Phase8
"Expanding Realms" circa 1981-84
"In a similar way, At the end of today, I could feel the sound of writing on
the wall, It cries for you, It's the least that you can do, Like a spiral on the
wind, I can hear it screamin' in my mind, Long live Rock and Roll! . . ."
- Long Live Rock n' Roll/Rainbow
So during the time, with new friend Alex would be filled with hanging out
at his Grandmothers, who was VERY Hungarian (she was always saying
"Eat EAT!!!" and she cussed like a sailor) and had a Stockpile of Sodas,
junkfood and high-end junkfood like bags of Milanos! It was a wonder Alex
was tall and skinny. So it was listening to music, watching movies, talking
music, Sci-fi, playing guitars, drinking and eating. . . hanging out. I was 19.
Never did too much heavy conversation though, I was missing that with
Glen Mayfield, heck . . . with a girl would be a change, but that would
come briefly when I was 21, too sad to talk about here and would involve
too many verses of songs. For another entry in my Book I suppose.
Ozzy Osborne would release to the world Randy Rhodes and the New Wave
of British Heavy Metal would hit our shores.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbPWcLode0
. . .but the ONLY one that I would here from it, was the great debut from
Def Lepard "On Through the Night", that I played religiously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVzROK6em2Q
So Black Sabbath; Ozzy; Kansas; Yes; Styx; Lepard and Van Halen would
be the diet of the day. And new discoveries of Pat Travers; Gary Moore; April
Wine; Robin Trower; Billy Squire; Quarterflash, The Cars and Neil Young.
As well as re-discovering Led Zeppelin by purchasing and listening to Alex's
Cassettes. Favorites would be in "Houses of the Holy"; "Physical Graffiti" and
"Presence".
Kashmire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoEhWnTTKLM
Achilles Last Stand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ArWLI908i4
But the radio was often playing many tracks from these albums and soon, the
release of Van Halen's new album,"Fair Warning", me and Alex worshiped this
album and played it all the time.
Comprehension of the music filtering through my ears were starting to take
shape and would grow into more adventurous musics.
I remember asking my friend Alex as we were driving from work, "Have you
heard about this band Iron Maiden?" and he'd say he heard something about
them. But we never pursued it, not even searching for them at record stores.
After a visit from Alex's brother Bob, he played for me the Soundtrack for
the movie "Brainstorm" by James Horner. I had yet to see the movie but
the music made quite an impact on me . . . it was powerful.
When I got my own copy on vinyl, I listened to it on headphones . . . and
track 2, "Lillian's heart attack" scared the PANTS off me! It would take awhile
to get used to it. This album along with the Star Wars soundtracks, would
inspire me to get into this genre. When I visited Alex's family in the suburbs
of Las Vegas, we went to a Record store around the "Strip" and it would be
the 1st place to buy Focus albums. Eventually buying a few more, and Focus
"3" would be a fave because of a few songs having "medieval qualities" about
them (later discovering the Strawbs and "Folk Prog" /or the Canterbury Sound)
and also purchasing Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q-YH0QLhcM
And speaking of the Canterbury Sound, because of my love of medieval
history, I would buy almost any Rock album with a medieval theme (like Rick
Wakemans "Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round
Table") from my childhood love of Knights and its history. I came across an
album with a "Knightly" cover, the song titles were interesting, so I bought it
and took it home. As the 1st track came on, the music was in-different key of
the vocals, and the more it went on, the more dissonant it became, but it did
have a melodic quality, but . . . I must have had the face of a dog when it
hears a strange noise.
As the album went on, that sound was getting weirder, I didn't know what to
make of it. The musicianship was strong, and the vocal layering/harmonies
was really beautiful, but this was NOT what I thought it would be.
This was Gentle Giant and the album "The Power and the Glory". The song
"Cogs and Cogs" with its beautiful intertwining vocal layering would be a fave,
but this album would have to grow on me for the next 20 years when I could
understand it. I had alot to learn (I think this album was a big influence on the
Kansas "Point of Know Return" album, especially songs "The Spider" and
"Paradox", as well as the obvious for Spocks Beard; Echolyn; Advent; Eye
Strings and the like). Other albums would be purchased in more recent years
and i'd hear what I'd been missing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QALAk7-h5VE
The Moody Blues would be another purchase and I loved the poetry within
the moody tunes. Their debut "Days of Future Past" and "On the Threshold of
a Dream" would be new (old) faves. And I'd buy other albums in years to
come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo2DQBlVcJ0
music store and a former guitarist of "The Ink Spots(later years)", which I
appreciated and was happy to learn the basics . . . it was just that I could
not remember the lessons, like school, I was not able to comprehend what was
being taught, I couldn't grasp it, a wall that plagues me to this day.
But from the same unit that used to be the store that held that album with the
"Nude man" on the cover, I got my own Guitar, again a "half-ass purchase" of
a cheap Memphis brand (plywood) for $150.
A Black Stratocaster, why? One name . . .
Ritchie Blackmore.
1. The Rainbow induction
On latenites I would stay up watching the new "Video" shows sprouting up.
This particular one was called Rock World and this episode featured "Rainbow"
at the 1st "Monsters of Rock at Castle Donnington Speedway" in England.
This was a leg for the Down to Earth tour.
The sounds coming from all the musicians, the stage presence and Blackmore
just SHREDDING his white Strat with sounds that made my jaw drop! His "lip
singing" the notes and at moments in a trance as if he was far away in this
guitar dream world, as he let notes fly off and hover into the air with thousands
of fans in COMPLETE silence!
Blackmore and his Strat in a Guitar FX extravaganza of feedback, tremolo,
string bending-sounding like a wolf howling and entwined with haunting notes
enhanced by his Taurus Pedals adding Major/Minor Notes and nuances.
. . . As a note faded into the night sky, it segued into Graham Bonnets rendition
of the Ronnets "Will you still love me tomorrow" . . . INCREDIBLE!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So9f5ZEFDQc
with "Eyes of the World" intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlYkSYwDzfU
"Difficult to Cure" with new singer Joe Lynn Turner would soon come and I
bought every album from them and would also discover another name of their
past . . . Dio.
I worshiped Blackmore and Rodney James Dio, and then the airwaves would
introduce Dio with Black Sabbath and more albums to my growing collection
(and even an album of his Blues/Rock debut band "Elf". Had to have MORE
Dio!). Going back into their past catalogue, I religiously listened to "Rising";
"On-Stage" and "Long Live Rock N' Roll".
I also became a LP collector and of ANY EP-single I could find from
Rainbow, as I still do to this day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6iENCtZ7w4
2. The Education of Rush: 1981
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTYXMSrS82w
But on FM radio, I would hear more from Moving Pictures and it was time
to make a purchase. After I got fired from the assembly job and one of my
strange fates with friends that would just "fade away", Alex and I went our
separate paths and I found a job at a Printer, loading up paper and cutting
them. Across the street there was, the now long gone, Zody's Department
store.
They had this LP clearance sale and they had ALL the Rush albums up
to Moving Pictures for $2.99 . . . I bought them all and began my odyssey.
(The Tour album, "Exit...Stage Left" would soon follow. It would be the 1st
time to hear them live, Somehow I missed Rush when they were on Don
Kirchner's Rock Concert, same for Kansas).
It would be profound, each album had its own world of musicianship and
ideas that would baffle, amaze and inspire me and would be my soundtrack
for my drawing sessions. . . . These guys were GIANTS!
"2112" was a Sci-fi kids dream, the music was cinematic with a Hard Rock/
Prog soundtrack! but every song was soo beautiful, from its 2112 side A
to side B and the individual songs, and the haunting mellotron laden "Tears".
The cinematic would continue with "Farewell to Kings" and the same feelings
I would have with Yes's "Close to the Edge" were found in Rush's "Xanadu".
