My name is HENRY, and I'm FINE with That....

Henry just pointed out that you, too, can see the flag: Dave Markey put up the video

Having seen the Flag, both before and after Henry, I gotta say there's no comparison. Not the same band. Black Flag before Henry was a truly dangerous Punk Rock band, but with Henry they became the kind of rebel-without-a-cause unfocused threat that death Metal bands pretend to be. They were human beings, sure, but the thing they were live was like the most dangerous guy you know, on PCP, and armed with a machete. I gave up part of my brain for them. No, seriously. I did one of those "where did everybody go?" stage dives, concussed myself, but refused to leave until I saw the whole show, which caused the brain to get damaged. Even though I cannot remember the show, it was worth it.
What more reason do you need?

The Bloody Beetroots

I'm not trying to pretend to be up on the latest trends. Heck, after the beatdown I've taken this week at work, I'm not trying to claim to be much of anything.
But, I do keep my ear to the ground. I try to see what's coming along, and gauge for myself if it's worthwhile. For example, I think the electronics-infused post-pop coming out of Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Germany is worth staying alert over. I'm not saying they'll rule the airwaves, or get lauded in the history books, because pop culture doesn't work that way. Smart stuff like dEUS, Ghinzu, Silence is Sexy, Kashmir, and so on always occupies a kind of "cult" niche. Likewise, some music just isn't fit for mass tastes, like the thrash punk of bands like The Capaces, or the math rock of the United Sons of Toil, because the aesthetics are so far removed from mainstream "pop". However, I think such things are worth hearing because they're exploring the limits of pop music in interesting ways. Then, of course, some stuff, whether it garners mainstream attention or not, is just worthwhile, and I feel like it's just as snobbish to turn down the popular as it is to turn down the unpopular- such is the case with a lot of the Stoner/Doom metal coming out of the deep south like Kylesa and Torche.
So, what I'm saying is that, like the title of the Blog, I'm finding my best path is individual, not mass. I've already gone over the theoretical underpinnings so I won't go there again- but I'm still surprised when the individualistic, idiosyncratic path converges with the mainstream. Exhibit A would be the Bloody Beetroots. They're not playing MTV or Clear Channel. They're actually pretty damn smart, and artistically ambitious. They play a challenging melange of dubstep, techno, minimalism and experimental electronics. Minus the 4 on the floor dance elements, they'd be right there with early industrial noise merchants like Non, SPK, Throbbing Gristle and Whitehouse. So, it surprises me that by casting the net so wide out onto "long tail" territory, they're able to garner the fanbase they have. We're talking thousands of folks paying to see an italian duo (or trio) wearing Venom masks, quoting situationists, playing atonal noise at bonesplintering volume, and liking it. I know it's a validation of what I believe (that the modern marketplace, due to the widespread availability of quality recording gear, and the easy distribution offered up by the internet now isn't about "stars" but about audiences gathering around shared tastes) but it still surprises me to see it laid out so starkly. My son's friends hear Bloody Beetroots tracks, and decide to put it on their Ipads- and we're talking teenagers who otherwise listen to Linkin Park or Katy Perry. That impresses me. So, even if you don't share my enthusiasm for their music, I'd suggest you watch how the process unfolds. I think it promises to be fascinating. I'm not saying that as an arbiter of taste, but rather as just a guy who's been watching this shiny machine we call pop culture for over a quarter century. There is something new under the sun, but what it is, remains to be determined.

Nice Abortion joke

There aren't any nice abortion jokes, are there? Maybe somebody should tell The Coathangers, because apart from the name and some forceful vocals, they actually come across as pretty nice. I know I'm late to the party on them, but that's ok by me because it doesn't really seem like my kinda shindig. I'd love to be really positive on them, and they do have some moments, but really, they're more interesting as a concept than as a band. Basically, it's Punk Rock 101- a bunch of people start a band even though they're rank amateurs. The problem is that this was always a bit of a myth. Bands like the Clash and The Vibrators had members who'd been playing for years, and other bands, like Wire and the Buzzcocks were using amateurishness as a mythmaking venture, when really they were better than they let on. It was actually the rare punk band that couldn't actually play their instruments, and I can only think of one instance where it worked- the Germs, and even then, they were fast learners, and by the time they were really interesting, they were halfway decent musicians. Much like the nice abortion joke, it's something that seems like it should be possible, but really there aren't any really good bands that have no musicality. So, the Coathangers have moments, but really, they should woodshed a bit, and come back when they have a bit more accomplishment to go with the confidence.
Still,there is raw talent there, and if they did more like this, I'd say they really have something.

