*Editor's note: This young lady is a very respectful student and is very quiet in class. I feel that you should know this to get the full breadth of how strange this essay was. Enjoy!
Hardcore music is brainless. There is an obscene amount of profanity!! But I didn't hear any of it. I wonder if it was because they were screaming the words (if they were words) at me continuously in a stoned-drunken-stumble-around-fall-on-your-tail-tripping-over-invisible-objects-fashion.
I didn't know hardcore music until Music Appreciation. However, I think hardcorists think they are the most intimidating and powerful people on the earth because they can SCREAM THE F WORD!! I know I feel pretty powerful most of the time (at least I feel that way when I throw people) and the f word is not screamed daily in my awesome vocabulary.
Hardcore music would make it if there were no vocalists or words.
Nake City's "Batman" made me want to rip my hair out and scream uncontrollably (a.k.a. it was incredibly annoying). With all respect to Batman: screaming girls may turn you on but the song sounded like small children with bloodshot eyes, high off sugar, holding kitchen knives stabbing obese red eyed guinea pigs.
AFI's "3 Reasons"
Shark Attack "Accept Yourself"
Embrace "Give Me Back"
I have no opinion on these songs because all I heard was thirty second intervals of screaming nothingness. That's all there is to it. (YES! We are having Papa John's for dinner! That means breadsticks with garlic sauce!!)
I haven't expressed my hate for hardcore music until now. I usually daydream during the hardcore songs in class. About happy things that make me chuckle. (OMG! My niece just pulled herself into standing up position on my bed and turned around, drops to the floor and face plants into my dresser drawer under my bed. Is it weird that she looked at me with a huge red mark on her face and smiled? Now she is totally the most powerful and amazing niece ever, but she is not hardcore.)
Aside from my total disgust for hardcore, I want to congratulate all hardcorists for the talent of playing really fast. (Because that will get your places...NOT!)
Please don't murder anymore guinea pigs.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Yoga Practicing Vegetarian by Chad Rollins
I could jump right in with a catchy topic sentence (if the title hasn't already caught your eye) and tell you straightaway what my favorite genre is; however, I feel it would be much more interesting to describe one singer which I am sure you will know.
Live your life with death and all of his friends, but make sure your life is always in Technicolor. Stroll the cemeteries of London (but do not find yourself lost), and then become a lover in Japan while you are riding your strawberry swing. If you have not guessed by now, the singer is the semi-depressed, but yoga practicing vegetarian known as Chris Martin.
Whether it is the creativeness of the "British Whiners," or maybe it is just the catchiness of the music, no matter what they do, Coldplay and bands alike are a strong favorite of mine. The feeling that art rock gives you is almost orgasmic, for lack of a better word. Art rock takes you to a special place, one where you feel like you can paint a masterpiece, regardless of your painting abilities. Maybe the chord progression places you in some sort of trance, one which makes you want to name your child (or future children) after fruit.
Love it, or maybe you hate it, but even the haters cannot help but to tap along to the catchy beats. From fast tempos with a syncopated yell that is in tune, or to the slower songs with heart melting melodies, no one can resist. Partially what makes art rock, or the "Whiners," great is that they have an emotional appeal to everyone, including me.
No, it is true, art rock does not influence me enough to want to become a vegetarian, practice yoga, name someone as fruit, date a blonde girl, or get involved in political matters; but it does move me. Sometimes art rock makes me want to dance, or sing. At other times it just takes me to a solemn place where I can be myself. Simply stated, art rock is inspirational music. British whiners, keep on whining.
Live your life with death and all of his friends, but make sure your life is always in Technicolor. Stroll the cemeteries of London (but do not find yourself lost), and then become a lover in Japan while you are riding your strawberry swing. If you have not guessed by now, the singer is the semi-depressed, but yoga practicing vegetarian known as Chris Martin.
Whether it is the creativeness of the "British Whiners," or maybe it is just the catchiness of the music, no matter what they do, Coldplay and bands alike are a strong favorite of mine. The feeling that art rock gives you is almost orgasmic, for lack of a better word. Art rock takes you to a special place, one where you feel like you can paint a masterpiece, regardless of your painting abilities. Maybe the chord progression places you in some sort of trance, one which makes you want to name your child (or future children) after fruit.
Love it, or maybe you hate it, but even the haters cannot help but to tap along to the catchy beats. From fast tempos with a syncopated yell that is in tune, or to the slower songs with heart melting melodies, no one can resist. Partially what makes art rock, or the "Whiners," great is that they have an emotional appeal to everyone, including me.
No, it is true, art rock does not influence me enough to want to become a vegetarian, practice yoga, name someone as fruit, date a blonde girl, or get involved in political matters; but it does move me. Sometimes art rock makes me want to dance, or sing. At other times it just takes me to a solemn place where I can be myself. Simply stated, art rock is inspirational music. British whiners, keep on whining.
The Pleasures of Grunge by James Goad
It is the early 90's, a time of prosperity, happiness, no worries, but there was something else brewing in the dreary corner of the United States. This place that I am talking about is Seattle, Washington, the breeding ground of grunge. This new type of sound was a haven to the young, angry minds o the 90's teens. It gave teens a reason to be angry, sad, and rebellious. I was introduced to this magical sound by my parents who were really into bands such as Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam.
While you listened to the music it gave you a sense of belonging in the world. It is weird how grunge sounds very dreary and dark but it acted as a light to young America. At the time there was Oasis but Nirvana blew their sound out of the water with hard hitting riffs and pure, angry rock. Many people say that grunge is crap music and that it served no purpose; well that is just mentally challenged. The bands playing the music presented words to teens around the United States that they were either afraid to say or didn't know how to say it. The kids wanted freedom and they got it with grunge. It was such a surprise to all the righteous people and the teens were basking in the glory of rebellion. They fell in love with lyrics such as "Here we are now entertain us"-- Nirvana.
This simple but very meaningful lyric was an anthem for the youth. Every time I hear that song it takes me back to the 90's and I wish I was older and could have been a bigger contributing factor of the short success of what was grunge. I love how this music wasn't about hit making it was true feelings and what they were going through with struggles of drug addition or family problems. It was the best way they could think of to get their feelings off their chest. It gave such a good connection to the band their cult followers. You had the sense that after the show you could party with the band and they would not be jerks and blow you off. That is why I enjoy this genre because the connection you have with the music. This will always be my favorite genre of music and I'm glad I could listen to it in its prime.
While you listened to the music it gave you a sense of belonging in the world. It is weird how grunge sounds very dreary and dark but it acted as a light to young America. At the time there was Oasis but Nirvana blew their sound out of the water with hard hitting riffs and pure, angry rock. Many people say that grunge is crap music and that it served no purpose; well that is just mentally challenged. The bands playing the music presented words to teens around the United States that they were either afraid to say or didn't know how to say it. The kids wanted freedom and they got it with grunge. It was such a surprise to all the righteous people and the teens were basking in the glory of rebellion. They fell in love with lyrics such as "Here we are now entertain us"-- Nirvana.
