BT hooked me up with this dvd yesterday, so I immediately took it home and watched it. I’ve been in this hardcore mode lately, so seeing the old school bands again fueled my fire. I was enthralled while watching the old performances by Black Flag, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, SSD, DRI, etc. Hearing the guys who lived it talk about was great too.
Favorite segments includes: Rollins fighting with a guy in the audience while on stage, Ian MacKaye talking about the “Straight Edge” movement.
These were hard times. The scene wasn’t nice; in fact, it was the polar opposite of the hippie movement of the 60’s. It was violent, angry, and disenfranchised. Alot of these kids were runaways, homeless, or from broken homes. They fought each other. The individual scenes were likened to today’s street gangs. They fought the police. They fought Ronald Reagan. Something as intense as the american hardcore scene couldn’t last though, so by 1986 it was dead.
It’s a good documentary if you just want a taste of the era. There were too many omissions though. I kept waiting for segments on the Dead Kennedy’s and the Misfits, but they were never even mentioned.
There are some people, like The Figurehead, who have been music fanatics throughout their lives. For people like me, music has played a vital role in shaping my world view. Sounds rediculous, right? In some cases that’s true. I personally don’t give a darn about what the Dixie Chicks or Dave Matthews think about domestic and world affairs. I’m not talking about getting my politics from an out of touch musician here. I’m talking about songs that have stuck in your conscience through the years. Those songs that have shaped your opinion about something – something you’ve considered closely, and only then decided that you did agree with what that particular song said to you. I also lump songs into this category that didn’t necessarily shape an opinion in you, but carry some weight in your pantheon of moving songs anyway.
Here’s a quick list of songs that I recall having an effect upon me a teenager and young adult.
Suburban Home by The Descendents: To this very day, when our society’s “keeping up the Jones” epidemic starts to sicken me I go back to this song. “I want to be stereotyped. I want to be classified. I want to be a clone. I want a Suburban home.”
Merchandise by Fugazi: 10 years or more before I knew anything about Dave Ramsey, Ian MacKaye taught me about debt’s strangle hold on society: “Merchandise, it keeps us in line. Common sense say’s its by design. You are not what you own.”
New Years Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2: I could list a dozen or more U2 songs that mean something to me. This is the first one that gripped me though. It taught me that bands that weren’t overtly punk could have a social conscience as well.
Only the Young – Journey, Change – John Waite, Lunatic Fringe – Red Rider: All of these songs appeared on the Vision Quest soundtrack. To this day, I break out into a sweat when I hear Only the Young, tears fill my eyes when I hear Change, and I go into a trance when I hear Lunatic Fringe. I’d rather not explain all the reasons, but if you know me you already know why.
This list could go on forever. I’m more interested in hearing about the songs that made a dent in your lives, my Figureheads.
A few more of the Figureheads for good measure: Come as you Are by Nirvana, Rise Above by Black Flag, One Love by Bob Marley, The Captain and the Kid by Jimmy Buffett.
Something’s been eating away at me for a few weeks. There has been an angst stirring within me that I haven’t felt in long time. Every woman driving an SUV yakking on a cell phone, every slob stuffing a Big Mac in his face while sneering at me while I’m on my bike/running, every 30 something yuppie faking it…it’s made me angry. I feel myself becoming like them – well, I’m not becoming a woman in an suv, but you get the point. I swore as a kid I’d never be what I hated. I didn’t know what that meant. I suppose I don’t know now either.
I’m not the sort of soft English/Art/Philosophy degree holder (although I do hold the English degree and for a single semester I was an Art major) that believes that anger is evil and best suppressed. How we act upon that anger is what defines us, because ultimately we can’t avoid it altogether. In my life I’ve found two refuges: writing and physically draining sports (wrestling/hockey/triathlon). I’ve been coping with my angst lately by writing again. I’m always running or hitting a heavy bag.
I haven’t posted in a few days, because I knew this post was coming. Over the weekend I bought new tires for Mrs. Figurehead’s car and today I found out that I’ll be buying a new central air unit. I wanted to smash something. Instead, I took a dose of reality; I went home a little early, skipped my workout, and hugged my wife and daughter. Two sides to being an adult – the harsh realities of struggling to get ahead while life constantly tugs you towards the bottom of the lake and the beauty of having a family who loves you even on your bad days.
