Country Music

Lately I've been thinking it's funny how much I've been getting into country music, progressively more and more, in the last 10 years...

I've always loved music, and even when I was a metalhead as a kid, I still had that pop music side (VIZION with Lee Z), as well as punk rock, classic rock (Bob Seger, AC/DC, Kiss, Alice Cooper), hardcore, indie rock...

I've run sound for cover bands, sang in every band that would let me...

But as I get older, country stirs something in me that I can't describe. It's like hearing a James Taylor song — when I was a kid, our local radio played all that kind of stuff all the time (Steve Schaeffer at WNBT - did I spell it right? He's STILL DJ'ing today I bet) — as a kid, you don't have that emotional connection to it as you do when you're older.

Now when I hear "Country Road" (or "Fire & Rain"), it's like the journey has created all these layers to it... I think of my childhood and Mom having the radio on all the time, I think of Scott Turner playing at the Gaslight every Friday night when I was in my twenties and still figuring out who I was, I think of Sunday drives when you just jump in the car and crank up the radio and see where the music takes you.

Country music...

• The Charley Pride records at my grandmother's house. Working at WalMart and having these country music promo videotapes that played George Jones and Reba in endless loops, and selling tons of Tim McGraw / Garth Brooks cd's to locals and wondering what all the fuss was about.
• Huffman's Office Equipment on Main Street where they always had country music on, and I knew that Tiffany Stewart was just cringing must of the time because she'd much rather hear Type O Negative or Pink Floyd.
• The time I helped Kevin @ KC101 do a live remote because I had radio experience and knew the console, then seeing the possibility of a guy doing it out of a house (I was soooo tempted to buy a transmitter and start doing pirate radio)

Which brings us to today... I had a recent phone call with an old friend, someone I met in my teens primarily because of our mutual love for heavy music, and became the best of friends for some 20+ years now. When he & I talk these days, invariably the conversation comes around to what music we're digging lately, and I kind of felt too weird about it to tell him that — although I still look for new music of many types these days — more and more it's country.

I wonder now why I didn't share that... why I held that part of me back? Is it because he'd likely razz me about it? Nah, because razzing each other for us, over 20+ years, has become an art form, and we're secure enough in who we are to not give a crap if the other one looks at us weird. Is it because I knew he wouldn't be able to relate? Maybe. We don't get to speak much these days, so I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking to him about something he will not relate to. I don't know.

But, yeah, I'm really getting more an more into country. It seems to stir something in me, like an old friend, or a memory of home. I have every Joe Nichols cd. I'm totally looking forward to the new Jimmy Wayne coming out next week (ironically, he's covering "Sara Smile", and you don't get much more WNBT/classic rock/old-school than a Daryl Hall & John Oates song like that one). I'm into guys like Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Tim McGraw, and even George Strait. I'm getting into new country too, like Lady Antebellum and Love & Theft, Craig Morgan, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, & Chris Young. I love the song "Small Town USA", I saw Vince Gill in concert a few years back.

I don't talk or post a lot about it. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I don't see a lot of other people talking about country music. Maybe it's because my wife sees that side of me every day, and that's enough. I don't know.

So, yeah. I love country music. I said it. It's out there.

I can even put it up there right next to my love for my beloved hard rock/heavy metal, and alternative rock, and adult alternative, and classic rock.

And there's exceptions too. There always are. I still can't stand the "Yee Haw" aspect, that "Woo hoo, play somethin' country" vibe, the Trailer Choir "rockin' the beer gut" type twangy country party tunes...

I can't stand "Eight Second Ride", or "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy". I have my limits.

But I'd be happy to tell you what I love. I always have been, and always will.

If you'd like to hear some of the songs I've into this year, you can check out my playlist 'Country '09' on Lala.com for free:

Country '09

Really looking forward to a couple new albums coming out in September:

Will Hoge - The Wreckage



I've been listening to Will Hoge since "Blackbird On a Lonely Wire", and so far the new songs sound great.

You can check out a couple songs at: http://thewreckage.willhoge.com

Bob Schneider - Lovely Creatures



Bob Schneider amazes me. He's got many sides: drunken frat-party rock with The Ugly Americans and the Scabs... and the singer-songwriter vibe of his solo albums "Lonelyland" and "I'm Good Now."

