Darron to be Different Music Blog – September 26

For those reading my blog, I thank you very much for the support. If you are interested in contributing a column or if you would like a band's music featured in my Six Pack, please just drop me an e-mail here on MySpace. This column is dedicated to helping out independent musicians throughout the world and is fueled by your participation. Big or small, my weekly music blog is out there as a resource to get the word out about your music or what you do for music. You can follow me on Twitter (@darronm).

Truth or Darron

As most of you have noticed, the Darron to be Different music blog has been on sabbatical for the last month or so. Honestly, I’ve MAYBE went to two or three shows during that timeframe as well.
It’s not that I’ve been avoiding music or even found myself pissed off at bands or the industry. Sometimes, things are better left unsaid. For those who follow this page, you may have noticed my status updates about ‘taking a break from MySpace’ for a while.
Well, my return to MySpace coincides with my return to the working world. You see – the last six months I have spent many hours a day searching for a job, watching my children day and night and trying to find a way to make ends meet. I was laid off from my position the day before St. Patrick’s Day, and trust me, I was not in the mood for a few green beers when it happened.
You can only search www.careerbuilder.com, www.monster.com, www.indeed.com, Craig’s List and any of the other job sites before wanting to smash your keyboard in frustration. Today’s economic conditions have turned job hunting into a laborious pissing away of time, energy and emotion.
In the first four months, I was ‘teased’ by three different companies. Actually, teased isn’t the best word to use. Maybe, “bent over” describes it in a more politically correct tense or even “hung out to dry” or “free consultant.” Nah, I was fu*ked over. There. I think that describes it best.
To make matters worse, I would get messages here or on Facebook telling me how “things happen for a reason” or “how I am in his/her prayers.” These two phrases compound the stress of job searching, paying bills, lying to my children (“dad is working from home”) and basically losing all sense of normalcy in our household.
In six months, I had three interviews for jobs. The first interview was two weeks after being laid off with a friend’s of mine’s wife’s company. Yeah, follow that. I was called in and interviews for a writer position with a company which does graphic design/writing/promotions for the government. I had one interview with them and never heard anything back.
I followed the interview “playbook” with a follow-up e-mail and phone call to the hiring manager. After a few weeks, I sent an e-mail to the HR person who set up the interview. Nothing. I still have not heard from them. Finally, I ended up asking my buddy why his wife’s company never contacted me either way on the job. I find out the hiring manager quit a week after my interview and my resume/interview was lost due to her leaving the position. Great.
My second interview involved a large mall chain within the Metro Detroit area and consisted of two separate one-hour interview session and a final project where I had to do a ½ hour presentation for 10 people (8 from the interviews). I received a logo and branding guidelines for the corporation and designed/wrote a 12-page booklet along with my 10 slide presentation. I also paid $100 to have these books wire-bound and looking very professional to say the least.
I went into the interview and answered all the questions for this “Employee Communications Specialist” position. The entire room was amazed by PowerPoint presentation and materials. I walked out feeling good and sent a follow-up e-mail the following Monday asking if they had any questions. I received an e-mail from the hiring manager stating “I had an exceptional presentation, but this job was more than design/writing/presenting and that I didn’t see ‘flexible’ enough for the job.”
Talk about a WTF situation. Not flexible enough? Here’s the best part – the company did not hire ANYONE from the four people they interviewed. I guess they went through the motions so they could hire a family member into the position.
Then, I get interviewed for a position of Marketing Director that I applied for through Craig’s List. They contact me and I interview for the position with the HR person. He talks about how the company wants to hire someone who will make changes and get them recognized. First interview goes well so I make it to the second interview.
I walk into the second interview and they include one owner, the Chief Marketing Officer, HR guy, an intern and the Sales Director. The scheduled 45-minute interview goes two hours. I give them marketing strategies for their business. I see a lot of nodding heads and everyone is taking notes about my ideas.
On the way home, I call my wife and tell her how everything went. I’m excited and feel good about my prospects. I keep waiting for a return call. Nothing. I drop an e-mail to the HR person. Nothing. Finally, I get a call from the HR person on Friday and he tells me that they chose a different candidate over me because of the ‘learning curve’ of the business.
I’m shaking my head. I ask him, “Was it the person running their Twitter account?” He responds, “Yes.” This woman has been freelancing for them for the last three months and hasn’t done anything since. I even checked out her Twitter page and she was posting updates about how she couldn’t log into a Go To Meeting. Seeing someone underqualified beat me on a job sent me to an all-time low.
That weekend, I was lost. Emotional. Depressed. Frustrated. I adopted Five Finger Death Punch's "Hard to See" because the lyrics made me think about people who didn't get what I was going through.
I literally would look up to the sky and say, “What the F*CK do I have to do God? Honestly! What the F*CK do I have to do???” I lost all interest in going out to shows or going out in general as I didn’t have the money or motivation anymore. Plus I had people telling me to ‘go back to school’ or ‘open up to other positions’ as they didn't have faith in my experience.

It had been the lowest point in my life.
Needless to say, I put a lot of effort into one position where I saw a great fit for me. I had to mail a resume and I went into the interview focused, confident and ready to show the above three companies that I am that damn good. The above companies, though, made me second guess things until last Monday, when the hiring manager told me that I was the right fit to serve as the Marketing Director for their company. I’m even making more money than I was making at my last position.
After that call, I was shaking my fists like I was going to Disneyland after winning the Super Bowl. I was looking up to God and thanking him. Then, I just sat on the couch and broke down in tears for about 15 minutes having hurt yet learned so much – and that unemployment was over right when my unemployment checks were running out.
I want to thank those people who kept me motivated – and alive – through the amusement park above as there were many days the rollercoaster didn’t climb back up the hill. To this day, I talk to some people who are in worst conditions than we were and I do everything I can to keep in touch and lend an ear – especially since many people didn’t do that for me.
On that note, this blog does finish with a happy ending for me… and I guess for you, too, as things will get back to normal on my page. The blogs and comments are starting to flow as my confidence returns and my family life leaves me with smiles.
And guess what… you will NEVER see me bitch about my job on MySpace or Facebook… because I definitely won’t ever take a job for granted ever again.

Been Caught Stealin’

This section has news I have picked up from music-oriented people in my friends list. I’ll repost their information here. If you want your information here, send me an e-mail.

Crushing Juliet (www.myspace.com/crushingjuliet)

You've gottta get everyone you know to call Q107.5 in Memphis, TN, at (901)375-1075, and request "STREET WALKER" by us, CRUSHING JULIET.....PLEASE REPOST THIS BULLETIN and continue to tell everyone you know about the ear candy ur hearin on our page...THANX SO MUCH for all of your support......AGAIN, we couldn't be doin what we do without you... CJ

Sore Eyes (www.myspace.com/listentosoreeyes)

Grab the Sore Eyes EP on itunes for 4$$$!!!
http://www.apple.com/search/ipoditunes/?q=sore+eyes
check to see if the Killers Never Die tour is coming your way!!!
www.myspace.com/listentosoreeyes
ADD THE TWITTER!!
www.twitter.com/soreeyes
WEEK1 KILLERS NEVER DIE TOUR VIDEO!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms81ppMM25k

Track Fighter (www.myspace.com/trackfighter)

Order our New EP "Band Aids For Bullet Wounds" now on Itunes at http://www.itunes.com/trackfighter
We are coming to a city near you! Check out these tour dates:
Wed. Sept. 30th - Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligans
Thurs. Oct. 1st - Murfreesboro, NC @ Zakks
Fri. Oct. 2nd - Johnson City, TN @ Capones
Sat. Oct. 3rd- Evansville, IN @ Woody's w/ Uncle Cracker
Wed. Oct. 7th - Battle Creek, MI @ Planet Rock
Thurs. Oct. 8th - Detroit, MI @ Emerald Ballroom
Fri. Oct. 9th - Jackson, MI @ Club 789
Sat. Oct. 10th - Memphis, TN @ Hard Rock Cafe w/ Sore Eyes & Trauma DeVille
Sun. Oct. 11th - Nashville, TN @ The Rutledge
Thurs. Oct. 15th - Grand Rapids, MI @ Whiskey Lounge
Fri. Oct. 16th - Detroit, MI @ The Ritz
Sat. Oct. 17th - Novi, MI @ Alvins
Wed. Oct. 21st - Madison, WI @ Area 51
Thurs. Oct. 22nd - Janesville, WI @ Back Bar
Fri. Oct. 23rd - Janesville, WI @ Back Bar
Sat. Oct. 24th - Crescent City, IL @ Black Horse Saloon

