10 Years Since I Got My First Guitar Today…

10 years ago today , I got my first electric guitar…so, I guess it’s my 10 year anniversary for me and my guitar. At first, I didn’t take it seriously, y’know, just playing some bad riffs and doing what I thought was right but the tape shows I sounded like shit. I didn’t know I had to tune it at first…Once it was in tune, it made more sense. I’d play for hours and hours with new techniques that got the best out of my music and wrote some great songs together. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had our ups and downs, I felt like giving up and we’d both go through changes, but we always make up and end up making great music together. I’m still playing that guitar.

A Christmas Story Redux by John M. Ellison IV

A Christmas Story Redux by John M. Ellison IV

As far as I remember, I guess for about a good ten years, either TNT or TBS has played the 1983 holiday classic “A Christmas Story.” The movie is mainly about a kid name Ralph (or called “Ralphie” throughout the movie) growing up in 1940’s Indiana and his coveting of a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. Naturally, his mom and many of the other adults in the film see the danger in him having a BB gun with most of them uttering the immortal line “You’ll shoot your eye out!”

Anyway, TBS plays “A Christmas Story” for 24 hours starting at Christmas Eve at 8 pm. I was on IMDB looking at various comments about this film; one member of IMDB wasn’t clear with his post, but it basically hinted that Tim Burton should direct a remake of this movie.

The post was good for a laugh, but then I thought “…y’know, what if there’s a remake of this film but paints are darker picture?”

So, here a few things that I would expect to see in a modern and slightly darker version of “A Christmas Story”:

The dad would be a less lovable but still charming gruff guy, kind of like the “Kenny Powers” character on “Eastbound and Down.”

The mom would be on Xanax, Valium and every other anti-anxiety medication to stop worrying so much and be in a flighty, diaphanous haze throughout the movie.

The little brother, Randy…would still be an annoying shit.

Flick would’ve needed a tetanus shot after getting his tongue stuck on that pole. But nobody would feel as bad for him because of him being stupid enough to lick a flagpole in winter…

“Ralphie” would’ve came back to school with the Red Ryder BB Gun for payback…but while shooting, the pellet would’ve ricocheted and he would’ve ended up shooting himself in the ass. But, charges wouldn’t have been pressed because of the humiliation.

“Scut Farkus” and “Grover Dil” would have a total “bromance” and act tough to show they’re not “queers.”
When “Ralphie” beat the crap out of Scut, Scut’s parents would’ve sued him for assault.

The Mall Santa would’ve had spikes on his boots and vodka on his breath and making crass comments about the kids. Also, the dude dressed like an elf would have “serious leather.”

The Wizard of Oz sub-plot would be out and would be replaced by Harry Potter or Twilight.

*looking around the room* I admit, kind of random, but that’s how I would imagine a darker, more modern version of “A Christmas Story.” Happy Holidays.

Tech N9ne-K.O.D. review

Tech N9ne-K.O.D. review by John M. Ellison IV

Ever since around 2002, I’ve been a fan of Kansas City, MO rapper Tech N9ne.  His album Absolute Power was released on my 18^th birthday, and that album changed my perspective on rap.  I’ve even referred to his music as “progressive rap” due to the eclectic nature and lyrical references.  Aside from Steve Vai, Randy Rhodes and various guitarists in Heavy Metal, Tech’s speed rap technique was very influential on my wanting to play faster guitar.  A common theme through a good amount of Tech’s albums are lust, destruction, frustration from the lack of acceptance of “mainstream” acceptance but succeeding in the end with a following that rivals his more commercial “counterparts”.   Teamed with Krizz Kaliko, Prozak, King Gordy, Three Six Mafia, Sundae and many more Strange Music regulars

Tech’s new album K.O.D. (possibly an acronym for King of Darkness) is what I would label Goth-Rap at its finest.  K.O.D. is a very cinematic album that has elements that’s plays almost like a radio drama; an aural film noir as it were.  With a running theme of lust, loss, isolation, a listener would become just listening to an album, but would become enchanted by a journal of melancholy and woe without seeming whiny.  Here are a few outstanding tracks that are anticipated Tech N9ne tracks, the “misunderstood”, the “club jams”, the “macabre” and the very hedonistic reminiscent of a modern version of original dirty rappers Blowfly and Rudy Ray Moore.

Demons feat Three Six Mafia (misunderstood)

Like Trapped in a Psycho’s Body, this is shedding light to the darker side of Tech N9ne.  “Demons” is basically about the reckless activities that he constantly fights, but succumbs to.

Blacken the Sun (misunderstood)

His “flow” is a melodic rap that is reminiscent of Dave Draiman’s vocals of Chicago hard rock Disturbed.  This is another track that expresses his frustration for being accused of being a “Devil”, “Weird” by critics.

Check Yo’ Temperature (Club Jam)

This is a track featuring rapper by the name of Sundae.  Not that lyrically interesting, but infectious for club play.

B. Boy (Get buck/kick some ass)

Good production, with hard hitting drums that makes you want to “whip some ass” MMA-style or to get you psyched up to tear the club up

Hunterish (Hedonistic)

This is the modern Dirty Rap, 2 Live Crew party track that is the ode to Caligula-like hedonism.  Like the title of the song suggests, this is a fairly cleverly written song about the animalistic “ready to screw” side of Tech N9ne, Irv Da Phenom and Krizz Kaliko and in actuality, most humans.

When it comes to it, I don’t just see Tech N9ne as a rapper.  In some cases, I see him as a novelist that uses rap as a vehicle to express tales of lust, pain, indulgence, and all around voicing the thoughts that most wouldn’t admit to having.  For someone new to Tech N9ne, I wouldn’t recommend them starting with this album.  To get in the mindset of K.O.D., start with Everready: The Religion, Killer and then K.O.D.  This album is totally worth it.

You can get K.O.D. and most of Tech N9ne’s back catalog on iTunes and can find K.O.D. in most retailers.

Mr. Sterile Assembly’s Bug My Ride review by John M. Ellison IV

Mr. Sterile Assembly’s Bug My Ride review by John M. Ellison IV

I’ve recently got an album by New Zealand music collective Mr. Sterile Assembly. To me, Mr. Sterile Assembly is a punk band with training in jazz, but they play aggressive progressive rock.

To describe Mr. Sterile Assembly’s sound, imagine…

· Mr. Bungle with a New Zealand Accent,

· Korn doing Free Jazz,

· Slipknot during their Mate, Feed Kill, Repeat era,

· Primus with Stanley Clarke on Bass as well as Les Claypool.

· The Mothers of Invention’s indie rock grandkids

· The Anti-White Stripes

According to their Myspace page, Mr. Sterile Assembly is a power trio that consists of…

mr sterile [drums, vocals]

Chrissie Butler [bass, vocals]

Sarsha Douglas [2nd bass, vocals]

But included at one time the talents of…

Jeff Henderson, Dan Beban, Aaron Lloydd, Cara Conroy-Low, Dave Michael, Francesca Mountfort, Miles Climo, Jana Whitta, Elisa Kersley, Chris O’Conner, Vlada Plackic

I commend mr sterile for his agile drumming which would make most drummers and listener’s wrists cramp by listening. The bass playing of Chrissie Butler and Sarsha Douglas is astounding and puts bass playing into another perspective. This entire album takes me back to when I was younger, and when I heard about the music style we know as “Jungle/Drum and Bass.” Before hearing the actual genre, this is what I imagined “Drum and Bass” would sound like. So, I’ve been looking for an album like “Bug My Ride” for awhile.

The album listing consists of

Agents of the Sun

Babylon Express

Bug My Ride

Buru

Good as Goldie

Hector Larsen

Ice Cremate

Static

The tracks that caught my ear would have to be…

Agents of the Sun
For people that aren’t fans of proto-punk freak out noise, skip the first minute or two of Agents of the Sun. After the first couple of minutes, it comes together well. This song connects with final track on the album “Static”.

Bug My Ride
The title track “Bug my Ride” is a jazzy “drum and bass” chase scene composition with treated vocals.

Hector Larsen
What can I say? I’m a sucker for odd and changing time signatures.

Bottom line, I would recommend “Bug My Ride” for two kinds of people; rockers who are looking for something more complex but as intense as the usual hardcore punk fare and bassists and drummers looking for an album that puts their respected instruments in the forefront. For those who aren’t used to jazz, avant-garde or anything experimental, this might take a few listens to get used to. If you’re a punk or rocker looking to expand your horizons Mr. Sterile Assembly’s “Bug My Ride” is a good start.

