Teaching Bad Kids Good Music

Okay… sorry. They aren’t bad kids, per say. They just do bad things sometimes. And if I’m being honest the bad things they do really aren’t bad. They’re more out of curiosity or wanting to try to help. Like when Crash watered the flowers this evening, except he drug the hose across the flowers he was watering. Luckily no flowers were harmed in their watering.

So anyway… on to the good music. We can all agree music has changed over the years. There have been plenty of “The Evolution of Music” videos made demonstrating this. When I say “good music” I obviously mean what is good to me. It may not be good to you. That’s the joy of music. What my kids call “good music” is nonsense to me. They’re into electronic music produced primarily for video games for mobile devices. Not to bash electronic music, there is certainly some good stuff out there. But to me good music is The Doors, The Who, Bon Jovi, Queen, Billy Joel.

Our home assistant Alexa can play all of them. Of course, she can play the boys’ video game songs, too. And the song that has only one word repeated over and over and the word is “nom”. I dare you to listen to “nom nom nom“. Let me know how long you listen. The winner gets a prize. The loser gets an ear ache.

They are already familiar with AC/DC. Thunderstruck, You Shook Me All Night Long, Back in Black. Listen to the Money Talk. Tonight they were introduced to Behind Blue Eyes, Light My Fire, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Naturally, while listening to Freddie Rhapsody it Crash states, “this doesn’t sound like rock and roll.”

“Just you wait, buddy.”

I see a little silhouetto of a man
Scaramouch, scaramouch will you do the fandango
Thunderbolt and lightning very very frightening me
Gallileo, Gallileo,
Gallileo, Gallileo,
Gallileo Figaro – magnifico

Then he was impressed.

Then we listened to “Fat Bottomed Girls”. I don’t need to tell you they loved that one even more.

What “good music” do you use to impress your kids?

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Local Music

First, Happy Star Wars Day. May the 4th be with you.

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I told you yesterday about missing Z day because we went to a concert where a friend of ours was performing. Today, I’m going to carry on with the music theme. This is another local musician. He also happens to be DW’s cousin.

Steve is wicked good with his guitar. His voice is easily recognizable, too. I could pick it out of a police line up from 50 paces without my glasses. What it’s doing in the police line-up is beyond me. You’ll have to ask Steve.

He is a singer/songwriter with a sound like no other. He sounds like the birth child of Joni Mitchell, Stan Rogers, and a Fender. He took a few years off from writing songs (if 15 is a few). He’s back at it again with new songs. As always, they’re songs we can connect to. They’re as real as the voice he uses to bring them to life. We’ve heard him play so many times. Sometimes in his own home. Sometimes at the venue of his latest gig. Sometimes solo and sometimes with friends. Now you can hear him at his newest gig… Right here on this little blog.

Sit back, relax, and turn your speakers up. Then close your eyes and imagine yourself at thirteen years old and just discovering love. As love walks into your life, it could also “walk right out again.”

Without further ado, Here’s Story of Love. Let us known what you think of it down in the comments.

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Why I Missed Z Day

I made it to the end of the A to Z blogging Challenge. I know, I know. Yay me. The end was a day late, but that wasn’t my fault. I blame DW and Three Finger Shot. Normally I would have written in the evening after the kids had gone to bed. That’s pretty much how the whole challenge went. Except DW had texted me on the afternoon of Z day to say that Three Finger Shot was playing in town from 6-9 that evening and had a big announcement to make. She also said that Nanny and Pop were coming down to watch the boys and get them to bed while we went out. DATE NIGHT!

Being Three Finger Shot groupies, we knew we wouldn’t miss it. Instead of writing we were at a concert. It was a small pub concert and a bunch of our friends were there. And it was on a Monday! We had guesses for the big announcement narrowed down to:

• A) The singer’s wife was pregnant
• B) A new album release date
• C) Summer touring dates
• D) They were moving to our town (or one nearby)

Turns out it was E) None of the above. Our town, located on the Strait of Canso (a strait being a body of water between two land masses and connecting two larger bodies of water) has a festival every summer called the Festival of the Strait. Appropriate, right? Anyway, part of the festival is a concert and Three Finger Shot’s announcement was that they are playing at the Festival again! They were a massive hit when they played there last year.

I ended my Z post with song I recorded on my phone from the pub concert on Z day. You should go have a listen if you haven’t yet.

So, you can clearly see, it wasn’t my fault. And it was totally worth it.

The Metaphor of My Running Playlist

My heart goes out to the victims and their families of the Vegas shooting. I can’t imagine how terrifying a time that was. My heart also goes out to those in Edmonton who faced a terrorist and fell victim to such extremism. May they find peace and solace in these troubling times.

