Category Archives: music

music

I don’t understand all the hate for Metallica’s “Load/Reload” albums… both of them are killer albums, in my opinion…

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Even though Metallica’s “Load” and “Re-load” albums both came out like over 20 years ago, Metallica fans are still shitting on these albums even to this day. These are the “thrash metal” only type of Metallica fans that I’m talking about. The type of fans who want to hear only thrash metal from them and that’s it.

Well, I just re-listened to “Load” and “Re-load” albums this week while at the gym and I’m still blown away by those albums. People are calling those albums “alternative” music but I completely disagree. If you actually take the time to listen to the two albums from start to finish, you would still hear that these albums still have “metal” on them and a lot of songs on these albums are still pretty “thrashy” too. So technically they haven’t really moved away from thrash metal at all. Yeah, “Load/Reload” are both pretty different than the 80’s and 90’s metal but that’s what happens with bands when they get older, ya know? The older they get, the more mature their songwriting gets.

This is what a lot of bands do. Some of them just get tired of playing the same style of music for years and years and I love it when bands take big risks like this. I don’t care what the so-called fans think. I think “Load” and “Re-load” both have some pretty incredible songwriting on them. A lot of songs on the albums can still be pretty fucking tight and heavy too. James singing and rhythm guitar work are both pretty impressive.

I’ve heard every Metallica album they’ve ever done and I’ve loved everything they’ve done including “St. Anger” and “Lulu”.

When it comes to “Load” and “Re-load”, I think it’s crazy that people don’t like songs such as “King Nothing”, “Fuel”, “The Memory Remains”, “Until It Sleeps”, “Hero of the Day”, etc. Yes, they are hit songs but still they are beautifully written songs and I love them all.

Metallica is still amazing and always will be. They’re still one of my favorite bands. I have most all of their albums except I’m missing “And Justice For All” and “St. Anger”. Used to have them both on CD but lost them somewhere. I’ll buy them on Itunes soon so I can complete their entire album discography.

It’s weird, ya know? Metallica fans want the band to put out a new album and when they do, everybody starts shitting on it. It happens with pretty much every album they put out. They’ve done that with “Death Magnetic” and “Hardwired”. It’s happening again. Metallica are about to hit the studio again to make their follow up to “Hardwired” and I’m sure fans will be shitting on their next album too.

Oh well…. fuck the so-called fans. Metallica is still great and I’m looking forward to their next album. People need to learn that bands changes and evolves over the years. That’s the way it goes.

Kev

music

RIP Kurt Cobain who passed 25 years ago today…

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Nirvana gets a lot of hate nowadays still but I don’t know why. Oh well, I don’t care what the haters think ’cause I’ve always believed that Nirvana is one of the greatest rock bands on the planet. Even though Led Zeppelin will always be my no. 1 favorite band, Nirvana would have to be my second favorite. Kurt Cobain really was an amazing songwriter. Yes, he really was a great rock vocalist too and a good guitar player as well. The three Nirvana albums: “Bleach”, “Nevermind” and “In Utero” will always be masterpieces.

I was listening to Nirvana a lot during my high school years ’cause my high school years were during the 90’s. I still listen to Nirvana today as they are still my favorite band.

I remember being really bummed and upset when Kurt allegedly killed himself. Yes, I said “allegedly” ’cause this case needs to be looked at by law enforcement again. Watch the movie “Soaked in Bleach” and you’ll see.

Even though Nirvana got a lot of controversy and backlash over the years, still though, Kurt inspired a lot of people in positive ways. He changed a lot of lives whether you like him or not.

Kev

movies, music

Thoughts on the Motley Crue movie, “The Dirt” on Netflix, I thought it was surprisingly great! Very realistic too!!!

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I’ve watched the Motley Crue biopic film on Netflix called “The Dirt” last Sunday night and I thought it was surprisingly good! I wasn’t much of a Motley Crue fan much over the years but after seeing this movie, makes me want to get into their music more. I’ve heard all of their hit songs on MTV, of course so I’m definitely familiar with their music. I only own one Motley Crue album which is “The Saints of Los Angeles” their latest album but I’m planning on getting their older albums soon.

As far the Dirt goes, I was surprised of how realistic and accurate the film was. Metal bands like that can be really crazy in real life with the all the sex, drugs and alcohol and all that stuff. Some of you may ask, is everything seen in the movie accurate? According to the band, Motley Crue themselves, they said yes everything in the movie is pretty much true. I’m gonna have to read the book now which was written by Tommy Lee.

