I know you’re expecting another installment of Take ‘Er Easy Thursday. Don’t worry. I haven’t retired it yet. I was working on publishing the May issue of the magazine last night and didn’t get around to writing a Take ‘Er Easy Thursday post. But fear not, loyal reader. We have an interview that you’re really going to like.
Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category
Sunday Confessional: Misplaced outrage over RnR Hall of Fame inductees
Posted: May 5, 2013 in OpinionTags: 2013 hall of fame induction, ABBA, donna summer, Mojo Nixon, Rock and roll hall of fame, Rush, sunday confessional
Does this look rock n roll to you?
It should come as no surprise, loyal reader, that I don’t pay much attention to the artists that get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What I know is this: every year when the inductees are announced, some people are outraged that their favorite band is still not enshrined in what Mojo Nixon referred to as the Rock and Roll Hall of Lame. For instance, Rush has finally taken its place in the Hall. A lot of Rush fans probably wondered what took so long. Rush, after all, has been around for more than 30 years. I get the outrage, but it’s really misplaced.
The real outrage should be at who is in the Hall of Fame. In fact, all you need to do is look at one of the artists begin inducted alongside Rush: Donna Summer. Donna Summer? Look, I’m not here to criticize Donna Summer. But let’s get one thing straight. Donna Summer is as rock and roll as…well…Neil Diamond, who earned his place in the Hall of Fame in 2011. I know both of them have had successful careers in music and congratulations to them for that. I don’t begrudge them any success they’ve had. However, just ask yourself this: do Donna Summer and Neil Diamond are both recognized in a shrine to rock n roll? You might have the world’s broadest definition of rock n roll (frankly, you’d have to), but these two artists are not in the same area code as rock n roll. If you can cite me any examples of how either of them is rock n roll, I’m willing to listen. Oh, and while you’re at it, you can make your argument about why ABBA (yes, ABBA) is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Look, here’s the thing. There is no way I could provide a more scathing indictment of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than Mojo Nixon. To me, it seems more like a way to move merchandise than to recognize rock n roll greatness. The 2013 induction ceremony airs on 18 May. After that, no doubt the speculation will begin as to who will be inducted next year and why some band has yet to be recognized. I know this much: if I were in a band, I would strive to stay out of a place that thinks ABBA is rock n roll.
Sunday confessional: Led Zeppelin? More like Led Meh-ppelin!
Posted: April 28, 2013 in List/Poll, OpinionTags: I am not a Ledhead, Led Zeppelin, music confession
Meh!
I think this could be a new weekly tradition here at Incognito HQ. After all, it is Sunday, and if I’m going to step into the confessional booth, it should be on a Sunday. Mind you, I’m not asking for forgiveness, but this is a confessional nonetheless.
Bless me, loyal reader. (Not that I’ve sinned.) It has been (mumble mumble) days since my last confession.
I am not a huge fan of Led Zeppelin. I know as a music guy, I should like “one of the greatest rock bands of all time.” Yes, I know the impact Zeppelin has had on rock n roll. Yes, I know the story of rock n roll cannot be written without Plant, Page, and the rest. And yes, I know that the guys are extraordinarily talented. But you know something? The music just doesn’t grab me. That’s the best way I know how to put it. Maybe it’s an over-saturation problem. Maybe the music just doesn’t grab me because I have heard Zeppelin so many times on the radio. That doesn’t hold a lot of water though. I’ve heard AC/DC and Ramones loads of times too and both of those bands still get me moving and singing along. And it’s not just me either. I turn the radio on only because the CD player in my car doesn’t work. When I’m driving around with my four-year-old son (who is a real sound hound) and Led Zeppelin comes on, I’ll ask, “Do you like this one?” I don’t think he’s told me yet that he wants me to keep a Led Zeppelin song on.
I know what you’re thinking. Maybe I just need to listen to one of the first three Zeppelin albums on the right sound system for my mind to truly comprehend the genius of the band. Maybe that’s true, but I doubt it. If a certain band doesn’t grab me, it won’t be very easy to convert me to become a disciple of that band. Not that Zeppelin needs any more disciples. The band has plenty. You can tell me all you want about what a great band this is, but your argument will most likely fall on deaf ears. The best way I can think to describe this is to say that if Led Zeppelin comes on the radio, I’m more likely to change the station than crank the volume. Actually, that’s a pretty good question of the day.
