Rock and roll sprung from the roots of an idea, an idea of self discovery and the realization of the need for personal freedom. It spun from the blues, blues that cried for freedom and revolted against oppression. That is why rock and roll is so originally American, because it could only have only come from a place where such a strong idea of freedom was forged. Rock and roll came from the depths of our liberty and rang across the feeling of being young and free, of independence, and rebellion to authority.

Rock and roll’s rebellion and rapscallion nature did not spring out of a dislike for authority, but rather from a need for free expression. The weight of oppression, the hate and sadness of separation, and the lack of unity weighed down this country through the 20th century like a lead weight around a dog’s neck. The nature of humanity is simple unity. The nature of man is complex cooperation. The nature of humanity is brother and sisterhood.

That need and bond of togetherness is ingrained into our biology like the need for breath. But the internal fight of capitalism that sprang to life through the industrial revolution accompanied with the lust of profit and possessions, created a black hole in the pit in the American countryside and the American. You see, the green-lust of capitalism drove slavery, which in turn drove racism, which spilled into two Americas and a cold separation between the natural human need of togetherness and unity.

America had lost its spirit of freedom and cooperation during the 1st fifty years of the 20th century. In 1964, people thought nothing would change the push of the individual pursuit, the individualistic and capitalistic pursuit which separated us and spilt this country. But in1964 the country didn’t count on this thing called music; and its organic child, rock and roll. This organic ebb and flow biorhythm that is as old as the waves that flow through the history of this earth and by its nature, cries freedom.

A movement was afoot, and it sprang through music…but music was only the instrument of the movement: the power of this movement came from the idea it fostered, freedom and unity… two forces as strong as gravity. History calls it the Flower Power generation but I say call it any name, because the name doesn’t matter. Rock and roll was moving through the young generation and bringing together people of all places and races, of all creeds and creation. It was bringing together black and white, rich and poor, young and old in a way that the industrial world had forgotten.

From the dirty streets of San Francisco, south to the beaches of Venice, to the gray coast of the Atlantic and everywhere in between, the peace movement spun and carried the music that influenced it to a changing the world…color lines where being blurred, and unity was afoot. There was much resistance outside the rock and roll music scene, but this scene had power, it had youth, it had the truth.

What is rock and roll? What makes rock and roll so fucking powerful? It is the idea behind rock and roll that gives rock and roll its power! And that is idea is that everyone is included under the flag of rock and roll. Under the flag of rock and roll, we are not black or white, cool or nerdy; we are simply all disenfranchised and one, within that understanding.

And on a late summer day, much like today, it all came together perfectly for 5 minutes and 47 seconds in the summer of 1969. It was the 1st day of the music festival Woodstock, and the 1st performer of the weekend took the stage. His name was Richie Havens and everything that rock and roll is and should be came out on stage during that performance. During the performance of “Motherless Child” the rock and roll world hit its center point…the culmination of everything rock and roll is supposed to be.

In the beginning of the song Richie started improvising and singing from his musical soul, over and over and over again, repeating the word, “freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom”. The people in the crowd took notice, the chatter seemed to soften as the audiences’ attention focused words pouring from Richie Havens soul…freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom.

If anyone ever asks you, “what rock and roll is all about or how to summarize rock and roll in 6 minutes or less,” tell them to go to YouTube and search “Richie Haven Woodstock.” Tell them to watch Richie Havens singing “Motherless Child” and tell them, this is what this crazy thing called music is all about…

Peace,

Aaron

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Today’s pop music movement is centered on youth, and the younger the better. In this period of music history it seems like 26 is over the hill. If you don’t believe me, ask Britney. When pop musicians hit their late 20’s they have to go to do a country music record to get recognized, but that’s different article all together (Don’t you feel it coming…a Britney Spears county album). If you’re young, sexy, and irreverent and can carry a tune in your pocket, you have a chance of being famous in today’s pop-musical culture. Now don’t forget that to capture that 15 minutes of momentary fame in today’s music scene, one must sacrifice intelligence, class, and dignity…but if you’re willing to do it, you have a chance to be the next washed-up pop star 5 years form now.

