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/off topic posts

Will post a videoblog once a week…

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From this point on, I think I’m going to post a videoblog a week. What will I do with these videoblogs? They will be about everything. Whether it will be about movies, music, politics, health & fitness, traveling adventures, etc. If I have something to get off my chest and don’t feel like writing it on this site, I’ll speak on the topic on video instead. I enjoy making videoblogs as a fun little hobby and it’s a fantastic way to express yourself publicly.

Of course, I’ll still record myself on video performing songs at home or at live gigs when I get some. Video taping is a fun hobby.

Kev

Politics/war

Thought: More on Sarah Palin…

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Yes, I get so many people criticizing me for being a fan and supporter of Sarah Palin. Whenever I post about her in facebook, people would slam me for it. Whenever I mention her name to people in the real world, people would give me a dirty look and say something nasty about her. I get so many people telling me, I shouldn’t be “liking her”…but you know what? I don’t give a shit! I’ll like and support who ever I want. No matter what people think of her, I’ll always defend her.

I seriously think she’ll be a good president. If she does become president, I’m 100% sure, Osama Bin Laden and Al Qeada would both be caught, the war in Iraq would be over on a high note. The economy would be better and we would get more jobs if Sarah was president. Sarah would make things happen if she was president. She would make America for the better than any other president from the past.

I’m not obsessed with her, however, I’m just an admirer. I followed everything she did over the years, and I don’t see what she did wrong over the years. She’s just like every other politician, trying to make America for the better. If everyone hates her, that is proof that she is good at what she does. I voted for John McCain for president because she was running for vice-president at that one time, If she didn’t run for vice-president at that time, I wouldn’t have voted for McCain.

Think about it, there’s so many female politicians in the United States, but none of them have been notable until Sarah Palin came around. Sarah is the most talked about politician today, whether she’s being treated in negative or positive direction, she is the most recognizable female politician. Hillary Clinton had some popularity, but she is not as big as Sarah. Honestly, I don’t see any reason for people to be hating on her at all. I think people hate her because of her good looks or everyone knows she’s a good mother. Maybe if she was single, the public would be good for her then.

She’s amazing, and she’s great at what she does. She maybe a controversial woman, but the way I look at it, “controversy” isn’t bad, as I know what “controversy” is all about since I’ve experienced “controversies” and “backlashes” myself, so her and I can relate in that.

Kev

music

Thought: Who will be the three big headliners for this year’s Coachella? My predictions…

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Even if the official Coachella 2011 lineup haven’t been revealed yet, these are my predictions on the big headliners for this year’s 3 day festival. I’m thinking Eminem, Soundgarden and the Foo Fighters might be this year’s big headliners. The Foo Fighters announced a comeback this year, so they might surprise us of being a headliner for this year’s Coachella, never know.

I’m probably gonna be wrong on all three of them, but I’d be lucky if I get one right. Eminem is probably the one likely choice.

Kev

Random/off topic posts

Greenwich finally gets a YMCA!!!

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Yes that’s right. My hometown of Greenwich finally gets our very own YMCA workout gym! This is pretty thrilling news, and great for the Greenwich community. Greenwich needs this. There aren’t too many people in Greenwich that are in the best of shape, and Greenwich having our own YMCA will hopefully help everyone to get motivated into fitness more. It would be nice to see more fit and muscular people in Greenwich, but you don’t see many bodybuilders around. I really hope I’m not the only bodybuilder in Greenwich.

Check out the Greenwich YMCA which is currently called, “The Battenkill Branch” but it’s owned by the YMCA. Look at it, here.

I love how the hours are from 5 in the morning to 10 at night during the week. That’s awesome. That’s for who work day jobs full time and people can get their workout done before work early in the morning or after work. Plus they’re open on weekends too. Best of all, the subscription is surprisingly cheap, $32.00 a month!

For the past year, I’ve been working out at the Fitness Center in Greenwich, a different gym, but the price is higher than the YMCA and the hours are less. I haven’t been working out at the gym because I’ve been waiting for the YMCA to open. The Y will open this coming Wed, and I will go to their open house next Sat. to check out their weight room.

This is pretty exciting news.

Kev

Kev Brock music

Metal Method’s “Vocal Power” by Jim Gillette

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Well, Metal Method’s “Vocal Power” DVD is here! This instructional DVD will help you learn to sing better. It’ll especially help you sing with higher range, more power & control. It’ll even help you get to those high pitch screams. I’m tired of singing like Bob Dylan or Tom Petty. It’s time to start taking my singing seriously now. I’ll start these lessons tomorrow. I can never get to those “high pitch” notes in my singing. This DVD should help me do that. It’ll take a lot of practice and dedication though.

Kev

movies

BREAKING NEWS: Ridley Scott’s new “Alien” project finally revealed, it’s no prequel or a sequel but…

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…it’s simply a standalone film. The name of the film is “Prometheus”, and this will be Ridley Scott’s first science fiction film since, “Blade Runner” starring Harrison Ford. In, “Prometheus”, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace is attached to star, Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron are in negotiations to play the leads as well. It’s an original story taken place in the same universe where the first “Alien” movie is in. Ridley hints that the film will be about the Alien’s DNA. Look like they are keeping the plot under wraps for now. Will we get a Sigourney Weaver cameo appearance?

