New Noise!

  • by Drew

I’ve been slowly but surely getting back into it. It’s been a few years since I’ve done any kind of “official” release (Painless), and I’m aching. So I’ve taken the first step and started just getting some basics on tape to listen to and play against. A bunch of this is tied to the out of tune piano we recently got from my Mom (the one I played when I was a kid) and one day a couple of weeks ago when Carol took the boys on a visit and I had the house to myself for a few hours. So I dragged my equipment upstairs and did some piano tracks.

Now I’m not much of a piano player, and until it gets tuned it’s not much of a piano, but it is a start. And after I got some piano stuff down I just opened the mics up to some acoustic guitar and voice. Then I dragged all my stuff back downstairs to my studio, which is a couple of L-shaped computer desks in the corner by the oil tanks, surrounded by bookshelves, CD racks, assorted instruments and unfinished walls. Oh, and I have a big pirate flag. That’s pretty cool. 

Nothing stunning here, but I am taking the “give me some feedback” approach with this stuff. The new tunes are under the Noise link at the top. I am planning to keep up my momentum and keep adding/refreshing this stuff, so come back with your critical listening ears on. Comments please, below or via email…and thanks for participating.

I’m so confused

  • by Drew

I just got  a very interesting spam. The subject was One big instrument is much better than two small ones. The message was “Being a real man is a very hard task so do your best.”

Hard indeed.

Still, there’s quite a bit of truth in the message. The subject, however, is what throws me. I mean, I have to agree that a guitar (big instrument) is better than two ukuleles (small instruments). The uke is cute and all, and can make for a great fireside accompaniment, but I don’t think it can really stand up to the guitar in terms of awesomeness. But if we take a moment to get our bearings, we realize that an upright bass is a very large instrument and two guitars, relatively speaking, are smaller.

Now upright bass is definitely cool, but is it cooler than guitar? And what about drums? A good backbeat on a kick is soooo necessary, but think of the versatility of the snare. Or, for that matter, what would a Rush drum solo be without a run on the rack toms, all which are smaller than both the kick and the snare.

Frankly, I think this was a very irresponsible message with a poorly reasoned argument.

Or am I being too literal?

It’s hard.

A Mix of Fergie and Jesus

  • by Drew

I found a description of this hilarious Step Brotherscomment about Will Ferrell’s singing voice as indicating a heavenly quality (Jesus) combined with a modern and hip quality. I disagree. I mean, I think that might be what John C. Reilly’s character means…as a 40 year old unemployed loser that still lives with his father. But that’s what makes it funny, right? Because anyone with eyes has to know that Fergie is a somewhat hideous freak. And, of course, anyone with ears is going to feel about the same thing.

Look, Kids Incorporated was cool. She can have that. But it’s time to move on. She hit her peak during adolescence. Time to move on.

And speaking of moving on, I was fortunate to see the new Britney Spears video this weekend while hiding from the ice storm power outage in Massachusetts. It was before 6 am – Noah had gotten me up – and I hadn’t had any breakfast. That’s the good news.

If you’re smarter than me, you haven’t seen this video. I believe it is the first single from her new album Circus. Yes, if Britney had a brain you might think she actually has an ironic sense of humor. But…no such luck I think. No intended irony. No brains.

Also, no musical ability. Still. At least some things don’t change. This track was called Womanizer. I know that because the word Womanizer represents approximately 90% of the lyrics. There are two or three different dance themes going on. One had Britney in a sort of severe pageboy domination number stamping through an office or something. That was weird.

But the truly scary part was the part where she lays on her back, writhing and singing on a bench that makes me think sauna. She was pretty heavily oiled (maybe sauna-sweaty) and completely naked. Now, a relatively firm, young woman with enhanced boobs and porno-blond hair, ass-humping a wooden bench may sound hot. Sure it does. But I still have mental images of pre-liposuction Britney spilling out of her fat jeans. I still remember those shots of her with her droopy drawers and highly visible thong. I remember thinking -very seriously – so that’s what I would look like in a thong!

If she had never gotten nasty, so very VERY nasty… If she had never bedded K-Fed or had those 6 or 7 babies… If she had not been photographed dozens and dozens of times in a body shape that basically makes the average Walmart shopper look…well, better than they would have looked next to Oops I did it again era Britney.

Something that is heavenly and hip is Regina Spektor’s voice or a Patek Philippe watch. Grown up Fergie and anytime Britney – these are spirit-crushing and dark. It’s the holidays. We need…happier?

