TV Writer's Strike Looming...Rock Star on the Horizon?

So, you're like me and you loved Rock Star and you miss Rock Star, right? Well, now might be as good a time as any to tell the executives at CBS that you want more Rock Star on your TV!

The Writer's Guild is preparing to go on strike, possibly as soon as Thursday. And if that is the case, there will be no one to write the episodes of Gray's Anatomy and Lost that viewers love so much, so television executives are looking at alternative ways to fill their time slots. What does that mean for the viewers? Lots of reality television. Networks could run out of new episodes of our favorite scripted dramas and comedies possibly as early as January. So...if you want CBS or one of the other networks to pick up Rock Star for a third season, LET THEM KNOW!

How do you do that? Check out The Big Letter Writing Campaign Thread at RockBandLounge.com for both snail mail and email addresses for the people to contact! And then send them a letter. And maybe send them another one tomorrow. And another on Wednesday. And...well...you get the picture.

Oh yeah, and while you're already at RockBandLounge.com, why don't you join us in our Rock Star: All Stars Game in order to relive great memories of why we love Rock Star so much in the first place.

More on Magical Realism

So a while back, I posted about magical realism in a novel I was reading, The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. I wasn't so sure about it at that point. However, I have since become a huge fan of the genre, at least in the way it was used in this particular novel. Now that I've finished reading it, I find that instead of these magical elements becoming a distraction from the very real events taking place in the novel, they seem to add even more emphasis to those events by being juxtaposed against them in their stark contrast. I'm not 100% sure that I will like every book I read that would fall into this category, but I am much more willing to give them a try after finishing THOTS and really reflecting on it.

Rock Star All Stars is Underway!

And they're off! The voting has begun in RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Stars competition. Be sure to make your voice heard! You can vote before midnight eastern time tonight for your favorite All Star from both Season One and Season Two...

Click Here!

Remember that you'll need to register in order to vote, even if you are already a member of the RockBandLounge.com forum.

Don't let your favorite be the first to go!

Jeffrey Gaines - In Your Eyes

This song has been getting tons of airplay here in Dallas all of a sudden. I understand that this is not a new recording...it's been around several years already. But it has suddenly taken off here. I think it is a great cover of a classic Peter Gabriel tune. I'm not terribly fond of the video that they've put to the song, but I really love his voice and his take on the song. So...enjoy!

Jeffrey Gaines - In Your Eyes

ROCKBANDLOUNGE.com Rock Star: All Stars

Do you miss having Rock Star on your TV? I know I do. I miss seeing great performances of rock music, different takes on classic songs, the awesome House Band, and discovering up and coming talent. Well, we may not have Rock Star back on our TV's yet, but RockBandLounge.com has started up a new contest, Rock Star: All Stars. Nineteen of your favorite rockers from the two seasons will be competing against each other via YouTube for your votes! There is no prize for the winner, other than renewed devotion from their fans. But, the prize could wind up being for us, the Rock Star fans.

Part of the reason RockBandLounge.com has decided to stage this competition is in an effort to get US, the Rock Star fans, to once again make an effort to get Rock Star back on our TV's. We need to be sending letters and emails to CBS, demanding that they renew our favorite TV show! RockBandLounge.com is hoping that through this Rock Star: All Stars competition, it will once again renew the efforts of the fans in this letter-writing campaign. For more information on RockBandLounge.com's letter writing campaign, visit them at The Big Letter Writing Campaign Thread.

If you want to take part in RockBandLounge.com's Rock Star: All Star competition, take a look here. Please note that you will have to join as a member of the Rock Star: All Stars community in order to post or vote, even if you are already a member of the RockBandLounge.com forum.

Let's get more great rock music back on our TV's! Join the campaign!

Pretty Baby in the News!

Fort Worth Weekly has taken notice of Pretty Baby. Anthony Mariani writes: "Based on the two songs posted on www.myspace.com/prettybabyrocks, what “stuck” is decidedly weird but in a good, brave way: a lot of heavy beats juxtaposed with Zayra’s relentlessly feminine, crystalline, sing-talky vocals, plus some ominous, hip-hop-inflected industrial music and bursts of arena-rock." Read the full article at Fort Worth Weekly.

According to Mariani, Zayra Alvarez is joined by Fort Worth area songwriters Dave Karnes and Daniel Harville. Karnes has previously worked with Zac Maloy and many others in the jazz-rich North Texas area, and Harville is formerly of Sugarbomb.

Also, check out their music on MySpace or their Official Website to hear it for yourself.

Pretty Baby on MySpace!

Fort Worth band Pretty Baby, fronted by the incomparable Zayra Alvarez, has set up a MySpace page to let the world know about their music. Check it out at myspace.com/prettybabyrocks. Add them as a friend to stay up to date on what they are doing, and let your friends know about them!

Zayra gained fame as a contestant on the Tommy Lee reality based TV show, Rock Star: Supernova. She has also sung backing vocals on some of Blue October's music.

Their two new original songs, Violent Man and Feel Good can be found here, as well as on their official website, PrettyBabyMusic.com. Check in for more information as it comes!

Pretty Baby

Zayra Alvarez of Rock Star: Supernova fame has formed a new band. Pretty Baby has released a preview of a couple of their songs on their website. prettybabymusic.com doesn't have a lot on it yet, other than the two tracks. But I like what I hear so far! Definitely sounds like what you would expect from the MiZtreZZ...

Feline Intuition

I just sprained my ankle. I needed to use the restroom, and I didn't realize that my left leg was asleep to the point that I had little feeling in it...so I got up and tried to walk. Putting my weight on my right leg was fine. But as soon as I transferred my weight to my left leg, my ankle twisted beneath me and I heard something snap. Tears flooded my eyes and a string of sounds made their way from my lips. I'm not sure what language I was speaking, but I didn't understand any of it...all I knew was blinding pain.

I have two cats. Two very sweet cats who have a tendency to get in the way when I'm trying to walk or otherwise do anything whatsoever. You would think that it was more likely to be their fault, but this time, they were blame free. At the garbled whimpering screams coming from my mouth, they came running to help me. I assume that the noise I was making was similar to the sounds that they make when I accidentally step fully on one of their paws or a tail.

They followed me as I stumbled my way to the sofa. I stretched out across the length of the sofa and propped my ankle up on a couple of throw pillows. Within seconds, they had both jumped up on top of me. Great, I thought to myself, this is going to be like when I get menstrual cramps and they automatically know to curl up on my abdomen, or when I get a chest cough and they curl up on my chest. In moments, they'll be curled up on my seriously hurting ankle and I won't be able to get them off of it. I don't mind it at all when they curl up on my abdomen...they provide heat and pressure, right where I need it. It's hard to breathe when you've got a chest cough though, and a couple of loveable furry friends pressing down on your lungs. I didn't think that was what I needed to be doing to my ankle at the moment.