See the report at, Deadline.

Kev

movies

Film Review: Black Swan

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Today I just saw the movie, “Black Swan”. It stars Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, and Winona Ryder. The film is directed by, Darren Aronofsky who also directed, “The Wrestler”.

Plot/Synopsis: The story is about a young ballet dancer, named Nina Sayers (played by Natalie Portman), who is trying to audition for a part in “Swan Lake” which is a ballet musical. Thomas Leroy, who is the director of the play thinks that she is perfect for the White Swan role, but he thinks she doesn’t fit for the Black Swan role because she lacks passion and wants her to stop being perfect for the role that she wants. As she tries to practice her ballet skills, she begins to see strong hallucinations and strange things. She has a rash on the back of her shoulder which have been bothering her. She tries to make her ballet dreams come true as she struggles with her problems. She meets a new dancer named, Lily, who she has a feud with and then becomes friends with her later in the film.

Enough with the plot ’cause I don’t want to reveal any shocking spoilers, because there are some big twists and turns in this film. I really loved the story to, “Black Swan”. Natalie Portman’s acting wasn’t the greatest, but I was most impressed with the storytelling. It kept me at the edge of my seat.

The film was pretty unpredictable, and it was actually kind of scary and creepy in a way too. This film is not better, than “The Wrestler” which Aronofsky also directed, but I really liked, “Black Swan” a lot. I thought Mila Kunis and Winona Ryder did better acting jobs than Natalie Portman. I can think of a better actress to play Nina Sayers instead of Natalie. That’s my only complaint in the film is casting Natalie Portman, but other than that, the rest of the film is fine.

I was never really into ballet dancing. I used to think it was boring…but Darren Aronofsky made ballet dancing interesting and intriguing. It makes me want to see an actual ballet show sometime. The storytelling in “Black Swan”, is kind of strange, it’ll make you think and say to yourself, “wtf is going on here”. The ending is a bit of a shocker, don’t want to reveal it, you have to see it for yourself.

Black Swan was fantastic! Is it Oscar worthy? It’ll probably get some nominations, but I don’t think Natalie’s performance is Oscar worthy. This film might win for Best Screenplay, but I don’t see it winning Best Picture.

Score for “Black Swan” = **** (4 stars as in “excellent”)

Kev

Kev Brock music

Another reason I want to get better in music…

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Another reason I want to get better at both guitar playing and singing, is because I am noticing that I still have a bit of a fan following. I want to get better for them, my supporters. After all this time I haven’t been playing live shows, the fans and supporters of mine, still stuck with me and stayed loyal to me. I don’t have a huge fan following yet, but I’m honored for the few that I have. Which is pretty awesome and thankful for that. I might do a possible comeback to local music this year. There’s a possibility I might get on a few gigs this Spring. I just got a request to get on a show with a few bands, any more info, I’ll let you know.

Kev

Kev Brock music

Can’t believe how simple music theory really is!

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I’ve been playing guitar for 18 years, and when I first started, I have never really learned any music theory. I mostly played basic and simple stuff, which I finally grown tired of that. So for me to get better at guitar in the future, I finally decided to start studying some music theory. I’m very surprised how very easy this stuff really is. Especially learning how the 7 modes work. Without cheating, the 7 modes: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeoleon, Locrian. You take the C major scale for example: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. You start the scale on C to the root note C that would be the Ionian, D to D would be the Dorian scale, E to E would be Phrygian, F to F would be Lydian, etc. That’s all it is. Very easy, piece of cake. I haven’t learned all about modes, but that’s what I know so far.

See? I’m really am learning this stuff, it’s no lie. I just give you examples for proof that I’m studying music.

I want to get better and taking it seriously again. Just want to become more experimental with chords and scales. Learning how to improvise and practicing ear training. All that stuff. If I want to be called a real musician and if I want people to give me a little more respect toward my guitar playing, I figure it’s time to step up and get better professionally. I’m really doing the best I can.

It’s why I haven’t really written any new songs yet, ’cause I’ve got caught up with practicing and learning new things. It’s one reason why I got into music theory so I can write better original songs too. It’s to help me get out of that rut, and it’s really helping.

As far as the singing goes, I have ordered Jim Gillete’s “Vocal Power” from Metal Method, it should be in my mailbox in a few weeks. I really want to get better at both vocal and guitar. Music is my passion, it’s in my blood, and it’s what I do!

Kev

music

Jay Reatard, died 1 year ago today…

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This legendary punk rock songwriter from Memphis, Jay Reatard, died one year ago today. Yes, that’s right, today is his 1 year Anniversary death. I have the album, “Watch Me Fall” on my Ipod and man, he kept me hooked. I just love his music, he is addicting to listen to.

RIP, Jay. When is this guy ever going to get a nod for the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame? He’s got a long way to go to get a nomination for the Hall of Fame, but I think he’ll get there 20 years from now.

Kev