But this story is not about how this new crop of young stars that are being promoted and somewhat exploited, it’s about me watching music videos 25 years ago. Do you remember the 1st time you saw the video of, “Hold on Loosely” by 38. Special? I do, and I thought it was great! And let me just tell you right from the bottom of the canvas that I don’t remember those guys looking old to me at that time when in the 80’s. I look back at that video these days, after being bombarded by today’s youth movement-mix and I am stunned how old those guys looked, not now, but back then! They were men rocking and rolling…it almost sounds, and certainly seems, weird to think of men in the 40’s having top 40 hits these days. They had long hair and long beards, and looked like they were in their 40’s. But back then I didn’t think twice about it, they were just rockers making really good music and back then to me, age didn’t seem important and wasn’t the main focus. Of course there were the Duran Duran’s of the pop world and the other face bands, but you could still not be a face band and have hits. I mean ZZ Top’s Eliminator spawned top 10 hit after top 10 hit and they looked old timey like Rip VanWinkle. Can you imagine today’s music scene embracing guys that look like that?

And I can name a bunch of 80’s artist that were old looking and were producing great music and top 40 hits. Like Steve Perry, J Giles Band, REO Speedwagon, Tina Turner, and the list goes on and on. I mean Tina turner had a huge hit with, “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” when she was in her 50’s. I am having a really hard time searching my mind right now for someone or some group in their 50’s that have had a number 1 pop single recently. But back then I didn’t even think about. The Stones were Hanging Fire and looking old like Uncle Ed but I didn’t even think twice about it, because they were legends!

Where will today’s rock and pop legends come from? In 2026 will Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber be submitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? I might be wrong, but I just don’t see that happening. Today’s manufactured artists don’t have the staying power that the bands yesteryear had. They don’t have it because their music pretty much is subpar. Because the focus isn’t on the music, it’s on the look. Our culture has changed, and if it’s not new, it’s through. If it’s not fresh, its death. If it’s not young, it’s done. (Ok I will quite but you get the drift)

Could you imagine guys like the Marshall Tucker Band or 38. Special with the age they appeared to be in their prime, making a splash and having top 10 hits in today’s musical market. They wouldn’t get past the front door! Music corporations wouldn’t even let those fellers in their parking lot; they would be playing music at the local bar for 40 or 50 some odd patrons on a Thursday penny beer night (Do they still have those).

25 years ago, I don’t remember caring if the guys I liked looked old or young, I just knew the music I liked and that was enough. Today’s society puts such a premium on age that it is the main ingredient of popularity. I guess I need to keep pace and keep fit, and color the gray out of my hair, and hit the coolest-hippest gym in Indianapolis. Then go buy some cloths at the newest-coolest fashion store that will go out of business in three years from now and try to fit in to today’s music scene. That sounds like too much bullshit, I will just continue to listen to classic rock and periodically find that one off group that defies the current trends.

Peace,

Aaron

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Let me start from the beginning, I grew up a huge Doors fan – and I mean huge. I had posters of Jim Morrison on my bedroom walls, and old vinyl record cover artwork nailed up everywhere in my room. I had all their albums (in cassette form of course, it was the 80’s); Jim’s recording of ‘American Poet,’ and all his writings in paperback. And I wasn’t alone; I remember a lot of my friends really being into the Doors as well.

What Happened? Is it me, or did their popularity in pop culture do a 180 over the last 15 years? I believe it has, and I am here to talk about it, ponder it, and figure it out. (And no Nick, it’s not because they “suck ass” so save the comment).

I was a heading towards the end of my high school years in the late 80’s. Let me tell you up front, I was not a product of my time; I was not into the 80’s music scene when I was living during the 80’s. I was into the Beatles, The Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Kiss, and most of all the Doors. It was the late 80’s and I hated most pop music (i.e. Love shack and the like). At that time in my life, pop music didn’t speak to me, but Jim Morrison did. And he spoke to me in volumes.

Artistically, he was the biggest influence of my young musical life. His anti establishment middle finger at the bourgeoisie brazen attitude really appealed to the 17 year old I was. And I think many other people felt that way too. Plus the music was super strong harmonically and sonically…not to mention the strength of Jim’s lyrics. The combination of Jim’s lyrics and Manzerik’s spacey musically feel, seemed to resonate soundly in the late 80’s and early 90’s among my generation.