But I was pleasantly surprised. Instead of going to my ankle, they came up to my chest and started purring. It seems that more than anything, they just knew that I needed them to help me calm down.

The Blogosphere

So I've been looking around at other blogs today...and I've found a few that are just insanely interesting to me.

For instance...I have a thing about punctuation. Yes, I tend to overuse it. But I at least use it in places that it is somewhat appropriate. The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks tickles my funny bone. An entire blog, devoted to signs where people use punctuation that they really do not need to use. It is cracking me up, reading some of these signs. Makes you wonder how some people survive in life.

Another one that I've found is Notes from Inside My Head. I'm not sure what it is about this blog...I'm not a Mom, so I don't really relate to that, but I find her writing style to be infectious. So I'll go with that. She is fun to read. I think I may have to be sure my SIL sees her blog, because she is about to be a new Mom. I'm sure if you are a parent, this one is even funnier than if you aren't.

While visiting there, I discovered Rants and Raves, complete with more Mom stories, but also thoughts on the writing process and blogging in general. She's got a great sense of humor that shines through in all of her posts.

I'll fill you in on more sometime soon...when I'm bored and go blog hunting...

Across the Universe

I was a bit unsure about this film before I went...it had the potential of either being amazing, or horrific. But I am pleased to report that it was a very good film. The actors, most of whom are unknowns, did a great job, and they all did their own vocals. There is nothing I would have hated worse than for there to be bad arrangements of Beatles classics, but they were all excellent arrangements, even if they strayed from the original.

Without knowing who directed it, I was incredibly impressed by the direction. This film is a fantastic combination of acting, artistic photography, singing, and dancing. If this is the direction the modern musical is heading, I want a ticket on the train.

Oh yeah...and Bono? FABULOUS. LOL. The actor who played Jude sounded much more Irish than Bono did. I've never heard him speak in that way, and it suited him.

Just a word of caution though. If you go see this film, do it while clean and sober. It could seriously make you think you're on a bad trip at times. Not that that is a bad thing, necessarily. But just be careful. LOL.

The Next Great American Band

The producers of American Idol have launched a new show...a search for a band, not just a singer. Last night they showed some of the audition process and introduced us to the Top 12 bands who have made it onto the official show. Judges for the show are Johnny Rzeznik, Sheila E, and Ian Dickinson (aka Dicko). The Top 12 bands include rock, pop, country, bluegrass, gospel, big band, and even a heavy metal band consisting of 12 and 13 year olds.

I've said before that I'm a Reality TV junkie...and that holds true for the music shows. My absolute favorite was Rock Star (yet another MBP creation). I started watching with the very first episode of Rock Star: INXS and never missed an episode. By the time Rock Star: Supernova rolled around, I was beyond hooked. Granted, I wasn't as emotionally involved with the outcome of Rock Star: Supernova (seeing as how I've been a fan of INXS since the early 80's, but Supernova was to be a brand new band), but the talent on the show kept me watching every week, on the edge of my seat.

Now, I am also a fan of American Idol. I love seeing the train wrecks and seeing the amazing vocal performances. I've been watching since part way through the first season, and rarely miss an episode. One season truly bored me, after America continued to vote off the true talent week after week...so I stopped watching. But I came back the next season and watched just as religiously as before. But however much I enjoy American Idol, to me, it just can't quite hold a candle to Rock Star. On Rock Star, each week, we are treated to ROCK songs, performed by a ROCK band, and sung by ROCK singers. That's not to say that we don't occasionally see some of that on American Idol (Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry ring a bell?), but it isn't as consistent from week to week. Of course, that's not entirely what American Idol is all about, so I don't expect it when I watch...but it doesn't quite hold my interest the way Rock Star does.

Anyway, all of this is to say...I'm really looking forward to seeing what The Next Great American Band will bring us each week. There is a large diversity within the Top 12 bands, which is to be expected from the American Idol producers. But there are definitely some rock bands represented. The format of the show seems to be extremely similar to American Idol, with theme weeks on the horizon. I'm hoping though, that most of these bands in the competition take the theme from each week and rearrange the songs they choose to suit their own style. We rarely see that on American Idol...it is much more common on Rock Star. But if these bands are going to succeed at this format, they are going to have to show their creativity and ingenuity each week, by taking the themes they are given and working them into something new and exciting.

I'm ready for more!

The Magic of Magical Realism

I've always heard of magical realism, but I've never really read anything that would technically qualify as fitting into that genre. Until now. For one of my courses, we're reading The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. I'd heard descriptions of what constitutes as magical realism before...and I thought that it was really just a sort of shoot-off of science fiction and fantasy. I was wrong.

It seems that magical realism is very, very realistic. Everything is set in our world, with normal characters and settings and events. But then out of nowhere, something just insanely unrealistic pops up, but you are just supposed to buy it as being as real as everything else. I have to say, I'm having a hard time with this.

Take Rosa from The House of the Spirits. She is the daughter of a normal family, where all of the other members of the family seem to be normal people. But she has green hair. No, she doesn't dye her hair green...she was born with green hair. Now, my uncle used to pick on me all the time when I was growing up...I've got red hair, and he always told me that I had green hair. But I didn't really have green hair, I had red hair. But Rosa...Rosa has green hair. Hmm...Okay... And it doesn't stop there! Rosa is poisoned and dies early on in the novel, and when the doctor performs an autopsy, she has suddenly transformed into a mermaid. A dead mermaid, but a mermaid. With green hair. And we are supposed to believe that as being as real as everything else in the novel.

That is just one early example of this magical realism stuff in the novel. I'm just not really all that sure what to think of it, what to do with it, how to feel about it. I'm very torn. I really enjoy Allende's style of writing overall, but I find myself wishing that these elements were not included in what I am otherwise finding to be a highly enjoyable and artistic novel. It is full of political intrigue, fascinating characters, lush scenery, and a plot that pulls me alongside it. And it is full of this magical realism, which to me, is intrinsically unrealistic.

I need to finish the novel before I really post any more thoughts on this I suppose. But at the moment, I am a bit torn...and intrigued.

Strategy vs. Eye Candy

I watch Survivor - in fact, I readily admit that I'm a reality TV junkie. I even scream out to the world that I am Mark Burnett Productions' BITCH! That's right...I am hooked. Not only do I watch a lot of reality TV, but I discuss it online with other MBP Bitches. LOL. It seems there were a lot of strongly negative reactions to tonight's episode though, while I found it to be by far the most intriguing episode so far this season.

One tribe threw the Immunity Challenge, because two of the members decided it was their best overall strategy to get rid of a couple of new members to the tribe. And in all honesty, if things work out the way that they are assuming that they will, it could be a brilliant move!

Could be.