This simple but very meaningful lyric was an anthem for the youth. Every time I hear that song it takes me back to the 90's and I wish I was older and could have been a bigger contributing factor of the short success of what was grunge. I love how this music wasn't about hit making it was true feelings and what they were going through with struggles of drug addition or family problems. It was the best way they could think of to get their feelings off their chest. It gave such a good connection to the band their cult followers. You had the sense that after the show you could party with the band and they would not be jerks and blow you off. That is why I enjoy this genre because the connection you have with the music. This will always be my favorite genre of music and I'm glad I could listen to it in its prime.
i'll never cut or wash my hair and be morbidly uninteresting and i'll call it...hardcore by Miranda Hewins
unless you're watching a stupid bleached blonde slut leave her door unlocked and be stabbed by a masked stalker right after she finds out it was really him on the phone, screaming is not interesting. by no stretch of the imagination should one listen to another person whine (in scream form) about how mommy didn't love them and how daddy left them for death. these lyrical complaints shall be reserved for the dashboard confessional, secondhand serenade, simple plan whiners who aren't man enough to off themselves, so they throw out wordy metaphors in hope that someone out there will feel sorry for them. it just doesn't work for screamers.
to me, screamers see like they would be man enough to off themselves, so why is the genre still here? why do males (and the occasional female, which i'll discuss later) wake up in the morning, take hours making their hair look dirty and applying makeup (not david bowie or freddie mercury makeup either), and go out into the world loathing it instead of just ending their misery (and mine)? at least secondhand serenade has the decency to pretend like he's happy while making people listen to him dying on the inside whenever they buy one his albums.
(and i don't mean to make the hardcore genre sound exactly like the emo genre, but in all honesty, they're pretty much the same.)
granted, it does take talent to write the same story in 12 different ways. but i don't want to go buy a hardcore album and listen to every single one. i can maybe tolerate a simple plan album here and there, but that's because simple plan isn't in a genre where every single band in that genre is basically the same band that makes the same songs on the same albums.
females, on the other hand, at least have as much self-respect to complain in a whiney voice instead of a screaming one (credit automatic loveletter). 1-- you can actually understand what they're saying, 2-- you can hear musical talent in their voice, and 3-- they like to smell ice and have their hair be pretty (and if they don't, they hack it all off and wear big clothes and laugh manly-like, and those girls are excluded in this paragraph). but girls still fall for the guys who whine screamingly. i don't know why. they just have to be hardcore as well, without the so-called "musical talent."
i hope hardcore stops whining and kills itself. the world would be a better place without it.
to me, screamers see like they would be man enough to off themselves, so why is the genre still here? why do males (and the occasional female, which i'll discuss later) wake up in the morning, take hours making their hair look dirty and applying makeup (not david bowie or freddie mercury makeup either), and go out into the world loathing it instead of just ending their misery (and mine)? at least secondhand serenade has the decency to pretend like he's happy while making people listen to him dying on the inside whenever they buy one his albums.
(and i don't mean to make the hardcore genre sound exactly like the emo genre, but in all honesty, they're pretty much the same.)
granted, it does take talent to write the same story in 12 different ways. but i don't want to go buy a hardcore album and listen to every single one. i can maybe tolerate a simple plan album here and there, but that's because simple plan isn't in a genre where every single band in that genre is basically the same band that makes the same songs on the same albums.
females, on the other hand, at least have as much self-respect to complain in a whiney voice instead of a screaming one (credit automatic loveletter). 1-- you can actually understand what they're saying, 2-- you can hear musical talent in their voice, and 3-- they like to smell ice and have their hair be pretty (and if they don't, they hack it all off and wear big clothes and laugh manly-like, and those girls are excluded in this paragraph). but girls still fall for the guys who whine screamingly. i don't know why. they just have to be hardcore as well, without the so-called "musical talent."
i hope hardcore stops whining and kills itself. the world would be a better place without it.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Pizza of My Eye: Alternative Rock by Shelby Mitchell
*This is the first of 7 student blogs from my Rock History class. Read and enjoy their creations.
The sky is sapphire with diamonds and there is silence ringing in my ears. I hold onto that moment and then enter my house of chaos. I watch the Cinderella Story countless times and cry each time because I see it similar to my life. I wait for the happy ending and hold onto that moment. Christmas lights hit the glittering, virgin snow and the fire cracks and pops fervently inside--Coca Cola hitting the back of my throat--- reading books that makes me warm and fuzzy inside--these are all unquestionably moments to cherish. I love all these times because they hit me as unique, stunning, true, but still wholesome. That is so hard to find.
Alternative is also dear and true in my heart. Without it I might have already said the heck with life. Not only has the mainstream of popular music gouged my ears and given me countless headaches, it also has my satanic sister squawking ‘I Kissed a Girl’. That gives me… as Topanga from Boy Meets World would say “the Hibbiegibbies.” I really do not understand how people listen to pop today.
First of all they should just call it poop because that’s exactly what it sounds like and I really hate that word and seldom does that word leave my tongue, but in this case there is no escape from the word and I’m not going to repeat it. Nope. But anyway, my point is I think pop music is an outlet for ditzy people who do not have enough comprehension to know when something is actually good and then add some sexual references and you got a bunch of dumb, preppy, slutty girls sold. They’ll be your #1 fan. Gosh it sickens me.
My mom decided to go to my uncles one day when the roads were horrible and we were going extremely slow. Although it was annoying, I had survived most of the trip. That was until the song Just Dance came on. I lost it. How can people listen to this? Do we not have any yearning for expanded vocabulary? All the idiot said was the title. That’s my conclusion on pop because I should stop before I really detonate.
People constantly say where you are from will determine who you are which I do not believe is true. Let me explain. My mother is constantly imprisoning me and she is one minded about all situations. She won’t apologize and she’s stubborn. She has also accused me with false accusations saying I have done certain things in my relationship (I HAVN’T!) and her only reason for thinking that is because at my age that is what she was doing. Some people would say well I guess that’s your future kid. Sorry life sucks. I beg to differ. She has angered me so much that I REFUSE to be that way. My sister has taken that road and well all I have to say is she has an interesting road ahead of her. Alternative music is that same path for me. Pop (I know I said I wouldn’t mention it) is such a big load rubbish that I refuse to listen to it. I don’t care who is listening to it and I hate the clique attributes of the music. Alternative has that same attitude and that is so refreshing.
Enough sadness…moving on to explain my love for Alternative music =]
First of all because of my #1 love Nathan. Not because he loves it, but because we both do and it is quite hilarious when you get me and him shouting the lyrics in a confined car to Motion City Soundtrack, Jimmy Eat World, Flogging Molly, and trust me many, many more. We even have our favorite lines.
Motion City Soundtrack
♥ Pizza of my eye
♥ I'll be back in the ballroom swingin’
♥ I’m on fire and now I think I’m ready to bust a move Check it out I’m rocking steady Go! Betty won’t stop listening to modern rock How she hates to be alone I try to compensate her lack of love with coffee cake
♥ She loves the smell of Christmas trees She sneezes when she sees bright lights She fainted on the kitchen floor When her father passed away Our baby girl is due this May And when the little lady grows up I hope that she will be just like her mother
♥ You're the leaky sink of sentiment, You're the failed attempts I never could forget. You're the metaphors I can't create to comprehend this curse that I call love..