Speaking of which – after the Britney horror show I saw Katy Perry doing Hot and Cold. It may not be existential or particularly original, but it was fun and catchy and one of the better things I’ve heard from the popular media in a while.

In Flight Movie

  • by Drew

I am excited. Very excited.

To know me is to know that I am a canned media junkie. I tend to hate top 40 broadcasts and 95% of network TV (the otherwise POPULAR media) but I usually have something spinning in my ear or on a TV in the semi-background. Driving, mowing, even waiting for Jake’s bus I usually have an audiobook playing in my  . Hanging out playing my guitar I often have a DVD on the TV. I love the eye and/or ear candy. I crave it, really. It tends to tune out the voices in my head.

So, I used my pending flight to Virginia as an excuse to fork over the cash for an Ipod Nano. I’ve had several mp3 players in the past 8 or so years, but this is my first teeny tiny video player. It’s so cute, and it was very well-priced at Sam’s Club. It’s no giant screen plasma television for the perfect media room or home theater. Hell, it’s not even a screen for the modern bedroom. But for the standard domestic coach flight with a connection in Philly, this will be just right.

Has My Faith Been Restored?

  • by Drew

Last night, as the clock rolled past midnight, we came into a new day both literally and figuratively. I saw the labors of thousands bear fruit. I saw the dreams of millions become a reality. It was a remarkable feeling.

There is a lot of talk about the younger generation as a prime driver of this dramatic political and social shift. I remember the last time they described an election in similar terms, driven by the young vote. I am proud to say that I was a part of that happening. It was my first vote, and the change in policy and philosophy resulted in, perhaps, the most significant period of growth in our nation’s history.

This nation was founded by people of vision and courage. They were smart, strong-willed, unbending, and most of them were very young. They wanted something better for themselves and their children. They were full of hope.

But this event, this success, this triumph should not be diminished by statistical nonsense or rhetoric about race or age or gender. This is a victory shared by all Americans, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation or political affiliation because the system worked. It was a difficult campaign with, much of the time, spite, accusation and invective. Mud was slung. Nasty things were said. But in the end, the people of this nation took advantage of their right, in fact, they embraced their responsibility and made a selection. The system worked.

During the primary race, I wondered if the United States as a whole was ready for what the Democrats had to offer – a black man or a woman. Could we, as a nation do it? Honestly, I wasn’t sure. Over the last few weeks in the campaign, as I saw repeated examples of ignorance and intolerance, I found myself questioning the integrity of the American people. I found myself with very little faith in the American people.

But last night, as a man made his concession speech, and a handful of his supporters embarrassed themselves and disrespected their candidate, I realized something. Perhaps those ignorants and the intolerants, though vocal and loud and adept at making themselves visible, perhaps their numbers are smaller than I feared. Perhaps, even, a lot smaller.

A long time ago I wrote a pretty trite line in a song…Change is good, even when you feel it. It may not be particularly insightful, but it is true. Tom Waits said it even better. If it’s worth the going, it’s worth the ride.

So what does this philosophical wank all really mean? Am I getting warm and fuzzy and Yankee Doodle Dandy in the George M. Cohan style? Not really.

And to answer the titular question, has may faith in the American people been restored?

Truthfully? No. But my hope for the American people has been. And looking at some of the moments in time that brought us to this very new morning – the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Second World War – all predicated on the hopes and dreams of the American people, I will take hope over faith any day.

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rocker

  • by Drew

I keep saying I’m going to get a Flickr account together and start sharing some of my favorite funny photos. I mean, I’m not much of a photog, but I get some good shots here and there.

Anyway, in the process of reinstalling camera drivers on my main desktop machine, I found some old photos in an album and decided to start things off with a couple poorly scanned old shots.

This one is a black and white shot of me working the mic.

And this is a shot of Rosemary Caine in action at the infamous WBCN-sponsored Boston Rumble (1997 I think).

Always be true to yourself – – Or somebody…

  • by Drew

You already know I’m not a big Miley Cyrus fan. Hannah Montana is terrible. The music sucks. The kids are idiots. Billy Ray Cyrus is in it. Wait, I don’t think you caught that…Billy Ray Cyrus is in it. AS AN ACTOR. Not only is it shocking that someone procreated with Mr. Achy-Breaky mullet, but their demon spawn has made it onto lunchboxes throughout the retail world (in other words, not just Walmart).