But the last track "Cygnus X-1", a voyage that was, much like Bowman's
perilous hyperspace flight in 2001: A Space Odyssey, another cinematic
journey through sound, I can't imagine a fans anticipation for the next album
when the last words on Cygnus lyric sheet says, "to be continued". And here
I am breaking time and space . . .
I then held in my hand the album I called "Gay" so many years ago . . .
As that $45 needle from that Pioneer Turn-table I saved up for, hit the
groove of side 1, my life would change like seeing that Star Destroyer flying
over my head in that Cinema in 77. I couldn't believe that 3 guys could
produce such sounds, colours, and scenes. I held this album in my hand when
it came out and I "didn't buy it!!?" NUTS!!! Who knows what I'd become if I
heard Hemispheres back then! The same, or a musician, a drug addict?
All I know was, this was the most brilliant piece of music I had EVER heard.
A Rush Fanatic I became.
Neil Pearts words, let alone his amazing abilities on his ever growing Kits,
would transport me to wondrous worlds and everyday thought, in profound
lyrics that resonate in me, and sometimes find there way into my vocabulary
to this day.
But it is because of The "Professor", I would become a Drum fan and hear the
difference between a player and a Drummer.
Alex Lifeson. . . his "sound" so synonymous to Rush and what they are. One
of the most underrated Guitarists there is! From the technical, to the moody,
the atmospheric and sublime. It would be his sound (as well as his mates) in
those crazy time signatures, but also his Guitar tone and style in which he
played, filling the role of a second guitarist, that would be unique to my growing
ears and a prolific understanding of what music could be.
Geddy Lee has the most distinguishable voice in Rock . . . but then the Bass.
I'm not sure if anybody truly appreciates what the man DOES on that 4 string
Bass, listen to the older pieces (as now), he does NOT just add a "beat" or
rhythm, the man plays it like a 6 string Guitar! And his tone is all Geddy.
And STILL to this day, they sound like "musicians", not old fogies trying to
live on there past. They create MUSIC.
For now on, they would set the standard and ALL would follow.
To this day, I am still on the look out for any LP's, Promo Discs (CD and LP)
and EP's that I can get my hands on ( The new "Snakes.." on LP waits for me at
Rhino up the street). Bands have done Tributes and interpitations of their music,
but none can emulate their knowledge of recording, playing style or sound, that
makes them squeeze out soo much music, from a "Trio" that plays more like a
6 piece band. This IS the definition of a Power Trio.
Kansas and Rush would be at a tug of war for my favorite bands of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2jBLGuVx_o
Also, I'd end up finding ELP's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and would listen to it
quite alot, and STILL did not own "Brain Salad Surgery".
Another introduction to something that should've made me run out and get
EVERY album. A show that tried to ride the Saturday Night Live band wagon
in 1981. A comedy show called "Fridays"(on ABC) and this band comes on
that I had heard of a long time ago, these guys were soo incredible I didn't
know what to think of them, they were sort of New Wavish, but . . .
progressive.
The SOUNDS coming out of this smiling mans Guitar was NUTS! and is that
Bill Bruford on Drums!? It was King Crimson promoting the "Discipline" album
and it was . . . insane (until YOUtube, I thought I'd NEVER see this again).
Adrian Belew left an impression on me with his "Dialogue" vocals, his happy
dimeanor and crazy playing style, as well as Tony Levin on Bass, and it just
might be the 1st for me to notice since Geddy Lee. And seeing Robert Fripp
"sitting" as all these busy notes came flying out of his fingers.
I went out and got the album probably a few months later and became one of
my all time favorites. As I collected more albums in the years to come, I
would discover that the 3 "Primary colour albums" (Discipline, Beat and Three
of a Perfect Pair) were a different line-up and sound, of their previous history.
These 3 would be my faves (as well as the albums to come after), but would
slowly re-discover a band with a rich influencial history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsywtpBFcnA
I've never seen Robert Fripp THIS happy (hehe).
Phase9
Heavy Metal and beyond.
"From a haze came a rage of thunder, Distant signs of darkness on the way...
Fading cries -scream of pain and hunger, But in the night, the light will guide
your way. . .
So take hold of the flame, Don't you see life's a game, So take hold of the
flame, You've got nothing to lose, but everything to gain!"
- Take Hold of the Flame/Queensryche
After quiting the printing job (if something went wrong, they always blamed
me!), I landed a job at a Pizza Restaurant called Barros, as a Prep and Pizza
Cook in near by Diamond Bar. We had a Boombox and soon, on the station
KMET (now long gone as many of the D.J.s made it to 95.5 KLOS) would
bring to the world the NWOBHM and what it influenced. Friday nights at 10pm
was one of the nations 1st all Metal shows. It was called the "KMETAL shop"
hosted by Jim Ladd (which amazes me since he seems to shun most of it
nowadays) and for 3 hours I'd hear history in the making.
He would introduce the likes of: Queensryche; Metallica; Saxon; Metal Church;
Overkill; Savatage; Laaz Rockit; Bodine (with Arjen Luccassen); Trouble; St.
Vitus; Uli Jon Roth; Celtic Frost; Candlemass; Accept; Alcatrazz; Krokus; Great
White; Y&T; Motley Crue; Vandenburg; (early)Whitesnake; (early)Scorpions;
(early)Judas Priest; Keel; Iron Maiden; Mercyful Fate; Exciter; Lizzy Borden;
Diamond Head; Loudness; CJSS; David Chastain; Steeler; WASP; Megadeth;
Warlock; Slayer; Anthrax and soo many others that would seep into the core and
creation of Prog Metal to come. But that's a few years down the road . . . for now
the 4 bands that would add more to the awareness of the new Metal music, the
aggression and musicianship of the day. . .
Queensryche; Savatage; Accept and Metallica.
I was lucky to have a Manager on those particular evenings to have an "open
minded" music taste. Most of the co-workers were into Top 40 and R&B, and
at this time it was especially sappy. There was this aweful girl by the name of Mel,
along with her friends and co-workers, were pretentious fashion idiots that talked
gossip and acted like they were 15 when they were 24 (yet I was a year or 2 older,
but I looked younger, so no one took me seriously), so she controlled the radio when
she was shift Mgr.
But there was another shift Mgr. by the name of Brian Salsman, he was a few years
older, and a layed back easy going guy who was a drummer and his fave band was
Rush. We always had alot to talk about, but when he left the next year, it was really
sad, we were becoming good friends, and when he left I was stuck with . . . Mel.
Side Note:
I would run into Brian Salsman about 20+ years later at Rush's Vapor Trails tour at
Irvine Meadows Ampitheater with his 15 year old Son. We saw each other through
the crowd going up to the stands 5 feet from each other like a "needle in a
haystack", shook hands and did some reminiscing.
"3".
Throughout this time, a friend at work that had a similar taste in music also had
a friend that was getting into the Metal scene, and was a fellow Sci-Fi/Fantasy
fan, Don Parker. Don, Mike D'Amico and myself became the 1st phase of "the 3
Musketeer" friends. Again, my old friend Glen Mayfield was growing more distant
with his Christian beliefs, to my sadness, the friendship would also fade away.
Me and my new friends were always hanging out, but Don liked going to Hobby
and Book Stores, and soon with the Metal Music scene growing, we would scower
the Stores like "Music Plus; Tower; Licorice Pizza and The Wherehouse" for their
growing stash, and some even had Metal Sections!
Don and Mike were also "Motorheads", so they were always working on their cars
as Mike had a customized Red (with white racing stripes) "64 and a half" Mustang,
and Don had a 71 Challenger.
From listening to the Kmetal Shop Programme on the radio, we would shop around
for the new Heavy Metal bands making the scene.
But Queensryche got our attention with its 1st single "The Queen of the Reich".
I was becoming a Judas Priest fan and vocalist Geoff Tate was like Rob Halford, but
with a New sound in form of the music, more aggressive and odd time signatures,
layered guitars and heavier but precise Drumming.
