Thursday, March 26, 2009
IT HAPPENED
(not the actual iPod)
Thanks to The Drunken Fool and Figo. It's already full of Metal.
(not the actual iPod)
Thanks to The Drunken Fool and Figo. It's already full of Metal.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
FLEETWOOD MAC @ MSG
Wow. I really wasn't expecting a high energy, balls out, Rock show, but that's what Fleetwood Mac delivered on Thursday night.
As Lyndsey Buckhingham told us from the stage after the first four numbers, they were out to have a good time, and it showed.
Despite the lack of Christine McVie, and most of her material (Lyndsey and Stevie did manage a version of 'Say You Love Me'), The Mac had no trouble delivering a crowd pleasing, hit packed set.
Fleetwood Mac's career is one based on silver linings, and the mixed blessing here is that not having Christine and her songs means digging out some numbers that wouldn't otherwise have seen the light of the stage.
Stevie and Lyndsey each pulled out a solo number. The band covered Stevie's 'Stand Back', and Lyndsey's 'Go Insane', both of which I could have done without, but were very well received by the crowd.
I was rewarded with a dusting off of the ancient 'Oh Well' - a classic from the Peter Green years most Americans have no knowledge of, and the title track to their 1979 follow-up to 'Rumors', one of the most baffling records from a decade of baffling material, 'Tusk'.
Is it me, or did anyone understand 'Tusk'? All I remember was it hit the bargain bins quick, had a gorilla on the cover, and there was a video with the UCLA Marching band. None of it made any sense, or dollars. Again, that's how I remember it.
Well that song fucking ROCKS in a live situation, specially THAT live situation.
'Oh Well' followed a little later in the set, and to my chagrin it happened as I was headed to find the head, and by the time I got back to my seat they were wrapping it up. I heard it, though. It sounded like I was missing something real good.
All night long I was watching Mick and John. Stevie and Lyndsey get all the glory, and that is as it should be, ....sort of, but the thing to always remember while you're listening to or watching a performance by Fleetwood Mac is the name. FLEETWOOD MAC. John McVie (Mac), and Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood), these are the guys. It's Their band. And to their credit, they have always laid their stamp on the band. Whether during the initial Peter Green era, with Bob Welch, with Lyndsey and Stevie, or in between, those two blokes kept the groove going. It's their groove, their band, and they are THE RHYTHM SECTION.
Well I dig that. What you need to do is go listen to those songs, and listen to the RHYTHM, then look at the cover, and read the name. It will say 'Fleetwood Mac'.
Well, okay, look in the column titled 'artist'.
AND!
These guys are ancient. In their 60's. Even Stevie and Lyndsey. I swear I was routing for Mick's heart not to give out as much as for his great style and power, and rhythm. It didn't and he kept it up all night, and as the night progressed, the music got more intense, Lyndsey went insane on his cool little custom guitar, and they just started jamming the hell out of the songs. 'Don't Stop' became a directive as well as a title. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like Neil and Crazy Horse. I swear it. Big time.
Man, I was blown away.
Okay, so what have we learned? That Fleetwood Mac Rocks!
*I will say this: not as much as the 'Scorpions', but more than Iron Maiden. Yep, I said it. Fleetwood rocked harder than Maiden, not as often, but when they rocked out, well, they left Maiden behind.
Just sayin'.......
*Based upon concerts I've seen this year (footnote concept stolen from mathdude).
Wow. I really wasn't expecting a high energy, balls out, Rock show, but that's what Fleetwood Mac delivered on Thursday night.
As Lyndsey Buckhingham told us from the stage after the first four numbers, they were out to have a good time, and it showed.
Despite the lack of Christine McVie, and most of her material (Lyndsey and Stevie did manage a version of 'Say You Love Me'), The Mac had no trouble delivering a crowd pleasing, hit packed set.
Fleetwood Mac's career is one based on silver linings, and the mixed blessing here is that not having Christine and her songs means digging out some numbers that wouldn't otherwise have seen the light of the stage.
Stevie and Lyndsey each pulled out a solo number. The band covered Stevie's 'Stand Back', and Lyndsey's 'Go Insane', both of which I could have done without, but were very well received by the crowd.
I was rewarded with a dusting off of the ancient 'Oh Well' - a classic from the Peter Green years most Americans have no knowledge of, and the title track to their 1979 follow-up to 'Rumors', one of the most baffling records from a decade of baffling material, 'Tusk'.
Is it me, or did anyone understand 'Tusk'? All I remember was it hit the bargain bins quick, had a gorilla on the cover, and there was a video with the UCLA Marching band. None of it made any sense, or dollars. Again, that's how I remember it.
Well that song fucking ROCKS in a live situation, specially THAT live situation.
'Oh Well' followed a little later in the set, and to my chagrin it happened as I was headed to find the head, and by the time I got back to my seat they were wrapping it up. I heard it, though. It sounded like I was missing something real good.
All night long I was watching Mick and John. Stevie and Lyndsey get all the glory, and that is as it should be, ....sort of, but the thing to always remember while you're listening to or watching a performance by Fleetwood Mac is the name. FLEETWOOD MAC. John McVie (Mac), and Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood), these are the guys. It's Their band. And to their credit, they have always laid their stamp on the band. Whether during the initial Peter Green era, with Bob Welch, with Lyndsey and Stevie, or in between, those two blokes kept the groove going. It's their groove, their band, and they are THE RHYTHM SECTION.
Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "Hey man, mister know it all Jackson, we just like the songs, y'know, like 'Rhiannon' and 'Dreams', like 'Don't Stop'."
Well I dig that. What you need to do is go listen to those songs, and listen to the RHYTHM, then look at the cover, and read the name. It will say 'Fleetwood Mac'.
Well, okay, look in the column titled 'artist'.
AND!
