BANDS SUCK

Rubberneckers in a carcrash world.

2010-04-29T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm standing above the Mississippi river. I'm a few hours away from a hangover. To my right is the "JAX" beer sign, it is reminding me of the "Emser Tile" sign that used to shine through my window when I lived off of Santa Monica in Hollywood. My thoughts are interrupted when one of the members of the rock and roll band that I sing and play guitar in tells me that he just talked to my dad.
"What?" I ask.
"Yeah," he says. "He said someone called his phone from your phone and asked him if he wanted to buy some DJ equipment. He was just wondering if you were alive."
SHIT. This means someone has broken into the car. And decided to rub it in by punching "DAD" on the phone that they stole.
The rock and roll band starts heading towards the car. We are in pretty good spirits all considering the circumstances. We are not that surprised. Windows get busted and things get jacked in New Orleans.
We make it back to the parking lot that we spent 60 dollars to park the car and trailer in. There is broken glass, but the trailer has not been opened.
The thieves got away with:
1 Phone
1 mixing board
3 microphones
They left:
1 GPS
1 Sattelite Radio
! $2500 Motif keyboard(really?)

We are surveying the damage and waiting on the police. We don't realize that one of the members of the rock and roll band has slipped away. We only realize this as we see him walking back towards us, lunatic style, informing us not to worry because he took care of everything by smashing up some police cars.
This is somehow supposed to be reassuring.
We tell him to take off, but he does not. He heads back to the scene of the crime to retrieve his phone. He is immediately arrested. The rest of us have whiplash from the incident.
The sun is up.
The cops will not help us because one of us smashed up some police cars which pretty much voids some hoodlums stealing a few items from our ride.
I walk to a bar at the corner of Conti and Dauphine and get a bloody mary. It is absolute magic.
I walk to the Cafe Du Monde for some coffee and a beignet. It is also magic.
I return to the room and sleep until 2 in the afternoon. The hotel gave the rock and roll band a late check out. Thoughtful.

The window is being fixed and I'm bored. One of the members of the rock and roll band is trying to get "Keith Richards/Moon" out of jail. Then, I realize that I am bored and only a block away from Bourbon Street which is the equivalent of being hungry at a Ryans Steakhouse with a twenty dollar bill. I stuff some jasmine in my shirt pocket and start drinking.

I am in the backseat of the car heading to Hattiesburg. A call comes in saying that Keith Richards/Moon has been released. We did not think this would happen for another 72 hours. We drive to Hattiesburg. One of the members of the rock and roll band gets a ride with a friend back to New Orleans to retrieve Keith Richards/Moon. The rest of us start playing to an empty house. The proprietor of the empty house says to knock it off since the house is empty and takes us to another bar and buys us beers.

I am driving somewhere between Atlanta and Augusta. The rest of the rock and roll band is sleeping. The sun is coming up. I am blaring a radio preacher. I am hoping he has the wrong idea. I could drive forever.

I am sitting on Folly beach with Keith Richards/Moon and one of the other members of the rock and roll band. I have not slept since Jackson. We are polishing off the cooler of leftover beer that amounted on the road. There is wind but no chill.
Somehow, it is better because of all the bullshit, even though it shouldn't be.

The Junk Food Theory...

2010-03-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I was on the phone with my brother. He asked me what I was up to and I said I was going to see a movie. He asked me what movie and I told him that the only movie out that I really wanted to see was "Its Complicated." Let me make a note here, I really did not want to see "Its Complicated," I just wanted to go to the movies. I had cabin fever, felt like getting out of the house. You see, I enjoy the movie experience as much as I enjoy the movie, often more.
Anyway...
He asked me if I had seen "Avatar."
No.
Go see that then.
I said, everything that I've heard about that movie says that the effects are great, the story sucks. More style than substance.
Yeah, he said.
Well, that's exactly the kind of movie that I don't enjoy.
He said: You used to like movies like that.
This is true. And sometimes, I still do. If they made a "Blade 6" I would go see it.
But, there are a lot of factors, and I digress.
The thing is, tastes change. I'm not saying that Avatar is shit, I have no idea, it just doesn't look like something I would like.
I know myself pretty well, better than James Cameron, anyway.
My tastes seem to be a little more sophisticated, but not really. I still really like B Movies-but for the camp value more than anything else.
And that's the thing.
When I was a kid, I liked Doritos and Oreos. I guess I still do...but Doritos and Oreos aren't on my grocery list...
And most of pop culture/mainstream media and entertainment is kind of like junkfood.
It comes in a bright, colorful, fancy package, it has a whole lot of additives, it is overpriced...
And some of it IS ENTERTAINING. Sometimes you're in the mood for it.
Just like Doritos do taste good...
BUT
You can't eat Doritos all the time, Doritos are bad for your health.
And you shouldn't be on a diet of Top 40 either, because too much of it is bad for your soul.
GRANTED...
At one time, I genuinely liked the band "Third Eye Blind."
GENUINELY.
But tastes change.
And now there are things about other music that appreciate that most pop bands leave out...I also appreciate the things that lets call them "roots" bands leave out that most pop bands find the need to add.
APPRECIATION.
If I was a kid, and I had to choose between a homegrown, freshly sliced tomato and a bag of something crisp and salty...it was crisp and salty in a land slide.
Now, I appreciate what goes into that tomato, and respect the effort, nature, all of that organic shit.
You get over the kid stuff...and hearing John Prine and Billy Joe Shaver make it impossible for me to go back to the kids stuff.
Someone else can probably express this better than I can.

Sometimes I surprise myself...