So Henry, I’m with ya buddy. But Figurehead, we dont’ know what you’re talking about man. Some days are meant for understanding where you came from, the proverbial “formative years”. Some days I still wanna be Henry in this Black Flag vid:
I’m not the sort of person driven by or motivated by politics in any way. For the most part I avoid socially relevant discussions and choose to internalize my opinions. I’ve never seen a point in arguing with a friend or acquantance about things that niether of us will affect any change over by having a personal discussion. I’ve always seen that as akin to having a contest to see who can beat their head against a wall just to prove who is tougher.
There are a few soft spots in my heart though.
1. Children affected by poverty
2. Young men whose feelings of adequacy and self worth are overlooked in favor of focusing on this aspect of the young woman’s coming of age struggles.
Today, while with a friend at Starbucks (how lame does that sound?), I saw A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. I looked over the book and was instantly gripped by the horrible thought of children being forced to become adults in the worst circumstances possible. War is ugly. It’s a reality a child should never experience, much less be forced to take active part in.
I haven’t read the book. I haven’t researched the subject. I’m just giving you a gut reaction. I’ll be reading the book. I’ll be researching the subject.
I’m having some trouble with youtube today, so I’ll have to postpone “Founding Father’s Friday”. In it’s place I’ll give you a look into the world of The Figurehead; just odds and ends about everday life. Sound boring? Avert your eyes now then.
Chuck Norris doesn’t sleep – he waits. Behind Dave Ramsey’s goatee isn’t a chin – but another fist. Seperately, they’re here to kick butt on debt bondage.
I’ve been waiting on this one for some time and I’m not disappointed. Isaac Brock’s quirky yelps and mid lyric freak outs still take center stage here. There are a few more melody’s than the old school Modest Mouse fan base is used to, but that isn’t a bad thing. It’s called evolution friends. Granted, I’ve only been on the Modest Mouse bus since The Moon and Antarctica (which was genius), but I don’t see this band sliding backwards since they signed with a major label for that record. Good News for People Who Love Bad News was solid – ah what the heck…it was great too.
I have a coworker who has been counseling me towards finding a show I can watch. I’ve mentioned before that I don’t really watch tv – that includes 24, Lost, The Office, etc. For some reason this bothers people. I just don’t get how people find time to sit down regularly and watch television. I hit the sack around 9:30 and doze off watching whatever sport happens to be in season.
Lately though, I’ve realized that there are a few shows that catch my attention and I end up watching when I see them; Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe and Futurama. I’ve been drinking caffeine in the afternoons lately; that’s helping me stay awake until 10:30 or so. Inevitably I find the tv on Cartoon Network and Futurama from 10:00-10:30. As I’m crashing for the day I don’t want to think too much. Futurama is perfect. It’s funny. It delivers my favorite brand of humor – backhanded social commentary.
A few weeks ago I saw an episode where Fry is dating a robot. Technology has finally made advancements to allow humans to choose their perfect mate. I wont’ spend much time giving the details, but it ends badly for Fry. A week later I heard Nancy Miller from Wired Magazine saying that the technology is under development to create this exact thing (was she kidding?). She didn’t mention Futurama. Pity.
03-19 Fargo, ND – Playmakers Pavilion *
03-21 Seattle, WA – South Lake Union Naval Reserve
04-15 Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
04-16 Vancouver, British Columbia – Pacific Coliseum
04-20 Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
04-21 Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
04-22 Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre
04-26 Rochester, NY – Main Street Armory *
04-27 Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
04-29 New York, NY – The United Palace
04-30 New York, NY – The United Palace
05-02 Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
05-03 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
05-04 Greensboro, NC – Special Events Center
05-05 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Music Park
05-06 Birmingham, AL – BJCC Arena Concert Hall
05-08 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
05-09 Austin, TX – The Backyard
05-10 Grand Prairie, TX – Nokia Live
05-12 Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheater
05-13 Los Angeles, CA – greek Theatre
05-14 San Diego, CA – Cox Arena at San Diego State University
05-16 San Jose, CA – San Jose State University
05-20 Somerset, England – Butlins Minehead (ATP vs. the Fans)
05-23 London, England – Royal Albert Hall
06-01 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound
When I was a kid my life revolved around wrestling. Next to the obvious heroes like Dan Gable and John Smith, Tom and Terry Brands epitomized in my mind what “wrestlers” should be. They attacked with relentless intensity and were willing to brutally humiliate weaker opponents. Hey, it’s a tough sport.
