NIN
April 23rd, 2008NIN
A Gift From Trent
Trent Reznor is not only a musical genius, he’s also always full of surprises. So, what’s he got for us now?
This one is pretty easy - just enter your email address on this page at nin.com and you’ll receive the new Nine Inch Nails single, Discipline, absolutely free.
And, come on, it’s Nine Inch Nails. You know it’s going to be worth your time.
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
February 5th, 2008Over the past decade, I’ve ridden The Britney Spears Roller Coaster like so many others.
From feeling the rush of the first loop of that speeding coaster, brought on from a crush on that naughtily-innocent schoolgirl during her teens, to the twisty-turns of the rails through my heart as they harbored hidden jealousy of her more publicized relationships while she blossomed into a young woman.
There were many ups and downs on this ride, for fans, onlookers, and Miss Spears herself. Yet, somehow along the way we all jumped from those speeding cars to the safety of the platform, while witnessing her roller coaster of life spiraling out of control to the ultimate train wreck.
And, somehow, along the way, everyone stopped caring.
Even worse, over the past dozen or so months, the collective soul of the public seems to have evolved from the pointing and whispering at her highly publicized episodes and escapades, to an actual rising tide of hatred toward her.
While not actually wishing any harm toward Britney, I did even find myself enjoying the voyeurism of watching her fall from grace. Sadly, that seems to be human nature. To build the person, or persona, of others up to the point of worship - only to take a sadistic pleasure in watching them fall back to the gutters of celebrity - humiliated and despised.
You can deny it all you want, but you stop and look at the car wreck - or in this case, the train wreck - just like everyone else. Deep down inside, we’re all the same.
In my eyes, that guilty pleasure of watching her career and life decline has become but a distant vision as I’ve focused more on Britney the person, not Britney the celebrity.
This is a person who was used by her parents, family, and friends, from a very young age, for their own greed and gain. And even today they haven’t stopped.
This is also a person with psychological problems beyond her ability to control. In the past couple of years while her life spiraled out of control, not one of her “friends” were there to help her. There were many riding the gravy train, and others making it worse. But not one friend who would step in to her life and help her regain control of it.
It must suck having so many people in your life, yet not a single one of them who really cares.
Look beyond the flashes of the paparazzi in those photos of recent months. There are plenty of them around. Look beyond the dented Mercedes, the shaved head, and the embarrassing public performances. Instead, look at her eyes. Look into them. If you get beyond the celebrity, you’ll see something very sad. Something very troubling.
I’m convinced that there’s still a little girl in there, crying for help. I just hope somebody hears her before it’s too late.
Written By Slash
November 1st, 2007Slash wrote a book
Yes, I do know how weird that sentence looks. And, yes, we are talking about that Slash. I mean, come on, when do you suppose the last time was Slash even read a book?
I have read some excerpts from this book and I can say that the choice of the word “excessive” in the subtitle “It Seems Excessive… but That Doesn’t Mean it Didn’t Happen” is an understatement.
As a guitarist myself - one who is not even worthy to own the same brand of picks as Slash does (although, ironically, I do) - I can say wholeheartedly that this man is one of my idols. He is truly a legend of rock and I wish I had half of his talent.
Slash and I both play Gibson guitars, use Dunlop picks, and feed our Marshall amps through Monster cables. Sadly, that’s where the similarities end. But I do find inspiration in Slash, and his music.
I will never play at his level, but I will read this book. And I have not doubt that I will continue to be inspired by this artist.
But, still, dude… Slash wrote a book
Anarchy Rules!
September 27th, 2007While I have become pretty convinced in my life that there is no God, with this news I am convinced that there are higher powers of some type out there:
The Sex Pistols Are Back In The Studio!
I’m not sure of the actual chronology of events, but rumor has it they have re-recorded Anarchy In The U.K., which will be included in the soon-to-be-released Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock video game. Pistols guitarist Steve Jones has been quoted saying the new version “turned out great”.
More importantly, the inclusion of Anarchy in Guitar Hero III will expose millions of ‘video game guitarists’ of a young generation to one of the most influential bands ever… A band that many of them would likely have never been exposed to otherwise. And believe me, if there’s one thing the ‘kids’ need it’s some culture and diversity in the ‘music’ they listen to - and I use the term ‘music’ very loosely in this case. Can anyone to name a single band from this century with the artistic talent of the Sex Pistols, Led Zeppelin, The Clash or The Beatles? A band that people will still be talking about 40 years from now? I’m waiting…
The Sex Pistols will be performing a few live shows as well, unfortunately all in the U.K., but let’s hope there will at least be a new live CD realeased.
