All posts by Kev Brock

I'm a musician, singer/songwriter, blogger, writer, poet, bodybuilder, movie lover, music lover, video gamer, history/political buff, conservative/republican, etc. I like to do a lot of things.
Kev Brock music

Why I would never start fund raisers for my album projects or tours…

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Over the years in this blog, you would see me turning down the idea of bands & musicians starting kickstarter projects or from other websites to get your fan base to help raise money for your album projects or tours or whatever. I would never do this. EVER. Why? Well, I’m about to explain.

First of all, I do want to make my own album someday, but I will try to do it with my own budget. You don’t need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to get  your album made. Yes, I do know that economic times are tough, but there are ways of making a good quality album at low cost. You can make your album covers homemade and it’ll still look like a professionally made album. Plus, it will be cheaper to do it all at home, instead of sending your album through a manufacturing company to get it pressed.

Secondly, I disagree with fundraising from your fans for a few big reasons. I’m sure these fundraising websites do work, they are legit and proven successful but fundraising from your fans, makes you look kind of greedy and self centered. I also find it pretty disrespectful to take money from your fans. Yes, they are willing to help out and it’s their decision to help out, but the truth is, if you want to reward them for supporting your music, taking their money from them is not the way to go. Sure, when fans donate money to help your projects, on the website, the musician will offer them rewards in return. Like autograph CD’s or guitars or t-shirts, dinner with the band, drinks with the band, a meeting with the band after the show, etc. Sorry to say guys but you can reward your fans with all that cool stuff for free.

If you want to surprise your loyal fans for supporting your music over the years, you can still offer them autographed items, meet them after gigs or have drinks with the fans. You don’t have to have them pay money to do all that shit with. We’re not rock stars, ya know? Stop acting like you’re important.

I like to reward my supporters anyway I can. It’s why I like to give out free music ’cause it’s my way of giving my respect back to the people who supported me still. I don’t need to have them pay me anything to support me. This is just local music. I like to treat my supporters like they are my buddies, which is one way of me rewarding them for their support. Paying money for all those rewards is a crock of shit. It’s all a fantasy world.

Kev

Local music

The only possible way to become an established and popular act in local music, the way I’m looking at it…

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All local musicians and bands wants to become established and become recognized in your area.  A lot of people around here, are wondering how? You see the newspapers, music websites, and the local news marketing the same bands. You just wonder how they are getting the good stuff, and you aren’t. You see. The thing is, your music doesn’t necessarily have to be “really” good, to be popular. There are popular bands out there, that make shit music, not naming names. This post might piss some musicians off, some might even agree with it, whatever, I don’t care. The truth needs to be said.

So how are bands and artists in the area getting lots of fans and getting all this recognition in the local press? Why do the same bands become local media darlings?

The answer is really quite simple. If a band tries to make themselves look like mainstream material, when you’re not, that’s when the local media will start being all over you. If you market yourself as if you’re trying to be rock stars or celebrities, that’s a very good chance you’re going to get recognized for it. The local media likes a bands image, it’s the look. They also love the way a band markets themselves. Just write pop songs and you can be a “mainstream” hit in your local area. The local media likes to look at musicians as if they are local celebrities which is just wrong, in my opinion.

Being popular, may sound all cool and fun, but the reality is, not always. Who cares, you know? Music shouldn’t be a popularity contest anyway. Even though I don’t have the popularity and I’m not an established act yet, I just continue to entertain the small fan base that I have. I would like to get popular sometime with my music, but I’m not so worried about it. I’m just enjoying myself and not taking the music thing seriously. If a band or artist is not popular, that doesn’t necessarily mean they suck either. There are plenty of talented bands & artists around here who don’t get any recognition at all. They don’t care to get popular either ’cause they play music for the love of it. That’s where I come from, ya know?

I’m proud with a small amount of people that support my music still. I’m trying to get back out there for them, ’cause I’m still getting people asking me when am I ever going to back out there. I’m not worried about becoming a big musical act. I just want to play. That’s it.

Kev

Edit to add: Btw, this post isn’t aimed at anyone, just being real about the music scene.

WWE news

WWE’s top 50 Villains (or heels)…do you agree? I think not…

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The WWE compiled a list of 50 villains of all time. WWE calls them villains, while the wrestling smarts calls them, “heels”. WWE doesn’t use the words “heels” or “story lines” ’cause they don’t want to break kayfabe.

A wrestling heels job is to be the most hated wrestler, disrespect the fans and all the good guy wrestlers, that will get the crowd booing known as heel “heat”.

