Interaction time!

Ok. Time for something a little dif'rent.

Could you please list your top 5 favourite artists (of now, all time, 5 minutes ago, etc). Not the most important or influential artists but, the ones who you enjoy listening to the most.

Then next to each artist explain why they are in the list. You dont have to do a 5,4,3,2,1 list, just list 5 groups/persons.

_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_

The Beatles - they provide for me the best happy yet epic sounding music. Some songs of thiers im almost addicted to sometimes.

Pink Floyd - the band i respect the most and who all of thier work is almost equal in quality.

U2 - just fun, rythmic, rollicking rock with anthem type lyrics.

The Beach Boys - More fun happy music. Some very catchy tunes.

Yes - new band im just getting into

Elliott Smith Still Unreleased

So I know you haven't been listening to those Elliott Smith b-sides available here. Despite this injustice, I have for your pleasure the Holy Grail of Elliot Smith unreleased tapes. It seems to me everything Elliott committed to tape that was not released going all the way back to some of his first singles. But I don't really know since I'm not a fanboy to that extent and that is probably an overstatement. It is a treasure trove to say the least and should be ravaged. Now go. I don't know what good words are gonna do since the music say it all and better. Have fun.

PUNX RAWK

There’s has been much discussion among the ranks about punk rock (see the Black Flag post and the prog v. punk shits), all about its implications and consequences and importance. I am far from an expert on the subject even though I act like I am. But I had an epiphany last night that came to me like a dream only I was awake or actually it came to me like a daydream only it was nighttime. What made punk so cool was D.I.Y.: do it yourself. This gave kids the opportunity that they never had before: to be rock and roll stars. Before punk to be a musician you had to be an impish British guy with either a Les Paul or the voice of a prepubescent girl or both preferably. Thanks to punk you could start a band with little to no talent and shitty equipment then head out on tour with a self-released 7” to promote. Sure kids started bands while listening to Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin but it was a pipe dream. There was no real possibility to move outta the basement.

The other real awesome thing is that punk opened the market for independent labels. Once labels got out of the hands of business men and into the hands of music lovers it allowed for some real great art to flourish. Bands like Magazine, Sonic Youth, the Butthole Surfers, the Minutemen, the Dead Kennedy and every other band that is discuss as influential or important in the underground scene would have never been left alone long enough to develop on RCA of Reprise. Instead they would have been dropped since they weren’t moving enough units and where would music be? We’d be hearing goddamn Poison still because without those aforementioned bands there is NO Nirvana and NO Nirvana means hair metal doesn’t die. And who wants that? Fucking idiots in spandex that listen to girls’ metal. Are you a goddamn idiot in spandex that listens to girls’ metal? I didn’t think so. So essentially the punk movement allowed bands to do things their way and let artists take over; which when you’re dealing with art is good since audiences are usually morons who care more about a pretty face than a good song.

Now any one can start a band and let loose. You can get noticed too and maybe even not have to get a real job. Sure it might have over saturated the market with a bunch of teenagers but I’d rather listen to a thousand bands that absolutely love playing music than REO Speedwagon any day of the week.

OH YEAH ASSHOLES CHECK OUT THOSE ELLIOTT SMITH B-SIDES. YES THEY ARE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO GET TWO MENTIONS AND ALL CAPS. THEY ARE THE LAST TESTAMENTS FROM THE SONGWRITER OF OUR GENERATION. See here and here for further details.

Prog vs. Punk PART DOS

Okay, last posting I stated that you cannot really explain either genre without including music that is not placed within their normal examples. Well this time I will examine what each has to benefit to the world.


Punk represents a revival to past rhythm + blues-rock ways where music was simpler and cared about the feelings over the grandiosity of the production values. Punk also gave to adolescents another way to depart from their parents - just as their parents did with early rock and roll.

Progressive rock allowed music to develop past simple rhythms into complex symphonies of change and variety. It brought into music classical instruments and the use of more worldly sounds giving the composer more choice.