Just go to his website and listen to some of his commentary (unless you don't like hearing him swear - profusely). He's funny, and a little out there.

But I always enjoy new songs from him, and the "40 Dogs (like Romeo and Juliet)" single sounds great.

Christmas Wish List

Yeah, that's right, it's only the 2nd of June and I'm already starting a Christmas Wish List.

"What's wrong with you?," you say.

Well, it's not that I'm greedy, it's that I'm forgetful. So I thought I'd start a list here because it's easy to blog with Flock -- if I see something I want, I can just click the little "blog now" button.

Here's the first item (and these will be in no order of importance / want):

1) The new 120GB Playstation 3

Priced right, Sony's slim-line PlayStation 3 (120GB) bundles the top-notch features of the earlier PlayStation 3 into a smarter, sleeker package.

(from PC World)

Sony just remodeled PlayStation 3 and bumped it up to 120GB, and shaved $100 off the price — now for just $300 you get a BD-Live capable Blu-ray player with 1080p HDMI output, Bluetooth, 802.11g wireless, an upgradable 120GB hard drive, gigabit ethernet, 7.1 channel Dolby Digital audio support... and yeah, and it plays PlayStation 3 games, too.

It won't handle PlayStation 2 games, but we have a PS2, XBox 360, and a Wii... so I think we're covered.

I've been waiting to upgrade to a Blu-ray player, and now that I can also do Web surfing and picture browsing on my 50" big screen with this new Playstation, I think I found THE thing I want for Christmas.

Oh, and a new couch.

Here's the next item...

2) The WD TV HD 1080P Media Player

I'm always wishing I could get all the songs and pictures on my computer into the living room. I've yet to upgrade to BluRay, or get a network bridge connected to my TV / home theatre, so I've found a simple solution: the WD TV Media Player.

Here's what I found on Circuit City (price was $99.99)


Combined with a My Passport portable drive (sold separately), this player is the most convenient way to play HD movies or user-generated videos, listen to high-quality digital music and show high-resolution slideshows of your family photos on your TV. Also works with popular USB drives, and digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.

Designed for My Passport, works with many other USB storage devices - Play content from most popular USB drives, digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices. Full HD video playback and navigation - up to 1080p - Experience the spectacular picture quality of HD video and crystal clear sound clarity of digital audio. Use the included remote control to navigate through your entertainment choices using our crisp, animated HD menus. Collect without limits - There's no limit to the size of your media collection, just add more USB drives for more space.

Detailed Features

A Closer Look

Screenshots

Features

• Advanced navigation:
  • Thumbnail and list views – Browse your content by filename or by thumbnails of photos, album covers and movie cover art.
  • Media Library – This unique feature lets you view all your media by media type in one menu regardless of its location in folders or drives. You can view your content by categories such as genre, album, artist and date.
  • Search – Search by genre, title, artist, filename and partial filename.
• Photo viewing:
  • Create custom slide shows with a variety of transitions and background music
  • Zoom and pan
  • Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date
• Movie viewing:
  • Fast forward, rewind, pause, zoom, and pan
  • View subtitles
  • Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date
• Music playback:
  • Fast forward, rewind, pause, shuffle, repeat
  • Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date
• Access two USB drives simultaneously:
  • Two USB ports on the player let you connect two USB storage devices and access them simultaneously. Our Media Library feature aggregates the content on both drives into one list sorted by media type.
• HDMI and composite video connections:
  • The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port lets you connect to the highest quality HDTV or home theater. Additional composite (RCA) outputs ensure compatibility with virtually all television sets.
• Includes free media conversion software:
  • ArcSoft MediaConverter™ 2.5 -- a fast, easy-to-use application that converts photo, video, and music files into formats optimized for use on the WD TV HD Media Player.
• Ultra-compact design:
  • Fits easily into your entertainment center.
• Ideal For:
  • Hassle-free playback of HD movies, home videos, digital music, and photos on your TV.

Minimum System Requirements

• My Passport portable hard drive or other USB storage device with supported video or audio content stored on it.
• Standard or high definition television with HDMI or composite video connections

Blogged with the Flock Browser

FAIL

One of my favorite sites lately is FAILBLOG.com. This stuff brings a smile to my face every time.


