A Brief History of Psychedelic and Punk Rock

    Rock music may have many sub-genres, but the two that I believe to be the most interesting are Psychedelic rock and Punk rock. These two sub-genres include famous artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Sid Viscious and bands like The Doors, Sex Pistols, and the Beatles. If you would like to learn more about the history of these two types of music, I encourage you to take a look at the document below. Enjoy and feel free to comment.

Guitar Maintenance: Strings

Whether you are learning how to play a guitar, learning how to work on your own or just interested in how they are put together, I encourage you to watch this quick "How To" on restringing an electric guitar. Keep in mind, the guitar I use in the podcast is equipped with Sperzel locking tuning machines, so the method of restringing will differ from a standard guitar. If this video does not answer your questions just comment or email me. I will do my best to answer any questions you have. Thanks for watching, Enjoy.

Interaction

I have attracted a lot of followers on this blog, but I have yet to see any comments. I want to here something from my readers, so I'm going to post some lyrics to a favorite song of mine. What I want you all to do is comment on them. Tell me what you think, good or bad. Say anything.

Sleep Through The Static


Trouble travels fast
When you're specially designed for crash testing
Or wearing wool sunglasses in the afternoon
Come on and tell us what you're trying to prove

Because it's a battle when you dabble in war
You store it up, unleash it, then you piece it together
Whether the storm drain running rampant just stamp it
And send it to somebody who's pretending to care

Just cash in your blanks for little toy tanks
Learn how to use them, then abuse them and choose them
Over conversations relationships are overrated
"I hated everyone" said the sun

And so I will cook all your books
You're too good looking and mistooken
You could watch it instead
From the comfort of your burning beds
...Or you can sleep through the static

Who needs sleep when we've got love?
Who needs keys when we've got clubs?
Who needs please when we've got guns?
Who needs peace when we've gone above
But beyond where we should have gone?
We went beyond where we should have gone

Stuck between channels my thoughts all quit
I thought about them too much, allowed them to touch
The feelings that rained down on the plains all dried and cracked
Waiting for things that never came

Shock an awful thing to make somebody think
That they have to choose pushing for peace supporting the troops
And either you're weak or you'll use brute force-feed the truth
The truth is we say not as we do

We say anytime, anywhere, just show your teeth and strike the fear
Of god wears camouflage, cries at night and drives a dodge
Pick up the beat and stop hogging the feast
That's no way to treat an enemy

Well mighty mighty appetite
We just eat 'em up and keep on driving
Freedom can be freezing take a picture from the pretty side
Mind your manners wave your banners
What a wonderful world that this angle can see

But who needs to see what we've done?
Who needs please when we've got guns?
Who needs keys when we've got clubs?
Who needs peace when we've gone above
But beyond where we should have gone?
Beyond where we should have gone
We went beyond where we should have gone
Beyond where we should have gone 


Comments?

Sleep Through the Static – Jack Johnson Music Code

Jack Johnson 2010 Tour

    I would like to task a moment to talk about one of my all-time favorite artists, Jack Johnson. Jack was born in Hawaii in 1975 and released his debut album in 2001, Brushfire Fairytales. Since then, he has released three more albums, including Sleep Through the Static (2008).
    I am not writing to give you a history on Jack. I need to inform you that he is going on a world tour this year! His new album, To The Sea, will be released June 1st, but the tour begins April 1st in Australia. From there, Johnson will travel to Hawaii, Germany, France, England and many other countries.
    If I could have my choice, I would go to the Kokua Festival, April 23rd-24th, but that is already sold out... not surprising. What is surprising however, Jack Johnson has hair?!?!

My Music Experience

Although I have a few posts on this blog, you may not have learned much about me from reading them. The following is a slideshow I put together to show my experience in music.

Emotion & Commotion

    If you consider yourself a guitarist, there are a few names you should be familiar with. Along with legends like Buddy Guy, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck is a player you should have some knowledge of. Jeff has won five Grammy awards for his music, has a custom Stratocaster (electric guitar) made by Fender, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

    Beck has shown his versatility over the years, changing styles from hard rock to blues, but his new album includes a full orchestra! His album, "Emotion and Commotion," is scheduled to hit stores April 13th. While his album isn't available for almost two months, Beck is currently touring with another guitar god, Eric Clapton. The first leg of the Emotion and Commotion tour stretches from San Francisco to Memphis to New Orleans. As a guitarist myself, I have to admit, Jeff Beck has not been a guitarist I have paid close attention to in the past, but I am eagerly awaiting the release of "Emotion and Commotion." Two amazing guitarists like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck with an entire orchestra behind them... sounds more like a dream.

Subliminal Message

    Sublime was a reggae / ska / punk band that originated in California in the late 80's. The group disbanded after frontman Brad Nowell overdosed on heroin in 1996. The remaining members, Floyd Gaugh and Eric Wilson, attempted to reunite in 2009. The band would have a new frontman, Rome Ramirez, but they would still be called Sublime. This was the problem. Brad Nowell, who passed away over a decade ago, owned the rights to the name Sublime, and it was his intention that the name never be used in a band that did not include him. After a legal battle with Nowell's family, Wilson and Gaugh were forced to find a new name for the band. Now performing under the name Sublime With Rome, the band is expected to begin a 150-date tour soon.


Video: Sublime with Rome - 5446/Ball and Chain

Update: Lil Wayne

    Rapper Lil Wayne was charged with illegal possession of a firearm in 2007 after police found a loaded semi-automatic in his tour bus. His sentencing was intended to begin February 9th, but due to a dental surgery his sentencing was postponed until March 2, 2010. Lil Wayne, (Dwayne Carter), is expected to recieve a one-year prison sentence.
    According to Dr. Sherry Rudd DDS, Wayne is most likely having a tooth removed due to decay or infection. Although Rudd does believe the problem involves the cleanliness of the gold and diamonds in Lil Wayne's mouth, she does not expect the jewelry to be taken out prior to his prison sentence. There could be "potential damage" if Wayne were to have all of it removed.

Read More at Mtv.com

THE WHO, what, when and where

Who: THE WHO
What: Halftime show
When: Feb. 7, 2010
Where: Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, FL


    After the explosive first half of Super Bowl XLIV, the New Orleans Saints trailed the Indianapolis Colts by 4 points, 10-6. Over 100 million viewers watched as the field at Sun Life Stadium transformed into a high-tech, laser-lighted concert stage. After the halftime report, the stage was complete and ready for one of the most famous rock bands in music history, The Who.
    The show started quietly as lead guitarist Pete Townshend strummed his acoustic. Then, a huge burst of light rolls down the stage floor. Roger Daltrey begins to sing, "Ever since I was a young boy, I played the silver ball," the first lines of "Pinball Wizard." Townshend and Daltrey, alongside drummer Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr, drummer for the Beatles), continued the show with their biggest hits like "Baba O'Riley," "Who Are You" and "Won't Get Fooled Again."
    Throughout the concert, thousands of lights moved with the music. At some points they even synced to form pictures, such as The Who's logo and a white guitarist. The show was nothing less than spectacular, with roaring electric guitars, crashing cymbals and even a harmonica solo by Daltrey. This was one Super Bowl Halftime Show that I will never forget.
And don't forget, the Saints came back to win 31-17. GO SAINTS!


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