The movie had some pretty mixed emotions, though. A lot of times the movie can be funny and entertaining as hell but at the same time it can also be scary and sad. Why is the film a bit scary? Probably ’cause of all the drug use in the movie and what drugs can really do to you, that’s one thing that film showed you. The film wanted to educate you about the dangers of drugs which they did a good job of, I think. The film also can be pretty sad and gotten serious like with the death of Vince’s daughter, Skylar which was the most serious part of the whole film.

I thought it was a great movie. It’s a great movie for die hard fans of Motley Crue and a good film for new fans too. I don’t know much about Motley Crue but I’m gonna have to learn more about them after seeing this movie. I definitely plan on watching this movie again on Netflix this week. Probably this weekend actually. The film was well-written and well-acted by the cast too. It’s recommended seeing for any music fan. You don’t even need to be a Motley Crue fan at all to watch this film. You can watch it to educate yourself on what the rock n’ roll lifestyle is really like. The rock n’ roll lifestyle may seem like a lot of fun but this film wants to show you that it isn’t always enjoyable.

Definitely check it out if you’re a Netflix subscriber.

Kev

music

Greta Van Fleet being hated on for being a Led Zeppelin rip off is unfair but at the same time, it’s a good thing…

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Oh my god. Greta Van Fleet is being hated on left and right in the music industry. They are even being hated on by other famous musicians and bands. It’s crazy, ya know? A lot of famous musicians voiced their opinions on Greta Van Fleet and they aren’t good. In the music industry, there are mixed opinions about Greta Van Fleet… some are positive and some negative. Well, it’s expected when the band is about ready to blow up in the industry big time which they already did.

Yeah, the band sounds very much like Led Zep but who cares, ya know? Greta Van Fleet is still a rockin’ band. They are all talented musicians and they are all on point. Bands ripping off other bands is nothing new so why does Greta Van Fleet get targeted for ripping off other bands? I mean look at all the Nirvanas out there who ripped off Nirvana. Look at all the Metallicas out there who ripped off Metallica. Look at all the Alice In Chains’s who ripped off Alice In Chains. Look at all the Pearl Jams out there who ripped off Pearl Jam. Okay, I think you get my point. Bands rip each other off all the freakin’ time.

On top of that, there were too many other bands who ripped off Led Zeppelin long before Greta Van Fleet came around! What’s funny about all of this is that Led Zeppelin even ripped off their sound from other bands ’cause I’ll admit it Led Zep stole a lot of stuff.

Why is Greta Van Fleet getting targeted for ripping off other bands when bands ripping off each other is a pretty common thing in the industry? Like I said, who cares! It’s just music, ya know?

Anyway, while all of this is unfair for Greta Van Fleet, at the same time, it’s a good thing that they’re getting accused of ripping off Led Zeppelin. It means they’re doing something right. I think people are getting mad at Greta Van Fleet is because they know that they came this close to sounding exactly like Led Zeppelin and no other bands could come close to matching their sound. I think people hate for that reason. They know that Greta Van Fleet and Led Zep almost sound exactly the same. Other bands try to sound like Led Zeppelin but they all fail. The only band that could do it is Greta Van Fleet. I think they just hate out of jealousy nothing more ’cause they wish they could sound like Led Zeppelin.

It’s not Greta Van Fleet’s fault that they sound like Led Zep. They just happen to be huge fans of the band and that’s what happens to musicians when they are influenced by someone. When you’re influenced by a musician you admire, you tend to sound like them by listening to them for a long time. That happens with all musicians, you sound like your heroes.

By the way, I think Greta Van Fleet is a kick ass band. I love them. I’ll buy every album they come out with and I hope I get my chance to see them live.

Kev

music

Woodstock 50 lineup released today and people are bashing it like crazy…

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The official Woodstock festival founded by Michael Lang released the lineup today. They are in a huge backlash ’cause of the lineup. People bashing it like crazy and saying all kinds of negative things about the lineup. From what I’m seeing, I’m seeing a lot of people complaining how this isn’t like the original ’69 lineup of how this lineup doesn’t have enough acts from the ’69 Woodstock.

Are they  on drugs or something? There are plenty of artists on this lineup that are from the original Woodstock festival in ’69. Let’s see: Santana, Canned Heat, Melanie, Country Joe McDonald (who was in Country Joe and the Fish), John Fogerty (Creedence was at Woodstock ’69), etc. etc.

As far as the different genres goes, that’s nothing new with Woodstock. They have always had different genres at all their Woodstocks over the years so it’s nothing new.

As far as my thoughts on the lineup goes, I think it’s pretty good. A lot of good talent here: Greta Van Fleet, Sturgill Simpson, Dead & Company, John Fogerty, Brandi Carlile, The Black Keys, Robert Plant and the Sensational Spaceshifters, The Raconteurs (this is Jack White’s band, btw) and I think the Killers are a pretty damn good band too.

