funoka

Rock and roll has always been about rebellion and nonconformity. Since its inception in the 1950s, rock has been the music of choice for those who don't fit into the mainstream. Even the way we finance our dreams is changing. If you're looking for a way to break free from traditional banking and take control of your finances, consider a 1000 dollar loan. These loans are designed for people who don't fit the traditional mold, and they can be used for just about anything you need to fuel your creative spirit, whether it's buying a new guitar amp or covering some unexpected expenses. So turn up the volume and take charge with a $1000 loan.

Tape Your Wife to the Ceiling [or Anti-Valentine’s Day Songs]

Posted by funoka

Feb 092013

Before the big heart day — I thought I would share this little number called “Tape Your Wife to the Ceiling.”

Here’s another kind of anti-valentine song from Tom Petty.

A personal aside: The biggest rock band in the Twin Cities in 1980-81 was not Husker Du or The Replacements or Prince. It was a large ensemble group called The Suburbs, who had a couple of minor hits (“Music For Boys”, “Love Is The Law”), a 1-record major-label deal, and then kind of faded away into local lore. The ‘Burbs packed ’em in — I saw them outside at Navy Island in St. Paul with R.E.M. — and R.E.M. wisely opened for these guys, because the ‘Burbs were always a tough act to follow. (That concert is also memorable because I saw some of my sister’s 14-year-old friends at the show, which freaked me out, because I was an old man of 19.)

Personal aside II: Petty’s “Long After Dark” is due for a critical upgrade.

So, anyway, what’s your favorite anti-Valentine song?

Favorite Supergroup Single?

Posted by funoka

Feb 022013

For some strange reason I was listening to Delaney & Bonnie & Friends this week — and I just couldn’t get this old chestnut out of my head for a few days:

To me this is a great single — because as a kid — I knew the song, but had no idea who it was until many, many years later when I went through a fairly severe Eric Clapton phase.

I did a little RTH search and found this nugget by cdm on second-tier Supergroups:

https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/b-curve-super-groups

There are some great songs mentioned in that thread, but what is your favorite Supergroup single? I look forward to your responses.

Your Favorite Songs With ROCK in the Title?

Posted by funoka

Dec 072012

One of my favorite albums of 2012 is Dwight Yoakam’s 3 Pears, which has “Rock It All Away” — a slow burner that I like.

Then I started thinking about other songs with “rock” in the title — and there are many of those, but what would be my favorite? I think I’ve settled on this chestnut from Garland Jeffreys’ out of print “Escape Artist” called “R.O.C.K.”

So, what’s your favorite song with ROCK in the title?

Brother as Sideman

Posted by funoka

Oct 282012

For some reason I was digging deep the other day and pulled out this relic from Dave Davies.

This little number wasn’t very popular back in the early ’80s, but I always thought it rocked pretty hard, compared to Kinks stuff of the same period.

Another bro sideman I like, is Warren Zanes, who was a teenager when he was in Del Fuegos with bro Dan. His Memory Girls album of a few years ago is not well known, but a real nice record. Evidently, Warren works at the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, but there isn’t much on YouTube of his solo stuff, so this will have to do.

A buddy of mine is a strong supporter of David Knopfler, a “founder” of Dire Straits for all that got him: “Wild West End?”This low-rent video is somewhat amusing. I guess Mark figured he didn’t need a sound alike in the band.

So, who’s you favorite brother SIDEMAN?

Inappropriate Walk-up Music?

Posted by funoka

Aug 282012

Probably Not a Good Idea?

As the music at baseball games has become louder and louder, more attention gets paid to the walk up music of the batters, and whatever you call it when the relief pitch comes into the game.

I was at a Nationals-Braves games last week and it seems there has been a late season shift in some of the walk up music. Jayson Werth now has Led Zep’s “Dazed and Confused” rolling as he leads off the game. Adam LaRoche is using the old favorite of Adam Dunn, Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” Michael Morse continues to walk up to A-ha’s “Take On Me,” which many in the crowd keep singing after it quits — ugh!

What really caught my attention this time? It was my first time seeing Kurt Suzuki play in person, so I was interested that he walks up to an assortment of Bob Marley tunes. I started to think that Suzuki could be taking a chance with the front office by using these selections — (ie, a general association with the “Divine Herb”). The Nats don’t seem to care, but . . . what rock tracks do you think might get a ballplayer in hot water if used as walk up music?

Rocking Soft Rock

Posted by funoka

Aug 092012

Keep listening, I need the Bread!

To my horror this week, I discovered I taught my 5-year-old son a Bread song. Lately, when I release him from his car seat, I sing the lyrics to “Mother Freedom”: Freedom! Keep walkin’ etc. I honestly did not know it was a Bread song! He wanted to hear the whole thing, so we YouTubed it and …there we were.

Checking the YouTube comments on this song are kind of funny:

Bread could rock when they wanted to.

Really — in between “If,” “Diary,” and “Lost Without Your Love” they could really kill it I’m sure.

One of my guilty pleasures, ABC, put out what at the time was considered a rock album called Beauty Stab that stalled them out for about 5 years in the ’80s.

Power of Persuasion

So do you have any favorite Soft Rocker Rock Songs?

Summertime…and the Concerts Are Free?

Posted by funoka

Aug 052012

The Band — Circa 1995 — Free?

Street festivals, county fairs, ethnic celebrations…every weekend I scour local events calendars to see if there is anything remotely interesting to see around DC, especially for free. (Oh look, Weezer is playing a free show at a Microsoft store in Arlington, VA on Aug. 11th!)

Last summer, I saw The Bangles (who are still keeping it together) at a county fair. I’ve seen Al Green (fantastic), Joan Jett, Kansas (umm), Soul Asylum, Gin Blossoms, Etta James, Old 97s (at an Italian Fest in Chicago!) — some good, some bad.

But the most memorable free show was seeing the 1990s version of the Band at a Taste of DC festival…circa 1994 or so. They sounded great, Danko was there, and there they were playing in front of about 500 people at some side stage.

In the spirit of season, what’s the best show you’ve ever seen for free?

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