Election 2012: Here's how it'll go down....

It's an election year. The Republitards are trying to figure out who they want to run for President. So far, it's down to four. Four complete fucking morons and social retards. I swear, it's like they're TRYING to lose! One idiotic statement after another. Romney just wants to rule the world and piss on the poor. Santorum wants a theocracy. Ron Paul is still too busy trying to tell people what he thinks they want to hear to be bothered with finding out what people want. And then there's Newt...who is just bat shit fucking crazy!

Then there's the Democraps. Four more years of Obama. Four more years of weirdo right wing groups doubting his citizenship, race, ethnicity, religion and shoe size. Four more years of trying to do the right thing but often falling short. Four more years of him singing. (at least we currently have a HOT 1st lady)

What about the "other" parties. Who cares. The media won't allow it. There's no one like Ross Perot (who if you recall, took 20% of the vote last time he ran). The media has made damned sure that since that time, that the only "other party" candidates you'll hear about are the loonies. And all disqualified on any number or grounds.

So, do you want to know how it's going to go down? The election that is...
It'll go down like this: we'll have months and months of lies, mudslinging, disinformation, sloganeering, misdirection, more lies, promises, debates, a crisis here and there...and then, finally, the election. We will all, hopefully, get out and vote. Some will vote often. Some will coerce others to vote against the best interests of this nation and the voter's individual will...and someone will be elected. Then what?

Four more years of business as usual. If you think voting for either is going to change a damned thing, you're a bigger fucking idiot than the politicians...and that's just how Washington wants you to be. We're all made safe & harmless by our complicity with playing the game. There is no change because we refuse to change. There is no revolution because we refuse to revolt...we might miss our favorite TV program!

If we want real change, first we need to decide what changes we want. Then we have to decide how to go about those changes. But do we really want change? Or is that too much responsibility for a nation of people who can't be bothered to switch off their media long enough to fart out an original thought?

It doesn't matter really. We're all corporate slaves. Like it or not. We're all bought and paid for. You can delude yourself into thinking you're not...while you continue to blab on your cell phone and watch your obnoxiously oversized TV, while driving a car designed to be ineffecient and disposable. Just remember who really owns this country now...and it ain't us.

The Lottery Ticket

Lent is about to start and for many, that means giving up a few things. Not being one to observe Lent, it's always been my assumption that one is to give up something of importance and pleasure. For some it could be as simple as giving up broccoli (I, for one, can get behind that!) or chocolate or beer. I have a friend who is a gambler and every year for Lent, he gives up gambling. In essence, he takes a 6 week vacation. Some years he is better prepared than others. He's done this as long as I've known him and I've yet to see him starve. Mind you, I also take him at his word that he's not gambling...

I've never been much of a gambler myself. Sure, I've thrown some money at slot machines and blackjack tables...but that was years and years ago. I used to visit Las Vegas now and then. Never anything big...unless you count the one trip where I found myself $2000 ahead and decided to blow it all (except for $75 I left in the safe in the room) on the last night just to experience what it would be like to be a 'big spender'.

That said, I do like to play the Powerball lottery now and then. And really...who doesn't? A ticket costs a buck (I think). I know I'm not going to win. The Powerball's website states that the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 175,223,510. Sure...it could happen...but I ain't holding my breath.

So why do it then? Simple: it gives me a chance to dream and dream bigger than I ever dare. I'm pretty conservative by nature (I can see some of my friends laughing at that!) and I've always tried to be especially thrifty with what little money I have. But with the purchase of that Powerball ticket (or Megamillions...or whatever is over $100 million at the time), I can dream of all of the things I would do with that money.

Sometimes I dream of buying an island and getting away from everyone and everything. Sometimes I dream of giving it all away. I mostly dream of taking care of those that I love; trust funds for my nieces and nephews; paying off bills and debts for friends and family. Those are probably the dreams I think about the most as I hold on to that ticket for a few days until the drawing. I usually don't even watch the drawing. I'm too busy enjoying the dreams. Like I said, I know I won't win. Besides, I already have more than most and I'm happy in more ways than many.

The next time you're feeling down, go buy a lottery ticket. You probably won't win. If you're down to your last buck, for Pete's sake...don't waste it on a lottery ticket! But...if you have a spare buck and want to dream for a little while, go for it. Just remember to dream big enough for all of those that you love and care about.

The Grammys...ugh....

I'm not a fan of the Grammys. It's pretty safe to call it the music industry's dog and pony show. But...the whole point of the "music industry" is to exploit music (and it's makers) and to create a sellable commodity.

In the past 25 years or so, the lines between genres have blurred to the point where most people can't tell one from the other. That can be seen as good or bad, depending on one's point of view.

What bothers me most about this musical homogenization is the loss of so many traditional forms of music. Americans tend to lose sight of anything past their own front yard, so even more music goes unnoticed. This is sad in more ways than I can really convey.

