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.
music

People need to not be so critical and nasty over national music…

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When it comes to online discussion about national music whether in facebook, blogs, or forums, there are people that are too critical about famous bands. People can get real nasty and so negative when it comes to talking about bands & artists they don’t like. For example, they’ll say things like, “This sucks”, “This is garbage”, “Why do they even call this music?”, etc. They can say a lot worse things.

For one thing, I can tell you right now that I’ve never really done that. Why? Because I respect all music and talent. Sure, there are going to be famous bands & artists that I’m not going to like myself, but I usually keep those opinions to myself. If I feel the need to express my dislike about a certain band/artist, I would back my opinion up explaining why, without the bashing.

This is why I never bash artists that everyone hates, whether it’s Metallica, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry or Lady Gaga, any of them. I respect what those artists do, ’cause whether you like them or not, they are changing the industry.

Some of you may ask, what bands & artists that I don’t like? I have very few bands & artists that I’m not that big of a fan of. Like I said, I respect most talent, ’cause I have a love for music over all. If I were to dislike some bands & artists, here is a short list that I’m not a fan of.

John Mayer – He’s a great guitar player, but his singing voice never grabbed my attention, but his songs way too pop for my tastes. (See, what I did there? I backed up my opinion, without the critical bashing…)

Blink 182 – A lot of people like them, but the power pop punk has never been my thing. I just don’t care for the simplicity of their songwriting.

Nickelback – Now here’s one band that I actually agree with everyone on. They are not that great. Some of the guitar playing is good, but it’s their songs that don’t grab me.

Barry Manilow – I respect his singing talent, he’s good, but I”m not really into this easy listening music.

Neil Diamond – A lot of people like him, but I’m not into him. He’s a bit overrated to me.

I also don’t care for most of today’s rap & pop music. Although I respect a few artists in those genres.

Nothing wrong with expressing your opinions and there’s freedom of speech, but I wish people would express in a more friendlier way. That’s the point of this post. When discussing national music in facebook, I usually ignore negative opinions. When things get out of hand, that’s when I’ll step in and try to defend that artist.

Like Metallica for example, I’m trying to defend their project with Lou Reed in facebook and it’s working quite well. I got people that actually agreed with me on things, and of course, some haters will attack me in return, then I would respond back to defend my point. That’s called internet debating.

When you have a true love for music, you respect all talent, and that’s what I’m about. National artists worked hard to get where they are.

Kev

music

25 years ago today, the music world lost the great Cliff Burton…

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Cliff Burton was the man who made Metallica for what they were. He was responsible for helping, Metallica, get their shot at fame with his unique bass playing. Without Cliff, Metallica would have never gotten to where they are today.

Many Metallica fans only liked the stuff with Cliff Burton, but I can understand that. I loved the Cliff Burton, Metallica, myself. “Master of Puppets” was an amazing album. I think it’s my favorite Metallica album.

If Cliff was still alive, I’m sure there would have been no, “Load”, “Re/Load” and “St. Anger” ’cause Cliff wouldn’t want that. He would want to play the fast speed metal like he’s known for.

Yeah, like everyone else, I kind of miss the old Metallica even though I still respect them. RIP Cliff.

Kev

music

Cool Video: See William Shatner record vocals for Sabbath’s “Iron Man” in the studio…

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Here’s a funny video of William Shatner recording spoken-word vocals for Sabbath’s, “Iron Man”. As some of you might already know the guitar parts were recorded by, Zakk Wylde.

Many would find Shatner singing pretty bad, but in reality, he’s not really singing. He’s still doing the spoken word thing. That’s how he has always done his cover songs. He does them the spoken word versions.

If you think Shatner is bad, everybody probably thought Ozzy was the worst when he first sung this song in the studio with Black Sabbath back in the day. Black Sabbath songs maybe good but Ozzy was never the greatest singer. He never had a powerful vocal range, it almost seems like Ozzy does the spoken word thing too. Ozzy admitted he never had vocal training.

William Shatner is set to release his new album, “Seeking Major Tom“, Oct. 11. It will be a double disc album full of covers of rock n’ roll songs of all time.

Enjoy the video below.

Kev

 

music

Report: Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame nominations announced for 2012…who will make it this year?

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Well, I’m actually liking the nominations for this year’s Hall of Fame of 2012. Check out the nominations for this year, here.

My predictions on who’s going to get inducted this year? Well, Joan Jett, Gn’R, and The Cure definitely have a good chance. I think they’ll make it no matter what happens. There usually about 5 inductees every year for the Hall of Fame. As for the some of the other choices, I think Heart will make it. Maybe Donovan or Donna Summer.

Finally, the nominees are starting to look more “rock n’ roll”, hope they keep it this way.

On a side note, if Gn’R is inducted will we get an onstage reunion with the original members: Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven Adler??? Everyone’s been wanting that reunion for years and maybe it’ll actually happen at the Hall of Fame. We’ll have to wait and see, keep our fingers crossed for now.

Kev

movies, music

Report: Mick Jagger making a return to acting???

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There is a screenplay being written for Mick Jagger to star in, and the script is being written by “A History Of Violence”, screenwriter, Josh Olson. While Mick focuses on music most of his life, he is an occasional actor. The last film he starred in was “The Man From Elysian Fields” in 2001.

Is Mick about to retire from music and focus on acting instead?

Deadline, reports.