These guys are ancient. In their 60's. Even Stevie and Lyndsey. I swear I was routing for Mick's heart not to give out as much as for his great style and power, and rhythm. It didn't and he kept it up all night, and as the night progressed, the music got more intense, Lyndsey went insane on his cool little custom guitar, and they just started jamming the hell out of the songs. 'Don't Stop' became a directive as well as a title. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like Neil and Crazy Horse. I swear it. Big time.
Man, I was blown away.
Okay, so what have we learned? That Fleetwood Mac Rocks!
*I will say this: not as much as the 'Scorpions', but more than Iron Maiden. Yep, I said it. Fleetwood rocked harder than Maiden, not as often, but when they rocked out, well, they left Maiden behind.
Just sayin'.......
*Based upon concerts I've seen this year (footnote concept stolen from mathdude).
Saturday, March 14, 2009
SHOPPING LISTThe recent inventory of the vinyl collection - my one true obsession - has resulted in a list of records that are needed, wheather as replacements for lost or stolen albums, or just plain glaring ommisions.
Accept – Balls to the Wall
A-Ha – Hunting High & Low
Anvil – Hard n Heavy, Metal on Metal
April Wine – Harder…Faster
B52s – Bouncing Off the Satellites
The Band – Music From Big Pink, The Band
Bauhaus – In the Flat Field, Mask
The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour
Beastie Boys – License to Ill, Check Your Head
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Jackson Browne – Running on Empty, Lawyers in Love
The Clash – Combat Rock
Dead Milkmen – Beelzabubba
Deep Purple – Machine Head
The Doobie Brothers – The Captain and Me
Duran Duran – Rio
Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Brian Eno – Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy
Fishbone – Fishbone, Truth and Soul, The Reality of My Surroundings
Marvin Gaye – Here, My Dear
Genesis – Nursery Cryme
Al Green – Let’s Stay Together, Greatest Hits
Hanoi Rocks – Oriental Beat
George Harrison – All Things Must Pass, Greatest Hits, Concert for Bangladesh
Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced, Axis Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland
Husker Du – Warehouse: Songs and Stories, New Day Rising, Zen Arcade
Michael Jackson – Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad
Joan Jett – Bad Reputation
King Crimson – Red
Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
Phil Lynott – Solo in Soho
Tina Marie – The Ultimate Collection, It Must Be Magic, Sapphire
Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush – Live, Strange Universe, World Anthem, Mahogany Rush IV
John Mellencamp – Uh Huh, Lonesome Jubilee
Steve Miller Band – Fly Like an Eagle, Living in the USA
Motorhead – Motorhead, On Parole
Mott the Hoople – Wildlife
Ozzy Osbourne – Bark at the Moon
Joe Perry – Let the Music Do the Talking
Pink Floyd – Saucer Full of Secrets, Atom Heart Mother, Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Police – Outlandos D’Amour, Regatta de Blanc, Zenyatta Mondatta
Iggy Pop – The Idiot, Lust for Life, Live TV Eye
Queensryche – Queensryche (EP)
The Replacements – Let it Be, Hootenanny
Dianna Ross – Mahogany
The Rolling Stones – Undercover
Rush – A Farewell to Kings, Signals
Sade – Promise, Stronger Than Pride, Love Deluxe, Lovers Rock
Spinal Tap – Break Like the Wind
Starz – Coliseum Rock
Talking Heads – Speaking in Tongues
Thin Lizzy – Vagabonds of the Western World, Fighting
Peter Tosh – Legalize It
Tygers of Pan Tang – Spellbound
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Texas Flood, Soul to Soul
Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground and Nico, The Velvet Underground, Loaded
Wings (Paul McCartney and the) – Red Rose Speedway
Bill Withers – Just as I Am, Still Bill
Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life, Fullfillingness’ First Finale, Music of My Mind
X – Wild Gift
Neil Young – Live Rust, On the Beach, Harvest Moon
Explorations:
A-Ha – Hunting High & Low
Anvil – Hard n Heavy, Metal on Metal
April Wine – Harder…Faster
B52s – Bouncing Off the Satellites
The Band – Music From Big Pink, The Band
Bauhaus – In the Flat Field, Mask
The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour
Beastie Boys – License to Ill, Check Your Head
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Jackson Browne – Running on Empty, Lawyers in Love
The Clash – Combat Rock
Dead Milkmen – Beelzabubba
Deep Purple – Machine Head
The Doobie Brothers – The Captain and Me
Duran Duran – Rio
Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Brian Eno – Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy
Fishbone – Fishbone, Truth and Soul, The Reality of My Surroundings
Marvin Gaye – Here, My Dear
Genesis – Nursery Cryme
Al Green – Let’s Stay Together, Greatest Hits
Hanoi Rocks – Oriental Beat
George Harrison – All Things Must Pass, Greatest Hits, Concert for Bangladesh
Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced, Axis Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland
Husker Du – Warehouse: Songs and Stories, New Day Rising, Zen Arcade
Michael Jackson – Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad
Joan Jett – Bad Reputation
King Crimson – Red
Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
Phil Lynott – Solo in Soho
Tina Marie – The Ultimate Collection, It Must Be Magic, Sapphire
Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush – Live, Strange Universe, World Anthem, Mahogany Rush IV
John Mellencamp – Uh Huh, Lonesome Jubilee
Steve Miller Band – Fly Like an Eagle, Living in the USA
Motorhead – Motorhead, On Parole
Mott the Hoople – Wildlife
Ozzy Osbourne – Bark at the Moon
Joe Perry – Let the Music Do the Talking
Pink Floyd – Saucer Full of Secrets, Atom Heart Mother, Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Police – Outlandos D’Amour, Regatta de Blanc, Zenyatta Mondatta
Iggy Pop – The Idiot, Lust for Life, Live TV Eye
Queensryche – Queensryche (EP)
The Replacements – Let it Be, Hootenanny
Dianna Ross – Mahogany
The Rolling Stones – Undercover
Rush – A Farewell to Kings, Signals
Sade – Promise, Stronger Than Pride, Love Deluxe, Lovers Rock
Spinal Tap – Break Like the Wind
Starz – Coliseum Rock
Talking Heads – Speaking in Tongues
Thin Lizzy – Vagabonds of the Western World, Fighting
Peter Tosh – Legalize It
Tygers of Pan Tang – Spellbound
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Texas Flood, Soul to Soul
Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground and Nico, The Velvet Underground, Loaded
Wings (Paul McCartney and the) – Red Rose Speedway
Bill Withers – Just as I Am, Still Bill
Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life, Fullfillingness’ First Finale, Music of My Mind
X – Wild Gift
Neil Young – Live Rust, On the Beach, Harvest Moon
Explorations:
Diana Washington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Motown, Stax, Phil Spector
Friday, March 13, 2009
LEFSETZ GETS A SEVEN INCH PLATFORM BOOT IN THE ASS
Anyone who has read this blog for a few years may remeber how much I hate Bob fucking Lefsetz, the weasel who thinks he knows everything about the music industry but has done nothing but promote piracy.