In 1993, this Doors popularity culminated and peaked in the Oliver Stone feature film, entitled The Doors. The movie stared Val Kimmer and was a big deal at the time. People use to talk about the Doors in the same breathe as The Beatles, Stones, and Zeppelin. But that is no longer the case; they seem to have been forgotten over the last few years.

So why is it that the Doors have fallen out of favor over the years? Is it because they were not part of the Guitar Hero explosion or the Rock Band phenomenon? Is it because there music was, and still is, considered too dark? And with the down economy and the present state of the union, dark music just doesn’t fly…so I have been told. Is there music too generational? Sometimes certain types of music can not transcend generations, and this is defiantly a new era of musical entertainment. Does it have to do with the connection between marketing mediums and promotional products? VH1, Apple and Microsoft; along with Sony have joined forces to promote music and products on a mass scale like never before. Case and point: Beatles Rock Band. The week before Beatles Rock Band was released to users, VH1 did a Beatles week…coincidence?

I am not sure what has caused the fall of the Doors, maybe it’s a culmination of all the above. The Doors weren’t invited to Woodstock and it really upset that band. Did they know back then how the lack of an appearance at Woodstock would affect them historically? And thus, did not being invited to Woodstock degrade them in the annals of history, so now they are not part of the memory or nostalgia of the Woodstock generation?

All questions to ponder and wonder…but they should not be forgotten…they are in the league with the rest of the rock god giants, for now and always.

Aaron

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It really got me thinking about the 80’s and the music and the styles the transfixed that era. I know that music from the 80’s as far as “its place in history” is controversial in the fact of its quality when compared to the birth of rock and roll. When Duran Duran is placed in history next to the Beatles, there should be collective chuckle occurring worldwide. But in its time, 80’s New Wave and Pop was relevant and socially important. Yes it was trite, shallow, and bubblegum in most respects. And, yes it was nonsensical, self absorbed and super materialistic, but like I said, everything old, is new again.

The 80’s were a time of musical experimentation and fashion extravagance. The use of computerized music and post apocalyptic fashion were in full gear, and set trends that were defiantly unique…and actually, truly original. What you can not say is that the 80’s music scene was a rehashing or rebirth of another era or time (i.e. the 90’s reinventing of the 70’s punk movement or the rebirth of tie-dyes and peace signs), the 80’s were totally and ultimately original.

And that since and feeling of originality is something music has not been able to grasp in a while…that it is fresh and new and within itself, original. Over the last 15 years or so, most of the musical trends (excluding rap which is really one of the few original art forms that has stayed true to itself and genre) have been rebirths of older styles. Right now, we are in a rebirth of the 80’s music scene. And as bad as it was back then, at least it was original.

Lady gaga is not a fashion Mecca; she is simply reinventing the old styles from Dale Bozzio, Wendy O’ Williams, and Grace Jones. Which I don’t have a problem with, but lets not be confused with the difference of being a trend setter and a trend mocker. The music of the 80’s was in most regards, simplistic and materialistic, trite and light. And, if you listen to what is popular today, it ain’t the musical stylings of The Edmond Fitzgerald, no indeed. Today’s pop music is closer in substance and style to Duran Duran and Milli Vanilli.

I just wanted to point out that we are not in an era of musical and fashion break through; in fact it is quite the opposite. We are in an era of musical staleness and stagnation. I guess everything old is new again…unfortunately

Aaron

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10. Stranglehold by Ted Nugent – Ted was considered a guitar virtuoso at a very early age. Ted was starring in a band at the age of 16, a band by the name of Amboy Dukes. And all the scuttlebutt about this band was around this young guitarist name Ted. Ted went on to be one of the most famous rock guitarists of all time for the simple reason that he is incredible. And, in my opinion, his greatest song of all time is Stranglehold. His guitar work on this song is just amazing. From his intro riff, to his monstrous solo, the guitar work is amazing. If you decide to make a play list of the top guitar songs of all time, this song has got to be on your list.