♥ I'm sick of the things I do when I'm nervous Like cleaning the oven or checking my tires Or counting the number of tiles in the ceiling.. Head for the hills, the kitchen's on fire!
Jimmy Eat World
♥ you should see the canals are freezing you should see me high you should just be here be with me here
On all of our destinations to town which might be Barnes and Noble, Chik-fil-A, or any place with satisfying food those lyrics will fill Nathans cute red car. These songs give me hope. Not only do they help me cope with my family feuds, it also reminds me that there are musicians out there that are not only focused on money. They want to make a living, but at the same time money isn’t the sole purpose. That is my life statement right there. The morals Alternative are pretty much mine in a nutshell. I believe that money is not the sole purpose. There are some things I differ with, but it is not enough to make me outraged. Mainly just the fact that I became shy when any sexual thing is mentioned. I usually just laugh the situations off. I know I can be perverted, but the reason is because well I really don’t know why. I’ll have to look into that. Whenever someone else says something though, expect me to blush. What is really funny and Nathan says it is cute and it is not is when we watch a movie together and something like that comes up. I hide. I don’t want to see that. Ewww. Alternative isn’t that bad though I guess. It’s more cursing, which there isn’t enough to hit a nerve.
That was supposed to be my conclusion, but I sort of started talking about something else and I don’t want to erase it because I want it all to be there. I told Mr. Burkhart I was going to mention Coldplay and Radiohead and I guess this’ll count. Last weekend I was listening to them while I made tortillas. I couldn’t understand anything, but it put me in the trance...or that might have been the smell of the tortillas. Although I did expect this to be long I wasn’t expecting to go on this long and I made it in 11point to make you struggle Mr. Burkhart. You’re Welcome. I’m done writing. That’s it. Period. Not that kind of period. Okay the end!
The sky is sapphire with diamonds and there is silence ringing in my ears. I hold onto that moment and then enter my house of chaos. I watch the Cinderella Story countless times and cry each time because I see it similar to my life. I wait for the happy ending and hold onto that moment. Christmas lights hit the glittering, virgin snow and the fire cracks and pops fervently inside--Coca Cola hitting the back of my throat--- reading books that makes me warm and fuzzy inside--these are all unquestionably moments to cherish. I love all these times because they hit me as unique, stunning, true, but still wholesome. That is so hard to find.
Alternative is also dear and true in my heart. Without it I might have already said the heck with life. Not only has the mainstream of popular music gouged my ears and given me countless headaches, it also has my satanic sister squawking ‘I Kissed a Girl’. That gives me… as Topanga from Boy Meets World would say “the Hibbiegibbies.” I really do not understand how people listen to pop today.
First of all they should just call it poop because that’s exactly what it sounds like and I really hate that word and seldom does that word leave my tongue, but in this case there is no escape from the word and I’m not going to repeat it. Nope. But anyway, my point is I think pop music is an outlet for ditzy people who do not have enough comprehension to know when something is actually good and then add some sexual references and you got a bunch of dumb, preppy, slutty girls sold. They’ll be your #1 fan. Gosh it sickens me.
My mom decided to go to my uncles one day when the roads were horrible and we were going extremely slow. Although it was annoying, I had survived most of the trip. That was until the song Just Dance came on. I lost it. How can people listen to this? Do we not have any yearning for expanded vocabulary? All the idiot said was the title. That’s my conclusion on pop because I should stop before I really detonate.
People constantly say where you are from will determine who you are which I do not believe is true. Let me explain. My mother is constantly imprisoning me and she is one minded about all situations. She won’t apologize and she’s stubborn. She has also accused me with false accusations saying I have done certain things in my relationship (I HAVN’T!) and her only reason for thinking that is because at my age that is what she was doing. Some people would say well I guess that’s your future kid. Sorry life sucks. I beg to differ. She has angered me so much that I REFUSE to be that way. My sister has taken that road and well all I have to say is she has an interesting road ahead of her. Alternative music is that same path for me. Pop (I know I said I wouldn’t mention it) is such a big load rubbish that I refuse to listen to it. I don’t care who is listening to it and I hate the clique attributes of the music. Alternative has that same attitude and that is so refreshing.
Enough sadness…moving on to explain my love for Alternative music =]
First of all because of my #1 love Nathan. Not because he loves it, but because we both do and it is quite hilarious when you get me and him shouting the lyrics in a confined car to Motion City Soundtrack, Jimmy Eat World, Flogging Molly, and trust me many, many more. We even have our favorite lines.
Motion City Soundtrack
♥ Pizza of my eye
♥ I'll be back in the ballroom swingin’
♥ I’m on fire and now I think I’m ready to bust a move Check it out I’m rocking steady Go! Betty won’t stop listening to modern rock How she hates to be alone I try to compensate her lack of love with coffee cake
♥ She loves the smell of Christmas trees She sneezes when she sees bright lights She fainted on the kitchen floor When her father passed away Our baby girl is due this May And when the little lady grows up I hope that she will be just like her mother
♥ You're the leaky sink of sentiment, You're the failed attempts I never could forget. You're the metaphors I can't create to comprehend this curse that I call love..
♥ I'm sick of the things I do when I'm nervous Like cleaning the oven or checking my tires Or counting the number of tiles in the ceiling.. Head for the hills, the kitchen's on fire!
Jimmy Eat World
♥ you should see the canals are freezing you should see me high you should just be here be with me here
On all of our destinations to town which might be Barnes and Noble, Chik-fil-A, or any place with satisfying food those lyrics will fill Nathans cute red car. These songs give me hope. Not only do they help me cope with my family feuds, it also reminds me that there are musicians out there that are not only focused on money. They want to make a living, but at the same time money isn’t the sole purpose. That is my life statement right there. The morals Alternative are pretty much mine in a nutshell. I believe that money is not the sole purpose. There are some things I differ with, but it is not enough to make me outraged. Mainly just the fact that I became shy when any sexual thing is mentioned. I usually just laugh the situations off. I know I can be perverted, but the reason is because well I really don’t know why. I’ll have to look into that. Whenever someone else says something though, expect me to blush. What is really funny and Nathan says it is cute and it is not is when we watch a movie together and something like that comes up. I hide. I don’t want to see that. Ewww. Alternative isn’t that bad though I guess. It’s more cursing, which there isn’t enough to hit a nerve.
That was supposed to be my conclusion, but I sort of started talking about something else and I don’t want to erase it because I want it all to be there. I told Mr. Burkhart I was going to mention Coldplay and Radiohead and I guess this’ll count. Last weekend I was listening to them while I made tortillas. I couldn’t understand anything, but it put me in the trance...or that might have been the smell of the tortillas. Although I did expect this to be long I wasn’t expecting to go on this long and I made it in 11point to make you struggle Mr. Burkhart. You’re Welcome. I’m done writing. That’s it. Period. Not that kind of period. Okay the end!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
My Top 5 Albums of All Time (So Far...At Least to Me They Are)
It should be noted before we get started that these are not top 5 most important albums of all time. These are not the top 5 albums that made the greatest contribution to music. These are the top 5 albums that made the greatest contribution to me. This won't be terribly long, but it will be terribly honest. Enjoy looking through the musical lenses of my life as it has been so far (that sentence was a bunch of trite crap or somewhat inspiring depending on what mood you are in when you read it).