See more: Fail Blog

Blogged with the Flock Browser

233 pictures of me

Just trying out the Windows Live Photo Gallery thing …

View Full Album

Make Do and Mend

I am a huge Hot Water Music fan. I could go on and on about that band, but I won't -- that's not what this blog is about.

It IS about how influential they are, and how many bands that are now sounding a LOT like them, picking up the torch with gruff vocals and catchy melodies.

There have been a lot. Here's just a few:

• Small Brown Bike (though they were around at the same time as HWM, so you can't really say they are following them)
• Lock and Key — who ended as a band last year, which is sad because I think they were at their peak at that point (go download the 3 song demo tracks for FREE at Purevolume and see for yourself)
• Iron Chic, who features Latterman alums Phil Douglas and Brian Crozier as well current members of Small Arms Dealer and The Agent

Then there's Make Do and Mend. They're from Hartford, CT, and I can't really say they're aping HWM's sound... more like taking the passion and the approach, and expanding on it.

I'm checking out their latest EP, "Bodies of Water", and I'm pretty blown away. There's "Shambles", which starts out the EP as kind of a Brand New moody-ish piece, which launches into "Winter Wasteland", which just cements what they guys are doing. The song rocks.

From there, it's more of the same: up-tempo passionate rock that channels "Caution"-era melody and passion.

Look, I'm not good at elaborating about "nuances" and the "guitars buzzing like..." metaphors that rock critics use. I can only tell you that if you like any of the bands I mentioned above, you'll like Make Do and Mend.

— Note: here's a little bonus excerpt from a review I found about "Bodies of Water":

"Confession time. If Make Do and Mend didn’t put this record up on their website for free, I probably wouldn’t have listened to them. The problem lies in the reality that gruff punk is becoming dangerously watered down; everyone claims to be the new Chuck and Chris when in truth it’s your standard punk songs with whisky soaked vocals. Very rarely do the pretenders match the technical rhythms and bitter-sweet lyrics that gained Hot Water Music such a rabid fan base. So why should I spend more money on another clone?

Consider me shamed because whilst the HWM influence is clear, something else is at work. On ‘Bodies of Water’, Make Do and Mend have captured the knack for huge melodies, they have bottled the sadness of a thousand shoe-gazers and they have melded the two into an EP drenched in sincerity, ambition and passion."

Read the rest of the review over at Daily Dischord.

Make Do and Mend links:

Band Website — Myspace — Last.fm

The Dead Satellites

There is one artist, Matthew Ryan, who I can say, with full confidence, is my favorite discovery of the last decade. This singer-songwriter has consistently blown me away, both with his brilliance and his passion.

Once again I am just amazed by his latest endeavor....

From Matthew's blog on Myspace:

I've began an informal side project with Greg Richling and Rami Jaffee. We're calling it The Dead Satellites. It's beautiful, ugly and cinematic stuff. I wrote the lyrics, sang and added some music here and there. Greg and Rami built the tracks and played most everything. And of course, my good friend Brian Bequette played some guitar on the rather horny, If I Wanted You (I Could Have You). I'm pasting the Press Release info just below, because it say everything more concisely than I'll ever achieve. I hope you'll give it a listen. And you have my whole-hearted permission to share the songs as much as you like. We're doing this for the love of it, there is no label involved. So, truth is, we're depended on you sharing it. We want people to hear these songs. We're just gonna add songs to our Dead Satellites myspace as we complete them. So far there are two - Shook Down and If I Wanted You, I Could Have You.

Best,M

MATTHEW RYAN GIVING AWAY NEW SONG ON THE INTERNET

"Shook Down" marks the debut of Ryan's new project, The Dead Satellites - a collaboration with producer and long time member of The Wallflowers, Greg Richling and Rami Jaffee of Foo Fighters/WallFlowers

NASHVILLE, TN - Matthew Ryan, one of America's "most captivating singer/songwriters on the current scene" (-The Republican), is offering a free download of his new project's debut single, "Shook Down". The collaboration with Greg Richling, a record producer and long time member of The Wallflowers and Rami Jaffee, of Foo Fighters and The Wallflowers, under The Dead Satellites moniker, is a meditation on the economy and greed.

"It's a song about the economic narcissism of the insiders that lead to our current financial crisis," Ryan says. "The song is essentially calling for a coup, or at the very least, accountability."

