MusicMusicEver since I was a kid, I've always loved music (so why the heck am I working in the computer field? - Go figure). When I was in elementary school I would even sing on the school bus. Yeah so I'm weird, but we already knew that.
My friends and I formed a band together, See the Anybody's Guess page for more details.
You might say I'm very"in tune" with music, even though I'm occasionally tone deaf. I started playing guitar when I was around 13. Over the years I've put it down for a bit and then would start playing again. I'm more partial to a more pure acoustic (6 & 12 string) style, probably due to my strong influences by The Alarm/Mike Peters . I recently cracked open my piggy bank again and bought myself a new Taylor acoustic-electric (right image). Not too long before, I bought a Rickenbacker(below image).It has that classic 60's style and it plays like butter. So does my Strat (left image)too. These 3 I consider my main squeezes and comprise a nice little collection in addition to 3 others guitars. Do I really need 6 guitars? ....Hey some people collect spouses, just ask Liz Taylor. But my collection is cheaper to keep than hers. Anyway, depending on my mood I can either mellow out with the acoustic sounds or turn up the volume and some distortion and rock a bit on the electrics. I mostly play rhythm guitar and chords, but with some more practice and lessons again, I'll soon be ready to wail some riffs and lead stuff.
I got me a harmonica. Someday maybe I'll get the hang of it. Someday, I'd like to play the piano too, but there's only so many hours in a day.
I grew up in the era of the 80's when rock was making the transition from classic to modern age/new-wave, so that's my preference. I still like Classic Rock but sometimes enough is enough and I need to hear some of the new stuff that's good. I'm always open minded when it comes to music and can handle most any type of music except Gangsta Rap (too angry) and Country (too depressing -- Here's a good one: What do you get when you play country music backwards? .......You get your wife, house, and pick-up truck back !)
I find the Ska, Rock-a-billy, and certain forms of Jazz pretty interesting too.
One small observation: If you listen to Latin music(Viva la Lambada); there's rarely a sad song in the house - how can there be when you swing your hips like that ! That's probably why I enjoy meringue music.
Well here are some of my positive and negative influences:
( + ) Artists I like -
The Alarm/Mike Peters - a definite favorite of mine, who are under-rated and never got the recognition they deserved. Perhaps some of the best combination of simple melodies and deep, meaningful lyrics since Lennon-McCartney.
Another up and coming favorite of mine: Sister Hazel - expect more good stuff from these guys in the near future, as well as the Gin Blossoms.
In addition;
The Beatles, The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, C.C.R., Van Morrison, Rush, Live, Jars of Clay, The Police, The Replacements, Squeeze, Matthew Sweet, Better Than Ezra, The Cure, New Order, Rancid, Greenday, The Clash, The Jam, The Ramones, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Elvis Costello, The Smithereens, Joe Jackson, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Zebra, - - - U2 and R.E.M. (more so before they both got real popular and real conceited)
PLUS Give me a few drinks, and perhaps a cigar and then Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin (Girls LOVE to be serenaded with this stuff).
Anyone else who isn't mentioned below is OK with me.
( - ) Artists I CANT STAND!:
Aerosmith(Steve Tyler - perhaps the key to man's "missing link"), Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lou Reed, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Beastie Boys, Primus, Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, Hole/Courtney Love, Smashing Pumpkins(Billy Corgan - one VERY weird dude with an annoying nasal voice - possible candidate for the anti-Christ ), Alanis Morrissette(VERY annoying voice --- sing sweetheart, DON'T whine!) Marilyn Manson, (SUPER FREAK, this guy needs a lobotomy BAD! - another possible candidate for the anti-Christ),Nine Inch Nails, Ozzy Ozbourne, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, Hootie & the Blow-hards....I mean fish, Guns and Roses(these dudes need more tattoos), Henry Rollins Band (Henry needs to calm down and relax. Also needs more tattoos),Bjork (what planet did she come from?), Michael Bolton, Celine Dion (and all those other people who sing those drippy songs which they don't even write), Michael Jackson(one word: FREAK),
Hanson, and the Spice Girls! (YUCK !! Why do too may people mistake decent looks or the "cute kid" looks for talent? MORAL OF THE STORY: It doesn't take much to make it in the music industry these days.)
I'm not too crazy about the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, or Pearl Jam and the whole Seattle-grunge scene.
-- I think that's all of 'em.
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P.S. Mick Jagger and the Stones - know when to say when. Anyone who can do that much drugs and survive should NOT push it! QUIT WHILE YOU'RE STILL ALIVE.
Here's some useful musical links I've found:
