Music Memories #2

For this assignment I interviewed my Grandparents, and well I got some very interesting answers. I learned that my Grandparents are just like me in that they liked almost every kind of music in their decade. They explained to me that they really couldn’t pick a favorite artist in their time and that they would really just listen to whatever was on.

My Grandparents explained to me how their favorite music was Rock N Roll. I also tried to ask them what their favorite bands were, but they could not give me a straight answer. My Grandma told me that they listened to every kind of music in the 40’s and 50’s; they could not just pick one artist to represent their favorite music. My Grandpa also added that they couldn’t remember every artist, because that was so long ago that they simply forgot a lot of their old favorite artists. The few names they could name for me were: Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Belmonts, Elvis, Bill Haley and the Comets, and apparently much much more.

When it came to concerts that my Grandparents had been to, there was apparently not much to talk about. However, I did learn some very interesting things about the concerts my Grandma and Grandpa did go to. My Grandpa proceeded to tell me about his favorite movie, “Rock Around The Clock”, which featured Bill Haley and the Comets. I asked him how this was a concert and he explained to me how he really went to the movie for the music and that it was more of a concert for him then an actual movie. My Grandma told me about when she went to the Brooklyn Paramount in New York to see one of Alan Freed’s Rock N Roll shows. She told me how she saw people like Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly and how she also got to see the awesome and blind Ray Charles. She told me that that was one of her best experiences in her life and how that was one of the things in her life that influenced her into trying to be a professional singer. My Grandmother had always been a good singer when she was young and she had recorded a few records when she was young. Her music was not necessarily Rock N Roll, it was more of an oldies style singing, but she told me how a lot of Rock N Roll singers like Elvis Presley had influenced her music. My Grandparents still had told me that they had not been to that many concerts in their life because they really didn’t have the luxury money to spend on music. Their parents were immigrants from Italy, and really only instilled in my Grandparents that the most important kind of thing out there was work and successfully making a stable environment for which their kids can survive in.

I really learned a lot about my Grandparents taste in music from this interview. They really did listen to the music that we are learning about right now in this class and they are a good example of people who were listening to black music and started to except blacks culturally though music. The last thing my Grandparents told me was about their favorite music today. What is funny about their favorite music today is that its almost the same case with me. Their favorite music today are the Crooners like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bring Crosby. The love the music that was a little before their time and was their parents favorite music. It’s the same way with me; I love classic rock just like my parents. Its funny how similar me and my Grandparents are to each other, especially when it comes to music.

MUSE Workshop #1

So I didn’t necessarily attend the average MUSE workshop on October third. I went to Love Fest in San Francisco, which due to copy write infringement for a festival Las Angeles was re-named to LovEvolution. I went with my friend and roommate Matt Sarubbi, who on top of just being my roomie also ended up being in this MUSE class with me. Anyways, we got up at 6:30 in the morning, hopped on the bus, and got on the train to San Francisco.

My group of people arrived at LovEvolution extremely early. We actually got in for free because we showed up as they were setting up the gate, and frankly they didn’t care if a few people got in before they set up the actual ticket booth. Then we waited until the festival started up. My first impression of LovEvolution was somewhat mixed. I was really excited for the music and the dancing, but I was really nervous that I would be out of my element and that I would be the odd fish in the pond. But once the music started and the dancing began, I was in love with LoveEvolution. The music was a modern sort of dance music that involved the use of synthesizers and keyboards. There was a main stage though, that had all the elements of a good band. They had a guitars, drums, bass, and decent vocals. The main attractions though were the synthesizers and keyboards. I mean everyone was going crazy to the electronic beat. You saw things in that crowd that would make you laugh and even cry. For instance, Matt (my roommate) was being hit on by a gay guy in the crowd. The guy came up to him, and literally pinched his nipples. Matt had to tell the guy that he wasn’t gay multiple times just to get him to leave.

LoveEvolution was one of the best experiences in my life. I do feel like I have a better understanding of how Rock N’ Roll was looked at in its early stages after going to this festival. The type of music and amount of people dressed up with their “substances” at the festival would be enough to scare any “normal” person away. But that’s just how Rock N’ Roll was. Most people in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s thought the music was insane and that the sexuality and drug use was wrong. That’s just what a lot of people would think about LovEvolution today. It’s kind of funny how history repeats itself and how Rock N’ Roll history is no different.

5 Songs That I HATE!

Well first of all I want to make it clear that most of the music on this list is not just songs that I hate but artists that I hate. Most of the time, if I don't like a song by an artist I usually don't like the entire group. I don't mean to sound like I don't give bands a try, but usually thats how it is for me. So sit back, relax and enjoy reading the songs and artists that I absolutely hate.

1. You Spin Me Right Round (REMIX) - Flo Rida: First of all the original 80's version of this song rocks. Thats the main reason I hate this song. It is a stupid, crappy remix of the song that has nothing but a dirty message. What really grinds my gears about it, is that no one knows the original song. They think this song is original, and it is nothing more than a crappy remake....Arghghghgh I am so frustrated thinking about it!!! Oh and I hate Flo Rida.

2. Hot Metal Doberman's - Brainiac: So have you ever heard anything so unbelievably indy that you couldn't stand it? Well that is what Braniac is. Its overly weird, disturbing and is loud. Sometimes I have a hard time deciphering the rhythm of the song. Yup this song is just plain disturbing.

3. With You - Chris Brown: Just plain and simple, I hate Chris Brown. I feel like he is a self centered guy and he thinks he is fly because all the girls love his sound. Yeah I just hear this song too much and I really really really really don't like Chris Brown.

4. Lollipop - Lil Wayne: Ok so this song was bearable in the beginning, but now it is one of the most over played and annoying songs I have ever heard! I can't stand to listen to another "Drop it like its hot!" Wow I just think Lil Wayne is an annoying guy.

5. All Summer Long - Kid Rock: This song is nothing but a rip off from the Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Sweet Home Alabama". Its almost the same track, but with different lyrics. Kid Rock also apparently thinks he is some form of Southern Rock artist when he is from damn Michigan. Thats just wrong and messed up. Go write your own music Kid Rock..... You Idiot!