Hannah-hate aside, I just saw an early morning public service announcement in the classic tween-Disney style. It was Miley Cyrus talking about the new video for her new single. It’s a hackneyed MTV concept. She’s kind of bopping and vamping in a torso shot with a sterile background. There are ersatz musicians in the frame behind her – at least sometimes. Not particularly creative and not particularly surprising. Some of her adolescent attempts at generating Jagger-esque orgasma-lips are kind of extra gross, but I’m sure those wacky kids will love it.

Anyway, good ol’ Miley is talking about the lyrical message. Apparently, it’s her core message to her fans. Stay true to yourself – that’s what is most important in life (and many more words to that fact).

Here’s the thing – Miley Cyrus has gotten famous portraying a girl who gets famous by pretending to be somebody else. Does the irony make your brain hurt too? Maybe I’m just too sensitive.

Villain!

  • by Drew

If you use AOL Instant Messenger, like I often do, you are probably familiar with the AIM Dashboard. It’s a little “portal” page that opens up in your browser of choice whenever you log in. I like it because there are always a few teaser newsbits, often from TMZ, that keep me informed about the happenings in the lives of all my favorite celebs. For example, I just found out that Lindsay Lohan was recently spotted chugging vodka. Surprise surprise. I guess she hasn’t accepted Jesus as her personal savior yet, but it’s only a matter of time, right? Oh yeah, and they tell me that Miley Cyrus keeps slutting it up. This sort of news brings me some solace, hoping that she will soon pose for Playboy and the Hannah Montana empire will begin its slow, inevitable crumble. Today’s featured line of Target handbags will be tomorrow’s Dollar Store crop of poorly made pencil cases and melamine HM kiddie mugs.

I’m sure Disney will bring us an even more insipid tween nightmare in her wake, but maybe, just maybe, they’ll come up with something really cool – like a middle-American high school honor student wrestling with his sexuality. Hilarious politically correct, sexuality-sensitive hijinks and Three’s Company-esque misunderstandings will no doubt ensue. I can’t wait.

Anyway, rambling aside, one of the Dashboard items this morning was a “Where are they now” bit about the cast of the classic movie The Goonies, inspired by rumors of an upcoming sequel. Sean Astin, or Mikey (and alleged source of the sequel rumor), has made a name for himself as both the unlikely football hero, Rudy, and endearingly loyal Hobbit, Sam. Jeff Cohen, the kid who played Chunk, is now a slightly trimmer entertainment lawyer. Ke Huy Quan who played Data also appeared in the second Indiana Jones movie, and is now doing stuff like being a martial arts coordinator on the X-Men movie. And he was in Encino Man, so…he’s got that going for him too.

Martha Plimpton does some TV and is a pretty successful Broadway actress. Joe Pantoliano almost messed everything up for the human race in The Matrix and ended up in a bowling bag – at least partially – on The Sopranos. Josh Brolin, besides having a badass Papa and terrifying stepmom, has done a ton of stuff. And Corey Feldman is…well…I have nothing else to say about that.

Here’s the funny part – and the point of this whole entry. Thank you for reading this far. Both of you.

If you remember the bad guys in The Goonies, there was the older brother, Jake Fratelli, played by actor Robert Davi. The little AIM Dashboard “where are they now” bit noted that Davi has had a long and role-filled career, distinguished by the fact that he usually plays a villain of some stripe. He’s in several movies, and he’s done a lot of TV, and he’s almost always a vicious bad guy. And then for no real reason, the micro essay mentions that Davi is a very vocal supporter of both George W. Bush and the war in Iraq.

They say that for some people acting is a real challenge, particularly acting like a villainous ass-munch. I guess for others it just comes naturally.

My Criminal History: I Fought The Law Part I

  • by Drew

Happy Saturday, loyal readers. Yes, I’m talking to both of you. Please enjoy this ongoing series about my big day yesterday. I planned on making this a two parter, but knowing how I like to ramble, there will probably be several more than two chapters. I am what I am.