Proof that I don't just listen to old stuff with good vocals.

So, enough nostalgia and reflection! I listen to a couple dozen records a week, and not all of them are old things that I've listened to before. Here's the new stuff I listened to this week:
These Branches- This one's on You. - Such a shame! this is a really good mod-ish punky power pop band ruined by a lousy singer. Now, as a fan of guys like Frankie NW Stubbs and Lemmy, I can take some unusual singing styles, but this guy just has no real tune to his voice. So if you can really tune out vocals, this is a pretty good record, but that voice.....
Ruptures- Adormidera. Super angular hardcore-influenced chaos metal. Like Blood Brothers meets Botch to play 1st album Refused songs. No, the vocals aren't spectacular, but the post-everything thrash makes up for it. Then, just when you think you have a handle on this breed of aggression, they play a melodic interlude like "Soma", and you're confused by it. I think the edge they're going for is "constantly unsettled". It's more than the sum of the parts. It's good- but only if you can stand the mathy chaos.
Damascus- Salutations, Distant Satellite! Really good post rock. I know, I know- post rock is pretentious jazz fusion for jerks who couldn't actually generate enough swing to play jazz fusion. This is like the more linear, yet still proggy bits of bands like Mars Volta, but subtracting the vocals. I can appreciate it- it's decent listening, that gets the mix of volume and gentleness to do instrumental rock.
Old Growth- out of the sand and into the streets. Really garage rock. No, I don't mean that they play stuff that's stylistically "garage"- I mean they sound authentically like they a bunch of dudes rocking out in their garage, trying to do a bargain basement version of "rawk'. I haven't checked, but I bet they love grunge bands, and I bet not a one of them is over 25. Add 10 years, and 100,000 bucks and they'd be Nickelback, and would add to the "suck" quota in the world, but as it stands, I bet they have a core following of friends who are blown away by their genius. If I could offer them any advice it would be to stay in the garage. Don't progress- keep it as raw as this, and you'll eventually turn into Crazy Horse, and that's infinitely better than Nickelback.
Also, not exactly a new thing, but getting newer- check out the Bloody Beetroots website. I could really join the Church of Noise.

Lady Gaga

Ok, I just finished watching her "Monster's Ball" HBO special. I went in not a fan, and afterwards, I'm even less of a fan. Ye gads. I don't want to use this space to crap on people and their taste, but that was truly awful. I got more enjoyment out of what else I was doing- sorting laundry and playing with my cats. I've said that Lady Gaga was just Madonna meets Marilyn Manson, but I wasn't quite right. Add in a liberal dose of Bette Midler and a hefty dose of November Rain Guns N Roses, and you get a better idea of the wretchedness. I actually like Madonna, so I think I'm going to have to come up with some new comparisons, here. It was like watching some Bible Camp wannabe try to play at being a rock star. If I had a daughter, and she liked Lady Gaga, I think I'd bring her in for therapy. That might sound like a joke, but I'm serious- I'd be hoping that the doc would find some hearing damage or something.
I truly cannot understand how anyone can enjoy this soulless, gutless, humorless garbage. I watched this because I've got friends who like her, and have been telling me to give her a chance. Much like Glee, Nickelback, and Joan Rivers, I feel like watching that actually took something away from me, and made me less of a human being. So, she could do a complete 180, and release something utterly genius but it's too late- I won't give her any more chances. What utter shite.....