Ever since he pissed me (and Flea) off over his stance on the piracy of Stadium Arcadium I have chosen a policy of completely ignoring him so as not to give him any higher of an udeserved profile than he already has, BUT....
Tony Alva sent me this, and I had to share. It's just so fucking awesome. The following is a response from Gene Simmons on a Lefsetz post. Basically it's the Lefsetz post with Gene's responses in all caps.
> From: Gene Simmons>
Subject: Re: Gene Simmons>
Date: March 12, 2009 3:25:07 PM EDT (CA)>
To: Telma.Costa@umusic.com>
Cc: Bob Lefsetz>
Telma,
I'm cc-ing whoever this Lefsetz guy is.
Post on cover of SIMMONS RECORDS.COM.
And, if you can find a foto of this bozo, put it up there as well.
Begin forwarded message:>
From: Bob Lefsetz >
(Gene)Before we start this review of my Keynote Speech at CMS from a guy who's blog was forwarded to me, I'm going to take the liberty of telling everyone I'm going to comment as we go along.>
(Gene)First, the name LEFSETZ. I would tell him to his face. That name's gotta go. It blows. If this guy was in a band and wanted to sign with us, he'd have to change his name. Or, sign with someone else. Otherwise, have no clue who this fellow is or what he does. >
Let's see.....
(Lefsetz) "Imagine you're stranded on a desert island and you stumble upon a member of the opposite sex. You're thrilled! You're gonna have someone to talk to, you're gonna make love until the Coast Guard finally figures out your ship sank and rescues you.
And this person may not be a beauty queen, but hey, he or she is all right. At least that's what you think at first. Maybe you even have sex and forget your plight for a moment or two. But then, even though you're exhausted, your partner just won't give up. Insists on having sex every hour, being coddled, all the while telling you how fucking hot they are. It would almost be enough to get you to jump back into the water and swim to your death.
That's what listening to Gene Simmons is like."> > THANK YOU.
"He's not a dumb dude."> > THANK YOU.
"But it's a full time commercial."> > CORRECT.
"And why? Doesn't he have enough money?"> > WELL, RESPECTFULLY, IT'S NOT UP TO THIS AMATEUR TO DETERMINE IF I HAVE ENOUGH MONEY. I'LL LET HIM KNOW IF AND WHEN I DO. UNTIL THAT TIME, IT'S BEST TO PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR OWN MONEY.
"Isn't this like an ex-President buying time on television to give us his opinion on the budget? Running for an office he can't be elected to? Hey Gene, you were a star once, can you let it go? Can you stop trying to convince us that not only is your music great, but that KISS is the biggest act in the world?"> > NO.
"I mean if we really want to get down to it, don't we have to give credit to Bob Ezrin?"> > YES. ALWAYS.
"The producer of "Destroyer", containing the KISS klassics "Detroit Rock City", "Shout It Out Loud" and the band's biggest hit, "Beth"? Not only did Ezrin produce those tracks, HE CO-WROTE THEM! I'm thinking without Ezrin, KISS is a footnote."> > PERHAPS. > OH, I FORGOT TO MENTION, KISS STARTS THE SOUTH AMERICAN LEG OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR AT BUENOS AIRES STADIUM - 90,000 PEOPLE. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT A TICKET.
"Ezrin went on to further greatness, producing one of the biggest albums of all time, Pink Floyd's "The Wall", as well as the critically lauded debut of Peter Gabriel. KISS? They took the makeup off and put it back on, reunited with the original members, kicked them out again and kept dunning us with endless product promotions."> > ALL OF THIS IS TRUE. AND YOUR POINT IS..."?
"And that's what this "keynote" address at CMW was. A product promotion, for the latest iteration of Simmons Records."> > CORRECT.> I HAVE A FIDUCIARY DUTY TO UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA AND I HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN SIMMONS RECORDS. TO DO OTHERWISE AT CMW, WOULD BE STUPID. I KNOW HE'S NOT INFERRING I'M STUPID. QUITE THE CONTRARY.
"Just because you're a big musical act, that doesn't mean you're a decent executive, that you can run a record company."> > SAYS WHO. YOU? AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MAKE THESE ASSESSMENTS. WHAT'S YOUR QUALIFICATION, IN FACT, FOR SAYING ANYTHING...
