Disclaimer: Similiar to my list of top ten drummers, this not a list of the best bassists of all-time, or the best bassists around right now, or anything like that. I am not qualified enough to judge the abilities of every bassist in the history of the world against each other and determine the best. Nor is this a list of the bassists from my favorite bands (though there is a noticeable overlap; half of them are/were a member of one of my top five favorite bands). This is a list of the people I'd pay just to watch them play bass (without the rest of their respective bands) and get some pointers. They are presented in no particular order.
Kelly Ogden, The Dollyrots - One of my more recent favorites, I love her upbeat personality, and the way she has fun with it.
Maya Ford, The Donnas - She's also a pretty good artist, as seen by this Donnas T-shirt.
Mike Dirnt, Green Day - My favorite on this list. Author of one of my favorite Green Day songs, J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva).
Scott Shriner, Weezer - A great pick up after Mikey Welsh left Weezer in 2001.
Flea, Red Hot Chili Peppers - Slap-style technique, very cool.
Gene Simmons, Kiss - A tip of the cap to Gene for admitting why he markets the hell out of Kiss. He didn't want his kids to grow up poor like he did. His reality show is pretty good, I enjoy watching it.
Mark Hoppus, blink-182 - I prefer his singing to that of guitarist Tom DeLonge.
Greg K, The Offspring - Dexter and Noodles get all the love, but don't underestimate what Greg brings to the table for this band.
Matt Sharp, Weezer - Did a fantastic job when he was in Weezer.
Emma Anzai, Sick Puppies - The most hardcore (IMO) on this list. Just look at the way she rocks it in their video for "You're Going Down".
Showing posts with label The Donnas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Donnas. Show all posts
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
If only I had more time...
I don't suppose anyone has a DeLorean I could borrow for a little while, would they?
No? Dang. Well, I had to ask...
Ever since I became a Donnaholic, I've wondered how much it'd cost to hire The Donnas to play a private show for me (and anyone else I'd want to invite).
I no longer have to wonder about that. I called their booking agents last night. For the low, low price of $15,000 + travel expenses, they could fly up to Fargo and melt my face off.
I'm surprised I was able to get a figure that easily. I had this elaborate pseudo-lie all planned out to snow the guy over and make it seem like I was completely serious about it. I'd be hiring them for my birthday (which is at the end of December), I had the money (which I do, just not easily accessible), I had a venue picked out (that was a COMPLETE lie). But Ron just told me. Quick and easy. I beat around the bush a little more, telling him I'd have to crunch the numbers. He told me to shoot him an e-mail if I could make it work.
And I think I CAN make it work. I'm assuming a minimum of $10,000 for travel expenses (flights, hotel rooms, meals) and venue rental. I think it'd be just enough to eke it out.
Onto the event itself...
Simple. They'd play at my birthday party. Help me celebrate my ascent (or descent) into 30. Then I started to think bigger. December 29th is only a couple days before New Year's. Let's combine the two!! It's been done before. It'd make the party even bigger. Perhaps sell some tickets and open it up to the general public (and recoup expenses).
But who am I to hog The Donnas to myself in such a small town?! If we're gonna do it right, we need a REAL location. The Twin Cities. This would also allow all my friends to come, which is all I've really wanted for my birthday. Spending it with the people I love. And I can't leave out the Donnaholics. I'd be willing to pay to fly a few of them in, like my friend Jennifer from Phoenix. Of course, with it being New Year's, I'm sure The Donnas and their crew would want to spend it with their loved ones. I'd allow all of them to bring one additional guest each (if they have an S.O.).
Additional airfare... Nice hotel for The Donnas to stay at... A metro-area venue for New Year's... We're looking at $40,000 now.
I just added up the numbers. If I mortgage my future and rob from every bank and savings account I have, I've got over $44,000 to my name. We're in business now...
Sadly, six weeks is not going to be enough time to pull this off. I should have started planning this in, like, August. And maybe saving the money up since... I dunno, 2008?
There IS always next year... :D
No? Dang. Well, I had to ask...
Ever since I became a Donnaholic, I've wondered how much it'd cost to hire The Donnas to play a private show for me (and anyone else I'd want to invite).
I no longer have to wonder about that. I called their booking agents last night. For the low, low price of $15,000 + travel expenses, they could fly up to Fargo and melt my face off.
I'm surprised I was able to get a figure that easily. I had this elaborate pseudo-lie all planned out to snow the guy over and make it seem like I was completely serious about it. I'd be hiring them for my birthday (which is at the end of December), I had the money (which I do, just not easily accessible), I had a venue picked out (that was a COMPLETE lie). But Ron just told me. Quick and easy. I beat around the bush a little more, telling him I'd have to crunch the numbers. He told me to shoot him an e-mail if I could make it work.
And I think I CAN make it work. I'm assuming a minimum of $10,000 for travel expenses (flights, hotel rooms, meals) and venue rental. I think it'd be just enough to eke it out.
Onto the event itself...
Simple. They'd play at my birthday party. Help me celebrate my ascent (or descent) into 30. Then I started to think bigger. December 29th is only a couple days before New Year's. Let's combine the two!! It's been done before. It'd make the party even bigger. Perhaps sell some tickets and open it up to the general public (and recoup expenses).
But who am I to hog The Donnas to myself in such a small town?! If we're gonna do it right, we need a REAL location. The Twin Cities. This would also allow all my friends to come, which is all I've really wanted for my birthday. Spending it with the people I love. And I can't leave out the Donnaholics. I'd be willing to pay to fly a few of them in, like my friend Jennifer from Phoenix. Of course, with it being New Year's, I'm sure The Donnas and their crew would want to spend it with their loved ones. I'd allow all of them to bring one additional guest each (if they have an S.O.).
Additional airfare... Nice hotel for The Donnas to stay at... A metro-area venue for New Year's... We're looking at $40,000 now.
I just added up the numbers. If I mortgage my future and rob from every bank and savings account I have, I've got over $44,000 to my name. We're in business now...
Sadly, six weeks is not going to be enough time to pull this off. I should have started planning this in, like, August. And maybe saving the money up since... I dunno, 2008?
There IS always next year... :D
Monday, July 5, 2010
You guys could learn a thing or two...
Even though Weezer is and will forever be my favorite band, and I fell head over heels in love with The Donnas last Labor Day, I really think Green Day is the team to beat now.
If Green Day continues the musical and commercial success they've had over the last 12 months, the bands in my top two could fall out of their respective rankings. How can Weezer and The Donnas solidify their spots? Easy, just borrow from Green Day's playbook.
For example, Rivers Cuomo and the rest of Weezer should go back to Songs From the Black Hole. This album was planned as the follow up to the Blue Album, but the idea eventually fell apart and the end result was Pinkerton (which itself was a good album, but not the immediate commercial success that the Blue Album was, and more or less caused Cuomo to disappear from the scene for a few years). With the success of the American Idiot musical on Broadway, maybe it's time for Weezer to go back to that fountain. They can make it work, Rivers is just a musical genius, and I'm sure he and a broadway director would hammer out a damn good show.
As for The Donnas, they should also release their own Rock Band title. I love playing Green Day: Rock Band, even more than Rock Band 2. I realize that The Donnas: Rock Band is probably more of an EA decision than anyone else's, but I've thought most of this out. Three of the four venues would be Hugh Center Court at Jordan Middle School in Palo Alto, CA, site of their first performance when they were still in the eighth grade; the auditorium hosting the battle of the bands in the Take It Off music video; and Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, site of Desert Moon 2, the holy grail of live Donnas performances. As for the song list, I think there'd be significant overlap with this sampler platter playlist and the DM2 setlist. I don't think you'd have full albums like GDRB, but definitely 4-5 songs from every single album they've released (might be a little tricky, though, since The Donnas have been on 3 separate record labels in their 17-year history).
I really can't make it any simpler than that. You have your orders, so get to work. :D
If Green Day continues the musical and commercial success they've had over the last 12 months, the bands in my top two could fall out of their respective rankings. How can Weezer and The Donnas solidify their spots? Easy, just borrow from Green Day's playbook.
For example, Rivers Cuomo and the rest of Weezer should go back to Songs From the Black Hole. This album was planned as the follow up to the Blue Album, but the idea eventually fell apart and the end result was Pinkerton (which itself was a good album, but not the immediate commercial success that the Blue Album was, and more or less caused Cuomo to disappear from the scene for a few years). With the success of the American Idiot musical on Broadway, maybe it's time for Weezer to go back to that fountain. They can make it work, Rivers is just a musical genius, and I'm sure he and a broadway director would hammer out a damn good show.
As for The Donnas, they should also release their own Rock Band title. I love playing Green Day: Rock Band, even more than Rock Band 2. I realize that The Donnas: Rock Band is probably more of an EA decision than anyone else's, but I've thought most of this out. Three of the four venues would be Hugh Center Court at Jordan Middle School in Palo Alto, CA, site of their first performance when they were still in the eighth grade; the auditorium hosting the battle of the bands in the Take It Off music video; and Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, site of Desert Moon 2, the holy grail of live Donnas performances. As for the song list, I think there'd be significant overlap with this sampler platter playlist and the DM2 setlist. I don't think you'd have full albums like GDRB, but definitely 4-5 songs from every single album they've released (might be a little tricky, though, since The Donnas have been on 3 separate record labels in their 17-year history).
I really can't make it any simpler than that. You have your orders, so get to work. :D
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Take your time
There are two ways to choose when become a fan of something.
First, you can become a fan of something right away, getting in on the ground floor. And sometimes, it's really great, because you can "grow" with the target of your fandom, change in-sync with them, and the influence it/they have over you will last your entire life.
It doesn't always work out that nicely and neatly. You're human, so change can potentially frighten you. And when your idol changes for the worse, you're disappointed. You don't like that change, you complain "it's not like it was before". Eventually, you're not a fan anymore, because they don't stand for what they originally did.
Worse yet, if you remain a fan, accepting the change of your heroes, you could become overpossessive. I knew a guy in college who was (and probably still is, to my knowledge) a big Barenaked Ladies fan. Even before they broke through in America with "One Week". And he was ultra-critical of those more recent fans who only liked BNL because of "One Week". He was kind of a hateful douchebag about it. So angry. You'd think a true fan would be glad when their heroes make it to the top and get more fans. You know, to validate the time and money they've invested in following their pursuits and have someone to share it with.