Anyway, I’m not going to list the entire thing here, but I can list the WWE’s official top ten, they are: 10) Jake “The Snake” Roberts 9) Gorgeous George 8) Bobby Heenan 7) “Superstar” Billy Graham 6) Triple H 5) “Hollywood” Hogan 4) The Million Dollar Man 3) Mr. McMahon 2) Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen 1) Rowdy Roddy Piper.

Look at the full list, here.

That’s actually an okay list, but it can be arranged better. Especially the top ten.

I would like to throw Chris Benoit on the list as the WWE’s greatest heel of all time, but due to his double murder/suicide tragedy, it’s not a good idea to list him.

Here’s MY version of the top ten list of who I would pick as greatest wrestling heels of all time:

  1. Ric Flair
  2. nWo (Hogan, Hall, Nash, and various other members over the years in WCW.)
  3. Vince McMahon (I agree, he should be high on the list and stays at no. 3)
  4. Chris Jericho Y2J
  5. Bret the Hitman Hart
  6. Cactus Jack (Mick Foley)
  7. Macho Man Randy Savage
  8. Sgt. Slaughter
  9. Umaga (Eddie Fatu, who died a few years ago, RIP)
  10. Eddie Guerrero (RIP)

Edit to add: Dammit, I forgot to add Umaga. So I switched him with the Big Boss Man. So many great heel wrestlers of all time, but those are my favorite.

Kev

music, Politics/war

Pussy Riot, now world famous all of a sudden? Seems so…

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The Pussy Riot girls seem to be looked at as world heroes after all. They are now respected by most countries around the world, and that includes the USA. Pussy Riot is a pretty large group of girls, at least 10 members, I think. Only 3 of the girls were put to prison. I don’t think Pussy Riot is a signed band. They look like they are unsigned to me. Before this news started, I’m sure they’re very popular in Russia, and now they’re popular everywhere.

I’m sure the US Major label industry is all over them now. The major labels over here will want to try to sign them somehow but it might be pretty tough to do. I can definitely see Hollywood making a documentary or a biopic film on the, Pussy Riot girls though. The movies would probably happen first before the record deals. The thing is, the Pussy Riot girls don’t make music to entertain people, they are set out to put Vladimir Putin’s presidency to an end. That’s their only mission. They’re not about getting as many supporters or fans as possible. They are about sending a political message.

Most big name rock stars in the industry today, have expressed support toward them like Madonna, Sting, Pete Townshend, the Black Keys, Bjork, etc. The list goes on. I can also see more bands getting formed that will imitate their sound and image. I can see authors wanting to write books on them as well. The fact is, Pussy Riot is going to be everywhere in the Entertainment Industry pretty soon. That’s the point of this post.

A documentary film will happen for them first. Then maybe a biopic later. Possibly US record deals, and many books will be written about them. I’m sure plenty of musicians have already started writing songs about the Pussy Riot girls too. Do the girls deserve all this publicity? Yes absolutely! They certainly are making a difference in the world. So they deserve all the help from everyone and they deserve to get known.

I totally respect them myself and am planning on writing a song about them myself sometime in the future.

Kev

movies, Stallone news

Who should be added to the casting of “Expendables 3”??? Here are my picks…

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I haven’t seen “Expendables 2” yet, but I’m gonna go and see it on Monday. I get to see this movie for free ’cause I got a free movie ticket out of those Reward Zone cards.

With the possible recent additions to Nicolas Cage, Clint Eastwood and Harrison Ford may join “EXP3”, what other cast additions that should be included for the next one? I can think of a few:

  • Kurt Russell – They’ve been trying to get him for the last two films but he declined every offer. Hopefully they actually get him for the next one!
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – I am surprised they haven’t gotten the Rock yet, he would be a good addition. Hopefully for EXP3.
  • Tom Cruise – Love him or hate him, the man is an icon in the action genre. I could easily see Cruise being part of the Expendables group.
  • Liam Neeson – He would be a great bad guy!
  • Tom Hardy – He’s a pretty muscular dude and he’s been in some action movies himself, he would make a good fit.
  • Henry Cavill – He’s been in a few action movies here and there, especially a “Cold Light of Day” directed by JCVD, and he’ll be in the upcoming Superman flick. I think Henry would make a pretty cool addition.

As for female leads, how about Angelina Jolie? She’s been in a handful of action flicks over the years and she’s iconic enough that would be a good enough fit for the Expendables. Either Michelle Rodriguez or Kate Beckinsale would be pretty cool too.

