Old rockers

I'm desperately into music, all kinds of music really, but the genre that stands above all genres for me is Rock.

Well, classic brit-rock as I like to call it. I'm not really a fan of the expression "Rock" anyway, 'cause I think it has been ruined by hardcore fans with nails and black leather clothes and black make up.

As you might have figured, I'm into bands like the Who, the Kinks, Stones and let's not forget the Monkees, but also newer bands like the Kooks, Arctic Monkeys and so on.

Lately I've gotten this obsession for more glammed up seventies bands. It started with my intrest in the Who and the Kinks, 'cause as opposed to the Monkees and the Beatles, they continued in to the seventies and let their music get even better. This led to me liking things like Roxy Music, Steve Harley and the Cockney Rebel, etc. etc. and it also brought back my interest in David Bowie, Lou Reed, T-Rex and other bands and artists that dad used to play for me when I was younger.
Roxy Music

David Bowie

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

This is all very well, 'cause it seems to give me some respect, although this would be amongst my dad's friends and my friend's parents, but still, I'm proud of my music taste.

It's just that, I find it a little disturbing that this is what appeals to me.

Music which is about 30 years old, is what makes me feel at home.

Why am I instantly drawn to this music?

It wouldn't be so odd if I lived at the same time as this music, but I mean, I feel I can relate to the lyrics of two generations before my own.

It seems I'm only drawn towards the works of men in their sixties?

I've got to admit though, I really do enjoy all the great music we are getting nowadays.

But I can't remember last time a modern song moved me by either it's lyrics or it's melody.

It might be that I'm glorifying the aeras in which the songs were written, and that I would feel different if I actually lived in the sixties or seventies, but unlike other "bitter" classic rock-fans, I am open to anything that turns me on. I even enjoy me some Britney when I feel like it.

It could also be the innocent rebeliousnes about these songs. How they would use referrences to sex, masturbation, drugs or even just plain swear words, and afterwards have to insist that they meant something else.

Also, I don't think anyone has managed to write as beautifully about depression or teenage angst as these bands.

Some would probably say Nirvana, but then I feel Nirvana is a bit of an overkill really.

There's something about not having such a dark and gloomy attitude, and being able to see this depressive world from a happier angle which makes me feel that it's ok to feel down, but you can't let it ruin you.

I know that with the amount of drugs theses people took, they probably wouldn't be the best preachers, but then that's a different matter again, and I could waste another blog post just writing about that.

Bottom line is:

I do have a taste of music which is very unusual for teenage girls, and yes, I do think people like Mick Jagger and Roger Daltrey are dead sexy, even in their older days(I know, a bit weird, yes...) but that's just the way my taste is, I can't really help it.

And maybe it's all just good for me? Being into older music has given me quite a lot of knowledge about it and things to talk about when in company.

I've had many discussions with Magnus over the last three years...

Anyway, will be going now. It's pouring with rain outside, but I still feel like going to a café or something:)

tudluh!


www.bbc.co.uk/music/sevenages/artists/

John Entwistle(the Ox) (1944-2002)

Oh for god's sake! I am the worst Who fan ever!
I totally forgot to write a little note about John Entwistle's birthday on October 9th!

John Entwistle was the Who's bassist from the very start 'till his death in 2002. In my opinion he is one of the best and most innovative bass players in the history of rock. ONE of the best, that is, 'cause there is this other guy who was really good, but I can't remember his name now:p

But back to the topic.

Entwistle was born in Chiswick in 1944, and played instruments such as the french horn(which I think he played in Pictures Of Lily), the trumpet and piano.