5. Dave Matthews Band-- "Before These Crowded Streets"
This was the first album that my brother and I salivated for in anticipation. I remember going to a Wal-Mart and Chris and I immediately searching to find the CD and begging my parents to buy it. I was 15. When we put the CD on we were taken to another world. That's right you cynical pail indie rockers. I was taken to another place by a Dave Matthews CD. Sue me. I loved it and I still do. The rhythm section plays so many tight licks on the 2nd track alone that it should make someone uncomfortable to be around the opposite sex in fear of what the rhythms might inspire or conjure. But it is the last five tracks that give the album meat. They are heavy; they are soaked in reverb, echo, and mystical background noise ( helpfully supplied by like a thousand different guest musicians); they radiate with the depression and hopeless searching for only God knows what that would later define the bootleg "Lillywhite Sessions" (which they scratched for a more studio friendly "Busted Stuff" that wasn't half as good, but I still bought it). "The Stone" takes us down a dark road and Dave wants us to come along but probably doesn't think we will. Then "Crush" hits every teenager like a ton of bricks with Dave's obsessive wistful thinking about a girl and his love for her (I had a crush at the time I got the album. She crushed me in a different way which we will talk about when we get to No. 1). "The Dreaming Tree" is that odd-metered song that seems like it effortlessly came from some magic land where Dumbledore probably hung out with his other gay wizard buddies. Then "Pig" gave me hope for living out the day Roman-style except for the fact that I never left the room because I kept listening to the track.
And then there was "Spoon". Just when you think Dave is going to end on a good note he gets that creepy Canadian chick (no not Celine) and sings about how God is a sadistic puppet master. This is essential stuff for a moody wallflower teenager who wasn't even accepted by the wallflowers.
4. Bright Eyes-- I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
I owe Conor Oberst a great deal of gratitude. At the ripe old age of 23, he finally taught me to love music that wasn't clean. Conor's voice is dirty, broken, sad, shaky, playful, and hopeful all the day long. This album starts with him telling a story about an airplane crash. I gotta be honest. I think I know what he is trying to say, but I am not sure. I also don't care because I could listen to this broken man talk all day. If my trombone playing sounded like him I would be a construction worker or a bum because I would have never gotten into music school. But he took his faults and made them something beautiful and special. I like to think of it like this: he took his sin and made it grace. In "Road to Joy" Conor Oberst acknowledges my point: "I could have been a famous singer if I had someone else's voice, but failure's always sounded better..." It doesn't hurt that Bright Eyes is a lyrical genius who always makes his lyrics complete and perfect poetry. Each song tugs at my heart strings because every single time he gives us a new sad melody with a melancholy instrumental backdrop and new important revealing words. Each track is captivating to me in every sense of the term.
This album was the main ingredient to the soundtrack of LaPorte where I did my student teaching. Northern Indiana is a flat place which I think makes it that much more emotional. When there is nothing outside to look at you find something inside. Thank you Conor for making me search inside and also for finally being able to fall in love with punk music and indie rock. I owe you 12 bucks.
3. U2-- All That You Can't Leave Behind
A lot of my friends don't like U2. I get it. They are a little pretentious and not scared to make a big public spectacle of themselves, but then they make big introspective rock anthems that inspire actual introspective people. Then they save the world, do a press conference, and curse on MTV so they are considered legit.
But personally I truly feel that U2 is the greatest rock band of all time. People would argue The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Clash (Americans can't put out good rock and roll BANDS because we don't get along enough with anybody to do so-- of course I guess The Beatles aren't a good example of the positive end). But I think that those bands were too isolated in themselves (not so with the Rolling Stones anymore). I don't think you can be great if you are a recluse. I just don't. Rock stars are supposed to be rock stars and there is nothing wrong with that.
With all that said, this U2 album was the sweetest most personal album they created. I bought it in 2000 and went into my room to play it. I had never heard anything like it before. It was my first big rock album (I had been a jam band, jazz, R&B guy). Each song had so much drama and inspiration but they also fit together so well in a humble, almost cute, way. This is a love album written by men with children and a humble heart. When people say they hate U2, they are really saying they hate late 80's Rattle and Hum U2. When I say I love them I am talking of the U2 of the new millennium. Each song is tragic and hopeful at the same time. There are a couple of big fun rockers, but the songs that get me are "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of", "Kite", and "Peace on Earth". The production is simplified but not without some well placed synthetic keyboard horn parts and Pro Tools-style instrumentation. "Kite" is the tune that inspires me the most. He is letting someone go on their own (U2 have always been great about leaving room for an open ended interpretation-- even for themselves). At the same time he seems like he is still trying to prove himself. But the hope in the end is that this person won't be going forever: "Who's to know when the time has come around/Don't want to see you cry/ I know that this is not goodbye" So much of that hope and at the same time letting go. Once you put this in the backdrop of 9/11, the message goes from personal to global and then U2's talent of adjusting to the times takes on a whole new level for a country that doesn't even belong to them. When I think of American patriotism, I think of Bono. Sorry if that offends someone. Just don't forget what all you can't leave behind (and read Jeremiah 33:3).
2. Coldplay-- Parachutes
There isn't much I need to write about this. The songs themselves are strong but simple and kind of whiney (although there is some great melodic bass playing throughout the disc). I wouldn't even say it is the best Coldplay album. That has got to be A Rush of Blood to the Head (although the new Viva la Vida is great too). But this album stands as high as it does for pure sentimental reasons. It is the album of my first year of college. The greatest soundtrack. The greatest and most confusing time of my life is scored by Coldplay. Nearly every single night of my freshman year my roommate and I would put that album on, and the first notes of "Don't Panic" would put us at peace and eventually to sleep. Parachutes even resolved a few conflicts for my roomy and I. We never had to say anything. We just pressed play. All of our grandstanding and bragging and being mean and dumb could dissolve and we would let Chris Martin-- the crowned prince of all wimps-- put us back in our place. This man said what we really thought,and the only way we ever humbled ourselves in front of other people is by saying we liked Coldplay. They would respond the same way. My roomy and I both found and lost girls through that album. Coldplay was always there to both pick us up and kick us while we were down at the same time. Chris Martin was the quintessential sentimental goof. Something that most men really aren't aloud to be. But we could get away with it by listening to the man who was paranoid about spies and trouble and shivers and peeing on himself. He made us right again. Parachutes was the drug that we needed every night to get through the next day, and if we didn't get that drug we would find it eventually.