Six Pack

Hydrovibe, “Fame” & “15 Minutes”, www.myspace.com/hydrovibe

Eve To Adam, “Last Call”, www.myspace.com/evetoadam

Green Eye Stare, “I Don’t Believe”, www.myspace.com/greeneyestare

Paris Green, “Pride”, www.myspace.com/parisgreen

Ghosts of August, “Rise”, www.myspace.com/ghostsofaugust

Five Finger Death Punch, “Walk Away”, www.myspace.com/ffdp

Darron to be Different Music Blog – August 9^th

Darron to be Different Music Blog – August 2
For those reading my blog, I thank you very much for the support. If you are interested in contributing a column or if you would like your band's music featured in my Six Pack or Been Caught Stealin', please just drop me an e-mail here on MySpace. This column is dedicated to helping out independent musicians throughout the world and is fueled by your participation. Big or small, my weekly music blog is out there as a resource to get the word out about your music or what you do for music.

Truth or Darron

About 15 years ago, I never thought I would ever find myself in the role of being a parent. My thoughts surrounded hanging out with my friends, drinking beer, playing softball, finding my way home from whatever party we went to and just enjoying life through beer goggles.

Less than 10 years ago, I spent the New Year’s Eve to ring in Y2K hanging with my wife at home as we were expecting our first child, Brendan, who was due on Christmas Day but decided to wait until my mom’s birthday, January 7, due to his stubbornness.

Since then, I have spent much time learning from my children and coming up with different ways to motivate them to do things around the house. For those parents out there, you can understand where I’m coming from.

Here’s a common conversation: “Brendan, do you want to go for a walk around the block?” “No Thanks!” (as he watches Cartoon Network, plays on computer or works his Nintendo DS). My youngest son, Trevor, hasn’t reached the age where he has the defiant streak yet. I ask him to do something and he hops at the opportunity – to show up his brother.

Brendan has learned to play off this attitude toward people in my family, so I have adapted my parenting style accordingly. “Do you want to go for a walk around the block?” has turned into “We are going for a walk around the block.”

Simple semantics has changed his opportunity to respond negatively as it does not allow him an opportunity to say “no” to my question. I control the interaction with the parental ‘dialect.’

By now, you are asking what this story has to do with music. Well, I have run my weekly music blog for almost 6 months now, and sometimes it feels like I’m begging people to contribute like trying to get my sons to take out the garbage.

I started this blog in hopes of helping support independent musicians by providing a free media outlet to discuss their music and promote them on MySpace. I have talked to countless bands at shows to explain what I do every week.

Most of them have embraced the weekly musical column. Numerous bands appreciate what I do to support independent music. MySpace friends also have thanked me for posting some of the music I find on MySpace through my searches or those of others (Laurence, Adam, etc.).

Lately, though, I find myself almost begging people to contribute to this blog. Over and over, I ask bands, fans or others in music to write something up but my pleas go unheard and without response.

Don’t get me wrong. I understand most bands have many better things to think about right now. Summer involves many opportunities for touring and making money. Some bands are recording music hoping the album breaks them. Heck, I’ve even heard a few bands learning the hard knocks of life on the road due to mechanical problems – that happens to probably 100 bands a year with a vehicle breakdown.

And “NO”, I’m not trying to compare parenting my children to the mindset to today’s bands, but I’m trying to get them to understand that Darron to be Different is designed to help promote their efforts for free.

I understand how it takes a ½ hour or more to write up a column for my blog. I do it every week. I also understand the weather conditions. I have two boys who also want much time from me on weekends.

I also understand that a guy with a music blog might not seem like the best use of that time, but I have heard from numerous bands who can prove that wrong. Sure, I’m not the highest ranking blog on MySpace, but I do get many hits from the content.

Truthfully, I have many weeks where I want to say screw this blog as it’s not worth the time or effort if no one wants to support it. At the same time, I don’t give up on projects that easily. Plus I have helped a good number of bands get the word out for their music as not many people out there help out the smaller bands like I do for pats on the back vs. cash in the pocket.

With the start of a new month, Darron to be Different is undergoing a few changes. I will continue to provide content for this blog but I will have more control to allow a weekly posting independent from relying on others. Road Trips and From The Crowd will occur only on ‘special’ occasions when I find bands who really want to contribute. I’m done begging for columns.

I also plan on keeping the Six Pack as many friends/fans have enjoyed finding the new music that I post in that section. Instead of begging for columns, I will start ‘reposting’ music information from other bands’ and music fans’ blogs, bulletins or other current music news out in the world. This section will be called “Been Caught Stealin’” accordingly.

For now, I also will stop giving away signed items for comments as I cannot afford to continue to do so. If I start to see more support in comments, I will resume the contests.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and support for this music blog. If you want to contribute, I am always open for other musicians/writers to participate.

Been Caught Stealin’

This section has news I have picked up from bands in my friends list. I’ll repost their information here. If you want your information here, send me an e-mail.

Rest Among Ruins – www.myspace.com/restamongruins

All of our merchandise is now officially ON SALE until the start of our East Coast tour! right! Our EP, "The Depths" is now only $3 and our t-shirts are only $9 through the RAR online merch store until August 10th!!! So if you don’t have "The Depths" or a Rest Among Ruins t-shirt, please visit http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vcmVzdGFtb25ncnVpbnMuYmlnY2FydGVsLmNvbQand pick one up! We are SUPER poor right now, so any and all purchases will really help us out and will go towards our August tour as well as future tours. But remember, the sale ends August 10th! Love RAR

Aerial – www.myspace.com/aerialband

Okay, you guys!!! we've kept you all waiting long enough, sooooo.... the opportunity of a LIFETIME is FINALLY HERE!!! Here's what you will all need to do to win an all expenses paid trip to THE NEW MOON MOVIE PREMIERE ON 11/18/2009, and your chance to chill with us nice guys from AERIAL!!! so....PAY ATTENTION!!!
Being that we are all HUGE TWILIGHT FANS, what we want you guys to do is send us a VIDEO acting out ANY SCENE from the book NEW MOON....but wait!!

Since it wouldn't be fun if we didn't give you a challenge, what we want you all to do is ONLY HAVE 2 PEOPLE IN THIS SCENE, WHICH HAS TO BE KEPT UNDER 5 MINUTES, AND INCLUDE OUR SONG, "LUNA" in the video, since we, alongside Elohim Pichardo (www...myspace...com/evanciego), wrote it ESPECIALLY FOR "NEW MOON"...

Why ONLY 2 PEOPLE, you may ask?? Because only ONE WINNING VIDEO WILL BE SELECTED, and that pair will get to JOIN US!!!
Fair enough?? We think so!!