Those are the key words. There are a lot of variables involved here. Some of those variables are things which they thought of, while I'm not so certain that they thought of all of them. One thing that could disrupt their plan is for a merge to occur at any point in time other than at exactly 10 Survivors remaining in the game. They are gambling entirely on a numbers game, which often plays out...but you never know what MBP is going to throw at you next to put a wrench in all of your strategic moves. Another glitch in their scheming could be that their former tribe members who are now part of the other tribe may not stay loyal to them at the point of the merge.

In throwing these challenges, they are taking a huge risk. While it is true that they are managing to eliminate two of the strongest players before the merge (I've been saying all along that if James makes it to the merge, he could dominate like no other Survivor in history), and making it to where they will hopefully have equal numbers at the merge, many things could still disrupt their game plan. Additionally, their strategy has been revealed to their entire current tribe, and Jeff Probst could reveal it to the other tribe at a challenge. If the other tribe knows that they are attempting to throw the challenge, and realizes WHY they are attempting to throw the challenge, they could decide to follow in the same path. Who knows?

My thoughts though on loving this episode...seeing people actually make moves and strategize is intriguing. Whether you like the moves they make or not, it is interesting TV. Granted, it would have been nice to have Aaron on my TV screen for a while longer, because he is very easy on the eyes and I am a shallow bitch...but would I rather have a pretty boy sticking around and not really making interesting moves or attempting to change the course of the game, or would I rather see some real drama taking place? I go for the drama. At least, as long as I'm not personally involved. LOL.

So for me, strategy wins, hands down.

You May Have Noticed...

...that every day or two, I post a snippet of a song lyric down at the bottom of my main blog page. Why do I do this? I don't know. Because I can! LOL. Or because it is a song that I'm listening to that day, or a lyric that speaks to me based on something in my life, or it is just something that I like. There are countless reasons that I do it.

I have featured lyrics from INXS, U2, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Blue October, Cheap Trick and other bands so far. Who knows what I'll feature next? I certainly don't!

Anyways, if you want to know what I'm listening to, what I'm feeling, or what has struck my fancy, scroll down to the bottom of the page each time you visit and check it out.

The Infinite Wisdom of Yogi Berra and Other Baseball Legends

Since we're in the middle of playoff baseball, I thought I'd take a look at some quotes from one of baseball's legends, Mr. Yogi Berra. One thing it seems you could always count on from him was a good sound bite, and something that would make you laugh. A few of my favorites:

• "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future."
• "You can observe a lot by watching."
• "If you come to a fork in the road, take it."
• "Congratulations. I knew the record would stand until it was broken."
• "We made too many wrong mistakes."
• "It ain't over 'til its over."

You've got to love him. How could you not? With classics like these, he will forever live in my heart. Oh yeah, and he was a great baseball player too!

Some other classic baseball quotes:

• "I never did say that you can't be a nice guy and win. I said that if I was playing third base and my mother rounded third with the winning run, I'd trip her up." - Leo Durocher
• "Fans don't boo nobodies." - Reggie Jackson
• "Concentration is the ability to think about absolutely nothing when it is absolutely necessary." - Ray Knight
• "The secret of successful managing is to keep the five guys who hate you away from the four guys who haven't made up their minds." - Casey Stengal
• "If you don't win, you're going to be fired. If you do win, you've only put off the day you're going to be fired." - Leo Durocher
• "I don't want them to forget Babe Ruth. I just want them to remember me!" - Hank Aaron
• "Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many players on the field?" - Jim Boulton
• "Show me a guy who's afraid to look bad, and I'll show you a guy you can beat every time." - Lou Brock
• "You can learn little from victory. You can learn everything from defeat." - Christy Mathewson
• "The trouble is not that players have sex the night before a game. It's that they stay out all night looking for it." - Casey Stengal

Batter up!

Elizabeth The Golden Age

I went to see it this afternoon. And yes, I really enjoyed it. Was it as good as the first film? It could easily be argued that it is not...but it is still a very well made film. The costumes and sets are breathtakingly gorgeous, the acting is superb, and the direction is excellent. My chief complaint would actually be in the writing and the overall plot of the film. The first film followed history very closely, but the film kept you in constant suspense, consistently having the action build. All components of the film heightened the drama. In this sequel, I found that there were things included which could have made the overall film a bit stronger at times, because they almost took away from the intensity.

However, this should be strong enough to garner Cate Blanchett another nomination for the Oscar for Best Actress. I'm not sure how stiff the competition will be this year, but if it is a year without any other serious contenders, she will likely win. Clive Owen was phenomenal as Sir Walter Raleigh. As a history buff, and one who is fascinated by Mary Queen of Scots, I was a bit disappointed that there was not more focus on her within the context of the story. Nothing was told about why she was imprisoned really, and there was also little focus on her claim to the throne of England. I would have liked to see a bit more of her. Oh well. No one asked me!

Anyways, go see this film! If you are at all interested in English History, or even just a good historical film, you will not be disappointed. Blanchett pulls off the role of the regal Queen of England like no one else I could imagine.

Oh yeah, and showing my shallow side...Clive Owen is HOT!

Poll #1 Results, Unveiling Poll #2

So, the first poll that I posted for my readers to take part in was rather general...which band's lyrics do you love the most? And seeing as how a large part of my readership are my fellow INXS fans from RockBandLounge.com, it is not too terribly surprising that INXS won! I think it should be noted though, that U2 and Blue October also received votes. Anyways, congratulations to INXS for the win!

My next poll is all about One Hit Wonders. I'm starting with some from the 80's, as several of my personal favorites are from that decade. Vote for your favorite, and leave a comment here to discuss! Are there some you think I should have included but left off? Or maybe let me know why your favorite is your favorite. Enjoy!

Thank You and Goodbye

Well, Lennex has released their new single to their MySpace page. Take a listen at Lennex's MySpace page. I personally love it, and hope that it is a sign of how good the album will be. DirtyPhil and the boys have done good!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Today, October 15, is Blog Action Day; a day when bloggers all over the world will be blogging about ways we can all aid in the protection of our environment. I've always been a proponent of finding ways to reduce consumption of our resources, reusing those things which can be reused, and recycling. In fact, if I remember correctly, I once did an elementary school science fair project that used Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle as its title, so I think it is only fitting for this to be what I blog about. In fact, in a lot of ways, these are the three easiest things we can ALL do that can make a difference!

What are ways that you can reduce? Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Shut down the computer if you aren't going to be using it for an hour or longer (they used to say that it took more power to restart it than it did to leave it running, but that is no longer the case!) Unplug coffee makers, toasters, and other such appliances other than when they are in use. Wash dishes by hand in the sink (with a sink full of hot, soapy water) instead of using the dish washer. Print on the fronts and backs of each page of paper. Take 5 minutes less time in the shower than you currently do. Many appliances out there today are designed to be energy efficient, so the next time you need to replace one, look for the Energy Star label. Look for Energy Star light bulbs the next time you shop for them...they use 75% less energy, and last up to 10x as long!