9. Shock Me – Ace Frehley – As some of you know that I truly love Ace Frehley, he is personally my favorite guitarist of all time. I love his straight forward approach to guitar and that driving-deep Gibson sound his produces. There is no whammy bar in any of his solo’s; it is straight forward- blues scale, rock and roll. His guitar styling’s are in the same vain as Angus Young and Joe Perry, some of my other favorites. His solo work on Shock Me is easily his greatest work…in fact he has two guitar solos on this song, one in the middle and another to finish the song out. Its great work and a song you should own.

8. Bulls on Parade – Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) Tom is a wonderfully innovative guitarist. Many people when listening to Rage’s songs think that they have a DJ in the band, which is untrue. All the “scratching” sound is actually made from Tom on his guitar, it is pretty amazing. I have been playing guitar for over 20 years and when I hear the effects that he makes with his guitar, I am pretty amazed. In This song, Tom really rips an amazing solo, his has been overlooked by the main media, but he is right up there with the Likes of Page, Hendrix, and Clapton.

7. Highway Star –Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple) This maybe be the best hard rock song to come out of the 60’s. I know a lot of people like to argue that Born to be Wild was the first song to be acclaimed as heavy metal, but that song pails in comparison to the hard rocking’ Highway Star. Highway Star is the first song I can remember that used the a 16th meter for that fast furious paced sound. Many metal bands have copied that 16th meter speed, but they originated it with Highway, Star, the first speed metal song, in my opinion.

6. Crazy Train – Randy Rhodes (Ozzy Osborne) The standard 80’s heavy metal guitarist had a very distinct sound. By the end of the 80’s it seemed that they all sounded alike, but in 1981 they didn’t all sound alike, there was just Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhodes. They created that unique styling of 80’s metal, and Rhodes best song was Crazy train. This song is just a great song, and if you’re a guitarist, you know the fingering is not simple; this is a bitch to play….and the solo, well forget about it…amazing!

5. Crossroads – Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton is not my cup of tea, he’s a little to bluesy for my liking, but I know talent when I hear it, and he is a wizard. This song is my favorite song by Eric Clapton, it does follow that typical blues riff, but he rocks it out in the unique Clapton styling that makes him, him. Even though Clapton is not my favorite guitarist and not really my cup of tea, his solo work on this song is ridiculous.

4. Purple Rain – Prince In my humble opinion, might be one of the most underrated guitarist of all time. Listen to his ending solo on Let’s go Crazy, that is an amazingly great solo, I mean it, it is superb. But, Price even out does that solo on Purple Rain. I miss that Prince, that heavy handed guitarist that laid down riffs like nobody’s business, I hope he finds that Prince again, and shares it with the world.

3. November Rain –Slash (guns and Roses) Now Slash, he’s my kind of guitarist. As you probably can tell, I am a Gibson guy; I just love the sound-crunch of that triple humbucker sound. There are so many great Slash solo’s it is hard to pick just one, but of course I have too, so I chose November Rain. I love this solo, it really captures the pain of this song, and that is hard to do, to create a solo that captures the essence of a song, without just sounding like a 1000 bee’s buzzing. Slash is a rock God!

2. Rocker – Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy) In the vain of Prince, Eric Bell is one of the greatest yet most underrated guitarist of all time. The song Rocker shows this off, I am personally not a fan of long solos, about 30 to 45 seconds is plenty if you get the drift. But this one is about 3 minutes, and it’s worth every second of sound. It is a great solo and in my eyes, one of the greatest of all time.

1. Eruption – Eddie van Halen (Van Halen) This is the great solo of all time, hands down! Eddie’s the great soloist, and this is his greatest work. You find me a better solo and I will kiss a frog.

Aaron

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And I thought to myself, so this is what it has come too, going to concerts for fellowship, drink, and fashion…but what about the music! Doesn’t anyone go to concerts anymore to hear good music? Good being the operative word here.

I would have rather her have said, “I am going to the concert because I love his music, it really speaks to me.” Or, “He’s just a great musician and I love his voice.” Or whatever; but something music related. And I am seeing this more and more, that people are not into music or artist, but moreover they are into being seen at scenes.

