kung fu stance in my life. If you saw this guy, you would have too!
Let's just say that was a real reality check. I may have ceased my collecting after that day.
In the 70's (and the 80's), Saturday Morning Cartoons were a special block of time dedicated to kids.
These days, I think it's mostly crappy news shows and you can hardly find a cartoon. Not that kids should be plopped in front of the TV, but there was nothing wrong with having "our time" on Saturdays.
The shows were a lot more fun and were geared to age groups. Today, you need to watch Nick Jr for preschool programming, Nick for grammar school and TeenNick for more mature kids...of course there is Nick at Nite for us old folks.
If it wasn't for Nickelodeon, there would be very little for kids to watch. I'm not just saying that because I almost got a job there. Missed it by that much. I would still love to work there at some point in my career, it's true. I love their shows. As a dad, they are a relief.
But, back to the 70's and 80's. All the networks focused on Saturday Morning TV. You would see ads in comic books, their would be previews and the shows would be featured in scholastic magazines like Bananas. There were shows like Battle of the Network Stars, Happy Days, Wonderama and School House Rock...
Every year on the eve of the debut of the the new Saturday Morning line up, there would be a sneak preview on prime time. I remember how much I couldn't wait for this. I was looking for a particular show I loved that very few recall called Kids from C.A.P.E.R. and came upon the 1976 preview. I wonder how high Freddie Prinze was.
I had just moved back with my family from 2 years living in Pakistan. This was amazing to me. For the last two years, I had no TV and my only connection to the US was comic books (that were 6 months behind) and the Sunday comics we would get from the US newspaper. I have no idea what paper or if this is true...i might be making that part up, but it sounds right.
Watching these clips, took me back to the excitement of being able to watch these shows for the first time and only time. No VCR, no Tivo... You watched it and it was over. You would then spend the rest of the week at school talking about what you saw with your friends.
These days, I hate to wait for anything, but I wish the anticipation and excitement still could be achieved. It was a special feeling.
Etan Patz would have been 39 years old if he was still alive. Just a few years younger than me.
Growing up in NYC there were real moments that were forever changing. The Son of Sam, where I used to look behind my shower curtain every time I entered my bathroom, The 1977 Yankees, My favorite team of all time. John Lennon being shot, my favorite of The Beatles. Black out happening right in the middle of watching Baretta (i think), having to walk up and down 23 flights of stairs and the disappearance of Etan Patz.
The flier of this little boy and the photos that were taken of him, looking like a model for a Sears or JC Penny catalogue plastered all around the city and on every newspaper was the end of early innocence and trust in NYC.
I look back and question the parents allowing him to walk to the bus stop by himself, but that neighborhood back then was different. It was an art community. No Apple Store, no trendy bars or restaurants. It was a New York neighborhood. Does that make it safe? Well, maybe not, but you didn't think that way in New York until Etan Patz disappeared.
Reading the news of his killer finally being found was a sad moment. I remember some years ago, they were doing computer renditions of what he would look like now and keeping hopes he was kidnapped and still alive. We all knew he wasn't, but there was still that glimmer of hope.
The fact that his parents never moved or changed their phone number is a true sign and example of the commitment a parent makes to their child. As a Father today, the thought of losing my kid in a flash of a moment is terrifying. The poor Patz family must think about, how it would have been different today if... what if. Two words that must haunt those poor parents.
I hope that this sad discovery and unexplained reasoning for killing a young innocent boy brings some sort of peace to Mr and Mrs Patz. My heart breaks for Etan and what that poor little boy felt that horrible morning.
Time to hug my kids and really consider investing in that pocketfinder.
One of my favorite shows of the last 10 years was a show called Grounded For Life.
It's a show about A Thirty-something couple from Staten Island. After having their 1st daughter out of high school, the two young parents deal with their
three children as well as a judgmental father and his laid back
brother.
The character of the brother, Eddie, was played by indie film star Kevin Corrigan. This character is hilarious. He's everything you wish you could be. Irresponsible, womanizing, shady and just carefree.
This is an example of Eddie. I think they still air the show on ABC Family. Which amazes me based on the content and theme of this show with ABC Family being a Disney channel. I'll assume nobody ever watched it over there and needed to fill in space on the schedule.
Over the weekend, I was juggling too many things and ended up dropping my iPhone and cracking the screen. My first thought was trying to figure out how it was my 2 year old fault. After realizing, I'm an idiot and who am I going to tell that my 2 year old broke it and how that would make it better, I remembered that my neighbour worked for a place that fixes broken IPhone and Ipad screens. He hooked me up right away.
Anyway, while sitting waiting for it to be fixed (it only took 20 minutes), I was reading a magazine and read about this gadget that would let you track your luggage and it will never be lost again. I thought this would be good for my wife who travels a lot. So i took down the information.
This gadget is the Pocketfinder. The idea is that you put it wherever you need, and you can track it via your IPhone/Ipad or computer. It will find what you are looking for within like a couple feet. Sounds awesome, right?
So I looked into it and think it's something I want for my kids (my 9 year old more than my 2 year old). You just never know what can happen between home and school and these days you can never be too careful. So on field trips, Disneyland, I can just attach it to his belt and we are good. With the IPhone, no panic necessary.
I can also use it for my dog when we go on long walks in the canyon. He's smart, but he's also like the dog in UP. So, "Squirrel" could mean he's on an adventure.
Now... Like most devices, in the wrong hands, this can be dangerous... Now, the wrong hands, I mean your significant other. Can you imagine the embarrassment of being out and your old lady popping in on you while you said you were at the office? I'm just saying.