John Entwistle also stands for one of the first(maybe even the first) recorded bass solos on a rock album. This Solo is the well known solo in My Generation:D I love it when I'm dancing and that solo comes!
Anyway, I can't say much more about the great Entwistle other than that he's another of the many men on this planet of whom I deeply admire for his skills and accomplishments. Here are some pictures of ol' Thunderfingers:

Entwistle with Jimi Hendrix backstage at Monterey

In 1969

Performing My Generation with The Who in 1967


Entwistle playing along seemingly unaffected by the explosion going on behind him

With Pete Townsend in 1996(I think)

On the back cover of the Who Sell Out

Death of A Clown

"My makeup is dry and it clags on my chin
Im drowning my sorrows in whisky and gin
The lion tamers whip doesnt crack anymore
The lions they wont fight and the tigers wont roar"

What a wonderfully weird song this is...
There is absolutely no information about it on the internet, and I'm aware that I probably would have to spend money on something to get any facts at all, all I know is that Dave Davies(of the Kinks) wrote this as a peak at his solo career, but eventually it was realeased on a Kinks album.


"The old fortune teller lies dead on the floor
Nobody needs fortunes told anymore
The trainer of insects is crouched on his knees
And frantically looking for runaway fleas"

Davies says:
(quote)"With Death of A Clown I did feel like I was getting a bit fed up... And it was about... just about the way I was feeling."(end quote)

The song is wonderfully written, and weird and it has this sad but beautiful atmosphere.

It came out in 1967, and if Dave Davies was fed up then it's a bloody wonder that he managed to get himself through another 30 years with the Kinks.I'm glad he did though, 'cause a lot of good stuff has come from the Kinks after that.

I would really like to know more about this song, 'cause I really really love it!!

Someday when I get the time, I'll also post someting on Dave Davies:D

Lazy morning

Gosh, this is such a great day full of progress and newfound knowledge!

Today I woke up and watched me some discovery channel(I thiiink) and they had this ultra-exiting programme about dreams and stuff that happens in our dreams while we sleep etc.

So I learnt lots of new things about sleeping today, which I would share with you, but the problem is I can't really remember them:p

After showering, and spending an hour in the bathroom fixing my hair for fun, I decided to come up with a new title for my blog:p I love those books!

But this exiting day doesn't end there! I just put on one of my dad's "old" Kinks records "Give The People What They Want", which is a really wicked record!!

Of course, since it came out in 1981, you can hear that they have been influenced by the music of those days.

You'll find tracks that resemble the Specials, and other ska bands and some tracks even sound a lot like XTC.

Wow....I love the Kinks! Not that many bands from the British Invasion managed to sound so youthful and raw in the eighties!

Awwell, guess all I can do is wait for a reunion(Come on!!!)

But I'll be leaving to meet my Maddie in a minute now:p

Green Onions

I just watched Quadrophenia again for the... seventh time, and during one of those night club scenes, they play Booker T. & the MGS' Green Onions.

It's such a cool song, and it's been in so many movies such as Blues Brothers 2000, Get Shorty and American Graffiti.

The song was originally released in August 1962, and entered the Billboard Hot 100 in September, where it stayed for 16 weeks at number three.

The song is almost a legend, as it has been used in commercials in radio, Tv and film.

Here's a performance from 1966. Notice how the dancers aren't really keeping up with each other;) haha!

Keith Moon(1946-1978)

I can't believe I missed this!

I have to post a little tribute to Keith Moon, the Who's first and best drummer!

7th of September this year marks the 30th anniversary of his death.

Keith Moon is considered one of the (quote) "greatest and most distinctive rock drummers of all time"(end quote).

Keith Moon was born in Webley, and lived there as a boy.

He was said to be very restless and hyperactive.

(Later in life, he would be known all over the world for his habit of trashing hotelrooms)

He had a hard time concentrating at school, and it seemed music was the only thing that could hold his attention.

Wikipedia has a very funny note no Moon's behaviour at school(quote): "his art teacher commented: 'Retarded artistically. Idiotic in other respects.'[2] Teacher Aaron Sofocleous praised his music skills and encouraged his chaotic style, even if one school report noted "He has great ability, but must guard against a tendency to show off."(end quote)

There are a lot of myths around Keith Moon. One of the most famous ones is the story about his 21 birthday, which was celebrated at The Holiday Inn(Flint, Michigan), where he allegedly drove a Cadillac into the Hotel's pool. This, and a lot of other incidents at Moon's birthday party, led to the group being banned both from The Holliday Inn and Flint for life.