Doesn’t anybody love a group because they relate to that group’s identity, music, and style? It seems that anymore, music, and concerts in particular, have become popularity contest and scenes rather then people gathering to enjoy good music. It’s about being there at “that” concert because it’s the popular thing to do that weekend. I hope you’re listening Parrot head nation! It’s about people watching and being watched, dressing up and going out, and finding a reason to drink. Fuck, if you’re a true rock and roller you don’t need to find a reason to drink.

I know I am somewhat of a music snob and heavily opinionated, but I just can’t see a group of soccer mom’s rolling up to a Zeppelin concert in 1971 because they were looking to break out the tight jeans and get their smoke on. But, maybe I am wrong…but, I don’t think so.

I feel that concerts have become social events and not musical celebrations. They have become places to hang out and party, which is part of the mystic of concerts, but the entire music element shouldn’t be lost, you should at least like the music you are listening too…and there’s the rub.

These musical morons that flock to Jimmy Buffet, Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews, and many more concerts aren’t there for the quality of the music, they are there for the experience and the party; and even worse, to brag on Facebook or in the office that they were part of that “hip” scene. Trust me, if they were there for the music, those shows wouldn’t be sold out, because the music just isn’t that strong.

And what really chaps my ass about the whole scene is that these fair weathered fans are there through the process of band wagoning. They only love Dave Matthews because someone told them that it was cool to like that band. It’s like a few years ago, the office mates of these fair weathered music fans started spreading the word that Dave Matthews was great and cool, and without listening to the music or diving into the band’s discography, they were like all about Dave Matthews, because it was the hip thing to be into because of what they were told.

I think it all started with the Dead in the early 90’s. Hair Metal had died, a new musical scene was spreading, and people wanted to flock to the next-new cool thing. There was a retro movement afoot, and over night I saw hair metal teens turn into college age Nuevo-hippies sucking nitrous out of balloons and playing Frisbee in the parking lot. Really!? I wanted to say, “Dude, your junior year of high school you were jamming your car stereo to Great White now you’re following Uncle John’s Band?” That doesn’t prove to me your flexible and change with the times, it means you’re a douche bag that follows the crowd and has NO TRUE MUSICAL conviction. You just became a conformist-hippy-wannabe, and that is true douchery!

Then Jerry died, and all these 20 something fake-ass frat boys needed a new outlet to party at and act like morons, and they fell into the Phish scene. Not because they loved Phish from the beginning, most of them didn’t know much about them these Vermont-Maple syrup-green-jam band suck asses, but these douche-bag rich-boys wanted to keep the fantasy going about how cool they were, and how cutting edge they were, and wanted to keep the nitrous going~!.

So now they moved to the Phish scene. And that’s what irks me about Phish, because the fact is, they fucking suck, but their followers follow because of the movement itself, and not the music. I can hear it now, some super gay Phish follower saying, “Dude, I know every song from every bootleg recording, it’s not like that.” My response is, “I am sure you do, and you do know all the bootlegs because you are trying to fit into the a scene and lifestyle and you want to be cool and say exactly what you just said, because in your mind you believe its cool to be like that, but its not.”

But what about the drinkers (non-drug users) that have no musical taste but still want to go concerts to seem part of something, where do they go. Yep, fucking Jimmy Buffet!
Do you know how many musically retarded people I work with that really don’t know shit about music, but every year Buffet comes to town they are running around the office talking about getting the party bus together to go to the Buffet show. And I am not being mean or factious; these fools are fucking musical morons! It’s almost to the point if you go to a Buffet show you automatically get tagged as a music moron, and if you go to a Phish show you get tagged as a following-conformist. If you follow Dave Matthews you’re a recent college grad looking for a reason to meet up with your old friends from college and get drunk in the parking lot.

But it still begs the question, what about the fucking music! If you are going to tell me you that you go to see Buffet, Dave Matthews, Phish, Kenny Chesney, or whoever because the music is amazing, then you just proved the point of this article, you’re a fucking musical moron!