"That's like saying a great football coach has to have been a star quarterback. They're different skills. One that Mr. Simmons has yet to master. Sure, he made that demo tape with Van Halen, but the band ended up on WARNER BROTHERS!"> > THIS MORON DOESN'T KNOW DETAILS AND BEHAVES AS IF HE DOES. FACT ONE: AFTER SEEING THE BAND AT THE STARWOOD CLUB IN LA IN 1977, I SIGNED VAN HALEN TO MY PRODUCTION COMPANY, "MAN OF 1,000 FACES" AND PRODUCED THEIR 24 TRACK DEMO, 15 SONG DEMO AT ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS. KISS WAS GOING OUT ON TOUR, AND I DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP VAN HALEN TIED UP, SO I LET THEM SHOP THEIR OWN DEAL, WITHOUT INSISTING I KEEP A SLICE. > WHAT HIS POINT ABOUT ALL THIS, IS BEYOND ME.> >
"Truly, it was relentless. Gene with that bizarre hairdo sponsored by Brillo"> > NOW, NOW...NO NEED TO BE JEALOUS, BABY.> JUST BECAUSE I REMEMBER YOUR MOMMY BACKSTAGE AND THEN AT THE HOTEL IS NO REASON TO BE ENVIOUS OF MY GOOD LOOKS.> >
"maintaining that 360 deals are good for artists and that Canada can be the new Ireland."> > CORRECT. I "DO" BELIEVE CANADA POSSESSES ALL THAT.> >
"U2 came from Ireland, what does that country possess that Canada does not? Isn't that like saying Mutt Lange came from Rhodesia, therefore Lithuania should be able to produce the best record producer on the planet?"> > NO. NOT REALLY. AND, I'M NOT SURE ANYONE READING THIS HAS A CLUE WHAT THE RHODESIA/LITHUANIA THING MEANS. > >
"Really, it didn't have to be 2009, it could have been 1009. With a huckster up on stage, trying to convince us to buy from him".> > NOPE. NEVER SAID YOU SHOULD BUY FROM ME. DON'T LIE, HONEY.> >
"Sure, there's salesmanship involved in becoming a successful musical act, but that's not ninety percent of the equation."> > SAYS WHO, BITCH. YOU? AND, WHAT'S THE NAME OF YOUR BAND. AND WHAT'S YOUR QUALIFICATION FOR SAYING OR DOING ANYTHING?>
"But with KISS, it is! The music is just the vehicle to make money. I don't excoriate this, I just don't REVERE IT!"> > NO PROBLEM. GO FIND ANOTHER BAND.> >
"Gene showed a five minute promotional film that was such an assault, the guy in front of me put his hands over his ears."> > I THINK YOU MISUNDERSTOOD. THAT WAS YOUR GIRLFRIEND. AND YOU WERE TALKING TOO LOUD. SHE WANTED TO SEE AND HEAR GENE SIMMONS. NOT YOU.> >
"Didn't Pete Townshend sing "A Little Is Enough"? Obviously, Gene's never heard that track, otherwise he would stop telling us how great he is and let us come to our own conclusion."> > NO. I WON'T STOP TELLING YOU HOW GREAT I AM. FIND SOMEONE ELSE FOR THAT.>
"It was sad."> > NO, IT WASN'T. EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME AND EVERYONE ENJOYED THEMSELVES.> >
"Although Gene paid lip service to the Internet, it was like he wanted to jet back to the seventies, when the label was king, when record companies were flush with cash that they'd blow on a bunch of new acts."> > THAT'S TRUE. I WANT RECORD COMPANIES TO BECOME POWERFUL AND FLUSH WITH MONEY AGAIN. I WANT BANDS TO REALIZE THAT ANY ENTITY THAT GIVES THEM MONEY (ADVANCES) AND NEVER FORCES THEM TO PAY THE RECORD COMPANY BACK, WHEN AND IF THEIR RECORD BOMBS (AND THEY ALMOST ALWAYS DO), IS THEIR BEST FRIEND. I KNOW OF NO OTHER BUSINESS THAT GIVES YOU MONEY AND NEVER ASKS FOR IT BACK. EVEN YOUR MOM WILL WANT YOU TO PAY BACK HER LOAN.> >
"Those days are through. Shit, imagine trying to get money from Simmons' company. That'd be like sucking quarters from a parking meter. Gene's notorious for not parting with his own money. Shit, I'm stunned he doesn't require new acts to pay HIM to be signed!"> > THIS IS A SMALL PERSON, WHO'S NEVER DONE ANYTHING, NEVER BEEN IN A BAND AND DOESN'T KNOW HOW THE RECORD INDUSTRY WORKS. HE DOESN'T KNOW ME AND I DON'T KNOW HIM. AND HE WOULDN'T KNOW, IN EITHER CASE IF I "DO" OR "DON'T" PART WITH MY MONEY. AND IN ANY CASE, IT WOULDN'T BE HIS BUSINESS, OR MY GARBAGE COLLECTOR'S.> >
"I only went because the last couple of times Gene's spoken he has said some truly heinous things, blasting the audience, that he told us today to respect, for stealing his music. I figured he'd come out with a few clunkers that would crack you up.> > But all I got was a damn advertisement."> > THAT'S CORRECT.> I AM ADVERTISING SIMMONS RECORDS. THAT'S WHY I'M UP HERE TALKING ABOUT IT. THIS GUY IS A GENIUS.> AND I STILL CONSIDER FREE DOWNLOADS AND FILE SHARING STEALING. AND I WANT YOU TO PAY FOR MUSIC...AND FOR ANYTHING. IF A BAND WANTS TO GIVE AWAY THEIR STUFF FOR FREE...I HAVE NO PROBLEM. MY ONLY QUESTION IS, HOW DOES THE RECORD COMPANY, WHICH PAID GOOD MONEY UP FRONT, GET ITS MONEY BACK, IF THE MUSIC IS FREE"?> >
"I know Gene loves that I'm writing this."> > SURE. I LOVE ANYONE WHO TALKS ABOUT ME.> >
"Almost to the point where I considered not writing about his speech at all. But I've got to. Because in order for music to ascend to its rightful position at the top of popular culture's leader board,"> > (I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS LEADER OF POPULAR CULTURE TO TELL ME HOW TO POSITION THINGS).> >
"it's got to be more about its intrinsic value than the sell."> > YES, AND NO. IT "SHOULD" BE ABOUT MUSIC, BUT IT'S ALSO GOT TO BE ABOUT BUSINESS. IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, IT WAS NEVER JUST CALLED "MUSIC." IT WAS, AND STILL IS CALLED THE "MUSIC BUSINESS."> >
"It's got to be more about music than showmanship. It's got to be more about creativity than expediency."> > NO. HES GOT IT ALMOST RIGHT. IT'S GOT TO BE ABOUT BOTH.> >
"KISS had a gimmick. It's served the band well. A gimmick can get you noticed, but soon thereafter it becomes about the music. KISS took off its makeup and few cared."> > HE'S RIGHT. ABOUT 10 MILLION.> >
"The Beatles gave up their suits, messed with their hair, even gave up playing live and the band got bigger and bigger."> > I LOVE THE ANALOGY. KISS AND THE BEATLES. THANKS.> >
"The problem is, Gene Simmons thinks there's a handbook."> > YES. MY HANDBOOK.> >
"Listening to him is like watching a bad version of "Glengarry Glen Ross"."> > NO. NOT REALLY. I DIDN'T LIKE THAT FILM MUCH. I'M MUCH MORE FASCINATED BY ME.> >
"It's like going to a training session for Kirby vacuum salesmen. It's always interesting to hear how another person made it, but if you want to be successful in the future, you're better off ignoring everything Gene Simmons has to say."> > THIS STATEMENT MADE BY A GUY WHO'S STILL LIVING IN HIS MOTHER'S BASEMENT.> >
"Unless, of course, you love money more than music."> > ACTUALLY, I LOVE BOTH MONEY AND MUSIC.> >
"But since you're reading this, I doubt that..."> > GOOD LUCK TO THIS GUY.> WE LOVE HEARING THE GOOD AND THE BAD.> > AND WE HOPE YOU GET OUT OF MOM'S BASEMENT SOON.