How can you reuse? Wash and save empty plastic containers from the grocery store for storing leftovers. Instead of trashing papers that are printed on one side, use them for scrap paper. If old clothes and furniture are still in good shape, donate them to Goodwill, the United Way, the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Use cardboard boxes for storage organization. For more ideas, take a look at Wikipedia on reusing.

What about recycling? Not too many years ago, recycling could be a bit of a hassle. In order to recycle, you had to have various boxes and containers in your garage in order to sort things out. After you had them sorted, you had to take each item to be recycled to a different collection point. Some offered a small stipend for your recyclables, but most were just voluntary. It honestly was more trouble than a lot of people were willing to go through. But times have changed. Most cities offer recycling pickup along with garbage pickup. Some still ask that recyclables be sorted, but most just ask that they be rinsed out and placed in a proper collection bin. So what can you recycle? It depends on the facilities nearby you, but these days many items are recyclable: paper, glass, plastics, cardboard, and aluminum are the most common for collection. Also, many types of batteries can be recycled. Ink and toner cartridges can be recycled. Tires and other rubbers can often be recycled. Look here for more info and ideas: Wikipedia on recycling.

Do you have to do any of these things? No. But if we all make an effort to do at least a few of these things, we can make a big difference for the future.

New Lennex Tune!

That's right. Sometime today, we are supposed to have access to a brand spanking new Lennex song, called "Thank You and Goodbye." It should be showing up on their MySpace page at some point today, though it is not there yet at this point. Yes, I checked. LOL. A few times. I want to hear it, and I know you do too!

Keep checking in here: Lennex's MySpace

Vaccinations for NASCAR?!?!?!

Seriously? Seriously?!?!?!?! From an article on Yahoo News:

"In an e-mail, a staffer who works for committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., noted an "unusual need for whomever attending to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B," as well as "the more normal things — tetanus, diphtheria, and of course, seasonal influenza.""

Well, Representative Thompson, I seriously wonder what you are thinking? Are you attempting to say that NASCAR fans are more likely to be carrying these diseases? That is the only logical explanation I can come up with for such an assinine statement. And I can't help but wonder why you would happen to think that these fans would be so much more likely to be carrying these diseases than the average person in the South.

Is it because they are "rednecks"? Or maybe it is because you are certain that they lack the education necessary to have a knowledge of such diseases and immunizations. No wait! I know...I bet it was because you assume that these diseases are spread by simple contact with "simple" people, right?

Getting special immunizations before international travel is a common thing, primarily because in various parts of the world, some diseases are more prevalent than they are here. But this was not for international travel, it was for domestic travel. In fact, I would imagine that a number of Representative Thompson's constituents are some of those NASCAR fans whom he feels such a disdain for.

Mr. Thompson, that was both uncalled for and tacky. I would say that you owe NASCAR and their fans an apology.

Right Brain vs. Left Brain

Do you know if you are more right brained or more left brained? Do you care? LOL. I am always intrigued in how the human mind works, and what makes one person a talented musician while another person can be an engineer.

Take a look at this website and watch the dancing lady. Which direction is she turning, clockwise or counter clockwise? Based on that, read the article and it will explain a bit about the way our brains operate.

If you still want to know more, you can go to this site and take a brief quiz. It will help you to determine if you operate more from your left brain or from your right brain.

Personally, while I can operate in my left brain...I am much more comfortable while operating out of my right brain. My imagination tends to run rampant at times, and I enjoy creating things.

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others. Left Brain Dominance: (3) Right Brain Dominance: (12) Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

You Should Know These Bands!

I am a big music fan. You may have noticed that, based on so many of my blogs being related to music. In recent years, I have *discovered* a number of bands and singers...some of them are nationally/internationally known, others are only locally known, but all of them are bands that I love. This is my way of giving them a little shout out...and encouraging more people to get to know their music!

Storm and the Balls are one of the best out of Portland, Oregon. Storm participated in the series Rock Star: Supernova, and her song "Ladylike" became an overnight sensation. Her Balls are serious rockers, having formerly been in the bands Everclear and Motherload. Their live shows are a mixture of original music and "mash-ups" of who knows what it will be each time. Listen for more here: Storm and the Balls on MySpace

Blue October is a band from Texas that is finally starting to get a little more attention in areas other than Texas. Not your typical rock band (they have a violin in the lineup), their sound is infectious and their lyrics are heartfelt and poignant. Check them out on their MySpace page: Blue October on MySpace.

Lennex is led by bobble-headed front man dirtyPhil Ritchie, also of Rock Star: Supernova fame. Based in Ocean City, Maryland, Lennex are a down and dirty hardworking rock band. And yes, occasionally dirtyPhil will WHIP IT OUT to the delight of fans...the trumpet, of course. He whips the trumpet out. Take a listen! Lennex on MySpace

Flickerstick is DFW area band that got national attention several years ago as the winners of the VH1 show, Bands on the Run. The influences they list range from Pink Floyd to The Flaming Lips to Jagermeister (and yes, they mean what you think they mean). These boys always put on a good show, which is good since they are almost always touring. You can hear more at Flickerstick on MySpace.

Zayra Alvarez came to fame on Rock Star: Supernova as the wacky Latina chica who was sure to put on a show. Her unusual fashion choices somehow seemed to mirror her outlandish ways of performing classic rock songs, but somehow, she made us want to see more. Her original music is hauntingly beautiful and eclectic, and is well worth a listen. Oh yeah, and she is also friends with the Blue October boys and has sung backup on some of their music! More here: Zayra on MySpace.

Calhoun again is a Dallas area band with an unusual indie rock sound. On stage, they tend to take on the mood of the crowd to which they are playing, making each live performance a truly unique experience. Check 'em out! Calhoun on MySpace

Ryan Star is a singer and songwriter who knows how to rock. His music can typically be played all on the piano or the guitar and his lyrics are both touching and thoughtful, even those that are occasionally disturbing. Based out of New York, he gained popularity on Rock Star: Supernova before signing his own record deal. Listen in : Ryan Star on MySpace

Miser is a hard rock band out of Dallas that has begun to gain widespread acclaim due to their phenomenal cover of The Cranberries' "Zombie". Boasting a solid rhythm section and vocals that both bite and take flight, Miser is a band that you can't afford to miss. Go here for more: Miser on MySpace

Magni has proven that Iceland rocks! His performance on Rock Star: Supernova took his fame from being primarily within Iceland to having fans across the world. He can sing anything from a gentle melody to a hard rock/metal anthem, and does it all with a sense of humor. His music is newly available on iTunes, and you can get a preview of it here: Magni on MySpace

Burden Brothers is another Dallas area band, this one formed by former members of Dallas band The Toadies. If you were a fan of the Toadies, you will like Burden Brothers as well! They have a similar feel with an updated sound that really works. Listen in for more: Burden Brothers on MySpace

