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.
Local music

Why I criticize the music scene and local bands…

1 Comment

Over the years in my blog site, I have been pretty critical and honest over the music scene and local bands. Well, here’s the thing. If you can tell, I take professionalism with music very seriously. When a band or musician decides to misbehave unprofessionally, or starts to act all crazy, I’m not afraid to call out on that. I thought it was a pretty good idea to expose those that acted unprofessional. I just want bands & musicians to be professionals, that is all. That way we can make this a better music scene for myself and others. I just want everyone to work on their music and do their thing.

There are too many bands & musicians with ego problems and many have bad attitudes. There are also a lot of childish acting musicians who think they’re cool and stuff, just because they play in a band and playing gigs. Bands should be worrying about the music, but instead there’s a lot of ego & politics in music that get in the way in the scene.

A lot of bands around here are in it for the drinking and partying. Most bands are pretty obsessed with wanting more publicity, when they should be worrying about making the music. If you’re a band who think it’s alright to criticize and make fun of other bands & musicians for laughs, then you’re into music for the wrong reasons. If this is all you, then you’re not a musician, period.

I’ve said it before. A real and true profesional musician who is dedicated to music. A real professional is someone who survives on it. They concentrate on the music alone. Not worrying about anything else but that. If you’re a musician who concentrates on the music alone, that’s when they get my respect. Making albums and touring, not worrying about the bullshit that gets in the way.  I know a true professional when I see one and I know an amateur when I see one.

I don’t talk about the music scene too much ’cause I don’t go out there much anymore. I just write about what I see on the internet of what goes on around local bands, and facebook is evidence of that. We’re not rock stars guys, and most all of them, think they are. It’s sad really. I never acted like a rock star. I just wanted to write the music and play the gigs, that was all I cared about.

You’re never gonna be famous even if you want it and won’t admit it. Seems like most around here wants to get signed and hit the big time these days. Just enjoy your time and play music for the fans here. You can create a good music scene just by doing that.

Kev

Random/off topic posts

Random bullcrap…

Leave a comment

This blog was kind of slow today ’cause I got caught up playing “Batman: Arkham City”, most of my time. It’s already a great game. Better than the first one, “Arkham Asylum”, as I expected. “Arkham City” is more confusing and challenging though, but I’ll get the hang of it and figure things out as I go along.

In other news, some people may wonder when I will ever start writing and making music again. That’s what I’m hoping too. I wonder if I will even pick up a guitar and pen and notebook to start writing new originals again. Songs just come whenever they want to. I guess I haven’t got the motivation and inspiration yet.

So I just started learning cover songs again, hoping that will help get me out of that writers block.

I don’t pick no random release date to release new music like a lot of unsigned bands/artists do around here. I just release new music to the internet right after I write & record the song. Why? Because you’re just a local musician. It’s not like you’re signed to a label or anything, you can release music whenever you want to. I never had the rock star attitude ’cause I know this is just local music.

That’s how I’ve always released music over the years. Just write the songs, record ’em, and throw them out there, so I can get feedback on them. I don’t need to pick an album release date, that’s for people who are signed to big labels.

Just release the music whenever. If I wrote new songs earlier, I would have put up the songs right away but since I didn’t release new songs yet, that means I haven’t written anything. What you see, is what you get.

I’ll try to write some stuff during the Holidays.

Edit to add: On a side note, I plan to go to the movies tomorrow at the mall to check out, “Immortals” with Henry Cavill. I’ll review the film when I get home tomorrow evening.

Kev

music

This Day In Music: 11/21/11

Leave a comment

Here’s the “This Day In Music” for the day. Enjoy.

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Dr. John (US singer/songwriter, pianist. Born in 1940), Bjork (Icelandic singer/songwriter. Born in 1965.)

– In 1954: American singer and actress Rosemary Clooney was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘This Ole House.’ This song was also a No.1 for Shakin’ Stevens in 1981. Her nephew, George Clooney was a pallbearer at her funeral in 2002.

– In 1969: The Doors played the first of two nights at the Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden, New York City

– In 1970: The Partridge Family started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Think I Love You’. The song was featured in the first episode of the Partridge Family TV series, made by the same company that made The Monkees.

– In 1974: Wilson Pickett was arrested in New York City for possession of a dangerous weapon after he pulled a gun during an argument.

– In 1975: At the start of Elton John week in Los Angeles, the singer received a Star on Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame.

– In 1980: Don Henley was arrested after a naked 16-year old girl was found at his home in Los Angeles suffering from a drug over-dose, he received a $2,000 fine with two years probation.