I love you Gene, from the bottom of my heart. I have given you a lot of money over the years and for the most part it was always worth it - except maybe the mid 80's era, but I didn't buy those albums anyway, so I thank you for the music, the shows, the entertainment, the merchandise, and now for sticking a good one to Lefsetz. What an ass.
Anyone who has read this blog for a few years may remeber how much I hate Bob fucking Lefsetz, the weasel who thinks he knows everything about the music industry but has done nothing but promote piracy.
Ever since he pissed me (and Flea) off over his stance on the piracy of Stadium Arcadium I have chosen a policy of completely ignoring him so as not to give him any higher of an udeserved profile than he already has, BUT....
Tony Alva sent me this, and I had to share. It's just so fucking awesome. The following is a response from Gene Simmons on a Lefsetz post. Basically it's the Lefsetz post with Gene's responses in all caps.
> From: Gene Simmons>
Subject: Re: Gene Simmons>
Date: March 12, 2009 3:25:07 PM EDT (CA)>
To: Telma.Costa@umusic.com>
Cc: Bob Lefsetz>
Telma,
I'm cc-ing whoever this Lefsetz guy is.
Post on cover of SIMMONS RECORDS.COM.
And, if you can find a foto of this bozo, put it up there as well.
Begin forwarded message:>
From: Bob Lefsetz >
(Gene)Before we start this review of my Keynote Speech at CMS from a guy who's blog was forwarded to me, I'm going to take the liberty of telling everyone I'm going to comment as we go along.>
(Gene)First, the name LEFSETZ. I would tell him to his face. That name's gotta go. It blows. If this guy was in a band and wanted to sign with us, he'd have to change his name. Or, sign with someone else. Otherwise, have no clue who this fellow is or what he does. >
Let's see.....
(Lefsetz) "Imagine you're stranded on a desert island and you stumble upon a member of the opposite sex. You're thrilled! You're gonna have someone to talk to, you're gonna make love until the Coast Guard finally figures out your ship sank and rescues you.
And this person may not be a beauty queen, but hey, he or she is all right. At least that's what you think at first. Maybe you even have sex and forget your plight for a moment or two. But then, even though you're exhausted, your partner just won't give up. Insists on having sex every hour, being coddled, all the while telling you how fucking hot they are. It would almost be enough to get you to jump back into the water and swim to your death.
That's what listening to Gene Simmons is like."> > THANK YOU.
"He's not a dumb dude."> > THANK YOU.
"But it's a full time commercial."> > CORRECT.
"And why? Doesn't he have enough money?"> > WELL, RESPECTFULLY, IT'S NOT UP TO THIS AMATEUR TO DETERMINE IF I HAVE ENOUGH MONEY. I'LL LET HIM KNOW IF AND WHEN I DO. UNTIL THAT TIME, IT'S BEST TO PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR OWN MONEY.
"Isn't this like an ex-President buying time on television to give us his opinion on the budget? Running for an office he can't be elected to? Hey Gene, you were a star once, can you let it go? Can you stop trying to convince us that not only is your music great, but that KISS is the biggest act in the world?"> > NO.
"I mean if we really want to get down to it, don't we have to give credit to Bob Ezrin?"> > YES. ALWAYS.
"The producer of "Destroyer", containing the KISS klassics "Detroit Rock City", "Shout It Out Loud" and the band's biggest hit, "Beth"? Not only did Ezrin produce those tracks, HE CO-WROTE THEM! I'm thinking without Ezrin, KISS is a footnote."> > PERHAPS. > OH, I FORGOT TO MENTION, KISS STARTS THE SOUTH AMERICAN LEG OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR AT BUENOS AIRES STADIUM - 90,000 PEOPLE. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT A TICKET.
"Ezrin went on to further greatness, producing one of the biggest albums of all time, Pink Floyd's "The Wall", as well as the critically lauded debut of Peter Gabriel. KISS? They took the makeup off and put it back on, reunited with the original members, kicked them out again and kept dunning us with endless product promotions."> > ALL OF THIS IS TRUE. AND YOUR POINT IS..."?
