30
Tribute to Jam Master Jay
Today October 30th, 2010 marks the day of the passing of Jason Mizell, better known as DJ Jam-Master Jay of Run DMC As a tribute, I thought I’d post some of my favorite Run DMC songs that showcase the rock edge of them that made them more of a rock band than a rap group. I’m not going to do a lot of talking, I’m just going to let the music speak for itself.
“King of Rock”
“Rock Box”
Rock This Way
“My Adidas”
“It’s Tricky”
“Raising Hell”
“Tougher Than Leather”
28
It’s the Great Dolemite, Charlie Brown!
Wanna see something inappropriate? Since ABC’s airing It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown I might as well feature the other Halloween classic, “It’s the Great Dolemite Charlie Brown!” Interesting enough…the creator of this shockingly offensive re-edit actually got a few cease and desist orders for this! Well, enjoy.
Check out the original video and the non-youtube edit here
Most Offensive Video
26
The Originators of Techno and Electro
Although this is hardly a definitive list of electro, this is just a few examples of the progenitors of modern techno, trance and electro. Enjoy.
Afrika Bambaataa-Planet Rock
Model 500-No UFO’s
Cybotron-Clear
Jonzun Crew-Pack Jam (instrumental)
25
The “Black Techno” Trend…I Guess Everybody Has a Short Memory.
The “Black Techno” Trend…I Guess Everybody Has a Short Memory by John M. Ellison IV
This started as an open letter to Erykah Badu, but really this goes to anyone that think’s techno is “white music.”
Y’know, one stupid comment has been kind of irking me, ever since I saw a tweet from Erykah Badu, the tweet being, “how y’all gone stand by and let our music turn into pop techno cornball ass music .” Okay, I’d expect a comment like this from someone who isn’t a musician or doesn’t know music history. What irked me about this comment is that you make it sound like “our” music isn’t techno or we didn’t have anything to do with anything outside of R&B etc. and we had nothing to do with the innovations with electronic dance music. It’s easier for the general public to forget or just be unaware about guys like Afrika Bambaataa, Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson. These brothas laid the groundwork for what the public knows as modern techno music. As an artist who are you to make a jab at another genre? A true musician would appreciate or see the positives of it.
“where is the funk AT”? Interesting question, actually, it’s been mutating into what we now know as the as she put it “pop techno cornball ass music.” Guys such as the “The Belleville Three” Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson and Juan Atkins were inspired by the sounds of Funkadelic, Parliament and Kraftwerk. Bambaataa who cites George Clinton as a major influence, this sound was co-opted by other artists and was marketed to another audience. But, with the electro sound of Bambaataa, electro developed into Miami Bass or Bass Music which Lil’ Jon was influenced by and elements that you would find more prevalent in “Techno” and “House.” So, technically the funk never went anywhere, it just evolved, just like music does.
What bothers me is to see people forget this fact and when people label music as “black” or “white” music it becomes a deterrent for musical exploration and experimentation. Anyway, it’s just a thought.
23
Kanye West’s “Runaway”
Found the video for Kanye West’s “Runaway.” All I can say that it’s art…avant-garde back to the mainstream.
22
Bauhaus-Bela Lugosi’s Dead
Y’know, there’s no commentary needed on this, this is a classic speaks and it speaks for itself.
photo courtesy of
http://www.musicsnews.com/content_images/bauhaus.jpg
21
Metal Swim compilation review by John M. Ellison IV
“Metal Swim” is a free download compilation released by Adult Swim via Williams Street Records. I’ve always felt that these Adult Swim compilations are great primers for anyone that’s looking to expand their horizons musically or listeners looking to refresh themselves with genres they’re already familiar with. So, these compilations/mix tapes range from alternative/indie rap compilations such as “Definitive Swim”, “Chrome Children vol. 2”, indie rock and indie electronic such as “Warm and Scratchy” and “Ghostly Swim” respectively. Another one of the goals of these compilations are to familiarize listeners with less well known or artists with a strong cult audience. So, with the metal themed animated series Metalocalypse being as popular as it is, it’s not surprising that an all metal compilation would surface.
“Metal Swim” runs the gamut of styles such as thrash metal, speed metal, black metal, stoner metal etc. pretty much any form that fits under the “extreme metal” umbrella, it’s on here. When it comes to metal, although I did enjoy the compilation overall, I have more of a preference for thrash and stoner metal. So, Skeletonwitch, Black Cobra and Torche really caught my ear. But for those who are used to thrash and speed metal and have grown tired of it, this also features the more experimental styles such as post-metal and atmospheric work of Isis and Jesu and instrumental band Pelican. When it comes to it, this compilation can hopefully be a realization that metal is bigger and is a lot vaster than the clichés the genre can be and have been ridiculed for.
In closing, if you know somebody that is growing out of what have accosted as “mall metal” and is looking for something heavier and harder, this compilation would be a great start for them on their journey into the dark, brutal aural realm of intensity that we call metal.
20
Misfits’s Halloween feature by John M. Ellison IV
Where do I start with the Misfits? From lyrics that take influence from 50’s and 60’s horror movies and EC Comics fusing with rockabilly, rock and roll and injected with the adrenaline of ‘77 punk rock. When all of this was put together, the Misfits became not just a band, but the punk rock equivalent of Frankenstien’s monster. Although they’re tons of songs I could focus on. Songs such as Last Caress, Hybrid Moments, Bullet and countless others that are fun to play along to music wise, I’m going to focus on their song “Halloween.”
Originally released as a single on October 31,1981 “Halloween” is the fifth single by the horror punk mavens the Misfits. This song was the last to include guitar player Bobby Steele before being replaced by Jerry Only’s brother Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein joined the band. Doyle recorded his own guitar tracks and overdubs in addition to Steele’s.
“Halloween” is a balance of warp speed guitar and drums of Bobby Steele and Arthur Googy respectively (Doyle included on overdubs) and the crooning tenor of Glenn Danzig. The lyrics aren’t exactly metaphorical they’re straight to the point by painting a murky picture about the Halloweens of the past. Since this was released back in ‘81, some could relate this to as a precursor to “This is Halloween” from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” soundtrack.
In closing, enjoy and feel free to check out the second single “Halloween II” which was sang in Latin.
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