A couple months ago, I wrote a piece about Mock Orange and their upcoming release of a new album, Disguised As Ghosts, in just a couple weeks from now (article HERE). Good news, I've got a song from the album to share with you..
Mock Orange-End Of The World by wednesdayrecords
The band is offering you a pre-order deal, involving an LP and a t-shirt. Go check it out HERE, and keep listening to this song because, you know, it is awesome.
LINK: http://www.wednesdayrecords.com/mopreorder.html
3.24.2011
Listen and Read Friday: You Told Me Anger Was a Gift
LISTEN: "Rock & Roll Mountain Troll" by Miniature Tigers (from 2010's FORTRESS)
READ: You Told Me Anger Was a Gift
One of the first rock albums I purchased as a youngster was Rage Against the Machine's 1992 self-titled debut. Now, leaving my mid-20s, I'm writing blog posts and Reddit diatribes condemning singer Zach De La Rocha's desperate grasps at fighting for a meaningful cause. De La Rocha has always needed a cause. He'd be nobody without his angry attitude and especially without the help of one of the most innovative guitar players alive in Tom Morello. Who knows what's to blame for the timing of it all, but the State of Arizona has been assigned the arbitrary role of Zach's new-found rage.
If you asked Zach, he'd say something along the lines of what his organization's website already says:
In response to the increased attention the organization was getting, Charlie Levy, a Phoenix promoter who booked many Sound Strike artists (pre-strike) in Arizona, penned an open letter to the organizers of the Sound Strike last year, which you can read here. I won't repeat the points he and dozens of others have been making over the passed year, because it all has apparently fallen on closed ears. Except, when Conor Oberst decided to pipe up and respond to the letter in January, essentially saying, I know it sucks but I can't back down now.
Well, it turns out that hypocrisy is rampant everywhere - even in political activism. The boycott is meant to hurt the lawmakers "where it hurts them the most - their pocketbooks." Well, where was Zach De La Rocha or Conor Oberst to lead the boycott against California when Prop 8 was passed? What's that you say? There never was one? Human rights are less important when there is more at stake? Well, what about when Texas passes a similar law? I can tell you, they won't be boycotting the state that has the hottest indie music industry showcase in the country (SXSW). And they sure as hell won't be boycotting California, ever. Because monetary sacrifices should only be made within reason, apparently. Because you should only protest in the easiest and most self-serving way possible, apparently. And because some things are just too valuable to sacrifice, like the ability to tour through California or Texas, so we must shit on the lowest common denominator, to keep up the image of political activism. Also, we must ignore the fact that courts have blocked Arizona's controversial law, so nobody is actually actively being oppressed by it. Most likely, it will be permanently shot down by the courts.
It's okay, Zach and Conor. We understand that you've put a lot of money and publicity into this cause. We also understand that SB1070 sucks. I personally agree with your statements of condemnation of the law. I even still listen to Rage songs every now and then. But I disagree strongly with your method of protest, which isolates influential artists from the most important group of people in this fight: their Arizona fans who oppose SB1070. The less artists that tour and play events here, the less support we have in our opposition to the law. Which means peace and quiet for the politicians who are responsible for it. If you don't want to contribute taxes to the state, then play for free, or do a rally here. But the Sound Strike has heard our arguments. They know our points. Yet, they carry on like we are a state full of Nazi activists. Sure, we've got a couple of those. But listen, we're trying to deal with them. Russell Pearce's position in office rests on the success or failure of multiple recall efforts currently working against him.
Recently, Charlie Levy and other Phoenix independent music industry figures, like Psyko Steve Chilton, tripped on over to Austin, TX to appear at the Sound Strike panel being held at South by Southwest. Upon our asking them for a more comprehensive help effort that didn't involve cutting off support to the most important people in this fight, the SS simply Tweeted, "Haters got schooled."
Gee, thanks.
Here we are, a fight has broken out on the playground. You're in a toe-to-toe fistfight with the big racist bully at school, and you look around for your friends to back you up. Your friend Zach has decided that the best way to help you in your fight is to say he won't be friends with the racist kid until after you win the fight yourself.
I guess this means we just roll up our sleeves, give Zach the finger, and start punching the racist.
READ: You Told Me Anger Was a Gift
One of the first rock albums I purchased as a youngster was Rage Against the Machine's 1992 self-titled debut. Now, leaving my mid-20s, I'm writing blog posts and Reddit diatribes condemning singer Zach De La Rocha's desperate grasps at fighting for a meaningful cause. De La Rocha has always needed a cause. He'd be nobody without his angry attitude and especially without the help of one of the most innovative guitar players alive in Tom Morello. Who knows what's to blame for the timing of it all, but the State of Arizona has been assigned the arbitrary role of Zach's new-found rage.
If you asked Zach, he'd say something along the lines of what his organization's website already says:
The Sound Strike is a coalition of Artists that have committed to supporting the International Boycott of Arizona in the wake of the passage of SB 1070. These artists have made a commitment to work together to be part of a larger artist community to raise awareness and opposition to the predatory and punitive treatment of immigrants in Arizona.