So here's the RULES:
* If you want to participate, YOU MUST LIVE HERE IN THE U.S., BE 18 OR OLDER, OR IF YOU'RE A MINOR, YOU MUST HAVE A PARENT OR GUARDIAN WILLING TO ACCOMPANY YOU, however, expenses will NOT be paid for them!!
*You will have to SEND US ONE MESSAGE HERE, TITLED "NEW MOON CONTEST" INCLUDING YOUR EMAIL, so that we can send you THE FULL LENGTH VERSION OF OUR SONG, "LUNA".
You have from now until SUNDAY 8/02 AT MIDNIGHT (MST) TO REQUEST THE SONG.
* VIDEOS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM MONDAY 8/03 9AM(MST), TILL WEDNESDAY 8/05 MIDNIGHT (MST).Once you have your video ready, send us ANOTHER MESSAGE WITH THE LINK TITLED "NEW MOON VIDEO LINK". We will then review the video, copy that link, and post it here on our page for EVERYONE TO SEE AND VOTE ON!! So please keep the video clean, guys, and only ONE VIDEO PER PAIR!! AND ALSO TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO ADD US, SO THAT THEY CAN VOTE AND HELP YOU WIN!!!
* We will then post all participating videos on MONDAY 8/10, on AERIAL's MYSPACE, and have EVERYONE VIEW AND VOTE FROM TUESDAY 8/11 TO THURSDAY 8/13.
*After that, we will select 5 videos with THE MOST VOTES, and choose the LUCKY WINNER from there!!!
***THE WINNING VIDEO WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY AUGUST 20TH!!! WHY?? BECAUSE IT'S A NEW MOON DAY!!!! :)
SO HURRY UP AND GET YOUR WEB CAMS, VIDEO CAMS, CELL PHONE CAMS AND START RECORDING!!! INCLUDE OUR SONG AND BE CREATIVE!!!!
AND DON'T FORGET TO TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO ADD US, SO THAT THEY CAN HELP YOU WIN!!***
*******we're going above and beyond to give you this awesome opportunity because we love you guys! thank you for your support!*******
<3,
your friendly neighborhood
Aerial ;)

Butcher Jones – www.myspace.com/butcherjones

AS U ALL KNOW BUTCHER JONES WAS AWARDED BEST ROCK BAND OF THE YEAR BY THE PHOENIX AWARD CEREMONY. THE AWARD SHOW IS TAKIN PLACE IN NOVEMBER IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THEY R LOOKIN TO HAVE ONLY 1 BAND PLAY A SHOW IN LOS ANGELES FOR THE AWARD SHOW. SO I GOT A MESSAGE FROM THE AWARD PEOPLE AND THEY R ASKIN FOR ALL THE FANS TO COMMENT OR MESSAGE THEIR PAGE REQUESTING BUTCHER JONES TO PLAY. SO I NEED ALL YOUR HELP ON THIS BC THE GUYS DESERVE ALL OF IT. THE AWARD PEOPLE LUV BUTCHER JONES AS MUCH AS WE DO. SO LETS DO THIS FOR THE BOYS. LETS SHOW THEM HOW MUCH US FANS LUV THEM. HERE R THE PAGES TO DO THE WORK. ADD THEM AND START LEAVIN COMMENTS
myspace...com/..phoenixmusicawa..rds
myspace...com/..lamusicawards
P.S. THANK U FANS FOR ALL YOUR HELP. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS

Six Pack

Boyce Avenue, “On My Way”, www.myspace.com/boyceavenue

Falling Ice, “Unclear”, www.myspace.com/fallingice

Brent James Grunow, “Push and Pull”, www.myspace.com/brentgrunow

Jack’s Family, “Falling”, www.myspace.com/jacksfamilyuk

Eletrika, “Zombie Factory”, www.myspace.com/eletrika

Fleshwound, “Burn In Hell”, www.myspace.com/fleshwound1

For those reading my blog, I thank you very much for the support. If you are interested in contributing a column for Road Trips or From The Crowd, or if you would like a band's music featured in my Six Pack, please just drop me an e-mail here on MySpace. This column is dedicated to helping out independent musicians throughout the world and is fueled by your participation. Big or small, my weekly music blog is out there as a resource to get the word out about your music or what you do for music.

Road Trips

FROM THE INSIDE

By “The Preacher” of Soul Preacher

www.myspace.com/soulpreacherdetroit

Darron to be Different Music Blog – July 12^th

For those reading my blog, I thank you very much for the support. If you are interested in contributing a column for Road Trips or From The Crowd, or if you would like a band's music featured in my Six Pack, please just drop me an e-mail here on MySpace. This column is dedicated to helping out independent musicians throughout the world and is fueled by your participation. Big or small, my weekly music blog is out there as a resource to get the word out about your music or what you do for music.

Road Trips

Experiences of a Modern-Day Metal Band: Formation

By: Steve Anthony, Co-Founder, Myth Not Man

www.myspace.com/mythnotman

Forming a metal band these days is as easy as slapping a bunch of friends together, grabbing a twelve pack, and pissing off the neighbors for a few evenings out of the month. At least that was the approach that Myth Not Man took (at that time, Paradigm Shift). There was no way to know that the onion effect, like a stalking predator, was silently hiding in the wings somewhere. Then before we knew it, one day, everything was different.

A couple of co-workers found each other in casual conversation and then found a few people that were willing to take strides toward getting a project set up. Over time we became relatively successful at keeping everyone coming back from one practice to the next and realized that maybe something was coming together. That wasn’t the end, though; it had to build even further over time. Over the next 2.5 years, we saw the arrival and departure of more than a few members (14 to be exact), but we finally settled with this line up. Now, the only two core members are the bass player, Brandon Ice, and I, Steve Anthony.

We all know that chemistry is what makes a good band. Unfortunately, it’s not always right on the surface. Just because you have a decent, civil relationship with one of your band mates, does not mean you need to make music together. It’s closer to the other way around. It’s hard to explain as both qualities go kind of hand-in-hand. Once the chemistry fits, the music can have its own sound, its own voice, and its own progress. THAT is when it hits. THAT is when genius can take hold. Respect for your band mates is right up there with chemistry - both as people, brothers/sisters and as musicians.  Passion sparks drive. Most people get hung up on the romantic part of that statement in that love/passion should prevail…understood, but not always the case as we all may know. It’s like a marriage, all parties have to work towards a goal for it to work. So drive is what brings it all home.

Road Trips

Hell Rides North

www.myspace.com/hellridesnorth

From the get go, HRN put in a ton of work for the 89X Battle. Right away, we were promoting and telling everyone about it. We passed out fliers all over the area.

Promoting is the key to even have a chance to win. The competition is stiff. So many phenomenal bands, it's not a walk in the park. You can't show up to a battle like this with only a couple shows under your belt.

You need to have somewhat of a fan base and make sure they know all about the online voting and the show itself. Also, you got to have the tunes! If you don't have the music, there's no chance. Then there's the stage performance, you have to tear it up on stage and force the fans to beg for more.

So, to have a chance for the 89X I'm With The Band Battle... Work hard, practice harder, promote til you pass out, bring it on stage, and pray.

You can vote for Hell Rides North in the 89X I’m With The Band Battle at http://www.myspace.com/89ximwiththeband.

Truth or Darron

If you have a few independent bands in your friends, obviously you have seen how your comments section has become an advertisement for their music – and most of all, their contests.

My page’s involvement in music usually leads to a good amount of band comments. Most invite me to check out their music and let them know what I think – usually, if they make my Six Pack, that is a ringing endorsement for their music.

Lately, though, bands have taken the time to promote any upcoming contests they hope to win – and they hope you will take the time to help them out. Truthfully, I get about five contests per day on my page or via e-mail asking me to visit a page, add a widget or some other download or means to help them out.

Even in this week’s Road Trips, I’m helping out some local friends by allowing them to put a plug about the 89X radio contest for Hell Rides North. After a few rounds of qualifying, Hell Rides North finds their band going head-to-head with other local Michigan bands in hopes of winning $10,000 and other benefits.

While most people might seem skeptical about such contests, I am here to tell you to take a minute and support these bands’ efforts. Believe it or not, bands have qualified and won these contests to the point where it helps them toward their goal of a national recording deal.

Heck, some bands even benefit from LOSING these contests as their music is heard. One such example involves last year’s Make Rock History contest with Motley Crue. The eventual winners involved The Last Vegas, who toured and gained a following from winning.

Two bands in my friends, though, also benefitted from the contest. No Justus from Michigan and Of Broken from Maryland both qualified with other 28 bands. The reward included an all-expenses paid trip to California to perform a song.