Or secondly, you can wait before you hop on the bandwagon. Wait until someone has been out there for a while before you decide if you want to be a fan or not.
I recommend this approach. It's way less stressful. When you look back at something that's been out there for a while, you can be more objective about the things that entity has done. Sure, you can say "Oh, they changed". But that change happened YEARS ago. It's done, it's over. Looking at something in retrospect, you don't have that emotional attachment, so you can judge things with a clearer mindset.
For example, my two favorite bands are Weezer and The Donnas. In both cases, I didn't become a fan of them until they'd already been around for nearly 10 years (or more). Sure, I did have one of their albums each for a few years before I became their fan, but I was only a fan of the album (or even just a few of the songs). Then one day, something just clicked, I started digging through their catalogues, and fell in love.
If you want to understand how I got to this point, you can read my "Levels of Music" post, but to quasi-summarize: Weezer released the Blue Album in '94; I got it as a freshman in college. They released their Video Capture Device DVD containing all their videos and some behind-the-scenes stuff in '04, and I absolutely loved it. I then proceeded buy their other three albums (at the time) and their three albums since then shortly after their release dates. The Donnas released "Spend the Night" (their major-label debut, but fifth album overall) in October '02, I bought it in October '05. I got Rock Band 2 last summer, featuring their song "New Kid in School". The last weekend of August, after a brutal week at work and still waiting for my replacement drum pads to come back from EA, I surfed the Internet and became entranced by those beautiful sirens. Since then, I bought 6 of their albums, watched countless videos of them online, and read anything I could find about them.
In both instances, I can look back at all their albums and see the evolutions in their respective styles and sounds. Each album from both bands represents not only a different sound, but a different maturity level and emotional state. I could get into a big long thing about what I think each album stands for, but that'd take too long. What I can say is, "I can appreciate each one in their own special way. Just because X doesn't sound like Y, and neither sounds like Z, doesn't mean I can't like them all."
So, if you're considering becoming a fan of something, take your time. This isn't a limited time offer. You don't have to act now. Wait. Days, weeks, months, years; doesn't matter. The targets of your affection will be there for you, if and when you become a fan.
First, you can become a fan of something right away, getting in on the ground floor. And sometimes, it's really great, because you can "grow" with the target of your fandom, change in-sync with them, and the influence it/they have over you will last your entire life.
It doesn't always work out that nicely and neatly. You're human, so change can potentially frighten you. And when your idol changes for the worse, you're disappointed. You don't like that change, you complain "it's not like it was before". Eventually, you're not a fan anymore, because they don't stand for what they originally did.
Worse yet, if you remain a fan, accepting the change of your heroes, you could become overpossessive. I knew a guy in college who was (and probably still is, to my knowledge) a big Barenaked Ladies fan. Even before they broke through in America with "One Week". And he was ultra-critical of those more recent fans who only liked BNL because of "One Week". He was kind of a hateful douchebag about it. So angry. You'd think a true fan would be glad when their heroes make it to the top and get more fans. You know, to validate the time and money they've invested in following their pursuits and have someone to share it with.
Or secondly, you can wait before you hop on the bandwagon. Wait until someone has been out there for a while before you decide if you want to be a fan or not.
I recommend this approach. It's way less stressful. When you look back at something that's been out there for a while, you can be more objective about the things that entity has done. Sure, you can say "Oh, they changed". But that change happened YEARS ago. It's done, it's over. Looking at something in retrospect, you don't have that emotional attachment, so you can judge things with a clearer mindset.
For example, my two favorite bands are Weezer and The Donnas. In both cases, I didn't become a fan of them until they'd already been around for nearly 10 years (or more). Sure, I did have one of their albums each for a few years before I became their fan, but I was only a fan of the album (or even just a few of the songs). Then one day, something just clicked, I started digging through their catalogues, and fell in love.
If you want to understand how I got to this point, you can read my "Levels of Music" post, but to quasi-summarize: Weezer released the Blue Album in '94; I got it as a freshman in college. They released their Video Capture Device DVD containing all their videos and some behind-the-scenes stuff in '04, and I absolutely loved it. I then proceeded buy their other three albums (at the time) and their three albums since then shortly after their release dates. The Donnas released "Spend the Night" (their major-label debut, but fifth album overall) in October '02, I bought it in October '05. I got Rock Band 2 last summer, featuring their song "New Kid in School". The last weekend of August, after a brutal week at work and still waiting for my replacement drum pads to come back from EA, I surfed the Internet and became entranced by those beautiful sirens. Since then, I bought 6 of their albums, watched countless videos of them online, and read anything I could find about them.
In both instances, I can look back at all their albums and see the evolutions in their respective styles and sounds. Each album from both bands represents not only a different sound, but a different maturity level and emotional state. I could get into a big long thing about what I think each album stands for, but that'd take too long. What I can say is, "I can appreciate each one in their own special way. Just because X doesn't sound like Y, and neither sounds like Z, doesn't mean I can't like them all."
So, if you're considering becoming a fan of something, take your time. This isn't a limited time offer. You don't have to act now. Wait. Days, weeks, months, years; doesn't matter. The targets of your affection will be there for you, if and when you become a fan.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Top 10 Drummers
Disclaimer: This not a list of the best drummers of all-time, or the best drummers around right now, or anything like that. I am not qualified enough to judge the abilities of every drummer in the history of the world against each other and determine the best. Nor is this a list of the drummers from my favorite bands (though there is a noticeable overlap; 4 of these people are a member of one of my three favorite bands). This is a list of the people I'd pay just to watch them play drums, up close and personal (within 10 feet, and over their shoulders), without the rest of their respective bands. They are presented in no particular order.
Torry Castellano, The Donnas - My dream girl for the last five months. Get well soon, sweetie, I wanna see you play in MSP this year!!
Patrick Wilson, Weezer
Tré Cool, Green Day
Brad Arnold, 3 Doors Down
Longineu Parsons, Yellowcard - That guy is fast, holy lord!! Just listen to some Yellowcard and you'll be blown away.
Rivers Cuomo, Weezer - I know he's not the drummer for Weezer, but he's just as talented. He can play as well as anyone on this list.
Brad Wilk, Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave
Greg Eklund, Everclear - I will always see Everclear as the '94-'03 Art Alexakis-Craig Montoya-Greg Eklund trio
Dave Grohl, Nirvana/Foo Fighters - The BEST drummer on this list, by a good margin (IMO)
Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Torry Castellano, The Donnas - My dream girl for the last five months. Get well soon, sweetie, I wanna see you play in MSP this year!!
Patrick Wilson, Weezer
Tré Cool, Green Day
Brad Arnold, 3 Doors Down
Longineu Parsons, Yellowcard - That guy is fast, holy lord!! Just listen to some Yellowcard and you'll be blown away.
Rivers Cuomo, Weezer - I know he's not the drummer for Weezer, but he's just as talented. He can play as well as anyone on this list.
Brad Wilk, Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave
Greg Eklund, Everclear - I will always see Everclear as the '94-'03 Art Alexakis-Craig Montoya-Greg Eklund trio
Dave Grohl, Nirvana/Foo Fighters - The BEST drummer on this list, by a good margin (IMO)
Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Step 2: ???
I love The Donnas. Probably in an incredibly unhealthy way. All because I became obsessed with them after going nuts that I couldn't do anything satisfy my hunger for playing Rock Band.
I love The Donnas, but this is only a recent revelation. Even as recently as mid-September, I only owned one Donnas album, their major-label debut "Spend the Night". I'm sure I only bought that album for the two biggest hits, "Take It Off" and "Who Invited You". I also purchased "The Cream of Clapton", Tom Petty's "Wildflower", The Killers' "Hot Fuss", and greatest hit collections from The Who and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in that same order from Amazon.com. This was a seven-album, eight-disc boost to my music collection. I'm getting off-topic...
I love The Donnas. And not just because I'm attracted to them. That may have started this thing, but it didn't end there. I love their music. I started working my way forward through their catalog, not particularly caring for some of the older stuff (initially, I didn't like younger Brett's higher-pitched voiced and the faster pace at which they played, but I've come to embrace it as much as their current musical style), but as I filled out the front end, I had to start going through the back end to alleviate my need for a fix (and I fell in love with those albums too). Ask me my favorite Donnas album, and you won't get an answer. It'd be like picking a favorite child. I love each of their six albums in my possession (Get Skintight, Turn 21, Spend the Night, Gold Medal, Bitchin', and Greatest Hits Vol. 16) in their own special ways. They each bring something different to the table. The Donnas have evolved musically in their nearly seventeen years together. Each album is a stop along that road, and they're all great. Getting off-topic again...
I love The Donnas. Along with the music, they're very enjoyable people. I've ended up favoriting just as many interview/backstage videos on YouTube as I have performances/music videos. Allison Robertson (guitar) just talks with so much passion for their jobs. Brett Anderson (lead singer) and Maya Ford (bass) are dynamic as well. And Torry Castellano (drums)... Well, she's just a little pixie. Gun to my head, forcing me to choose one of them to be with? It's Donna C.
After being on this road for the past 4+ months, there is only one way this can end. Once, just ONCE, I want to meet them. It's probably one of the biggest deciding factors in me wanting to move to the Twin Cities. Pre-Donnas, I just needed to get out of Fargo; they gave me a concrete goal to work towards. Eight shows in Minneapolis since '98 (just as many as Vegas, Salt Lake, or London), the most recent of which was Feb. 28, 2008. They'll be back, I know it.
The Donnas have opened my world. Kinda. For example, guitarist Allison Robertson appeared in some print ads for the Zoom Q3 device. On YouTube, there is this video of the photo shoot she did with Anthrax's Scott Ian. The song in the background sounded awesome, so I had to find out what it was and download it (via legal methods). It was Feel Good Drag by Anberlin. It rocks! I like it so much it's made the list of the 1% of my music collection on my PDA smartphone. Brett did an interview with Suicide Girls Radio. She mentions root beer floats with Jack Daniels in it (which I tried but didn't particularly care for, but I think that's because I can't drink any type of soda other than cola-flavored anymore) and Ikea Heights, a web-based soap opera shot entirely in an Ikea store (which I found to be pretty clever). I want to get Drive Me Crazy (where they appear as the Electrocutes, they band they formed before they became The Donnas), Detroit Rock City and Grind on DVD (both of which include a music video that I could rip onto my PC). I could go on, and I know these are pretty stupid examples, but I feel they're great for trying to explain how these girls have touched me since I became a fan of their band.