Juke Kartel are an Aussie band that know how to have a good time! Lead singer Toby Rand gained the band an international fan base after his stint on Rock Star: Supernova, but the boys in Oz were not too disappointed to see him come back to them. They were invited to open for Supernova on tour, and have gone on their own tour in the US as well. The world is eagerly awaiting their new music...but listen to what they've already recorded here: Juke Kartel on MySpace

Mothers Anthem are an Austin-based band with a message. Rock music underscores lyrics designed to inspire and lift the listener up. They may be new to the scene, but they are preparing to take the scene by storm. Listen here for more: Mothers Anthem on MySpace

Suzie McNeil learned on Rock Star: INXS that while she may have been technically the best singer, she was not the best for INXS. However, she has rebounded from that show with a debut album. The Canadian songstress offers catchy tunes backed by a powerful voice. Check her out. Suzie McNeil on MySpace

RadioRadio is an indie band from Tulsa, OK brought to my attention by my friend soonergurl8. They combine rock music and a dance feel for a unique sound all their own, but one you can't forget. Take a listen: RadioRadio on MySpace

Brave Combo is a Denton New-Wave polka band. Yes, New-Wave polka. They've been together for nearly 30 years, and have won multiple Grammy's for their efforts. What exactly, you may ask, IS New-Wave polka? Well, if you want to know, you need to listen. Check them out on MySpace: Brave Combo on MySpace

Holding Mercury is the new band fronted by Chicago's Rock Star: Supernova hopeful, Matt Hoffer. What do they sound like? Well, I don't know that I can put a label on it. I'll just say that I like what I've heard, and I can't wait to hear more. Hopefully they will have an album out soon. Listen in here: Holding Mercury on MySpace

Josh Logan combines rock, soul, and r&b music to achieve his unique sound. Part Stevie Wonder, part Pearl Jam, Josh makes it seem easy to combine so many styles into one. Gaining popularity on Rock Star: Supernova, Josh refused to compromise his own strengths and style, his musical integrity, in order to win. Wanna know more? Click here: Josh Logan on MySpace

Poor Brit...

She's really made a mess of things, hasn't she? The latest blow has been speculation that KFed accused her of spousal abuse, hence the judge's ruling barring her from spanking her children. Who knows whether this is truth or not. I really hope that someone, somewhere is able to get through to her and help her to see what's really important in life, what is real.

But in the meanwhile, I've been having more than a few laughs lately at her expense. Yes, I am an evil bitch. You can go ahead and say it...I completely acknowledge this. Anyways, James at War has a fantabulous parody out there of Nickelback's "I Wanna Be a Rock Star" called "I Wanna be a Pop Star." Thanks to cancon for tipping me off to this the other day on RockBandLounge.com. Here are the lyrics:

I’m through with livin in trailers
With my pushy Mom
I’m only nine and she makes me put make-up on
So I’ll grant her her wish
And I won’t stop ‘till I’m on TV
(Tell me what you want)
I want a brand new nose
And a cleft in my chin
And some breast implants I’ll deny I put in
And a tea cup poodle that I’m
Always carryin with me
(Yea, So what you need)
I need a good producer ‘cause you know I can’t sing
And a lawyer who can get me out of anything
Gonna date Justin Timberlake
To gain some credibility
(Who hasn’t done that)
I want my own perfume and clothing line
It’s all made in sweatshops but that’s just fine
I’ll give the child laborers
A signed copy of my CD
(So how you gonna do it?)
I’m gonna restablish the mousekateers
Start my new life wearin those mickey ears
‘Cause we all just wanna be big Pop Stars
Start out innocent to get my fanbase large
My listeners will be people in their tweens
And old perverts who can’t wait ‘till I turn eighteen
And my first hit will be a Disney song
But my good girl image won’t last too long
My first album just has some innuendo
But by my third album I’ll act like a full blown ho
And well…Hey, Hey, I wanna be a Pop Star
Hey, Hey, I wanna be a Pop Star
I wanna be generic, let the media lead me
Gonna sing canned music that my label feeds me
Oversaturate the market‘till everyone’s sick of me
(Oh trust me it’ll happen)
I’m gonna dress myself without an ounce of class
Gonna Make the boys all drool and stare at my glasses
Gonna hang out with the laughing stock
Of society
(So how you gonna do it?)
I’m gonna lose all sense
Of decency
And sell out all of myIntegrity
‘Cause we all just wanna be big Pop Stars
Papparrazzi getting pictures of my implant scars
I’ll sleep through the days, and party all night long
It’s hard to remember to put panties on
And my male fans will all feel really crushed
When those photos leak that haven’t been airbrushed
I’ll marry a loser who just wants my fame
And I’ll divorce his sorry butt the very next day
Then I’ll drop a hint that I’m a lesbian
Hoping that’ll jump start my lame career again
I’ll pose for magazines like FHM and Marie Claire
Tell ‘em ‘bout how I’m a Christian in my underwear,well
Hey, Hey, I wanna be a Pop Star
I’m gonna have some babies and then I’ll neglect ‘em
Hit my mid-life crisis when I’m 27
Make sure I’m drunk before I start to drive
Get caught lip syncin on Saturday Night Live
Well we all just wanna be big Pop Stars
Make abysmal movies and wreck fifteen cars
I’ll check into rehab after hitting that tree
I’ll check out early but be back next week
And they’ll finally put me behind bars
With a real short sentence since I am a star
The tabloids will tell ‘em that I’ve lost my flair
When the pressures gets to much I’ll just shave my hair
But I’ll work hard to get my life on track
And my fans will all start to accept me back
I’m back on top and sellin’ out my shows
Until my ex releases our sex videos, well
Hey, Hey, I wanna be a Pop Star
Hey, Hey, I wanna be a Pop Star

And yes...there is a video! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uSlqI1AVUk

If that's not enough, a band called Nickel Arcade out of Portland, Oregon has a song out called "I Hope That There's Vodka in Heaven." Lyrics:

she was a school girl title wave
jail bait on parade
mtv, vh1, pop culture icon power, fame, fortune too
timberlake, fake boobs
madonna kiss, crossroads trip
then she had like 50 kids.
living like she's on the run
out late, having fun
married kevin federline
her life started to decline
lip sync conspiracy
big gulp dependency
cheetos, cinnabon
looks like aguilera won
i hope that there's vodka in heaven
marb-light tree's and no car seats
and a stage
i hope that there's vodka in heaven
she lived and she died
the britney spears way
hotness began to go down
bad skin, teeth brown
shaved head, belly grows
butt like a wet bag of clothes
attacked a paparazzo's car
showed off her c-section scar
auto crash, rehab
lost her kids to dead beat dad t
hen one night at a skeezy club
dancing turned to making love
she rolled over on a tick
got Lyme disease, got really sick
a few weeks later britney died
nobody cared nobody cried
now that earths
a brit-free zone
everyone can LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!! RIGHT NOW!!!

