James Bond in the Oscars…

Reports are now saying that the reason for the James Bond 50th Anniversary Tribute, is that the voters ignored “Skyfall” for Best Picture possibility. “Skyfall” may have gotten snubbed, but it’s just a rumor for now. We’ll know when the nominations get revealed. It’s still possible that “Skyfall” can get a “Best Picture” nomination. If “Skyfall” does happen to get the snub, that’s cool. I’m cool with it, ’cause I want “Django Unchained” to get the Best Picture win if “Skyfall” doesn’t get in. Looking forward to seeing the Oscar nominations when they get revealed next week. Who knows, “Django Unchained”, might even get the snub too ’cause of the use of the “n” word and violence in the movie. The Oscars has never been friendly with violent movies.

In other news, I think I’m definitely seeing, “Les Miserables” later tonight. So I’ll be looking forward to seeing that one. I’ll be seeing that film with a few other people, not going alone, so it’ll be a good time. After I see that film and a few other movie rentals, I’ll get right to work on that “Best Films of 2012” list. The list will be up sometime next week. Probably Monday. I’ll try to do it on video, probably.

Kev

The importance of music theory… why I’m studying it…

I’m willing to bet that there are too many musicians out there that don’t even know music theory. Yes, even the well known and established musicians who play in bands, probably don’t know anything about music theory as well. I’ve been studying music theory pretty hard for many reasons. I think this is important for all musicians to learn. Music theory is actually a piece of cake. It’s not that hard to learn as you think it is.

Basically, the reason I want to learn music theory, is so it can help take my guitar playing to the next level. If I want my music to be taken seriously, I better learn music theory. Other musicians will respect you more if you know your shit. I want to be able to develop my own style in guitar playing, so in order to do that, I need to learn music theory. Where do all these great guitar rock riffs come from? Yes, that’s right. They come from scales, modes, arpeggios, etc. When you learn music theory, you’ll be able to know what appropriate scales to play over chord progressions. It will also take your songwriting skills to the next level. When you’re writing rhythm parts, you’ll be able to come up with better chords for your songs and what works, and what doesn’t. When you’re discussing music with other musicians, you’ll be able to understand what they’re saying when you know music theory and you won’t get lost. When you play in a band, you’ll be able to tell other musicians what to play easier. See what I mean? Music theory is everything in music.

When you master music theory and memorize it all, that’s when you have become an actual musician. These are part of the reasons why I’m learning music theory. Just want to become a better musician and become more professionally skilled. It’ll help make your songwriting better too, that’s the main thing.

I like learning music theory too. It’s easy stuff. I don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to learn music theory at a school, when you can learn this stuff for cheap. I’m really getting the hang of this music theory stuff. I figure if I want to play in a band, I really need to know this shit.

Kev

Cool Video: The new “Evil Dead” red band trailer makes me stoked for the film even more, but I’m gonna miss Bruce…

What made the Evil Dead films so great was the character of Ash, played by the great, Bruce Campbell. Looks like Bruce wants to retire that character, for good. Maybe this is a test to see how the world of the “Evil Dead”, would do without the Ash character. Who knows, though. Maybe Bruce still has a small cameo as Ash in the new film, we’ll have to cross our fingers on that for now. I doubt Bruce is in the film at all, it seems he’d rather be behind the camera, instead of in front of it. The new Evil Dead trailer does look scary as hell. It’s really hard to make a gory as hell movie, and make ’em very scary at the same time. I’m looking forward to seeing how this movie turns out but I’m going to miss Ash’s funny catchphrases, like, “Hail to the King, baby” or “Groovy”. The original Evil Dead trilogy is a mix of horror and comedy, and looks like this new franchise, they are trying to stay away from the comedy stuff, and make it a scary movie.

Kev

Cool Video: “A Good Day To Die Hard” trailer #2 makes me sold to the film now…

Man, I really hope this film doesn’t suck. The last film, “Live Free or Die Hard”, was one of the worst films I’ve ever seen, so I really hope they redeem themselves with this one. The thing with movies is, that all the trailers want to make the films look good, but when you go see the actual film itself, it turns out to be a bad film. Lets hope that’s not the case with this movie. “Good Day to Die Hard” does look like an action packed ride, though. I’m just skeptical of the plot. The plot might suck. There’s tons of movies out there with great action but terrible story. Lets hope the new Die Hard is a good one overall.