"And that's what this "keynote" address at CMW was. A product promotion, for the latest iteration of Simmons Records."> > CORRECT.> I HAVE A FIDUCIARY DUTY TO UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA AND I HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN SIMMONS RECORDS. TO DO OTHERWISE AT CMW, WOULD BE STUPID. I KNOW HE'S NOT INFERRING I'M STUPID. QUITE THE CONTRARY.
"Just because you're a big musical act, that doesn't mean you're a decent executive, that you can run a record company."> > SAYS WHO. YOU? AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MAKE THESE ASSESSMENTS. WHAT'S YOUR QUALIFICATION, IN FACT, FOR SAYING ANYTHING...
"That's like saying a great football coach has to have been a star quarterback. They're different skills. One that Mr. Simmons has yet to master. Sure, he made that demo tape with Van Halen, but the band ended up on WARNER BROTHERS!"> > THIS MORON DOESN'T KNOW DETAILS AND BEHAVES AS IF HE DOES. FACT ONE: AFTER SEEING THE BAND AT THE STARWOOD CLUB IN LA IN 1977, I SIGNED VAN HALEN TO MY PRODUCTION COMPANY, "MAN OF 1,000 FACES" AND PRODUCED THEIR 24 TRACK DEMO, 15 SONG DEMO AT ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS. KISS WAS GOING OUT ON TOUR, AND I DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP VAN HALEN TIED UP, SO I LET THEM SHOP THEIR OWN DEAL, WITHOUT INSISTING I KEEP A SLICE. > WHAT HIS POINT ABOUT ALL THIS, IS BEYOND ME.> >
"Truly, it was relentless. Gene with that bizarre hairdo sponsored by Brillo"> > NOW, NOW...NO NEED TO BE JEALOUS, BABY.> JUST BECAUSE I REMEMBER YOUR MOMMY BACKSTAGE AND THEN AT THE HOTEL IS NO REASON TO BE ENVIOUS OF MY GOOD LOOKS.> >
"maintaining that 360 deals are good for artists and that Canada can be the new Ireland."> > CORRECT. I "DO" BELIEVE CANADA POSSESSES ALL THAT.> >
"U2 came from Ireland, what does that country possess that Canada does not? Isn't that like saying Mutt Lange came from Rhodesia, therefore Lithuania should be able to produce the best record producer on the planet?"> > NO. NOT REALLY. AND, I'M NOT SURE ANYONE READING THIS HAS A CLUE WHAT THE RHODESIA/LITHUANIA THING MEANS. > >
"Really, it didn't have to be 2009, it could have been 1009. With a huckster up on stage, trying to convince us to buy from him".> > NOPE. NEVER SAID YOU SHOULD BUY FROM ME. DON'T LIE, HONEY.> >
"Sure, there's salesmanship involved in becoming a successful musical act, but that's not ninety percent of the equation."> > SAYS WHO, BITCH. YOU? AND, WHAT'S THE NAME OF YOUR BAND. AND WHAT'S YOUR QUALIFICATION FOR SAYING OR DOING ANYTHING?>
"But with KISS, it is! The music is just the vehicle to make money. I don't excoriate this, I just don't REVERE IT!"> > NO PROBLEM. GO FIND ANOTHER BAND.> >
"Gene showed a five minute promotional film that was such an assault, the guy in front of me put his hands over his ears."> > I THINK YOU MISUNDERSTOOD. THAT WAS YOUR GIRLFRIEND. AND YOU WERE TALKING TOO LOUD. SHE WANTED TO SEE AND HEAR GENE SIMMONS. NOT YOU.> >
"Didn't Pete Townshend sing "A Little Is Enough"? Obviously, Gene's never heard that track, otherwise he would stop telling us how great he is and let us come to our own conclusion."> > NO. I WON'T STOP TELLING YOU HOW GREAT I AM. FIND SOMEONE ELSE FOR THAT.>
"It was sad."> > NO, IT WASN'T. EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME AND EVERYONE ENJOYED THEMSELVES.> >
"Although Gene paid lip service to the Internet, it was like he wanted to jet back to the seventies, when the label was king, when record companies were flush with cash that they'd blow on a bunch of new acts."> > THAT'S TRUE. I WANT RECORD COMPANIES TO BECOME POWERFUL AND FLUSH WITH MONEY AGAIN. I WANT BANDS TO REALIZE THAT ANY ENTITY THAT GIVES THEM MONEY (ADVANCES) AND NEVER FORCES THEM TO PAY THE RECORD COMPANY BACK, WHEN AND IF THEIR RECORD BOMBS (AND THEY ALMOST ALWAYS DO), IS THEIR BEST FRIEND. I KNOW OF NO OTHER BUSINESS THAT GIVES YOU MONEY AND NEVER ASKS FOR IT BACK. EVEN YOUR MOM WILL WANT YOU TO PAY BACK HER LOAN.> >
"Those days are through. Shit, imagine trying to get money from Simmons' company. That'd be like sucking quarters from a parking meter. Gene's notorious for not parting with his own money. Shit, I'm stunned he doesn't require new acts to pay HIM to be signed!"> > THIS IS A SMALL PERSON, WHO'S NEVER DONE ANYTHING, NEVER BEEN IN A BAND AND DOESN'T KNOW HOW THE RECORD INDUSTRY WORKS. HE DOESN'T KNOW ME AND I DON'T KNOW HIM. AND HE WOULDN'T KNOW, IN EITHER CASE IF I "DO" OR "DON'T" PART WITH MY MONEY. AND IN ANY CASE, IT WOULDN'T BE HIS BUSINESS, OR MY GARBAGE COLLECTOR'S.> >
"I only went because the last couple of times Gene's spoken he has said some truly heinous things, blasting the audience, that he told us today to respect, for stealing his music. I figured he'd come out with a few clunkers that would crack you up.> > But all I got was a damn advertisement."> > THAT'S CORRECT.> I AM ADVERTISING SIMMONS RECORDS. THAT'S WHY I'M UP HERE TALKING ABOUT IT. THIS GUY IS A GENIUS.> AND I STILL CONSIDER FREE DOWNLOADS AND FILE SHARING STEALING. AND I WANT YOU TO PAY FOR MUSIC...AND FOR ANYTHING. IF A BAND WANTS TO GIVE AWAY THEIR STUFF FOR FREE...I HAVE NO PROBLEM. MY ONLY QUESTION IS, HOW DOES THE RECORD COMPANY, WHICH PAID GOOD MONEY UP FRONT, GET ITS MONEY BACK, IF THE MUSIC IS FREE"?> >
