If some of the time justice prevails when we convict tyranical leaders or financial conglomerates for unlawful practices then why isn't anyone doing anything about convicting the media of mass peddeling their smack upon the general public in America?
Record executives and so called 'artists' and 'producers' have made a zillion dollar industry by feeding the unsuspecting younger demographic what could possibly be perceived as 'modern art & culture'.
Think of them no better standards than the Fast Food industry, which in turn is now responsible for near naked fat people on prime time tv, everyone knows about the big losers dramedy show on abc. The standards of art have been heading for these staggering lows for quite some time now. INdustries have been getting beefy injections by the shady investment tycoons of Hollywoodland. It's nothing but a bigger and larger conveyer belt feeding the masses of media addicted society what is essentially grade f junk with lots of icing on top.
In essence, what we see on our tv's and magazine outlets is that these criminals have been robbing evolution of a steady climb to truly harnessing and understanding what it takes to scientifically acknowledge musical and artistic genius on an evolutionary scale. I think Jack Black is right, Rock should be taught in all schools, at younger ages to counter attack the lame teachings of their favorite television channels. Then maybe we can get back on the front of masterful and fulfulling musical nurishment. But before we can get there, these criminals have got to be tried, convicted and hopefully beheaded, in order to break the hyper media hold on the ignorant bliss. The powermad philastines in charge of funding the ongoing plastic immitations of life are buying more yatchs and real estate while we see a world of kids growing up addicted to illusions and super bowl commercials.
Raven has been going on and on for quite some time now. It only took them 35 years to come around these new western territories. I would dare say, that it's even possible, that once again we have Anvil's success to thank for causing an interest in other bands slight waning popularity. History repeats itself in mysterious ways, right Lips? Anyway, Saturday night and downtown is looking empty, at the venue there is no lines or people for that matter, the show had already started, unfortunately the bouncers are the first thing you have to deal with, and they want to see you have id, because once you're inside, they're the new sheriffs in town. a beer stamp later we are inside where it's pretty dark and somewhat stank, a regular sports bar where the good people of the world come to enjoy themselves. Some more than others and some none at all. The beer is 5 and up, a Guiness cost me 7 plus tip! If only I had sprung for a nice flask before the show...
Once inside, we find local bands playing their brand of accessible metal. It was like a regular tuesday night at your local watering hole, people sitting on couches in the back and everywhere people are scattered waiting for drinks, having a smoke and shooting the shit, but nobody shooting pool though, a total waste of nice tempting pool tables.
The following two bands were quasi-tributes to grunge, thrash and 90's rock in general. At times it seems like you were listening to Soundgarden meets Pearl Jam meets Pantera, but then it would veer towards more of a commercial undertone which is just the way it goes. I've heard worse.
Then, after losing count of the beers, Raven comes on, and they strike the stage with the familiar tones of Take Control!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcwIV2en7B0 (Take control! Take control! Take control!)
The setlist was as follows: 1. Take Control 2. Live at the Inferno 3. All for One 4. Breaking You Down 5. Rock Until You Drop 6. Guitar Solo 7. Speed of the Reflex/ Run Silent, Run Deep/ Mind over Metal 8. Bass Solo 9. Long Day's Journey 10. Lamb to the Slaughter 11. Bulldozer 12. On and On 13. For the Future Encore: 14. Bass solo 15. Break the Chain / Symptom Of the Universe / Won't Get Fooled Again / Summertime Blues / Genocide / Break the Chain (reprise)
I think the beer kept coming in bigger waves because their whole set was a blur until I finally recognized Speed of the Reflex off their Mad ep. By 'blur' I mean they rocked out like pros from one track to the next, then ofcourse the ever popular "On & On" was played with much gusto, the place was jumping with drunken rockers transported all the way to 1984.
The great divide that there was with Raven's first 3 albums and the glam rock direction of their later works might have some fans on the fence but there was no denying that they could even play something like "Old Mcdonald had a Farm" and rock your socks off. I could swear that I had some sort of nwobhm baptism ritual experience, or is that 'beerptism'?