"With 'Shook Down', Matthew came up with a timely and powerful lyric, perfectly complimenting the music," adds fellow collaborator Greg Richling. "He is one of the finest songwriter's in America and I'm so blessed to have the chance to work with him."

At the heart of the song are victims of the crisis- regular working-class folks facing unemployment, going uninsured, foreclosure, and worse, all without a voice: "Workers on the news/They take it in the gut/And in the kingdom's view/It doesn't mean that much." The song concludes with a powerful chant torn from the headlines: "The average CEO makes 400 times what the average worker makes."

"On a personal note, I've watched my Dad go from a fairly comfortable retirement, to a stressed malaise," Ryan says. " It pisses me off. He worked 35 years, saved every penny, invested what he earned, and is now feeling took."

As far as The Dead Satellites go, it's an informal but potent collaboration.. The purpose is simple: "I want people to hear the music. There's no label involved," Ryan says. "It's just a couple of guys wanting a song to be heard in such strange times. A song always has the ability to comfort or rally people around an idea."

In the meantime Ryan is writing and recording a new solo record, building upon the success of his two most recent indie releases, From A Late Night High Rise in 2007 and Matthew Ryan Vs The Silver State in 2008.

Ryan and Richling are making "Shook Down" available for FREE on The Dead Satellites MySpace page, and there is a the direct download link for fans to share anywhere: http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/swf/31/widgetPlayerMicro.swf?emailPlaylist=artist_405799&backgroundcolor=1D1A1A&font_color=F61607&posted_by=artist_405799&shuffle=&autoPlay=false

The Dead Satellites plan to release songs on their myspace page as they finish. For songs and updates, check out: Myspace.com/thedeadsatellites

For further information, please contact THINK PRESS:Monica Hopman / (818) 291-9513 / monica@thinkpress.net

Links:
myspace.com/thedeadsatellites

myspace.com/matthewryan


Another article:
Matthew Ryan's The Dead Satellites Give Away Protest Song "Shook Down"

Chickenfoot

I just heard about this... seems that former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani have banded together to form the supergroup Chickenfoot.

Wow. Check this out:

Sammy Hagar

For some people, his joining Van Halen was a sin committed against rock and roll, but frankly, I always thought that was bullshit... there was Van Halen Part I, and Van Halen Part II, and to me they were separate entities, each meant to be weighed by its own might and influence.

Van Halen, Part I, was a juggernaut. Pure and simple. I mean, the album Van Halen is and always will be a classic, and extremely influentual. Just think of what rock and roll would have been like if that album hadn't been let loose! C'mon! Running With the Devil! You Really Got Me! I could go on and on about Van Halen with Mr. Roth on vocals. But I won't. That's not the focus here.
Van Halen part II: Sammy Hagar. I've been a Sammy Hagar fan since 1981, when I first heard "I'll Fall in Love Again" from the album "Standing Hampton". His music seemed like the perfect mix of great hooks, a cool voice, and harder-edged rock. Three Lock Box had great songs, VOA had great songs, the supergroup HSAS had great songs (such a great album, and barely anyone knew about it).

Then he joined Van Halen in 1986, 5150 came out, and I loved it. No, really, I mean I LOVED IT!

I don't need to expand further, because you know the rest...

Chad Smith

Chad Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I don't need to say more, do I?

Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is arguably one of the best rock guitarists of the last 20 years. His students have included Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Marty Friedman of Megadeth, David Bryson of Counting Crows, Kevin Cadogan from Third Eye Blind, Larry LaLonde of Primus, Possessed, Alex Skolnick of Testament, Rick Hunolt of Exodus, Phil Kettner of Lääz Rockit, Geoff Tyson of T-Ride, and Charlie Hunter. When his friend and former student Steve Vai gained fame playing with David Lee Roth in 1986, Vai raved about Satriani in several interviews with guitar magazines. What more can I say?

So, Chickenfoot. I'm gonna keep an eye on this. It should be interesting at the very least...


Links:


Rolling Stone article:
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/25/chickenfoot-supergroup-of-van-halen-chili-peppers-members-satriani-ready-debut

Chickenfoot on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?profile&id=44512487307

Blabbermouth.net:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=116811

and the Chickenfoot website:
http://www.chickenfoot.us/