Kev

Report: The Oscars will include James Bond tribute in celebration for 50th Anniversary…

The Academy announced today, that the 85th Annual Oscars show this year will feature a 50th Anniversary tribute for the James Bond franchise. Now that a James Bond tribute has been confirmed, it’s looking more and more likely that “Skyfall” could land a lot of nominations for the Oscars.

More on the story, here.

I know this doesn’t confirm a “Best Picture” nomination, just a possibility for now. I can see it happening though. “Skyfall” is a really good movie. It’s definitely the best Bond movie ever made.

As for the 10 films that will get nominated for “Best Picture” at the Oscars this year. It might look like this, just my prediction:

Lincoln
Django Unchained
Skyfall
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Flight
Argo
The Master
Moonrise Kingdom
Zero Dark Thirty
Les Miserables

I think those films definitely has a possibility getting the Best Picture, nod. As for what film I think is going to win Best Picture, I really really really hope, “Skyfall”, gets it, ’cause that would be amazing if it got the win. Bond winning Best Picture which never happened before, will be history making. If “Skyfall” gets snubbed, that’s okay ’cause the rest of the movies deserve it too.

The only films on that list I haven’t seen yet are “Flight”, “Argo”, “The Master”, “Zero Dark Thirty”, and “Les Miserables” (which I hope to see soon).

Kev

I will make “Best Films of 2012” list in a videoblog…

The final film I plan on seeing in theater that was released in 2012 will probably be “Les Miserables”. As soon as I see, “Les Miserables”, in theater, I will get right to work on the “Best Films of 2012” list, but I’m probably gonna do it in a videoblog so it can be more fun and get more attention.

I’ve written a huge list of movies I’ve seen of 2012, so I can pick the 15 best out of ’em. Surprisingly enough, I’ve seen mostly horror films this year. 2012, was the year for horror and I went and saw a lot of them. “The Devil Inside”, “The Possession”, “The Raven”, “Chernobyl Diaries”, “P. A. 4”, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”, etc. The only horror film I missed this year was “Sinister” with Ethan Hawke. I didn’t get around to seeing that one. Will any of these horror flicks make the list? Maybe a few of them, I don’t know. I’m a big horror film fan as you all know. I like to watch all the classic horror and new stuff.

I really can’t wait to get this list up and out of the way. I still don’t know what my no 1. choice will be yet. I just need to see, “Les Miserables”, and then I will make my decision. It will be a hard decision to make with my no 1. choice, though. There are a few choices that are no. 1 worthy. That’s another reason I’ve held off on this list, so I can have more time to think about it.

Sit tight people, the list will come soon. I’m hoping to see “Les Miserables”, this weekend. I remember reading the book in school once and will probably re-read it again soon. It does look like an interesting film and can’t wait to see it.

It’s been a pretty good year for movies.

Kev

Could “Skyfall” actually get a Best Picture nomination???? Really?? Please, yes!!!

Rumors are swirling the internet that the latest 007 flick, “Skyfall”, just might get a chance of making the Oscars. The James Bond franchise has never made the Oscars before, and this just might be the first time for them. I do think “Skyfall” is an incredible film, and when the film got over with, my first thought was, “It just might make the Oscars but it probably won’t.”. If it does get the Best Picture nomination, that would be shocking… but if it gets the Best Picture snub, then there is possibility for other nominations. For example, like the article said, Adele could probably get the nomination for the theme song and Javier Bardem could get nominated for his role as the villain in it.

I really hope, “Skyfall”, gets the nomination. The Oscars has never been friendly with violent movies, but it don’t hurt for a change. A little variety in the Oscars, would be good. I’m getting real tired of all these feel good drama movies getting the Oscars spotlight. We will know the nominations real soon. Can’t wait!

More on the story, here.