I now let you my lovely devoted readers, aww look at your cute faces, to post what you think of each genre of music. Whatever you want, but please stray away from simplistic one-word descriptions or simply blasting one of the other without stating specific reasons.

You Should Also NOT be Listening to...

I’m sick and fucking tired of shorthaired metal band. I know metal is lame and all but I seriously think it’s because of the shorthair factor. Q: When metal is cool who are the raddest bands in town? A: Sabbath, Slayer, Deep Purple, Blue Cheer, Motorhead, Soundgarden, Kyuss, Body Count (if you have a song called “Cop Killer” you get automatic mention on any “awesome band” list I make). What’s the common factor here? If you guessed “long hair” congratulations you have won. I’ll give you your prize in a more intimate setting.

All these shorties nowadays like Converge, Coalesce, Norma Jean, As I Lay Dying, Eighteen Visions, Between Me and the Buried, Boy Set Fire, ect are ruining metal for me. (I also hate their pretentious assed names; just think of other emo-sounding names but with more references to death and it’s probably a metal-core band’s name.) People see these shitty-ass bands and think all metal is this BAD but check out some of the aforementioned longhaired bands and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Plus most of these bands sound exactly the fucking same: chugging muted dropped D power chords and the infamous dog barking cookie monster vocals with maybe some double kick drum under it all. Lame. If you can’t sing either a) try anyways and go for the out-of-tune-but-passionate thing or b) don’t sing at all. Simple.

You’re probably not even close to wondering: so what inspired this unintelligent rant? I was watching HeadBanger’s Ball last night and the only longhairs I saw were Led Zeppelin and, shockingly enough, they were also the only good band I saw. So I’m urging anyone in a metal band or thinking about starting a metal band to grow your hair past your shoulders, starting doing drug and then start writing fuzz-toned songs about those same drugs, Satan, and/or dragons in the sky of some other universe. Come on guys don’t let me down.

Sincere Enough to be Great but not Whiny Enough to be Emo. Thank GOD!

So this shit is too much fun to quit. It's 4 a.m. and I'm downloading some Elliott Smith b-sides. Which I thought you should all have or check out. It's unreleased stuff so no one's gonna come knocking on your door wanting the money for it. Plus Elliott's dead. Suicide's taken a lot of our great from us. But Elliott Smith is probably our generation's (actually the generation right before us) greatest songwriter. He was also a very fucked up individual, especially towards the end of his life. He thought people were following him so he would get dropped off a mile from the studio and trek it hoping they wouldn't see him. Who know who he though it was, probably the record label. So all these songs were supposed to go on his post-mortem release From a Basement on the Hill but were taken off after his suicide because they deal with dark issues like drugs, and Elliott's abuse at the hands of his stepfather as a child. But the man committed suicide so he was obviously depressed. What are they trying to hide? Things we already knew? The great are usually to frail to survive long with us mere mortals. Long live bootlegs and their power to let is in on some of the great music we are supposed to never hear.

Neil Young - Living With War

So the new Neil Young record is out and it's also online streaming for free from Neil's own website. So all those of a higher moral altitude than myself don't worry. Neil just wants people to hear this one. I guess, how do I know anything? But it deal with War and the Bush administration and the general unstable atmosphere nowadays. I have yet to fully listen to this with my un-divided attention. But since it's Neil Young and he's the only musician that I can think of that has never let me down, I'll let you guys in on a secret: it's probably gonna be awesome. I mean Neil doesn't have a truly bad song in my opinion; I mean he's got songs that might get skipped every now and then but no real stinkers. (To be honest I haven't heard his supposed shitty period: the 80's, which, to be fair, sucked in general. But the whole decade he was taking risk with Trans, a synthesizer-filled record, and rockabilly album and country records. Such much so that he got sued by David Geffen, the owner of Neil's then-record label, for not sounding "Neil Young enough." Bullshit, huh?) I'm gonna go pick this up sometime in the very near future and so should you, fucker.

So anyfuckingways here is the website to check out: Living With War Weirdly enough I just saw two commercials for this album back-to-back while I was typing this. And be prepared to see more Neil Young posts in the future because Neil's pretty much the coolest 60 year old to ever live and he still rocking in the free world. Plus he's yet to sell out to starbuck or Victoria's Secret like a certain other aging folkie I can think of. Thanks Neil.

Ok so I've updated most of the posts with photos; at least the ones that warrant a photo. And this photo of Neil is from sometime in the '70s and he doesn't look this badass anymore but he's sixty. What do you expect from the man? Plus he had an aneurysm and he's still putting out music that shames these hipster fucks. So in summary he deserves a badass picture.

"I got blisters on my fingers!"

As said by Richard at the end of Helter Skelter, music is not painless. Besides the obvious time and devotion, it takes to producing a song, simply playing and instrument can be agonizing.

I have recently (and finally) garnered the skill of tuning my guitar. Though it takes a while, I can make it sound acceptable. Moreover, with that accomplished, I have begun to get back on the learn guitar boat (Toot toot!) with Mr. Broph. This means my fingers are getting to feel the pain again.

Today I have mainly been messing around with chords; jamming about with different combinations and or rhythms. It is pretty fun when you actually get sounding that sounds at least quarter of the way cool.

Well, I just felt like saying that to the world, so... good afternoon.

oo, WinWord says i write like a 6th grader!

Prog vs. Punk PART ONE

The Ps.

To help those who dont know what each means... i give a little run through.

Prog or Progressive Rock is music that relates to classical themes and or structure. This can include using classical instruments or even just basic inventiveness. That means almost anything new and different can be cataloged progressive. Thats true if you follow the definition of the word. But I like to think it as music that is in itself different. That means great use of variety. The band knows what to use what and when in an effective manner. Though it being effective or not is determined by the listenter. And if even this simple explantion can apply to any music if the listener or musician believes what theyre listening/made suits its own self well.

Punk is a movement against establisments. To be punk is to be a rebel, a person who wont follow others views and will do whatever he/she believes is right for them. Using this defintion, Folk music is Punk. Even some some everyday rock is Punk simply for the songs stating a cause that they feel strong for. I just ended a a sentance with a "for" and in good english grammar, that is not allowed. Oh no, i just broke grammar. Well who cares. If thats what i feel like doing that i should be allowed to do it. That is punk. Punk is not clothing, or a kind of rythm, punk is simply standing for yourself.

in conclusion, you cant really put genres on music.

There... i will eventually do a part 2 to continue this.

What NOT to Listen to...

So I’ve been trying to let you in on my love for music by offering suggestions up on what to listen to but this post is different because it tells you what NOT to listen to. Some of the post (I will try to make it a series of something) will dwell on purely superficial reasons but don’t worry the music of the band I’m pointing my finger at sucks as well. I don’t care what a band wears or how their hair is or who their fans are if the music is GOOD but if it’s NOT then I reserve the right to judge the fuck out of them for any of the above and a whole lot more.

So first on the list are bands that own their clothing companies. Ok that doesn’t make a band suck by itself but when the members use the band as a huge advertisement to sell clothes my lame-ometer goes off big time. I’m specifically looking at the douche drinkers in blink182. Luckily they broke up but two of those nerds have clothing labels. Then in every video and promo photo they wear their fashion masterpieces. This persuades the morons who like their music to wanna dress like that one with the annoying voice or that drummer who is so punk rock that he had his own reality show on MTV and did a commercial for that cell phone company. And all could be forgiven if the clothes were actually cool but most of the attire is a simple colored t-shirt with the name emblazoned on it or the logo really fucking small at the bottom. Talk about a rip-off; $35 for that garbage? And another example is that a Bon Jovi member (I don’t know which one I only remembered this just now) has a clothing label for babies. And I’m sure they cost $50 too just because so asshole in some shitty hair band designed them. And there is the problem: why don’t you guys stop designing clothes and try to write songs someone that is, in blink’s case, not a 12 year old girl can relate too and, in BJ’s case, not a total slut from Jersey can dig. So a piece of advice for any up- and-coming rockers: Just stick to nudie suits.