1. Lauryn Hill-- The Miseduction of Lauryn Hill
I like an album that is arranged like this: hot tracks, experimental approach and mid tempo tracks, gut-wrenching sentimental tracks. Lauryn did it. Now I know what you are thinking. How could I possibly have a top five list this personal and the artist I relate to the most is a pseudo-Rasta independent black woman hip-hop artist. Simple. Lauryn Hill wrote the perfect album. That's it and that is all there is to it. The perfect album. And when I bought that disc as a 16 year old kid, at first I thought I was cool for listening to this funky hip-hop track ("Lost Ones"). Imagine me dancing to it in my bedroom. Go ahead and imagine. Yep it was that awkward. The beat on the album was incredible--this beat was deep in the pocket with Lauryn singing as behind the beat as soulfully possible. Then I keep listening and all of a sudden Carlos Santana was on there (before he broke loose with Supernatural), so I felt smart for being able to spot that ("Zion"). And as the album got deeper, it started breaking my heart. This lady new exactly as I felt but could express it better than even Dawson's Creek could. The songs that did it for me weren't the big important tracks. They were the two hidden tracks at the end that were last minute throw-ins, and one of them was a cover ("Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"). The other one was so simple but so well-executed ("Tell Him"). I would listen to those tracks over and over and over again searching for answers. According to Lauryn, the strength was in her all along. And that is why I keep listening to that album to this day. I am trying to dig deeper to find out how she got strength from within. I don't believe in that concept. I still come from the broken philosophy where we have to turn to The Creator for the answers we need (and even then we don't get them all the time). Now in 2008 Lauryn is a broken woman. Britney Spears gets all this press for he brokenness and redemption, but Lauryn Hill took a much greater fall from grace. We still haven't heard from her since the MTV2 acoustic crapfest. I hope she has redemption within her. It would give her Miseducation a whole new glow, and I think I need that for my favorite album of all time. It needs a new glow.
5. Dave Matthews Band-- "Before These Crowded Streets"
This was the first album that my brother and I salivated for in anticipation. I remember going to a Wal-Mart and Chris and I immediately searching to find the CD and begging my parents to buy it. I was 15. When we put the CD on we were taken to another world. That's right you cynical pail indie rockers. I was taken to another place by a Dave Matthews CD. Sue me. I loved it and I still do. The rhythm section plays so many tight licks on the 2nd track alone that it should make someone uncomfortable to be around the opposite sex in fear of what the rhythms might inspire or conjure. But it is the last five tracks that give the album meat. They are heavy; they are soaked in reverb, echo, and mystical background noise ( helpfully supplied by like a thousand different guest musicians); they radiate with the depression and hopeless searching for only God knows what that would later define the bootleg "Lillywhite Sessions" (which they scratched for a more studio friendly "Busted Stuff" that wasn't half as good, but I still bought it). "The Stone" takes us down a dark road and Dave wants us to come along but probably doesn't think we will. Then "Crush" hits every teenager like a ton of bricks with Dave's obsessive wistful thinking about a girl and his love for her (I had a crush at the time I got the album. She crushed me in a different way which we will talk about when we get to No. 1). "The Dreaming Tree" is that odd-metered song that seems like it effortlessly came from some magic land where Dumbledore probably hung out with his other gay wizard buddies. Then "Pig" gave me hope for living out the day Roman-style except for the fact that I never left the room because I kept listening to the track.
And then there was "Spoon". Just when you think Dave is going to end on a good note he gets that creepy Canadian chick (no not Celine) and sings about how God is a sadistic puppet master. This is essential stuff for a moody wallflower teenager who wasn't even accepted by the wallflowers.
4. Bright Eyes-- I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
I owe Conor Oberst a great deal of gratitude. At the ripe old age of 23, he finally taught me to love music that wasn't clean. Conor's voice is dirty, broken, sad, shaky, playful, and hopeful all the day long. This album starts with him telling a story about an airplane crash. I gotta be honest. I think I know what he is trying to say, but I am not sure. I also don't care because I could listen to this broken man talk all day. If my trombone playing sounded like him I would be a construction worker or a bum because I would have never gotten into music school. But he took his faults and made them something beautiful and special. I like to think of it like this: he took his sin and made it grace. In "Road to Joy" Conor Oberst acknowledges my point: "I could have been a famous singer if I had someone else's voice, but failure's always sounded better..." It doesn't hurt that Bright Eyes is a lyrical genius who always makes his lyrics complete and perfect poetry. Each song tugs at my heart strings because every single time he gives us a new sad melody with a melancholy instrumental backdrop and new important revealing words. Each track is captivating to me in every sense of the term.
This album was the main ingredient to the soundtrack of LaPorte where I did my student teaching. Northern Indiana is a flat place which I think makes it that much more emotional. When there is nothing outside to look at you find something inside. Thank you Conor for making me search inside and also for finally being able to fall in love with punk music and indie rock. I owe you 12 bucks.
3. U2-- All That You Can't Leave Behind
A lot of my friends don't like U2. I get it. They are a little pretentious and not scared to make a big public spectacle of themselves, but then they make big introspective rock anthems that inspire actual introspective people. Then they save the world, do a press conference, and curse on MTV so they are considered legit.
But personally I truly feel that U2 is the greatest rock band of all time. People would argue The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Clash (Americans can't put out good rock and roll BANDS because we don't get along enough with anybody to do so-- of course I guess The Beatles aren't a good example of the positive end). But I think that those bands were too isolated in themselves (not so with the Rolling Stones anymore). I don't think you can be great if you are a recluse. I just don't. Rock stars are supposed to be rock stars and there is nothing wrong with that.
With all that said, this U2 album was the sweetest most personal album they created. I bought it in 2000 and went into my room to play it. I had never heard anything like it before. It was my first big rock album (I had been a jam band, jazz, R&B guy). Each song had so much drama and inspiration but they also fit together so well in a humble, almost cute, way. This is a love album written by men with children and a humble heart. When people say they hate U2, they are really saying they hate late 80's Rattle and Hum U2. When I say I love them I am talking of the U2 of the new millennium. Each song is tragic and hopeful at the same time. There are a couple of big fun rockers, but the songs that get me are "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of", "Kite", and "Peace on Earth". The production is simplified but not without some well placed synthetic keyboard horn parts and Pro Tools-style instrumentation. "Kite" is the tune that inspires me the most. He is letting someone go on their own (U2 have always been great about leaving room for an open ended interpretation-- even for themselves). At the same time he seems like he is still trying to prove himself. But the hope in the end is that this person won't be going forever: "Who's to know when the time has come around/Don't want to see you cry/ I know that this is not goodbye" So much of that hope and at the same time letting go. Once you put this in the backdrop of 9/11, the message goes from personal to global and then U2's talent of adjusting to the times takes on a whole new level for a country that doesn't even belong to them. When I think of American patriotism, I think of Bono. Sorry if that offends someone. Just don't forget what all you can't leave behind (and read Jeremiah 33:3).