Kev

More on musicians and their bad attitudes…

As I explained in a post just not too long ago, yes, a professional attitude in music, does matter. When they choose to act unprofessional and act like jerks, they deserve to be called out. Some of these guys can be in bands, and they can be well known, established people, in the music scene. Not only that some of these guys treated me badly, I’ve seen them treat other people horribly too. Some of these guys can be bullies to other people. Like I said before yesterday, when these musicians think they can play good or if they think they made a lot of accomplishments in their careers, that’s what makes them turn into assholes. Look, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure you’re a great musician. I’m sure you play fantastic and I’m sure you have had a lot of success and had a lot of accomplishments, but that still doesn’t mean you should feel the need to put other people down. You’re not better than other musicians. We should all be treated equally. Even the less successful musicians and the amateurs should be treated equally.

This music scene have always had a love & hate relationship in the music community. You have to admit that the things that I’m saying here, is true. There are a lot of jerks around here, it’s crazy. Sure, some will call me a hypocrite and say I’m no different. Some may say musicians no longer supporting me is my fault, but the truth is, it isn’t my fault. It’s the way these guys respond to people. Their attitudes. Like I’ve said, I’ve been nothing but supportive of everyone, as much as possible. I don’t rant about this stuff for no reason.

You see, to earn respect as a musician, it’s not how many accomplishments you made or how long you’ve been playing. It’s how you respond to people, the way you act professionally, is what gives you the respect. You have a really great & positive professional attitude, then people will start liking you and taking your music seriously. Being friendly and humble is key. Nope. They will never take this advice and they will never learn. They will think they are important, that they think they can act how ever they want to. I try to be supportive of other bands & musicians around here, and a lot of them just don’t care to be supported. That could explain their attitudes. That’s what it is. There is the answer right there.

I like being supported by other musicians and non-musicians in the scene. It’s great that they stayed loyal to me over the years. It’s an awesome feeling. I still keep in touch with a lot of musicians in facebook, and yes, many of these guys were from the old CRUMBS forum years back. There’s no ego and bad attitudes in any of us. We treat each other equally as a music community, and I wish a lot of guys out there would be the same way. Leave their egos at the door and be more appreciative for the love of music.

I have been treated badly by a lot of musicians out there over the years, basically because of who I am, how I write online (my web presence), and they think my music is not in their league. They think my music is not professional enough, which is why they feel the need to act better than me. Oh well, I can’t please everyone. If we want to have a good music scene, then we all need to be supportive of each other, but if you’re going to be a douchebag, then you can expect me not to support you in return. You have to learn what karma is about, ’cause it’ll get to you. Knowing from my own experience.

Kev

RIP: Patti Page 1927 – 2013

Patti Page, (real birth name: Clara Ann Fowler) was a famous pop singer from the 1950’s era, who is most well known for songs such as the “Tennessee Waltz”, “How Much Is That Doggie In the Window” and more hits has passed away.

She was born in Claremore, Oklahoma, who grew up with a poor family. She got her start at singing at the age of 18, when she became a featured singer for a 15 minute radio program for KTUL, which was sponsored by the, “Page Milk Company”. That is where she got her staged name, Patti Page, from. From there, that got her an offer to join the, Jimmy Joy Band, which she accepted and went on tour with them. The tour with the Jimmy Joy Band, helped get Patti, a record contract to Mercury Records. That is when she went solo.

She recorded her first single with them in 1947 called, “Confess”, which became a huge hit. The song peaked at No. 12, in the Top 15 Billboard hits. She also made other hits such as “With My Eyes Wide Open, I’m Dreaming”, “All My Love (Bolero)”, “I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine”, and “Back In Your Own Backyard”.

In 1950, she recorded a cover of Pee Wee King’s “Tennessee Waltz’s”, which her version of that song became her second no. 1 hit. It was her most popular and best selling single. Over the years she continued to make hit singles and she often performed on television such as the Dean Martin Show, Ed Sullivan, Johnny Cash Show, and many others.

Before her death, she continued to make music and perform live. Patti Page passed away at a nursing home in California. She was 85 years old.

The Official Music Website of Kevin Brock – Brocking N' Rolling