So, the question that then presented itself was "How could I meet them?". And not the obvious stuff, of course. I get to the Cities by moving down there. They come to town for a show. I get a ticket and go. Then I try to get backstage or wait outside afterwards (this is Step 1: Meet The Donnas). This is where the "How?" comes into play. I needed to come up with an idea that'd get me through whatever barriers I may run into. Not so much physically (bouncers, locks, etc.). I mean, once I do get face-to-face with them, what do I say? What do I do? How can I make a good impression on them? (the as-of-yet undefined Step 2) I want to leave that venue at the end of the night not just with a couple of autographs and a few pictures. I want to be able to call Brett, Maya, Allison, and Torry friends. More importantly, I want them to call ME a friend. Where I could call them to say "Hey" or they call me when they come to town: "Hey Paul, wanna go grab something to eat?" (Step 3: Profit!).
Yes, I totally admit this is dangerously obsessive. And because I'm thinking like this, I should be kept hundreds of miles away from them at all times. But I can't shake this feeling like this is fate. Like maybe I'm supposed to be with Torry (or maybe one of the others, but again, gun to my head...). A part of me says, "There's nothing wrong with that. You're 29, they're 30/31. It's natural to be attracted to someone your own age." And if I get to them, make my play, and get shot down, I'd be totally OK with that. I could move on, because I had to find out and did. I won't have to live with that regret for the rest of my life. I'd still be a fan of their music and them as the people they are.
After weeks of contemplation, I came up with an answer. Twizzlers. They went nuts for them when Charmaine Brooks brought some backstage (for the purposes of this post, it doesn't really matter who Charmaine Brooks is, other than a person who has backstage access to The Donnas; now YOU'RE getting off-topic). Just fast-forward to the 4:10 mark of this video, as Allison is pulling things out of a bag of gifts Charmaine brought the girls. After about 30-40seconds, Torry just starts chanting, in fact, BEGGING for some Twizzlers. They just love them (or at least I perceive they do). If I show up backstage with a bag (or two) of Twizzlers, I'm in. That's how I see it.
But I keep thinking that I need something more. A conversation piece. Something to talk about and try to form a bond over.
As a sports fan, I visit ESPN.com on a daily basis (with multiple visits per day). The best part is when Bill Simmons, The Sports Guy, posts a new article. Even if it's about the NBA, which I don't care for, or even something not related to sports at all (movies and other pop culture-related things). Bill is awesome. I just love his work. I've gotten countless hours of enjoyment out of it.
In 2005, Bill introduced a new type of article to his ESPN.com repertoire, The Curious Guy, where he sends e-mails back and forth with someone. Yeah, that's it, that's the whole article. One of the first ones that Bill did was with "the best-selling author and pop culture guru" Chuck Klosterman. Klosterman, like myself, is a native of North Dakota. And after reading this Curious Guy article, I was impressed with Chuck. His primary realm of expertise was music and its affects on pop culture, but he also knows quite a bit about sports too. After this article, Chuck started writing things for ESPN's Page 2 as well.
One of the best of these articles was "All Too Perfect", written before Super Bowl XLII (for those of you not keeping score at home, that's the one where the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots to end their bid to go a perfect 19-0). The article "explains why losing the Super Bowl would make the Patriots immortal". Funny how things work out; he may have jinxed them with that piece. But as I was reading it in the days leading up to that big game, I found myself agreeing more and more with the point Chuck was trying to make. It was fuckin' brilliant. That's when I became a Chuck Klosterman fan.
A few days after that game, I was reading the Fargo Forum at lunch at a fast food restaurant (I'm pretty sure it was the McDonald's on 19th Avenue N. in Fargo), and saw that Chuck was coming to the F-M area to do a talk at MSU-Moorhead. I had to go and meet this geek-chic pop culture guru. Listen to him talk. Maybe get an autograph. So that evening, before the show, I ran to Barnes and Noble and picked up a couple of his books, "Fargo Rock City" and "Killing Yourself to Live". Yeah, maybe it's a little hypocritical, I didn't (and still don't) care. Went to the talk. He sounded a little more geeky than I was expecting, but I had a good time (particularly when he proceeded to tear apart a girl and her logic when she stated that she's anti-pop culture, but he argued that she's still using pop culture as a defining point to describe what she does or doesn't like). Afterwards, everyone lined up to get his John Hancock, as did I. When my turn came to talk to him, I told him how great that article about the Patriots losing the Super Bowl was. He signed my copy of "Fargo Rock City" and I left. I ended up reading the first couple chapters before I lost interest with it (the last book I read was the final Harry Potter book in July '07; it felt like such a chore, but I had to do it since I read the previous 6).
Fast-forward back to the present. I use Twitter, but I'm only following about 20 people. A few friends, my Gophers and Jayhawks, a few random people who started following me, and my favorite columnist, Bill Simmons. Bill recently mentioned in one of his Twitter posts (I refuse to use the term "tweet") that Chuck has started using Twitter. I start following Chuck, then it comes to me after following him for a couple days...
This is how I can get a conversation started with Torry, I can just give her a copy of "Fargo Rock City"! It's about the same kind of music that The Donnas grew up on. Kiss, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe. It'll be perfect! I'm set!
I'm basing this hypothesis on two things. One, a blog post from a round of "Ask The Donnas" (concept explained my blog post here), where Torry talks about re-reading Crime and Punishment (and implying that she's read it at least once before). Two, this appearance on mun2 where she mentions that she's reading Slash's autobiography (fast-forward to the 8:00 mark). Based on these two examples of books she's read, she is an avid reader, and she'll likely read "Fargo Rock City" if I give her a copy. This may be some of the most fucked up logic that you've even seen, but it makes sense to ME.
Of course, how I can a recommend any book to any person if I haven't already read it myself? I grabbed my copy of "Fargo Rock City" off my bookshelf and started reading it. I took it to work so I could read it on my breaks and during my lunch hour. I also read it at home a bit, at night, if nothing good was on TV. It was good. Although Chuck and I have little in common; he's eight years older than me. Musically, he's a product of the late '70s and the '80s, and I'm a product of the '90s. But I get it. Or at least I think I do. He breaks down metal in so many ways, how it affected and influenced him and the rest of America. I loved it. I think I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed a book this much in my life. I was laughing out loud. I was nodding my head in agreement. I was making that noise my buddy Travis makes when he comes across an amusing revelation (that I can only best describe as a high-pitched "Hunh!"). It's great, I'm glad I finally took the time to read Chuck's book (and I will proceed to purchase and read his remaining five books).
It's 8:30 last night. There's nothing good on TV, except the Gophers hockey game, but I've never been one who could sit still enough to watch sports on TV (blame it on my ADHD). I turn the volume down, start playing music on my laptop, pick up "Fargo Rock City", and start reading. I had about 70 pages left (roughly the last quarter of the book), and I was planning to read until 10, when South Park would come on.
I'm making my way through the final chapters, when Chuck starts to discuss the current bands (current as of 1998, when the book was written and published) that best carry the torch of those 80's hair metal bands. He first talks about groups like Korn and Rage Against the Machine, but they don't quite fit the bill to his satisfaction. Chuck starts to dig further into it. And who does he mention at the bottom on page 246?
You're damn right. The Donnas. An entire paragraph to devoted all aspects of their music. Comparisons to the same bands that Chuck himself (and The Donnas) grew up on. Kiss, Skid Row, Mötley Crüe. He calls their second album, American Teenage Rock 'n' Roll Machine, "the only legitimately great record released in 1998".
"Holy Fuck!" That was my initial reaction, then I was literally speechless after I read that paragraph. For two or three minutes, I wasn't sure how to react. I stopped reading immediately to try to process this. The same book that I was going to recommend to a member of a band actually MENTIONED that band. Needless to say, this was totally unexpected. I tried to post something profound about this revelation on Twitter, but due to my speechlessness and the 140 character limit, I could only get this out. Even weirder, I had decided only a day or two before this that I was going to purchase ATRM in the near future, partly because I want to complete my Donnas collection of albums (I had only obtained Get Skintight and Turn 21 a couple weeks ago), partly because The Donnas posted a new video on YouTube, the live performance of "Speed Demon" from their Desert Moon 2 concert in Sept. '08 (this song is on ATRM).
I only had 20-25 pages to go, so I decide to finish the rest of the book. I left my couch, where I had been sitting (the Gopher game was over and everything else on TV was just going to be a distraction I didn't need), go into my office, and finish "Fargo Rock City". Then I could, and would be ready to, start writing on my blog about my reaction to this.
Officially, if the topic comes up for discussion, I don't believe in signs or fate or destiny or any of that crap. Sure, there maybe some kind of supernatural force at play that I may never fully understand, but people are on the paths they travel because of the decisions they make. That's why I'm at where I am now. I control my own destiny. But I don't think I've ever actually said that to anyone...
But that one paragraph in Chuck's book... Maybe THIS is a sign... Even further enforcing that belief: yesterday (January 8th) was both Maya's and Torry's birthday.
I know what you're going to say. "Paul, you don't believe in signs!!" Well,... maybe this is a sign that I should believe in signs.
At work this week, most conversations I'd have with my co-workers would focus on "Are you going to the holiday party this weekend?" I don't really want to go. I hate that they moved it to after the holidays instead of before. That first week back from work each of the last four years has been so stressful from the "urgent" needs of people to address their computer issues, that I really want nothing to do with any of them. At all. So I'd answer "Yeah, probably, but I got this nagging feeling like there's something important I need to do this weekend..." It's mostly bullshit, but a very small part of me did feel that way. And I'd admit to that person that I need to laundry (which is true), but that wasn't it (especially since I've got all day Sunday to take care of it).
Looking back on this whole thing... Maybe this was that important thing I needed to do. Maybe it's yet another sign... Then again, maybe this is just me trying to find a pattern, a connection, something, to interrelate a number of highly coincidental events.
And this doesn't even begin to address a potential flaw in Step 2 to make a play for Torry. It's totally possible that she may have already read this book. It's more than ten years old at this point, it's about the same kind of music she grew up on, it mentions her band (though not her specifically, like it does Brett and Allison). I can't speak for her, but I'm such a narcissist that I would read every single book out there that mentioned me or my band. But doesn't this still give me a way in? I mean, if she's already read the book, then I don't have to wait for her to read it and call me to discuss it. I present her with the text, she recognizes it, and we start talking about it. Like Chuck states in the foreward to "Fargo Rock City", "You walk up to any desirable person..., and you say (with a certain sense of endearing bewilderment), 'Isn't it insane how many books there are about ___?' Fill in the blank with whatever subject..." (Yes, I took some liberties with the ellipses, but that doesn't totally invalidate the approach in this situation.)
