A Few Words About "Hollywood Endings"

I better say a few words about this record before someone else does...

This isn't so much an album as it is a memoir of experiences, emotions, and metaphysical ideals that has led up to this very moment in time. When I wrote many of these songs it was more to satisfy my own creative endeavors; I never really intended on making a record. In fact, I hadn't really intended on "sharing" them with anyone save maybe an audience of one. Then, at some point on my journey I began writing and singing with an approach I hadn't quite understood before. It soon became evident that I should compile all of these orphan-songs into a catalog I could call an album with some degree of satisfaction. If music is purely about emotional expression through the medium of sound, then for me there is no truer music than what's on this record. Some of the songs are old and some of them are new, but they all mark some significant moment in my own personal evolution. I hope they will make you think, feel, and/or wonder but above all, I hope that in listening you will realize that at some point or another in our lives you and I have shared the same emotion and that connects us at a far deeper level than sharing a cup of coffee. Even if we never exchange words or glances.

There are a number of people who made this record possible through contributions they may not even be aware of. I would be remiss not to mention my friends Ron Pacheco Jr. and Adam Chamberlain who have made the live aspect of this release possible. Knowing they believed in the material enough to stand on stage and perform it alongside me made finishing "Hollywood Endings" much easier because I wasn't alone in my ordeal anymore. Plus I can't think of anyone else I would rather play with. I should also mention my gratitude to my family in Hemlok for tolerating the distractions that having another band and releasing a solo record is bound to bring. I love you guys! The remaining list of "Thank yous" is far too long to print but I am certain everyone knows who they are, even if they know not what they did. The ultimate shout of gratitude goes to you, the listener for giving music its other purpose: to be shared. If a record plays in a forest and no one is around to hear it who cares if it's playing at all. This album is dedicated to anyone who has ever stared a logical decision in the face and then chosen the path that is truer to their heart in spite of what made the most "sense." I am one of you.
See you on stage,
Kev

Accolades

Sometimes it's really easy to forget why you fell in love with something or keep doing it at all. Last night closing out an evening of rock and roll at KC's tap, I was fortunate enough to get a reminder. When you play out pretty frequently you start to notice that some shows are good, some are bad, some are great, but the best ones are transcendental. Was I, a shredding songwriter a bit out of place billed with guitar guru Scott Motyka, the heavy grooves of A Breed Apart, and the more progressive Octopus Triangle? Sure I was, but I didn't seem to care and in spite of that I was still able to get caught in a moment and create one of my fondest musical memories to date. To those of you there to share it I thank you warmly and also acknowledge it could not have happened without Ron and Chambo believing in the music too. See you at the next show.

Cafe Zog

Just wanted to give a shout out to everyone that came by at Cafe Zog last night and made an intimate night of acoustic music making extra special. Josh Lapan sitting in with some Harmonica and Chris Whittier coming down and doing some SQ stuff and a few covers with us really made the night extra special. Looking forward to going back there again sometime in the spring with the Invisible Orphans and hopefully an extended lineup of special guests. For now, I'm getting on with the next great adventure. I'll keep you posted as it unfolds.
Kev

Why the Scorpions Are So Damn Good

I'll tell you...

I'm going to come clean here and say that this band is hands down my guiltiest pleasure. Not Hanna Montana, not High School Musical, oh no; give me the mulletacious harmonized lead guitar work of Mr. Rudolf Schenker and Mr. Mathias Jabs (or Mr. Ulrich Roth pre-1978). Think about it for a second... A bunch of ugly beer guzzling Germans slinging on guitars and singing about rocking groupies like hurricanes one after the other. It really doesn't get much better than that. And people like it. A lot. Why is that? For starters, it gives them hope. Yes boys and girls hope that the ugly beer guzzling proletariat can score with a hottie who is as willing to do bad things with them as she is with Klaus Meine in "No One Like You."

And when they write a song they're not writing to try and be profound or make a statement; they're writing what they know. When "Winds of Change" hit the air you can't tell me that they were trying to make some kind of vast political statement through this profound piece of art. Given their previous tune library it wasn't their MO. What they were doing however, was writing a song about their Vaterland-a place they knew and loved-and it came across as good, honest songwriting because it was. If the Germans have taught us anything throughout history it's that as a people their sense of nationalism is unrivaled. Frightening, but unrivaled by any other nation's (in my opinion anyway).

The Scorpions have never at any point tried to be any more than what they are which is why they'll always have a special place in mein Herz but never be better than they have ever been (which is AWESOME). "Still Lovin' You," may be the most profoundly kick-ass tune ever written about not being able to get over a girl (and you know coming from these guys it has nothing to do with not ever getting laid again). I know I'll always be captivated by the bendy pentatonic licks that adorn each musical interlude with a delicious sense of heartbreak.

The name alone is predatory in nature and says "Watch out," which in rock music's heyday was the same as saying, "Listen to these guys because they're good." And for the record, they were fairly predatory as well. If you need proof outside of the sultry majority of the lyrical content consider for a moment a discography including album titles such as Virgin Killer, Taken By Force, Love At First Sting (a delicious play on the name), Lovedrive, and Animal Magnetism.

They've sold over 75 million records... you gonna tell me they're not awesome? It's kind of like the Creed phenomenon in the late 90's; everyone who hated them did so with at least some subtle admiration in their heart akin to the dynamic that Lex Luther and Superman had. Plus, record sales get hard to argue with at a certain point anyway; at least when they're spanning multiple decades they do. While you're formulating an argument I'm going enjoy my copy of Live Bites.

Kev

Help For A Brother Orphan!

Those of you who caught the Blackstone show on 10/24 or who have listened to the studio recording of "Parisian Cafe Princess" have been privy to the bass playing groove machine that is Ron Pacheco. For a peek at what else Ron is up to swing by and drop him a line at www.pachecobass.com where you can check out some of his solo recordings and keep up with his endeavors with Octopus Triangle.
Be Well,
Kev

Cloud 9

I'm not even sure where else I can start describing the events of this evening other than with the phrase, "Holy crap." The Blackstone show tonight was perhaps one of the most sublime and outstanding moments in my musical existence. If I had to use one word to describe the whole experience it would have to be "Honest." I'm not sure playing anything has ever felt as right as tonight did and that's likely because I wasn't trying to be anything at all; I was just playing some songs I'd written as myself. Honestly, I wasn't entirely sure all the material would gel as a three-piece, let alone end up being as well received as it was (right down to discussing rebooking while we were packing up). It really was an honor to play once more with Chambo on 2 and 4 (read: Adam Chamberlain on drums) and Ron Pacheco on his tasty 7 string bass. I'm not even sure I will sleep at all tonight after the tasty grooves, improvised solos, and heartfelt energy that went into the gig but it is my hope that should I actually get some shut-eye that I might get a glimpse at something new to work on that may or may not take shape before our next show at Cafe Zog in Providence on November 13. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support us but if you didn't make it we'll see you next time.
Peace and Music,
Kev

Come on out this weekend!

Join me for an evening of "Hello, goodbye" this Saturday, October 24 as I premiere my adventures in songwriting with the Invisible Orphans behind me instead of playing solo this weekend at the Blackstone in Pawtucket, RI. Tevellus will take the stage thereafter and will feature dancing by the lovely Ms. Fury (yeah, the same one from the song). This is slated to be my last performance on the bass with Hemlok as well so don't miss it.