I don’t know about you, but I know a lot of talented people online. I’m still waiting for their creative awesomeness to rub off on me, but it’s yet to happen. While I wait for that, I thought I’d share some ways I think we can all help those indie musicians around us while also helping ourselves. Hopefully this mostly helps others, because giving is better than receiving—unless it’s a headache. Whoever is giving me those, please stop.
… Ways to help your favourite indie musicians
Last year, I challenged myself to a monthly video blog post that focused on a new guitar riff that I created in that month. It was a lot more effort than I realised—writing, recording and replicating for video takes time. But it was a challenge that I’m going to say I completed successfully.
2019 needs a new challenge. It needs to be something different and I am looking for a challenge of a different type. Luckily, I worked out that there are 26 letters in the alphabet and 26 fortnights in a year. So the challenge begins.
… Alphabet playlist of metal—the ‘A’ fortnight
I had a quick look at a list of all the major metal albums released in 2018 today. It reminded me of the music I discovered and loved this year while also letting me know how much I missed. I haven’t been as dedicated as I have been to my love of music this year. Hopefully this post will do two things. One; let anybody who is reading know the music that I loved this year. Two; remind me how much I love music so that 2019 can have an improved focus on what is important.
… My 10 favourite musical releases from 2018
I recently had a need to park my car at the local airport. It happens a few times each year for work and for pleasure. Most of the time I use the airport’s valet parking service. It’s easier than remembering where I left my car. Yes, I’m that lazy. But after the parking situation I experienced last week, I won’t be back. Ever.
What’s that got to do with streamed music and its superiority over physical media like CDs? Good question. Here’s my better answer.
… Streamed music—how valet parking made me see its true value
Well look at that. March is getting closer to ending and I’ve not written anything on this site since the year started. Slack! Lazy! Unmotivated! Well all that changes now because I’ve found a theme in certain rock songs that motivates me. These are the songs where the vocalist chooses the most opportune time to yell something motivational. These are songs that say Go!
It’s not always delivered at the same moment in a song, but the result for me is always the same. It’s the sign to get the fist-pump of awesomeness ready. The scream of approval for the epicness that is about to come. The customary heavy banging of the head. The attempt to thrust your foot through the floor. All of these uncontrollable moments. The band knows it, you know it. The vocalist authenticates it.
These are some of my favourite “Go!” moments. These will surely get me pumped enough to finally get back into the swing of things.
Things being guitar playing, blogging and music-creating on a regular basis. … Songs that say “Go!” (at least seven of them if we’re counting)
For me, it’s already 2017. For the most part, I’m glad 2016 is over. The entertainment industry suffered some terrible losses last year. But it also provided some impressive moments too. I thought I’d take a moment to remember those moments. For me, the best way to do that is by naming my 2016 top five music purchases.
Let’s have at it. … 2016 top five music purchases … the albums I HAD to have
Back in June, I asked a question on Twitter that was “What was the best rock/metal band that only released one album?” To many people, this kind of band is deemed to be a one-hit wonder. But as someone who has never released any kind of album—or EP for that matter—this question really got me thinking.
What if these bands made one album so good, they felt like they had nothing left to prove?
As I consider putting together an EP—which will no doubt take me the next ten years—I find myself wondering if I will put together the best I’ll ever have to contribute and then never try again. It’s likely. It’s also likely that I will never release an album like anything in this short list I’ve compiled called Nailed it with a single album release.
Let me start by saying that I’m not suggesting this list is some kind of top list in any way. This is not the top five metal albums of the year. This is not the top five guitar albums of the year. No, this is simply my favourite five new albums from 2015. I’ll hopefully explain why as I summarise each album. I’d also like to say that 2015 was an amazing year for new releases. You need only check out the list of albums released in 2015 on Wikipedia to see that.
Marilyn Manson, Periphery, Slayer, Lamb of God, Joe Satriani, Motorhead … It was a good year for metal releases. For me though, there were five albums that made me very happy. These are those albums (in no particular order). … My favourite five new albums from 2015
Have you ever heard a popular song and thought “I don’t mind that at all! Pity it isn’t heavy metal.” I’ve had that thought plenty of times over the years. Oh, I should point out that I only hear pop songs through friends and family.
Street cred retained.
Luckily for us all, there are plenty of rock and/or metal bands who have re-recorded some of the most popular pop songs (pop pop songs?!) and I thought I’d share some of my favourites with you. Enjoy! … My top 10 metal versions of pop songs
Recently I posted an Instagram photo of my newly acquired Rob Zombie Live BluRay disc The Zombie Horror Picture Show. I’d purchased it with the Megadeth Countdown to Exctinction Live DVD (it seems near impossible to get that one on BluRay). When posting the image to Twitter I was asked politely to review the concert movie. When I say politely, I mean there was talk of flash mobs and burning Gibsons. I couldn’t allow that. I love Gibsons and I hate crowds. So, here is my own review/opinion of the Rob Zombie live concert movie that is … The Zombie Horror Picture Show.
I freaking loved it.
Pretty simple really. But perhaps I should expand on that. Oh OK, I will. … The Zombie Horror Picture Show—Review
