too many complaints from people that think i simply do not know how to spell either "you're" or "genius," along with my general distaste for the buzznet blogging platform has me headed in the direction of another blog. look for one soon. i'm considering just standing outside my house with a megaphone and shouting my opinions at the neighbors - if that happens, i'll get a webcam or something.
Call me a sellout or an asshole all you want, but I'm taking this show on the road.
KEVIN'S NEW BLOG
This blog is due for its scheduled comeback (if you read my old website, you know how many times we had "comebacks," "rebirths," "6th man awards," etc.), just as soon as I go to two more doctor's appointments, ace a sales forecasting exam, fix my phone, get my civilian conservation corps tattoo, put gas in my car, watch The Perfect Man from beginning to end and take a shower... in exactly that order.
By the way, if anyone's really just aching for something with my name on it, I've still got that column in AP. I haven't actually looked at an AP in months because they don't give me the magazine for free, but I think I'm around page 40.
Does anyone remember that rap group Quarashi? You know, the Icelandic Beastie Boys or whatever they were billed as (famous for the especially frat party-friendly "Stick 'em Up"). Their guitarist e-mailed me today (he made friends with all of us on Warped in '02).
From: Smári Jósepsson
Sent: Tue 3/20/2007 8:01 AM
To: kwade@usc.edu
Subject: KW
KEEEEEEEEVIN WAAAAAAAAAAAAADE.
there's a track called Kevin Wade on my next album.
Good shit?
How's it goin'?
Smári
This bit of sad news comes from one of the best labels and batch of people in music over at Suburban Home:
Suburban Home Records has been my life for the past 11 years. Through my experiences with the label, I have had some of the most incredible times of my life, met some of my best friends, and even found the love of my life. Although some of my greatest moments have occurred because of Suburban Home, I have also experienced some of my lowest lows. Running a record label in 2007 has become much more difficult considering the music retail landscape. Due to declining sales/revenue, I have been forced to make a very difficult decision. On May 1st, 2007, Suburban Home will have to cut back on staff and move the company into the residence I share with my wife and son, my Suburban Home. [Read the entire message...]
I admire how honest Virgil continues to be with his business, as people fail to realize just how difficult it has been to maintain a truly independent record label in 2007. There are very few labels left that are free of major-label funding and, of those, basically none of them are thriving. They push on through love of their products (and, in some cases, probably some ego). I wish more indies would step up and let people know when they're struggling. I'm not calling for a massive pity-fest, but it might remind people to try and stick up for the good guys (when they can) rather than chuck another 14 bucks to Fueled By Ramen for a Panic At The Disco reissue.
In my school, the term "dying industry" has been tagged to music more than once, and that's absolutely one of the most depressing things I've ever heard. People are listening to music more than ever, and they'll pay 500 bucks to see Mick Jagger evade death for one more day but apparently don't have 10 bucks for a CD they enjoy. The industry, at the top, is run by idiots who blame the computing industry for their problems rather than find revolutionary solutions to revitalize their business, but it just upsets me so much that the most honest and hard working people in music are the ones that are losing the most.
Stop buying 30 dollar shirts from Urban Outfitters and go buy a freakin' record. Take a night off from your nightly 80's dance-club rotation and go to a fucking show.
This is a pretty loose connection for a title - I just heard once that Perry Farrell loves pajamas. Anyway.
A pillow fight in the middle of New York city? This sounds fantastic (be sure to listen to the commentary from some of the participants - particularly the part where the reporter asks his interviewee to strike him with the pillow). Check out video and info on the organizers here.
I had the opportunity to see ex-Hot Water Music frontman Chuck Ragan's show on Monday night at Tangier in Los Feliz, CA. He was recording a portion of his Side One Dummy debut in an intimate live setting in front of about 80 onlookers, goof-ups and all. He brought out mandolin and violin players to supplement his blue-collar folk anthems. As my roommate put it, "I had a smile on my face for the entire set." His rugged and powerful voice kept the room completely riveted for over an hour. I better get on to the haiku, or this will be a worthless post. Look for Chuck Ragan's solo record on Side One Dummy later this year.
From espn.com:
Gilbertology update: Arenas offered up his best excuses for dodging reporters this week. He said he left quickly after Tuesday's victory over Minnesota because he wanted to see the movie "Hannibal Rising" -- he shrugged his shoulders in disappointment when asked for a review -- and said he would have to beat a quick path out of the arena Thursday to prepare for the upcoming road trip. "I have to pack," he said. Why couldn't he pack before the game? Because, Arenas said, a power outage prevented him from getting into his own house, which has a sophisticated security system. Apparently, he's saving "the dog ate my homework" for a later date.
Whatever. Can't argue with 10 games over .500 for a team that traditionally wins no more than 10 games in an entire season.