Wanna hear the song? Check it out on Nickel Arcade's MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/nickelarcadesucks.

Someone...please...help her wake up and smell the roses before this actually happens. But in the meanwhile, thanks to James at War and Nickel Arcade for the laughs.

And thanks to the amazing Storm Large of Storm and the Balls and Rock Star: Supernova fame for tipping me and countless others off to the Nickel Arcade song!

Writing Yourself

In Literature, we are strongly discouraged from assuming that the main character or narrator of a piece is the author himself. In fiction, a writer has to create a personality, a persona, which fits the story that they want to tell. Often though, if you look at the life of the author, you will see a number of similarities between the writer and the character. Those similarities certainly don't mean that the character IS the author or vice-versa, but it can often cause me to question where the line is. At what point does the character separate himself from the writer (or is it the writer who separates himself from the character)? I certainly know from my own writing that it would not be as powerful as it is or communicate the message that I am attempting to convey if the characters did not have a little bit of me in them. On the other hand, if the characters were me entirely, my writing would be very boring! I am not all that exciting a person. So how much of a writer is present in their characters, and in their works? This is an idea that intrigues me. When reading Don Juan or another poem by Lord Byron, with a Byronic Hero, is it safe to assume that the Byronic Hero is Byron himself? Not exactly. Though he was described to be "Mad, bad, and dangerous to know," this isn't exactly what a Byronic Hero is. When looking at poetry such as "Daddy" by Sylvia Plath, can we assume that the speaker is Plath herself? Not exactly. While there are certainly a lot of similarities we can draw between Plath and the speaker, they are not expressly one and the same, for certain. In music, the same questions appear. Is the lyricist the one speaking, or is it a persona that they have adopted who is speaking? This, it seems, depends largely on the lyricist.

Former INXS frontman Michael Hutchence was one who liked to write lyrics that could be interpreted in a number of ways, to mean a number of things, depending on who was reading them. They may have started out as a very personal experience or thought, but he worked to turn them into something universal. While he certainly achieved that, how much of himself did he leave in the songs? On the band's album Elegantly Wasted, Andrew Farriss said that Michael was in a very different "head space" than what he typically would be, and his lyrics were far more about what he was dealing with in his personal life than usual. Songs such as "I'm Just a Man" and "Searching" certainly point to this, especially when considered in relation to his life circumstances at the time.

U2's Bono began to adopt a persona through which to sing at some point possibly as early as the 1988 album Rattle and Hum, but certainly by the 1991 album Achtung Baby. The lyrics on that album began to touch too closely to his real life, and he found them too personal to be able to perform them as himself. At that point, he became The Fly for the ZooTV tour, and was able to sing those lyrics as someone other than himself. Each persona he has adopted over the years has shown itself not only in his dress, but also in the voice he uses to sing the lyrics. By being someone other than himself, Bono is able to sing about himself.

Taking a look at a newer band and singer, Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October writes intensely personal lyrics and attempts to take himself back to the moment he wrote them when he performs live. When the band first began to write songs, Justin took his personal journal and diary entries and turned those into songs. His lyrics speak of addictions, mental breakdowns, anger, and so much more.

Even knowing how intensely personal these lyrics are by these singers, can we assume that they are entirely THAT PERSON? I think that it is doing them a disservice to make that assumption, because while they may have come from a very personal place, an intense part of their lives...there is so much more to them. We can't know everything there is to know about Michael Hutchence or Bono or Justin Furstenfeld by listening to their lyrics. We can however relate to the emotions which their lyrics express. Just as in poetry, we can find things within the song which touches us on some level and take from it what we will.

Will Elizabeth be Golden?

On Friday, a new film will be opening in theaters: Elizabeth The Golden Age. I am probably looking forward to this movie than I have any movie in quite a while. Cate Blanchett will be reprising the role which should have won her an Oscar for her 1998 performance in Elizabeth. I still get upset over that one. Granted, even though I enjoyed Shakespeare in Love, I am not a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow. I thought she stole that one right out of Blanchett's hands.

Needless to say I am thrilled that she will be returning to the same role. Not only that, but Shekhar Kapur returned to direct, and Geoffrey Rush is returning to his role as Sir Francis Walsingham. This is a team that, with the right script, could (and should) turn it into an Oscar for Blanchett, even if it is nearly 10 years late in coming.

I hope that the film lives up to its promise. I will be more than a little bit upset if they let me down.

This sequel to the first film will focus on an era approximatly 30 years after Elizabeth. Clive Owen will be joining the cast to tackle the role of Sir Walter Raleigh, and viewers will also be treated to Samantha Morton in the role of Mary Stuart, better known as Mary, Queen of Scots. I would imagine that the film will tackle, at least in part, the rivalry between Elizabeth and Mary, and I am interested to see the spin Kapur puts on that relationship.

Denton Photos, Part Two: Downtown

While I was driving around, I decided to start with taking photos of Denton's historic Courthouse on the Square and the buildings around the Square. The original courthouse burned down, so this was Denton's second Courthouse. These days, it is primarily used as a museum, as we have a new Courthouse for actual business affairs. The Courthouse on the Square is still the scene for many city and county events though, and is the heart of Denton.







Outside the Courthouse, a War Memorial was erected by the County a little over ten years ago.



Standing by the street is an archway, with a statue and dedication to the Confederate soldier. Yes, Texas was part of the Confederacy, and yes, there were soldiers fighting in the war from Denton.



All around the Square are buildings butted up together against each other. The four streets surrounding the Courthouse are all one-way streets. Many of the businesses on the Square have been there for a very long time. Evers Hardware has been housed there for more than 100 years. Other businesses have become staples of the Downtown experience over the years, such as the Fine Arts Building, and Denton County Independent Hamburger Company. The overall atmosphere on the Denton Square is that of an Old-Timey, Small-Town feel, even though Denton is far from still being a small town anymore!

The old Opera House is no more, but the building is still a prominent one in Denton. Recycled Books has resided in the lower part of the building for as long as most can remember, and the upper level has been made into apartments and office spaces. It's trademark lilac color makes it impossible for anyone to either miss it, or to forget it!




Just a block away from the Square is the old Police Station. They have since moved into a newer building as well, but the former building still stands. It is now used as a part of City Hall.

When taking most of these photos, I had my camera on a setting I had not used before. I find that once I got home and edited my photos, it really was perfect for shooting these older buildings. It gives them an old feel, even more so than what they would have in a straight shot. Also, I played a bit with the color in some of them to further enhance that old feeling.

Denton Photos, Part One: Storm Clouds

I knew that there were thunderstorms headed our way today, and I've been wanting to get out and practice using my camera. I want to learn how to use it for more than just your typical snapshot...how to use the different settings and features, in order to get the best possible shot. And I love the look that clouds have when thunderstorms are just about to begin. So, I waited until the sky looked right, took my camera, got in my truck, and headed into town for some shooting. Here are some of the clouds that we had today, in all their glory.