Last week, The Donnas posted on their Facebook page, "BRAND NEW YEAR, BRAND NEW ALBUM! HELLO 2010!!!" (their caps, not mine). Torry has been sitting on the shelf since at least May '09, due to shoulder problems. I infer from this Twitter post that at some point this year, she'll be well enough to go back into the studio with the rest of The Donnas and record, then they'll go out on tour. They didn't visit the Twin Cities during their tour this past summer, so I'd say they're due.
When they do, I'll be there with Twizzlers and "Fargo Rock City". I'll find a way to get to them, and we'll play ball. Regardless of how it will end, I'll be happy. I just gotta get past Step 2 and find out, you know?...
I love The Donnas, but this is only a recent revelation. Even as recently as mid-September, I only owned one Donnas album, their major-label debut "Spend the Night". I'm sure I only bought that album for the two biggest hits, "Take It Off" and "Who Invited You". I also purchased "The Cream of Clapton", Tom Petty's "Wildflower", The Killers' "Hot Fuss", and greatest hit collections from The Who and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in that same order from Amazon.com. This was a seven-album, eight-disc boost to my music collection. I'm getting off-topic...
I love The Donnas. And not just because I'm attracted to them. That may have started this thing, but it didn't end there. I love their music. I started working my way forward through their catalog, not particularly caring for some of the older stuff (initially, I didn't like younger Brett's higher-pitched voiced and the faster pace at which they played, but I've come to embrace it as much as their current musical style), but as I filled out the front end, I had to start going through the back end to alleviate my need for a fix (and I fell in love with those albums too). Ask me my favorite Donnas album, and you won't get an answer. It'd be like picking a favorite child. I love each of their six albums in my possession (Get Skintight, Turn 21, Spend the Night, Gold Medal, Bitchin', and Greatest Hits Vol. 16) in their own special ways. They each bring something different to the table. The Donnas have evolved musically in their nearly seventeen years together. Each album is a stop along that road, and they're all great. Getting off-topic again...
I love The Donnas. Along with the music, they're very enjoyable people. I've ended up favoriting just as many interview/backstage videos on YouTube as I have performances/music videos. Allison Robertson (guitar) just talks with so much passion for their jobs. Brett Anderson (lead singer) and Maya Ford (bass) are dynamic as well. And Torry Castellano (drums)... Well, she's just a little pixie. Gun to my head, forcing me to choose one of them to be with? It's Donna C.
After being on this road for the past 4+ months, there is only one way this can end. Once, just ONCE, I want to meet them. It's probably one of the biggest deciding factors in me wanting to move to the Twin Cities. Pre-Donnas, I just needed to get out of Fargo; they gave me a concrete goal to work towards. Eight shows in Minneapolis since '98 (just as many as Vegas, Salt Lake, or London), the most recent of which was Feb. 28, 2008. They'll be back, I know it.
The Donnas have opened my world. Kinda. For example, guitarist Allison Robertson appeared in some print ads for the Zoom Q3 device. On YouTube, there is this video of the photo shoot she did with Anthrax's Scott Ian. The song in the background sounded awesome, so I had to find out what it was and download it (via legal methods). It was Feel Good Drag by Anberlin. It rocks! I like it so much it's made the list of the 1% of my music collection on my PDA smartphone. Brett did an interview with Suicide Girls Radio. She mentions root beer floats with Jack Daniels in it (which I tried but didn't particularly care for, but I think that's because I can't drink any type of soda other than cola-flavored anymore) and Ikea Heights, a web-based soap opera shot entirely in an Ikea store (which I found to be pretty clever). I want to get Drive Me Crazy (where they appear as the Electrocutes, they band they formed before they became The Donnas), Detroit Rock City and Grind on DVD (both of which include a music video that I could rip onto my PC). I could go on, and I know these are pretty stupid examples, but I feel they're great for trying to explain how these girls have touched me since I became a fan of their band.
So, the question that then presented itself was "How could I meet them?". And not the obvious stuff, of course. I get to the Cities by moving down there. They come to town for a show. I get a ticket and go. Then I try to get backstage or wait outside afterwards (this is Step 1: Meet The Donnas). This is where the "How?" comes into play. I needed to come up with an idea that'd get me through whatever barriers I may run into. Not so much physically (bouncers, locks, etc.). I mean, once I do get face-to-face with them, what do I say? What do I do? How can I make a good impression on them? (the as-of-yet undefined Step 2) I want to leave that venue at the end of the night not just with a couple of autographs and a few pictures. I want to be able to call Brett, Maya, Allison, and Torry friends. More importantly, I want them to call ME a friend. Where I could call them to say "Hey" or they call me when they come to town: "Hey Paul, wanna go grab something to eat?" (Step 3: Profit!).
Yes, I totally admit this is dangerously obsessive. And because I'm thinking like this, I should be kept hundreds of miles away from them at all times. But I can't shake this feeling like this is fate. Like maybe I'm supposed to be with Torry (or maybe one of the others, but again, gun to my head...). A part of me says, "There's nothing wrong with that. You're 29, they're 30/31. It's natural to be attracted to someone your own age." And if I get to them, make my play, and get shot down, I'd be totally OK with that. I could move on, because I had to find out and did. I won't have to live with that regret for the rest of my life. I'd still be a fan of their music and them as the people they are.
After weeks of contemplation, I came up with an answer. Twizzlers. They went nuts for them when Charmaine Brooks brought some backstage (for the purposes of this post, it doesn't really matter who Charmaine Brooks is, other than a person who has backstage access to The Donnas; now YOU'RE getting off-topic). Just fast-forward to the 4:10 mark of this video, as Allison is pulling things out of a bag of gifts Charmaine brought the girls. After about 30-40seconds, Torry just starts chanting, in fact, BEGGING for some Twizzlers. They just love them (or at least I perceive they do). If I show up backstage with a bag (or two) of Twizzlers, I'm in. That's how I see it.
But I keep thinking that I need something more. A conversation piece. Something to talk about and try to form a bond over.
As a sports fan, I visit ESPN.com on a daily basis (with multiple visits per day). The best part is when Bill Simmons, The Sports Guy, posts a new article. Even if it's about the NBA, which I don't care for, or even something not related to sports at all (movies and other pop culture-related things). Bill is awesome. I just love his work. I've gotten countless hours of enjoyment out of it.
In 2005, Bill introduced a new type of article to his ESPN.com repertoire, The Curious Guy, where he sends e-mails back and forth with someone. Yeah, that's it, that's the whole article. One of the first ones that Bill did was with "the best-selling author and pop culture guru" Chuck Klosterman. Klosterman, like myself, is a native of North Dakota. And after reading this Curious Guy article, I was impressed with Chuck. His primary realm of expertise was music and its affects on pop culture, but he also knows quite a bit about sports too. After this article, Chuck started writing things for ESPN's Page 2 as well.
One of the best of these articles was "All Too Perfect", written before Super Bowl XLII (for those of you not keeping score at home, that's the one where the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots to end their bid to go a perfect 19-0). The article "explains why losing the Super Bowl would make the Patriots immortal". Funny how things work out; he may have jinxed them with that piece. But as I was reading it in the days leading up to that big game, I found myself agreeing more and more with the point Chuck was trying to make. It was fuckin' brilliant. That's when I became a Chuck Klosterman fan.
A few days after that game, I was reading the Fargo Forum at lunch at a fast food restaurant (I'm pretty sure it was the McDonald's on 19th Avenue N. in Fargo), and saw that Chuck was coming to the F-M area to do a talk at MSU-Moorhead. I had to go and meet this geek-chic pop culture guru. Listen to him talk. Maybe get an autograph. So that evening, before the show, I ran to Barnes and Noble and picked up a couple of his books, "Fargo Rock City" and "Killing Yourself to Live". Yeah, maybe it's a little hypocritical, I didn't (and still don't) care. Went to the talk. He sounded a little more geeky than I was expecting, but I had a good time (particularly when he proceeded to tear apart a girl and her logic when she stated that she's anti-pop culture, but he argued that she's still using pop culture as a defining point to describe what she does or doesn't like). Afterwards, everyone lined up to get his John Hancock, as did I. When my turn came to talk to him, I told him how great that article about the Patriots losing the Super Bowl was. He signed my copy of "Fargo Rock City" and I left. I ended up reading the first couple chapters before I lost interest with it (the last book I read was the final Harry Potter book in July '07; it felt like such a chore, but I had to do it since I read the previous 6).
Fast-forward back to the present. I use Twitter, but I'm only following about 20 people. A few friends, my Gophers and Jayhawks, a few random people who started following me, and my favorite columnist, Bill Simmons. Bill recently mentioned in one of his Twitter posts (I refuse to use the term "tweet") that Chuck has started using Twitter. I start following Chuck, then it comes to me after following him for a couple days...
This is how I can get a conversation started with Torry, I can just give her a copy of "Fargo Rock City"! It's about the same kind of music that The Donnas grew up on. Kiss, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe. It'll be perfect! I'm set!
I'm basing this hypothesis on two things. One, a blog post from a round of "Ask The Donnas" (concept explained my blog post here), where Torry talks about re-reading Crime and Punishment (and implying that she's read it at least once before). Two, this appearance on mun2 where she mentions that she's reading Slash's autobiography (fast-forward to the 8:00 mark). Based on these two examples of books she's read, she is an avid reader, and she'll likely read "Fargo Rock City" if I give her a copy. This may be some of the most fucked up logic that you've even seen, but it makes sense to ME.
Of course, how I can a recommend any book to any person if I haven't already read it myself? I grabbed my copy of "Fargo Rock City" off my bookshelf and started reading it. I took it to work so I could read it on my breaks and during my lunch hour. I also read it at home a bit, at night, if nothing good was on TV. It was good. Although Chuck and I have little in common; he's eight years older than me. Musically, he's a product of the late '70s and the '80s, and I'm a product of the '90s. But I get it. Or at least I think I do. He breaks down metal in so many ways, how it affected and influenced him and the rest of America. I loved it. I think I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed a book this much in my life. I was laughing out loud. I was nodding my head in agreement. I was making that noise my buddy Travis makes when he comes across an amusing revelation (that I can only best describe as a high-pitched "Hunh!"). It's great, I'm glad I finally took the time to read Chuck's book (and I will proceed to purchase and read his remaining five books).