2010-02-25T07:29:00.000-08:00

Came across this band(band?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xycnv87N_BU&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=DE53A978215C0424
AND I REALLY LIKE IT.
To be honest, it doesn't surprise ME so much, because I like electronic, tinkering music, and I like "Earth Wind and Fire" so...
It hurts me a little, though.
Because this band seems like the perfect band(band?) for RIGHT NOW.
Computer Savy, quirky, they make cool cover versions of songs, upload them, and get a million views.
PERFECT FOR RIGHT NOW.
Me, I become overwhelmed by technology/music.
And I long for the good old days.
The thing is, I know I can't beat them(not this band(band?), but "THEM" as an idea.
And I'm not going to join THEM-because nobody wants to see that. If I did that, the world would probably end before 2012.
That's comforting.
Damn. The more I watch that video, the more I think that it is everything that is RIGHT with music.
Unpretentious. Fun. good stuff.
I am officially a fan.
Pomplamoose may be the only band in the world that doesn't suck at all.
Well, them and Iron Maiden.
bye.

Okay, damnit...

2010-02-24T20:25:00.000-08:00

So the deal is there is no deal.
I don't hate bands.
Its just this:
Bands, in general, when they decide they will invade your living rooms, bed rooms, cars, computers, Friday evenings...rather than just playing songs to noone...
Well........
They have to do things that "suck."
Music videos suck.
Shameless plugs suck.
Whether its U2 pushing ipods or a local band putting "flip" videos on youtube and announcing drink specials...bands have to do things that "suck."
This thing(blawg) is just a prank with words.
Just personified boredom.
And boozing.
But the thing is, some bands/artists get it.
John Mayer.
Yeah, he kind of sucks.
But......
He made a choice:
Be the best guitar player in his local scene OR:
Reveal his sexual encounters with celebrities and the fact that his genitals are apparently racist to the readers of Playboy magazine. a toss up?
BUT...If you and Johnny had a candid sit down, and you said, "Bro, you kind of suck," I think he would get it...
On the other hand...........
I think Nickelback probably scratches their heads daily...asking, "Why does everybody hate us?"
And they probably have conspiracy theories, etc...
But, if they would let down their guard, they would get it...yeah? maybe?
Probably not.
I was on Folly earlier.
Surf Bar.
I had some drinks.
Ended up here.
That should explain a lot.
Hearts. Hugs. Teddy bears.

Just to Clarify(part 2)...

2010-02-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

So, the last part of the City Paper article, in which I stated, "Who are these turkeys?"
Yeah, that part...
Well, I started thinking that a lot of people will sit down at a bar, restaurant, toilet, etc, skim the City Paper, and think to themselves, "who is THIS turkey?"
Hey, I get it.
Its not lost on me.
Here's the thing:
I am NOT an elitist.
I do not think that I am better than YOU or anybody else.
However, I do think that your band sucks.
But, I also think that my band sucks.
Its about checks and balances.
(I think)
too big for britches.
Oversized noggins.
Halos.
Waiting in vain.
Walking in to parties, with apricot scarves-one eye on the mirror.
Christian Bale.
The skinny is this: songs make people happy, sad, dance, angry, bored,....................
But songs are songs. They don't build bridges and cure diseases and keep homeless folks warm.
Except for "Give Peace a Chance" because I think that song actually ended the conflict in Vietnam. Don't believe me? There were billboards to prove it.
http://www.ago.net/assets/images/assets/past_exhibitions/2002/ono_war.jpg
Busted.
So sometimes when there is an artist and a Jim Morrison moment, there needs to be the realization that we are not the Kings, but the Jesters.
Really, neither.
When you get to this point, IF you get to this point, (and I'm talking about reading, not a place in a career) refer to the headline under the title of this blog.
And don't say that you weren't warned.
I heart all things.
(except indie rock.)
Cheers.

Just to Clarify...

2010-02-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

Okay. Anybody that knows me knows I am a cynical bastard.
However, lately, I am trying to be more positive.
Funny, I've blogged about this before.
And if anyone is directed here from the City Paper article, I just want to say that I am not serious about any of the stuff I say on this blog.
I am not a hater.
I'm trying not to be one, anyway.
But, I am a crusty, old dude, that's seen his fair share of bullshit.
And sometimes, that bullshit gets under your skin until you just have to vent.
This blog is ironic, because the things that make "bandssuck" could be used to say "blogssuck:"
Self indulgence, delusion, bad taste.
Where am I going with this?
Nowhere.
Ahhhh...always nice to end up at square one.
Hugs.
Oh, go see "Crazy Heart."

Oldie but a goodie...

2009-12-14T08:14:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged since June...my mind has not been in that mode. The fact that blogging is self indulgent and pointless makes it something that I can only do in phases...but here is one I wrote in October of 2006, when I was living in LA. I must have been in a bad place...

Four Months and a Kick in the Teeth
Mac Leaphart and Los Angeles. Not a match made in heaven. But what did I expect? I hate traffic, pricks and bands that sound like Rick Dees Weekly Top 40. But LA has grown on me, and I have acccepted it to a certain extent. I just had to find the right spots around town, and slowly but surely I am sort of getting what the LA experience is all about. I thought maybe I could come out here and kick its teeth down its throat, you know, convince a few big shots that I was a badass and all that. I guess that was my initial goal. It didn't really happen like that, though. From my experience, LA has been more like the little kid that you baby-sat and the first thing he does is hit you right in the nuts and then it is hell for the next five hours and then his parents come home drunk and don't have any cash and precede to write you a check for jack shit. So now, my attitude has changed a bit. Now, I'd just like to pull the chair out from under LA -you know, have a little fun and try to take advantage of the opportunities that exist out here that don't exist in my beloved South.