I have no problem with the lineup except my only complaint is that it ignored metal for this one: no Metallica? No Megadeth? No Slayer? No Iron Maiden? No Ac/Dc? No Guns N’ Roses? Any of these bands would have been cool.

Anyway, we’re in a new generation of music lovers who won’t understand Woodstock and their history so it’s understandable why people of today are gonna get mad. There are gonna be a lot of people who aren’t with the times.

I do find it weird that Pussy Riot has been booked and I’m like WTF? It’s going to be interesting with that performance and no doubt some controversy will come out of that one. Will Pussy Riot get booed off the stage?

I told you this festival is going to have some rap artists ’cause previous Woodstocks had some rap artists. They had rap artists at Woodstock ’94 and ’99.

Other than that, it’s not a bad lineup. I’m glad Greta Van Fleet and Robert Plant are on the same bill together even though they are booked at different days. Will Greta Van Fleet and Robert Plant perform together? I think it’s a possibility they will do a duet together and it will be cool to see Josh and Robert sing together. Greta Van Fleet are huge Led Zeppelin fans and I’m sure it will be a dream come true for the band if they performed with Robert Plant. It’s a possibility that could happen so we’ll just wait.

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths, music

RIP: Keith Flint 1969 – 2019…

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KeithFlint.jpg

Some sad news in the music industry today. Keith Flint who is known as the vocalist for the eletronica/rock band named Prodigy, most famous for their hit songs “Breathe” and “Firestarter” just passed away today.

I wasn’t much of a fan but I used to listen to the album “The Fat of the Land” when I was younger. I remember first seeing the “Breathe” video on MTV and fell in love with it. Then I saw this freaky looking dude on the video with weird hair, eyeliner, pierces all over his face and tattoos all over him. That freaky looking dude was Keith Flint, the founding singer of Prodigy.

Well he just passed away suddenly due to suicide it looks like. Yep, we lost another rock star due to suicide. First Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington and now Keith Flint. If you think being a rock star is easy then think again. It’s not an easy lifestyle ’cause to me it looks like to be an overwhelming and stressful job. All the fame and money and all that could lead you to depression and all that. It’s sad but it is what it is. Rock stars aren’t cartoon characters. They are real people and real human beings like all of us so they are going to have all kinds of problems like all of us.

It’s sad we lost Keith Flint but like him or not, Prodigy was a successful band in the industry. Everyone knew who they were even though they had a few hits. Keith Flint was a recognizable figure for sure ’cause of his unique look. That’s what I liked about him. I wish I still have the “Fat of the Land” album but don’t have the CD anymore.  I can always get it back from Itunes. It’s a great album.

We lost another good one.

Kev

 

music

Billy Corgan shows off his “Gish” guitar he just got back and he plays it too…

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Very cool video. So Billy Corgan just got his stolen “Gish” guitar back and in this video, he shows it off to everyone. When I watch this video, I can immediately tell that Billy is totally psyched to have the guitar back. You can tell he’s very happy to have it back. When he played this guitar on this video, it does sound very Smashing Pumpkins-like. After hearing what that guitar sounds like now, I can see why the guitar is very special to Billy.

After Billy records the new Pumpkins album with that guitar, I’m sure he’s gonna go on tour with it too. When he does go on tour with that guitar, I’m sure he’ll keep a much better eye on it so it won’t get stolen again.

I’m not a big fan of Fender Strats but that guitar does sound good. That Strat that Billy has won’t sound like any other Strats at all. It’s gonna be interesting to hear what the Smashing Pumpkins sound like now that Billy has that guitar back.

I know how a lot of people will want to believe that guitars are nothing but they are something. Guitars are really special treasures, they are no joke. I’m a guitar lover myself.

I’m happy for Billy that he got his guitar back.

Kev

music

Bands & artists releasing music constantly… a good thing??? No absolutely not!

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This blog at ReverbNation came up in my inbox and I decided to give it a read and share it here. There are so many bands & solo artists whether you’re a signed or unsigned artist, releasing music constantly. There are bands and artists releasing a new studio album year after year and there are bands always releasing “singles”.

I have noticed this trend in the musician’s community as of late. Is releasing music on a constant basis a good thing? No. Not really.

I understand that bands & artists need to engage their fanbase and keep their fans by releasing music all the time but it is not always a good thing to do. Read this blog and find out why. This blog brings up some pretty good points that I agree with.

https://blog.reverbnation.com/2019/02/19/putting-music-constantly-hurt-musician/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=putting-music-constantly-hurt-musician

You don’t really need to release new music year after year as I honestly find it annoying when bands do that. Some bands release a new album or a singles EP constantly ’cause they are worried about losing their fanbase if they don’t release anything. Well, don’t worry about losing your fanbase ’cause your fans will stay loyal to you even if you haven’t released music in a long long time. They will still support you no matter what.