It's 8:30 last night. There's nothing good on TV, except the Gophers hockey game, but I've never been one who could sit still enough to watch sports on TV (blame it on my ADHD). I turn the volume down, start playing music on my laptop, pick up "Fargo Rock City", and start reading. I had about 70 pages left (roughly the last quarter of the book), and I was planning to read until 10, when South Park would come on.
I'm making my way through the final chapters, when Chuck starts to discuss the current bands (current as of 1998, when the book was written and published) that best carry the torch of those 80's hair metal bands. He first talks about groups like Korn and Rage Against the Machine, but they don't quite fit the bill to his satisfaction. Chuck starts to dig further into it. And who does he mention at the bottom on page 246?
You're damn right. The Donnas. An entire paragraph to devoted all aspects of their music. Comparisons to the same bands that Chuck himself (and The Donnas) grew up on. Kiss, Skid Row, Mötley Crüe. He calls their second album, American Teenage Rock 'n' Roll Machine, "the only legitimately great record released in 1998".
"Holy Fuck!" That was my initial reaction, then I was literally speechless after I read that paragraph. For two or three minutes, I wasn't sure how to react. I stopped reading immediately to try to process this. The same book that I was going to recommend to a member of a band actually MENTIONED that band. Needless to say, this was totally unexpected. I tried to post something profound about this revelation on Twitter, but due to my speechlessness and the 140 character limit, I could only get this out. Even weirder, I had decided only a day or two before this that I was going to purchase ATRM in the near future, partly because I want to complete my Donnas collection of albums (I had only obtained Get Skintight and Turn 21 a couple weeks ago), partly because The Donnas posted a new video on YouTube, the live performance of "Speed Demon" from their Desert Moon 2 concert in Sept. '08 (this song is on ATRM).
I only had 20-25 pages to go, so I decide to finish the rest of the book. I left my couch, where I had been sitting (the Gopher game was over and everything else on TV was just going to be a distraction I didn't need), go into my office, and finish "Fargo Rock City". Then I could, and would be ready to, start writing on my blog about my reaction to this.
Officially, if the topic comes up for discussion, I don't believe in signs or fate or destiny or any of that crap. Sure, there maybe some kind of supernatural force at play that I may never fully understand, but people are on the paths they travel because of the decisions they make. That's why I'm at where I am now. I control my own destiny. But I don't think I've ever actually said that to anyone...
But that one paragraph in Chuck's book... Maybe THIS is a sign... Even further enforcing that belief: yesterday (January 8th) was both Maya's and Torry's birthday.
I know what you're going to say. "Paul, you don't believe in signs!!" Well,... maybe this is a sign that I should believe in signs.
At work this week, most conversations I'd have with my co-workers would focus on "Are you going to the holiday party this weekend?" I don't really want to go. I hate that they moved it to after the holidays instead of before. That first week back from work each of the last four years has been so stressful from the "urgent" needs of people to address their computer issues, that I really want nothing to do with any of them. At all. So I'd answer "Yeah, probably, but I got this nagging feeling like there's something important I need to do this weekend..." It's mostly bullshit, but a very small part of me did feel that way. And I'd admit to that person that I need to laundry (which is true), but that wasn't it (especially since I've got all day Sunday to take care of it).
Looking back on this whole thing... Maybe this was that important thing I needed to do. Maybe it's yet another sign... Then again, maybe this is just me trying to find a pattern, a connection, something, to interrelate a number of highly coincidental events.
And this doesn't even begin to address a potential flaw in Step 2 to make a play for Torry. It's totally possible that she may have already read this book. It's more than ten years old at this point, it's about the same kind of music she grew up on, it mentions her band (though not her specifically, like it does Brett and Allison). I can't speak for her, but I'm such a narcissist that I would read every single book out there that mentioned me or my band. But doesn't this still give me a way in? I mean, if she's already read the book, then I don't have to wait for her to read it and call me to discuss it. I present her with the text, she recognizes it, and we start talking about it. Like Chuck states in the foreward to "Fargo Rock City", "You walk up to any desirable person..., and you say (with a certain sense of endearing bewilderment), 'Isn't it insane how many books there are about ___?' Fill in the blank with whatever subject..." (Yes, I took some liberties with the ellipses, but that doesn't totally invalidate the approach in this situation.)
Last week, The Donnas posted on their Facebook page, "BRAND NEW YEAR, BRAND NEW ALBUM! HELLO 2010!!!" (their caps, not mine). Torry has been sitting on the shelf since at least May '09, due to shoulder problems. I infer from this Twitter post that at some point this year, she'll be well enough to go back into the studio with the rest of The Donnas and record, then they'll go out on tour. They didn't visit the Twin Cities during their tour this past summer, so I'd say they're due.
When they do, I'll be there with Twizzlers and "Fargo Rock City". I'll find a way to get to them, and we'll play ball. Regardless of how it will end, I'll be happy. I just gotta get past Step 2 and find out, you know?...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
I've learned something today...
I truly believe that I do learn something everyday.
I should be making a list of those things, for posterity's sake. Maybe start another blog with those things.
Today's learnedness: That's not a guy standing in the background in the individual shot of The Donnas bassist Maya Ford in the CD insert for their "Spend the Night" album. That's a Freddy Krueger cardboard cutout!! Don't believe me? Check out and compare that picture with the back cover insert.
I should be making a list of those things, for posterity's sake. Maybe start another blog with those things.
Today's learnedness: That's not a guy standing in the background in the individual shot of The Donnas bassist Maya Ford in the CD insert for their "Spend the Night" album. That's a Freddy Krueger cardboard cutout!! Don't believe me? Check out and compare that picture with the back cover insert.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
If you have doubts about using social networking websites, let this story convince you that they are worth your time. Or convince you that I've finally lost it...
Over this past summer, especially the July/August timeframe, I was being more and more vocal about my abhorrence (extreme hatred) for social networking sites. I thought they had nothing to offer me, and I had nothing to offer to them. It was like "Why bother? Who cares? I never do anything exciting ever."
After a late night discussion with my buddy Travis in early September, I slowly became convinced that it may not be as bad as I thought it would be. About a week and a half later, I was on Facebook. I was unimpressed, at first. But I put it to use for me. Getting the word out about my blog. Posting pictures. Locating people. Even found a fan of my video game FAQ's. You know, the usual.
"So, now I'm on Facebook." I was going to leave it at that. "What more would other services, like Twitter, accomplish?"
Well, I joined Twitter a month after I got on Facebook. I proceeded to use it in the same way. Partly to further readership of my blog (Seriously, who reads this shit? Wait, don't answer that...). Partly because Travis (@trav) would "be interested in following your twitter." But let's not kid ourselves here. I did it so I could #AskTheDonnas!!
The concept is pretty simple. Send them a question over Twitter with the tag #AskTheDonnas. Roughly every other Friday, they pick 8 questions and post the answers to their iLike blog (which then gets propagated to their Facebook and Twitter pages).
Yes, I'm still obsessed with them. And I'm proud to admit it. They rock. You can't avoid it, might as well enjoy it, 'cuz I do. But this isn't about them. It is, but it's not... We're getting off topic here...
I wanted to come up with a good question to ask @the_donnas. Something normal, something interesting, maybe a little humorous. I gave this a GREAT deal of thought. Do I ask something innocuous, as not to scare them away? Do I try to be a smartass and potentially (hell, DEFINITELY) make a fool of myself? Do I ask a question that I think they'd enjoy answering, "guaranteeing" (in my mind) a response? I spent weeks trying to come up with something.
I finally decided on one about a week and half ago. Asking which of their videos is their favorite, and which one they enjoyed making the most. Lame, I know. I thought it was the safe play. An innocent question, which, if answered, could potentially open the door to something a little more... aggressive (by that, I mean maybe get them to reveal even a mundane, yet fascinating, slightly personal detail).
Round 5 of #AskTheDonnas came around yesterday and they didn't answer my question. "No big deal, I'll live. It was a dumb question anyways." I had a much better one ready to go.
Before I even became obsessed with The Donnas, they had announced that drummer Torry Castellano would not be touring with them this summer (technically, it would appear her replacement, Amy Cesari, broke the news on 5/7/09 on her band's website; I couldn't find anything earlier than that on the Interweb). When I found this out during my descent into Donnadom, I was disappointed in the lack of Torrance, but gradually warmed up to the idea of Amy, and even started to like it. "Hey, if it keeps the band going, I'm gonna support it." Eventually, I did my due diligence to get to know her, maybe not as much as the regular Donnas, but enough.
Anywho, when Amy performs with The Demonics, she's sporting red face paint and devil horns on her forehead. Odd, but hey, whatever works for you.
Then I had watched The Donnas' "Who Invited You" video for the bazillionth time this past weekend. BAM!! It hit me. Like I suddenly put 2 and 2 together. "Wait a minute... That girl with face paint and horns on her forehead... (check out the 1:54 mark of the video) Is that Amy?"
Bingo. I had my question. So after Round 5 was finished and the bell rang, I came out swinging for Round 6. I asked...
And ye shall receive! Hell, I got something even better. My question was so good, The Donnas didn't even bother with waiting.
They responded with an empathic "Yes!" and retweeting my question on Twitter.
How fuckin' awesome is that? Getting RT'ed by one of your favorite bands, for the whole world to see? When I saw that on my phone during my lunch break today, I was beside myself. Arms raised in victory as I walked to my car. Cranking up that song on my radio during the drive back to work. Laughing like a mad man from my cubicle, with a huge grin on my face. That made my day. Literally. I'm gonna ride this high for the rest of the week and through the weekend. I'm tellin' everyone!! This is THAT good.
This one event erased every reservation I had about social networking. Travis, your infinite wisdom has shown me the way once again. Thanks. Again. I could never repay you, but I'll spend the rest of my life trying. Even it's from the looney bin after they come to take me away.
Over this past summer, especially the July/August timeframe, I was being more and more vocal about my abhorrence (extreme hatred) for social networking sites. I thought they had nothing to offer me, and I had nothing to offer to them. It was like "Why bother? Who cares? I never do anything exciting ever."
After a late night discussion with my buddy Travis in early September, I slowly became convinced that it may not be as bad as I thought it would be. About a week and a half later, I was on Facebook. I was unimpressed, at first. But I put it to use for me. Getting the word out about my blog. Posting pictures. Locating people. Even found a fan of my video game FAQ's. You know, the usual.