So its been four months in LA for this 'ol boy. And I've done a lot of jogging, (at one point I was doing two-a-days out of sheer boredom) played a few shows, good ones, bad ones, bland ones-a few to completely write off the books. Specifically one at this place in North Hollywood that was a really rock bottom-ass dive causing me at times to sort of fear for my life, but not really-where this borderline crazy man kept asking me to play "Positively 4th Street" and the place was so dead that I finally told him that he could play it if he wanted to, and so I handed him my guitar-sat down at the bar and grabbed a beer while he preceded to play some Dylan and some ZZTop, and honestly, he was actually pretty good. He was still bonkers, though. I worked a job going from mailroom to mailroom around LA for a little over a month, surrounded by people that had given their lives to the mailrooms and copy rooms who were putting up with some kid with an English Degree that kept botching copy jobs and metered mail. So I did that, made a little money, and now I'm back to trying to wake up every day and start writing-songs, articles, my novel that I've been writing for the past four years. I have moments of intense inspiration-I wrote a new song-a ballad where someone dies (imagine that) but I also spend a lot of time on myspace, waiting and hoping for that new friend request or comment or message. Oh, what a great feeling, better than walking into a grade school classroom and seeing a projector-man, did I just date my old ass. So, yeah, I write, check the internet, play my guitar, write, check the internet, all the while drinking too much coffee and Earl Grey tea and usually end up drinking beers in the afternoon. So basically, my life is sort of life a Kris Kristofferson song right now (minus the myspace shit and the fact that I don't smoke cigarettes-I wish I smoked cigarettes-I'd be so much cooler if I did) , which seemed pretty cool when I was a much younger man, but isn't quite as romantic or appealing when it is actually my life. But still, it has somewhat of a nice ring to it, and I don't plan on spending the rest of my days like ths. So, as I am on the verge of returning to God's Country for a couple months, I feel like reflecting on my first stint in a LA a bit, but I guess I have already been doing that for a few hundred words, but I've never been much on chronology, anyway.

I cannot really offer much insight on LA, as I have barley experienced the so called "City of Angels." But I have learned a few things from my limited experience. One thing about LA, is it is a pretty good place to be a bum. Probably the best in America. The climate is great-never too hot-never too cold-and nobody will really mess with you. You can sleep right on the sidewalk or in the park, or wherever you please pretty much. You can sleep in, too. Sleep all day if you want to. On the other hand, if you've got tons of money-LA is still a great place to be. There's a lot of places where you can show off and run up big tabs for people you're trying to impress that could less about you. LA is wonderful in that aspect. To tell the truth, its probably best to be either a bum or a multimillionaire in LA, because either way, you don't really have to worry about money. Because trust me, when you're a regular guy like me, the money goes, and it goes fast, and you've got nothing to show for it, except for maybe a some vintage t-shirts and jeans you bought down on Melrose.

The first couple of months I was here, I was surrounded by sirens and horns and Otis Redding. Sirens and horns are sort of the soundtrack to LA, you cannot really escape them, especially when you live a block away from a fire station. Otis was always with me at "Molly Malones" this bar on Fairfax and Sixth that I would play the open mic night, drink too many beers, and try to get the cute redheaded bartender with the kind eyes and not quite American accent to notice me. So I'd play Otis. And the Allman Brothers and Sam Cooke. All the songs that I thought might spark a young lady's interest, you know, like maybe she'd think that the pensive young man with his eyes in his beer and the really good taste in music was somewhat inticing. But to her, I was probably not pensive, I was just another drunk. The thing is, I'm just not cool enough. I'm really not. Okay, if I'm onstage, with my guitar and my songs of love and despair and blah-blah-then yeah, I can manage. But at an open mic night, any asshole with three bucks and a guitar can take the stage, so it doesn't really work the way it does at a "real" gig. But, I would go to Molly Malones anyway. Hell, I went there a lot when I first got here, even if it wasn't open mic night. My girl back home and I had decided that 2000 miles was a little too far to make things work, and so I was just feeling as alone as I could feel, spending all my money on draft beer and Jack Daniels like I had some kind of endless supply. So I'd sit at the bar by my lonesome, like all those guys that used to come to the Salty Nut and talk my ears off and try to hit on the waitresses, and I'd play Otis on the jukebox, to gain the title of "dude with best taste in music at the bar" and because my heart was broken and I needed to hear some heartbreak songs. And nobody breaks my heart like Otis. Nobody. Sometimes, when you're lonely and down, the only thing you want to hear are songs that are going to tug on your goddamn emotions even more, making it hurt like a hell, taking everything out of you until you just feel empty, but somehow making you feel good, not better, but good in a way that is only relevant to lonely souls with broken hearts. I definitely fit the bill.