"I know Gene loves that I'm writing this."> > SURE. I LOVE ANYONE WHO TALKS ABOUT ME.> >
"Almost to the point where I considered not writing about his speech at all. But I've got to. Because in order for music to ascend to its rightful position at the top of popular culture's leader board,"> > (I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS LEADER OF POPULAR CULTURE TO TELL ME HOW TO POSITION THINGS).> >
"it's got to be more about its intrinsic value than the sell."> > YES, AND NO. IT "SHOULD" BE ABOUT MUSIC, BUT IT'S ALSO GOT TO BE ABOUT BUSINESS. IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, IT WAS NEVER JUST CALLED "MUSIC." IT WAS, AND STILL IS CALLED THE "MUSIC BUSINESS."> >
"It's got to be more about music than showmanship. It's got to be more about creativity than expediency."> > NO. HES GOT IT ALMOST RIGHT. IT'S GOT TO BE ABOUT BOTH.> >
"KISS had a gimmick. It's served the band well. A gimmick can get you noticed, but soon thereafter it becomes about the music. KISS took off its makeup and few cared."> > HE'S RIGHT. ABOUT 10 MILLION.> >
"The Beatles gave up their suits, messed with their hair, even gave up playing live and the band got bigger and bigger."> > I LOVE THE ANALOGY. KISS AND THE BEATLES. THANKS.> >
"The problem is, Gene Simmons thinks there's a handbook."> > YES. MY HANDBOOK.> >
"Listening to him is like watching a bad version of "Glengarry Glen Ross"."> > NO. NOT REALLY. I DIDN'T LIKE THAT FILM MUCH. I'M MUCH MORE FASCINATED BY ME.> >
"It's like going to a training session for Kirby vacuum salesmen. It's always interesting to hear how another person made it, but if you want to be successful in the future, you're better off ignoring everything Gene Simmons has to say."> > THIS STATEMENT MADE BY A GUY WHO'S STILL LIVING IN HIS MOTHER'S BASEMENT.> >
"Unless, of course, you love money more than music."> > ACTUALLY, I LOVE BOTH MONEY AND MUSIC.> >
"But since you're reading this, I doubt that..."> > GOOD LUCK TO THIS GUY.> WE LOVE HEARING THE GOOD AND THE BAD.> > AND WE HOPE YOU GET OUT OF MOM'S BASEMENT SOON.
I love you Gene, from the bottom of my heart. I have given you a lot of money over the years and for the most part it was always worth it - except maybe the mid 80's era, but I didn't buy those albums anyway, so I thank you for the music, the shows, the entertainment, the merchandise, and now for sticking a good one to Lefsetz. What an ass.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
RECORD RELEASE PARTY
Saturday night, at Southpaw (125 5th ave, Brooklyn), Himalaya is proudly hosting their record release party.
It's a great record, recorded at Smoke and Mirrors over the better part of the past year. I believe it captures the essence of this great local band.
Formerly Philadelphia residents, Himalaya moved to NYC and has been playing shows here, as well as in Philly and Washington DC.
Their blend of guitars and voices over a pulsing rhythm is at times reminiscent of classic rock like the Rolling Stones and more the modern space rock of Spiritualized.
Come join me and the band celebrate the fruits of their labors this Saturday. You won't be disappointed.
Saturday night, at Southpaw (125 5th ave, Brooklyn), Himalaya is proudly hosting their record release party.
It's a great record, recorded at Smoke and Mirrors over the better part of the past year. I believe it captures the essence of this great local band.
Formerly Philadelphia residents, Himalaya moved to NYC and has been playing shows here, as well as in Philly and Washington DC.
Their blend of guitars and voices over a pulsing rhythm is at times reminiscent of classic rock like the Rolling Stones and more the modern space rock of Spiritualized.
Come join me and the band celebrate the fruits of their labors this Saturday. You won't be disappointed.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
MORE NEW OLD VINYL
The Drunken Fool and I went Vinyl shopping the other day. Here's my latest haul:
XTC - 'Skylarking' and 'Black Sea'
It turns out that I already had 'Skylarking' so it goes to The Drunken Fool.
Culture Club - 'Kissing to be Clever'
I know Tony Alva will mock this purchase, but I also know it will get pulled out during parties.
Bob Marley & the Wailers - 'Kaya' and 'Live!'
I'm closing in on a complete Bob Marley collection, just a few more to go.
10,000 Maniacs - 'In My Tribe'
The legal Diva is a big fan, but I like this record too.
Jimmy Cliff - 'Reggae Nights' (12" single)
More party music.
Barry White - 'Just Another Way to Say I Love You'
Barry is too smooth, this is our third Barry LP.
Falco - 'Rock Me Amadeus' (12" single)
I'm very disappointed, this copy I bought is warped beyond playability. I'll have to get another copy.
Edgar Winter Group - 'Shock Treatment'
This album kicks ass, as do all the Edgar Winter/Rick Derringer albums from that era.
Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Johnny Copeland - 'Showdown'
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An Electric Blues must have. I owned it in the 80's. I'm so glad I found a replacement copy.
City Boy - 'Heads Are Rolling'
The sixth release from this way under rated Canadian band.
Steve Vai - 'Flexable'
Another 80's staple I used to own and needed to replace.
U.K. - 'U.K.'