"So, now I'm on Facebook." I was going to leave it at that. "What more would other services, like Twitter, accomplish?"
Well, I joined Twitter a month after I got on Facebook. I proceeded to use it in the same way. Partly to further readership of my blog (Seriously, who reads this shit? Wait, don't answer that...). Partly because Travis (@trav) would "be interested in following your twitter." But let's not kid ourselves here. I did it so I could #AskTheDonnas!!
The concept is pretty simple. Send them a question over Twitter with the tag #AskTheDonnas. Roughly every other Friday, they pick 8 questions and post the answers to their iLike blog (which then gets propagated to their Facebook and Twitter pages).
Yes, I'm still obsessed with them. And I'm proud to admit it. They rock. You can't avoid it, might as well enjoy it, 'cuz I do. But this isn't about them. It is, but it's not... We're getting off topic here...
I wanted to come up with a good question to ask @the_donnas. Something normal, something interesting, maybe a little humorous. I gave this a GREAT deal of thought. Do I ask something innocuous, as not to scare them away? Do I try to be a smartass and potentially (hell, DEFINITELY) make a fool of myself? Do I ask a question that I think they'd enjoy answering, "guaranteeing" (in my mind) a response? I spent weeks trying to come up with something.
I finally decided on one about a week and half ago. Asking which of their videos is their favorite, and which one they enjoyed making the most. Lame, I know. I thought it was the safe play. An innocent question, which, if answered, could potentially open the door to something a little more... aggressive (by that, I mean maybe get them to reveal even a mundane, yet fascinating, slightly personal detail).
Round 5 of #AskTheDonnas came around yesterday and they didn't answer my question. "No big deal, I'll live. It was a dumb question anyways." I had a much better one ready to go.
Before I even became obsessed with The Donnas, they had announced that drummer Torry Castellano would not be touring with them this summer (technically, it would appear her replacement, Amy Cesari, broke the news on 5/7/09 on her band's website; I couldn't find anything earlier than that on the Interweb). When I found this out during my descent into Donnadom, I was disappointed in the lack of Torrance, but gradually warmed up to the idea of Amy, and even started to like it. "Hey, if it keeps the band going, I'm gonna support it." Eventually, I did my due diligence to get to know her, maybe not as much as the regular Donnas, but enough.
Anywho, when Amy performs with The Demonics, she's sporting red face paint and devil horns on her forehead. Odd, but hey, whatever works for you.
Then I had watched The Donnas' "Who Invited You" video for the bazillionth time this past weekend. BAM!! It hit me. Like I suddenly put 2 and 2 together. "Wait a minute... That girl with face paint and horns on her forehead... (check out the 1:54 mark of the video) Is that Amy?"
Bingo. I had my question. So after Round 5 was finished and the bell rang, I came out swinging for Round 6. I asked...
And ye shall receive! Hell, I got something even better. My question was so good, The Donnas didn't even bother with waiting.
They responded with an empathic "Yes!" and retweeting my question on Twitter.
How fuckin' awesome is that? Getting RT'ed by one of your favorite bands, for the whole world to see? When I saw that on my phone during my lunch break today, I was beside myself. Arms raised in victory as I walked to my car. Cranking up that song on my radio during the drive back to work. Laughing like a mad man from my cubicle, with a huge grin on my face. That made my day. Literally. I'm gonna ride this high for the rest of the week and through the weekend. I'm tellin' everyone!! This is THAT good.
This one event erased every reservation I had about social networking. Travis, your infinite wisdom has shown me the way once again. Thanks. Again. I could never repay you, but I'll spend the rest of my life trying. Even it's from the looney bin after they come to take me away.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
If you've ever checked out my music collection, you may be thinking "Wow, this guy is all over the map. He has a little bit of everything." Probably more like "Who the hell listens to X AND Y AND Z? How can he like all those? They just don't belong with each other." Something along those lines.
How did we get here? I'm glad you asked. I'd be happy to walk you through it.
I have almost no loyalty to bands. In my mind, you're only as good as your last album. The slate gets wiped clean when the new release hits stores. Then I do my research. Listen to the songs. Compare prices. Maybe read some reviews (though I don't know why, I'd like to decide for myself and don't care what anyone else may think). After you're presented your case, I pass my judgement.
It's a roughly exponential scale, where the rating of an artist is equal to the log of the amount of time and money I'd be willing to spend on that artist in my lifetime to the base of some unknown number x (it's somewhere around 10, but it doesn't really matter because it's not an absolute value; just an example to get my point across). If you're not as mathematically inclined as I am, this will make more sense as I explain the ratings.
Level 0: I'm either indifferent to an artist (because I've never heard of you) or I don't like (possibly even hate) them. I'm not buying your music. Maybe later. Maybe NEVER. Just not now. And if I hate you, I'm going to avoid you like the plague. You'll get nothing and like it.
Level 1: Congratulations. You've got a good song. That's about it. I'll add it to the list, and either purchase it individually online, or wait until a compilation album/soundtrack comes around with it on there. I may even LOVE the song, but I'm still not buying your album.
Level 2: Nice work. There are at least a couple of good songs on your album, so I'll buy it. I'm only going to listen to those songs though. I may have tried to listen to the album, but found myself pressing the Next button most of the time. But hey, you got $10 ± 4 from me. Can you really complain about that?
You can reach Level 2 if you have multiple Level 1 songs on an album, but it's no guarantee. If I don't care for you, I'll avoid buying your album and only pick off the good songs. For example, I wasn't willing to buy TLC's greatest hits album, but I liked "Waterfalls" and "No Scrubs". What did I do? Just buy those two songs on iTunes. We're done here, you can go now. Go on, get!
Level 3: You reached level 2, I decided to give your album a chance, and I admit, it's solid. Most of songs are pretty good. I like it. I could start warming up to you. Don't forget we reset the scores after the next record comes out. You may have won Game 1, but it's a five/seven/nine-game series. It's not over yet; you've still got work to do.
Examples of Level 3's: "Throwing Copper" by Live, "Modified" by Save Ferris, and Show and Tell" by Silvertide.
Most soundtracks and compilation albums will fall somewhere between Levels 2 and 3, depending on how many good songs are on it, as a percentage of total songs on the album.
Level 4: Sweet. You have multiple albums meeting the requirements for Level 2. At this point, I'm starting to like your band. I may or may not state that publicly; it could be embarassing to me. You may have 2-0 or a 3-1 lead in this series, but you haven't WON anything yet. You could fall apart at the end, and all I'll be talking about is how you blew it. You still need to keep the momentum going, or I'll kick you back down to Level 3. Perhaps even Level 2 or Level 1.
Examples of Level 4's: Audioslave, Sheryl Crow, Eminem, Linkin Park, Reel Big Fish, Yellowcard. You get the point. Check out the complete list of songs in my collection and you can figure it out.
Level 5: Multiple albums meeting the Level 3 conditions. I officially like you. Heck, I may even LOVE you. At this point, I'm looking to buy additional merchandise from your group. Maybe some shirts, posters, DVD's, etc. You're looking at a triple-digit income from my spending habits. It takes a lot of hard work, and some luck, to get here. You should feel good about yourself. Even if you release a not-so-good album, you'll probably stay here.
Examples of Level 5's: Barenaked Ladies, Everclear, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, John Mayer, The Offspring, Staind.
There's a number of bands stratling the line between 4 and 5. They include blink-182, Nickelback, Saliva, Sum 41. But all is not lost if you're stuck in this limbo. If I'm starting to consider you for promotion, I'm looking to buy concert tickets if/when you come to town. But you DO have to come, and when you do, the price has to be right. For example, Saliva played in Fargo in Sept. 2007, and tickets were $10. It was an amazing show, and I ended up buying two of their albums that night after it all was over.
Level 6: The pinnacle. Top of the mountain. This is unconditional love. I'll buy your new album without question. I don't even have to listen to any of the songs on it. I'm planning to buy individual songs that you've collaborated with other artists on. You're THAT good. I've also descended in obsession with you. Spending hundreds of hours online, looking for any information I can find on you. Videos, interviews, live performances, whatever I can get my hands on. 'Cuz I want to know everything. I sound creepy saying that, but I'm not sure how else I can explain how much I like your band.
Let's get one thing clear, though. YOU WILL NEVER GET HERE!! It's just not a realistic goal. That's like me trying to get to the major leagues of baseball; it ain't happenin'. Just look at Green Day, 5 albums with a pair of singles. Barenaked Ladies, 6 albums and a single. John Mayer, 5 albums, two of which are live double albums. These guys are very good, but they haven't quite made it yet. Will they? Will YOU? Anything's possible, but honestly... I don't see it. I just don't.
As of this date, only two groups have gotten this far in 15 years. Weezer and The Donnas. That's it. Weezer got there with the release of their Video Capture Device DVD in 2004. The Donnas only recently got here, after I realized that my "obsession" that began in late August was just me rapidly becoming a fan of them.
One last comment about Level 6. Brett, Brian, Torry, Rivers, Maya, Allison, Scott, Patrick (and if you're listening, Amy, Josh, and Karl). It's possible that you could get booted from Level 6. You may be league champions, you may have had a lavish victory parade, you may have that shiny trophy up in a highly-secured glass case in the entryway to your stadium. But guess what? You're going to have to defend that trophy next season. Good luck. You may be the favorites, but there's gonna be some people gunnin' for you. Just a fair warning.
That's how it works. How I approach the appreication and the acquisition of music. I know it really isn't one of those things you can quantify and rationalize. But I did, 'cuz that's how I roll. Where you really expecting any different of me?
How did we get here? I'm glad you asked. I'd be happy to walk you through it.
I have almost no loyalty to bands. In my mind, you're only as good as your last album. The slate gets wiped clean when the new release hits stores. Then I do my research. Listen to the songs. Compare prices. Maybe read some reviews (though I don't know why, I'd like to decide for myself and don't care what anyone else may think). After you're presented your case, I pass my judgement.
It's a roughly exponential scale, where the rating of an artist is equal to the log of the amount of time and money I'd be willing to spend on that artist in my lifetime to the base of some unknown number x (it's somewhere around 10, but it doesn't really matter because it's not an absolute value; just an example to get my point across). If you're not as mathematically inclined as I am, this will make more sense as I explain the ratings.