“Hotel Atlanta Incidentals” Part 2: Meeting Your Idol That You Never Knew

“Hotel Atlanta Incidentals” Part 2:
Meeting Your Idol That You Never Knew by John M. Ellison IV

Since this is winter, the days are shorter; nightfall is at 6 PM and this Atlanta night is freezing. As I’m walking out of the mansion, I noticed this older gentleman who was doing the smoke bomb effects earlier in one of the scenes of the video. I see him leaning on the rail facing the pool. Puffing on a cig and sipping on some coffee for the sake of warmth, I asked him what he did on set. He said he was the art director of the video. My eyes lit up I said “oh cool, I’m a cartoonist and the missus is in school for graphic design.” He said “great.” A second passed and I awkwardly got out “I’m down here helping out the guys in Dru Hill doing some behind the scenes stuff.” He gave kind of a affirming “oh good, you’re not some rapper trying to shop a demo” look.

I asked him what videos he worked on and he mentioned “Like about 2,100 of ‘em. I’ve worked with Three Six Mafia, Too Short, Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana, Gucci Mane, Outkast.” He mentioned he did the Bombs over Baghdad video and tons of others as well. Honestly, he had me at Bombs over Baghdad.

He asked what degree the missus was going for and I said a B.A. degree. I asked how important the degree was, in reference to the missus and how she stresses herself out when she gets a grade lower than expected. He said “Well, art school doesn’t hurt honestly. But, the main thing is talent. You can spend all the time in art school you want…but if you don’t have it, then you don’t have it.” He said as the smoke and condensation evaporated into the Atlanta sky. I asked him the career aspects with a degree in graphic art were and he gave some good answers. Pretty much that needs imaging, they need a person. I felt relieved and wanted to do some drawing myself at that moment. He talked about the toughest thing with getting the degree was the humanities. Not that they were tough, but just distracting. But, the courses were useful in the long run though. He gave a good piece of advice about dealing with clients that I never would’ve thought of.

I asked him about some of the technical aspects about the video we were working on and he mentioned that this is a fairly common video shoot. I asked him about his music clients, he said “A lot of prima donnas, drug addicts and some were quite professional. He confirmed one rapper to be an annoying pip squeak.

In fact a friend of mine did some engineering for this creep. I’ll give you a clue to the identity of the rapper in question. He’s a New York rapper that shares the surname of a prominent guitar player of the late 60’s early 70’s. Also a few guys that aren’t in “jail” but in rehab actually. This was quite an eye opener, really. We spoke about stuff like Last.fm site and music sharing websites as well.

It was one of those moments where I really regret not bringing my business cards the missus made and printed for me. Not for the sake of a business contact, but to keep in contact with in general. I got his website address though. I went back out to the van to check over footage with my mom and the missus.
I mentioned that I ran into this cool guy, by the name of Tim Barrett. The missus “Marked” out and said how important he was and that she’s a huge fan. Seriously, if I knew…I would’ve gotten an autograph.

http://www.timbarrettdesigns.com

Woman Pleads Guilty to Unnatural Noises During Sex

http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/12/17/woman-pleads-guilty-to-unnatural-noises-during-sex/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl3|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemondrop.com%2F2009%2F12%2F17%2Fwoman-pleads-guilty-to-unnatural-noises-during-sex%2F

Loud sex happens. It’s good when you’re the screamer. Or the moaner. Or the “Ohhhhh … myyyyy … Gaaaaawd”-er. But when you’re the neighbor, loud sex isn’t so good. And that’s why Caroline Cartwright was arrested last month; she just couldn’t keep it down while having sex with her husband.

Neighbors, the postman and local parents all complained about Cartwright’s loud sex noises, which were described as “unnatural,” likened to someone in “considerable pain” during court proceedings. One neighbor even claimed the sex was so loud, it kept her up all night, making her late for work. In response, the municipality imposed a noise abatement order and an “antisocial behavior order” (which the Brits call an “Asbo”), on the Cartwrights.

Now, more than two years after the original charges, Caroline has admitted to breaching the orders by being a bit too “social” with her husband. Cartwright faces sentencing next month for breaking noise levels of 47 decibels while getting it on. (The BBC helpfully points out that the World Health Organization considers a noise of 30 decibels enough to disturb one’s sleep.)

…That wasn’t sex, that was fucking!

“Hotel Atlanta Incidentals” Part 1: Never Judge A Book by Its Cover

“Hotel Atlanta Incidentals” Part 1: Never Judge A Book by Its Cover by John M. Ellison IV

These last few days have been an eye opener musically and all around creatively. Let me explain, my sister, the missus, my mom (aka The Road Crew) and special guest Tao’s wife and I went down to Atlanta for Dru Hill’s video shoot. “Hmm, a chart topping R&B-Pop group on a blog about punk and alternative rock music…c’mon, dude.” Well, in this case, if anyone knows the history of Dru Hill and they’re public and personal issues, they’re kind of parallel to Bad Brains in a way, so they get a pass. I admit, when it comes to travelling, I’m not really that big on it. Well, anywhere outside of 5 hours, I’m not that keen on riding to unless I have to for the sake of business.