Not only did these two bands get to meet and hang out, but they also received feedback on their music and ideas on what they could do in terms of constructive feedback from music veterans. I talked to members in both bands and they still couldn’t believe how they qualified out of thousands of bands for this once in a lifetime experience!

I guess my message for this week involves support. How long does it take you to click a link? 20 seconds? Take the time to support your local acts by helping them out when they swing by and drop a comment on your page.

Why? The band took 20 seconds – or more – to post a comment on your page so can’t you return the favor???

Six Pack

* Shaman’s Harvest, “Dragonfly”; www.myspace.com/shamansharvest

* Cold Driven, “Heavier Than Heaven”; www.myspace.com/colddriven

* Forsythe, “Save You”; www.myspace.com/forsythe

* Smash Into Pieces, “{Fading}”; www.myspace.com/sm4shintopieces

* Channel Eight, “Getting Nowhere”; www.myspace.com/channeleightband

* F5, “The Reckoning”; www.myspace.com/f5thebandaz

Post, Boast & Toast!

For every person that comments a June/July blog from Darron to be Different, you will be entered to win a signed Folklore & Superstition CD from Black Stone Cherry! Thanks to Heather from Shauna’s Street Team for the donation (www.myspace.com/shinedownaddict). So post away people! I encourage anyone reading these blogs to 'advertise' their upcoming events and services in this blog!

Darron to be Different Music Blog – July 5^th

For those reading my blog, I thank you very much for the support. If you are interested in contributing a column for Road Trips or From The Crowd, or if you would like a band's music featured in my Six Pack, please just drop me an e-mail here on MySpace. This column is dedicated to helping out independent musicians throughout the world and is fueled by your participation. Big or small, my weekly music blog is out there as a resource to get the word out about your music or what you do for music.

Road Trips

November

www.myspace.com/novemberonline

When Darron asked me to write a blog about "Do It Yourself Promotion", I said to myself..."Self?! It would take a whole novel to write about D.I.Y. Promotion!"

So I'm gonna do the best I can in a short amount of space! I'm "DARRON" to give it a shot! So ya got yourself a band! A DAMN good one!

(At least you believe so!) And now your on Myspace and or many others like it! So where is everybody?! Well not so fast cowboy!

There's only 5 Million other bands on there with the same ideas you have!

You have to get BUSY! (And I mean BIZZY!!!) You've set up your Beta - Tags and you're still not Myspace Famous!

Guess what time it is! WORK TIME! First off are you willing to put your life on hold? If not, maybe it's time to find a new "Hobby"!

Because if this is a "Hobby" it's time for you to move on!  But, if it's your "Passion" and "Dream!) then stick around!

So...once again... you're on Myspace and others! The next step is to let the WorlD in on your own version of "Sargent Peppers"

Start by, and this is key! RESEARCH!  (KeyWorD!)(Ya can't put a square peg in a round hole!) Researching your style of music. By that I mean who is your Major influence? Who do you sound like?

Who fits your style?  Well when you figure that out, find their Myspace  site

and start "Pillaging" (Another "Keyword"!) their friends List! In other words add the people who like the same style of music you do! Send a little message when you "request" them saying something to the effect of.." Hey I saw you on So 'n So's site and if you like them you may like us!" One of the BIGGEST things I've discovered over the years is what I like to call the "Personal Touch!"  (Key WORDS!) It Goes along way. Always be accessible to your "Friends" (Hopefully Fans later!)

 I've found that "Acessibility" to your Friends 'N Fans is invaluable! There's no one better to spread the word on your band than a friend who LOVES your music and believes in you!

Once people see your dedication and commitment they will willingly join you! The next thing you know you'll notice yourself popping up in "Top FRiends lists" and your Banners posted

everywhere! And someone just might start you a STREET TEAM!" Well once you get a fan base happening on here you may start thinking you need a record deal! (The jury's still out on if you need a label or not!)Well guess what you need to do again?! That's right children! "Research!" (What kind of word is that kids? KEYWORD! Right!) You don't want to send your package (And hopefully you have one!)

to a Reggae label if you play Black Metal! So once again find out what label your favorites bands and or bands that influenced you

and see where they're signed! There are many Indy labels that want to sign "The Next Big Thing!" (That's you right?)

There's a label out there for every music Genre known to man! Of course they may try to rip you off (Thats a WHOLE 'nother story!)

So you may need a lawyer! Or you can forego the labels and "Do It Yourself" Because who's going to spend more time on your band than you? Who's gonna believe in you more than you!

If you decide to do it yourself (Sometimes the labels decide it for you!) then what little life you had is out the door!

Then you have to be a Musician/Manager/Engineer/Producer/Songwriter/... You get the picture!

In other words it's WORK! WORK! WORK!!! Now you see where Hobby is out the door!  That's just an extremely brief synopsis of what it takes!

But it all needs to start with what's the word children? RESEARCH!!!  I've enclosed some links on D.I.Y. band promotion if you want to carry this thing a little deeper! I could go on for days! (Just ask Darron!) Well that's not all! But that's all for NOW! So I'll leave you with that little tid-bit! So remember, MUSIC is LIFE! And LIFE'S a BITCH!!!

And then you became a MUSICIAN!!!

Blane Gilbert

NOVEMBER

 

Learn more about Killer Music Web Sites at...

http://bob-baker.com/buzz/music-web-site.html

http://TheBuzzFactor.com/

http://MusicPromotionBlog.com/

http://www.musicpromotiontips.com

(Blane Gilbert is the Drummer/Founder/Lyricist/Manager/Producer/engineer/promoter for the Classic MeTaL band NOVEMBER,

Formerly signed in the U.K. with an international release. All accomplished on the inter-net! One of the first bands signed from the web in 1997!

They're Latest Cd is on iTunes, RhaPsody and Amazon.com

Check them out myspace.com/novemberonline !

NOVEMBER

http://www.metalmonthly.com/NovemberEPK.html

http://www.airplaydirect.com/NOVEMBERONLINE

http://www.myspace.com/novemberonline

http://www.novemberonline.com

http://www.zazzle.com/ttuttmonn*

http://www.jango.com/music/November

NOVEMBER EP AMAZON.com

http://www.amazon.com/November/dp/B001TX1G3W/ref=dm_ap_alb3?ie=UTF8&qid=1235612487&sr=101-6

NOVEMBER on iTunes

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=305068748&s=143441

NOVEMBER on RHAPSODY!!!

http://mp3.rhapsody.com/november/november--ep

Truth or Darron

For the last couple of weeks, the news outlets have been swarmed by the surprising death of Michael Jackson as the King of Pop showed he still has staying power. You can’t flip through a TV or radio station without seeing some news about Jacko.

While up north last weekend – and just hearing the news – I flipped on VH1 and noticed they were running a marathon of his videos including back-to-back showings of the famous Thriller video. MTV even was running music and videos instead of The Real World.

Interesting concept there. The Real World. Michael Jackson in The Real World.

It seems like many people remember Michael Jackson The Music vs. Michael Jackson The Person. He left a lasting impact on many people (see Cara’s column in From The Crowd) and reigns with Thriller selling more albums than any other (I believe it was 109 million at last check).

With his death, Jackson also returned that crown with I believe 8 of his albums selling more than 100,000 records to beat out many of today’s artists including the Black Eyed Peas. Will that money, though, help pay for the debt or will it become another motivator for Debbie Rowe to get her cut of Neverland?

Michael Jackson was probably one of the most influential pop stars of my generation and I can see the lasting effect he has made in the world of music. But let’s not forget about the impact he made throughout his life on the other side of the coin.

People forget about the reality of someone when they pass and try to remember the good things. Michael Jackson was the King of Plastic Surgery as he did not embrace his race, per se, by endlessly trying to bleach his skin.