I came into personal contact with them at the Iowa Wrestling Camp in the summer of 1992. I had just finished my junior year of high school as the TN State Runner-Up in my weight class, so I was flying high. I knew that to get better you had to wrestle with the best, so I would approach all of the current Iowa wrestlers between sessions. I wrestled with Chad Zaputil, the Steiner brothers, and Tom and Terry Brands. I remember Tom (or Terry) holding me off with one hand while I tried to take him down. “You need to work on your stance,” was his advice. Reality check? Oh yeah. The Hawkeye Camp and those between sessions beatings I took propelled me into my senior year and taught me that you shouldn’t apologize for dominating.
I stole this from Mrs. Figureheads blog…hope she doesn’t get mad.
In less than 48 hours I will be 30 (its actually today). THIRTY! Where did all the years go? Looking back, I could easily say that I would erase or redo alot of it, but with more careful thought I realize I wouldn’t change a darn thing. I may not have turned out to be who I am today, and I love today. There is so much more I want out of this life – and I am slowly but surely working on it. I want to be back on Seabrook – even if it is just in our little 700 square foot villa(interestingly enough, this link takes you to the actual villa that we lived in – 601 Shadowood – our first address as a married couple). Crazy – I see everyone else around me trying to “keep up with the Jones’” but I would trade everything for a 700 sq. foot villa, just so I could watch the dolphins again everyday.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have the big brick house and fancy cars, landscaped yards, etc. but I am thrilled to be debt free and living a simple life. Because I know if I can keep it up – that little villa in Seabrook will be mine at 40, not 60. Sometimes you have to put the big things on hold so that you can appreciate them more. If I had never moved back, would I appreciate the life I had then, or would it be habit just like the days are for me now? Either way, here is where I am and here is good. And working my tail off to buy that little villa and the dream behind it all sure keeps me going.
Ten years from now, where will I be? Sitting on the back porch of my 700sq. foot villa, watching the alligators cross the 18th hole, sipping on a blue moon, smelling the warm salt water of the atlantic, and not giving a damn about what car so and so drives or how big so and so’s house is. Size is nothing, unless we’re talking about dreams.
Rumor of my death have been “slightly” exagerated. It’s true that the ol’ Figurehead hasn’t budged from his bed until this very moment in the last two days. There were moments while groaning with stomach pain accompanied by back and leg pain that I did mutter “uuughhh…I just wanna die.” I made it though; and now I even have the strength to live this “half-life” we call blogging.
That leads me to think about technology in general. Why, while lying in bed wanting to die, did I think about the fact that my blog wouldn’t be updated for a couple of days. I think that’s a pathetic worry. In the scheme of things, does in really matter? Were you guys really ok with no new Figurehead posts to read? Of course you were; I hope.
Last week while in L.A. I heard Nancy Miller of Wired Magazine interviewed by Lisa Birnbaum of Greenstone Media. Nancy seemed like a technology realist. She commented that we don’t have to like technology, but we have to accept its here and it will continue to elvolve. Ultimately we’ll choose to go along with it or be left behind.
The Figurehead isn’t a tech guy. I don’t like it. I see it as a distraction from my interpersonal relationships. You might say, “but my blackberry/trio/whatever helps me stay in touch with people. It helps me be everywhere at once.” Not true, in my opinion people’s addictions to those demonic devices help them be no where at once. There is nothing worse than having an actual real life conversation with someone while at the same time they are glued to their device texting or IMing. It’s rude and shows a lack of respect for personal relationships. I get that these devices are “used for business”. Really though? While I was in LA at conference, at any moment you could look around the room while a speaker was giving a presentation, and 3/4’s of the place were hacking away at their devices. Taking notes? I doubt it.