Me and Don went all over town trying to find this new release (which wasn't out yet).
But we had KMET and its music to keep us occupied and Savatage and Accept
were our other faves. Both were super heavy and aggressive with Accept filling in
what I hated about AC~DC but in turn, the vocals fit in with the heavy dueling guitars
and the "speed" of our favorite song "Fast as a Shark" (thought to have spawned
Speed/Thrash Metal) and "Restless and Wild".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2AwPEZbZU
But Savatage had this Riff Heavy side to them that was really different, the guitar
was real percussive and Chris Olivia could also shred on Guitar!
And his brother Jon had a real unique voice and then those siren-like "Shrieks of
Terror!" too cool!
The 1st album "Sirens" would be played on the tape deck, over and over."Holocaust"
and the Title track were our faves as we air guitar'd and head banged as we headed
somewhere in Dons Challenger.
We would try to emulate Olivas chorus laden guitar "tone" with pedals we would buy,
finally getting an Electro Harmonics "Big Muff", a DOD Chorus and an MXR delay
pedal. Don was getting into Dokken and David Lynch too, so he would buy a few Aria
Pro II guitars, re-build and Hot Rod them.
Savatage Original Line-up (Happier Days for the Oliva Brothers):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrz8_qWoNGI
Then there was . . . Metallica.
I remember liking the "Kill 'em All" debut album and the speed at which they played,
that was more akin to Punk/Cross-over. But when "Ride the Lightning" was released,
it was to INSPIRE a wave of music that thrives to this day.
Along with Metal Church; Overkill; Slayer; Testament and Anthrax, these were the
standard bearers for the Thrash Scene.
But Metallica were out to challenge pre-conceptions of Metal, the music industry and
radio! When my friend Don bought RtL, and we heard the opening track and the
Classical themed Acoustic prelude (12 string with bass) . . . who thought it was to
open up into the coming ONSLAUGHT of "Fight Fire with Fire" and the barrage of
riffs at a thousand miles per hour in precise timing! The double bass drums, the wall
of sound and James Hetfield's staccato vocal lines that matched the chugging
guitar riffs! . . . I NEVER heard anything like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1HkL4HpRs8
EVERY song was crafted into different moods, but all aggressive in their own right
. . . then, "Fade to Black". With beauty, just enough heaviness to keep a balance,
and the beautiful solo's of Kirk Hammet (and James).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mXBbVc4Df8
The former member and Guitarist of Metallica, Dave Mustaine had formed his own
band "Megadeth", As Kill 'em All, Megadeth's debut "Killing is My Buisiness and
Buisiness is Good" was raw and hard core, but would soon release the acclaimed
and influencial Thrash album "Peace Sells, but who's Buying".
This album as well as the next (So far so good, so what!) would also be among our
faves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DWoJBHibhM
Queensryche would be the same, but it was even different to Thrash, and it would
be the 1st time I would see phrases like and "Progressive Metal" in the vernacular
("Power Metal" at first was what is now known as "Aggro", like Pantera; Machine
Head; Pro-Pain etc.). But not until "The Warning" album would come, that the
latter genre' would grow into what is today. But would be the seed for the Power
Metal scene to come as well (with help of Helloween; Dio; Judas Priest; Lizzy
Borden, Mercyful Fate and Iron Maiden, vocally and musically).
When the debut EP was released, EVERY song was so different than anything
coming out. Songs that were aggressive or beautiful, but again, a heaviness
that kept it Metal, but with that other element that kept them unique above all
others. This album, as well as Warning, would be played at home and in the car
on a regular basis.
Even the video for Queen of the Reich was worshiped, corny as they come,
With its "Star Wars"-like intro crawl (The Vid was even "Letterboxed" for crying
out loud! we're talking circa 1984 here) but it was one of the 1st "conceptual"
videos for Metal and it still has its appeal and we liked how it featured each
member (like the infamous "Dragonforce" video, decades later).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAi6yiQdcAI
The Warning album would have Live vids on various Video shows that were
coming out left and right, then were released on the VHS "Live in Tokyo" and
you could see that these guys could pull it off live- was amazing, and
Drummer Scott Rockenfield would BEAT those drums into submission and
precision (1st Metal band I've ever seen use Simmons electronic percussion
and linked "Chains" as hardware for Cymbals)!
As Eddie Jackson finger picked his Bass with heavy beats and the Guitar
duels of Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo as Geoff Tate's voice so perfect
and of such power was all so amazing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYo_XMqLJH8&mode=related&search=
It wouldn't be till after their extensive tour for Warning and the release of
"Rage for Order" that I would finally see them at the Santa Monica Civic
Auditorium with Keel opening the show.
I can remember me and Don found by accident, a Metal Store in Covina and
we were like kids in a candy store, the racks were filled with bands we had
never heard of (later remembering most titles were Euro bands that were
bursting into the scene, many that inspired Metallica and the like).
The place had a menacing "look" about it, and there was a Cow Skull looming
over the Cashier counter, lots of Pentagrams and other scary items, and the
2 guys that worked there (I figured they were the owners) had a "Native
American look" about them and something told me they were on the "Dark
side" of Indian magic (...just my intuition kicking in).
I started seeing the 1st inklings of the dark side of metal and I never could
abide by it, it always turned me off, as today with the underground Gore
Metal/Black Metal/Satanic Metal bands.
I can also remember, like yesterday, while looking through the racks, out
of a "handfull grip" of LP's, I held a copy of Metallica's "Ride the Lightning",
but it was "Green" in tint instead of the blue everyone knows. I showed it
to Don, and we just chalked it up to bad prints.
THAT album now, is MUCH sought after because it was a French pressing
and the cover was mis-printed and worth alot of money! . . . and I held, at-
least 20 copies in my hand!
I also saw on the wall, a promo poster for the Warning which had the band
photo (in colour) from the back cover and the Queensryche font from the
album in metallic gold, with the poster being mostly in greens and black and
the whole poster was in "metallic film", a gorgeous poster to say the least.
From my enthusiasm, one of the guys said, "Its for sale!"
That poster I had till 4 years ago when it was destroyed in a move to my
'ol Apt. around LAX . . . I'd like to find it again, but I have NEVER seen it
since.
The Sound of "Cinema".
Circa 1982-83 would bring a South African and a rather tall English Bass player
together to start up a "Supergroup". Trevor Rabin of "Rabbit" and solo efforts;
Chris Squire; Tony Kaye and Alan White of Yes would put together a band called
Cinema. But they needed a frontman because Trevor wasn't sure if he wanted to
play Guitar as well as sing, so Chris played their tracks for Jon Anderson, who
liked what he heard . . . and YES mkVIII was born!
"90215" was a resurrection for the band Yes and a whole new audience for a
"Progressive Rock Band", which many probably never heard of the genre or THEM.
But Trevor revitalized a band that needed fresh new territory.
Unfortunately . . .
I believe that this album and its "technology" influenced the sorry state of Pop and
R&B with sequencers, samples and that "Orchestra/Violin- BOMP!" as it made its
way throughout each one hit wonder with the various annoying sample of voices,
choral and orchestra string "notes" that would provide a melody or accent that would
drive me INSANE as it would be repeated OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND
OVER throughout an already sappy and stupid song!!!! Pop music listeners were
suckered into its melodies in which Radio and Commercials would be saturated with
this crap.
Which proves, you can take great ideas in technology and RUIN it. Seems Rush
was right (i.e. "Natural Science" and "Spirit of Radio").
But 90215 would give Yes a No.1 album and their 1st (and only) Grammy.
I would play this album over and over ("City of Love"; "Cinema"; "Changes"; "Hold
On" and "Hearts" being faves) and would see my 1st Yes Concert! It was VERY
cool, all of the members put on great show, and to hear Jon Anderson sing was
simply incredible, and the new interpitations of classic songs were very special.