A friend and I have a running "debate" about his taste in music. It's all in good fun. Tonight, we were going back and forth about musical diversity (a subject most Americans probably think means liking both pop music AND country!). I was, admittedly a tad surprised at his knowledge of Indian music. I was even more pleasantly surprised that he (a drummer) seemed to enjoy Indonesian Gamelan music!

I was first introduced to Gamelan by guitarist Robert Fripp at a lecture he gave. While his seemingly snobbish attitude regarding guitar tuning put me off, I was intrigued by his all too brief discussion on this form of music I'd never heard. So I went in search of it!

Luckily, the university library had a few records and I was even more intrigued. I found a small bit of reading material on the subject (this was way back in those prehistoric days before the interweb!). As with many forms of music, it's origin was steeped in the spiritual. For a brief intro to Gamelan, check out this video:



I've spent the past few hours watching videos on Gamelan, as well as throat singing, Bulgarian folk music (a personal fave!), and various indigenous musics from around the world.

But what of our America? What is our traditional music? Folk music? Country music? Alas, no. Those both come from Anglo-Saxon roots. Blues has much of it's roots in African music (especially the more primitive single-chord structured songs). If we, as Americans, have a traditional music, it would have to be jazz (sometimes called American classical music), right? No. Even that has roots traceable to both African and European origins.

So what is our musical heritage? Most of us cannot honestly lay claim to Native American music (beautiful as it is). Do we even have a musical heritage at all? Is this why we, as a group of people, are so nonchalant about fusing different styles? Is this, perhaps, our collective subconscious looking for a sound to call our own?

I don't have an answer. We Americans make some excellent music...we make some absolute crap too. We, as a nation, are excellent at co-opting the sounds of our ancestors and calling it our own. Most school children have probably learned "America" (aka "My Country Tis of Thee) but how many know that it's taken from the melody of British National Anthem "God Save The Queen"?

Perhaps fusion is our collective tradition. We, as a people, are made up of immigrants from all over. My family is made up of Germans, Brits & Swedes. Some branches of my family have some Swiss & Dutch mixed in. My girlfriend's family is Italian, Romanian and German (a combination that could, without doubt, create an interesting musical mix!). I, myself, have made a career of mixing old country, rock and roll and blues with punk rock, jazz, surf, swing and anything else I can think of.

Tonight the Grammys were awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in the music industry. You may have enjoyed the show and even the music...but really, what was achieved aside from fusing one sound to another?

Take some time, if you so choose, to research whatever music you enjoy. Find it's roots. And then find the origins of those roots. Go back as far as you can. Find the oldest recordings you can. You may surprise yourself. You may discover your own music in the process. Most importantly, you may come to realize how deeply music is ingrained in all of us.

A Question We Should All Ask

It's an election year (for those who haven't noticed yet). The idiot brigade is out in full force. I can honestly say that in my 45 (almost 46) years on this planet, I have never seen a more disappointing group of Presidential wannabes. The GOP hopefuls are, if nothing else, a hateful bunch! They just seem to hate everyone and everything that isn't rich, white,Christian and conservative like them. Now here's my question:

How will all of that hate actually HELP the USA?

Think about it. Allow me to give some examples:

How will banning gay marriage actually HELP the country? Will it put food on any one's table? Will it create any jobs? Will it end wars? Will it fix the economy? Will it lower taxes or gas prices?

How will providing the same, if not more, tax breaks for the richest 1% of Americans actually HELP the country? If these same rich folks haven't created any new jobs by now, they're probably not going to.

These are just two examples...and I'll admit, they're the types of issues candidates like to rant about because they are emotionally charged. But take the question "How will ________ actually HELP our country?" and apply it to each rambling sentence coming out of each candidate's mouth. If you're lucky enough to actually get to speak to a candidate, ask them in person. I'm pretty sure you won't get an answer.

Just something to think about.

Thoughts on Sex Education

We've all heard the stories. A young girl gets pregnant, decides to keep the baby, drops out of school, goes on welfare, etc. The young father usually gets lost quickly. Sad story, right?

We've all heard about AIDS, herpes, the clap, etc. All completely tragic. Right?

Most Americans think that it should be the parents' job to educate their kids about sex...right? Keep it OUT of the schools! It might give little Johnny & Judy ideas! (or Johnny & Jimmy or Judy & Jenny or any other possible configuration)

Why not start Sex Ed in preschool when the kids still think that the opposite sex has cooties? And keep up those classes through graduation! A properly constructed curriculum could suck (pardon the pun) the fun right out of sex! It could be made as boring as, say, history class!

If this were to happen, then chances are, only the smart kids would be having sex! (homework, right?) This would not only cut down on unwanted teen pregnancies and STDs, this could also lead to a super race of uber nerds!

Think about it: a hyper-educated nation of sexy people with glasses, protractors and pocket protectors! Bill Gates & Stephen Hawking would be considered the sexiest men alive!

And with all of that super-knowledge would come intensely well-thought out new sexual positions!

So far...this is sounding like a win/win situation.

More to come...if you'll, again, pardon the pun.