Gram Parson and the Fallen Angels - Live 1973

Gram Parsons was “Florida-born, Georgia-browned, a certified rock ‘n’ roller complete with long hair and a crooked grin that said he’s seen past the safety of traditional behavior.” At least that what the liner notes to this album say. All I really know is that this guy essentially created the hyphenated genre of country-rock. He went to Harvard, where he discovered his love of country music. He then formed the International Submarine Band, who are usually regarded as the first country-rock band. He then joined the Byrds and they released their country-rock masterpiece Sweetheart of the Rodeo. He then left that influential-as-hell band to form another influential-as-hell band: the Flying Burrito Brothers, who I briefly mentioned in the last post. They put out two masterpieces before Gram got bored and did what all bored musicians do: he went solo. He put out two solo records Grievous Angel and GP. It’s also interesting to note that Gram hung out with the Stones and his presence revitalized Keith’s love of country music; prompting him to write the Stone’s most long-lasting country songs “Wild Horses,” “Honky Tonk Women,” and “Dead Flowers” and others that I’m too bored to list.

So this is where the time honored tradition of stealing one’s father’s records has been very good to me. I found Gram Parson’s Live 1973 album in my dad’s collection. The songs on this record are quite astonishing but the story behind it is kinda interesting too. The guys that played on Gram’s solo records were none other than Elvis the Pelvis’ backing group, or more accurately Elvis the Bloated Lounge Singer’s backing group. I guess the prospect of playing shitty “honky tonks” and getting paid a per diem of 15 bucks paled in comparison to living in Vegas and getting paid big bucks and scoring all the mad pussy that Elvis didn’t want. So Gram had to get together a new band. I’m not going into the story of how the members actually found their way into Gram’s path but I just found it awesome that this guy could take a group of musician’s that were essentially amateurs and go on tour without missing a beat.

Anyways he called these dudes (and one girl), The Fallen Angels (what a bad-ass name for a band, especially a drug-out country band.) This live recording comes from a live radio broadcast from WLIR-FM in Long Island, NY. They run through old country standards and Parsons originals that deal with lost love, lost love, and well lost love. Parson’s voice, mixed with country legend Emmylou Harris’s harmony vocals, fits these songs perfectly; he sound like a man that’s lived a lot, that’s seen a lot, and that has a lot of regrets. I have no doubts that these assumptions are true. The band’s run-throughs of “We’ll Sweep Out the Ashes,” and “Cry One More Time” mark the best moments on the record. But other highlights include their take on Merle Haggard’s “California Cottonfields,” and the Byrd’s old song “Drug Store Truck Driving Man,” (which Gram introduces as a song he wrote when he “feared for his life,” which is ironic since he died 6 months after this show.) Emmylou Harris’ lead vocal on “Country Baptizing” is also very quite touching. Another interesting cut to hear is “Love Hurts,” or the Gatorade song, as some of you may know it. This version sure as hell beat Nazareth’s corny-ass take. This record also features some of the best pedal steel playing I’ve ever heard by Neil Flanz; he really wails and it’s evident why Gram picked him to be a Fallen Angel.

I know Gram Parsons’ is no well-kept secret but this is just to alert the three people I know read this about the guy. He really deserves a listen to, at least I think so; without him there would be no Eagles (maybe a good thing), no Uncle Tupelo, no Wilco. And he wore nudie suits, which for my money is one of the coolest rock and roll fashion statements ever. So buy this shit or just mosey on over to allmusic and read up on him. Listening to this makes me grieve for today’s state of country, which is basically a bunch of jocks in cowboy hats singing boring tunes, but more importantly it makes me glad that someone put this record out.

All Filler No Killer

That's a reference to a Sum182 album title, which I know is lame but this post is just that; I'm trying to keep up with a friend who post like eight blogs a day. I do not have time for that. I've got records to listen to and days to sleep away and blow to do. Anyways the last couple of days I've been scavenging through my dad's records and he has quite the collection let me just tell you. All the good Dylan records (and a few of the crappy ones), Neil Young (this is where I learned my love for the man), Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, some Stones, the Who gallore, Sabbath, Deep Purple, the Dead (which I steer very clear of mind you), the Boss, and basically anything a guy that grew up in the 70s should have. But the two killer records I listen to were Deja Vu by CSNY (or Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young as you acronym-haters know them) and Gilded Palace of Sin by the Flying Burrito Brothers. I recommend albums but Deja Vu is one of the best records I've heard in a long time.

