I Love This Town
Hey Soul Mates,
it's been a good night. I have nearly polished off the first of two new songs we will be debuting at our next show. It's the midtempo number I mentioned. Bryan came in with the progression and we have lifted off with it. Hopefully you'll enjoy it.
Why do I love this town? I just got back from my neighborhood Ralph's supermarket. Behind me at the checkout line was actor Paul Gleason, the principal from Breakfast Club. I wanted to say "Hello," but the urge to follow it with "Eat my shorts was too great." So I didn't bother him. Oh, my goodness: the Breakfast Club came out 20 years ago. Wow. Don't you forget about me.
Love, Power, Peace
Oasis 10 Years Later
Hey Soul Mates,
here's an odd anniversary for you from my musical recollections.
There have been many influences on my music and my desire to perform. But one major experience reaffirmed my need to be in a band: seeing Oasis perform live at the Palace on Vine, 3 Feb 1995. I had picked up their disc at the (now defunct) Blockbuster music on Vine St. It was the first time I ever listened to a new CD at a store before buying it. I had seen the disc at shops, but it wasn't until I saw them on the cover of the first copy of MOJO I bought that it clicked. The article was entitled "The Band You've Always Wanted!" This was the vanguard of Britpop which lead me to blur, Pulp, Supergrass, Manic Street Preachers and many others. It also revived my love of the Kinks and the Beatles (on the cusp of the Anthology releases). While my writing doesn't particularly resemble that of any of these groups, they certainly were a motivating factor. From the opening blast of Rock 'n' Roll Star, through the beautiful Live Forever and the grinding Cigarettes and Alcohol I was hooked. I couldn't get enough of their CD & import singles. Naturally, I wanted to see the live act.
Oasis was my first real mosh pit experience. It was the first time I was ever kicked in the head at a concert. The show was put on by KROQ and tickets were only $10.67. The show had sold out, so I had to go to a broker and pay a then-whopping $35 to see them.
Oasis basically played Definitely Maybe front to back, adding I Am The Walrus as a set closer. The live show was pretty much a note-for-note version of the record, but performance was solid. Not much action on stage either, but truckloads of attitude. Brilliant. I hung out at the Palace (now called Avalon) for a while after the show to soak up the atmosphere. As a result, I actually got to say hello to Noel Gallagher and tell him it was a fantastic set. Knowing what I know of him now, I'm surprised I didn't get punched. But, he was polite and that formed my personal opinion of them. Recently, I revisted their first 3 records. I had forgotten the impact that group had on me. Insane hooks, lots of flair and controversy; they are true rock and roll stars. Even now, as their star waxes and wanes, I still hold Oasis in a special place in my memory. Supersonic, Mates.
Love, Power, Peace
Hey Soul Mates,
last night AI4 got punked by one of my favorite up-and-coming comic actors, Christopher Noll aka Chris Wylde. He was the contestant that said he was a "nanny" then proceeded to improv a rap about all 3 judges and celebrity judge Brandy. The rap was very good and funny. Of course, he wasn't put through, but he was entertaining nonetheless. When he left the audition room, Noll tried to appear pissed and abusive, but having seen his act, I could tell he could barely contain his glee at having got one over on national TV. Even the painfully hip Ryan Seacrest didn't get it. It would not surprise me if his audition winds up as a sketch on his own show. It also would not surprise me in this unironic world that the producers of AI4 were in on the joke.
Chris Wylde has been on a terrifically brutal show called "Film Fakers." On the show, 3 real/amatuer actors are conned into thinking they're making a real film, usually the most Z-grade garbage, with Chris playing the director. I also saw him at a Clipper game and the Staples Center cameramen clearly knew who he was. Which is why it's fantastic that the AI people had no clue who he was. Even this morning on the news, Dorothy Lucie talked about him as if he was some desperate actor "trying to get on TV." That's the dumbest comment anyone can make about AI or any reality show. These shows exists so people can be on TV. Why are people surprised when participants pull stunts or get outrageous or stupid and then dismiss the contestants? Frankly, it's jealousy, sour grapes or the realization that everyone is a camerawhore waiting to happen. It's hardwired into the culture now: I must be on TV to be validated as a human being. The medium is the message. The message is "I am now immortal."
If you have a dream, pursue it to the best of your ability. Get on TV if that's what your goal is. Just remember, the world is watching.
Love, Power, Peace
Dedicated to Jeff Sessler
Hey Soul Mates,
just in from the Big Monday at the Joint. It was a good night for music. Blondie Chaplin was in great form on "Change Is Gonna Come." Keith Allison (of Paul Revere and the Raiders) did a nice take on "Parachute Woman." I also got a chance to chat with Richard Bosworth, our producer about our project and some other things he is working on. I also fliered the place. Hopefully a few of the folks will deem it worth their while to check us out next Friday.
The sad news I got from Kim (one of the Big Monday regulars) was that Jeff Sessler, the quasi-manager of the Big Monday crew, passed away on the 22nd. Jeff was a scruffy, roly-poly guy with a great smile. He had been a roadie for the Stones and wrangled the band that made up Waddy's group. I had seen Jeff on the 20th at the Mint for Blondie's set. 2 days later... gone. Which made me a bit sad. Jeff was always welcoming and appreciative of my attendance at Big Monday. He constantly wanted to do some sort of gig promoting our band. We only played one of his events and that was 2 years ago, but it was a success and Jeff ever after had kind things to say about me as a musician. I will miss seeing him at the Joint and said a prayer for him and his family. It actually seemed like he might come out to see our show next week. So, I dedicate our first number of the night to him. Thanks, Jeff.
Love, Power, Peace.
Hey Soul Mates,
just checking in on a beautiful Sunday in LA.
Friday night, I went to the Gig to do some business for our show there in March. Also happened to be a night when some old friends in a new band were playing. Steve Bertrand and Jamie Wallham formerly of the Tories have a new group called Avion. They rock... still. I always enjoyed the Tories, had followed them from '95 to '01. I even appeared with them on national TV in a segment of Farmclub. They recently signed with Columbia: meaning they are my first acquaintances since Remy Zero to be signed to a major label. I'm very proud of them. They have worked hard and have earned it. Hopefully, the general public will embrace their music, too.
Ok, here's my rant. I'm not a huge Oscar Awards wonk, but they snubbed Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart. Those two should have gotten a best song nomination for "Old Habits Die Hard" from Alfie. Instead, some real schmaltz from Polar Express and Phantom of the Opera got nods. Boo. "Old Habits" is a genuinely good song. The Academy honored U2, Neil Young and winners Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. You'd think they wouldn't overlook Mick. Oh, well.
I'm off to rehearsal shortly.
Love, Power, Peace.