In response to the increased attention the organization was getting, Charlie Levy, a Phoenix promoter who booked many Sound Strike artists (pre-strike) in Arizona, penned an open letter to the organizers of the Sound Strike last year, which you can read here. I won't repeat the points he and dozens of others have been making over the passed year, because it all has apparently fallen on closed ears. Except, when Conor Oberst decided to pipe up and respond to the letter in January, essentially saying, I know it sucks but I can't back down now.
Well, it turns out that hypocrisy is rampant everywhere - even in political activism. The boycott is meant to hurt the lawmakers "where it hurts them the most - their pocketbooks." Well, where was Zach De La Rocha or Conor Oberst to lead the boycott against California when Prop 8 was passed? What's that you say? There never was one? Human rights are less important when there is more at stake? Well, what about when Texas passes a similar law? I can tell you, they won't be boycotting the state that has the hottest indie music industry showcase in the country (SXSW). And they sure as hell won't be boycotting California, ever. Because monetary sacrifices should only be made within reason, apparently. Because you should only protest in the easiest and most self-serving way possible, apparently. And because some things are just too valuable to sacrifice, like the ability to tour through California or Texas, so we must shit on the lowest common denominator, to keep up the image of political activism. Also, we must ignore the fact that courts have blocked Arizona's controversial law, so nobody is actually actively being oppressed by it. Most likely, it will be permanently shot down by the courts.
 |
| photos with wall writing are more important |
Recently, Charlie Levy and other Phoenix independent music industry figures, like Psyko Steve Chilton, tripped on over to Austin, TX to appear at the Sound Strike panel being held at South by Southwest. Upon our asking them for a more comprehensive help effort that didn't involve cutting off support to the most important people in this fight, the SS simply Tweeted, "Haters got schooled."
Gee, thanks.
Here we are, a fight has broken out on the playground. You're in a toe-to-toe fistfight with the big racist bully at school, and you look around for your friends to back you up. Your friend Zach has decided that the best way to help you in your fight is to say he won't be friends with the racist kid until after you win the fight yourself.
I guess this means we just roll up our sleeves, give Zach the finger, and start punching the racist.
Oh Please Let This Happen
Okay, okay, I don't want to hear it. I took like a month off, okay? Sue me!Don Cheadle reportedly said last month that "President Bush broke the world," and that's why making the Miles Davis biopic has been postponed for so long. While I'm no Bush-lover, that seems like a pretty lame excuse. Ah, the hardships of movie stars.
Anyways, on a musical note - Miles Davis rules all. And, although I have recently discovered the coolness of Soundcloud embedding (a little late? psh, whatev), I'm giving you some Miles through Grooveshark still, well, because the people at Grooveshark are exceptional beings. So this is a 1961 recording of Miles Davis playing his version of Disney's classic "Someday My Prince Will Come," from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
Anyways, I'm going to be back on and posting more regularly this coming month. I got really into Reddit for a while, did some contributing/editing for uncyclopedia.org, and it was also a busy month for the band. But enough excuses, I'm here, right? As sad, attention-hungry teenagers' shirts often wittily say, "I'm awake and dressed, what more do you want from me?"
3.01.2011
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Has Been Drinking
 |
| That horn's not going to make the voices in your head any louder |
If you're unfamiliar with Mr. Waits, listen to this piece just put out by NPR: www.npr.org/2011/03/01/134143230/tom-waits-skid-rows-boozy-balladeer
I love Tom Waits. He's like the Charles Bukowski of rock and roll. Dirty, alcoholic, slum-dwelling, eccentric.
In addition to having a huge impact on the world of rock 'n roll, Waits has appeared in his share of films and, quite frankly, kicks ass at acting. My favorite role of his was Kneller, a camp leader in a dreary afterlife community of outcasts in 2006's Wristcutters: A Love Story. It's not as emo as it sounds.
Also, this is one of the best songs, ever.
Man Man to Arizona, It's Happening
Just a short bit of great news - I'm showing that Man Man has mapped out their tour that takes them around the US of A and winds them up at Bonnaroo.
The tour was announced via Pitchfork Media this morning. Read the release and the full list of tour dates HERE.
These days, when a great band decides to come play in Arizona amidst the various boycotts against our state that are being practiced in today's music world, we tend to get more excited than we normally would. If SB1070 has had any positive effect on our state whatsoever, it's that we sure as shit appreciate our rock shows more. So, join me at the Man Man show at the Clubhouse in Tempe, AZ on MAY 10th.
Thank you, Man Man, for standing up and coming into Arizona despite others who think they're making a good decision by abandoning their fans down here in the old southwest. You've chosen wisely.
For more on Man Man, see our past posts in which they've been featured!
The tour was announced via Pitchfork Media this morning. Read the release and the full list of tour dates HERE.
These days, when a great band decides to come play in Arizona amidst the various boycotts against our state that are being practiced in today's music world, we tend to get more excited than we normally would. If SB1070 has had any positive effect on our state whatsoever, it's that we sure as shit appreciate our rock shows more. So, join me at the Man Man show at the Clubhouse in Tempe, AZ on MAY 10th.
| Oh, hey there. |
For more on Man Man, see our past posts in which they've been featured!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)