Who hasn’t heard a joke about Michael Jackson’s nose falling off? Or about how him being Home Alone with Macaulay Culkin? The lawsuits and rumors of child molestation? The drug abuse and addiction? The bankruptcy? Wearing the surgical mask wherever he went? The wig? Bubbles?

Now, even more information has started leaking out about his three children. Are they even his? Just think about the impact his career has placed on them as they were ‘covered’ when in public to avoid the public scrutiny.

Michael Jackson’s estate will become a tug-of-war in the courts. Debbie Rowe will want her piece of the pot. Joe Jackson, the father who physically abused him, will fight for his piece as long as Tito, Jermaine, Janet and whatever other Jackson in the Five isn’t making any money anymore. What if the outlets are right? Will the ‘real’ biological father go after his piece of the pot?

As for his music, and the music from the Beatles that he’s purchased, what will happen with those songs? Will they be sold off to the highest bidder? Will they pay for Jacko’s bankruptcy? Will they become someone’s commercial jingles for years?

Like Cara’s column below, you see plenty of tributes to his life. I was watching WWE wrestling with my children and even noticed how a few stars showed their tribute to him. One tag team, Cryme Tyme, came out wearing a Jackson jacket and one white glove on his hand. Maria Kanelis also came out wearing the one glove during her match.

What pisses me off is the latest moneymaker off his death. I heard about a funeral/memorial tribute where people could pay $25 to mourn the loss of Jacko, but had to submit to ‘win a ticket’ to the Michael Jackson lottery July 7^th at The Staples Center in Los Angeles. You can read about it here. Amazingly, the Staples Center page received 500 MILLION hits for this event. Only 17,500 tickets will be sold for it.

Can you say ebay, craig’s list or auction? You don’t think these tickets will make THOUSANDS of dollars on those sites? People will rush to make one more dollar off Michael Jackson’s life.

You don’t think people will be selling Michael Jackson stuff to the millions of people crowding outside the Staples Center who couldn’t get tickets? You don’t think people will sell fake tickets as scalpers to dupe these people? People will sell records, shirts, etc. in hopes to make a buck off him as it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white.

I guess I now see why MTV plays The Real World more often than music videos these days… music is just a great memory, but most people are more consumed by the real world.

I also know the King of Pop will never be dethroned, but sorry, I do live in the real world and – it’s bad, it’s bad. I know it. Now, I’m just waiting for Bubbles to get the media circus rolling as the Buggles know how video killed the radio star. R.I.P. Michael Jackson - hopefully your positives will outweigh your negatives in people's memories.

From The Crowd

Cara Carlson

www.myspace.com/rockrules76

“WHAT A SHAME” BY SHINEDOWN
Two packs of cigarettes a day
The strongest whiskey Kentucky can make
That's a recipe to put a vagabond
On his hands and knees
I watched it all up close
I knew him more than most
I saw a side of him he never showed
Full of sympathy
For a world that wouldn't let him be
That's the man he was
Have you heard enough?
WHAT A SHAME, WHAT A SHAME
To judge a life that you can't change
The choir sings
The church bells ring
So won't you give this man his wings?
WHAT A SHAME
To have to beg you to see
We're not all the same

WHAT A SHAME
There's a hard life
For every silver spoon
There's a touch of grey
For every shade of blue
That's the way that I see life
If there was nothing wrong
Then there'd be nothing right
And for this working man
They say can barely stand
There's got to be a better place to land
Some kind of remedy
For a world that wouldn't let him be
That's the man he was
Have you heard enough?
WHAT A SHAME, WHAT A SHAME
To judge a life that you can't change
The choir sings
The church bells ring
So won't you give this man his wings?
WHAT A SHAME
To have to beg you to see
We're not all the same
WHAT A SHAME
God forgive the hands that laid you down
They never knew how
Much a broken heart can break the sound
And change the seasons
Now the leaves are falling faster
Happily ever after
You gave me hope through your endeavors
And now you will live forever
WHAT A SHAME, WHAT A SHAME
To judge a lfe that you can't change
The choir sings
The church bells ring
So won't you give this man his wings?
WHAT A SHAME
To have to beg you to see
We're not all the same
WHAT A SHAME

These lyrics are almost exactly what I thought when Meltdown from 101.1 WRIF gave Metro Detroit the terrible news about Michael Jackson's death.  I was on my way home from work, on Franklin Rd., just north of 13 Mile Rd.  I was in complete shock.  When I got home, the news filled the airwaves with details and I began recalling my first childhood obsession...

I can't for the life of me remember how or exactly when I was introduced to Michael Jackson's music.  All I know for sure is that it must have been shortly after the greatest movie of all time (in my opinion), E.T. came out.  Seems like it was October 1982, so I wasn't quite 6 yet.  After the movie had been out for a while, my dad bought me the soundtrack.  I was bummed when I got home because it was just the music, which is brilliant, I wanted a narrated version of the movie.  Later, we found exactly what I wanted - the narrated story of E.T.!  And guess who was the narrator - none other than Michael Jackson!  It makes sense that I could have discovered Michael then, because, I just got out my THRILLER album, and in the liner notes, Michael has a "thank you" to E.T.  I quickly became obsessed wtih both of them. 

The day after Michael's death, I received a text message from my best friend since birth, Jennifer Albro-Barker.  She remembered being in love with Michael as a child.  I reminded her of first grade when we and another friend, Stacey Gettig, fought over who was going to marry him.  Ah, those were the days! 

More and more Michael memories have flooded my mind the last few days:  my "Thriller" Michael barbie, a Michael purse I won at my school fair, the first poster I bought (Michael dressed in white with a yellow sweater vest) at the Dixieland Flea Market, renting "The Making of Thriller", "Beat It" being my favorite song, all the videos, my second cousin, Jamie and me singing "Billie Jean" in the car after a Daddy/Daughter Square Dance, the tragic accident filming the Pepsi commercial - which made his silver glove famous, the Moon Walk.... I'm sure even more memories will come to mind in the coming weeks.

I'm forever grateful to have Michael's music as a part of my childhood.  My only regret is that I never got a chance to see him perform live. Michael has influenced the entire music industry.  I know his albums, clothes, etc. are now worth millions, but I'll NEVER sell any of my treasures.  No one can put a price on my memories. 

Especially, this beautiful picture.  Michael's 10,000 watt smile!  *puts hand over heart* I think this is his best picture ever!  And my precious E.T., those big blue eyes.  No picture is more sweet and innocent.  *tears weld up* 

Michael, I pray that Neverland is all you hoped it would be.  You have blessed this world with your talent.  Now it's time to sing and dance for your Maker (my cousin, Lisa too ...).  May God rest your sweet soul.  I will say a prayer for you at 8 o'clock tonight, when the world holds a vigil for you.  May the world "give this man his wings". 

"You gave me hope through your endeavors and now you will live forever".

Your fan always,
Cara Carlson

Six Pack

• Nine Lashes, “Words of Red”; www.myspace.com/ninelashes
• Tread, “Make It Real”; www.myspace.com/treadrock
• Nural, “Stop Me When You’ve Had Enough”; www.myspace.com/nural
• Ghost of Gloria, “Better Off Alone”; www.myspace.com/ghostofgloria
• Soul Side In, “Slip Away”; www.myspace.com/soulsidein
• Abandoned Souls, “Words of Wisdom”; www.myspace.com/abandonedsoulsrock

Darron to be Different Music Blog – June 21st

For those reading my blog, I thank you very much for the support. If you are interested in contributing a column for Road Trips or From The Crowd, or if you would like a band's music featured in my Six Pack, please just drop me an e-mail here on MySpace. This column is dedicated to helping out independent musicians throughout the world and is fueled by your participation. Big or small, my weekly music blog is out there as a resource to get the word out about your music or what you do for music.

 

 

Road Trips

 

My Evolution

www.myspace.com/myevolution

 

MY EVOLUTION: PROMOTING "REAL LIFE" WHILE LIVING IT.