Open mic night at Molly Malone's was a pretty good deal. You got to play two songs, and usually there was a nice built in crowd. There did tend to be a large quantity of Justin Timberlake/Maroon 5 falsetto belting crooners, but I alwyas got up and played my songs, and sometimes somebody would dig it. Usually, I'd just head back to the bar to knock back a couple more drinks. One night, a buddy of mine and I both played after we had watched the Braves game and had too many 16 ounce Miller Highlifes. We started hanging out with these Texas sority girls and also some girls from Canada, who were somehow friends-don't ask, becuase I don..t know-but we went back to their house that was supposed to be right around the corner, but it wasn..t as we sped through some alleys in a pick up truck belonging to some dude that I didn't know. Anyway, my buddy kept saying "Goddamn" and the girl whose house it was kept telling him not to say it, but he kept saying it and we got kicked out and had to walk about two miles back to my place. It might have been even farther. These girls lived on Crescent Heights on the other side of San Vicente, and we had to walk to Cochran, which is two blocks up from La Brea. If you are familiar with LA, that paints a pretty specific picture of a long-ass walk. So anyway, on any given open mic night, I was usually pretty drunk whenever it was my turn to play a few songs. One time another friend came and watched me, and afterward he told me that I was too drunk to play. To which I replied, "I wasn't too drunk to play, I was just too drunk to play well."

More to come...

Thanks and goodnight,

Mac

Mike, you know it ain't easy...

2009-06-28T09:47:00.001-07:00

I'll start with this one with one thing. Then I'll move to another. From there, I have no idea.

I never pay much mind to mainstream music/pop/culture, American Idol, Reality Stars, I just sort of skip it. Obviously, Rascal Flats is not worth the price of the ticket, and the success of most commercial artists baffles me. "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock? I could not believe that it was:A. Real. B. a Song that people actually wanted to hear/bought into/etc. But I know they did, because I got requests for it when it was on the radio. But bands like the Jonas Brothers don't bother me, I just don't listen to them. What does bother me is when I hear a band that "sucks," most likely because they are derivative, and people that should know better, people I know to be discerning, buy into it. I'm not going to name drop here, but there are a bunch of bands out there that I just can't believe people are falling for. It is usually because they have "The Look." As in, these guys look like they'd be cool, discerning, they have long hair and beards and wear a lot of denim, and scarves and hats-but the music is derivative and always about break ups and booze and people that should know better eat it up like goddamn pixie sticks. It makes me a pull a McEnroe, as in "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!"

Yeah, that is what bothers me. It shouldn't, though. Because, honestly, who cares? I guess I feel like it affects me because I try to make music without a whole lot of flare and hipster additives, and I don't want people to get the idea that a newsboy hat, a beard, tapered jeans, pointy shoes and a well placed tattoo makes for a good night of songs.( always about me, isn't it? Indulgence of the self.")

But, on a larger scale, I've heard some rumblings about people being upset that folks like Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake...(the list goes on, I'll stop there) are getting decent to good reviews in Rolling Stone. I'm fairly sure that Taylor Swift got 4 out of 5 stars. No Bullshit. Maybe those critics are just being objective-you know, saying that it is good in its genre. But to me, that doesn't make any sense. I guess its like saying "Its really good in terms of junk music made for middle school kids." A lot of those reviews are paid for. Not all of them, but this is a fact. Jann Wenner sells reviews as much as he peddles left wing, pinko bullshit. Just ask Jim Derogatis. And there is no way that Pete Travers really thought "Dan in Real Life" deserved 3 and 1/2 out of 4 stars. Digression. Again.
Point is, that I don't think it matters. Anybody that cares and truly appreciates music knows that the Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift are not a part of the great song, the group of singers and story tellers that make people really feel-make music more than something you simply listen to...
The thing is, bands like the Jonas Brothers, they are finsished as soon as they get started. Their fans will get old and start listening to the Smiths and laughing at how they used to have Jonas Brothers posters on their wall. One of them will land a great producer and try to embark on a solo career that will have limited success and 20 years later they will reunite and the same girls who went through their Smiths phase will have a girls weekend in Atlanta and catch the Jonas Brothers Reuinion tour.
Let's pin point Justin Timberlake here. Talented? Yes. One of a kind? Hardly. That's the thing. Justin Timberlake is obviously someone who grew up wanting to be a superstar-and he worked his ass off to get where he is, no doubt. But, I think there are probably Justin Timberlakes all over the place. And if Justin Timberlake hadn't ever made it beyond the Mickey Mouse Club, he could probably be selling commercial real estate in Memphis and the world would have never missed him.

Which brings us to what everyone is talking about now. Michael Jackson. I remember it. I remember getting the "Thriller" cassette at Kmart. I lived through it. The man was huge. The biggest star the world has ever seen. The thing is, he was the chosen one. I don't mean that like he was a mesiah or something-or, that he was put on this earth to change pop music and our culture. But, he did, never the less. So, it really doesn't matter whether or not he was destined to become what he became, that is irrelevant. What is relevant, is that he was what he was and he did what he did. Pop music went from being mostly rock and roll based to becoming more R&B influenced, well hell, I can't categorize, but obviously hip hop owes more to Thriller than it does to Revolver. And, I don't think Michael Jackson was capable of doing anything but what he did. I mean, I don't think that Mike could sell real estate in Gary Indiana. The man had too much vision. And he was obviously in his own world, so to speak. The point is, that if Justin Timberlake didn't exist, someone else could fill his shoes. Someone else would basically rip off Michael Jackson and attempt to be the next "King Of Pop." But, if Michael Jackson didn't exist, everything(in terms of pop music since 1982) would be different. Someone always fills a void, or really makes people realize that there was a void after the fact-almost like they create a void and then fill it? Okay-after the appearance of such an artist, their existence/impact creates a void that needs to be filled as the public searches for the next artist that is like the first guy. Or something like that... From Elvis, to Dylan, to the Beatles-someone always shows up and changes everything. Kurt Cobain got close, but obviously, he was not comfortable with his place on the throne. Some artists, like Gram Parsons, I don't think really knew what kind of impact they would have. I mean, I think Gram Parsons wanted to be a rock star, and knew that he would find a niche in showing people that country music was actually artistic and sophisticated, but I also think that Gram was a rich kid that thought it was cool to hang with the Stones, and probably thought he might steal that show the way he did with Byrds. But Gram died when he was 26, and in truth his legacy inspired the Eagles and the whole country/rock thing-which, ironically kind of put pure country music to rest. But Gram's music wasn't a country/rock hybrid-it was simply real country music made by guys that looked like hippies. Like I said, I don't think Gram wanted to much more than be a rock star.