The whole album is killer with no bullshit; it had better be since it took over 800 hours to record. This stems from the huge egos and drug problems of all four dudes. But some highlights include opening track "Carry On" by Stephen Still and features some awesome guitar playing by him but the best part (probably of the album) is when the song morphs into "Questions", an old Buffalo Springfield song. It features one of the funkiest grooves I've heard four write dudes lay down. Stills also contributes "4 + 20" which is a beautiful acoustic song about his life being empty and "wishing that [it] would simply cease." Deep shit. David Crosby's title track is also a show stopper but clocking in at around 100 hours of studio helps I'm sure. Graham Nash's "Our House" is up there too. Neil Young's "Helpless" does not compare to the version that is on The Last Waltz, which chronicles the Band's last concert ever. This is probably due to the fact that I was introduced to the song through this performance. It's still one of my favorite Neil songs. There is not a weak track on the album.

But you can read better reviews elsewhere. I just wanted to basically let you guys in on the secret that is CSNY (which is no secret at all since they're fucking huge) since a lot of times kids of our generations don't go back in time to appreciate the music from back in the day. They tend to stick to newer artist who usually, let's face it, suck and are doing hack jobs of ripping off these old guys just like these assholes were ripping off old blues guys. I'm looking at you, Clapton. So pick this up if you're at the record store and can't decide between that NIN record or that AFI 7" just pick up this one by some acronym loving hippies instead.

Oh yeah I forgot something. To all the "contributors" on the right: you are more than welcome to post stuff as well. It does NOT have to contain music, it can be self-indulgent slop like this above post. Actually I would like it if you did post; it would help me out. If it's not too time consuming in already busy schedules

Black Fucking Flag

Black Flag are one of my favorite bands, right behind the Stooges who hold that elusive number one spot. That may say a lot of things about me but I can't fight it and I don't want to; they're fucked up, they're aggressive, they're intense, they're sloppy, they're all over the place, they sing about depression and getting drunk and betrayal. They are everything a 15 year old boy can relate to and the day I bought Damaged and Raw Power was the most awe inspiring record buying experience I've yet to have. But My War is a whole other beast of a record. It marks the change from Ramones-inspired hardcore band to the Sabbath-inspired metal band. It was gooood. They put out record like the aforementioned My War and In My Head, while bands they inspired were putting out third-rate hardcore still. If you don't own those records you 1. are a pussy, 2. are a poser or 3. couldn't persuaded your friend to let you hold them. Any way you look at it you need these records. Greg Ginn made this band; people talk of how angry Henry Rollins sounds on the records but Ginn wrote the words and better yet he wrote the killer riffs behind the words. He plays guitar like a mad man and in complete juxaposition to his nerdy look. At times he's not even playing notes just noise and feedback but it's scarier than any of the "punk rock" out there today. He even made number 99 on Rolling Stones' 100 Greatest Guitarists. He was a shitty label owner though and he failed to pay such legenday acts as Husker Du and Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr who were all on his SST label. But forget all that bullshit because its the music that matters and when the music is this good you don't need hype, which is weird because I just spent all that time hyping them up.
You can skip all the shit above this if you don't want to read my weird Lester Bangs wannabe writing. And get right to the music. This is a unreleased demo for "My War" which the band cut while they were held up in court because of legal battle with their label, which you can read about somewhere else. This features legenday Danzig drummer Chuck Biscuits; it's their only recorded work with him behind the kit.

My War Demo

To start off...

This is my first foray into the lameass world of online blogs but mine will serve a greater purpose than to bitch about my day or how misunderstood I am at school or how the jocks all hate me; instead it will be here to let you all have a taste of the music that I dig on. My first actual mp3 post will come later.