Author: Chris

Speedgrass

| Chris

When I was living in Georgia, I often went to Bluegrass concerts. Now, coming from a headbangers background, I was pleasantly surprised that these pickers were just as insanely fast (if not faster) and proficient in their instruments as their speed metal counterparts. And they do it with no loud amps and distortion to mask the clear definition of every single note they played.

hdixieA lot of times I listen to music through a musician’s perspective more than that of a merely appreciative fan. When I go to see shows, instead of dancing and getting entertained, my eyes carefully scan the stage looking at the details. I look at what the players’ fingers are doing. I look at the brand and model of their instruments and amps. And I listen closely to their signature sound, if there’s any. I absorb these things and turn it into inspirations for my own little ventures, later on.

One of the more interesting shows I had the pleasure of seeing back then, was that of a group called Hayseed Dixie. A bluegrass outfit playing AC/DC covers and other rock staples. Now, if you could just get around the fact that this is a bluegrass group and not Guns n Roses, you can start to not only appreciate but be extremely amazed by, as well, the talent oozing from these guys’ fingers, as they rip through rock song after rock song you’d only think is possible to perform with Les Pauls and Marshalls.

Their namesake gives away the fact that they can tear through the entire AC/DC catalogue with ease and precision – but I gotta admit… my jaw dropped when they did their version of Motorhead’s Ace of Spades. I had to listen to the original version just to check. And what I found out is that Hayseed Dixie played the song almost twice as fast as the original. Unplugged!

Streamin’ Live

| Chris

Back when I was a little younger (umm… like a few days ago?), I used to check out concerts at least once a month. Boy, that was a lot of money, I tell ya! Though every once in a blue moon, I’d win a ticket from a radio station so I could not only get in for free, but get a backstage pass too. For a free buffet dinner with the band(s)!

I remember having won a ticket for a Rush/Mr. Big show in Orange County, CA. Yep, I got to meet the guys in between the two shows. Heck, I was even handed a few autographed tour merchandise. Yeah! Not to mention, the food was outstanding I almost forgot about the show. That’s right… Rush kicked in with the thunderous Spirit of Radio – while my face, stuffed with pasta, looked like Dizzy Gillespie blowing his trumpet. No wonder, all of a sudden, I got this delightful Smörgåsbord all to myself.

About three months ago, I discovered this website, deeprockdrive.com. It’s a cool site that streams live shows. That mean, if there’s a show you want to see tonight and couldn’t afford to go, you just log in and you get to see the show for free. If that particular show is being hosted, that is.

streamin' live

It feels like you’re there because you too have to wait until the show begins. However, while the people that drove out to the venue are trying to find parking, fall in line for a beer or the bathroom, you head out to your fridge to get your munchies. No pushing and shoving.

The last show I saw was Motley Crue. They played Vegas a few weeks ago and I got to see it at the same time. For free! Oh yeah, you even get to type a shoutout to the band and audience and your message get shown in the backdrop so everyone sees it during the show. I thought it was a neat idea.

Unfortunately, I went to check out the website yesterday to see who’s on – but they’re unavailable now, with just archived shows on youtube. I’m guessing they didn’t make enough money on this venture. Too bad.

Oh well, on to the next cool thing on the web. Any good webfinds from anyone?

Lady Day sings the blues

| Chris

billieGot my headphones on today. I set the player to shuffle and one song came up that took me back in time.

God Bless The Child. Yep, the Billie Holiday staple I used to jam live at coffee houses and other small venues in L.A. with friends and fellow musicians. What a sultry song. So elegant, yet bluesy enough to recreate and still make it sound new and relevant.

In fact, it’s been covered, re-invented and re-hashed, it’s available in so many different flavors today. I’ve heard a few that got my attention, including a mind-blowing one from Mishka Adams. But after all these years, I would have to say my top pick is still the unbeatable, powerful, show-stopping version from the one, the only, the saxy… Miss Lisa Simpson.

If blogs were headphones

| Chris

… my new music blog would be it. What can I say, I’m a fan!

fansI’ve been wanting to do this forever but just never got around to it, for some reason. Been posting there for about a week now just to build it up a little, before I go live.

It seems like I’m always in a musical trance that my thoughts and quiet musings on music are a constant in my daily life. Even when I’m not listening to it, it occupies my brain like a real estate mogul who thinks he owns it. Like an invisible surround-sound radio that’s on 24-hours a day.

Even when I’m this old, I still function like a kid as I go out on a daily quest to find new music to satisfy my soul’s craving for it. And just like a foodie, I’m not the meat & potatoes kind. My palate loves variety and is constantly looking to try new flavors. Albeit with familiar overtones and surroundings.

And so I thought, this blog is so all over the place and has no rhyme or reason to it, except that it talks about my life, in general. I wanted to give my thoughts on music its own little space just so it doesn’t simply get blended in with the rest of the hodgepodge I’m writing about here.