Where am I going with this? Its getting long...
I think Michael Jackson knew that he was changing things-as did Dylan, and John Lennon-and maybe it just becomes to much. Maybe you start seeing a halo in the mirror. I think one would almost have to. So, who will be the next person to not just fill someone else's shoes, but actually make the shoes to be filled? It happens every 10 to 20 years. It will be interesting to see. Whoever it is, I feel sorry for the guy-(maybe it will be a girl this time?) There is hardly ever a happy ending.

I wouldn't call it optimism...

2009-06-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

So, maybe I was being an asshole earlier. I do that sometimes. No, I still love Smoltzy. And obviously, he's not a traitor. Maybe he's the oppoisite-which would be a patriot? A Braves patriot? I mean, he got rocked by the Nats, who are the worst team I've seen in a long time. Willie Harris is on that team, though. That dude is fierce. But, the Nats are awful. So, maybe Smoltzy was sabotaging the Sox? It would be sweet if he did.

But, I'm not here to talk about the Bravos anymore. I'm here to discuss optimism, and why it has never been a part of my character. I am naturally self depricating, I'm hard on myself. I'm hard on everybody. That, as the kids say, is how I roll. But, damnit, I'm tired of looking at the downside to everything. I will always see the downside, I'm too damn discerning not too, but maybe I'll try to ignore it. Tough task. But I will try to look past the girls I see that do nothing but take pictures of themselves all night. Seriously, all night. I was trying to load out from the show tonight, and I was dodging digital flashes and poses, like walking through a maze. I will hold my tongue when I hear people talking about how they just got off tour, and a minute later realize that they aren't actually in a band, they just went to 6 Widespread Shows in a row. I will just turn the other cheek when people discuss dicussing the finer points of commercial hip-hop, and I won't say hip-hop in general, but sort of hip-hop in general. Because honestly, what's the point? Who cares what I think? It is self indulgent enough for me to write on this blog...but the truth is, even though its out there for the world to see, I am just venting for myself. Self indulgence. I mean, if someone else wants to waste there time with my ideas, hey, your minutes, pal. But seriously, thanks for stopping by...
But how do I control it? How do I stop the cynicism when people text non-stop during live music? Or, I lose a bar gig to "Guitar Hero."(True.) Or, "Guitar Hero" in general? I don't know-I guess the slow eating of my soul won't go away. But, the world definitely does not need anymore negativity, so maybe I can at least keep my mouth shut. Spare us all...

Digression. Again. Instead of focusing on the negative-how about the Positive...How about finding a good parking space when I really needed one because it was pouring rain and tonight I didn't want to have walk a lot of blocks...
How about playing songs and getting paid-most of them aren't my songs, and it is sad that "Wagon Wheel" has lost any of the soul that it used to have, because at one time, I really liked that song. Now it might as well be Jessie's Girl. But still, I have a job playing mostly other people songs and I'm working on a career where I can play mostly my songs and folks will be happy...

I don't know why it tends to be half empty for me. It has never been my intention, it is just the way it has always been. Like being left handed, or something. I'm trying. We'll see-I've tried parallel parking for years, and I still do a shit job of it. Time will tell. But sometimes it doesn't. I'm not drunk, but I've been drinking. Don't feel like proof reading.

2009-06-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

They cause me nothing but pain. Honestly. I wait all winter for April, and by this time every year(well, since 2005) its already over. I'm talking about the Braves, yall. Let me just say that is great to see a walk off home run, etc, but the lows always hurt worse than the highs feel good.

Today was no exception. Red Sox 1, Braves 0. The fucking Red Sox, man. Capitalism at its worse. And, there are so many fairweather sox fans out there, and because Atlanta is an import town full of damn yankees, there were more Sox fans at Turner Field than Braves fans. Insult to injury. The hate that builds in me from watching the Red Sox basically play a home game is truely unbelievable. It really is. I will not mention out loud what brews inside me when I hear Tuner Field chant "YUUUKE," or when the broadcast goes to a split screen to show Paplebon in his stupid, goddamn wind up. Its rediculous, I know. I remind myself of that. It shouldn't be there, but it is. The thing is, I don't hate Youkalis or Paplebon, I don't hate anyone for that matter, but I do hate them on the field. Maybe its not hate. Just deep rooted pissed. Better word. But, yeah, Yuke and Paplebon the person, nah, I don't hate them. Probably wouldn't have much in common with them, though. Or any ball players. Baseball is my favorite sport, it is also the sport I was worst at, Ironically. But ball players wear gold chains and listen to DC Talk and Sugarland, so you know, not on the same page, I guess.

In the end, I still love the Braves. I can't help but think that my life would be less stressful without them. I need my head examined. I really do.

Sorry that there was no point to this. Purely a vent.

One more thing. Fucking Smoltz, man. Traitor.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...

2009-06-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

So after posting this, everyone will know that I am a huge softy. I don't care. This absolutely breaks my heart, in the best way. Not since "The Giving Tree" has something gotten too me this much. Enjoy.

http://www.noob.us/humor/partly-cloudy-new-pixar-short-film/

Lonesome, Onery and Old...