– In 1981: Olivia Newton John started a ten week run at No.1 in the US singles chart with ‘Physical’, the singers fourth US No.1 went on to sell over 2 million copies, a No.7 hit in the UK.

– In 1983: Michael Jackson’s 14-minute video for ‘Thriller’, was premiered in Los Angeles.

– In 1987: Billy Idol knocked Tiffany from the No.1 single position on the US singles chart with his version of Tommy James ‘ Mony Mony’. Tiffany had been at No.1 with another Tommy James song ‘ I Think We’re Alone Now.’

– In 1988: Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page set out on his first ever-solo tour at The Hummingbird, Birmingham, appearing with John Miles and the son of Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham.

– In 1991: Aerosmith made a guest appearance in the Simpson’s TV animated comedy.

– In 1995: Legendary manager of Led Zeppelin Peter Grant died from a heart attack aged 60. Known as being one of the shrewdest and most ruthless managers in rock history, Grant secured 90% of concert gate money and intimidated record store owners who dealt in bootlegs. The former wrestler, also worked as a film extra and bodyguard. During the early 60’s Grant worked as a tour manager for Bo Diddley, The Everly Brothers, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and The Animals.

– In 2003: An acoustic guitar on which the late Beatle George Harrison learned to play fetched £276,000 at a London auction. His father originally bought the Egmond guitar for Harrison for £3.50. Another item auctioned was a signed invitation to the post-premiere celebrations for The Beatles Hard Days Night film, which went for £17,250.

– In 2003: Record producer Phil Spector appeared before a California court and was formally charged with murder. B-movie actress Lana Clarkson had been found at his mansion in February of this year with a fatal gunshot wound to her face. Spector pleaded not guilty to her murder during a brief hearing in Alhambra, near Los Angeles and was released on $1m bail.

– In 2004: Eminem was at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Encore’, his third US No.1 album. Girls Aloud started a two week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Pretenders ‘I’ll Stand By You.’ This was 2004’s single for the Children In Need appeal with its proceeds going towards the charity.

– In 2007: The Red Hot Chili Peppers were suing a US network over the name of its TV show, Californication saying the title was “immediately associated in the mind of the consumer” with its 1999 album and single release. The band filed a lawsuit against Showtime Network – the makers of the TV show, which featured David Duchovny as a writer going through a mid-life crisis. “For some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right,” said the band’s singer, Anthony Kiedis. He described Californication as “the signature CD, video and song of the band’s career”.

music

BREAKING NEWS: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band confirms they will continue without Clarence Clemons, new album and tour on the way…

Leave a comment

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band have finally responded on their future plans in their music career. They have confirmed that the band will continue without Clarence Clemons, their sax player who passed away not too long ago. Springsteen himself confirmed on his official website that the E Street Band will release a new album and will go on a full fledged tour.

More on the story, here.

You ask, why would they continue without Clarence? My guess, is that they are continuing on is because that is what Clarence would have wanted. They are doing this for Clarence I bet. Also, how much do you want to bet that their next album is going to be dedicated to Clarence? Don’t be surprised if almost every song on their next album will be about him.

While I’m sure, the E Street Band already replaced a sax player, no other sax player will top Clarence’s recognizable sound, that’s for sure.

I thought the E Street Band’s last album, “Workin’ On a Dream”, was one of their best new albums in a long time. Their song, “Outlaw Pete”, is the best song off that album.

Kev

Videogame news

Game Review: Dead Island

Leave a comment

Today, I finally finished the game, “Dead Island”. It was a pretty long ass game too. A lot of missions and side quests you have to go through.

The game is taken place in a fictional island named, Banoi, which is off the coast of Papua New Guinea. You play 4 different characters in the game: Xian Mei, Sam B., Logan, and Purna. You can play up to 1 – 4 players, in the game. The character I picked was Purna, the black woman who specializes in guns. I played by myself in the game, because I have no one else to play the game with. You start off in the Palms Resort Hotel, the night after the hotel party and then the island have been taken over by zombies. The Island of Banoi is meant to be a hot vacation spot for tourists, but it is not so hot anymore when there are zombies around.

This is not just a first person shooter, it’s also a role playing game. You don’t have to go through all the side quests but the main quests are the main part of the game, you must go through. A lot of people complain that this game doesn’t have much weapons and guns to choose from. I think the reason for that is, because when you’re in a zombie apocalypse, they want to make it seem realistic & believable. After a zombie apocalypse, there’s nothing much left anymore. Everything is pretty much all gone, and that includes things to survive with. You must go around and find that stuff yourself. So it makes a lot of sense to not have a lot of weapons in this game. They want to make sure if you can fight zombies and survive with very little items. It’s part of gaming and they want you to have skill.