Aaron

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You may wonder who these artists are, well, I don’t know, and that’s my point. This summer is the summer of taking back my life and finding new music and new artist. I tend to focus my attention on established bands and classic sounds, like The Who, Zeppelin, Kiss, and many other great-classic bands. And don’t get wrong, I do like newer bands too, like the White Stripes, Band of Horses, Pete Yorn, KOL, and many others, just to name a few. But what I am going to give to myself a treat this year, and that treat is getting to know some really great Indie musical artist that I haven’t found the time for over the last few years.

I am going to spend weekends in small venues with Indie artist and really get into some great new bands, while enjoying music, beer, and song. If you are anything like me, you too may find it harder these days to keep up with the changing tides of our current music scene and thus rely on the top 40, and top 40 stations to connect with new music (which I despise). And, I don’t want to that to be my doorway into the summer of 2010. I want to go to smaller venues and see great artist that don’t get their proper’s with top 40 radio.

I encourage you to get out as well. Make it a goal this year to see a new band you have never seen before, that you know little about there music, and just feel their vibe. Talk to your knowledgeable musical friends and get advice about a band that you don’t know well, then listen to a few of their songs to get a feel for that artist, then go see them live, and learn something new. That is my summer goal and I am really excited about it. If you are looking for a little freedom, fun, and new adventures this summer, this is cheap and fun way to get it. I hope I see you there!

Aaron

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“Am I on an Island here, or is this the worst song in history” you start to ponder. Then you notice people that you once respected saying things like, “Dude, that song is great.” This is when your head starts really messing with you. But let me reassure you, it’s not you this time, it’s them. Us, few sane people left with good taste, must rally together to stop terrible songs from becoming popular. And we have the obligation when we hear someone humming one of these god forsaking tunes to step up and say, “Man, I had no idea you had such bad taste and were such an idiot!” So here is a list of songs that made it past us rational people to become popular, which is beyond my comprehension. But maybe by reading this list, we can stop songs like these from ever charting again.

Let’s start off with a few easy songs that are really easy to pick on, well let me be honest; all these songs will be easy targets, which is why they are on this list.

We Built this City – Starship
Man, just mentioning the name of this song upsets me…it is that terrible. There are a lot of things that make this one of the most terrible songs of all time, but what is really disappointing to me is that this same group, played at Woodstock. They went from great socio-political songs or songs about drug abuse, and love lost to this pile of dog stink. What a fall from grace, from Grace. These lyrics have to be some of the worst lyrics of all time…”knee deep in the hoopla” ohhhhhhhhhh just typing that out pisses me off! Not to mention that, “Marconi plays the mamba,” is just as bad. The lyrics are terrible, the music and instrumentation are terrible, and the video was terrible too. How this song made a splash among pop culture is beyond me. And think of the audacity of this song. Starship claims of “themselves” that “they” built San Fran’s musical history and scene. Oh…so “they” built that city on rock and roll. Thus, forgetting the contributions of Janis or the Dead, San Francisco’s musical scene was built by (drum roll please)…Starship! And no, I am not mincing words, they said it, they said, “we built this city” hyping the word “we.” Maybe they were speaking as a collective we, but, if that were the case, then wouldn’t they have to collectively tie this song to the entire great Bay artist? And that is something I won’t do…those artist deserve better.

Phil Collins – Sussudio
Where do I begin with this monkey fart of a song? There are so many places it’s hard to pick just one. First off, what is Sussudio? No one knows. Its true, not even Phil knows himself. When pressed about the meaning of this song and the name of it in an interview with Spin, Phil stated it was a scat in his head. So, basically what he is saying is that it’s a made up word that has no meaning. Which pretty much makes the song meaningless too, right? “I feel so good if I just say the word, suss, suss, Sussudio, ohhh ohh,” well great Phil, that makes one of us. How did he sell this piece of shit to the record company and the producer is my question. Were they all smoking PCP and stuffing their faces with Fiddle Faddle so heavily that this one “slipped by.” Didn’t one person say to Phil that is song doesn’t make a lick o sense? Well, somehow it made it past the music police and infected our air space. The world’s pollution rate increased when this musical herpe infected the radio dial.