Trevor was a force to be reconed with and was equally as good with an Acoustic
Guitar, he wasn't Howe, but his own, and he's an excellent musician and
composer who showed he had what it takes to be a member of a band with a
influencial history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PDgQXX-Z3g&mode=related&search=
Phase 10
The Beyond and being "A Collector".
"Camouflage the battle scars with oxy ten and maybelline, Cloning the hero's
in hype magazine . . .
Pirates of underground lightening twice the speed of sound. You will prevail !"
-Valley of the Dolls/Fates Warning
The Metal bands are growing and separating into genres and are coming from
places far and wide.
The Death and Thrash scenes are starting to develop and are coming from
places like Florida, San Francisco/Bay Area, New York and Europe, mostly
from Germany and England. Unfortunately, the Record Execs started seeing
potential with the other genre that oozed out of the LA scene . . . Glam Rock!
They were coming out of every corner/closet of Hollywood Blvd., Motley Crue
started losing the "metal" in their music and gained more Feminine "make-up"
and clothes and that's all it took. The "Cock-Rock" era was to sweep across
the country and plague the early days of MTV with "Hair Metal" bands, which
pissed me off even more. This wasn't Metal but Hard Rock and it was more
about "Image and Fashion" and Sex, Drugs, and mediocre Rock N' Roll.
As Fates Warning would prophecise, "Send in the clowns!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoyzNBpeix0
Lyrics to "Valley of the Dolls":
http://darklyrics.com/lyrics/fateswarning/awakentheguardian.html#2
This was also a time when Top 40 got even MORE sappy and was everywhere!
(Commercials, MTV, Movie Soundtracks, Blarring out of Cars, etc.)
Unfortunately, critics and so-called "fans" would label the true Metal bands
Hair Bands from simply looking at the hair.
So as the Thrash/Speed Metal genre grew . . . I joined the "Kill All Glam Fags"
army (Ha! I guess I needed an outlit for some anger, distorted Guitars was the
answer, but that wasn't the total reason. The better stuff took a bit of skill) as
the Metal Posuers dominated the media hype.
By starting to make my 1st Compilation tapes that me and my friends would
BLAST in the car, was my way of fighting back. I'd start a tape with a terrible
Top 40 or Glam song and after a few seconds . . . A SCREACH across a record
would go into the SCREAM of Udo Derkinshieder and Accept's "Fast as a Shark!
HAHA! too funny (often friends waited to hear what Pop band I would destroy).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwKQi7HB_Gw
A band me and Don took a liking to, and fortunately was too underground to
be monikered with hair band, was "Warrior". Yes they had that "hair", but the
music was heavy and progressive like Queensryche. They had a great vid
that was circulating throughout the Video show circuit and thats how we found
out about them. With its intro called "PTM1", it was ironic that Apple/
Macintosh would release its famous "1984" commercial by director Ridley
Scott the previous year (well, not so ironic-I'm sure they were influenced by
the commercial).
The band only made one album (released in 1985) with this line-up and their
debut, a collectors item on CD (which I have not found yet), so it has become
one of many LP treasures in my collection.
"Fighting for the Earth" video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z62Fxegy7Q
Experimental Recording:
And with the making of compilation tapes, I started fooling around with simple
Electronics, Patch Chords, FX Pedals for my Guitar, Mics, Cassette Walk-
mans and soon my purchase of a small Radio Shack Mixer . . . that is STILL
hooked up to my current set-up (time to get a new one I think).
I'd experiment with that Soundesign Stereo, weird things like when recording,
hit the off switch- that was an artificial fade-out, rewind to almost the full fade
and "edit" the next track in . . . you couldn't even hear the edit! I'd hold
different buttons down on the cassette player for weird effects or slowing/
speeding up the pitch, add stereo "pans" with the balance control on the
stereo, that oddly was caught on the tape deck, add FX with mics, the pedals
and the "environment and sound effects" records I was collecting, that I would
re-record on tape and blend into music etc.
This became a new hobby . . . "the Concept Tape". I would pick a subject and
pick songs around the theme and add the appropriate Sound FX.
And I'd play them for my friends, make copies and insist they listened on
headphones . . . they must've thought I was on drugs!
As time went on, they got more elaborate and I would soon purchase a better
Cassette Deck that I'd wear out from all the fast-pause/rewind/edit/forward/
stop/rewind/edit/play . . . (I should have went to school as a Recording
Engineer) and the floor would be strewn with cassette tapes and various
Albums.
This is a time when Don and me were also noticing the Animation coming from
Japan and the cool Model Kits of Spaceships, Figurines and Robots/Mech.
Soon discovering the Anime "Art-Of" books beautifully put together and
. . . expensive. A continuation of my collection of Art of Star Wars Books and
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Artists. Another hobby to engulf my world.
A visit to the past:
Out of the Top 40/Disco, R&B and Punk era, from the depths comes the New
Wave of the British Prog underground of the late 70's. . .
Europe was giving birth to a new age Prog. But it would be slow and at this time
it was more of a discovery of the few years "past". The "Family Trees" and
the branches that spread out over the scene . I would read the trades and
one bands association with another. Yes would introduce me to Howe's solo
records (strangely NOT Jon Anderson's, Allan White or Chris Squire's) and Bill
Bruford. And then that would lead me to "U.K." and Allan Holdsworth and
Eddie Jobson . . . That debut album was soo ahead of its time (1978) and
Eddie and Holdsworth were soo incredible on there instruments! I had never
in my life heard Guitar played in such a way! Bill Bruford played the Drums in
Jazz-like precision and John Wetton the same with his Jazz-like Bass lines
and incredible voice. Then Eddie would play Violin like I had never heard
before, let alone his incredible keyboard skills. . . . I was in awe of these
guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30c-wEGRwig
I would find the 3 albums and play them religiously. With "UK live" and
"Danger Money", my sadness they lost Holdsworth and Bruford but gained
Terry Bozzio (and NO guitar). His "sound" was unique as well and would find
out, not only was he the drummer for "Missing Persons", but like Jobson,
had a history with Frank Zappa! (to my shame, to this day I own not 1
Zappa record).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC1_W82gLeo
I'd also "hear" about Dixie Dregs (and their guitarist Steve Morse ALOT) and
Brand X, but wouldn't appreciate them till years later.
"Something I need has slipped my mind
I've come here to barter
I've come here to buy
I've got this town tucked in my back pocket
I can't seem to stop it
I just wish I had more time
I'm in a hurry can we wrap it up
Will you try not to scratch it
Don't mark it up
I've got a hunger for the things that sparkle
I've got a thirst for the things that shine"
- The Pitchman/Saga
From Rush I would learn of Canadian Prog bands "FM" and "Saga" and
was already a big "Triumph" fan (even though they were more Hard Rock/
Heavy Metal, they were starting to have small prog elements).
FM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XodKXctl4_M
Triumph:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os5wH_H7cng
By the time Rush's "Exit Stage Left" was released in 81, so was Saga's
"Worlds Apart", the singles "On the Loose" and "Wind him up" were getting
alot of air-play and both albums would get continuous play on my Turn-table.
I sought out Saga's earlier works, but Worlds Apart's sound and quality of
musicianship was at its peak and they would become another fave in my
ever growing stash . . .
I was becoming a collector.
I happened onto Saga on the radio and on an ABC latenight show called "In
Concert" and it was for the Worlds Apart Tour and they were very tight and
had a great stage presence. This coincided with their live release of "In
Transit" in 1982. (Subsequently, Rush would release "Signals").