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Running has always been a part of my life. I’ve played sports since I could kick, throw, and swing. Then in high school I discovered wrestling (thanks Doug!) and I ran even more. Until I entered university running was just a way to keep in shape for all the other sports I played. It was never a sport itself.

Then it was. My first race was a relay race in western Maryland. Teams of two would take turns running a five and half mile loop through the woods. For. Six. Hours. We took second and I was hooked. Since then I’ve run four half marathons and several 10k races. Mostly, I’ve just run. Not for training. Not for racing. But just for the sake of running. Call it “me time” or “exercise time” or “nuts” but I enjoy it. I just wish I had more time for it.

Sometimes I run to music and sometimes I let Mother Nature provide the soundtrack.

Here are the top 10 songs in the playlist I listen to on my runs and why I run to them…

1. Lose Yourself – Eminem

The beat for this song start my run perfectly. It matches my cadence. Lose yourself in the music, the moment and that’s exactly what I do. I tune out the world and tune into myself – my footfalls, my breathing, and the road ahead. Suddenly, my frustrations with the kids, my honey-do list, and the million other worries of adulting melt away behind. I outrun them all. Did I mention the bpm (beats per minute) is spot on?

2. America’s Sweetheart – Elle King

This is just a fun song. While I’m usually too out of breath to sing along, I try. Out there where no one can hear me I can sing my heart out without puncturing eardrums. So kick out the jams, kick up the soul / Pour another glass of that rock and roll and I kick up the pace and pour another glass of kick ass.

3. The Light – Disturbed

This song is moving and I love the grungy vocals behind the usually heavy metal band. This song is about seeing the positives, seeing the light no matter how bad things seems to be. Sometimes darkness can show you the light. By the time I get to this song I’m at mile 2 and this one settles me in for the next 3+ miles. Don’t let hope become a memory. Because there are many things I hope for – money, health, family, travel…

4. Love Run Out- One Republic

The drums. The piano. Driving. Pulsing. Invigorating. I’ll be your light, your match, your burning soul. Well, duh. I’m your hubband, DW, I’ll be what you need to me to be. Even on those days when you get growly at me. Even on those days when all “my best” traits are shining through in our offspring. Don’t worry, my love will never run out.

5. Hall of Fame – The Script Ft. Will i am

This song makes me feel like I can conquer the world. You can move a mountain / You can break rock. I can and I will. Okay, maybe not move a mountain, but I can run up this really big hill. Maybe I can’t break rock but I can break my personal best by running just a bit faster.

6. My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark – Fall Out Boy

I love the energy of this song. I get lost in the song and forget that I’m 5 miles into my run with another 1.2 to go. So light ’em up up up / I’m on fire. I’ve run this far, on fire I am. This song provide me that boost of energy to finish my run strong rather than limping, sucking wind, and begging for someone to come get me.

7. Hey Brother – Avicii

I just love to sing along with this one, even if it is difficult to do when you’re this far into a run you’re supposedly doing for fun. The water’s sweet but blood is thicker. Family is important and by this point in my run I’m headed back to them. So close to loved ones and food. So refreshed and feeling new, albeit worn out. Plus the bass is pretty wicked sweet. I can feel my feet nearly leave the ground.

8. Demons – Imagine Dragons

This song is a bit slower than the others. For good reason, too. I’m nearing the end of my 10 song playlist and I need a little rest, slow the pace just enough to hold the notes and belt it out before getting back to where people can hear me. With a little luck, I’ve been able to outrun my demons and leave them far, far behind.

9. The Fighter – Gym Class Heroes ft. Ryan Tedder

Hell yeah I’m a fighter. That’s why I’m out here getting my miles in. So I can fight harder. While I’m not exactly sure what I’m fighting, other than the old me in order make a healthier, new me. Ya ever feel like your train of thought’s been derailed / That’s when you press on Lee nails. Fake it until you make it. Be the best you can be until can be better.

10. Iron Man – Black Sabbath

My heart is in the classics, my parents music. How cool is it to listen to a sci-fi song on your run? Dude time travels to the future, hits a magnetic storm on his return and turns to iron. No one listens to his warnings of an apocalypse so he kills them, becoming the apocalypse he warned of. Plus it’s good old Ozzy Osbourne with Black Sabbath. On certain runs this is my cool down, stretch afterward, song. After a good run I feel like an Iron Man. Though not the killing kind because I’m too tired. And I don’t kill. Except that run. I killed that run.

What do you like to listen to when you run?

Now go run and catch me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook!

From Mark Remy at dumbrunner.com

The Masters of Rock and Roll

The oldies.

Apparently what I listened to growing up in the 80’s and 90’s could now be considered oldies. I think it should just be called “back in the day”. Wham, Def Leopard, Poison, White Snake. Nirvana, Pearl jam, No Doubt, Alanis Morriset.

Then there is the stuff my parents listened to. My first concert was to Lynyrd Skynyrd with my parents. I loved it. I used to love going through their cd’s. Jethro Tull. Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Steve Miller Band, Queen. Isn’t it great to hear how music has changed through the decades? 

Imagine if we could take today’s music back 250 years to Beethoven’s time. Would they be appalled or fascinated?

I’m guessing the older crowd would be appalled while the kids would dig it. If you haven’t seen A Knight’s Tale, I reccommend it. Imagine a story set during medieval times, but also set to today’s music. It’s so much fun when they play “The Boys Are Back In Town” when the heroes arrive.

Anyway, today I thought I’d introduce the boys to some music of bygone eras. First, they heard Pearl Jam’s, Evenflow. They’d never heard of Pearl Jam until today. They liked it. Good thing too. I may have disowned them, otherwise. Listening to Eddie Vedder crank it out took me back to my university days. I had a roommate that didn’t just love Pearl Jam, but slightly resembled Eddie and could also sing like him.

After that, we took a trip a bit farther back in time. Back to my parent’s days. Steppenwolf’s Magic Carpet Ride. They loved the name of the song. It was the first thing they noticed while waiting for the guitar to build up in the beginning. Then the beat kicked in and they were suddenly boosterseat dancing. They thought Dad was nuts for singing along. Surprisingly they didn’t stop me. Normally, Bang screams when someone sings along to the music.

The song ended and a few seconds of silence follows as we quietly anticipate the next song. We were just pulling into the driveway when T.N.T. starts pumping from the speakers. I throw my hands in the air flashing traditional rock and roll signage…

…my head starts nodding slowly at first and by the time “Oy! Oy! Oy!” is over I’m full on headbanging and shredding my air guitar as if I had just channelled the soul of Angus Young himself. We listened to the entire song. Me in the front seat jamming and the boys in the back seat listening to the song and wondering what the hell happened to their father. At the end, with AC/DC’s grand finale to that song, Crash comments, “That’s how rock and roll songs end! They must be the masters of Rock and Roll.”

Yes, son. They are. But don’t be fooled. They aren’t the only Masters of Rock and Roll. They are just a favorite of your Dear Old Dad.

If you want a rockin’ good place to follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

A Song for Saturday

I’m becoming an Ed Sheeran fan. The more I listen to him, the more I like him. A student played this song in class last week while I was subbing. I loved it. It’s probably the Irish lilt to it. Or Ed’s voice. Or whoever Nancy might be…

Happy listening!

More can be read about the history behind the song at The Bustle for it is based on a true story of Ed’s grandparents. I don’t know about you, but I’m hooked.

Music Monday: Three Finger Shot

No. This isn’t a post about alcohol. Though it easily could  be. Drinks taste so much better when these guys play. Beer goggles except in reverse.

It is about a small band of friends who are also friends of ours. DW sort of grew up with the lead singer, Tony. So they go way back…

Their first album entitled Stories From A Small Town was released  April 3rd of this year. I would class them as a Celtic rock band. With class. Stories From A Small Town consists of six songs. Of which, 3 are originals and one is Tony’s from a former band. (I think)

They sound like a Guinness tastes. Delivered with a powerful voice, you can’t deny the talent this band wields. Their Celtic Rock tunes will make you wish you were Irish. They’ll make you want to sing along, even if you can’t carry a tune with two hands and bucket. Yet, on the flip side, they can slow it down and swoon you with songs you swear they’re singing just for you.

Then they hit you like a Three Finger Shot.

Find them on the internet. Find them on Facebook. Download them from iTunes.

Toe Tapping Tuesday

This next song, though just a clip of the end of their performance, should get your toe tapping. Or as Bang says, “My foot’s singing a little bit.”

This group performed at our local, free, outdoor concert this past Sunday evening. It wasn’t raining when it started, but it sure was by the end. They played on. They were that good that most everyone stayed, sitting in the rain, to listen.

The boys and I went to sit in the front row to get some video. Naturally the phone died so I didn’t get any that way. Towards the I remember I could get video with DW’s camera, but I had to be careful because of the rain. I managed to get a clip from the end of their performance. It’s not much, but it will give you a taste of toe tapping tunes we were tantalised by.