There’s a theory that once your paid for your work that you’re technically a professional. Well, around 2003, I recorded this B2K thing (this R&B Boy Band from a while back) for my sister. My sister was covering the show for a magazine project of hers from awhile back. Anyway, this woman and her daughter saw me recording this and wanted a copy of the tape. So, I got her a copy of the tape. I got $15 for it. So, that transaction technically makes me a professional videographer. When I got more focused on music and cartooning, video became less interesting to me. Anyway, I find out that we we’re heading to ATL on Wednesday, it was a 10 hour drive…including stops for food and gas it was like near 11 or 12 hours.

Thursday was the day of the video shoot. Before filming the behind the scenes video, we had to pick up a guy by the name we headed over to pick up the photographer for the record label, a guy by the name of Eddy, good guy and great photographer. We got to the location where the video was filming which was this big ass mansion. So, the missus and I recorded sis doing her VH-1/BET“VJ” “Behind the Scenes” thing for her site regarding Dru Hill’s video I guess. So, we recorded sis doing her intro. Eddy took some pictures and went inside the mansion, whereas we went into the van and watched the playback of the video. It was sufficient and pretty good for someone who hasn’t recorded video before (the missus) and someone who was rusty at it (me).
So, we go inside and got settled in to one of the upper rooms and plugged up the chargers, figured out a game plan etc. We recorded and sis took pictures of some auxiliary stuff for quick edits, got some interviews with the cast of the video. Then the guys came in, Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and new member Tao. Nokio came in with a purple tinted Mohawk looking quite rocked out with liberty spikes. Dru Hill has a special place with me because they’re one of the groups from somewhere that’s outside of New York, L.A. etc that made it.

I was doing some auxiliary filming and Nokio got into my shot and started giving this weird stare thing. That went on for 10 seconds before I started busting out laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Anyway, I went to a makeshift control room upstairs with the missus and with Eddy was at the computer. Nokio walks in and I said “Hey! I can’t wait to hear the rest of Black Angel Down!” He smiled and gave that pleasantly surprised “Oh really?” look. I recorded the interaction between Eddy and Nokio. The conversation turned to rock music and the freedom with the genre. Interesting enough, Eddy pretty much said everything I was thinking pretty much verbatim…well except the reference with R&B dudes in baby oil.

I found out Nokio wasn’t like these “rock star” wannabes trying to create an album based of this “Party like a Rock Star” trend; he knew about his shit. He’s a big fan of Living Colour, Bad Brains and Nirvana. His heart has been and is into rock music but as a musician, he’s multifaceted.
Later on, the missus and I did some more exterior shots from the balcony. Nokio came out for a breather and we started talking. We talked about his project “Black Angel Down” and the bands he’s into and talked about Afro-Punk and my site Ghettopunkrocker.com.

Well, back to work on my end, I went back to filming, I walked in on Nokio, Sisqo, Jazz and Tao was talking about music and the energy and the inspiration that it can give the musician and the listener. At that moment, those words set something off in me. Nokio re-ignited a fire in me that reminded me why creating music is important. So, I’ve decided to work on my new project “Jenny Hates Techno.”

Coming Soon “Hotel Atlanta Incidentals” Part 2: “

Check out Nokio’s rock project
http://www.myspace.com/blackangeldown

Your Friends Are A Reflection of You and You Reflect Them…

by John M. Ellison IV

I wrote this last week:

Right now, it’s Thursday December 10 2009. I’m in Atlanta, GA right now at a Hyatt on business assisting out my sister out with some behind the scenes stuff for Dru Hill’s new video. Anyway, on the way down to Atlanta, it became even more apparent that the people we surround ourselves around really reflect us and we reflect them to an extent. I noticed the common ground between my friends is that even though they’re similar, they’re very fairly different people personality wise. I consider my friends to be a compromise of creative, eccentric, slightly perverted, funny, open minded people with good values. All of those people reflect a side of me that either I display or want to delve into more.

The common ground with my friends is the arts and being misunderstood to an extent. We all enjoy graphic art (cartooning, animation etc.), performance art and music. It’s almost like a community where we share and in some ways try to one up each other on whatever it may be regarding our interests. For example, a friend of mine from former fansite now Esham’s offciate website, Acidrap.com by the name of Stampid. Stampid and I have an affinity for obscure and weird music. Thanks to Youtube, we send each other stuff from artists like Jandek, The Shaggs, Daniel Johnston, Raymond Scott and what not. When it comes to it, he pretty much outdoes me by bringing out the weirdest shit. It’s awesome though because thanks to this, it’s expanded my musical palette. So, when it comes to it, it means a lot from a musical standpoint.