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcmr-ZbK7jU
As soon as I heard cuts off their next studio album, "Heads or Tails", I would
play it endlessly and would become my favorite Saga album. Later, I would
learn about the Ian Thomas band; Max Webster and Kim Mitchell (mostly Kim's
"Akimbo Alogo" album, that also became a fave).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1PXoxgCXus
The new Toy Stores:
Don, Mike and me would visit the various stores and 2 of my faves were the
Tower Records, the huge store in Covina, and the smaller in Brea that had a
"Japanese Import section" that held bands from Japan as well as "Virgin
Vinyl pressings" of Euro and North American bands. They also had an
Import section, so my collection would include Japanese Metal like "Loudness"
and "Earthshaker" and I would buy albums based on the titles of songs, the
type of instruments members played and Covers. One of my all time fave
picks-out of the blue was"Magnum- Chase the Dragon". A plastic divider said
"Kansas-like", (I had never seen anyone do that in a store until I started doing
that decades later when I worked for Tower in 1999) and with the beautiful Art
of Rodney Mathews, what the line-up played, and interesting song titles, I
couldn't pass it up. Raced to put it on . . . as SFX of a "War" made by
synthesizer and then these power chords would sweep in, and the awesome
voice of Bob Catley singing.
"Soldier of the Line" Live 2005:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUspqZhPHXs
They would become another fave band (more Metal than Kansas though).
Possibly my 1st "Prog Metal" band next to Queensryche.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA3iMEfYAVA
Another was Budgie, again because of the Cover Art by Roger Dean for the
album, "Never turn your back on a friend", and the silly song titles like, "You're
the best thing since powdered milk". 1st thought when the needle dropped on
the first track, was that this "Blues Rock Power Trio" with its progressive inter-
ludes sound alot like Rush's debut album! Then Burke Shelley's voice!
Its Geddy at 78rpm! and he plays in your face Bass too! (I have never read
press, if these guys were any influence on Rush but they sure do seem alike
in the early days). By the way, the 1st song is "Breadfan", which Metallica
decades later would re-do for their EP "Garage days re-visited".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54H3EUAzpVg
This store would also hold my first purchase of a Deep Purple LP "In Concert",
a little LATE, but would get to hear the bands improvisational skills and more
appreciation of a live set. Strangely, my future purchases of Purple's studio
albums would come decades later. Also purchased U.K. Night After Night(live)
at this store as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K4wui0N9OU
Both Towers would hold for me, more Metal and Prog than I can remember.
And I would be going to more concerts more records stores, more tapes and
experimenting with Sound effects, and more explorations on Guitar.
And discovering Music Stores! Especially in Hollywood on Sunset Blvd. and
the "Guitar Strip" of New and Used Guitar Shops to try out amps, guitars
and gear.
Up the Irons!:
At this time, in 1983, Powermetal would have another seed to grow from,
the release of Iron Maiden's "Piece of Mind" album. I had heard "Number of
the Beast", admittedly liked the songs, but were put off by the "satanic"
overtones of the title track . . . I just didn't understand (but finally came
around to loving the album). But the heavieness and musicianship of the
guitar dueling of Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, the galloping bass and
adventure/history lyrics of Steve Harris, the "Air Raid Siren" known as Bruce
Dickinson, and the intricate beating of drums by Nicko McBrain added a new
favorite in my Heavy Metal catalogue.
Including songs that were adapted by adventure and fantasy storytellers- one
being a favorite movie as a kid called "Where Eagles Dare" with Richard Burton
and Clint Eastwood (from a Fredrick Forsyth novel). "Trooper" was another fave
and reminded me of "Charge of the Light Brigade" with Errol Flynn. "Flight of
Icarus" was a story that always intrigued me as a kid, "Sun and Steel"
reminded me of the movie "Conan"(though its about something else, i think),
and "To Tame a Land" would be one of the 1st links to finally read "Dune".
Indeed, Piece's of great literal Minds.
The album as a whole would be intriguing, made me delve into history (as it
would my Brother, as many of their albums would help in history class in
school. He would get an A+ for his report based on Iron Maiden's "Alexander
the Great") and would be on my way to their Concerts with every album, as
well as being one of Thousands of voices on the Album "Live After Death" at
the Long Beach Arena.
I would go backwards in the catalogue and discover Maiden I, II and the
current (at this time) MkIII, and see videos for Piece of Mind on local video
shows. Along with Queensryche, and Rush, I would beg my parents to let my
Brother, on "School nights", go with me and friends to see Maiden (also Yes
and many others. Now, they are almost a staple to see these guys with my
Brother now 36 years old).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phHVeT9YThc
An introduction to Indie Radio and Alternatives:
Another discovery, when looking for something interesting on the radio, at
the bottom of the dial, I think it was Mt. San Antonio College and this Guitar
instrumental came on. It was semi-fast and had the gymnastics and flash of
Van Halen, but was more "humorous", crazier pyrotechnics and odd time
signatures! After waiting through the next songs, to hear the name of this
mad man . . . The D.J. says, "...That was The Attitude Song by Steve Vai",
I had heard of him, but where? I then grabbed a back issue of Guitar Player
with Zappa on the cover and found the article called, "Zappas Italian Virtuoso"
and began reading about this brilliant musician and transcriber.
Took awhile to find a copy (was just released) and would be a cherished LP
added to my collection (3 different covers as well, and I would also find the
Mini-LP "Flexable Leftovers") and the funny stories of each song through liner
notes on a "flyer-like" lyric sheet (very low budget! but made it very personal).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I92d9JysA_8
Classical music has always intrigued me and I would turn the dial, more often
than not, to the various stations that catered to the music. FM Rock radio was
starting to get boring to me, so if it was unusual musics or Classical, it would
stay put, or I'd put on an LP. Same for Jazz, but it was a whole 'nuther realm
that was vast. To this day I would love to dive into it.
But the music of Richard Wagner was . . . heavy! I would call it "the Heavy
Metal of Classical music" (Partly my love for Wagner music came from the
movie Excalibur) so I was into the heavier guys: Beethoven; Bach, and the
modern composers of Film such as John Williams, Richard Horner, Jerry
Goldsmith and John Berry.
But their was the "King Biscuit Flower Hour" that would feature bands live,
and was treated to many a band. Including Rush; Kansas; Styx; Triumph;
Pat Travers; U.F.O. and more. It was a great way to hear bands that I'd miss
on tour.
Including various interview programmes and KLOS and their nation wide show
"Rockline" with Bob Coburn who was one of our KLOS D.j.'s as well.
From Alex and Geddy of Rush, To bassist Roger Glover talking about Ritchie
Blackmores "behavior" on the road. Alot that I taped (TONS of tapes of
different shows, programmes, etc.).
Phase11
The move one direction and another.
"Now the light is fading fast, Chances slip away, a time will come to pass,
When there'll be none, Then addicted to a perfumed poison, Betrayed by its
aftertaste, We shall lose the wonder and find nothing in return. Many are the
substitutes but they're powerless on their own . . ."
- Heathaze/Genesis
My folks wanted to get a new house, and my Dad wanted to pursue his dream
of having Horses of his own, THAT part would take awhile, but the bigger house
was always the ultimate dream for my folks.
So my Dad asked if I wanted to join them, or move on my own. I wish I
looked into moving on my own, but chose to move with them. Also I had to quit
the Pizza job that I was starting to get tired of, even though I made good friends
and would miss the 6 mile bike ride to work on my BMX bike (I loved riding at
1-2am down the dark streets going home, listening to my "concept tapes" on
headphones). But me, and Don still hung out but Mike was starting to grow
distant and started hanging with a hipper crowd.
So it was me and Don.
Here we were in this big, but humble "Ranch" style house with 3/4 an Acre of
land in Chino and my nice size room overlooking the street, it was very nice.
But my relationship with my Parents grew darker. They were angry that I only
had part time work. This carried on from the previous home, and they made
me feel pretty small all the time. Which also included really stupid
observations and illogical behavior . . . they weren't very nice "people", let
alone my parents. Which was very strange in contrast, they didn't care how
late I stayed out or how loud I played my music.
My music and getting lost in my Art always kept my spirits up and was my
escape in what I called my room with the view "Sanctuary", from what was
outside the door.
Indie Radio Phase II:
At this time, I would scower the "bottom" of the radio dial even more and hear
the local College Radio Programmes and be treated to various kinds of music
that expanded my mind and catalogue.
One night, the local College of Claremont to my surprise, had a Thrash Metal
Show that ran for 4 hours at 11pm on Thursdays, I believe.
This just opened the flood gates! From technical brilliance, evil incantations,
total ridiculousness to pure noise . . . it matched my life, but also from the
bands I "liked" that had substance, their lyrics filled me with hope and self-
integrity, which most people thought (including musicians from other genre's)
were all negitive stereotypes of pro-Satanism, drug use, and made up of un-
intelligent, un-talented musicians. Which was FAR from what I listened to . . .
and I would begin saying:
"Have a Jazz or Classical musician who says this music is EASY to play,
TRY to play this music (and not NOISE, but play in a coherant and tight style
without mocking it), and ask many of the bands I like, to play Jazz and
Classical styles, and see who has a better understanding of the music (In a
non-cliche' way, but a true effort)". Jazz and Classical fans will be elitists, but
fans of Metal and Prog will embrace their influences and incorporate it into
their sound (and of course, Blues).
Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, Uli-Jon Roth, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani,
Steve Morse, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Kerry Livegrin, Rich Williams,
Allan Holdsworth and more could . . . and a new more aggressive music would
add Jazz/fusion, Classical and Prog elements into a new Heavier approach, and
odd-meter, point/counter point and other elements more a-kin to Classical and
Jazz. THOSE bands would stick out for me than most Speed Metal that was
interested in just playing fast.
I'd hear the coming wave of Thrash, Death Metal and beyond: Forbidden; Morbid
Angel; Dark Angel; Death Angel; Death; Carcass; Sodom; Napalm Death; Tankard;
Slayer(1st heard years before on the Kmetal shop); Vio-lence; Evil Dead; Hyrax;
Znowhite; Holocross; Kreator; Deathrow; Viking; Cancer; Pestilence; Flotsam &
Jetsam; Overkill; Deicide; Paradox; Sepultura; Nuclear Assault; SOD; Carnivor;
Atrocity; Morgoth; Hellbastard; Godflesh; Nocturnus; Bolt Thrower; Toxic; Xentrix;
I.N.C.; Atrophy; Entrophy; Heathen; Lawnmower Deth; DBC; DRI; Excell; the
Accused; Powermad; Annhilator; Anacrusis; Hexx; Sacred Reich; Sadus; Intruder;
Coroner; Testament; Exodus; Realm; Razor; Prong; Possessed; Onslaught;
Weirmacht; Bolt Thrower; Demolition Hammer; Sentenced; Paradox and a whole
lot more.
And 3 bands that would introduce a new heavieness and the "Double Bass" sound
(and how they set-up the "mics"). . . Malevolent Creation; Entombed and Obituary.
Megadeth; Metallica and Anthrax were not even allowed to play on this station!
This kid was a student going to Harvey Mudd College and he was from Seattle, and
he would bring "Milk Crates" of his own stash from places like Norway, Sweden,
France, Greece, Italy, South America and Finland.
I had no idea they would be coming from around the globe! Ep's, Compilations, you
name it, he had it (I wonder if he went MAD during the coming "grunge scene" in
Seattle). I visited the station a few times and even was asked to do a "Heavy Metal
Show" after his "Infernal Rage" programme. But there were some things brewing.
From this show and my own random selections, these bands would become faves:
the Latter days of Death and Carcass; Realm; Deathrow; Kreator; Powermad; I.N.C.
Flotsam & Jetsam; Anthrax; Metallica; Overkill; Vio-lence; Wrathchild(U.S.); Coroner;
Sepultura; Sabbat(U.K.); Testament; Sanctuary; Megadeth; Metal Church; Heathen;
Anthropy; Anacrusis; Cacaphony and Forbidden.
These were the bands of substance, had something to say and a calibur of
musicianship and ideas that were astounding.
Mostly being bought at the local Rhino Records Store in Claremont, that had a
excellent Metal section (as it does now).
In contrast, I was also getting into Billy Joel, Sarah MacLachlan (her debut); Randy
Newman and Dire Straights. At this time, I needed different music for my "Concept
Tapes", so my collection of music got broader.
Lyrics were also becoming VERY important to me, within all these genres of music.
I leaned towards the ones with strong messages, eloquent writing/profound meaning
and great story telling. Occasionally, if the MUSIC was better than their prose, it
would still keep me interested.
The Brain Salad story:
Somewhere down the road, I finally got the re-issue copy of ELP's "Brain Salad
Surgery" LP (it didn't have the gatefold, but had lyrics) and it was an experience to
FINALLY listen to the album as a whole.
It was one thing to hear the singles on the radio, but what an impact it made to
listen, one after the other, the brilliance and un-flinching musicianship of each piece.
"Toccata", a version of composer Alberto Ginastera 1st Piano Movement was
. . . INSANE!
It would be later told that Kieth Emerson wanted to do something different, so he
had heard this piece and wanted to adapt it into Rock. So with much to do, the band
rehearsed it, worked it out and were quite pleased with it, but Kieth felt he had to
ask Miastro Ginastera for permission to release it. They made arrangements with
Ginastera's publisher and he called their home in Geneva, where his "Wife" says,
"You must come to Geneva -Tomorrow!" So finally at their home greeted by their
butler, there is Ginastra dressed to the hilt waiting for these "Rock n' rollers" to hear
what they have done to his piece, and here the distinguished composer listens to
Emerson, explaining what he has done to the composition as Ginastera puts the
tape on for a few bars. The story goes:
"He switched the tape recorder off and looked across at his wife in sort of
disbelief and said, "Diabolic!" I thought he meant diabolical,- that it was bad!
Because he'd been playing the tape in mono, and we had a stereo tape, I
jumped up and switched the tape player to stereo. But he wasn't concentrating
on that, he was completely bewildered by the music. He wound it back to the
beginning and played it again. At the end, he said, "Thats Incredible! You've
captured the essence of my music, and nobody has ever done that before".
I didn't know what to say; I could've fallen through the floor. The other
critisisms of the band meant absolutely nothing".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3zOB-nP5nk
That story is how I felt about the entire album. Again, how could I have missed
it for all these years!? Diabolic!!!
Eventually I would find the gatefold LP version and the Rhino re-release on CD
and its cool "linticular" cover that would change to the "Woman with braided
steel hair", that included audio interviews with the band and extensive liner
notes with above story.
In 1984, Deep Purple had re-formed, and had released "Perfect Strangers",
this album I would constantly play over and over. They would be in town
soon and would finally be my opportunity to see Ritchie Blackmore in action.
I begged my parents to let my Brother go with me and Don, but at the time
Daniels grades were low, so to no avail, me and Don went to the Long Beach
Arena and it is one of my fave shows of all time!
Ian Gillans SCREAMS from the end of "Child in Time" were louder than
Ritchies guitar! John Lords Keyboard solo was astounding, dark and beautiful.
Ian Paice's drum solo was like a big band drummer playing rock!
Roger Glover just had a blast playing the bass and Ritchie Blackmores guitar
solo . . .
I couldn't imagine that it could be better than the solo he did at Donnington
with his band Rainbow! It was filled with Blues and Classical passages, but
before that, it started with his patended SFX noises. We sat far away-straight
back to the otherside of the stadium, stage directly in front of us, but it was a
treat . . .
Blackmore had a "stereo pan pedal", he'd run his pick over strings and the
sounds would go from stage to over our heads back and forth! All the sounds
he made, me and Don would look at each other in amazement.
This was a show for the history books.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jek7c7_OpkM
The Move:
"We all gotta come to the light together, Put your dreams in your pocket boy
We all gotta come to the light together, Follow me! . . ."
- The Preacher/Kansas
Don was thinking of moving out of his "situation". So to my Parents "happieness",
I moved to Orange County and the City of "Garbage Grove"(Garden Grove) about
5 miles from Disneyland.
Before we moved, Don took to buying and then re-building Guitars as a hobby.
As well as Hot-Rodding amps, so parts were strewn all over the living room.
I'd play my music, draw and experimented with him on our guitars (My piece
of crap Memphis Strat, now with Seymore Duncan Hot Rails, and Kahler
classic Tremolo bridge . . . and it STILL sounded like crap!).
But then, tensions started building between the 2 of us, and that reason was
me. I quit jobs left and right, I was always late on bills and was . . . poor.
I lived from paycheck to paycheck and my self esteem was pretty low from
the constant hounding of my parents that "they might as well been with me
in my Apt." (as I remember confiding to a friend later).
Birds of a Feather:
Looking for a new job one day, I stopped in a Framing store . . .
I don't know what I was thinking, but I showed the Store Mgr. my drawings.
She then said that my Art reminded her of an employee's Art, so I left her
my number, to give to this guy to call.
Soon, I found a job cleaning offices with a business running out of guys
garage, this body builder jock that was a bit of an ass (story that will run
throughout my life) and it was okay for now. Out of the blue that guy called
that worked for the Framing Store. We talked a bit, about our Art and Sci-Fi
etc. when I asked him "What kind of music do you like?" and he said, all
kinds. But then I went further, "No . . . what do you REALLY listen to?" He
then said, "Well I like Rush and Kansas . . ." and we met the following day
and became good friends. Chris Willis lived in Yorba Linda which was about
20-30min. away, so I usually saw him on weekends (Since then, the name
Chris would follow me to this day).
Funny, everytime I'd hang with him, he was listening to Kansas "In the Spirit
of Things", and he'd say things like, "Listen to that little sound" or "Listen to
the timing" and he'd point out how dramatic Steve Walsh would push the song
further. He inspired me to listen closer to music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N4n12twiOU
From the House of the Cleaning Job came a very funny and enthusiastic and
TALL guy who lived next door named Tom Bryant, as he got to know me, he
told me about a friend of his who did Art like me and that he thought we would
hit it off. So I gave him my number and his friend called me the same night.
He was really friendly, we were the same age (Chris was about 4-5 years
younger) and told me he was from Oklahoma and got his Art Degree there (An
Oklahoma "Sooner"). Then the discussion turned to music.
I asked again, "What do you REALLY listen to?", He says, "Well (in his still
lingering Southern droll). . . I like Kansas, they're my favorite, Rush, Yes
. . . and you ever heard of U.K.?" My Jaw fell to the floor, I never met ANYONE
who liked or ever even heard of UK!
Tim Elkins came over that night and we listened to Records, talked about Art,
Star Wars, our spirituality, shared my collection of Sci-Fi/Fantasy Art Books
and had a good 'ol time (Nerd stuff)!
Tim would be my confidante, and I confided in him about my sadness and my
life with my parents, "they might as well been with me in my Apt."
He was my spiritual Brother that I needed in my life.
I think by the weekend we had Chris join us and we became the "3 Musketeers
Phase2".
But this became a GREAT friendship because of the music and Art we
created, our ages, and we confided in just about anything and had great
conversations, and when we could afford it, concerts and movies as well.
And more . . .
Tim finally had gotten an "Art Job" with a former co-worker named Rubin, at a
T-Shirt printing company, in turn we met their co-worker Dale, and we all would
hang out occasionally (it amazes me we didn't form a "band", Me, Rubin, Dale
and Tim played Guitar, Chris played Bass and Keyboards) and talk shop.
After awhile, we all talked about freelancing Art with the Printing Company and
we did for the next year or so.
In between we met up with 2 kickass Graphic Artists named "Biff" and Mike.
Biff was a hilarious "Dead Head" (at the time, tie-dyed EVERYTHING he
wore!) with a real Avant Garde' Music collection of all sorts. I would be
introduced to "Pere Ubu" and "The Residents" as Chris introduced me to
"Peter Murphy"; "Concrete Blond" and more.
Biff's wife also worked for Tower Records in Buena Park (Home of "Knotts
Berry Farm Theme Park") and she would give us RIDICULOUS "under the
table" discounts on Records. I can remember buying bands like, Toxic- "Think
This"; Viking- "Man of Straw"; Deathrow- "Deception Ignored"; Kreator-
"Extreme Aggressions"; Liege Lord- "Master Control"; Annihilator- "Alice in
Hell" and MANY others.
We would bring up stacks of records to the counter, about $50 to 80 bucks
worth (EACH of us) and part with $20.00 or less! Oh My God!
It was soo wrong.
We also found this HUGE Superstore called "The Music Market", where I'd
find TONS more Records of the day. I believe the 1st time I went there, I
had known about a record that "Greenslade" made that was shown in
Roger Deans book "Magnetic Storm", it featured the Art of Patrick Woodroffe
and this Greenslade project called "The Pentateuch of the Cosmogony"
which was lavishly illustrated about a Bible of sorts explaining the birth of
God and the Universe. It was a Large Hard-back book and had 2 LP's of
Progressive Rock Instrumentals you'd listen to while reading.
All I remember is looking around the VAST space of the Music Market and
at a distance . . . I saw the book I had known about for about 2-3 years!
I figured it be a ridiculous price but I RAN to it, as my jaw dropped to the
floor . . . $9.99.
I brought it to the counter and the cashier said "Damn! I was going to buy it!"
I told him the story and he says "well, at least its going to someone that
appreciates it."
http://www.amazon.com/Pentateuch-Cosmogony-Dave-Greenslade/dp/B00000
11MR/ref=sr_1_6/105-9019703-4726818?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1186957328&
sr=1-6
I had also discovered a little store in the city of Orange called "Doctor Dream
Records", which was also an Indie label. It is there where I bought my 1st
Fates Warning albums. Hearing about these guys for soo long and finally
took home "The Spectre Within" and "Awaken the Guardian" . . . I had never
heard a voice like John Arch, the lyrics were different but as eloquent as
Sabbat (without the harsh vocals) and they're fascination for mythology, and
the music had an odd-meter and time signatures never heard of in Metal at
the time these discs were made (After DEVOURING those 2 albums, I went
to Music Market and bought the new "No Exit" and "The Ivory Gate of Dreams"
became a fave I'd play almost everyday, even though I was sad that Arch had
left). The musicians were tight and the guitar tones were perfect, this band was
something special in my ever growing catalogue.
Original line-up with Vocalist John Arch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V9NrwG2-RE
With Ray Alder Vox:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmIup4kyd-0
Doctor Dream Records, as well as the nice guy that worked the counter, was
listening to a "new sound" coming out of Seattle and its influences. . . He had
bands like Tad; Mudhoney; Soundgarden; Alice in Chains; Pearl Jam and the
like. But also one of his faves . . . Primus, he would play it in the store, and
the Bass was like . . . what the heck is he doing to that thing!? The Guitar was
weird, but the Drums were like Neil Peart! When I heard their 1st, which is LIVE
(too funny), it starts with "YYZ" and into- "John the Fisherman" . . . Rush fans,
I like these guys. These guys were way beyond Grunge (later I'd describe them
to friends as "King Crimson meets Monty Python", Tim didn't care for them at
the time, but Chris became a fan).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npBhCo5KzCI
Also because of Tim's friend Tom, I was getting into bands like "24/7 Spyz"
and "Fishbone" that had the wild mix of Thrash, Rap, R&B, Ska and Jazz.
These guys would influence the Funk Metal to come like: Mordred; Mindfunk;
Ignorance; Scatterbrain and Living Colour and more.
I started getting into Kings X, from seeing a video on the "Headbangers Ball".