2009-06-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

Yep. I've been 32 for about an hour. Not a very memorable one, I reckon. I turned 29 in Los Angeles, at this bar called Molly Malone's. I was all by myself. I remember that night I tried to talk to the cute red headed bar tender. She had kind eyes and not quite American accent. But I didn't make much of a dent on her. She probably thought I was just another drunk, which I was. I remember thinking that I turned 29 twice, because I was basically still on Eastern Standard time, so I figured I turned 29 to my friends and family back home and then out in LA three hours later. That was a lonesome time for me. Now I'm lonely again. Funny how that works.

I turned 30 at Charlie's Steakhouse in Greenville, which is one of my all time favorite establishments. It opened its doors in 1910, and you could film a period piece in there without changing anything. I always drink Miller Highlife out of 10 oz glasses there. There was actually about six bottles in a beer bucket when I got there that night. Courtesy of my mother. My parents and my brother chipped in and bought me a new Telecaster becuase mine had been stolen about a year before. Good Birthday. Nothing crazy-family, cold beer, and a new guitar.

I turned 31 in one of America's loveliest locales, Augusta, Georgia. I was playing with my friend Doug at a Wild Wing and I swear I only drank one beer all night-until the end. The owners were there and were big fans of Doug's, it leaked out that it was my birthday, and we stayed there taking shots after the bar closed. I had been so successfully cautious about taking it easy with the booze that night, that for some reason, and sort of subconsciously, I thought I was in the clear. But I wasn't, I puked on the way back to the house where we were crashing and then, the next day, on I-26 right around 95, I projectile vomited all over Doug's car. I told him to pull over, but it wasn't fast enough. I blocked some with a shirt I grabbed, but luckily it was all water and a little bit of Coca Cola. Sorry, Doug.

So now I'm 32. Which feels oddly similar to 31. I don't know what a young Mac would think if he saw the old guy he grew into. Some of it would probably be a little unexpected. Some of it is pretty par for the course. Tough to tell, considering that old Mac can't look in the mirror and get a real handle on it. It could be better. It could also be worse. Either way, I'm still here. Its not such a bad place to be.

Late night thoughts, booze influenced...

2009-06-19T23:30:00.000-07:00

I was sitting at the bar tonight, waiting to get paid, and I had ideas running through my head. Things I wanted to blawg about. Which in itself, is sad enough, really. But I forgot most of them. I think it was going to be a hypothetical letter to my parents, basically apologizing for not being successful. That is being harsh. But I'm drunk right now, so the self deprecation is on 11. I can say that the music has become more or less my job. It is not yet a career, but it is a job. Which isn't all bad. I feel like Will Ferrell in "Old School"-"I tried to join a gym, that's one thing."

Anyway, I would ramble if I could. Sometimes the booze gets me a ramblin'. But now, I'm getting nothing. So why am I posting? Because I'm drunk? Because I'm bored?

Yes.

THIS MIGHT BE AWSOME...

2009-06-19T15:41:00.001-07:00

LET'S HOPE SO, CHILIN.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sBLir8H2zM

blawging for the sake of blawging...

2009-06-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

I think the machines have won. We have been defeated. It didn't play out like the Sarah and John Connor said it would. Maybe it is a little more like the battle that Neo and Morpheus fight. But the machines have won.

I like technology as much as the next guy. Well, truthfully, I guess that depends on who is standing to my left and right. I think technology is great when it makes our lives better. George Carlin once said, you can't argue with a good blow job. Yep. You also can't argue with not having to use an outhouse in the middle of the night. Or, being able just to flip a switch and have lights come on.

But, has the digital revolution made our lives better? It has made them easier, no doubt. But easy is not always best. I'm sure in some ways, the internet and all that is related has made things better. But, we are losing important communication skills and basic human survival. The next generation probably won't even understand how to read a map. And online dating? Come on, where's the romance? Where's the adventure? Most people probably laugh that stuff off, but I am seeing it all over the place, so it must be catching on. Fast foward to 2078: "How did I meet your grandfather? Oh, its a wonderful story. I was at work strolling dating sites, and his profile stated that he was a fan of Kelly Clarkson, as was I. It was love at first view."

100 years ago, if the power went out, people didn't lose their minds. It wasn't a big deal. Now, the whole world goes to shit during a black out. It is literally chaos. It won't be long, hell it might be now, that it is going to happen when the internet goes down.

The machines got us by the balls, yall.

Its sunny outside. I'm staring at a screen. Irony. Textbook. What's a textbook?

HONKY TONK ANGELS...

2009-05-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

Man, that was a good time Sunday night at the Tin Roof. Credit Miss Jamie Resch for all the hard work and the great turn out. All of the bands and artists that played great sets and spread the word, thank yall so much. And, to all the folks who came out to listen to some classic chick country and have some drinks for a good cause, thank you for coming out and coming early(The Tin Roof was slammed by 7 o'clock!) And, obviously, thanks to the Tin Roof staff for for putting up with all of us...
It was a great night of music and we raised 600 hundred bucks for The Ronald McDonald House, so, yeah-a great night all around...
I can't wait for the next one...
Cheers
Best
Mac

This week. last weekend, back in Athens, some other stuff, too? Maybe?

2008-11-17T08:49:00.000-08:00

Damn, yall-Just wanted to thank everyone for coming out this weekend-
Saw some familiar faces at Burn's Alley-made it nice for Donnie and me...