Heartbeat – Don Johnson
Have you ever watched something and been embarrassed for that person because they looked so stupid that it wasn’t even funny, it was beyond funny to the point of humiliation? And the worst part about it was the fact the idiot in question had no idea how big of an actually idiot he actually was being…and in that, you felt pity, sorrow, and personally embarrassed for the fool in question? That is Don Johnson’s attempt at making an album, this song, and an attempt at taking himself way too serious. This song is a train wreck in every way possible. And I am not getting on him because he tried to expand his brand for a buck, that’s fine as long as the material is even marginal. You won’t see me bashing Patrick Swayze in this article. But Don Johnson went way beyond the acceptable level of celebrity douche baggery with this song, it’s terrible! At least Eddie Murphy had a little fun with his feeble attempt at pop music with Party all the Time, Don Johnson had to go at it on the serious tip. Oh man, it’s so bad I can even tell you. If you have never heard this song or seen the video, just you tube it once (anymore may cause permanent brain damage) and you will ask yourself at the end of it, “What the hell did I just witness.” Let me just say this, “Don Johnson, you are no Jack Waggoner!”

Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard
Let me start off by saying that throughout my 7th grade year of middle school, Pyromania was my favorite album. And in all honesty, I still really enjoy that album, but not as much as I do High and Dry which is a fantastic album! But oh, then came Hysteria (I just puked in my mouth writing and thinking of that album, what a stinky pile of Marmaduke poop that album was). And the crowning jewel of that horrible album was the god-awful Pour Some Sugar on Me. I recall the love of this song in its prime, and I didn’t get it then, and mind you that is when hair metal was cool. Now I look back and cringe and the world’s embrace of this piece of massive duke. I mean the lyrics are so stupid I can even take it…”Who wants more sugar, ONE LUMP OR TWO!” That is some fine writing there my friends, on par with Hemmingway, Thoreau, and Steinbeck. I know, its rock and roll not fine art, but that is so bad Dr. Seuss wouldn’t have written that for Sam I am chasing green eggs and ham. In fact I would rather have green eggs and ham that any amount of lumped-cubed sugar Joe Elliott and the boys were peddling. “You got the peaches I got the cream” was such an abstract reference that I have yet to get the meaning; it must be on a higher plan than my comprehension and consciousness can fathom. What did he mean by that? The world may never know, it transcends us, were not on a high enough plain yet. Don’t put this crap in your pipe and smoke it, instead put in your trash and burn it. And for get that you ever heard any of these songs, it may increase your IQ if can just forget.

Aaron

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Triumph is band that has been forgotten over the years, unfortunately. Triumph sprung out of Canada in the mid 70’s as a progressive rock band in the form of Rush. Many times the band has been described as a cross between Rush and the Who. Again, like Thin Lizzy above, this band is a power trio that made music bigger than themselves. I often wondered how 3 guys could make such a big sound, but artistically, they were amazing musicians. The lead singer and song writer Rik Emmitt, has been overlooked over the years for his guitar playing. If you really want to see how amazing he is on the strings, YouTube their US Festival performance. The band wrote some great songs and the musicianship is elite.

Mott the Hoople is a great band from the late 60’s fronted by Ian Hunter. Their music has been compared to David Bowie and T Rex. I was happy to see on Guitar Hero 3 that Mott the Hoople’s song, All the Young Dudes was featured. It’s time for the younger generation to know the sound, style, and brilliance of Mott and Ian Hunter. Ian Hunter has a fantastic voice that is very unique and different and once you hear it, it is infectious. He is also a great song writer too, writing top 40 hits for artists like Barry Manilow, and others. He wrote a song called Once Bitten twice Shy that was remade in the 80’s with much success. With a sound of the Rolling Stones mixed with Ziggy Stardust, I really have no idea why their music has been so easily overlooked by music fans and critics alike…get to know Mott the Hoople. If you like the Stones, you’ll like them just as well. The band broke up in the mid 70’s, with some of the band going on to form Bad Company.