My name is *M. Lopez* and i'm the guitarist for the Hollywood Rock Band MY EVOLUTION. On May 11th 2009 we released our newest CD entitled, "THIS IS REAL LIFE". Like many bands do these days the CD was self produced by ME without a cent of monetary help from a label or distributor.

 

Through our hard work, determination and industry contacts, we were able to get major label artists Wayne Static (Static-X) and Dan Nelson (Anthrax) to contribute vocals to the new album. We also had the CD mixed by Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Godsmack, Drowning Pool) of NRG studios (N. Hollywood) at NRG.

 

At the same time that Linkin Park was down the hall working on their forthcoming new cd. Not bad for a band funding their own cd. Jay Baumgardner himself said after hearing the finished product, "you guys got an AMAZING product with such a small budget!"

 

None of the aforementioned were easy to accomplish but we stuck at it and wouldn't take no for an answer. We believe very strongly in the new CD and were not going to settle for anything but perfection...especially from ourselves.

 

After the CD was released we hit the road with Static-X for a week long run of tour dates in the midwest. The shows were amazing and the crowds were even more amazing. Rocking shows outside of LA is a whole other world.

 

We are now diligently working on promoting the new CD and setting up another quality tour for the summer or possibly a bit later in the year. We're making sure that THIS IS REAL LIFE is being played on as many Internet radio sites as possible in as many cities as possible as well as setting up profiles on the top independent music sites and not just MySpace.

 

Though MySpace is one of the biggest and most recognizable, it is important to have a strong, consistent web presence. The new CD will be available on iTunes shortly and can be purchased online at a number of retail chains including our official website myevolutionmusic.com.

 

Now a days you have music giants like NIN, Prince & Radiohead (to name a few) leaving their major labels and doing it all on their own without the constrictions that the major labels put on artists. Major labels got greedier and lazier as time went on and look at them now. So many have folded and many will follow.

 

The fact that we can as an unsigned band get our music to the world on our own terms is simply amazing. Obviously it's much easier for the established acts to do so when they have such big names but the industry has changed so much that the little guy can do it and turn themselves into a giant!

 

Of course it takes more time and dedication but it is possible and the only thing stopping an artist is unwillingness. We've managed to work with established major label artists without a management company or booking agency to this point.

 

Although we are in the process of shopping around to interested management and booking, perseverance and business savvy have taken us all the way to this point. We decided to call our new release THIS IS REAL LIFE because in the world of ME....these songs, the writing & recording process of them, and the promotion that has followed is just that REAL LIFE.

 

Stop by and take a listen to the soundtrack that has been our lives for about the last 8 to 9 months just dating back to last year when the recording process began. You'll hear and feel the passion we in MY EVOLUTION have for REAL LIFE. And, if we do it right on the business side....THIS IS REAL LIFE may be the soundtrack for YOU and ME the rest of our lives.....

Thanks,

*M. Lopez*
MY EVOLUTION PAGE

Truth or Darron, Part I

 

When checking out the link to Ugly Kid Joe’s version of “Cats In The Cradle”, I was amazed at the number of comments that posters had made about their fathers on Father’s Day! For those who haven’t heard the famous Harry Chapin song, you can check it out in Part II of my column this week.

 

Then I started thinking about my father – and now, what it means for me to serve as a father figure to my two sons – especially since I get to sleep in and ‘celebrate’ one more holiday a year.

 

For those who don’t know, I was adopted by my parents as they could not conceive children. They also adopted my sister (four years younger) who I rarely talk about since her decision to become estranged from our family almost 20 years ago.

 

My father and I had never been close due to his alcoholism. As a child, I spent more time in bars with him playing video games than I did on the Odyssey 2 or Intellivision in our house. His passion for beer became stronger than his willpower, and when he reached a certain level, he became a complete drunken asshole… and that’s putting it lightly.

 

Beer consumed his life at work. Back in the day, he would drink a lot while working on giving electricity to people who didn’t have it due to power outages. He’d drink on the job, he’d drink on the way home and he would come home mad for no reason other than drunkenness, pick fights and usually take out his anger on my mom, myself or my sister.

 

I’ve seen some really tough situations. One time, he was climbing a pole and was so drunk that he put the spike on his boot through his knee. Another time, he was driving home drunk from work that he actually hit a police car.

 

He would get drunk before my football games and yell out in the crowd loud enough for me to hear on the field. Sometimes, it was motivational… a lot of times, it was very motivational as I took a lot of that anger and embarrassment out on the football field. I would think about the drunken incidents of him ripping my head off or yelling at my mom – before he passed out and not remember it the next day – and take it out on players in practice and in games.

 

Truthfully, I spent a lot of time at his parents’ (my grandparents), because they became a haven for me to work around his alcoholism even though both of them packed away Goebel’s cases like Kobayashi puts away hot dogs on July 4^th. They were happier drunks.

Summers were spent helping my grandfather on his Twin Pines milk route. He would drive the truck and I would run the ½ gallons, butter and other needs to the customers. On his route, however, he had five bars that needed orange juice, sour cream or whatever.

 

At each bar, my grandfather would get a shot and a beer. At the last bar on the route (and last customer), grandpa would have an extra beer or two and teach me how to play pool. Then, we would head back to his house where he would pass out.

 

Like Father, Like Son… and I truly felt my dad would say, “I’m going to be like him. You know I’m going to be like you.”

 

Well, then I went off to college and I came home in an unusual way. You see – being taller and much bigger than my father, I literally would take my football expertise to our home by serving as a blocker protecting my mom and my sister from his verbal assaults during high school.

 

Away from the house, my sister did not have Steve Hutchinson protecting her anymore. My dad was keeping up with his Ripken drinking streak and she became the brunt of his anger due to her poor grades and even poorer decisions since I set some high standards through high school. At age 15, she dropped out of high school to live with her boyfriend at the time and would not return to our house unless my mom divorced my father.

 

At college, the family was unraveling through letters and phone calls. My dad spent some time in the ‘drunk tank’ where he made me a belt carving in my initials. Definitely not a chick magnet type item, I wore it around school as it reminded me of what he went through. He also lost his father and mother within a calendar year while I was up at school, which led him back down the road to alcoholism.

 

The turning point in our relationship happened one summer. He came home one night drunker than ever and more pissed off and wanted to pick a fight with someone. That’s how he gets. He drinks to a point and then wants to just fight with someone verbally – never physically. Well, that afternoon was the wrong afternoon.

 

He came into the house and started going off on me saying a bunch of drunken nonsense. I had enough – it’s amazing how going away to college teaches you independence. I said, “Dad, I’ve had it with your bullshit. You want a piece of me. Let’s go right now. I’m sick of you yelling at me. I’m sick of you yelling at mom. I’m big enough now where I’m not going to take your bullshit anymore. Go pass out or I’m going to knock you out.”

 

The look in my dad’s eyes was nervous, surprise and a bit of sobriety. For those who have met me in person, I’m definitely a guy you don’t want to mess with. He fell completely silent and went off to bed.

 

“Yeah, I’m not going to be like him. Yeah, I’m not going to be like him.”

 

Since that day, my family has come together. My parents will be married 45 years in July. My dad still smokes 2 packs of cigarettes per day and drinks a few beers daily and some days, more than a few drinks per day. My sister, after 10 years, dropped by and left a Father’s Day card in the door to screw with him as she likes to mindf*ck people to make herself feel better.

 

Most of you probably are wondering why in the hell I’m dropping this on Father’s Day, but it truly comes down to the song, “Cats In The Cradle.”

 

My dad’s since retired and I’ve moved away. He called me up the other day. I’d like to see you if you don’t mind. I said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time.”

 

The song has come full circle for me. My dad did a lot to teach me many things in life without even going through the books. Unlike Black Stone Cherry’s “Things My Father Said”, my father did things to teach me about fatherhood without really knowing it.

 

Honestly, I almost became like him. When my oldest son was born, I didn’t understand fatherhood truthfully. I went out and played softball or drinking with friends while my wife stayed home and went through the trials of babies. I didn’t get it at first and I put my needs before my wife and child’s needs as I didn’t really accept what I was doing.