And then Saturday night-I couldn't have asked for a better night-
It was a great turn out-Yall came even though it was raining off and on and watched me outside-
I was a little nervous at first, because I didn't get the memo that the bands on the deck were supposed to be acoustic. and I brought drums, electric guitars-So I thought I might accidently shut the whole thing down, but that wasn't the case-and we had a blast out in the drizzle-

I brought in a new friend, Mr. Charlie Thompson, who played pedal and lap steel, and absolutely ripped the roof off the place-even though there was no roof, which is really hard to do-
And, he was wearing a killer top hat-
He really added something to my normal set of horsing around-
I'm playing with him at the Mill on Saturday night, too-
Really looking foward to it-
Great line up-Cary Ann Hearst, the Defilers, going to be a fine time-
But, back to Saturday-
Great show, great bands, great crowd, a great time across the board...
Thanks to Lindsay and Jamie and the Pour House for a wonderful evening...

This week I'm in Greenville on Tuesday, playing at the Bohemian with my friend Mark Dye-trying to do some extra promotion for the Thanksgiving Eve show at the Handlebar-
So, if you feel like it, come on out and have a beer with me...

Thursday, I'll be in Athens, in a really cool room called the Flicker Theatre, I'll be accompanied by my friend Rivers and we are sharing the bill with Nate Nelson-
I don't really know anyone in Athens, so if you do and feel like spreading the word, I won't stop you...

Saturday-I'll be at the Mill in North Charleston, as previously mentioned-
Here's a link to the festival details:
http://www.myspace.com/themilllounge
That is going to be a great night-
All I can say is "Chicken Shit Bingo" whatever that means, I am not exactly sure-
So come on out to the Mill, drink some Old Millwalkee, and let's throw down-
Hope to see everyone out there-
Cheers
Best
Mac

Holy City Cold Heart Revival...

2008-11-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

Howdy Kids-
Its been a while, indeed-a few months, actually-
But now I'm back on the wagon, or I'm back off the wagon, however you want to look at it-
So, Saturday is the 3rd annual Holy City Cold Heart Revival, and I am fortunate and excited to be a part of it this year...
You can see the full line up and details here:
www. myspace. com/charlestonaltcountryfestival
CHARLESTON CITY PAPER
http://www. charlestoncitypaper. com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A54888

CHARLESTON PREVIEW
http://www. charleston. net/news/2008/nov/13/hollar61422/
&
http://www. charleston. net/news/2008/nov/13/singer_wins_battle_over_demons_carves_ow61403/

So come on out, bring the young uns if you got em, knock back a few Co-Colas with the boys and girls in the band-
Going to be damn fine time-
I promise, and I ain't no liar-just ask my mama...
Cheers, yall-
Mac

Avett Brethren...

2008-08-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

A band that so far, I haven't gotten into. That is not to say I don't like them, just didn't send me reeling. I heard a song here and there, as they have tons of followers who push the gospel of Avett, and I thought it was fine. Didn't make me want to buy the record, though.
I do, however, really like what they are doing. They are energetic, and put a cool twist on everyday americana.
So, I bought the new record. I've been listening to it often. Its strange because I still haven't formed an opinion of it. Usually, upon purchase of a new record, I give it a spin, check out a little bit of each song, and can usually say "I like this, or I don't" farily quicky. Sometimes, my opinion changes, whereas a recording can really grow on me, or something that I thought I really liked after listening a few times I kind of go"Wait a minute, this actually isn't very good at all."
But with the new Avett Brothers EP-I can't say yes or no. I definitely don't disike it, but I can't say that I really like it either.
I can say, that I have been listening to it a lot. Its great music for my drive home from gigs. And by gigs, I mean these little Charleston bars that I play. Its been raing a lot down here, the streets are wet, and after midnight, farily empty-the stop lights flash, and I've got this new record going, it really works. For me anyway.
Nevertheless, I still can't say whether I like it or not. In the way I truly like something, not just something that's suits my pensive mood as I drive over the crosstown into West Ashley.
But I think I'm leaning toward liking the record. (Likeing? Liking? ) I think I may even like it like it. Kevin Arnold/Winnie Cooper.
Whatever the case my be, I think the Avett Brothers have potential to be great. RIck Rubin is on board for the next album, and I am very anxious to hear that finished product.

eye in the sky...

2008-07-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

Driving back from Greenville the other day-going up and down the XM dial-Caught the end of "Eye In the Sky" by the Alan Parsons Project.
Nice melody. Cool Atmospheric stuff going on. Very soft rock, but it sounded good, you know. As well it should, AP was behind the board for "Dark Side Of The Moon."
Anyway-
Went home-and pulled it up on itunes-just typed in "Eye In the Sky" to see what would come up-
I had a sneaking suspicion there would be tons of versions-and I was right-
The best version is still the good ol APP-but also I really cool electronic version by a female singer going by "Babyleg." Which I believe is a phalic reference.
Johnatha Brooke also has a good version, well its okay-but it reminds me too much of Alanis Morrissette on a stool with just a guitar player singing "Ironic" on some VH1 special.
The point of this pointless entry, is that I have honestly been listening to the song(primarily the APP and the Babyleg version) for almost a week now. In my car, in my room, etc.
And the thing is-Its not affecting me anymore-but I'm not tired of it-I'm listening to it without paying any attention at all. It is effortless listening.
I really think there is something subliminal going on in the song. Something fishy. Something scary. It has a strange hold on me. I may never be the same.
Behold, the subtle power of the APP.

Another for the all time favorite..

2008-07-30T14:36:00.002-07:00

So-one more all time favorite song-
Flying Burrito Brothers-Hot Burrito # 1-Man, thats a purdy song-
I find it somewhat amusing that I keep posting these songs-
Like anyone actually cares...classic.

