The Traditionals: "Steel Town Anthems"
A couple of days ago, I checked my "snail mail" mailbox, and stuffed right in there, like a well-packed sausage, was the latest Traditionals album, Steel Town Anthems!
Some thoughts...
1. I used to dress like a weird asshole to make squares nervous. I liked it, and it was fun. I just got bored with it and I was only doing it for the last couple of years I did because I'm a stubborn, contrary prick and I hate getting lectures from girlfriends and my grandmother, and doing something harmless like stabbing my clothes and safety pinning cigarette butts to a sleeveless denim jacket is spiteful and therefore hilarious. Anyway, like I said, I finally got bored with it, so I started wearing clothes that I actually like now.
2. Playing shows is nerve-racking, unless maybe I just got a bad taste in my mouth for it with the last band I was in, or maybe I'm just getting older and the general population of dingbats annoy me more than they used to. Going to shows is only fun if i know 75% of the people there, and the number of attendees doesn't get much higher than 30.
3. I don't care about scene points, credibility, drama, politics, or whether or not anyone can "vouch for me." I do like to meet new people with interests similar to mine, and even people with views slightly different from mine who can "live and let live" (in most cases). That being said, I've met some cool people from my own small involvement in "the scene," and probably will continue to until I finally die of a heart attack from eating too much greasy food and smoking too many cigarettes. I have a lot of good friends. As far as I'm concerned, that's my "scene." Everyone else can suck it.
4. I think the general concept of "unity" is bullshit. If we're down, I'll stick by you. If you're a dick, then basically, fuck you. I'm not gonna stick my neck out for someone I don't care for, just because we wear similar clothes and like some of the same bands.
5. To me, as far as philosophy or whatever goes, the only thing punk "is," is being real and speaking your mind (e.g. not being a fake). So, if you're actually "dangerous" (OH SHIT!), then go ahead and be dangerous. If you're NOT dangerous, acting like it is lame, not to mention stupid. If you're a nerd, be a nerd. A nerd can be the "punkest motherfucker around," as long as he's a nerd all the time and proud of it, and he's into punk, and calls himself a punk.
6. I personally hate the "secret society"/elitist country club attitude that some people have about punk, hardcore, Oi!, etc. I understand it, I'm just not a fan.
These are obviously just my own viewpoints. I'm not trying to sway anyone else's opinions one way or another.
2. Playing shows is nerve-racking, unless maybe I just got a bad taste in my mouth for it with the last band I was in, or maybe I'm just getting older and the general population of dingbats annoy me more than they used to. Going to shows is only fun if i know 75% of the people there, and the number of attendees doesn't get much higher than 30.
3. I don't care about scene points, credibility, drama, politics, or whether or not anyone can "vouch for me." I do like to meet new people with interests similar to mine, and even people with views slightly different from mine who can "live and let live" (in most cases). That being said, I've met some cool people from my own small involvement in "the scene," and probably will continue to until I finally die of a heart attack from eating too much greasy food and smoking too many cigarettes. I have a lot of good friends. As far as I'm concerned, that's my "scene." Everyone else can suck it.
4. I think the general concept of "unity" is bullshit. If we're down, I'll stick by you. If you're a dick, then basically, fuck you. I'm not gonna stick my neck out for someone I don't care for, just because we wear similar clothes and like some of the same bands.
5. To me, as far as philosophy or whatever goes, the only thing punk "is," is being real and speaking your mind (e.g. not being a fake). So, if you're actually "dangerous" (OH SHIT!), then go ahead and be dangerous. If you're NOT dangerous, acting like it is lame, not to mention stupid. If you're a nerd, be a nerd. A nerd can be the "punkest motherfucker around," as long as he's a nerd all the time and proud of it, and he's into punk, and calls himself a punk.
6. I personally hate the "secret society"/elitist country club attitude that some people have about punk, hardcore, Oi!, etc. I understand it, I'm just not a fan.
These are obviously just my own viewpoints. I'm not trying to sway anyone else's opinions one way or another.
NEWS | Stream of Consciousness/Captain's Log
After leaving DCD, I decided I'd give organizing/booking/promoting shows a go. It wasn't nearly as much fun as I thought it would be. I think it's too much pressure. So I quit doing that as well, and for pretty much the same (main) reason I left the band: I realize now that I have no real ambition when it comes to music. I'm much happier and have a better time at shows where there are only 20 people there, and this is true whether I'm on stage, behind the scenes, or simply attending. I never started a band for any other reason than to annoy the shit out of people and have fun while doing it, so if no one showed up to a gig, oh well.
I don't care about making money. No, scratch that; I like making money, but that's never been the goal. The goal was just having something to do, and I don't like being around extremely large groups of people, so having me run a live event is sort of counter-intuitive.
I don't like doing PR, and being nice to people because they might be potential "return customers," and remembering names, and so on, and so forth. I'd much rather go and see some bands as one appreciative member of a small audience. No amount of money is worth the annoyances and stress associated with putting a show together. Sitting at the door and haggling with tight-asses? No thank you.
Not to mention, when you label yourself a "promoter," people start expecting things of you. I like being the guy who does things without ever being asked to do them, like, "Hey, here, I did this thing for your band, because I think you're awesome, and I want to support you, and tell everyone how good you are, and blah blah blah..." As soon as people start emailing and calling me to ask for favors, I don't feel like it anymore. Then it becomes like this responsibility, an obligation, and if I don't do it, then I feel like a scumbag, or a lazy-ass. And I would just as soon avoid the situation.
I'm probably a little nuts. I repeatedly put myself out there, like, "Go ahead, use me, I'm here to provide this service, or that service," and then, as soon as people take me up on my offer, I go, "Eh, I'm kinda busy right now, why don't you contact so-and-so, he's really good with this kinda crap," and then I beat myself up about it.
Blogs are fun, huh?
"Dear Diary..."
Anyway, I started doing an open mic night once a week at one of the local watering holes, Fat & Skinny's, because then I wouldn't have to worry about piss-poor attendance for out-of-town bands who I needed to make sure I gave some money at the end of the night. Just a fun, creative atmosphere for anyone who is interested. It hasn't been doing as well as I had hoped, so it's been cut down from a weekly thing to a bi-weekly thing. Hopefully, if we can get more customers in there in the coming months, we can work it back up to a successful weekly gathering. And it's not limited to music (this isn't a "jam night"). I want to see stand up comedians, magic acts, slam poets, etc. Help me make it happen. The next open mic is on August 24th.
Solo project news: I've finally started getting my inspiration back as far as songwriting goes, so there are 4 new Sam Sinister and the Plastic Sinister Band songs, one of which has been recorded as a final mix and released as a digital single, and one which is just a demo right now. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks.
Oi! Used to Be a Friend of Mine by Sam Sinister
On a final note, my car is in the shop. Man, do I hate blogging.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)