Music is so important to me that it’s got its own little room in my house. So, why not here in blog space? Just so like-minded aficionados can have a place to sit back, relax, like they’re in a lounge. And enjoy the music. And only the music.

See you there.

Get the skunk out

| Chris

subNo, not that skunk, silly. I mean, Ska-Punk! Sublime, that is! Them good ol’ Long Beach, CA exports from the 90’s.

I just love their music. It’s so ummm… organic? No no no, you know what I mean! And the band’s a trio, but hardly a power trio. Their songs have simple but soulful reefs… err…. riffs. Like three incredibly passionate musicians jamming in a garage. No frills. Just smokin’ chops. I mean… oh, nevermind.

Geez! Can you ever describe these guys without the pun getting in the way?

Oh well… just do yourselves a favor and check out some of my favorites, from their catalog.  I say, they’re dope! Gaaaaaahhh…

R.I.P. Brad Nowell.

My Sister

| Chris

I’m talking about the song from the early nineties.

jh3I thought it was very cool from the moment I heard it on KROQ. I’m like, how many songs are there by women artists that talks about family members? Let alone love/hate relationship with the bitchy sister. A poignant song, even when the sister in question is actually imaginary.

As with most indie rock songs that came out of that decade, I love this one from The Juliana Hatfield Three, just as much. It’s got dynamic elements to it – sad and happy, gloomy and uplifting, etc.

Enjoy this video of My Sister, from Become What You Are, the only album they ever put out, I think… before ol’ Julie here went out on her own.

You named your band what?

| Chris

say wot?

If you want to hear the stupidest sounding band names in rock, look no further than the 80’s New Wave scene. I mean, why in God’s green earth would you want to be known as… Scritti Politti? Or A-ha, Oingo Boingo, Bananarama, Bronski Beat, Kajagoogoo, Men Without Hats, Wang Chung, Prefab Sprout, The The,  and Haircut 100, for that matter? I’m sure you’ve already thought of other ones I missed to include on this list.

So, did these groups’ imagination suddenly run dry or did they simply wish to annoy the masses with monickers that are just simply too hideous to ignore?

Anyhow, let me just get back to listening to some good ol’ prog rock. Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe, in particular. Uh no, those aren’t my lawyers, thank you very much.

Doin’ the two tone

| Chris

Back in 1980, my radio was normally tuned to Zeppelin and the like. Though the station would sometimes throw us a curveball and play something not in the same vein as the norm. I think they called it free form radio or something. An example of this was playing ska material from bands like The Specials. At first, you’re like… what in the world? But then, it grows on you and next thing you know, you’re doing the two step… err… the two tone, rather.

specials

I remember hearing the song A Message To You Rudy and getting hooked on it immediately. Something about ska that’s so cool, I guess. I don’t know, I just love it.

I’ll be featuring some more ska-influenced rock bands here soon. Should be fun.

Songs about Heaven, part 5 (Someday)

| Chris

agua!There comes a time when all there is left to feel is sorrow.

Have you been there, my friend?

I mean, the kind that never ceases. Or so it seems. I know it may sound cliche but it’s true. It happens. And if it hasn’t yet, it’s just a matter of time, I’m afraid.

It’s quite ironic too, sometimes, that the discomfort can, in fact, make you feel numb. And lost, too. You forget who you are. The real you. And worse, the people you know and care about, you forget who they are, as well. Yet, there seems to be no way out. You have wandered away from where you belong and your eyes have failed to show you the way back.

Though, a glimmer of hope never fails to reveal itself, in due time. Yes… always in due time. Ready to offer some comfort like an oasis in the desert, it leaves a reminder that all will be well, one day. You may not know when this will be, but the gift of hope carries you through your journey in the hot desert sands of life. The cruel sun may pound on your restless soul like hammer on a nail, but you keep walking as you stare into the horizon. Every step, taking the pain. Accepting the pain. You keep pushing through. With your dream, in tow. A dream that someday… someday, you’ll be home.

Someday

Change these colors of blue and grey
I can’t stand it anymore
The sun keeps rising on the wrong side of town
Ooh, don’t you walk out that door
I can’t breath, I can’t, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

Have you been there ooh my friend
Searching high and low
Imagine closely a painless world
How can you say no

Don’t you run, don’t you, don’t you hide
Don’t turn your back away
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
Oh please come home someday

Let me take you to a land
With no castles in the sand
While there is still time
Oh won’t we do it today
Let me carry you away
From the scene of the crime

Take this rainbow away from the dark
Clear these clouds away
Let me smell your roses again
Send forth the light of day, yeah
Cuz I can’t breath, I can’t… I can’t see
And I call out your name, yeah
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home
I will be home
Yes, I will be home
I will be home someday

©2000 Chris Alma Jose