 

But, I’m not going to be like him. I’m not going to be like him. I don’t come drunk yelling at my children. I don’t take them into bars whenever I can avoid them. I don’t smoke cigarettes. I have become more responsible when driving after a few drinks.

 

After a while and through my second son, Trevor, I’ve learned to keep Cats In The Cradle closer to my heart. Children grow up way too fast and you just don’t know how much time you have with them. One day, you are holding them. The next, they are headlocking you!

 

I’ve learned a lot more from my dad, too. I sacrifice many concerts, drinking events or other gatherings to put the extra time in for my children. I coach each son’s sports teams. In the summer, we take family walks (or I’ll just take them on one) to talk. I go to every single game (sober). I read books with them before they could read.

 

During my unemployment, I’ve really had a chance to bond with them more. Sure, it sucks with no money coming in, but I get to take them to the playground, play some wiffle ball in the front yard or even play some Smackdown vs. Raw on the Wii. Most of the time, I’m sober around them.

 

Plus my father has become like my grandfather and his father. Last summer, he taught Brendan how to ride a bike during their stayovers. My kids enjoy going to see PaPa and NaNa once in a while. They even created a wood carving for my birthday. My dad does various projects with them in the garage or the back yard without even drinking a beer.

 

As for my dad and I, we spend a lot more time than we ever have thanks to my children. Sure, he still has the angry drunken times, but truthfully, he has become a supporter in my corner. He admits how my mom helped me grow up when I was younger, but I also acknowledge how he has taught me so much to make me a “good” father.

 

This week, Dad and I will celebrate the 6^th year of our annual golf outing up north sans computer and cell phone signal. We will hang out at his cabin, drink some beers together, watch some sports, play some euchre and spend some quality time with our friends. The phone calls between us aren’t daily, but they have become even more frequent as each day goes by. We are driving up together Wednesday and each day leads to more conversations.

 

I want to finish this Father’s Day message with one more interesting story. My oldest son Brendan had his pre-school graduation party and they asked each student what they wanted to be when they grew up. We heard baseball player, firefighter, dancer, policeman, etc. Then, it was Brendan’s turn.

 

“I want to be a dad.” I burst into tears that afternoon as I realized how those sacrifices are worth every single minute.

 

"I'm gonna be like you dad… You know I'm gonna be like you"

 

 

Truth or Darron, Part II

 

To follow-up on Part I, I’m simply going to copy the lyrics here for “Cats InThe Cradle”, originally done by Harry Chapin. If you get a minute, check out the powerful video from Ugly Kid Joe at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3bht7S-3vI.

 

Happy Father’s Day to all of you fathers out there. Keep being the person your children look up to… and give your children a reason to keep them saying, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah, I’m going to be like him!”

 

Cats In The Cradle

 

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

 

 

Six Pack

 

* Silversun Pickups, “I Go Blind”; www.myspace.com/silversunpickups

* The Trews, “Paranoid Freak”; www.myspace.com/thetrews

* Million Dollar Reload, “Livin In The City”; www.myspace.com/milliondollarreload

* Sound of Surrender, “The Game”; www.myspace.com/soundofsurrendersd

* Icarus The Owl, “The Extortionist”; www.myspace.com/icarustheowl

* Mongrel, “Shut Up And Get Dead”; www.myspace.com/mongrel

Post, Boast & Toast!

 

For every person that comments a June blog from Darron to be Different, you will be entered to win a signed Folklore & Superstition CD from Black Stone Cherry! Thanks to Heather from Shauna’s Street Team for the donation (www.myspace.com/shinedownaddict). So post away people! I encourage anyone reading these blogs to 'advertise' their upcoming events and services in this blog!

Darron to be Different Music Blog – June 14th

Darron to be Different Music Blog – May 31st

Darron to be Different Music Blog – May 24th

For those reading my blog, I thank you very much for the support. If you are interested in contributing a column for Road Trips or From The Crowd, or if you would like a band's music featured in my Six Pack, please just drop me an e-mail here on MySpace. This column is dedicated to helping out independent musicians throughout the world and is fueled by your participation. Big or small, my weekly music blog is out there as a resource to get the word out about your music or what you do for music.

Road Trips
Bat On Fire
www.myspace.com/batonfire

From the recesses surrounding Metro Detroit emerges the haunting image of a Bat On Fire. Frantically flying a rapidly changing course toward a charred blistering death, this Bat knows no other fate than the glory of grandiose expiration. This is Detroit's "Bat On Fire" spiraling, engulfed in self-destruction, toward a surface unseen through the smoke of its own flesh. Brothers Karlos and John, along with Axe-Men "Z" and "Tree", have composed heart-wrenching tragedies following the lives of Emerging Pirates, Hallucinogenic Artists, and Mythological Greek Warriors to the beat of pulsating pop-prog metal. All of Bat On Fire's albums begin as short stories conceived from the band’s founding members, Karlos and John, and are then scored and accompanied by conventional metal soundtracks.

“I really had never written in what would be considered a ‘metal’ genre before, but was inspired by the idea of concept albums and historical recounts becoming more prevalent in music.” - John (drums/engineer)

A Pirate’s Life For Me...
Bat On Fire's epic, pirate-themed debut full-length album, The Death Of Solomon Scarlett, revolves around the titular character's journey from young pirate hopeful to mutinous leader.

The songs recount the content of a journal from the early 1700s found centuries later.  The journal was the original property of Solomon Scarlett, a young man who yearns for a pirate’s life on the high seas.  As his story unfolds, he packs his bags and joins up with the infamous, ruthless, and most memorable marauder of our time, Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard.

Solomon is quickly put to work and used in battle, as an enemy ship attempts to overtake Teach’s prize vessel, Queen Anne’s Revenge.  Scarlett then listens along with his crew to the wisdom of the ship’s cook, who regales them with tales of battles and the loss of his leg.  These stories fill the main character with an unquenchable thirst for blood and mayhem, and he wrestles with his conscience over control of these unforeseen emotions.  Ultimately, the good inside of him dies and he rallies his fellow buccaneers to his side, by force if necessary.  His goal?  Overthrow the captain...

The determined upstart creates chaos and falls on Blackbeard and his men in fight, but all are united instantly when Lieutenant Robert Maynard and his crew aboard the HMS Pearl blast their maiden with cannon fire.  An ignited trailing line of gunpowder from the mass of powder kegs suddenly reaches its wooden home, and the ship is blown to pieces sending everyone to the deep or, as in the case of the would-be mutineer, to something worse...the Island of Souls.  It is on this island that Solomon must engage in in his final battle; a duel with his own soul to the death.  His spirit then enters the journal he carried with him, and together they descend to the bottom of the ocean to be discovered so that their story may be told.

“After Solomon Scarlett, I wanted to get away from the more poppy material and delve into something more dark and sinister...” - Karlos (lead vocalist/lead lyricist)

In A Glowing Frame I Fall...
Departing from the straight-forward and pulse-pounding Scarlett, Bat On Fire’s second release, The Raft Of The Medusa, is a 21-minute epic song that describes a hallucinogenic artist’s plunge into his own painting of the same title, and the horrors he witnesses throughout his time on the doomed vessel.

The subject of the material, artist Theodore Gericault’s seminal painting, The Raft Of The Medusa, depicts a grotesque scene of blood, cannibalism, madness, and unremarkable hope. At the outset, Gericault completes his masterpiece. Upon doing so, he falls into the painting and plummets from the sky, landing in the trailing red water that seems to coat the Atlantic Ocean’s surface. Swimming swiftly to reach the wretched raft, Theodore soon finds himself among the company of not men, but something terrifying: ravenous madmen with a hunger for human flesh.