I think, always releasing music year after year will make your music much worse and that’s true most of the time. It don’t hurt to take your slow time making an album to make sure it won’t suck, ya know? There’s no need to rush to make new music. Some bands will wait 5 – 7 years to release an album in between and that’s smart, in my opinion.

Some of you may notice that I don’t release new music all the time and I’m okay with that. I used to put out new music all the time in the past but most of my past songs aren’t good. Only release new music when you feel the time is right. Take your time and only release your best work. From now on, I’m only going to release songs that I know that I’m completely happy with 100%.

The article above also brings up other good points that releasing music all the time can hurt some chances of getting some media and press. It can also help turn fans away and doesn’t give you as much success as you would hope to.

In my opinion, bands releasing new music all the time screams “desperation” and it’s kind of arrogant. They just want to stay in the center of your attention and it screams “ego” for sure. Ramming your music down people’s throats isn’t always a good thing so be careful, y’all!

Kev

 

music

Am I getting too old to like rock and metal? No, absolutely not! I’ll never grow out of those two genres!

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Since I’m in my 40’s now some people would look at my tastes in music and ask, “Kev, aren’t you too old to be listening to rock and metal? That music is for 20 year olds!” Um no. I just love rock and metal music. I just love music with loud electric guitar playing. I’ve always been into rock n’ roll and metal ever since I was a child and still listen to those genres today. Some people would look at me and would think that I listen to country music and bluegrass but then they get all shocked when they find out that I actually like rock n’ roll and metal.

I’ve listened to all kinds of rock n’ roll, jam bands, hard rock and metal bands. Throughout the years of my life. I’ve tried my best to discover everything that’s out there in the industry. I would listen to all the 80’s hair metal through the 80’s and would listen to a lot of new wave rock too. Then when the 90’s exploded in grunge and alternative music, I listen to that stuff as much as I could: Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, etc. I would also listen to all the 90’s alternative bands like the Smashing Pumpkins, Everclear, Oasis, Seven Mary Three, Live, The Foo Fighters, etc. For metal, I would listen to as much of that as possible like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Ac/Dc, etc. Yes, I even tried listening to a lot of death and black metal over the years too.

I still love to listen to a lot of 60’s and 70’s classic rock too like Led Zeppelin, Yes, Creedence, Cream, Rush, The Who, The Beatles, Jethro Tull, etc.

Yeah, I do listen to other genres sometimes like blues, jazz, some country and some bluegrass/folk music but my heart is in rock and metal, though. A lot of people’s taste in music change as they get older yes but my music taste would never change.

Age is just a number. Like whatever you want. If I were to form a band of my own, rock and metal is what I would mostly play.

Kev

music

Alice in Chains is still the best rock band going right now… they haven’t changed their sound since they started in the 90’s!

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I’ve been listening to 90’s band Alice In Chains a lot pretty obsessively for a long while now. I really love both the Layne Staley and William Duvall eras. What’s interesting to me is that the band never changed their “grungy” like sound even with different singers. I listened to both singers Layne and William and I’m amazed that they sing exactly like each other. Pretty much dead on really.

Some of you may ask if Layne Staley didn’t die and if he was still in Alice in Chains now, would the band have sounded any different? No and here’s why. Jerry Cantrell is the primary songwriter of the band. Jerry wrote all the riffs. Jerry wrote all the music and he also wrote most of the lyrics. Staley contributed to some lyric writing and music but Jerry Cantrell wrote most of the material.

I listened to all albums of the band and I love everyone of them. Even all of the stuff in the William Duvall era is great. Yeah, people are upset that the band moved on without Layne but who cares. That’s what bands do. They move on and got to continue moving. Like they all say, “the show’s got to go on”. Bands just don’t give up making music ’cause that’s what they do.

I think Jerry Cantrell is a great guitar player and songwriter. He made some pretty tight and intense songs with the band. The Layne era was pretty special yes but give the Duvall era a chance. The Duvall era is great stuff too. Even with Duvall as singer, they still sound like Alice In Chains like they always did. Too many bands nowadays change their style of music with every album but Alice In Chains never did that which is why I love them. I own all 6 Alice In Chains albums and listen to them all the time on a repeated basis. They are still the greatest band in rock today.

Most of today’s rock music sucks ass but there are very few good bands out there still and Alice is one of them. I also love Greta Van Fleet, Ghost and getting into Clutch now. I also love Dream Theater and Opeth. They are some of my favorite bands.

Kev