musings on music

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.

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.

Light Electric Orchestra

| Chris

Hey, didn’t I say I’ll be back with more Jellyfish-related material? Well, here it is. Sort of.

leoNo, it’s not the Jeff Lynne group. And you’re not dyslexic either, are you? I think, it’s just so cool that they actually sound quite a bit like E.L.O. and whatever else Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and George Harrison did together.

L.E.O. is not much a band as it is a bunch of like-minded musicians around the country who instead of getting together physically, used technology to bridge the distance between themselves to create such masterful work of music. Andy Sturmer, that awesome drummer from Jellyfish, was a major contributor to the making of the album Alpacas Orgling and is a big factor in my liking L.E.O.’s music.

If you haven’t heard them yet, do yourself a favor and listen to the entire album on last.fm and check out this video of their song Goodbye Innocence. You’d swear you’re hearing a Traveling Wiburys song you’d never heard before.

Say a prayer for the fallen star

| Chris

I may have deep roots when it comes to music and could be partial when talking about certain influences like Alice Cooper, Queen, Zep, Kiss and the Beatles – but honestly, if I had to pick one CD to play for the rest of my life, and nothing else… my definite pick would be Spilt Milk, by the incredible yet short-lived group, Jellyfish. I mean, the album has all of the ingredients I love in music, period. The awesome guitar, big sounding stand-up drums, the mesmerizing melodies, the Queen-like harmonies and yes – Magical Mystery Tour, revisited. Old-fashioned, yet very modern. Avant-garde yet power pop. They are, by far, my favorite band of the 90’s. And their second album is an absolute masterpiece of an artwork. A Rembrandt, in my book.

jf

Can you tell I joined the fan club?

I love this song so much I could even tolerate a cover of it by some Japanese teen group.

Hmmm… I have a feeling I’ll be posting more of Jellyfish and Jellyfish-related groups in the near future. It’s a good thing.