Tivo and the like: I don’t get this device either. When did television shows become so important that we just can’t afford to miss them? Understand this is coming from a guy who watches very little television. When I do watch tv it’s usually a few minutes of a ball game before I fall asleep at night.
Social Networking sites: Ok, I’ll admit it; the Figurehead has a Myspace site. Honestly though, I’ve been thinking lately about pulling it down. Why do I have it? It’s self edification. I put my favorite bands and various other goodies up on it along with my favorite pictures of myself and my family. What purpose is it serving? Am I just tryng to show the world how cool I am? Do I want to continue to be a part of something with such a slimey underbelly? There are lots of lurking social deviants on social networking sites. That’s a bad thing.
Ipods: Ah, what the heck….I have one and love it.
Enough for now. I realize I’m coming off as a curmudgeon today. I’m sick and can’t help it. I’m also still upset about missing The Silversun Pickups last night at Exit/In. I hope PourOut, BT, and B-Dubs had a great time.
It’s been a solid week now since I got my hands on Arcade Fire’s 2nd album and highly anticipated release “Neon Bible”. Sure, we all thought “Funeral” was about as close to perfection as an indie band could come. It was a masterpiece of brooding-thumping-melancholy floating on images of loss and regret like the ghost of your insane great uncle. “Neon Bible” is better. That’s right…you heard me….”Neon Bible” is better, darker, more mysterious, more dangerous.
Understand this, The Figurehead believes that Jesus Christ died for my sins. My family is Christ centered. Now, with that said, since adolescence I’ve always kept my distance from “religion”. While in certain places and circumstances organized religion is sincere and meaningful, there are other places and circumstances in which it is not. It’s the distance seperating those that keeps me at arms length and those who need God’s peace from seeking it. When non believers look at our lives do they see our God or our religion? “Neon Bible” explores these ideas and delivers a slap in the face for those who need it. I love wake up calls for those who are sleep walking through their belief systems.
Sorry for the delay in posts; as you know from my last post I was in Los Angeles for a few days. Make sure you read Hampton’s posts on The Figurehead vs. The Giant Chocolate Cake at Gladstones in Malibu. What a time! As I said before, my company treats us great and everthing we do is first class. Friday morning I sat at a table with Fred Thompson and listened to Dennis Miller talk about his soon to start talk radio program. Funny stuff…Mr. Thompson seemed to enjoy it as well. If Thompson becomes our next president that’ll be an even better story to share with my grandkids one day.
I ran every morning from our hotel in Marina del Rey up to Santa Monica. I’d listen to Californication by The Chili Peppers each morning as I passed through Venice Beach. That is quite possibly the saddest place on earth. I’d love to know the stories of those sad souls asleep on the beach, setting up their art displays (amateurish paintings of naked women and clowns on plywood), sloppily strumming a guitar, etc. At one time those people had dreams. That’s likely how they’ve ended up in their current predicaments asleep on Venice Beach at 6:00 am. I’m not naive enough to think that many of them aren’t there because of their own foolish mistakes or laziness. It still hurts though. Crushed dreams are among the coldest realities of our existance. Seeing them each time I’m out there makes me appreciate my life even more. While they shared 40 oz of Old English on the beach I was dining at the Beverly Hilton that night, feeling thankful and a bit guilty at the same time.
I have lots of stuff to post about, but I wanted to blast this one out real quick to let you all know I’m back and will be posting again.
I’ve been to L.A. once on business. I love business trips, because my company takes great care of us. I’ve been lots of places on business including NYC, DC, Philly, Dallas, San Diego, etc. Of all the places I’ve visited though, LA seemed the dirtiest and the least friendly. In fact, my impression was that people even avoid eye contact with each other. Thats just sad.
I’ll be there again soon; actually in Marina del Rey this time. The weather sounds great and I’m hoping to come home this time with a different impression of “The City of Angels”. All I know is Ben Gibbard isn’t a fan of the place and neither is Colin Meloy.
Be on guard Los Angeles! The Figurehead is coming! THE FIGUREHEAD IS COMING! And I’m bringing Tuesday, Senor Borquez, and Hampton with me!