Yesterday I had the good fortune to “fight” a speeding ticket. I have never done this in New York. I once fought a ticket in Connecticut, so I have some familiarity with the experience, and figured it was a good idea to take my chances. This one in Connecticut I got driving up to the in-laws when Jake was a baby. He was screaming in the backseat, as usual, and I was following in a line of cars. There’s a point on 91 when you are almost to the Massachusetts border when the speed limit abruptly drops from 65 to 55. Right after the sign, you are on a gentle downhill slope. When you’re the last guy in a line of cars, and you have out of state plates…

Basically, fighting the ticket involved going to the courthouse in some podunk Connecticut town and parking in the municipal lot with all the other out-of-state schmucks that got nabbed. Then I went through the metal detectors, signed in, and sat in the courtroom surrounded by other jittery violators perfecting their excuses. Why was I the only one who thought to bring a book? I waited about an hour until one of the prosecutors called my name. I told him my story – following in traffic, baby screaming, honestly not paying attention – I made a mistake, but my license is clean and I didn’t want points to screw up my insurance. The Prosecutor, who was about 13 years old, said he could knock it down to 65 in a 55 and it would be $100 – I think, I forget the exact details, but I know it saved me like $200. I said thank you, shook his hand, and headed to the payment window with my Visa card in hand. 

I have also had a few other tickets in my day, most of which were related in some way to Rosemary Caine. Got one on the Jersey Turnpike following another band vehicle on our way down to the Dulles Airport (I’m not yet comfortable calling it Ronald Reagan International) vicinity when flying out to France almost 15 years ago (I am so old). Got one racing through the suburbs of Boston to get to a gig at TT the Bears. Got one in Sunderland, MA coming home from a band rehearsal when I was a recent graduate, but bassist Jeff was still a student, allowing us to use campus facilities for practicing. This last ticket was for doing 36 in a 30, but I had New York plates on my car. When I pointed to my driveway about 100 yards down the road, the officer actually apologized sheepishly and said he didn’t realize I lived there, but he’d already made a radio report in and written the ticket so he couldn’t let it go. Nice, huh?

Oh, my other great ticket was in New Jersey again, just on the other side of the Holland Tunnel. Route 1, I think. I was working for Liquid Digital Information Systems, when it was not part of the other company I don’t feel like talking about. I will preserve the anonymity of the corporate partner who was in the passenger seat because I love him and don’t want to shower him with undue attention, but I will say he’s a big wuss because he made me drive. Kiss kiss. Anyway, it was a fairly new Volvo that belonged to my boss, and I was used to my slightly aged Ford Escort. My Escort had a bad alignment problem that caused it to shake violently once you got up to about 50 miles per hour. So, as we raced along Route 1 (I think) searching for the correct path to tawny Warren Township and a meeting with a group of marketing honchos at Lucent, I had no idea that I was doing over 80. Of course, we got pulled over by a personality-light tropper who was like 5′ 6″ and…well, let’s just say he had something to prove. I was certainly guilty of the offense, though I have to say I had NO IDEA how fast I was going. That Volvo sure did drive smooth. And, to make matters worse, there was no registration in the vehicle. Later, the boss had a little chuckle about how he’d just that morning been telling his wife to remind him to put itin the glovebox. So, after a few minutes of fruitless searching and trying to explain to the trooper that it was not my car, he muttered something like a curse and snapped, “I don’t have time for this!” before stomping back to his cruiser. So, I got a big speeding ticket, with a hefty additional charge for not having the registration. Yeah, that was awesome.

There are a few other times I’ve been pulled over and allowed to skate – like for going through a yellow light that turned red – and I have been in the car with other drivers being pulled over, but I’m pretty sure this is an accurate summary of my violations. I have never otherwise been arrested or accused. Though I did have that problem when I worked for Strawberries Records and Tapes in West Springfield when I hacked the computer terminal register to make the receipts say “Merry Fucking Christmas” but that’s a whole other story.

And no, no charges were filed.

Grinderman!

  • by Drew

I am so ashamed. I used to be so cutting age. Back in my radio days I knew everything indie rock. Hell, people would be reading bits in CMJ and I’d be like ‘yeah, I heard about that months ago.’ And it wasn’t posturing. Well, maybe a little, but it was still true.

So when I discovered today that there’s a new Nick Cave project on the shelves, I was floored. Grinderman is a new project that includes a subset of the Bad Seeds with Nick playing guitar. GUITAR!!! It would have to be a work of rustic beauty, right? Very unique sound. Combines some of the more melodious elements of recent Bad Seeds stuff with a ton of energy like we haven’t heard since The Birthday Party.

Neato Mosquito.

I’d feel a lot better if I didn’t stumble across it on Amazon while looking up how much the Prisoner DVD box set is going for these days.

Amazon. Sheesh.

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