A great combination of Prog, Rock and Metal with a Half Cherokee/Black
Bass Player who sang like a Gospel singer, a Guitarist (with a great tone)
who sang like John Lennon and a Drummer who had the voice of George
Harrison! I fell in love with them right away, and would be fan to this day, as
well as their side projects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPF_re3oHOk
Another discovery for life:
One day I picked up a Kerrrang Magazine (because of Rush I think) and on
the back, was this full page ad. It had the Quote "If you like Rush and
Queensryche, you'll love Dream Theater!" It was for a new band and album,
"When Dream and Day Unite" and I went to Music Market to find it on LP.
I still have it, and proud to say I have been a fan since the beginning (but
not as far as some with "Majesty"). I didn't think Rush, but it was more like
an extension of Ryche and Fates, and a tight precision of timing and incredible
compositions and musicianship . . . these guys were at a level no one came
close to, except for my beloved Fates and Rush, but in their own right.
These guys had something special, they were going places. I played this
album just about everyday. "The Killing Hand" was my favorite, but the whole
album was just about perfect, its all I wanted in a band and each musician was
something special, and Portnoys fills were flawless, and Myungs Bass was
really "in front", the man could pick like Steve Harris, but with a more fusion
-like style. Petrucci's Guitar tone at the time sounded a bit like Yngwie, but the
actual playing was very much his own and it was special. Moore was fast and
I liked the sounds of his Keyboards, but he also knew when to tone down and
had cool textures and ambient sounds to enhance the songs. Dominici had
some pipes and I think his "sound" complimented the band perfectly.
Another band that would be a staple in my catalogue for the next 20+ years.
With original vocalist Charley Dominici:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzdoeAykxVU
Another "blind find" at Music Market was Pallas debut "The Sentinel", it had
the 70's sound but within the new technology of the day, with the same cover
Artist as Greenslades "Pentatuech" of Patrick Woodroffe and again, another
cinematic experience painting a picture of distant worlds and adventures, but
because of hard times to come, I'd miss out on there sophomore efforts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hDHoadUkZs
This was a time that me and my roomy Don were growing distant. We didn't
have much to talk about I think mostly because of our age difference (he was
at-least 8-10 years younger), and I was into the more adventurous side of
music and he into the straight ahead style of Metal. But we still talked guitars
and would occasionally go eat or hit up a Record or Guitar Store.
And we also became fans of Tesla; Bonham; Tora Tora; Whitesnake and Blue
Murder. John Sykes would leave Whitesnake ("Slide it in" and the Self titled
album) and form Blue Murder. I got to see him on an MTVshow from Weird Al
of all people, and the incredable talent and his master of Harmonics and String
bending as if he had a Tremolo Bar on his Les Pauls (Zakk Wylde would make
it famous, but he had a predecessor)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpnx163Ozoc
The debut album I'd play over and over as "Valley of the Kings" would get lots
of play on MTV's new programme "The HeadBangers Ball" and I would learn
about a great deal more of Heavy Metal and Thrash.
KNAC also helped, it was a new Metal FM station, but then it started to play
too much Glam and Trash Rock (Not a big fan of Guns and Bozos and the
like) as it got even more popular. But the station would introduce "Pantera" and
they would EXPLODE onto the scene with their "Debut (even though they
started previously as a Glam/Metal band)" as an Aggro Metal band (Power
Metal -late 80's) with "Cowboys from Hell".
The Freelance jobs wained, I became DIRT poor which strained me and Don
even more (I remember sometimes not eating for a day or 2), as I took on
temp work to catch up on bills. Chris was getting an education on the ground
floor of the coming Video Game boom. Tim was growing weary of California
and getting homesick and felt his Art wasn't going anywhere, but we 3 hung
as much as possible and "fed me" and tried to keep my chin up.
. . . I have GREAT friends (to this day) and everyday, it would be a sort of
"monkey on my back" to re-pay the kindness of many people that would help
out throughout my life.
. . . I owe them my life.
" I need to live life
Like some people never will
So find me kindness
Find me beauty
Find me truth
When temptation brings me to
my knees
And I lay here drained of
strength
Show me kindness
Show me beauty
Show me truth"
-Learning to Live/Dream Theater
One more move until the unevitable . . .
"I understand mine's a risky plan, and your system can't miss, But
is security after all a cause, or symptom of happiness?"
- Only a Matter of Time/Dream Theater
But things got worse, no more frivolous spending for almost the next year. . .
Don had enough, he made his move and left me dry. I was furious at the
time but "I" was to blame, no-one else.
The next months would be filled with fear and loneliness. Chris was full on
working hard and going to school, and Tim was on his way back to Oklahoma.
Its weird, I would move RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the T-Shirt Printing company
I had freelanced for, but NO work what so ever!
The new place was a condo in Tustin with 3 strangers, all from South America
and were Jazz and Old Prog fans. I lived in a room that had to be 8ft X 8ft.
The Argentine, the main unit leaser was always on my case about something
which just killed my self-esteem further. The other was always gone and he
was from Mexico City. The only person that I could talk to was the other
Argentine and he was a Drummer for a Latin Night Club Band, but when he
played for himself . . . It was Jazz/Fusion! He would introduce me to the
music of Vinnie Collaiuta (who was his Idol); Chick Corea; Al Dimeola; Frank
Gambale; John McLaughlin; Chad Wackerman; Dixie Dregs and Rod
Morgenstien; John Scofield; Paco DeLucia; Jean Luc Ponty; Jaco Pastorias,
Stanley Clarke and more!
But this too would end, and I made the terribly HARD decision, after less than
2 years on my own (that seemed like 5) . . . I had to move back home.
I was very scared and felt I had no where else to turn and felt ashamed.
If I only knew what was in store . . .
Around this time, news of Guitarist, Marty Friedman would be joining Megadeth,
I was SHOCKED! I had been a fan of Marty and thought it was a match made
in heaven (Even though I was hoping for another album with his buddy Jason
Becker and Cacaphony). "Rust in Peace" would be a popular album and send
Deth in more Progressive directions which was most welcomed and added to
the legion of fans Deth had already, and for 2 more albums would add Marty's
influence and dare I say, made Dave Mustaine a better guitarist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfVTSSft7-s
And yet ANOTHER album would get much attention . . .
"Operation Mindcrime" by Queensryche would gather a new horde of fans with
this dark concept album, that I at first, was "dissapointed" with! (yeah I'm nuts!)
I was soo used to the sound of "Rage for Order" and its previous albums, and
this new one sounded . . . mellow. But as most albums in my catalogue, the ones
that take "longer" to get into, the more longevity they have. This one was no
exception and again, got to see this tour and was blown away. The next album
to come would bring them much success and make them HUGE ("Empire").
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJb3Lcvtn4M
About the Album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK7i2eX7bG8
1990.
I tried 1 more time to find even another place before that inevitable
destination. I ended up in the City of Orange, answering an Ad. The guy that
greeted me and gave me a tour of this huge house, then asked if I did
"Hard Drugs" because they didn't do that here, but they "partied"! As I look
over some friends and room-mates in the living room smoking Pot . . . great.
But then I noticed they were ALL sad, I asked whats goin' on?
One of the guys said, "You haven't heard. . . Stevie Ray Vaughn DIED in a
plane crash today!"
I had just become a fan the previous year, it was a Bluesy Jimi Hendrix
re-incarnated with soo much soul. And now this man is up there with Randy
Rhodes (who died also in a plane crash in previous years)and his Guitar
Heroes (his poor band mates and Brother who was making a name for
himself in the "Fabulous Thunderbirds"). . . what a sad way to leave Orange
County to what now waits for me . . .
"Watch out now, Take care beware, Of thoughts that linger, Winding 'round inside
your head, And the pain that often lingers...
In the dead of night, In the dead of night, Beware of darkness"
- Beware of Darkness/Spocks Beard
Phase12
New Friends, new disappointments.
To be Continued in Part3
No comments:
Post a Comment