Filtering Critiques

In my Creative Writing class last week, I presented a short story that I've recently written titled "Dear Diary." Much like the last time I presented a piece, I got a lot of feedback. Tons of feedback. Maybe too much feedback. I'm really honored that the class is spending so much time talking about the pieces I present...it makes me think that they really like them and feel like they have a lot of promise. But at the same time, it is hard to really determine what parts of those suggestions I should actually try to incorporate into the story, and which ones I need to disregard.

I know that some of what was said would work really well in the story, in theory at least, but I have to question each thing before I try to do it. Will it actually push the story to where it is almost reaching but not quite? How will it affect the characterization of my heroine? Does that stick completely to the theme that I've set forth? There are so many factors in play, and the story really does balance on a fine line. I think that if I find a way to include some of these suggestions, that line will be even finer...which would be a good thing in the story. Primarily, I want there to be more questioning at the end of what my heroine decided to do. Some people questioned, and they brought up the reasons why they questioned. But others were very certain, based on the clues I had given them, which decision she had made. I want to make it harder for them to be certain...I want them to question. I really need to dive deeper into her head, and make it more realistic for her to have chosen either path.

The idea for this short story actually stemmed from music. I was doing some freewriting while listening to music for inspiration, and the song "Hurt" by Johnny Cash came on. Yes, I know that it was written by Trent Reznor and originally recorded by Nine Inch Nails. But when Johnny Cash sang "Hurt," it truly became a Johnny Cash song. He gives so much life to the song, and really makes you feel the pain of the lyrics. I began to wonder what would have to happen to a person, what would they have had to live through, in order to reach that level of desperation. "I hurt myself today to see if I still feel. I focus on the pain, the only thing that's real." What could be so bad that you don't even know if you're alive anymore? So the ideas started formulating in my mind as I continued to listen to the song. It ends with "If I could start again a million miles away, I would keep myself. I would find a way." This person has completely lost who they were, they are completely engulfed in the pain of whatever has happened to them and is just existing. They don't feel anything anymore, other than pain. And "Dear Diary" was born.

It still needs a lot of work, if it is going to really achieve what I set out to achieve with it. Like I said before, I have to go deeper into her mind, deeper into her pain, deeper into her anguish. It has to be believable. Right now, it is almost there, but there is something missing. I have to figure out what, if anything, out of the feedback I've been given will fill that void. The rest, I need to forget about, because it is so close to that point already.

U2 vs. INXS: The Careers

An idea was presented at RockBandLounge.com recently of comparing/contrasting the careers of my two favorite bands, U2 and INXS. I've actually thought about it a number of times, though I've never actually sat down and looked at them both side by side. Even with just casual observation though, there can be no denying that up until 1997 when the world lost Michael Hutchence, the paths that these two bands travelled were eerily similar.

Consider these thoughts for example. The lead singers of both bands did not begin as what you would consider natural lead singers; they became the lead singer by default, since they could not play an instrument. Both bands formed in the late 1970's and released their first albums in 1980 (Boy by U2, INXS by INXS). Each of the two bands released their second albums in 1981 (October by U2, Underneath the Colours by INXS). With the release of their third albums (Shabooh Shoobah by INXS in 1982 and War by U2 in 1983), the two bands began to show more of their true promise as future world wide musical giants, and began to really broaden their fan base. Their fourth albums (The Swing by INXS and The Unforgettable Fire by U2), both released in 1984 showed a bit more of an experimental side and more depth to their prospective lyricists' prowess. INXS released a fifth album in 1985 (Listen Like Thieves) that launched their first truly big hit in America while U2 took a bit more time touring following The Unforgettable Fire. Both bands hit the recording studio to work on what would become the best selling albums of their careers. In 1987, each band released their best known (and likely best loved) albums to date (The Joshua Tree by U2 and Kick by INXS), each of which have been certified 10x Platinum by the RIAA. By the release of the 1987 albums, both Bono and Michael Hutchence had not only found their true singing voices and blossomed vocally, but they had grown into truly gifted lyricists.

Those similarities only bring us to 1987, yet it does not stop there. While there are still many likenesses between their respective careers in the 1990's, the peaks and valleys begin to occur at different times. Following U2's ground breaking album The Joshua Tree, they toured for more than two years - filming and recording Rattle and Hum while on the road (released in 1988). At the end of 1989, Bono announced to a crowd that the band was going to take a break for a while and "dream it all up again." This sparked countless rumors that U2 was breaking up and there would be no more new music. While the rumors didn't prove to be true, it was the end to the U2 that people knew at the time as the band became far more experimental in the 1990's.

Following the massive tour behind Kick, INXS took to the studio, recorded X which was released in 1990, and hit the road again. In 1991, they played at Wembley Stadium, filming this feat for posterity, which was later released as Live Baby Live. X has often been heavily compared to Kick, and many would say that it was not a step forward from where they had been with Kick, but it still sparked several hits and sold a number of records. What it did not do, was take them to higher heights than they had experienced with Kick. In 1992, INXS released another album, Welcome to Wherever You Are. The tracks were a bit more experimental than what we had heard from them on the previous two albums, but as they did not tour following the album's release but instead went back into the studio to record another album, sales suffered. While recording Full Moon, Dirty Hearts, the band produced some of their most experimental tracks ever, partially in response to the growing "grunge" music scene that was changing the landscape of radio. Sales of Full Moon, Dirty Hearts could be considered dismal at best, in relation to the rest of the band's catalogue. INXS took a much needed break following a poorly promoted tour.

U2 went back into the studio in 1991 after some time off, re-evaluating where they were headed as a band. For the first time in their career, they truly struggled in the studio while trying to record their next album, as they couldn't quite settle on what direction they wanted to go. Eventually, through massive turmoil which nearly broke the band apart, they managed to find a sound that seemed to work, and Achtung Baby was born. The album was released in 1991 and caused widespread confusion amongst their long time fans. The sound of this album was completely different from anything they had ever done before, and some were not sure they liked it. However, it became a critical darling and attracted many more fans for the band who liked the new direction U2 was headed. Eventually, Achtung Baby sold nearly as many copies as The Joshua Tree, and U2 launched their largest tour to date. Zoo TV took on a life of its own, and became a monstrous 3 year long undertaking. In the middle of the tour, the band took what was supposed to be a 4 month break, but turned into a 4 month recording session. Zooropa was the result. Zooropa took their new sound and amplified it, and it confused many. A large number of fans were not quite sure what to think of this *new* U2 and Zooropa, though it too was a critical success. Following the mammoth Zoo TV tour, U2 took a much needed and much deserved break.