On my list of “do before I die” experiences is climbing the famed Alpe D’Huez from the Tour De France. I’ve posted before about my belief that the Tour is the greatest sporting event on the planet; nothing even comes close to the drama and suspense of a grueling sporting event that lasts for 3 weeks. The riders suffer terribly, day after day.
There is no more dramatic moment than the climb up Alpe d’Huez. It’s roughly 8 miles with an average gradient of 7.7% maxing out at 12%. Lance owned Alpe d’Huez. One day The Figurehead will find out how it feels just to get up that mountain. I have poster on my wall at work of Lance climbing Plateau de Beille (I pretend it’s Alpe D’Huez). He’s breaking away from Joseba Beloki and Roberto Heras. I imagine he’s chasing me. Now, that is fear my friends.
Last Sunday a friend and I went for a ride. The route we chose had us climb more than 3700 feet over the course of 30 miles. The new wheels Mrs. Figurehead bought from my 32nd birthday helped alot. My buddy said watching me climb those hills was like watching a guy ride up an escalator. In my mind I was riding with the lead group of Lance in yellow, Floyd Landis, Ivan Basso, and Richard Virenque in the polka dot jersey. I imagined Paul Sherwen saying “Who is this kid from Tennessee? His name is The Figurehead ladies and gentlemen and he’s putting this group of elite climbers in serious difficulty.”
The Atlanta Journal Constitution published an article today that compares financial talk radio gurus Dave Ramsey and Clark Howard. I’m a Dave Ramsey guy personally. Dave’s program has Mrs. Figurehead and I debt free (except our modest mortgage) in our early 30’s. We don’t buy junk we don’t need. We’re saving for our home on Seabrook Island that we’ll buy by age 50. We’re saving for Izzy Figurehead’s education. How can a former punk rocker stay punk rock into his 30’s and eventually into middle age (other than working in a tatoo shop or insisting that his band will eventually make it)? Nothing is more punk rock than avoiding debt and the shackles big business would put on you by imprisoning you with their payments. Stick it to the man! Viva la Punk Rock!
Clark seems like a cool guy too. We don’t get his show here in Nashville though.
I’m checking out this guys latest eponymous release these days. Thanks to the always wise and knowledgeable Senor Borquez for the recommendation. He’s reminding me alot of The Great Lakes Swimmers (a Figurehead favorite!).
“As many of this era’s best singer/songwriters to take cover behind band name aliases (i.e. Palace, Songs: Ohia, Iron & Wine, Bright Eyes), it’s become more of statement when a songwriter sets out with his real name. For Adam Arcuragi, hiding behind an alias would contradict the nature of his songs – distinct epics that are simultaneously personal, sensitive, intense, and subtle. Arcuragi’s debut full-lengthis an introduction to a bright new lyricist who combines the icy-melancholy of Red House Painters or Mark Lanegan, with the classic Americanism of Tom Petty or Bob Dylan, the sincerity of Elliott Smith or Damien Jurado, and the sophisticated use of words typical of the Mountain Goats or Neutral Milk Hotel. His unique form of free-flowing, introspective lyrics and compelling harmonies are certain to win fans from appreciators of bands like My Morning Jacket and the Shins.”
Believe it or not, U2 was once dangerous and cutting edge. I saw this Live at Red Rocks film right on the heels of seeing The Cure In Orange for the first time. Music stirred my soul back then. Don’t get me wrong, I still love new music, but nothing grips me the way music did in my early teens. That’s pretty common, I know: teen angst.
U2 – 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
and of course…the anthem itself…Sunday Bloody Sunday
Started by a 30 year industry vet with “new wave” and “punk” radio cred, George Gimarc, Radio SASS seeks to deliver more music that standard terrestrial radio. The Radio SASS system strips songs down to their essense, creating 2 minute songs from songs that were originally 4 minutes or more in length. So what you’ll get with Radio SASS is about 30 songs per hour rather than the typical 12. Artists complain that this destroys the integrity of their music. Radio SASS insists this creates increased exposure.
For more on Radio SASS and to sample a couple of hours click HERE
