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.

Random blogging…

I haven’t been posting much the last few days ’cause I was having computer trouble. Youtube kept crashing the plug-ins, which is making my computer do weird things and freezing up. So I think I fixed it myself. What happened was, I had to disable the built in chrome shockwave player and install the new one, the plug ins. Seemed to be working fine and the internet seems to be back to normal. Youtube videos seem to be playing well without any crashing either. I didn’t get any help from anybody fixing this error, I did it myself with careful research.

In other news, I’ve just finished reading Stephen King’s new book, “The Wind Through the Keyhole”, which I’m about to post the review soon. I have now finally gotten around to reading Stieg Larrson’s, “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest”, the final Lisbeth Salander novel.

I am looking forward to, “The Avengers” movie, I’m dying to see it but I’m going to wait for next week to see it. I don’t have cash this weekend, so I’m just going to stay home and chill. Tonight, I’ll probably watch the Marilyn Monroe movie, “Bus Stop” on DVD, a Netflix rental.

My guitar playing is coming along really well. Still studying and practicing timing/rhythm, metronome stuff. If I want to get good at garageband or any music software or play in a real band, I gotta get my timing down to become a better player and stay in the pocket. It feels good to take timing more seriously.

Just pretty bored today. Had a Dunkin’ Donuts cheat meal for breakfast today ’cause Friday & Saturdays are my cheat meal days. I love to have cheat days instead of one meal ’cause I don’t want to lose too much weight and I want to keep the pounds up, getting those extra calories. That’s why I eat whatever I want on the weekends only. I eat clean during the week, on weekends, whatever. That’s my fitness nutrition plan. I’m going to do my chest workout at home later today ’cause I don’t feel like going to the gym.

Kev

Cool Video: “The Expendables 2” trailer is finally here with an introduction by Sylvester Stallone!

I’m hoping, the sequel to the “Expendables” will be much better than the first one, like everyone else. I did like the first, “Expendables” movie, but I’ll admit that the first film did have some problems. Hopefully, the sequel will be an improvement. What I enjoy most about the “Expendables”, is the character of Dolph, he’s probably my favorite character out of the group. Dolph does the best acting out of the cast, in my opinion, I just want the movies to do more with him. Hopefully, the sequel will have more Dolph screen time.

The trailer is full of 80’s action stars I grew up watching over the years. Arnold made an announcement in the trailer saying, “I’m back”, which is what he means that he’s back in the movies. This is Arnold’s first big screen movie since after his governor run.

While I’m a huge fan of Sly, I don’t like his look in this movie though, the mustache kind of bothers me. I’m hoping this film will be good. I’m pretty excited about the film, but I’m more excited to see, “The Avengers”, and “The Dark Knight: Rises”.

Kev

Just admit it, Nadya Suleman, could become a huge porn star if she wanted to…

So Nadya Suleman, aka Octo-Mom, finally agrees to sign to work with Vivid. I know she’s a controversial woman and pretty hated in the United States, but I think she could be a big porn star if she wanted that opportunity. She said she wasn’t going to do any hardcore sex, just a masturbation kind of thing. That’s what the reports say she’s going to do, I believe. Whether she does hardcore/softcore porn or masturbation, I’m cool with it either way. Just admit, she’s pretty fucking HOT.

I would date her for sure, but she would want to make sure you’re wealthy enough to help take care of her kids. So you have a tight budget, she wouldn’t want to date you. She’s a gorgeous woman, though, and just my age too!

She could become the next Jenna Jameson or Anna Nicole Smith, if she really wanted to go that far. I can see why the porn industry wants her so bad. She can count me in as a fan and supporter. I’m looking forward to her porn movie, and will try to order the DVD when it’s out.

Kev

Report: Dave Grohl to make his film directing debut for the big screen. He will make a documentary about, Sound City Studios…

Dave Grohl, most famous as the frontman for the Foo Fighters, and former drummer of Nirvana, may have years of musical experience, but he has been on and off in the movie industry as well. He’s got some acting experience through his own music videos, and he made cameos in a few movies/TV shows as well. I think he even directed a few videos for the Foo Fighters himself. Well, Dave is finally making his own film. He’s doing a documentary about Sound City Studios, a legendary studio that Dave owns himself. Many rock legends over the years have recorded in it.

See the website for his film, here.

I’m sure it won’t be a world wide release, it’s probably going to be released independently, but the film sounds cool.

Kev

Cool Video: Neil Young covers the folk song, “Oh Susannah”, rock n’ roll version…

On a lighter note, here’s a cool song by Neil Young covering the famous traditional folk song, “Oh Susannah”. How come today’s music doesn’t sound like this? At least Neil, knows what real music is supposed to sound like. Neil & Crazy Horse still have it too, and they are better than ever. I’m looking forward to his next album, “Americana”, ’cause it’ll be awesome to hear rock n’ roll versions of famous folk songs.

I’m such a huge Neil Young fan. He’s such an inspiration and hero to me.

Kev

Haters are just gonna hate, pure and simple…

I’m always gonna get haters, no matter how apologetic I am and no matter how nice of a guy I can be. People are just going to hate, hate, hate. Why do some people don’t like me too much? I can think of several reasons why but the biggest reason, is that people who do nothing but hate, hate, hate, are usually people who don’t have much going on in their life. That is all they are going to do is hate, hate, hate.