Kev

Books

Book Review: “The Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown

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Today, I had just finished reading the book, “The Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown. Which is the third book of the Robert Langdon, trilogy. “Angels & Demons” was the first book, which is the prequel to, “The Da Vinci Code” which makes it the second book. “The Lost Symbol” is the third book, taken place after the events of “The Da Vinci Code”. Robert Langdon is a Harvard professor who is an expert on iconology and symbology. Robert immediately knows what historical symbols mean and he can figure them out.

The story, “The Lost Symbol” is about Robert Langdon getting invited to the US Capitol building in Washington D.C. to give a lecture to young students. He was invited by his mentor, Peter Solomon, who is a 33rd Degree Mason. Robert later learns that invitation was not from Peter Solomon. Peter was actually kidnapped and missing. The kidnapper is a man named, Mal’ahk, and he wants to find something called, The Lost Word, which he believes is hidden somewhere underground in, Washington D.C. Robert tries to investigate, the Lost Word, so he can try and rescue his friend, Peter Solomon.

I love the work of Dan Brown. He’s one of my favorite authors. I love his detailed and inspiring writing but the thing is, this book is a bit of a disappointment. Not the best one of the trilogy. Why didn’t I like it that much? Well, for one the story was way too predictable. Dan also wrote this novel as if he’s writing a screenplay, instead of a novel. The chapters are too short, and he described everything as if it was a movie on the big screen. Come on Dan, I know your books are being made into movies now, but leave your writing to the screenwriters. I also didn’t care for the villain in the book. How many times do we have to put up with a story where a psycho madman kidnaps somebody because he wants something that’s valuable?

This book didn’t all the way suck, there was a very few things I liked about it. While this book is fictional, I enjoyed how realistic the book was. Most of the symbols and historical facts in the books are real. I never knew about that capstone of the Washington Monument that had the words Laus Deo, carved on the top of it. You learn something new every time you read these Robert Langdon books and that’s why I love reading them.

It was an okay read, but kind of disappointing. I still say, “Angels & Demons”, was the best Robert Langdon book so far.

Will  Tom Hanks and Ron Howard ever get together to make the movie, of “The Lost Symbol”? I’m sure they’ll do it someday but it won’t be for a long time. Ron Howard will be busy doing the Dark Tower series and I’m sure Tom will be busy with other projects of his own as well.

Hopefully there will be a 4th Robert Langdon book. I’m sure there will be another one.

Kev

movies, music

Pandora’s Box – the 1929 silent film about Lulu is in Netflix for DVD rental…

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Just for the hell of it, I just logged in my Netflix, “Pandora’s Box“, the silent film about Lulu and they had it available for Netflix DVD rental. So I put it in my que and put it on top of the list, so I should be getting it soon after I send back the DVD I have now. Looking forward to seeing it.

This is the project that the Lou Reed & Metallica album is based on. I’m looking forward to seeing the film. After I see the film, I’ll start to understand why they are doing an album on the Lulu story.

It really is sad that the public is bashing this Lou Reed & Metallica thing. I think it’s a very special project. The Who did the theatrical/musical thing too with “Quadrophenia” and “Tommy”. The Lou/’Tallica project is kind of similar to what the Who have done.

People should respect Lou Reed as a musician ’cause he had quite a legendary history with his career. Anybody that bashes the man, has no true love for music.

Kev

movies

Cool Photos: Charlie Sheen finally reunites with family publicly…

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We haven’t seen Charlie Sheen, with father, Martin and brother Emilio much in the press, it has finally happened. Emilio’s new directorial film, “The Way”, which he and his father, Martin both star in had a premiere of the film at a film festival in Los Angeles. Charlie was there to support his family for the film.

See the photos, here.

I really would like to see Charlie and Emilio do another movie together. Maybe they will? Never say never. I really liked, “Men at Work” and, “Rated X”.

Kev

music

Look like Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” is going to open with the John Williams theme after all?

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Check it out, and tell me what you see…

the Man of Steel, IMDB lists John Williams as Original Score, but they still list Tyler Bates in the music department. This doesn’t mean it’s confirmed ’cause IMDB is not a reliable site.

I’ll believe it when I hear a confirmation from Zack Snyder, Warner Bros. or Christopher Nolan. I’m sure Zack is going to get asked about the Superman theme when he starts doing interviews again. We’ll wait and see.

Kev

Random/off topic posts

What I’ve been doing this weekend…

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On weekends, I usually take the entire weekend off of fitness and going to the gym. I even don’t do any cardio on Saturdays – Sundays either. It’s good to take a couple of days off a week from the gym, to give more time to heal and rest. That’s why I do it.

I spent most of the weekend, playing the new “Deus Ex: Human Revolution” game. I can’t stop playing and already addicted. So far, it’s a really impressive game. I’m loving it, but the thing is, I think this is the most challenging game I’ve ever played. I’m usually good at all games I play, but this one is a bitch. I’m getting the hang of things though.

I also want to get the game “Dead Island”. I will get that game too someday but I’m going to wait to finish, “Deus Ex” first, then I’ll buy, “Dead Island”. I like to complete one game at a time. Once I start a game, I need to finish it completely.

I did watch UFC 135 last night. The main event with Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson was a boring fight, but all the other fights were good though. Only thing though, I’m going to have to stop getting UFC ppv’s. The prices for UFC ppv’s are too high for my tastes, they’re like $55 for each ppv. They’re getting too pricey for one person to get monthly. If I’m going to get Showtime for “Dexter”, I need to stop  getting ppv’s so my cable bill won’t be so high. Dexter “Season 6” premieres next Sunday night, so hopefully I’ll get Showtime before then.

Just bored on a Sunday night, sitting here while there is a football game on TV.

Kev