The debut from the Alan Holdsworth led Pop/Prog outfit featuring Eddie Jobson, Bill Bruford and John Wetton.
Bon Jovi - '7800° Fahrenheit'
Hey, at 2 bucks I couldn't resist.
Squeeze - 'Argybargy' and 'East Side Story'
Shut up, I like The Squeeze, okay?
Little Feat - 'Sailin' Shoes'
I used to think that 'Waiting for Columbus' was all I'd need, but, again, at 2 bucks, what the hey.
The J. Geils Band - 'Best Of Two'
Another great lost 70's band, they had an entire career of rockin' before 'Freeze Frame'.
Twisted Sister - 'Under the Blade'
Yet another replacement copy. This one is great for a laugh.
Van McCoy - 'Disco Baby'
Gotta have 'The Hustle'. "Do it!"
Santana - 'Abraxas'
A classic, might as well be considered a 'best of'.
The Drunken Fool and I went Vinyl shopping the other day. Here's my latest haul:
XTC - 'Skylarking' and 'Black Sea'
It turns out that I already had 'Skylarking' so it goes to The Drunken Fool.
Culture Club - 'Kissing to be Clever'
I know Tony Alva will mock this purchase, but I also know it will get pulled out during parties.
Bob Marley & the Wailers - 'Kaya' and 'Live!'
I'm closing in on a complete Bob Marley collection, just a few more to go.
10,000 Maniacs - 'In My Tribe'
The legal Diva is a big fan, but I like this record too.
Jimmy Cliff - 'Reggae Nights' (12" single)
More party music.
Barry White - 'Just Another Way to Say I Love You'
Barry is too smooth, this is our third Barry LP.
Falco - 'Rock Me Amadeus' (12" single)
I'm very disappointed, this copy I bought is warped beyond playability. I'll have to get another copy.
Edgar Winter Group - 'Shock Treatment'
This album kicks ass, as do all the Edgar Winter/Rick Derringer albums from that era.
Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Johnny Copeland - 'Showdown'
An Electric Blues must have. I owned it in the 80's. I'm so glad I found a replacement copy.
City Boy - 'Heads Are Rolling'
The sixth release from this way under rated Canadian band.
Steve Vai - 'Flexable'
Another 80's staple I used to own and needed to replace.
U.K. - 'U.K.'
The debut from the Alan Holdsworth led Pop/Prog outfit featuring Eddie Jobson, Bill Bruford and John Wetton.
Bon Jovi - '7800° Fahrenheit'
Hey, at 2 bucks I couldn't resist.
Squeeze - 'Argybargy' and 'East Side Story'
Shut up, I like The Squeeze, okay?
Little Feat - 'Sailin' Shoes'
I used to think that 'Waiting for Columbus' was all I'd need, but, again, at 2 bucks, what the hey.
The J. Geils Band - 'Best Of Two'
Another great lost 70's band, they had an entire career of rockin' before 'Freeze Frame'.
Twisted Sister - 'Under the Blade'
Yet another replacement copy. This one is great for a laugh.
Van McCoy - 'Disco Baby'
Gotta have 'The Hustle'. "Do it!"
Santana - 'Abraxas'
A classic, might as well be considered a 'best of'.
Monday, March 02, 2009
NEW OLD VINYL
Recently Tony Alva came up from ATL for a visit, prompting a stop by Generation Records for some vinyl. I got:
'In the Heat of the Night', 'Precious Time', and 'Get Nervous' - Pat Benatar
'Panorama' and 'Shake it Up' - The Cars
'Long After Dark' - Tom Petty
'Diamond Life' - Sade
'Silk and Soul' - Nina Simone
A few days later I stopped by my secret trove of used vinyl, and I picked up:
'Odds & Sods' - The Who
'Wings at the Speed of Sound' - Paul McCartney & Wings
'Red Octopus' - Jefferson Starship
'Emperor' - Emperor
(No Image)
'My Time - Your Time' - Straight Shooter
(No Image)
'Shaft' and 'Groove -A - Thon' - Isaac Hayes
'Tapestry' - Carole King
'Gold' - Ohio Players
'We Are Family' - Sister Sledge
'Wired' - Jeff Beck
'Repeat When Necessary' - Dave Edmunds
'Romantic Warrior' - Return To Forever
'Naturally' - Three Dog Night
'Sloppy Seconds' - Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show
'Rainbow Bridge' - Jimi Hendrix
'Classics: The Early Years' - Neil Diamond
'Carney' - Leon Russell
'Journey to the Center of the Earth' - Rick Wakeman
'Sniper and Other Love Songs' - Harry Chapin
Recently Tony Alva came up from ATL for a visit, prompting a stop by Generation Records for some vinyl. I got:
'In the Heat of the Night', 'Precious Time', and 'Get Nervous' - Pat Benatar
'Panorama' and 'Shake it Up' - The Cars
'Long After Dark' - Tom Petty
'Diamond Life' - Sade
'Silk and Soul' - Nina Simone
A few days later I stopped by my secret trove of used vinyl, and I picked up:
'Odds & Sods' - The Who
'Wings at the Speed of Sound' - Paul McCartney & Wings
'Red Octopus' - Jefferson Starship
'Emperor' - Emperor
(No Image)
'My Time - Your Time' - Straight Shooter
(No Image)
'Shaft' and 'Groove -A - Thon' - Isaac Hayes
'Tapestry' - Carole King
'Gold' - Ohio Players
'We Are Family' - Sister Sledge
'Wired' - Jeff Beck
'Repeat When Necessary' - Dave Edmunds
'Romantic Warrior' - Return To Forever
'Naturally' - Three Dog Night
'Sloppy Seconds' - Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show
'Rainbow Bridge' - Jimi Hendrix
'Classics: The Early Years' - Neil Diamond
'Carney' - Leon Russell
'Journey to the Center of the Earth' - Rick Wakeman
'Sniper and Other Love Songs' - Harry Chapin