Humble Pie is a band that has been forgotten by many, but this band made some of the greatest blues sounds in music, and in Rock History. Song’s “Natural Born Boogie” and “I don’t need no Doctor” are so good the once you hear them, your soul is infected. The band’s lead singer was Steve Marriott (previously with Small Faces), who vocally, in my opinion, is the greatest voice in Rock History. If I could meet God and choose a voice to have for singing, it would be Steve Marriott’s. This band was also the genius, and introduction of another young artist, Peter Frampton. One of the bands better known songs, 30 Days in the Hole sounds as relevant today as it did almost 40 years ago. Most music cannot stand the test of time the way theirs does. Although Steve died in a fire in 1981, his music can still be enjoyed and should be.

Deep Purple is an underrated and unvalued band and overlooked for the music they have made. Maybe it is because of the numerous band changes or lead singer swaps, I am not sure, but for some reason they are not held in the same light as Zeppelin, The Stones, or The Who…and they should be. This band was as juggernaut in the arena of Rock and Roll, Metal, and shaping the road of rock and roll. Richie Blackmore’s guitar playing style was revolutionary and the music that they made was way ahead of their time. Maybe they were too progressive stylistically, and that’s why they are critically and socially overlooked. Because they were, their music was way ahead of its time. Highway Star sounds more like a Rob Zombie song than something from 1971.

-Aaron

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Top 40 radio, or music marketed for middle class-suburbanite teens, has gone to the extreme fringe, not too different than the current state of our political system. Top 40 radio has gone either left or right, with no middle. It’s either really R and B or a Hip Hop driven sound; or a 3 days Grace new metal sound. Top 40 radio has abandoned the middle crossroads of music, what was once known as adult contemporary. With adult contemporary having no place to be heard on top 40 radio, the adult contemporary genre did the next logical thing and converted into the new country genre.

Country scooped up the middle age white audience with a shit eating grin on their face. The truth was, country was a dying breed before top 40 Radio cut out the middle ground music from their playlist. The “middle” needed a place to be heard, and country music needed new faces and more energy, so the match fit perfectly. Given that, adult contemporary didn’t just “go country” with the same sound; they had to “country-fy”. Basically what they did (artists like Jon Bon Jovi, Jewel, and the others that made a play for the new market of misplaced adults looking for their place on the dial) was tweak their songs with acoustic guitars rather the electric while including the smooth sounds of the steel gee-tar.

Me, being the rebel that I am, refused to buy this country bullshit, I still want my rock and roll, 30 something style. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there are break-throughs on top 40 radio, the fact that the King’s of Leon hit top 40 is great, but Top 40 radio is still set up for little white girls making music and money off black people’s music to get themselves and the record companies wealthy (stolen from Eminem).

And I really think that adult contemporary’s jump to country is based on a latent racial unrest and discomfort with that styling. So many of my acquaintances I know from work or friends from college or high school; are country fans and say they love country but they are so un-country it’s un-believable. These are the Mercedes SUV-driving, cappuccino drinking, expensive wine with dinner ordering, sushi experience seeking, red meat avoiding, 200 dollar jean wearing, 25 to 35 year old crowd that couldn’t tell you the difference from corn shucking and potato peeling. There is NOTHING country about these people, but the love their country radio dial, and Jimmy Buffet, Zak Brown, and Kenny Chesney. And the only reason they are into the new country music scene with those new county music clowns, is because top 40 radio, in the most part, has went to the far end extreme’s, its either Lil Wayne or Marylyn Mason (generally speaking of course).

And of course it is latent racism and ageism that makes this so; and it’s not the fact that these 25 to 35 year old tweeners are overtly racist or hate the young movement, its more to the fact that they don’t want to be associated with the “cultural identity” that that type of music is identified with. Musical preference is all about cultural identity, let’s face it.

Where I am going with all this? It is simple. I love Pink! No Seriously, I do. I love that she is herself and hasn’t jumped the shark. She makes her own music and it’s so good. She didn’t go country, she didn’t go straight hip hop, and she just makes great music while looking great. I know, you might think I am being silly, but I just wanted to write something about how much I respect her as an artist in the face of the current musical upheaval in America. And I know I took a long road to get here in this article, but it’s all relevant. All the shit I spoke about above is why I love her music, image, and person. She’s not going country, she’s not selling out, and she’s not disrespecting herself. I love Pink, who knew?

And, for the record, Nick loves Kelly Clarkson so don’t give me any crap buddy about my Pink obsession!

Later,

Aaron

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