2. Coldplay-- Parachutes
There isn't much I need to write about this. The songs themselves are strong but simple and kind of whiney (although there is some great melodic bass playing throughout the disc). I wouldn't even say it is the best Coldplay album. That has got to be A Rush of Blood to the Head (although the new Viva la Vida is great too). But this album stands as high as it does for pure sentimental reasons. It is the album of my first year of college. The greatest soundtrack. The greatest and most confusing time of my life is scored by Coldplay. Nearly every single night of my freshman year my roommate and I would put that album on, and the first notes of "Don't Panic" would put us at peace and eventually to sleep. Parachutes even resolved a few conflicts for my roomy and I. We never had to say anything. We just pressed play. All of our grandstanding and bragging and being mean and dumb could dissolve and we would let Chris Martin-- the crowned prince of all wimps-- put us back in our place. This man said what we really thought,and the only way we ever humbled ourselves in front of other people is by saying we liked Coldplay. They would respond the same way. My roomy and I both found and lost girls through that album. Coldplay was always there to both pick us up and kick us while we were down at the same time. Chris Martin was the quintessential sentimental goof. Something that most men really aren't aloud to be. But we could get away with it by listening to the man who was paranoid about spies and trouble and shivers and peeing on himself. He made us right again. Parachutes was the drug that we needed every night to get through the next day, and if we didn't get that drug we would find it eventually.
1. Lauryn Hill-- The Miseduction of Lauryn Hill
I like an album that is arranged like this: hot tracks, experimental approach and mid tempo tracks, gut-wrenching sentimental tracks. Lauryn did it. Now I know what you are thinking. How could I possibly have a top five list this personal and the artist I relate to the most is a pseudo-Rasta independent black woman hip-hop artist. Simple. Lauryn Hill wrote the perfect album. That's it and that is all there is to it. The perfect album. And when I bought that disc as a 16 year old kid, at first I thought I was cool for listening to this funky hip-hop track ("Lost Ones"). Imagine me dancing to it in my bedroom. Go ahead and imagine. Yep it was that awkward. The beat on the album was incredible--this beat was deep in the pocket with Lauryn singing as behind the beat as soulfully possible. Then I keep listening and all of a sudden Carlos Santana was on there (before he broke loose with Supernatural), so I felt smart for being able to spot that ("Zion"). And as the album got deeper, it started breaking my heart. This lady new exactly as I felt but could express it better than even Dawson's Creek could. The songs that did it for me weren't the big important tracks. They were the two hidden tracks at the end that were last minute throw-ins, and one of them was a cover ("Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"). The other one was so simple but so well-executed ("Tell Him"). I would listen to those tracks over and over and over again searching for answers. According to Lauryn, the strength was in her all along. And that is why I keep listening to that album to this day. I am trying to dig deeper to find out how she got strength from within. I don't believe in that concept. I still come from the broken philosophy where we have to turn to The Creator for the answers we need (and even then we don't get them all the time). Now in 2008 Lauryn is a broken woman. Britney Spears gets all this press for he brokenness and redemption, but Lauryn Hill took a much greater fall from grace. We still haven't heard from her since the MTV2 acoustic crapfest. I hope she has redemption within her. It would give her Miseducation a whole new glow, and I think I need that for my favorite album of all time. It needs a new glow.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Top 5 Musical Moments of My Life (or at least so far assuming there are not other musical moments later in my life that could be better than these 5)
I have a couple weeks off from marching band and overall school stuff, so I thought I would write a few blogs. That way I won't be completely lazy and stress myself out about people and things that I can't control while passively watching DVD's that I have already watched a thousand times while slacking off on the things that I can control.
So we start with a Top 5. I don't write enough of these. Enjoy.
6. Special Dream Musical Moment:
This one didn't actually happen. But if I were even more bored than I already am I would make a top 5 dream musical moments. This is not to be confused with moments that I wish would happen. These are events that have actually happened in my dreams while I was sleeping. This one occurred last night:
In my dream I was completely stressing out about some marching band mellodrama (bad pun with ill-conceived intention) at school. The school randomly looked like the IU Jacobs School of Music and not Eastern Greene. All of a sudden I see Carry Underwood walk by. She says hi to me like we vaguely knew each other in high school. I tell her that I am pretty good bass player and would love to do some session work on her album. She says that would be awesome and told me I would have to be in Memphis in a couple days. And just like that I am going to record for Carry Underwood. My friend (more like my idol that I wish were my friend) Davis Harwell made an appearance and gave me some pointers on what it was like to record with Carry and said he would join me.
An extremely important side note: Carry Underwood looked exactly like Jaime Presley and for some odd reason I was not confused by this.
Ok done with that. Now on to the real list:
5. The Last Connexion--May 2005:
For more than two years I was the regular bass player for the college service at ECC in Bloomington--Connexion. Now this blog is gonna come out sacrilegious because I am going to talk about it from a purely musical angle and not bring in (too much) our work for The Lord. I will say this though-- one of the reasons that band clicked so much is because we (eventually) stopped worrying about what everyone else and God thought of us and just played. We used our God-given abilities and dedication to developing those abilities to play great music, which would then lend to great worship from the congregation.
That Connexion band should go down as one of the best worship bands ever assembled-- but we are not allowed to do that because it is not about the music-- oh well. I will say it. We rocked for Jesus without apology. We weren't showing off at the end of that journey (we were in the beginning) we just clicked as a unified unit. The band had an intimidating lineup of musicians for a simple church worship team. Daniel Vencil leading on acoustic guitar and vocals backed by his wife Leanne and Christine Ondrik (probably the best low female voice I have ever heard, not kidding) We also had Mark helping out on vocals (can't remember the last name--sorry). The guitars were strapped on by Jim Walsh (an outside the box guitarist who was about rhythmic and harmonic variety yet never took a solo) and Dave Fladung (who had a ton of cool gear and took a few lead parts since we can't call them solos). The group was rounded out by the funkiest and heaviest (both words with multiple purposeful meanings) rhythm section in Christian music: Keshar Miller on jembe (always a natural on that thing), Davis Harwell on keyboards (a great musician and listener who also loved to kick his foot out), and the Burkhart brothers-- My brother Chris and I (we can lock in so well at times that we didn't need to practice song forms, and yet we practiced constantly).
Our last night playing together was special because Daniel--the man who put the group together-- was leaving and the rest of us would never quite be the same as a unit even if we were all around. We played all of our favorite tunes (Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble, Beautiful One) and played with a freedom that could only be allowed in a church-- and can only be criticized in a church.
4. The Eastern Greene Marching Thunderbirds at the Linton July 4 Parade:
It should be noted that all of these events are events that I was either performing in or in charge of. There are a couple of big moments in my musical dynasty that I was simply a spectator for. I mention this here because the reasoning behind this being in the top 5 could be used for more than a couple concerts I have been to.
This was the debut of the Eastern Greene Marching Band under my direction. The first ever public performance. We were dressed in all black in preparation for our Black Parade Show at the State Fair. It was an extremely interesting time because I was as nervous as Lindsey Lohan taking a breathalyzer test. (Ok that joke has been overdone. My bad.)
