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
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
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
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
Monday, October 26, 2009
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
Be Well,
Kev
Sunday, October 25, 2009
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
Peace and Music,
Kev
Friday, October 23, 2009
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.
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