Level 0: I'm either indifferent to an artist (because I've never heard of you) or I don't like (possibly even hate) them. I'm not buying your music. Maybe later. Maybe NEVER. Just not now. And if I hate you, I'm going to avoid you like the plague. You'll get nothing and like it.
Level 1: Congratulations. You've got a good song. That's about it. I'll add it to the list, and either purchase it individually online, or wait until a compilation album/soundtrack comes around with it on there. I may even LOVE the song, but I'm still not buying your album.
Level 2: Nice work. There are at least a couple of good songs on your album, so I'll buy it. I'm only going to listen to those songs though. I may have tried to listen to the album, but found myself pressing the Next button most of the time. But hey, you got $10 ± 4 from me. Can you really complain about that?
You can reach Level 2 if you have multiple Level 1 songs on an album, but it's no guarantee. If I don't care for you, I'll avoid buying your album and only pick off the good songs. For example, I wasn't willing to buy TLC's greatest hits album, but I liked "Waterfalls" and "No Scrubs". What did I do? Just buy those two songs on iTunes. We're done here, you can go now. Go on, get!
Level 3: You reached level 2, I decided to give your album a chance, and I admit, it's solid. Most of songs are pretty good. I like it. I could start warming up to you. Don't forget we reset the scores after the next record comes out. You may have won Game 1, but it's a five/seven/nine-game series. It's not over yet; you've still got work to do.
Examples of Level 3's: "Throwing Copper" by Live, "Modified" by Save Ferris, and Show and Tell" by Silvertide.
Most soundtracks and compilation albums will fall somewhere between Levels 2 and 3, depending on how many good songs are on it, as a percentage of total songs on the album.
Level 4: Sweet. You have multiple albums meeting the requirements for Level 2. At this point, I'm starting to like your band. I may or may not state that publicly; it could be embarassing to me. You may have 2-0 or a 3-1 lead in this series, but you haven't WON anything yet. You could fall apart at the end, and all I'll be talking about is how you blew it. You still need to keep the momentum going, or I'll kick you back down to Level 3. Perhaps even Level 2 or Level 1.
Examples of Level 4's: Audioslave, Sheryl Crow, Eminem, Linkin Park, Reel Big Fish, Yellowcard. You get the point. Check out the complete list of songs in my collection and you can figure it out.
Level 5: Multiple albums meeting the Level 3 conditions. I officially like you. Heck, I may even LOVE you. At this point, I'm looking to buy additional merchandise from your group. Maybe some shirts, posters, DVD's, etc. You're looking at a triple-digit income from my spending habits. It takes a lot of hard work, and some luck, to get here. You should feel good about yourself. Even if you release a not-so-good album, you'll probably stay here.
Examples of Level 5's: Barenaked Ladies, Everclear, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, John Mayer, The Offspring, Staind.
There's a number of bands stratling the line between 4 and 5. They include blink-182, Nickelback, Saliva, Sum 41. But all is not lost if you're stuck in this limbo. If I'm starting to consider you for promotion, I'm looking to buy concert tickets if/when you come to town. But you DO have to come, and when you do, the price has to be right. For example, Saliva played in Fargo in Sept. 2007, and tickets were $10. It was an amazing show, and I ended up buying two of their albums that night after it all was over.
Level 6: The pinnacle. Top of the mountain. This is unconditional love. I'll buy your new album without question. I don't even have to listen to any of the songs on it. I'm planning to buy individual songs that you've collaborated with other artists on. You're THAT good. I've also descended in obsession with you. Spending hundreds of hours online, looking for any information I can find on you. Videos, interviews, live performances, whatever I can get my hands on. 'Cuz I want to know everything. I sound creepy saying that, but I'm not sure how else I can explain how much I like your band.
Let's get one thing clear, though. YOU WILL NEVER GET HERE!! It's just not a realistic goal. That's like me trying to get to the major leagues of baseball; it ain't happenin'. Just look at Green Day, 5 albums with a pair of singles. Barenaked Ladies, 6 albums and a single. John Mayer, 5 albums, two of which are live double albums. These guys are very good, but they haven't quite made it yet. Will they? Will YOU? Anything's possible, but honestly... I don't see it. I just don't.
As of this date, only two groups have gotten this far in 15 years. Weezer and The Donnas. That's it. Weezer got there with the release of their Video Capture Device DVD in 2004. The Donnas only recently got here, after I realized that my "obsession" that began in late August was just me rapidly becoming a fan of them.
One last comment about Level 6. Brett, Brian, Torry, Rivers, Maya, Allison, Scott, Patrick (and if you're listening, Amy, Josh, and Karl). It's possible that you could get booted from Level 6. You may be league champions, you may have had a lavish victory parade, you may have that shiny trophy up in a highly-secured glass case in the entryway to your stadium. But guess what? You're going to have to defend that trophy next season. Good luck. You may be the favorites, but there's gonna be some people gunnin' for you. Just a fair warning.
That's how it works. How I approach the appreication and the acquisition of music. I know it really isn't one of those things you can quantify and rationalize. But I did, 'cuz that's how I roll. Where you really expecting any different of me?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Back to normal... relatively speaking...
I think my The Donnas obsession has runs its course. This was just a temporary thing. Sure, I still want them to come to Fargo or the Twin Cities, and I'd like to meet them, and I really like their music, and I need to buy their CD's, and I want to make a pass at one or more of them...
Well, the point is, I'm not CONSTANTLY thinking about them anymore. Got other things on my mind. Moving to the Twin Cities. Today. Using Facebook, despite my concerns. Drumming in Rock Band 2. Fantasy Baseball.
Back to as much of my normal self as I ever was. And you know, I'm pretty content about it. Almost happy, even. I think I'm gonna be... OK.
Well, the point is, I'm not CONSTANTLY thinking about them anymore. Got other things on my mind. Moving to the Twin Cities. Today. Using Facebook, despite my concerns. Drumming in Rock Band 2. Fantasy Baseball.
Back to as much of my normal self as I ever was. And you know, I'm pretty content about it. Almost happy, even. I think I'm gonna be... OK.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
This is even worse than I thought...
If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know the issues I've had after I got my Rock Band 2 set for my Wii. I knew it would be coming as soon as I got that game. What it would have led to, I did not expect. I couldn't have prepared for it. I was doomed to fall so far, and there was nothing I could do about it.
I wish it would have been something simple, like getting addicted to Heroin Hero. This is way worse. Here's how it all went down...
On July 9th, I posted this after I got my first full clear (100% Flawless performance) playing drums in RB2. Yes, it was on Easy difficulty. "So what? Big deal." At the time, I was pretty impressed with myself. Pleased with my performance. Thinking I would be moving onto bigger and better things (read: higher difficulties). Over the next month, I did it at least 10 more times (that I can prove with photographic evidence, some additional ones were done during multi-song sets, so I could not confirm it like you can at the end of set).
In early August, I was starting to get concerns that my drum set was falling apart. My red drum pad was starting to bubble, becoming unglued from the apparatus. Concerned it might affect my performance and cheat me out of further full clears, I did a bit of research to find out how I could fix it, but considering it would require disassembly, thereby voiding my warranty, I decided against it.
About this same time, I was starting to move up to Medium difficulty. I was using the Drum Trainer, in addition to playing songs, to get used to the increased hand and foot coordination required to play at that level. The first song I played at Medium was "Today" by The Smashing Pumpkins. At the time, it was my favorite song of the moment (FSotM). I did pretty well. I scored 97% for a tier-2 drum song. I was happy.
A day later, my drum pedal broke. Suck. "Well, since my pedal is broken, I might as well get the whole thing repaired/replaced." I called EA. Although I never bought my Rock Band gear, the support rep. I spoke to on the phone was kind enough to speak to his supervisor and create a couple of RMA's to resolve my issues (Lots of love to you, Alan, if you're out there reading this). One for the pedal, one for the pads. A week to get two empty boxes to send them in, another to get replacements back from EA. "I can live without my drum set for two weeks. I can sing or play guitar while I wait."
I could not play guitar (and I doubt I ever will with any proficiency). I could sing. Singing in Rock Band, in your living room, by yourself, is BORING!! Tried it for a day or two and stopped. Even after I redeemed some instant wins for downloadable content (additional songs) from Pepsi/Yahoo!/Rock Band's promotion. "Great. Well, it's only a couple of weeks, I can wait. I'll find other things to do."
Wrong again. A few days later, I lifted my self-imposed ban on Tuesday night hockey due to my back problems. But a week later, they came back. To help ensure I would be in good enough shape to play in the upcoming winter and the Novice Hockey League in Fargo, I would stop playing for the summer. I got in some rounds of golf, but golfing by yourself isn't very fulfilling (for me, golf has always been a social engagement first, and a fun game second). I tried calling friends to hang with, but I was having issues with that too. Greg and his wife just had a kid. Jason and his wife were expecting twins. Paul didn't have any energy to do anything after working at his own fencing business at the end of day. Casey is busy with his dental practice, his new gas station, and hanging out at his lake place. Jeff moved to Iowa in May. And I'm not really friends with anyone at work (sorry if you work with me, but I can't get on beyond the customer-support tech relationship with you). I worked on my website a bit, but since I was doing menial, tedious tasks, and not development, I got bored very quickly. Worked on my PC's a bit, compiling complete lists of all my hardware. I completed that project.
With each day that passed, spending time at work, prepping for our IT audit (and then actually going through it), I was growing more and more anxious to have my drums back. I wanted that to be my release at the end of the day.
After two weeks and no drum pads, I called EA, looking for an update. The second support rep. told me to wait another week, then call again if I hadn't received them. Running additional salt into the wound, I got a new pedal a week after I opened RMA's with Electronic Arts. A drum pedal with no pads; real useful...
I started hunting for more outlets for my drumlessness. Music-related stuff. Ordered some more CD's, some containing my favorite RB2 songs. Also redeemed some My Coke Reward points for Rhapsody credit, which became even more songs to listen too. After I got all that music, I researched more songs and albums to purchase. Rebuilt my shopping lists.
Then, it happened. This past weekend (8/28-8/30), I just could not take it anymore. I needed a stronger RB2 fix. I searched for full drum clears in RB2 on YouTube. I found one that I just got hooked on, and it spiraled out of control from there...
"New Kid in School" by The Donnas.
The same song I had "performed" for my first drum clear in RB2. I spent the rest of that weekend entranced by those four sirens. Singer Brett Anderson. Drummer Torry Castellano. Bassist Maya Ford. Guitarist Allison Robertson.