I didn't want the band's first performance with me as their director to go badly. We warmed up and got ready to set out and everything looked ok. There were some people out of step and you couldn't hear the trumpets on the melody, but other than that it was alright. Nothing awe-inspiring, but alright. Then we are about a quarter of a mile from the end of the parade. Everything is peachy, the kids are getting a little tired, but it isn't bad. The rain clouds had been popping out all day but it looked like they would hold. All of the other bands had finished their parade route and we were the last one remaining. Then it hit. The rain dropped like a Li'l Wayne mix tape. No one could avoid it. The rain was so heavy that the back of my t-shirt was soaked in under 4 seconds. And the best part was...the band loved it! I honestly thought they would wine and complain but they were wailing! The drums were banging as hard as ever and the brass decided to go for it in an otherwise timid performance. It was an amazing experience that left the kids cheering and singing all the way to dismissal. I was amazed that the rain could unify a group like that. It was a crowning achievement in a very interesting first marching band season, and I will never forget it.
3. IU vs. Duke--Winter 2005, The Day Marco Killingsworth Died:
I had to choose one IU basketball game from my IU pep band days. There were several highlights throughout my years with the Big Red Basketball Band and the Crab Bands. I wish I would have traveled with them more when I had the chance (I missed an all expenses paid trip to LA because of a recital. I suck). But this game sticks out the most.
Duke had not played at the Assembly Hall in forever and they brought a Bloomington North alumnus (Sean May who is slowly becoming a poor man's Elton Brand or a rich man's Udonis Haslem depending on your world view). So the game was hyped. And when the game is hyped the band is too. I played as loud as physically could using those two giant speakers and still didn't play loud enough for people across the court to hear me. When Marco (an extremely talented post player who spent more time than even I do at Taco Bell) got his 30th point the crowd lost it. So did I, rocking the bass as illegally as I could (my drum partner and myself may or may not have inspired some new Big 10 regulations on when we could play thus destroying the famous door bell after free throws. That night I rocked the door bell with distortion. Screw you Big 10.
The band played all the classics of IU pep band lore. 'Welcome to the Jungle', 'Basket Case', 'Tango di Smedley', and a host of others. It was one of the more intense nights of my life. I perspired more than than Big from "Big and Rob" trying to get off the couch to get a doughnut. I played grooves that, to this day, get copied at IU and now at Eastern Greene. We lost the game. But the journey there was so incredible that I actually included myself in "we" even though I technically didn't play.
2. My Senior Recital-- April of 2005
I am not the best musician ever. I don't suck and I am in fact pretty good. But I am not a master of any one musical instrument or style. My greatest talent (more accurately my greatest effort) is my absolute desire to be a Renaissance man in the world of music. I have always wanted to do a little bit of everything. This recital (which is on CD-- maybe I'll post it sometime since it's not cool to blog words anymore) was the culmination of my hopes and efforts to create something that was musically diverse but still very well connected. And I think I succeeded at that. This was my greatest outpouring of my talent and soul into 50 minutes. And the best part is that it counted for a grade. I put a lot into that day, and what made it number 2 on this list is how much it all worked together.
What connected the music together was not some chord or thematic thread in the music-- it was the people. The recital was, as my trombone teacher the honorable professor Carl Lenthe put it, a rock show without rock music (I don't think he actually said this but I felt he deserved a shout out for being such a great open minded teacher while his idiot student attempted something that had not been attempted too often.
There were fifteen people in the recital. Two trombone quartets, my brass quintet, a a talented piano player, and The House band (featuring the great guys I had lived with for those two years). The audience was comprised of over 150 people that I knew and loved from all the different random stuff I had been a part of over my college career. There were mistakes and mishaps, but overall the day will go down as one of those few special days where it is ok that the world revolves around you (the other days being your wedding and funeral--one of which is really about the woman, and the other you are not really attending, so this day was special).
1. November 1, 2003-- Mountain Madness
And here we are-- number 1 on my list of all time greatest musical moments of my lifetime. Is it when I performed with Paul McCartney? When I sang drunken Irish songs with Bono? When Joe Alessi called me for help on his new concerto? When Victor Wooten borrowed some of my licks for a gig and asked me to sit in with him? When I invented the bassoon?
No to all of those. My greatest musical moment was at my 21st birthday party. For those of you who don't know, I don't drink (not a subject for blogging, I promise that it is not for some religious reason though). Anyway, so my 21st birthday party was a Mountain Dew party. My addiction to Mountain Dew is comparable to a coffee addiction or a spell of alcohol abuse that is not necessarily alcoholism. The part was designed to be for everybody I knew (and even people I didn't) with all the mountain dew possible and a couple of options for people who weren't feelin' that. The party was fun and was probably the most well attended non-alcoholic party without an agenda during autumn on Highland Ave. in Bloomington, IN ever (including a special appearance by the Daly girls).
But a wonderful side plot occurred. My bedroom at that house became an open room to jam a little bit. There were drums, guitars, basses, little flutes, and even some trombones available. By about halfway through the night we were exploding in intense simple funk grooves with horn solos and me on bass. It was one of the only times that I have completely lost myself to the music I was playing. It was the greatest night of my musical life even though it probably didn't matter to anyone else's. I am still looking for the next time that I can lose myself to the music. It is hard for me to do (as based on my writing style, I am pretty self-conscious and constantly thinking). I hope that one day I will do it again, because it is the closest I have ever gotten to being truly at peace. That is what music should bring to everyone. I guess I am lucky that it has happened to me at least once.
So we start with a Top 5. I don't write enough of these. Enjoy.
6. Special Dream Musical Moment:
This one didn't actually happen. But if I were even more bored than I already am I would make a top 5 dream musical moments. This is not to be confused with moments that I wish would happen. These are events that have actually happened in my dreams while I was sleeping. This one occurred last night:
In my dream I was completely stressing out about some marching band mellodrama (bad pun with ill-conceived intention) at school. The school randomly looked like the IU Jacobs School of Music and not Eastern Greene. All of a sudden I see Carry Underwood walk by. She says hi to me like we vaguely knew each other in high school. I tell her that I am pretty good bass player and would love to do some session work on her album. She says that would be awesome and told me I would have to be in Memphis in a couple days. And just like that I am going to record for Carry Underwood. My friend (more like my idol that I wish were my friend) Davis Harwell made an appearance and gave me some pointers on what it was like to record with Carry and said he would join me.
An extremely important side note: Carry Underwood looked exactly like Jaime Presley and for some odd reason I was not confused by this.
Ok done with that. Now on to the real list:
5. The Last Connexion--May 2005:
For more than two years I was the regular bass player for the college service at ECC in Bloomington--Connexion. Now this blog is gonna come out sacrilegious because I am going to talk about it from a purely musical angle and not bring in (too much) our work for The Lord. I will say this though-- one of the reasons that band clicked so much is because we (eventually) stopped worrying about what everyone else and God thought of us and just played. We used our God-given abilities and dedication to developing those abilities to play great music, which would then lend to great worship from the congregation.
