Maybe Jimi Hendrix can sell stuff now, too?
Dec 312008
Dec 302008
I’m not such a dogmatic old fart that I can’t occaisonally dig hearing a 3-minute rock ‘n roll chestnut elongated to an epic rock jam of some degree, but the era of Festival Rock coupled with excursions into The Power and Glory of Rock ‘n Roll kicked off a spate of these overblown, drawn-out cover jams. The bombast of The Who‘s version of “Summertime Blues” actually holds up over the course of its extended sections, but the Dead’s epic butchering of “Not Fade Away” and Quicksilver Messenger Service‘s similar drawing and quartering of “Who Do You Love” spring to mind when I think of cover versions of songs that have no business being longer than 3 minutes. The other night a Townsman dropped a jump drive’s worth of hairy rock obscurities on me. I’m just digging into these treats, and I’m trying to determine whether a 6:30 version of “You Can’t Judge a Book By the Cover” by Cactus has any business being committed to wax. It’s sure got the necessary bombast to even make it worth accepting!
While you’re thinking of covers that have no business being more than 3 minutes in length as well as those rare instances that justify the additional jamming, let me know what side of the ledger you place Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s version of “Suzy Q.”
Dec 302008
Never heard of Nardwuar the Human Serviette? Then you haven’t been near Vancouver, BC in a long time. I first met Nardwuar in the early 1990s, when he had a radio show Friday afternoons on the local college station. Since then he has become, against all odds, a beloved figure in certain circles; his popularity has steadily risen in Canada for almost 20 years here.
As I mentioned Nardwuar (real name John Ruskin) has made a name for himself as a celebrity interviewer of sorts. He has interviewed Alice Cooper, Beck, Snoop Dog, Sonic Youth, Henry Rollins, Jello Biafra, and Franz Ferdinand, amongst others. His non-music interviews include former Canadian PMs Paul Martin and John Chretien. He once asked faith healer Ernest Angley if there was a cure for the Summertime Blues. Another time, he asked Mikhail Gorbachev which world leader had the biggest pants. A media person once commented that his interviews are fascinating because he is the only interviewer he had met who honestly doesn’t care about what his celebrity subjects think about him.
There is probably going to be something about Nardwuar that annoys you. It may be his voice, his clothing or his band, The Evaporators. Like me though, I think you will come to appreciate Nardwuar. His love of music is matched only by his encyclopedic (get ready for some bizarre facts) knowledge of it. Nardwaur has been treated poorly by many of his subjects, but others, such as Snoop Dog, Thurston Moore, Jello Biafra, and Pharrell have really warmed to him.
In 1999 Nardwuar was hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage and the outpour of goodwill towards him was unbelievable. Even David Lee Roth sent a “get well soon” note. Nardwuar got well, dropped a bunch of weight, and continued on. As he enters his 40s he has become something of a squeaky, tartaned, pop culture fanatic national treasure.
Do doot a loot doot! (You’ll understand after the first interview.)
Dec 272008
The Clash‘s “Wrong ’em Boyo,” from London Calling, begins as if the band is going to cover the chestnut “Stagger Lee.” Then the band breaks down and Joe Strummer instructs the band to “start all over again,” at which point, as we all know, the band breaks into another cover, “Wrong ’em Boyo,” by a Jamaican band, The Rulers.
The first time I spun London Calling this instance of songus interruptus was quite a thrill. In the following years it would be a gimmick I could usually do without. Little did I know until just now, however, that the original version by The Rulers had the same outbreak of songus interruptus!
So there’s a head start in this Last Man Standing, which I hope has more than the Motown song I have in mind. Well-known live television performances may also be considered, but live shows that only you may have seen among us, may not. Good luck!
Dec 272008
We got our boys ROCK BAND for Christmas. Friday, after setting the game up for the boys, I was asked to join their ROCK BAND. Our oldest son is the gamer among us. He’d had some experience playing this game and Guitar Hero with his friends, so he would clearly be the band’s leader.
Our younger son hasn’t shown much interest in video games, but he likes to rock and demonstrates the most potential for being a future frontman. His big brother is thrilled by the prospect of getting his little brother to join him in playing video games. I think this is a good thing.
I was brought into the band for my veteran wisdom and likelihood of mastering the drums, which I imagine would be pretty tricky for people (adults, at least) who’ve never messed around on a real drum kit with a real pedal. At least I’d like to think this is the case.
As we began our first warm-up session, my younger son couldn’t keep up with the lyrics of one of the songs. He’s in second grade and he’s not an advanced reader for his age. “You failed!” shouted my older son, over his guitar part. Our little guy threw his mic down on the couch and stormed off. I asked our guitarist why he had to use the term “failed” and tried to explain to him the hardships his brother faced 10 minutes into his ROCK BAND career. “I was just saying what it said on the screen,” he replied. It was cool. We went downstairs and convinced our singer to return to practice. We agreed we should switch instruments to see how it felt to be in each others’ shoes. I’d sing, to show our less-experienced bandmate how hard that job can be for even a veteran with better reading skills.
“Let’s make Daddy sing a song he hates!” my big boy said. Continue reading »
Dec 262008
Looking back over this fun, chatty thread from 2007, I took time to remember some names of Townspeople who’ve moved on from regular participation in the Halls of Rock. I also wondered what RTH Member Fun Facts we may not know about those of you who’ve been participating since this thread first ran. Let your fun facts rip! Let this Battle Royale resume!
This post initially appeared 7/25/07.
Townsman Trolleyvox says:
Fun fact: my dad’s old painting teacher taught Peter Wolf at the MFA’s Museum School.
I say:
Fun fact: my grandmother taught Frank Gorshin how to act.
Hand over the belt!
Dec 252008
On behalf of The Rolling Stones and all of us here in The Back Office, we wish you all good tidings during this Solstice season.