There is plenty of gore throughout the game and it can get pretty nasty at times. Plus, the game can get pretty scary and creepy as well. This has gotten mixed reviews. It’s another one of those love or hate things, but despite all the negative reviews on this game, I thought this game was absolutely amazing. The game was very addicting. I couldn’t stop playing it. A lot of people said the game play had problems and said it was boring, but really? I had an absolute blast fighting zombies. The game can be a bitch, and frustrating. You like playing those games where you can get mad at and throw your controller to the floor so many times? Well this game will do that to you.

There were a few slight problems, however, I didn’t like how they did the mapping. They need to improve the mapping more ’cause it was confusing. Plus, the game was kind of laggy and glitchy at some spots. Other than that, this was a great game. It had a good story, the characters were very well voiced.

I think this is one of the best games of 2011, of course, that opinion could change when I start, “Batman: Arkham City” next which I will start tonight. I also still need to get “Battle Field 3” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” sometime in the future as well. There’s a lot of new games for the PS3 I want to get. It’s hard to catch up with them all. Games are pretty pricey, so I play one at a time.

Kev

music

BREAKING NEWS: Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, diagnosed with liver cancer. How long will he be “Staying Alive” for???

1 Comment

This is very sad news in the music world, as it was just announced today that Robin Gibb, famous as one of the singers & founders of the Bee Gees, have been diagnosed with liver cancer. The Bee Gees were a pop rock and R & B group famous for a lot of hit songs such as “Staying Alive”, “Night Fever”, “World” and many others. They were also famous for the, “Saturday Night Fever”, movie soundtrack, starring John Travolta. Robin was rushed to a hospital in Oxfordshire, England today.

More on the story, here.

Robin had a lot of health issues over the years, so honestly, this came as no surprise. We already lost, Maurice, and if Robin’s the next to go, that would be a sad loss in the music industry. Robin was the leader of the Bee Gees. He was a great.

Like the song says, I hope he fights it and stays alive!

Kev

music

This Day In Music: 11/20/11

Leave a comment

Here’s the This Day In Music for the day. Enjoy.

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Duane Allman (guitarist for the Allman Bros., born in 1946. Died in 1971)

– In 1955: The song that changed popular music history ‘Rock Around The Clock’ by Bill Haley & His Comets went to No.1 on the UK singles chart. The song was used under the opening credits of the film Blackboard Jungle. The song entered the charts a further six times until 1974.

– In 1961: Bob Dylan started recording his debut album over two days at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City

– In 1968: The Monkees film ‘Head’ opened in six US cities. Reviews were harsh and the picture was a box office disaster.

– In 1971: Isaac Hayes started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Theme From Shaft’, it made No.4 in the UK. Hayes won a Grammy award for Best Original Film Score with ‘Theme From Shaft’.

– In 1974: Drummer with The Who, Keith Moon collapsed during a concert after his drink was spiked with horse tranquilliser. 19 year-old Scott Halpin who was in the audience, volunteered to replace him on drums for the remaining three numbers.

– In 1975: The Who kicked off a month-long North American tour at The Summit in Houston. At a party afterwards drummer Keith Moon was arrested for disorderly conduct and spent the night in jail.

– In 1976: Paul Simon hosted NBC’s Saturday Night Live where he performed live with George Harrison on ‘Here Comes The Sun’ and ‘Homeward Bound’. Paul McCartney and John Lennon were both in New York City watching the show on TV.

– In 1984: A large crowd of fans watched the unveiling of a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star for Michael Jackson in front of Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Jackson became star number 1,793 on the famed walk.

– In 1991: A Los Angeles court gave Randy Jackson of The Jackson’s a 30-day jail sentence for violating a probation order.

– In 1998: A study comparing noise levels of rock music, found that older people rated rock music much higher on a loudness scale than younger people. The researchers carried out by Ohio University tested people age 18 to 21 and people ranging in age from 51 to 58. The study asked participants to rate the loudness of rock music played at nine intensities, ranging from 10 decibels to 90 decibels. Participants listened to ‘Heartbreaker’ by Led Zeppelin for 10 seconds at different intensities. At each intensity, the older subjects gave the music higher numerical ratings based on loudness than the younger subjects.

– In 2003: Michael Jackson flew to Santa Barbara to be arrested by police. He was seen in handcuffs being taken into the police station. The singer had his mug shot and fingerprints taken before being freed on $3m bail.