1997 marked the year that both U2 and INXS again released new music. U2 tried to determine how they could follow up the huge success of not only the Joshua Tree tour, but the monster that was Zoo TV. They decided to stage something even bigger than Zoo TV, if that were possible, and formulated the idea for PopMart. In their excitement, they sold tickets to the tour before completing the album. Unfortunately for U2, the Pop album did not come together as easily as they had hoped, and they had to rush to complete the album before they began their tour. Many would consider Pop to be their weakest album since the very early albums, and it is lacking in the youthful exuberance which makes those early albums so endearing. Sales of Pop were lower than any album since their second, October. Additionally, the PopMart tour had many technical difficulties in the early days of the tour, leaving some fans disappointed and questioning what was happening to what once was considered to be the "best band in the world." Following their break, INXS returned to the studio with fresh ideas and an excitement to get back out there. Elegantly Wasted showed a revived energy in Andrew's music, and a very introspective Michael through his lyrics. While the album showed a return to the heart of what INXS was all about, and to the formula which had always provided the band with success, sales of Elegantly Wasted did not really improve over Full Moon, Dirty Hearts though, and the tour was not as successful as the band could have desired. On November 22, 1997, Michael's life came to an end.

U2 finished the PopMart tour, and determined to never shoot themselves in the foot the way they had on that album and tour. Additionally, they decided as a group that if they got back into the studio and couldn't make what they considered to be a great album, they would call it a day. They re-entered the studio and recorded All That You Can't Leave Behind, relased in 2000. The album, once again, showed a reinvented sound and a new direction for Bono's lyrics. Some critics hailed the album as U2's third masterpiece (alongside The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby), and the band earned multiple awards for the album. The tour was a resounding success. In 2004, they released How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, again introducing the world to yet another version of U2. The tour had to be cut shorter than the band had originally intended, though, as The Edge discovered that one of his daughters was very ill. While some fans were disgruntled over how the fanclub presales were handled, the tour was still highly successful.
After Michael's death, the rest of the members of INXS took some time to mourn and to determine what his death meant for the future of the band. They all determined that they were still a band and still wanted to make music together. Initially, they had various singers sing with them for different events. Jon Stevens spent a period of several years singing with INXS, though he was not a perfect fit.

In 2005, INXS took a career-changing chance. They performed a world-wide search for their new lead singer...on reality television. Rock Star: INXS debuted in July with 15 hopefuls singing for their chance to front Our Band: INXS. On September 21, 2005 they were finally complete again, selecting JD Fortune to become the new member of the band. Their new album, Switch, was released in November of 2005, garnering higher sales than any of their albums since X in 1990. Following the release of the album, they ventured out on a nearly 2 year long tour, with sell out shows all around the world, playing to new and old fans alike.
Looking at the careers of these two bands over the last 30 years, it is striking how well they line up. Both bands grew in the quality of their product over the same time frame, building larger and larger fan bases as they went. The pinnacle of their careers occurred at the same time. Following that, each band faced some set backs, but persevered and are still enjoying great success today, even though it may not be in the same way as they did back in their hey days.

It's no wonder why I love these bands both so much. They are bands that produce great sounding music, music with a message, music that touches the heart. And they also give so much of themselves to their fans, through that music. I feel truly blessed that the two bands that I have loved the most in my life are still out there, making new music, good music, live music...and sharing that with all of us.

Politics and Religion in U2's Music

At RockBandLounge.com, a recent discussion has been the mixing of politics and music, with a primary example offered by those who are very much against said mixing being that done by Bono and U2. Now, I am very much aware that not everyone is going to agree with their politics (often, myself included). Similarly, there are those who say the same about religion and music...that if they wanted to hear songs about God, they would go to church. My question to these people though, is how could you know much of any of the music put out by U2 and not realize that political issues and religion are two of the primary components that go into their music? If it is so prevalent in the music, why would you not expect those things to be emphasized in a live concert setting?

U2 is an Irish band...and Ireland is a country with a long history of political and religious stife. Bono's lyrics are about what is important to him, about what he is thinking and seeing and feeling because of the world around him. And as they have grown in popularity and travelled the world, they have seen the political issues all around the world. All of that has found a way into their music, and in exchange, into their live shows.

U2 songs focusing on/dealing with politics, or having a political element (not an exhaustive list):

A Celebration, A Sort of Homecoming, Acrobat, Bullet the Blue Sky, Desire, Fast Cars, God Part II, I Will Follow, If God Will Send His Angels, Like a Song, Love and Peace or Else, Miss Sarajevo, Mothers of the Disappeared, New Year's Day, New York, October, One, One Tree Hill, Peace on Earth, Please, Pride (In the Name of Love), Rejoice, Seconds, Silver and Gold, Staring at the Sun, Stranger in a Strange Land, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Refugee, The Wanderer, Van Diemen's Land, Walk On

U2 songs focusing on/dealing with religion, or having a religious element (again, not a comprehensive list):

40, A Celebration, Acrobat, All Because of You, All I Want is You, Always, Bullet the Blue Sky, Drowning Man, Exit, Fire, Gloria, God Part II, Grace, Hawkmoon 269, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, I Will Follow, If God Will Send His Angels, In a Little While, In God's Country, Like a Song, Love and Peace or Else, Miracle Drug, Miss Sarajevo, Mofo, Mysterious Ways, One, Peace on Earth, Please, Red Hill Mining Town, Rejoice, Scarlet, Shadows and Tall Trees, The First Time, The Three Sunrises, The Wanderer, Vertigo, Wake Up Dead Man, Walk On, When Love Comes to Town, Window in the Skies, With a Shout, With or Without You, Yahweh

Many of the songs listed above fall into both categories, both politics and religion. These things are an intrinsic part of who the members of U2 are, and also what U2 the band is all about. If you stripped the politics and the religion out of U2's music, would it even be worth listening to anymore? What would they be saying? U2 has always been a band with a message...

Since they are such integral components of U2's music, I would think that they would be remiss if they left some sort of statement out of their live concerts to that effect. Should the whole concert be about their political views and their religion? Of course not. But I feel that they have struck a good balance in how to present it within the context of the concert experience. By and large, their political message is present during one or two performances of songs during a set. They end each concert, typically, with one of the songs they end their albums with...songs which speak directly to God. Fans of the band who are not intrested in the political message typically know when it is coming, and it is more often done in a visual manner than in an auditory manner (i.e. images on the screens during a song), so they could close their eyes during that time, or just simply watch the band and not the screens. Fans who aren't interested in the religious message can enjoy the close of the set can interpret those songs in another manner, which is possible with virtually all of those songs. Bono leaves his lyrics open for whatever interpretation a person chooses to place on them... The point is though, that if a person is even a relative fan of the band, they should be aware of the political and religious themes prevalent in their music and not be shocked, surprised, or otherwise turned off by a bit of it cropping up in a concert situation. If they did not include some of that in their performances, they would not be being true to who they are as a band.

Anyways, take that all as you will. I'm sure I will not convince anyone of the opposing opinion to change theirs...I just think it should all be laid out there.