Their Celtic stuff was my favorite. However, that’s not all they played. They did some ragtime, some country western, some French and a few other genres.

If you’ve never heard of the Leahys, they are an extremely musical, extremely talented family. The Next Generation Leahys are thereby no different. These home-schooled kids are all brothers and sisters ranging in age from 5-14. They were such a joy to watch. After the show we bought their album and were lucky enough to get all six kids along with Mom and Dad to sign it. You can visit their page at The Next Generation Leahy. It’s 35 seconds that’s sure put a smile on your face and song in your toes! Happy listening!

Thank You Australia!

Today’s post is a musical one. We saw this group a couple Sunday’s ago. Our town holds a free outdoor concert every Sunday evening and this group was the opening act on the opening evening.

Hailing all the way from Melbourne, Australia here is their song “Well Enough Alone”. They put on a great show with some great music. They were followed by an Irish band of boys (and a girl) called Skipper’s Alley. I’ll post them later. Thank you Australia for providing us with some great entertainment for an evening!

You can check them out at their webpage as well!

 

Monday’s Music & Words Award #Music #MWA

Thanks Tiffany of “Sounds Like Life to Me” for this unique award nomination. This award is slightly different from the others I’ve accepted. This one has to do with music. Don’t worry, you won’t hear me sing, or play the violin. I can’t do either. I’m too tone deaf. However, I can strum a few chords on the guitar. Plus, this award gives me something to write about other than what I want to save for the A-Z Challenge that starts on Friday.

As with most awards, there are rules to follow. I’ll attempt to abide by them.

1. Link back to the person who nominated you – Done

2. Answer these questions with words AND music: See below

3. Pass the award to 5 bloggers who inspire you with posts about music. See below below

4. Tag your post with #MWA, for Music&Words Award so that we can all find you down the line. Done

5. Quote these 5 steps and the award icon in your post. You can display the icon on your sidebar as well. Done

WHAT DOES MUSIC MEAN TO YOU?

Do I listen to music to put me in a certain mood or do I listen to music based on the mood I’m already in? The latter. Fortunately, there are so many kinds of music that I always find something I want to listen to. Whether it’s the Celtic fiddle in Mull River Shuffle or the driving guitar and drums of the Stanfields or the old stuff like Zeppelin and Dylan and Tull or even classical. Yes, Beethoven and Mozart and Handel or Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MUSIC RELATED MEMORY?

The first one I can remember dates back to 4th grade. My parents either bought me a trumpet or borrowed one (I can’t remember that part). I took some lessons, practiced on my own and joined the elementary school band. Normally kids weren’t allowed to join until 5th grade so I got in a year early. I played until 7th grade.

However, my first music memory of music not created by me was my first concert. Lynyrd Skynyrd circa ’93 with my parents. I loved it. My second concert happened a few years later (’04 perhaps) when DW and I went with my parents to see Great Big Sea. I didn’t get to many concerts.

WHAT’S THE FIRST ALBUM YOU’VE PURCHASED YOURSELF?

Good lord. I have no idea what I bought. That was a long time ago. I remember buying an “AC/DC Live” cassette that got wrecked and I had to buy it again.

WHAT’S THE LATEST MUSIC YOU’VE PURCHASED? (NO ONLINE STREAMING OR FREE DOWNLOADS, I’M TALKING ABOUT CASH HERE!)

The most recent was one I got because Crash said he liked it. Shaggy ft. Pitbull “Only Love”. I also got the new Walk off the Earth album, Zedd’s “Beautiful Now”, X Ambassador’s “Renegades”, and Andy Grammer’s “Good to Be Alive” all thanks to an iTunes gift card.

WHAT SONG DID YOU LISTEN TO LAST? (NO CHEATING, COME OUT WITH THE DIRTY PLEASURES!

Unfortunately, it’s not a guilty pleasure. It’s not even a pleasure. It’s a song Crash and Bang like thanks to the YouTube. They’ve been listening to song parodies. The exception is that the songs are all about Minecraft. The latest fave is “Friends with a Creeper” (instead of Eminem and Rihanna’s “Friends with a Monster”. There’s a whole playlist on our cell phone of such songs.

Otherwise it was probably something from the ’90s like Verve, No Doubt, Nirvana, or Barenaked Ladies.

Lastly, those I know who can inspire us more with music and words are:

Erika Kind who has her “Song of the Day” when I either find something we have in common or discover a new to me artist.

I Could Be Batman who I believe is a Weezer fan (not Hanson)