– In 2004: Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was fined £40,000 after a fight in a German hotel. Gallagher was arrested along with drummer Alan White and three other members of the band’s entourage after the brawl in Munich in December 2002. Gallagher lost two front teeth in the fight, which led to the band abandoning their German tour.

– In 2007: Velvet Revolver were forced to cancel a four-city Japanese after their requests for visas was rejected. Officials were said to have refused the band entry to Japan due to previous drug convictions.

– IN 2007: Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke admitted he was among the thousands of people who paid nothing to download the band’s latest album In Rainbows. Speaking to BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, Yorke said: “There wasn’t any point. I just move some money from one pocket to the other.” According to one survey, three in five people paid nothing at all for it. Yorke added that no one was allowed to have copies of the master recording in case it was leaked beforehand.

movies

Netflix Pick (DVD) Insidious

Leave a comment

Last night, I watched the movie, “Insidious” on DVD. It was a Netflix DVD rental. I think this is one of the best horror movies I’ve seen in a long time. It really was a great film. James Wan is a great horror film director. He was the one who directed the first, “Saw”, and he also did the horror film, “Dead Silence”. He didn’t direct too many movies over the years, and I wish he would direct more.

“Insidious” is about this boy named, Dalton who lives with a family who moved into this new house. Dalton’s father is a school teacher and his mother is a musician & singer/songwriter. Dalton also has a brother and a baby sister. Dalton was put into a coma after he fell off a ladder in the attic. They thought it was a coma but they discovered it was something different. Mysterious things have been happening around the home and they assumed it was haunted. It was also assumed that Dalton could be possessed. What they discovered wasn’t exactly being haunted or possessed, it is something called, Astral Projection. Dalton is still alive but in an another world, called the Further. The family tries their best to get Dalton back.

Enough with the synopsis, on with my thoughts. I thought everything about this film was perfect. It’s just the way a horror film is supposed to be. Not bad for a PG-13 rating. It was very scary and creepy as hell. It’ll have you at the edge of your seat throughout the film. Finally we have a new horror film where both the writing and acting is really good.

It’s another low budget movie. It pretty much has no musical score, there’s no music at all through the film and that’s what makes it scary. There’s no gore either. I also thought the storyline was pretty original. They did a good job making you think the house is haunted or if the boy is possessed when it isn’t either of those. This movie might remind you of other films such as “Poltergeist” and, “The Exorcist”, but this film is different.

There’s probably going to be a sequel to this movie ’cause I believe the ending left open for another movie. The ending was predictable but other than that, this is a great film. I look forward to the sequel now. I know I’m late checking this movie out, but it’s hard trying to catch up with all the new releases sometimes. So many movies, so little time.

Kev

Politics/war

Being unemployed is not all that bad, people!!!

4 Comments

I don’t get all this Occupy Wall Street, protests stuff. Most of these people are really protesting for more jobs and of course, protesting against corporate greed, but all this Occupy shit is a waste of time. All these protesters getting arrested and becoming victims of police brutality, they all pretty much deserved it. I don’t agree with these Occupy protests, which is why I don’t talk about it on my blog ’cause what they are doing is a waste of time and a waste of life.

I am unemployed, have been for a long while. Times are tough, I know. It’s a bitch trying to get a job around here. I just gave up looking and thought to myself, “To hell with it, I’ll just enjoy life for myself for a while”. I don’t feel bad of not having a job at all. Day jobs are bullshit, ya know. They really are. The last two or three jobs, I had, I hated with a passion.

You don’t need to live your life, working these 9-5 hours daily when you should be out there living the life how you want to and be happy. Be your own boss, and you call the shots. Not having a job gives you more time to do what you want in your life. If you’re into music and fitness, it gives you more time to do both. That’s all I’ve been doing really, working out at the gym 3 or 4 days a week, and then I spend most of my day, playing guitar. Of course, I’ll do my other hobbies when I get bored, watch a movie, read a book or play video games.

Life can be good when you don’t have a job. It doesn’t make you a loser ’cause you don’t have a job, it actually makes you a winner. As long as you’re still alive, and breathing, that’s all that matters. Make your life as good as it can be while times are tough economically.

Sure, some people might need the cash, to care for your family and pay the bills to have a roof over your head, but there are still ways to get by with money even if you don’t have a job.

I’ll get work at some point, whenever an opportunity comes up, but I’m not rushing to get a job. Like I said, jobs are bullshit. If you live life the way you want to, you don’t have to get harassed by ego-driven bosses or get bossed around by other employees who think they’re the boss.

There is more to life than work and money. I’m just starting to figure it out. I don’t get into this Occupy bullshit. People have been discussing it in facebook, everyday, and I don’t get into any of it.

Kev