Before we continue, let's get one thing straight. This is NOT (and I repeat, NOT) just because they are attractive young women (despite what you may believe to be evidence to the contrary). It goes WAY beyond that.
Ever since that weekend, I can't stop listening to clips of their last four albums. I can't stop watching their music videos. I can't stop checking out their website, or their Facebook pages, or their YouTube channel. Google search after Google search for articles, interviews, fan sites, photos, both as a group and individually. Downloading videos from their "official" media site (look, that site may be violating IP laws, but if you're linking to it from your official MySpace page, you've given it your blessing and I can download as many videos as I want from it without repercussions). I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't stop thinking about them. I need to see them. I need to meet them. I want them to be my friends, and I want to be their friend too.
After that weekend, I still had no drum pads, so I called EA for the third time. They created a new RMA to send me pads, which I should have next week. It didn't fix my problem NOW. Although we just finished our IT audit on the 28th, before my weekend of descent into Donnaholism, I'm still struggling to get caught up at work, and each night this past week, the girls have been my comfort system after a stressful day. Spend an hour on the 'net with them, and I'm OK. Good enough to help me wind down for the evening, smile, and forget about work. Spend a few more obsessing over them, and I'm fucked...
What am I gonna do? I've tried to rationalize this. I've been down this road before. A little more than 5 years ago, Weezer released Video Capture Device, a DVD of their music videos and other rare footage of the band in the 90's and early 00's, and they became my favorite band FOR LIFE. But something about this feels a little different... And I can't put my finger on it... I don't know if it's because I'm older. Or if it's because Weezer are guys and The Donnas are girls. Or if it's much worse (I won't go into details because it scares me, and it would likely scare you too)...
I've spoke to a few friends about it. It's helped a little bit. To the point that we were making jokes about it last night at dinner. I'll have my drum pads back in a couple days, so I can continue drumming in RB2. Maybe after I get back into my old habits, this most recent obsession of mine will pass. I hope it can, because I don't know what to do next if it doesn't...
Damn you, Pandora...
I wish it would have been something simple, like getting addicted to Heroin Hero. This is way worse. Here's how it all went down...
On July 9th, I posted this after I got my first full clear (100% Flawless performance) playing drums in RB2. Yes, it was on Easy difficulty. "So what? Big deal." At the time, I was pretty impressed with myself. Pleased with my performance. Thinking I would be moving onto bigger and better things (read: higher difficulties). Over the next month, I did it at least 10 more times (that I can prove with photographic evidence, some additional ones were done during multi-song sets, so I could not confirm it like you can at the end of set).
In early August, I was starting to get concerns that my drum set was falling apart. My red drum pad was starting to bubble, becoming unglued from the apparatus. Concerned it might affect my performance and cheat me out of further full clears, I did a bit of research to find out how I could fix it, but considering it would require disassembly, thereby voiding my warranty, I decided against it.
About this same time, I was starting to move up to Medium difficulty. I was using the Drum Trainer, in addition to playing songs, to get used to the increased hand and foot coordination required to play at that level. The first song I played at Medium was "Today" by The Smashing Pumpkins. At the time, it was my favorite song of the moment (FSotM). I did pretty well. I scored 97% for a tier-2 drum song. I was happy.
A day later, my drum pedal broke. Suck. "Well, since my pedal is broken, I might as well get the whole thing repaired/replaced." I called EA. Although I never bought my Rock Band gear, the support rep. I spoke to on the phone was kind enough to speak to his supervisor and create a couple of RMA's to resolve my issues (Lots of love to you, Alan, if you're out there reading this). One for the pedal, one for the pads. A week to get two empty boxes to send them in, another to get replacements back from EA. "I can live without my drum set for two weeks. I can sing or play guitar while I wait."
I could not play guitar (and I doubt I ever will with any proficiency). I could sing. Singing in Rock Band, in your living room, by yourself, is BORING!! Tried it for a day or two and stopped. Even after I redeemed some instant wins for downloadable content (additional songs) from Pepsi/Yahoo!/Rock Band's promotion. "Great. Well, it's only a couple of weeks, I can wait. I'll find other things to do."
Wrong again. A few days later, I lifted my self-imposed ban on Tuesday night hockey due to my back problems. But a week later, they came back. To help ensure I would be in good enough shape to play in the upcoming winter and the Novice Hockey League in Fargo, I would stop playing for the summer. I got in some rounds of golf, but golfing by yourself isn't very fulfilling (for me, golf has always been a social engagement first, and a fun game second). I tried calling friends to hang with, but I was having issues with that too. Greg and his wife just had a kid. Jason and his wife were expecting twins. Paul didn't have any energy to do anything after working at his own fencing business at the end of day. Casey is busy with his dental practice, his new gas station, and hanging out at his lake place. Jeff moved to Iowa in May. And I'm not really friends with anyone at work (sorry if you work with me, but I can't get on beyond the customer-support tech relationship with you). I worked on my website a bit, but since I was doing menial, tedious tasks, and not development, I got bored very quickly. Worked on my PC's a bit, compiling complete lists of all my hardware. I completed that project.
With each day that passed, spending time at work, prepping for our IT audit (and then actually going through it), I was growing more and more anxious to have my drums back. I wanted that to be my release at the end of the day.
After two weeks and no drum pads, I called EA, looking for an update. The second support rep. told me to wait another week, then call again if I hadn't received them. Running additional salt into the wound, I got a new pedal a week after I opened RMA's with Electronic Arts. A drum pedal with no pads; real useful...
I started hunting for more outlets for my drumlessness. Music-related stuff. Ordered some more CD's, some containing my favorite RB2 songs. Also redeemed some My Coke Reward points for Rhapsody credit, which became even more songs to listen too. After I got all that music, I researched more songs and albums to purchase. Rebuilt my shopping lists.
Then, it happened. This past weekend (8/28-8/30), I just could not take it anymore. I needed a stronger RB2 fix. I searched for full drum clears in RB2 on YouTube. I found one that I just got hooked on, and it spiraled out of control from there...
"New Kid in School" by The Donnas.
The same song I had "performed" for my first drum clear in RB2. I spent the rest of that weekend entranced by those four sirens. Singer Brett Anderson. Drummer Torry Castellano. Bassist Maya Ford. Guitarist Allison Robertson.
Before we continue, let's get one thing straight. This is NOT (and I repeat, NOT) just because they are attractive young women (despite what you may believe to be evidence to the contrary). It goes WAY beyond that.
Ever since that weekend, I can't stop listening to clips of their last four albums. I can't stop watching their music videos. I can't stop checking out their website, or their Facebook pages, or their YouTube channel. Google search after Google search for articles, interviews, fan sites, photos, both as a group and individually. Downloading videos from their "official" media site (look, that site may be violating IP laws, but if you're linking to it from your official MySpace page, you've given it your blessing and I can download as many videos as I want from it without repercussions). I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't stop thinking about them. I need to see them. I need to meet them. I want them to be my friends, and I want to be their friend too.
After that weekend, I still had no drum pads, so I called EA for the third time. They created a new RMA to send me pads, which I should have next week. It didn't fix my problem NOW. Although we just finished our IT audit on the 28th, before my weekend of descent into Donnaholism, I'm still struggling to get caught up at work, and each night this past week, the girls have been my comfort system after a stressful day. Spend an hour on the 'net with them, and I'm OK. Good enough to help me wind down for the evening, smile, and forget about work. Spend a few more obsessing over them, and I'm fucked...
What am I gonna do? I've tried to rationalize this. I've been down this road before. A little more than 5 years ago, Weezer released Video Capture Device, a DVD of their music videos and other rare footage of the band in the 90's and early 00's, and they became my favorite band FOR LIFE. But something about this feels a little different... And I can't put my finger on it... I don't know if it's because I'm older. Or if it's because Weezer are guys and The Donnas are girls. Or if it's much worse (I won't go into details because it scares me, and it would likely scare you too)...
I've spoke to a few friends about it. It's helped a little bit. To the point that we were making jokes about it last night at dinner. I'll have my drum pads back in a couple days, so I can continue drumming in RB2. Maybe after I get back into my old habits, this most recent obsession of mine will pass. I hope it can, because I don't know what to do next if it doesn't...
Damn you, Pandora...
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Is that an invitation?
The Donnas are a hard rock band from Palo Alto, CA, consisting for four attractive 30 year-old women.
If given the chance, I think I would hit that. Doesn't matter who; I'd take any (and, heck, ALL) of them. Singer Brett Anderson, drummer Torry Castellano, guitarist Allison Robertson, bassist Maya Ford. I don't care. All excellent choices. Few things are sexier than a woman who can rock.
So ladies, if you're in Fargo, you can Take Me to the Backseat. It'll be Bitchin'.
If given the chance, I think I would hit that. Doesn't matter who; I'd take any (and, heck, ALL) of them. Singer Brett Anderson, drummer Torry Castellano, guitarist Allison Robertson, bassist Maya Ford. I don't care. All excellent choices. Few things are sexier than a woman who can rock.
So ladies, if you're in Fargo, you can Take Me to the Backseat. It'll be Bitchin'.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Another golden opportunity lost...
I've always said that Major League Baseball lost a great marketing opportunity in 2003...
OK, I've never said that, but I've always thought it.
MVP Baseball 2003 from EA Sports was a good game, mostly because of the awesome soundtrack. MLB should have taken a handful of these songs to make video montages of live-game footage to promote the league and the sport.
Heck, you could make a montage with any song on the list and a number of clips and it'd come out great. It'd be free money for MLB.
What a waste, what a loss...
OK, I've never said that, but I've always thought it.
MVP Baseball 2003 from EA Sports was a good game, mostly because of the awesome soundtrack. MLB should have taken a handful of these songs to make video montages of live-game footage to promote the league and the sport.
| Artist | Song Name | Montage Contents |
|---|---|---|
| The All-American Rejects | Swing, Swing | home runs |
| The Donnas | Who Invited You | close plays that throw out runners |
| Revis | Caught in the Rain | game-ending celebrations |
| Pacifier | Bullitproof | strikeout pitches |
| OK Go | Don't Ask Me | heated confrontations on the field |
| Shinedown | Fly From the Inside | great diving/leaping catches |
Heck, you could make a montage with any song on the list and a number of clips and it'd come out great. It'd be free money for MLB.
What a waste, what a loss...
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