Raven formed in 1974, and 36 years later we got to see them repeat the intensity and charm that made them key players in that wholesome pre-thrash era. All the way from Virginia, these brits are the real deal. Sorry Anvil, you guys just can't compete with Raven.
I got to thank John and also got to remind him that their Mad Ep was a really good memorable album, which they should play more of live. But much like other bands with a long list of studio recordings I get the standard defense line ... "You can't please everyone".
I probably shouldn't have asked him if Metallica ever took them out after the "Kill 'em All For One" tour... but I did. Oh well, that's showbusiness for you. I then shook his brother's hand while he was busy signing shit and told him exactly what I thought about him. "You're awesome man".... that was my insightful comment to the madman behind Raven's tasty riff legacy. Did I mention I had a couple of beers? oh yeah, good show, kick ass band. The Pack is back, again, rocked until I dropped!
Ever since I could coerce the pencil in my wee hand to, more or less, do my bidding, I have tried to tackle the guitar shape. I don't know why it's so damn hard to get it to look right, I hate using rulers so maybe that's why the necks always look somewhat wobbly? but it's not only that, the body itself always seem to look skewed. Well, I guess that's why I never took to architecture or car designs at all, not even the batmobile, although I often would delve into UFOs since they can pretty much be any shape and size, thank god for Atheism,Science Fiction and government's top secret shenanigans in the styx (like say Sioux City,IA or Charleston,WV).
Anyways I thought that for my LAWYER's records I'd load up my latest 'Guitar Vice' sketch obsessions. The 6X is my own personal design though. I don't know if there are x shaped pick-ups, but there damn well should be. Unless I'm not too familiar with the specific engineering flaws it might have on the sound, I think it would be hella-cool to invest in some futuristic X pick-ups. I'm sure there are X markers for the neck somewhere. If I were to market my own 6X guitar I would definitely contact someone at Marvel and ask to use Doc. Octopus as my own personal sponsored axe-man.
Think about it, this guy would be the ultimate one-man band, he could put The Prodigy's ( the electronic/rock band, not that lame-ass rapping gimp-pustule) Liam Howlett, Thomas Dolby and Paul McCartney to awesome shame, and lord knows we are in deep desperate times for real fresh genuine talent. Doc Oc and the 6X would bring it, slap it down on the counter and proceed to blow any and all ear drums, (within ear-shot, hah), into confetti with sheer powermad but scientifically precise fusion obliterating audio genius...... hell yes!
I know what you're thinking, "What a cool Guitar Hero game controller this would be". Well, you can just forget it!! I'm all for Guitar Hero teaching the clueless noobs out there about classic Heavy Metal and all, but this has to be first and FOREMOST an actual guitar!! Somehow, someday I will win that scratch ticket that will allow such frivolities, until then.... Marvel, Ibanez, Fender.... I'm waiting your insanely lucrative business proposals....hah!
Monday, February 16, 2009
"I'M OK, WHY?"
There have been tons of references to would-be 'artists' that plunge into theabyss of the 'could-have-been' blackhole. 'Inspiration Enabling' stimulants could be partially to blame. Take for example our dangerously uber-idolized, over-publicized Hollywack actors (Gary Busey, Nick Nolte, Margot Kidder, James Belushi and lately, the actor turned 'rapper', Joaquin Phoenix). These poor saps get invited to the best parties in the world, everywhere in the world and are supplied but only the finest of well.. everything from everywhere.
They are the other ugly twin of rock stars, only without ever having to tour in a cramped rusted winnebago, hungover and living like a crusty circus performer for long chunks out of the year. Sports has steroids & narcotics of all sorts. And then there'sauthors, comedians, politicians, evangelists etc.. they all fall prey to relying onsome sort of confidence-enhancing, comforting entity that can fit in the palm of their hand, like maybe a pack of cigs, a cup or two of caffeine, a bottle of 'legally' tailored pills, bottles & bottles of 'liquid courage', packs of fresh syringes, boxes of nicotine patches, a greasy $2.99 breakfast special etc. whatever...
What's my point?I don't know!
I guess I just needed something to justify putting up this sketch of what seems to be someone being asked a stupid question at a certain time when the answer is comedically obvious.......... good times.