Am I antisocial toward social media?
Posted: April 24, 2013 in OpinionTags: reddit, social media, social media makes me antisocial, Twitter
Trending now on Twitter?
I recently joined Reddit and while I understand that Reddit can help drive traffic to your website, I have to say for the record that I just don’t get it. Maybe in time I will. After all, I didn’t really see the point of Twitter when I first started using it. To be honest, the point of Twitter still escapes me to some degree. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen something like Scooby Doo trending on Twitter. Scooby Doo! Who’s sitting around tweeting about Scooby Doo…aside from stoners sitting on the couch and eating a giant bowl of Cap’n Crunch with milk that’s probably a day or two past the expiration date?
OK, so I digressed a little bit there. I got to thinking about this whole phenomenon of me missing the point of social media. Now, there was a time when I was not what I would call socially adept. I’d say (and probably anyone that knows me would agree) that I’ve moved past any social awkwardness I may have experienced in the past. So then why is social media such an odd thing for me? I think quite frankly it’s because I prefer to do my socializing in person.
Think about if Twitter (or any other social media outlet) were an actual place. It would be like a giant doctor’s waiting room or even worse, the DMV. And you’d be surrounded by people who are telling you about a television show they’re watching, or what they’re eating for lunch, or complaining about their boyfriend. Or endlessly snapping pictures of themselves. Just ask yourself this: how long would you stay in a place like that? Not very long, I’m willing to bet. And if you did stay in that place, it would probably make you nuts. That being the case, is it so unbelievable that I find social media so odd? I don’t think so. Yes, I use the social media outlets. Yes, I interact with people on those outlets. And yes, I know that I don’t use any of those social media outlets to the greatest benefit. I suppose that’s because instead of hanging out online with people I don’t really know, I’d rather hang out live with people I know and care about.
And deliver us from Mumford…
Posted: April 23, 2013 in new music, OpinionTags: Flying Dog Ales, good music for good people, Mumford and Sons, new music recommendations
Give me your tired, your Mumford
Already this year, two women I know have expressed the notion that they like Mumford and Sons but feel like they need some new music. It happens. Much like the woman who stares at her closed and swears she has nothing to wear, sometimes (regardless of the size of your music collection) you just need some new music. In each case, I have given recommendations to deliver these ladies from Mumford and Sons. Why? Well, it’s what I do. After all this blog and magazine are for the musical omnivore and we just want to steer people toward good music that they may not hear elsewhere.
So here’s the deal. If you’ve reached the point where you need an infusion of new music, I am here for you. In a comment, you tell me a style you like or ordinarily listen to and I will give you some recommendations I think are worthwhile. I’m not even charging for this service. (Now there’s an idea…music consultant.) I just want to deliver you from the mundane. Flying Dog Brewery’s motto is “Good people drink good beer.” I like to think that good people need good music so go ahead and lay it on me.
So You Think You’re a Hipster?
Posted: April 22, 2013 in OpinionTags: so you think you're a hipster
Just because seeing this made my day and I feel like this book would make me laugh.
Does this even need a caption?
I am not a hipster: 5 reasons I’ve never been to Coachella
Posted: April 10, 2013 in List/Poll, OpinionTags: Blur, Coachella, I am not a hipster, Paris Hilton, Stone Roses, why I don't go to Coachella
Coachella is this weekend and I have a confession to make. I have never been there. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. How is it that a music writer in southern California has never been to Coachella? Well, I’m glad you asked. Here are the top reasons I’ve never been to this event.
-
That’s me after about 5 minutes in the desert
It’s in the desert. Yes, I know it’s April and the temperature in the desert isn’t 120 degrees every day (yet), but the desert climate and I get along as well as any two “real housewives.”
- The lineup. When I first saw the lineup for this year, I wondered if I had magically been transported back to 1994. Yes, I had The Stone Roses and Blur in my collection at one time, but I don’t to patronize some cheap reunion ploy. Call me a snob if you want, but generally fewer than 10 bands (don’t even get me started on DJs) at Coachella interest me at all. Which leads me to my next point.