Upon eliminating the many threats at hand, Gericault and his 15 remaining companions (the raft originally held over 140 people) sink into a state that can only be described as what those who are condemned to die feel moments before their demise. But, in the distance a ship is sighted; it appears that the favored few will be rescued, and all enter a kind of delirium of joy...only to descend into profound despondency. The ship they were hailing so furiously faded further behind the horizon, and all hope was lost. Resigned to his fate, Gericault spreads his arms, closes his eyes, and topples into the water. At that very moment, he is sucked back through the sky at a violent pace, and thrust back through his creation to return to his never-again-normal world.

Bat On Fire released The Raft Of The Medusa with the digital age in mind, knowing that many more people put their music on digital media instead of listening directly from the CD. Therefore, Medusa has been released to contain both the chaptered story and the entire 21-minute song, uninterrupted.

“After I recorded the guitar parts for Medusa and had been in the band for a while, it just felt right for me to join Los and John at the songwriting table.” - Z (guitars)

Climbing Up The Mountains Of Hell...
Bat On Fire’s 2009 full-length release, Escape From Hades, is a concept album themed around Greek gods and goddesses.

The nameless protagonist (voiced at the outset by Z) launches the album by shouting “I’ve got to get out of this place!” and we are thrown into Hades, the underworld.  Condemned for a crime perpetrated by a god, the scapegoat climbs his way up the flaming walls of hell and breaks through to the river Styx, the boundary between the upper and lower worlds.  Here, he comes across Poseidon, the God of the Sea.  The brother of the greatest god blocks the hero’s path to land, and a fight ensues, resulting in the destruction of the watery lord’s chosen weapon, the trident, and our protagonist’s success in surpassing the sea god’s preventions.

Upon entering the realm of forests and rolling hills, our hero discovers the goddess of the hunt, Artemis, and promptly dismisses the animals while focusing his attention on slaying their deity master.  He then rests in the shade and is happened upon by a woodland nymph, who leads him to Pan, the god of shepherds and flocks, and also famous for his ability to tempt even the most innocent at heart to throw away all inhibitions and succumb to desires.  The protagonist flees quickly on horseback as a possession is stolen from him by the thief and messenger god, Hermes, also the fastest god on land.

Reclaiming his possession, he calls to the goddess Athena for her strength and wisdom, and witnesses a death procession led by the daemon Thanatos, a supernatural being between a mortals and gods that guides the dead to Hades.  The hero begs Apollo, God of the Sun and Music, and the God of Truth (of which the main character is most concerned) to convince Thanatos, the son of darkness and night, to spare his dying wife the same fate as he.  Apollo explains that only by going before the greatest god himself can he rid his soul of the burden he wears.

Along the way to Mount Olympus, the mountain atop which the gods live, the protagonist is blessed with the might of Ares, God of War.  Climbing in the cold and thunder, he slowly rises, the ground becoming an endless void beneath.  He reaches an alcove in the side of the rock and enters, discovering the Spring of Beauty.  Bathing in the magical water (it repairs armor and heals wounds) is the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, although she cannot yet see our hero and is unaware of his presence.  When the hero puts his hand on her shoulder she turns in fright and takes the form of a harpy, and he quickly cuts her in half, the remains turning into a pile of snakes.  He leaves the alcove but looks back when exiting to see the beautiful goddess returned to her shape and bathing once again.  Resuming his bound, he reaches the temple of...

Zeus; greatest of gods, God of the Sky and Thunder, cloud-gatherer.  Entering the throne room, he drops to his knees and pleads with His Majesty to believe that another god compelled the ruler of Mount Olympus to crucify him wrongfully.  Zeus recounts the transgressions the hero committed in his travails to reach the temple, and casts him back under mortal ground.

As part of its design, Escape From Hades is a inherently cyclical album. By beginning with an escape from hell and ending with a return to hell, it is difficult not to listen to it repeatedly, and have the story retold again and again.

“There is not a day that goes by that the four of us are not doing something productive to move Bat On Fire forward. Not one day...” - Tree (bass guitars)

Bat On Fire perches upon a precipice of potential and possibilities. Alliteration aside, they bring the ruckus at EVERY show they play, and never leave fans disappointed. The charisma of Karlos, the dominance of Tree, the showmanship of John, and the precision of Z (hey, that rhymed...); each of these individuals come together to create the aural assault that is Bat On Fire.

You can witness Bat On Fire at any or all of these scheduled exhibitions:
Sunday, May 31 | The Double OO | Redford, MI
Monday, June 1 | Northern Lights | Detroit, MI
Wednesday, June 10 | Penalty Box | Livonia, MI
Friday, June 26 | Mac’s Bar | Lansing, MI
Saturday, June 27 | Token Lounge | Westland, MI

Truth or Darron

In honor of the Memorial Day weekend, I was going to share some kind of column dedicated to our soliders. Truthfully, I only know a few who keep giving and keeping the United States free – and my grandfather also served in the Armed Forces. Instead, I’m going to copy the lyrics from one of my favorite songs, “Soliders” by Drowning Pool, and play the song in the #1 spot on my music player this week as my way of showing thanks. Here are some lyrics for you:

(Sirens)
On your feet, who’s with me
On your feet, who’s with me Right
One world, made better, in slaight, heart bitter, there is no compromise, your pain your worth your sacrifice
On your feet, who’s with me
On your feet, let’s go
Every time I see inside you I see myself within you
let’s go
(whoah, yeaheah) This is for the soldiers
(whoah, yeaheah)This is for the soldiers
(whoah, yeaheah) This is for the soldiers
all for one, let’s go
On your feet, who’s with me
Lock tide, hold steady, there it goes stand ready, there is no compromise, your pain your worth your sacrifice
On your feet, who’s with me
On your feet, let’s go
Every time I see inside you I see myself within you
let’s go
(whoah, yeaheah) This is for the soldiers
(whoah, yeaheah)This is for the soldiers
(whoah, yeaheah) This is for the soldiers
one for all, we’re coming
Every time I see inside you I see myself within you, don't let that fade away
Your pride inside of me, your honor inside me, respect inside of inside of me, go
(whoah, yeaheah) This is for the soldiers
(whoah, yeaheah)This is for the soldiers
(whoah, yeaheah) This is for the soldiers
our soldiers, let’s go
(whoah, yeaheah) This is for the soldiers
(whoah, yeaheah)This is for the soldiers
(whoah, yeaheah) This is for the soldiers
all for one, we’re coming
Every time I see inside you I see myself within you, don't let that fade away
Every time I see inside you I see myself within you, don't let that fade away

From The Crowd
Laurence
www.myspace.com/sirlaurenceofdarts1472

I just attended my very first Rock On The Range this past weekend, and I can say without hesitation, that this was the best music festival I have ever attended. Sure, Woodstock '99 was incredible in itself, having Rage Against The Machine, Metallica, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Bush, Godsmack, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, and Sevendust. But none of them came close to the show that Slipknot played! This was the first time I saw Slipknot, and I left a bigger fan than I was coming into it.

There were 36 bands at ROTR, and I was able to see 21 full shows and several other bits and pieces of others. Bands like Slipknot, Korn, Alice In Chains, Motley Crue, Shinedown, Avenged Sevenfold, Buckcherry, Chevelle, Flyleaf, Hoobastank, Pop Evil, Saving Abel, Rev Theory, Atreyu, All That Remains, and probably the dark horse of the entire weekend, Halestorm. This was the second time I have seen Halestorm, and let me tell you this: they put on a hell of a show!. Lzzy is an incredible singer, and very easy on the eyes, and drummer Arejay Hale puts on a show! If you ever get the chance to see them live, I highly recommend it! The weather was fantastic all weekend except maybe half hour of rain, and the beer prices were relative to any other concert you go to, so no complaints there. Getting in and out of the stadium parking was pretty organized. A couple things I didn't care for were the people that were throwing bottles and the constant turning around to catch the next crowd surfer before they fall. Granted, I know this goes on at concerts, but not with as much malicious intent as I was seeing. People with full bottles of beer or water just chucking them as hard as they could goes over the line of having a good time. So for those of you in that small group that are reading this... shame on you.