Moon definetely set the standard for Sex and drugs And Rock n'Roll...

Well, you can read all about Keith Moon on Wikipedia, so I'll just post some pictures.

Keith Moon at 15

Some years later, after joining the Who

Keith in the(dare I say late) seventies.

The years in the Who changed Moon's appearance quite a lot from 1964 until his death in 1978.

But I don't think the picture at the right is as late as '78 though.

Keith was very fond of dressing up, however, I don't think he was into cross-dressing fo any kind. These pictures are funny anyway:)

So, that's my little tribute to my favourite drummer of all time!

I still haven't figured out if I would've liked to meet him or not though....

the Positives!

After Magnus' endless nagging(which included sending me threatening emails every second hour for a week) I finally decided to write a post about his super band the Positives!

Let's just start of with a little bio:

The Positives is a Bergen-based rock n' roll group, put together by four boys.

Magnus(who is one of my best friends, and the best guitarist I know) plays the guitar as you may have figured, and sings backing vocals.

Although Magnus might tell you something else on Myspace, he was born and raised in Bergen(with exeptions of a few years in Oslo) and still lives with his parents and his hot little brother Åsmund.

I don't know much about the other four members, but I'll tell you that Anders sings lead vocal and plays the guitar,

Torgrim plays the drums and

Jens plays the bass.

Anders is really cool, and likes almost every band I like, including the Monkees(respect!)!

The Positives have only posted one song on their myspace page so far, but they're going to start recording in not long, as they won a competition.(can't be bothered to explain it...)

The one song they have on MySpace is a very catchy tune called "Downtown".

I think it's a killer song, although the text is a bit weird:p (lines like: "I ain't puttin' on a dressing gown")

Anyways, other than the fact that they should change their name(there are like a duzzen other bands with that name on MySpace, some are even touring) the Positives is a great band, who plays music the way music(in my opinion) should be played: by four young boys!

Wish you all luck with your upcoming recording session, and hope I get to see you live sometime!!

Sun loves you!

Who Ruined Hip Hop?

I've been watching Mtv today(and yesterday) and they've got this anniversary going.

I think it's 20 years since the first "Yo! Mtv Raps" aired or something.

Anyway, as many other classic rock fans(somehow I feel that's making me sound dull and nerdy...shame!) I was a little sceptical towards the whole HipHop scene, which isn't really that weird when you look at the talentless shit going on these days...

But now I've really grown to respect the HipHop industry a lot! I mean the kind of music they were making back in those days really ment something, and people put more soul into it.

Just look at world famous artists like Rihanna, Timbaland etc.! They make music that most people attract towards (unfortunately) but there is NO soul or heart put into it!

Rihanna doesn't make her own material, and all Timbaland does is add some "boom-thicka-click-thicka-click-click" and that's about it, all his songs sound the same!

But then we have really talented artists who have been at it for a while, like Outkast.... I admire Outkast more than anyone in the HipHop industry.

And there's also Salt n' Pepa! My parents used to play me "Shoop" in the car when I was four, and I still remember it!

All in all, the whole Rap-scene seemed a lot more soulfull and real ten years ago. I hate saying it, 'cause that seemes to be my opinion on a lot of things, but there was juist this original style, where they wore the wackiest outfits, weird hats, and rapped about things that mattered to them.

They didn't stand there like idiots moaning other people's words.

Women earned themselves respect, and didn't let men treat them like bitches and whores, and Queen Latifa proves my point very well there.

I just wish I was back in the time when Rap was new, underground and exiting, and really meant something. HipHop has become too mainstream, and I think that's going to kill it in the end, 'cause they let their artists become braindead manequins, and with lack of talent comes the day people are going to get sick of the same kind of beats played in different songs over and over again...

Long live Old School HipHop!