When it comes to my female friends, I’m considered the “William” the guy that you can confide and “confess your sins” without me being judgmental. In fact, I’ve jokingly said “hold on; let me get my frock and an altar boy.” It usually gets a laugh from them. Usually it’s just stuff about guys, life, the need of a second opinion on an issue and I’m happy to oblige my opinion and view on it; The same thing goes with them as well. They’ve been there for me as well.

Now, my sister’s friends, well, ostensibly they seem the same to me. I’m not saying they’re boring, there even a few that I’ve consider close to me and the feelings mutual as well. But, with the ones that I haven’t bonded with really have a theme of being flighty, egotistical, shallow, and self-centered. But, we’re cordial and respectful to each other although we have little in common aside from my being apart of my sister’s life. There’s a theory, “The way to gauge a person’s intelligence is the reaction you get from there sense of humor.” If I just make some occasionally crass, cringe worthy quick witted remarks and they’re laughing there asses off…then they’re cool with me. If not, then whatever.

Throughout this diatribe, the bottom line is that the people you surround yourself with reflect you and you reflect a side of them as well.

Po-Jama People

I was flicking through the pages on Afropunk.com and I found this article on Afro-Punk.

http://afropunk.ning.com/forum/topics/saul-williams-on-the-morehouse

Okay, a month or two ago, there was a debacle in Atlanta,GA at HBCU Morehouse College. There’s a controversy over the dress code regarding cross dressing and what’s expected of “Morehouse men.” Here’s the deal, when I think of college, I think of a place where you’re mind is expanded. But, from what it looks like, it’s looks more like a factory that’s focus is on creating pedantic, droll, boorish “pajama people.” I call ‘em “pajama people” because people that fit that category bore me to sleep. I really don’t have any more to say about this situation…

Breaking News! Tiger Wood’s Alleged Affair Made Public!

by John M. Ellison IV

According to ESPN, Tiger Woods had a minor car accident on early Friday November 27th, when he lost control of his SUV outside his Florida mansion, and a local police chief said Woods’ wife used a golf club to smash out the back window to help get him out.

The world’s No. 1 golfer was treated and released from a hospital in good condition, his spokesman said. The Florida Highway Patrol said Woods’ vehicle hit a fire hydrant and a tree in his neighbor’s yard after he pulled out of his driveway
at 2:25 a.m. Windermere police chief Daniel Saylor told The Associated Press that officers found the 33-year-old PGA star lying in the street with his wife, Elin, hovering over him.

“She was frantic, upset,” Saylor said in a briefing Friday night. “It was her husband laying on the ground.”

She told officers she was in the house when she heard the accident and “came out and broke the back window with a golf club,” he said, adding that the front-door windows were not broken and that “the door was probably locked.”
“She supposedly got him out and laid him on the ground,” he said. “He was in and out of consciousness when my guys got there.”

Saylor said Woods had lacerations to his upper and lower lips, and blood in his mouth; officers treated Woods for about 10 minutes until an ambulance arrived. Woods was conscious enough to speak, he said.

“He was mumbling, but didn’t say anything coherent,” Saylor said.
The crash knocked Woods unconscious for about six minutes, according to a call report compiled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Now details are coming about an “alleged” affair between two or three women! Online, there’s audio of an alleged voicemail message from Tiger to this woman.
Or in other words, Tiger Woods might’ve sunk a hole in one in her Fuzzy Zoeler. Another pressing issue is that these alleged extramarital affairs can and possibly will tarnish his squeaky clean image and can lose millions of dollars worth of endorsement deals. A few things about this story that crossed my mind…

Wow, Tiger Woods has groupies.

Why should Woods lose any of his endorsement deals? I’m not advocating philandering of any sort, but it’s not like he went out and killed someone or robbed a bank.

Tiger Wood’s isn’t the first to “allegedly” cheat on his wife. It’s just surprising that he did.

I wonder if Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” or Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bust Your Windows” was playing on the radio when this was happening.

I thought Tiger married a white woman so he wouldn’t be beaten with a 9-iron if he got caught doing that shit!

Wow, Tiger Woods isn’t helping that “driving while Asian” stereotype.
Well, class I guess we learned a few things…white girls can scrap like the sistas and don’t leave a message on your alleged mistress voicemail.