;-)

A Real American: The Voice of the People

Michael Caracciolo (aka The Kid From Brooklyn) proclaims himself to be 'The Voice of the People". Sure, he's comedic, but if you listen to him, I think he's saying what most of us are already thinking!

Mr. Caracciolo is down to earth but by no means humble. He is a typical American. Loud & proud! He's a hard-working guy and he's all about the working man! He's owned his own business for years but sometimes feels he should've been an actor. He's also an author. He alleges his book, "Go F*** Yourself", has sold over 50,000 copies. He's also slimmed down from 400 pounds to 200 pounds! This is a man with determination!

Can someone please tell me why this man isn't running for President? He should be! I'd vote for him in a heartbeat!

If you're unfamiliar with him, I've attached some videos on Mr. Caracciolo's views on topics familiar to all Americans.

WE ARE LISTENING!

I just read NO DEPRESSION's review of the new JD McPherson CD. In the article, it alluded to the reviewer's friend declaring JD McPherson to be "the future of R&R". The reviewer questioned that but personally declared McPherson to be the "present".

Don't get me wrong. I love JD McPherson's music and wish him continued success. But...always a "but"...let's hope he doesn't make it. In this industry, makinging it means the artist becomes part of the corporate machine...nothing more than a commodity. The corporate record company would then go out of it's way to mold him into a safe-as-milk, pleasing to the lowest common denominator version of what he could be. In short; they'll make his music suck. And most of us won't buy it.

Here's where the record companies go wrong. Rather than permitting an artist to flourish and grow on their own, they prefer to rehash the same old schlock over and over. Long gone are the days of hearing great new music. Unless you hunt for it or happen to have a friend or two who routinely introduce you to new sounds.

Roots rock is nothing new but it always seems to be in the background. I've been loving that style of music most of my life. Think about it, whenever the corporate music industry takes a chance and allows something to slip through, the public usually eats it up! Think back over the years; Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Stray Cats, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Georgia Satellites, Chris Isaak, etc. All of them are/were big sellers. If you think about it, they weren't the 'norm' for their time but that music reached inside of us and touched that spot that we all relate to. Call it primal.

Watch a movie made in the past 20 years. Good directors know that this music touches that spot and therefore, a smart director will include some roots music in his/her soundtrack. Hearing "Dark Night", possibly my favorite song ever by my favorite band ever, The Blasters, in "Dusk Til Dawn" just about made me jump out of my seat! That popular vampire show (I can't recall the name...there are just too damned many lol) routinely uses swampy, rootsy music. So now it's reaching a whole new generation.

JD McPherson isn't alone. Imelda May has been knocking the world on it's butt for a few years now...and deservedly so! I first heard her on a track on one of her hubby's records. She was still going by the name Imelda Clabby at the time. That was 10 years ago and I thought she was special then! The whole retro/rootsy sound seems to be what people want. James Hunter, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, hell...even Amy Winehouse's big hit, "Rehab"...all based on that retro/rootsy vibe. Sadly to say, one look at Winehouse's career shows what happens when the corporations get their hands on someone good.

What is it about this music that makes it so popular? Sure...it has a ring of familiarity to it...but is that all? No, I don't think so. I think it goes deeper than that. Like I said before, there's something primal in it. There's something that gets deep inside of us and starts a fire. If you look back at 20th century Western music, its the thing that always made music popular and marketable. WC Handy knew it. Jimmy Rogers knew it. Muddy Waters knew it. Hank Sr. knew it. Sam C. Phillips knew it (and seemingly did more with it than anyone else...and he wasn't even a musician!). The Beatles knew it. John Fogerty knows it. Stevie Ray knew it. So many bands/musicians know it. We know because we play this music to YOU, the listening public, and YOU respond.

The record companies will never understand because they sit in offices. They attempt to calculate what YOU want. It's so simple....that's why they never understand it. They can't monopolize fire, so they sell you a Bic lighter or a book of matches instead. Worse, the music industry will cram stuff YOU don't really want down your throat...just to assert their corporate dominance over you. Big Brother likes to think he knows what's best for you. In reality, Big Brother likes to keep control. Keep that money rolling in. Everything neatly labeled and organized.

Luckily, real music neither wants, needs nor likes labels. If it's good, it's good. If it's rockin', it's rockin'.

The internet has created the perfect loophole for both the listener and the artist to circumvent the corporate entertainment dinosaurs. And the dinosaurs don't like it! But too damned bad...we know what we like when we hear it!

Kudos to JD McPherson and all of the other "futures of R&R". Keep on playing your hearts out! We ARE listening! We may not be buying like we used to (in part because we don't have to anymore) but we ARE, most definitely, listening!

Keep on recording! Use any means necessary to get your music out there! Make a low budget video and put it on YouTube! Put those songs on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, Spotify, etc... WE ARE LISTENING! And in so doing, we are deciding the future of not only R&R....but all music. We are all deciding it together.

Keep the corporate bean counters out of the equation...and if you really want to mess with the dinosaurs, call your favorite radio station and demand that they play the music YOU want to hear. Let them know that you will turn off your radio and ignore their advertising pleas unless they play what we all want to hear.