So, why am I not a favorite by some?

The big reason is that a lot of people, don’t like the way I post online. My online discussions can be controversial at times and people get pissed when I have differences of opinion when it comes to entertainment news and politics. It seems that I’m only the bad guy when my thoughts are different than everyone else’s.

Another reason could be, is the way I talk about bands and musicians. My honesty toward music bothers some folks. They don’t like me exposing bands publicly for their bad behaviors or they think I am talking too negative about music. I don’t see how I am negative in music. I just tell the truth as I see it. Simple as that.

Another reason is my music. Some out there think I am a bad songwriter, so they want to feel big and tough by bashing musicians who think is bad. Even though I would like it if people would like my music more, I really don’t do music to please everyone. I do it to please myself.

Another reason is my appearance and the way I look. Some mistakenly believe that I am mentally challenged or retarded, but I can assure you that is not what I am. I may have problems physically but NOT mentally.

I am sure there are tons more reasons, but those few are the big ones, I can think of at the top of my head. I know haters will never be aplogetic to me and I know they will never have a change of heart. I don’t blog or play music to be liked or disliked. I do enjoy people, who support me, don’t get me wrong but I sometimes lose supporters who quickly hate me, all of a sudden.

I hate using this blog to defend myself or explaining myself, but I blog to tell the truth about things, and nothing is stopping me no matter how many don’t like it.

Kev

Want to write songs better and get them out of your head easier? Sing them a cappella first…

There is this great blog in Guitar World, where a blogger gives you advice, on how to write better songs is to sing them a cappella first.

Read the blog, here.

Sounds like a good idea! I’ve never thought of that! I’ve always written the music first and then sang the vocals like the way most musicians do it.

If you sing the vocal melody in your head, then you can figure out the guitar parts from there, after you record the vocal only parts first. It’ll also help you give you a better ear and get good at improvising that way.

I get so many song ideas spinning in my head all the time and it’s tricky to get them out of me. Plus, doing it this way will help get you out of your writers block.

I’m going to give this a try, the next time I write an original song.

Kev

Cool Video: “The Dark Knight: Rises” full trailer is here!!!

Oh wow! I’m totally stoked to see, “The Dark Knight: Rises”. This could be the best superhero flick of the year, for sure. The trailer looks impressive.

It is sad that this is the final, “Dark Knight” film with Christopher Nolan directing, but I understand that he needs to move on. He can’t do Batman films forever, he needs to do other projects. I’m sure the three Batman films he did, helped make him a better director than before, and will help him make better films in the future.

Thanks, Mr. Nolan! In Nolan, I trust!

Kev

About my rants about bands & musicians…

When I do these rants about bands & musicians online, one thing to keep in mind that these posts aren’t aimed at any band in particular. Some would mistakenly think that I’m trying to point fingers at somebody which is not true. That’s not what I’m trying to do.

What I’m trying to do is that I’m trying to make it a more positive music world. When bands & musicians do crazy stuff online or anywhere else, I’ll have no choice but to rant about it here. Hoping it might get them thinking that they could be wrong.

Trying to stop bands from doing stupid things that they will regret later. Trying to stop them from getting themselves in trouble. Trying to inspire them to be more professional and have better attitudes. Trying to get them to learn from their mistakes in their careers.

I know my thoughts are probably pissing bands off still, but that’s good. I know some of you will say that I don’t have band experience, that I shouldn’t keep giving band advice, but I have the right to do this stuff as I want to. I may not have band experience but I do have a lot experience playing gigs and being around other bands. As long as I’m seeing things with my own eyes, I have the right to speak things out publicly, ya know? Think about it.

A lot of these bands think they can hide from the truth and get away with things. It’s crazy. People are really weird in the music world, and I’m not afraid to say stuff like this.

Kev

Want to become a better rock or metal guitarist? Listen to the blues…seriously…

A lot of rock or metal guitarists out there would be influenced and inspired by other musicians that play the same genre. While that is great and nothing wrong with it, I would strongly suggest more rock and metal guitarists to listen to more blues music. I’m not talking about listening to just SRV, Hendrix or Clapton.

You need to listen to real blues music. The classics. Stuff like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sonny Boy Williamson, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, Albert King, BB King, Jimmy Reed, and all those guys.

I listened to all that stuff as much as I could to inspire my rock n’ roll playing. Most of your favorite guitar heroes in the rock and metal genres were inspired by the blues. Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath were both heavily blues inspired, that’s where they got the heavy rock sound from.

This is probably the reason why my lead guitar playing sound kind of bluesy and my rhythm playing is kind of bluesy as well.

Blues music would get slammed by a lot of musicians. The genre gets accused of “noodling” and being “boring”. It’s not boring. Blues music is serious music and if you actually listen to it, it’ll grow on you. Not all blues music is the same I-IV-V progression. There’s some pretty complex blues music out there if you look around.

Some guitarists would rely on classical music to be inspired in order to become a better guitarist in rock and metal, but you need to listen to blues as well. Blues music is not bad. I’ve always loved the genre.

This is where rock n’ roll and metal came from, guys. It all came from blues music. If it wasn’t for blues music, none of you would have a guitar in your hands right now.

Kev