Another for the all time favorite..

2008-07-30T14:36:00.001-07:00

Doesn't Suck at all Hall of Fame...

2008-07-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

First indcutee-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Is there anyone out there who doesn't like Tom Petty?
Probably, but they probably don't have many friends. And even if they do have friends, their friends probably don't like them very much. Dude probably walks in the room, thinking about how cool he is, and his "friends" are probably like, "Oh man, here comes that douche again.
Anyway, Tom Petty-case and point: "Here Comes My Girl." Who else but Tommy could make that song not suck? If anyone else sings it, it blows. Completely. He makes it not only not suck, but also makes it awsome.
Congratulations, Tom. You are the first inductee into a completely pointless, utterly trivial, arbitrary hall of fame.
I can offer you nothing but big ups. Cheers, Tommy and the rest of the boys. You don't suck at all. Cheers.
But, cover band in the corner playing "Mary Janes Last Dance," you do.
Oh, don't take it so hard. I'm guilty of the same crime.

Actual All time Faves...

2008-07-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

More songs to add to the all time favorite song list:
Townes Van Zandt-Pancho and Lefty (even though, truth be told, I prefer the Wille/Merle Version-even with the bad intro)
Rolling Stones-Dead Flowers
Warren Zevon-Werewolves of London(can't believe I didn't have this one in earlier-probably my all time favorite song. "I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vics-And his hair was perfect...Nup." It doesn't get any better than that. Oh, you could try, but you would fail. Thanks for playing, though.)

More faves...

2008-07-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

So-these aren't all time faves-but thinking back, they make me laugh-
When I was five(or somewhere around 5) these were my favorite songs:

-Human League: Don't You Want Me
-Unknown(currently-it wouldn't be hard to find, though)-Theme from "The Greatest American Hero" (I had the ssoundtrack, or maybe just the 45-left it on a dashboard-totally melted-I was devestated)
-Men at Work-Its a Mistake
-Apollo 100-Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire, or simply "Joy"( this was a gem I discovered from some hand me downs I got from some older cousins-a rock and roll version-with a killer guitar solo a la George Harrison-of course, at the time-I didn't know anything about a la anything-I just knew I liked it-and played that record over and over again-
I forgot about the song-and then it showed up on the Soundtrack to "Boogie Nights"
great placement by a cool director)

If you're curious...

2008-07-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know...
I don't think I have great taste in music. I like what I like. I'll reiterate something from another post: I like talking shit. Its fun-keeps me out of the boredom department.
In case anyone is interested-and maybe just to add fuel to the fire-here's a list of some of my favorites:
Albums:
(Top 10-in no particular order-and its really tricky to come up with ALL TIME FAVORITES-but these are tapes, CD"s, records what have you that at some point in my life I wore out)

Derek and the Dominoes-Live At the Filmore
Willie Nelson-Willie and Family Live
The Replacements-Hootenanny
Elliott Smith-Either Or
Randy Travis-Storms of Life
The Black Crowes-The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion
Randy Newman-Good Ol Boys
Dr. Dre-The Chronic
Cracker-Cracker
John Prine-John Prine

Songs:
Another tricky one-not sure if I can even do a top 10-and again-no particular order

Ooh La La-The Faces
Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll)-AC/DC
Baba O'Reily-The Who
If Hollywood Don't Need You-Don Williams

Damn- there are so many-I can't think right now-mayber I'll add to it

Least favorite album(or at least the most dissapointed I've ever been after a purchase-I quit trusting good reviews after this one-I believe David Fricke gave it five stars-which is considered "Classic")

Neil Young and Crazy Horse-Sleeps with Angels

Least Favorite Band-
(again-so many to choose from-I really hate Styx-but that is kind of pointless to bring that up-its like when I used to see bumper stickers that read "Boy Bands Suck"-why don't you just make one that says "Hitler was Evil"...so after a lot of thought-I have to go with:
The Sex Pistols-
I can't stand them. Sorry.

Whoops...

2008-07-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

That would be EMINEM. Shows how much I know.

Bring down the fire...

2008-07-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

Man, bands suck. Have bands always sucked? Yes. Do all bands suck? No. But most popular bands do theses days. In truth, theres always been bad bands out there. You had to listen to Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons while you were waiting on "Satisfaction" to come on. Well, I didn't. My dad, maybe. But I did have to brave a lot of garbage on the dial if I wanted to hear some Guns N Roses when I was a kid. But, eventually, I did get to hear Guns n Roses. That's the point. There really doesn't seem to be any good bands on the radio these days. Coldplay? Nah. They aren't terrible or anything. I wouldn't go as far as to say they suck, but, its just kind of like "Hey-its Coldplay, alright."

There are some good bands out there. Radiohead-they are creative, cool sounding, experimental-but the thing is, they're not a whole lot of fun. Same with Wilco. Both good bands, though. I'm trying to figure out what is bringing this out of me. Boredom, maybe. I did go home last week, and my mother asked me to get a bunch of things out of my old room. I had boxes of Rolling Stone Magazines. And going through them, I guess I could only see Emeneim and Justin Timberlake on the cover so many times before I just dumped them all in the trash. All of them. This week, the Jonas Brothers are on the cover. Granted, David Cassidy has been on the cover, RS has always put teen tigerbeat kids on the cover. But damn, the Jonas Brothers? I didn't think they were real. Its one step away from putting Jem and the Holograms front and center. Oh well, nothing like a good rant. I like to talk shit. That's what all of this is about.