Kev

music, Politics/war

Cool Video: Dave Mustaine was only quoting what Larry Pratt said at the Singapore concert…

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Well that was fast! Dave Mustaine called up the Alex Jones show to clarify what he said at the Megadeth, Singapore concert. Dave said he was only quoting what Larry Pratt said when he blamed Obama on the shootings. Larry Pratt did an interview with Alex Jones way before Dave Mustaine said it, and Larry said pretty much the same thing.

I still support Megadeth ’cause I am a fan of their music. I dig their stuff, plus Dave is an excellent songwriter and guitar player. Larry Pratt was the first one to blame Obama and the government for shootings, how come nobody’s hating on him? Alex is right on the money!

Kev

music, Politics/war

BREAKING NEWS: Pussy Riot, found guilty, they will serve two years in prison for Hooliganism…

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Today, the verdict has been read for the three Russian women who are members of the punk rock band, Pussy Riot. They were found guilty for Hooliganism, protesting to end the presidency of Vladmir Putin at a religious Cathedral in Russia. After doing more research on Putin, I read that the guy is an evil monster. Put him along the same lines of Joseph Stalin or Hitler. These girls were trying to do good for their country.

While this is bullshit, protesting to get rid of your home country president is a good thing and going to prison for a few years would be worth it for them. When they get released from prison in a few years, I don’t see them stopping the protesting, they’ll keep doing it again, again, and again until Putin is no longer, President. They’ll keep doing it even if they get arrested again. They won’t give up until Putin is done. These girls are sacrificing themselves to do something good for their country. So these girls should be considered world heroes, not enemies.

Just something to keep in mind.

More on the story, here.

Kev

music, Politics/war

Dave Mustaine has always been politically outspoken, even with Megadeth songs…

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The public backlash for Dave Mustaine has gotten much worse, for this metal legend. Angry fans are bashing him in his official facebook page and there are fans trashing him on the Megadeth page. Of course, there are those obsessive fan boys that still support him, no matter what. I still support Dave and Megadeth. He says a lot of stuff I agree with, and sometimes he says stuff that makes me want to scratch my head. He maybe a weird guy when it comes to political discussions and debates, but the man can speak what he wants. Pretty much most of Megadeth’s entire catalog of songs are mostly political and topical stuff. Like the “Peace Sells” album for starters.

Why be offended at Dave now when you should have been offended at him years ago? As I said, if you do a google research, you would find things he said that were much worse than blaming Obama on the gun shootings. Check this out, here. Just an example.

Politics discussion have always been controversial. Whenever someone says something that other people disagree with, that makes him an evil asshole. It’s not easy discussing politics everywhere you go. It seems like you have to watch what you say at all times. If people disagree with it, you get yelled at. I have trouble talking politics myself. When my opinion is different than others, that’s when I get people going in facebook. I’m all for “traditional” marriage myself, I don’t agree with gay marriage, and it’s hard having an opinion on that.

Most politicians and music activists like to talk politics in a brutally honest way, but Mustaine likes his discussions in a no holds barred type of way. He’s not afraid to say stuff that’s on his mind. I agree that some of the stuff he says, can be whacky, but you gotta respect the 1st amendment. Dave doesn’t seem like a bad dude, he seems friendly. I think people need to relax over him and not take him too seriously. He likes to speak his mind on politics like a lot of people. He’s anti Obama like a lot of musicians out there seem to be.

Another thing, I wouldn’t compare Mustaine to Ted Nugent. Totally unfair.

I’m sure we’ll get a statement from Dave soon, hopefully this weekend. Maybe he’ll apologize? I don’t think so ’cause he never seemed apologetic at all with his statements from the past. Maybe people just misunderstood his comments. Maybe he meant Obama wasn’t really behind the shootings but he manipulated it to happen somehow, with money and power. Something like that, ya know?

I just don’t think Dave deserves this backlash. Looking forward to his response soon though, you know you’re going to hear from him soon. He might post something on his twitter or facebook. I’ll keep an eye on them.

Kev

movies

Cool Video: Sly Stallone’s “Bullet to the Head” hits the internets!!!

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WOW! Both Arnold and Sly are on a roll with action movies! They’re not just doing “Expendables” movies, they’ve been doing other action movies of their own which is really cool! Look like 2013 is going to be a huge year for Arnie and Sly. Arnold will be releasing, “The Last Stand” in 2013, and the two of them will be in ‘The Tomb” together too.

A lot of you know that I’m a huge Sly Stallone geek and would see just about anything with him. “Bullet to the Head” looks great! This film is based on the graphic novel, I believe.

See the trailer here at, AICN.

Kev