That Connexion band should go down as one of the best worship bands ever assembled-- but we are not allowed to do that because it is not about the music-- oh well. I will say it. We rocked for Jesus without apology. We weren't showing off at the end of that journey (we were in the beginning) we just clicked as a unified unit. The band had an intimidating lineup of musicians for a simple church worship team. Daniel Vencil leading on acoustic guitar and vocals backed by his wife Leanne and Christine Ondrik (probably the best low female voice I have ever heard, not kidding) We also had Mark helping out on vocals (can't remember the last name--sorry). The guitars were strapped on by Jim Walsh (an outside the box guitarist who was about rhythmic and harmonic variety yet never took a solo) and Dave Fladung (who had a ton of cool gear and took a few lead parts since we can't call them solos). The group was rounded out by the funkiest and heaviest (both words with multiple purposeful meanings) rhythm section in Christian music: Keshar Miller on jembe (always a natural on that thing), Davis Harwell on keyboards (a great musician and listener who also loved to kick his foot out), and the Burkhart brothers-- My brother Chris and I (we can lock in so well at times that we didn't need to practice song forms, and yet we practiced constantly).
Our last night playing together was special because Daniel--the man who put the group together-- was leaving and the rest of us would never quite be the same as a unit even if we were all around. We played all of our favorite tunes (Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble, Beautiful One) and played with a freedom that could only be allowed in a church-- and can only be criticized in a church.
4. The Eastern Greene Marching Thunderbirds at the Linton July 4 Parade:
It should be noted that all of these events are events that I was either performing in or in charge of. There are a couple of big moments in my musical dynasty that I was simply a spectator for. I mention this here because the reasoning behind this being in the top 5 could be used for more than a couple concerts I have been to.
This was the debut of the Eastern Greene Marching Band under my direction. The first ever public performance. We were dressed in all black in preparation for our Black Parade Show at the State Fair. It was an extremely interesting time because I was as nervous as Lindsey Lohan taking a breathalyzer test. (Ok that joke has been overdone. My bad.)
I didn't want the band's first performance with me as their director to go badly. We warmed up and got ready to set out and everything looked ok. There were some people out of step and you couldn't hear the trumpets on the melody, but other than that it was alright. Nothing awe-inspiring, but alright. Then we are about a quarter of a mile from the end of the parade. Everything is peachy, the kids are getting a little tired, but it isn't bad. The rain clouds had been popping out all day but it looked like they would hold. All of the other bands had finished their parade route and we were the last one remaining. Then it hit. The rain dropped like a Li'l Wayne mix tape. No one could avoid it. The rain was so heavy that the back of my t-shirt was soaked in under 4 seconds. And the best part was...the band loved it! I honestly thought they would wine and complain but they were wailing! The drums were banging as hard as ever and the brass decided to go for it in an otherwise timid performance. It was an amazing experience that left the kids cheering and singing all the way to dismissal. I was amazed that the rain could unify a group like that. It was a crowning achievement in a very interesting first marching band season, and I will never forget it.
3. IU vs. Duke--Winter 2005, The Day Marco Killingsworth Died:
I had to choose one IU basketball game from my IU pep band days. There were several highlights throughout my years with the Big Red Basketball Band and the Crab Bands. I wish I would have traveled with them more when I had the chance (I missed an all expenses paid trip to LA because of a recital. I suck). But this game sticks out the most.
Duke had not played at the Assembly Hall in forever and they brought a Bloomington North alumnus (Sean May who is slowly becoming a poor man's Elton Brand or a rich man's Udonis Haslem depending on your world view). So the game was hyped. And when the game is hyped the band is too. I played as loud as physically could using those two giant speakers and still didn't play loud enough for people across the court to hear me. When Marco (an extremely talented post player who spent more time than even I do at Taco Bell) got his 30th point the crowd lost it. So did I, rocking the bass as illegally as I could (my drum partner and myself may or may not have inspired some new Big 10 regulations on when we could play thus destroying the famous door bell after free throws. That night I rocked the door bell with distortion. Screw you Big 10.
The band played all the classics of IU pep band lore. 'Welcome to the Jungle', 'Basket Case', 'Tango di Smedley', and a host of others. It was one of the more intense nights of my life. I perspired more than than Big from "Big and Rob" trying to get off the couch to get a doughnut. I played grooves that, to this day, get copied at IU and now at Eastern Greene. We lost the game. But the journey there was so incredible that I actually included myself in "we" even though I technically didn't play.
2. My Senior Recital-- April of 2005
I am not the best musician ever. I don't suck and I am in fact pretty good. But I am not a master of any one musical instrument or style. My greatest talent (more accurately my greatest effort) is my absolute desire to be a Renaissance man in the world of music. I have always wanted to do a little bit of everything. This recital (which is on CD-- maybe I'll post it sometime since it's not cool to blog words anymore) was the culmination of my hopes and efforts to create something that was musically diverse but still very well connected. And I think I succeeded at that. This was my greatest outpouring of my talent and soul into 50 minutes. And the best part is that it counted for a grade. I put a lot into that day, and what made it number 2 on this list is how much it all worked together.
What connected the music together was not some chord or thematic thread in the music-- it was the people. The recital was, as my trombone teacher the honorable professor Carl Lenthe put it, a rock show without rock music (I don't think he actually said this but I felt he deserved a shout out for being such a great open minded teacher while his idiot student attempted something that had not been attempted too often.
There were fifteen people in the recital. Two trombone quartets, my brass quintet, a a talented piano player, and The House band (featuring the great guys I had lived with for those two years). The audience was comprised of over 150 people that I knew and loved from all the different random stuff I had been a part of over my college career. There were mistakes and mishaps, but overall the day will go down as one of those few special days where it is ok that the world revolves around you (the other days being your wedding and funeral--one of which is really about the woman, and the other you are not really attending, so this day was special).
1. November 1, 2003-- Mountain Madness
And here we are-- number 1 on my list of all time greatest musical moments of my lifetime. Is it when I performed with Paul McCartney? When I sang drunken Irish songs with Bono? When Joe Alessi called me for help on his new concerto? When Victor Wooten borrowed some of my licks for a gig and asked me to sit in with him? When I invented the bassoon?
No to all of those. My greatest musical moment was at my 21st birthday party. For those of you who don't know, I don't drink (not a subject for blogging, I promise that it is not for some religious reason though). Anyway, so my 21st birthday party was a Mountain Dew party. My addiction to Mountain Dew is comparable to a coffee addiction or a spell of alcohol abuse that is not necessarily alcoholism. The part was designed to be for everybody I knew (and even people I didn't) with all the mountain dew possible and a couple of options for people who weren't feelin' that. The party was fun and was probably the most well attended non-alcoholic party without an agenda during autumn on Highland Ave. in Bloomington, IN ever (including a special appearance by the Daly girls).
But a wonderful side plot occurred. My bedroom at that house became an open room to jam a little bit. There were drums, guitars, basses, little flutes, and even some trombones available. By about halfway through the night we were exploding in intense simple funk grooves with horn solos and me on bass. It was one of the only times that I have completely lost myself to the music I was playing. It was the greatest night of my musical life even though it probably didn't matter to anyone else's. I am still looking for the next time that I can lose myself to the music. It is hard for me to do (as based on my writing style, I am pretty self-conscious and constantly thinking). I hope that one day I will do it again, because it is the closest I have ever gotten to being truly at peace. That is what music should bring to everyone. I guess I am lucky that it has happened to me at least once.
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