Ancient History

Sudden moment of Nostalgia; please forgive.
I was just thinking about the turning point to make me really like music.
My father, amoungst other things, is a bit of a musician,and my Mother, typical of preacher's wives, knew church choirs like other mothers know soap operas. So, I had exposure, but wasn't truly interested in music until much later. I was never really fond of rock and roll, in the seventies. Oh, sure, I got into Kiss, but that was much more a fashion thing than anything else; I thought they looked cool, more than I liked the music. Actually, I still cannot think of a Kiss song I really like. I much preferred Parliament/Funkadelic, and the O'Jays and Curtis Mayfield. I got into David Bowie because of the Young Americans Album, moreso than Ziggy Stardust. Around 1978-1979 that started to change as I started to hear what I called then "New Wave" music. Oh, like most kids, I got it wrong, at first- figuring bands like Australia's Angels, and Chicago's Cheap Trick to be real New Wave. But, then, in 1979 I heard what would become my first favorite record, and the gateway drug to the musical addiction I have now: The Clash. No, I didn't get into The Ramones or the Sex Pistols, like everybody else. The Clash was the big one for me. Of course, I went back and forth- I was still just a kid. So, I'd be listening to The Gap band with one set of friends, then, listen to Blondie with another. In late 1980, I finally got really turned on to what I liked, but didn't know it, yet: Punk Rock. I got invited to a punk Rock show, and found my tribe. Oh sure, I was never really accepted, and remain a poseur, even now, 30 years later; but the shows at the Vex, and the Fleetwood, and Fender's ballroom and Safari Sam's- that was the real connection. I knew from that what I liked, and who I wanted to be. Records were just a maintenance- a way of keeping that connection to those shows. Eventually, I could get into records on their own, but the real hook for me- the thing that the Clash had, was that electrical connection of real people, right there, making music out of thin air, right in front of your eyes. That's why I never got into Rock and Roll prior to Punk Rock- it all sounded like some Television show, assembled by many hands into some kind of production. Going to a Punk Rock show you could see it, feel it, hear it, and connect with it. I still liked Dance/Disco/RnB- and still do, but it's a totally different thing- it's a soundtrack, a foundation for the action on the dance floor, or the gym. It's not like the connection I still feel from raw, direct rock- whether you call that rock "punk" or "new wave" or "Stoner" or "Alternative".
It's all ancient history, now. I'm a middle class guy, settling into middle age. I'm a father of a college kid, for crying out loud. But every once in awhile, I remember that raw spark of my teenage entry into being the beat fanatic that I still most obviously am.

The Haul

OK, so of course to me, the most important part of my recent birthday was the love and time with friends and family. However, that does squat for anybody who might read this. You want to hear about the presents, right?
So, here's a partial list of the haul. More to come, but here's where we are at:
Books- I'm in the Band by Sean Yseult, Destroy all movies by Carlson Connolly, Husker Du the story of the Noise Pop Pioneers Who Launched Modern Rock by Andrew Earles,Waldo's Hawaiian Holiday by alex Cox, a left handed notebook, and George Nicholas and Wilhelm by Miranda Carter.
Clothes- A grey Hoodie from H&M, as well as a striped grey shirt from H&M, and a Clash T shirt from H&M. Also, a pair of Skull and Crossbone socks, A Parliament/Funkadelic Dope Dog T shirt, and a purple striped Tie.
DVDS- The complete Prisoner TV series set, TNA's Knocked Out DVD, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
CDs- The Singles collection by the Chemical Brothers
Other miscellany- a $25 Itunes card, some Bumble and bumble hair thickening agent, and a really excellent Brazilian meal at Chima.

Like I said, there will be more. But there you go. I like all of it, and love everyone who gave me the haul

Happy Birthday

Yup, May 1 is my birfday. Just a little self-indulgent thought for the day, to do with Pop culture:
I'm grateful for all the strange little coincidences, minor twists of fate, random happenstances, and bizarre sequences that have led to the tastes I have. Much like everyone else on the planet, I am convinced I have much better taste than anyone else. Beyond that, I am grateful to have seen what I have seen, heard what I heard, and felt the things I've felt. For my birthday, I'm intended to do some Scandinavian shopping, some Brazilian eating, watch a french movie, and have a dutch beer. Let's see how it pans out, eh?

X Ray Spex

Poly Styrene. Passed on. It's too bad. Not much more needs be said.

Hmmmmm

I might be converting to a Mac person. I've had it with IE. Currently trying out Safari. It's working, quickly, and efficiently. Has all of the "new" functions of IE9- but none of the glitches, so far. If I can do effective word processing and media playback on a mac- which I suspect I can, I might just be sold......