- I’m not agoraphobic, but…Even if I willingly went to the desert for a weekend to see the 10 (or fewer) bands that interest me, seeing them with a quarter of a million other people doesn’t seem like my idea of a good time.
-
Looking like this is a requirement for admission to Coachella
I am not a hipster. Technically, I do have a mustache. But then technically, I also have sideburns and a goatee. I’ve never applied wax to my facial hair. I don’t have a beard because it scores me hip points. I have it because I don’t like shaving. Also, I don’t own a scarf. Or a pair of glasses (with or without lenses). Frankly, I think I’d be denied admission to Coachella. And I’d be just fine with that.
- The parking, the restrooms, the food, etc. Every year when I read about Coachella in the OC Weekly, I read about how the restrooms and the food and beverages are something less than convenient. I also read a description of what a nightmare it is to get out of the parking lot (Duh! There are a quarter of a million people there!) once this hipsterfest is over. And I should go there…why exactly?
And this just in…a bonus reason why I’ve never been to Coachella.
- Paris Hilton is excited about it.
She’s excited about it. That makes one of us.
We’re taking a little break at Incognito
Posted: March 29, 2013 in OpinionTags: Eli Paperboy Reed, hiatus, Incognito music models more
It’s not very often this blog takes on a serious tone. And I promise not to make this too dramatic. After all, this isn’t Lou Gehrig just before his last game or anything. However, I have to announce that we are going to take a little break from the magazine. Fear not, loyal reader. It is just to take care of some organizational details. We are going to publish the April issue very soon, and I will keep writing the daily blog, but the next issue of the magazine will be in August. I know what you’re thinking. You’ve heard that tale before from small businesses that say they are taking a hiatus that becomes permanent. That is not the case here. We enjoy doing this far too much to just let it go. We’re going to come back with a new issue in August and I promise you when we return, we will be better. And you can help us, loyal reader. You can contact us anytime to pester us and make sure we are not only true to our word, but also on our toes. Seriously.
In the meantime, keep reading the blog. And musicians, keep submitting your stuff. August will be here before we all know it and I will need to fill the reviews section and Have You Heard in addition to our music features.
If you know me at all, you know that I like to come up with an appropriate song for a situation. Sure, this song is about a couple who is going through some hard times, but the part that keeps repeating in my head is “I won’t give up this good thing.”
Your humble narrator is taking the day off
Posted: March 23, 2013 in OpinionTags: birthday, Ska Saturday
I know you’ve come here expecting another edition of Ska Saturday. However, yesterday was my birthday, so I gave myself the night off from writing another Ska Saturday post. While you’re here, check out some of our other Ska Saturday posts. Heck, check out anything you like. We have plenty of posts for you to peruse. We’ll be back with another edition of Funny Sunday. Feel free to give us your recommendations.
5 bands classic rock radio stations love too much
Posted: March 8, 2013 in OpinionTags: Boston, classic rock radio, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Steve Miller Band, Styx
In a most unfortunate set of circumstances, the CD player in my car does not work. That leaves me with the radio. Not surprisingly, most of the time I can’t find anything on the radio that I want to listen to. Being stuck with the radio has led me to the realization that there are just some bands classic rock radio stations love way too much.
- Steve Miller Band – It’s hard to imagine anyone calling into a radio station and requesting Steve Miller Bland. Particularly when all you have to do is wait thirty minutes and you’ll hear “Jungle Love” or “Fly like an Eagle.”
- Boston – No, I don’t particularly want to hear “More than a Feeling” for the 37th time today.
- Styx – Does this require an explanation?
- Fleetwood Mac – I’m sorry, but playing Fleetwood Mac on any rock station other than a soft rock station is playing it pretty fast and loose with the term rock.
- Pink Floyd – Yes, I know that this is “one of the great rock and roll bands of all time.” Aside from the fact that I am just not a big fan, let’s think about this. People that are listening to the radio are either in their car or using it for background music at work. That being the case, why go so heavy on a band that can so easily lull people to sleep?
I know, loyal reader, that I probably should insert some videos into this post. But I don’t want to subject you to that. Besides, you’ve probably heard every song by these bands at least 500 times…if you’ve ever listened to the radio.
