Karlheinz Stockhausen who just passed away, would probably be best known for being listed on the Beatles St. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album (check your liner notes for where he is on the cover). But he was a modernist composer who was at the forefront of the serialist and electronic music in the 50’s, 60’s, and into the 70’s. He would also unfortunately be remembered for his controversial comments about the September 11 attacks in which he alleged to have said the attacks were “works of art”. As to whether he said it or not, it is possible he did. But in doing so, you would have to first understand the man himself and more importantly, his music for context. More importantly, that he would’ve not said to be sympathetic to the attackers in any shape or form. Rather, he was a consummate composer in which everything in the world was filtered through his ears (and eyes) as music.

If you read this blog you know I am somewhat of a Rollins afficianado…whatever, he’s a level headed dude who always has time for fans, oh yeah and he’s a smart guy who uses his position in life to expose stupidity and promote general well being. Here is an interview from Popmatters.com Chris Catania, where Henry discusses his recent trip to Iran (Currently number one in the axis of evil gunsights?). It’s a good read, and with Cheney gunning for war in Iran it is certainly timely.

Heny Rollins on Iran

Roger McGuinn of the Byrds talks about modern recording on a laptop. Pretty cool interview with a real vet of the music industry, it’s always cool to see some of the old guard embrace technology. His point that resonated mostly with me was about the microphone…he’s got a fancy 4k microphone, and this still seems like the most important piece of equipment to me (along with placement, and room etc, things you can learn or pay a good engineer for). There have been improvements in recording, and it is more accessible, however you still need quality pre-amps and microphones, and you don’t really want to skimp on those. He talks a bit about mastering as well, sadly (for me anyway) he is windows based, obviously there are mac alternatives to all the programs he is talking about (or they are cross platform like the Adobe one…does ANYONE else use that program?).

This documentary came out last year, but is now getting posted on Youtube by fans…for free, and c’mon there is no reason it shouldn’t be, it wasn’t about the money. So, if you still don’t quite understand how special and cool the American hardcore movement of the early eighties was, or if you just want to feel all warm and tingly with nostalgia, you can do so for free. Some names are suspiciously absent from the film, most notably the Misfits and Dead Kennedys (perhaps because of the internal lawsuits). The Minutemen were not mentioned or shown much either except for some interviews with Mike Watt, but I guess they have their own movie. The film does a nice job however of condensing a seething moshpit full of information and media into a pretty concise time line of events. There is a wealth of great old footage and some really great inside information on some of the key events that really kicked off a huge movement, ignored for the most part by the mainstream industry. Long live the Bad Brains…

American Hardcore (part 1)

American Hardcore (part 2)
American Hardcore (part 3)
American Hardcore (part 4)
American Hardcore (part 5)
American Hardcore (part 6)
American Hardcore (part 7)
American Hardcore (part 8)
American Hardcore (part 9)
American Hardcore (part 10)

Like I said the Minutemen were pretty much absent from the American Hardcore video…They were probably one of the most influential bands to me (as a young punk bass player anyway). Here is a trailer clip from their documentary, which features alot of the same faces from the AH doc.

The Minutemen We Jam Econo:

The Minutemen DVD: We Jam Econo

Here is an interesting series of videos from the DIY channel taking you inside the factory where they hand make the Moog Synthesizers and other Moog products. Also be sure to check out the really great documentary on Moog from last year, and remember to give thanks to the great Robert.
Moog: Documentary
Moog: Trailer

DIY Moog Voyager Special pt. 1 of 4

Moog: DIY Moog Voyager Special pt. 2 of 4
Moog: DIY Moog Voyager Special pt. 3 of 4
Moog: DIY Moog Voyager Special pt. 4 of 4

This 2 disc DVD from Thrill Jockey is a couple years old, but packed FULL of interesting interviews (112 different musicians to be exact). The roster is long and i’ll link to a few REAL reviewers insights below. The interviews are one on one personal reflections/recollections lead by one question “to tell a story about a musical moment that inspired” Check out this pretty nice plunderphonic style video below and then make some popcorn.

Thrill Jockey (product page): Looking for a Thrill
All About Jazz: Review

Well he has snorted everything else so does this surprise ANYBODY? Keith Richards shown here sporting a mustache (he clearly pilfered from our very own local rock legend Jason Willis) made this grand revelation in comments published in British music magazine NME.

“He was cremated and I couldn’t resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow. My dad wouldn’t have cared,” he said. “… It went down pretty well, and I’m still alive.” Richards’ father, Bert, died in 2002, at 84.

via breitbart: Keith Richards: ‘I Snorted My Father’

*Update* April Fools!

*Update2* Disney Dumps Keith for Snorting Dad!

God damn Tom Jenkins is amazing. Granted maybe I’m biased as I have been a bass player for almost 20 years now, and he is certainly a monster of a bass player. check out this video of a recent performance in support of his new album. He combines this bass virtuosity with a solid use of supporting electronics to create a really stunning musical vehicle. Also check out the interview.

Squarepusher: BBC interview with the elusive Tom Jenkins

Squarepusher: Itunes
Squarepusher: Official site

Gear Wire chats with the man himself…while he balances on stilts. Steve discusses his favorite Harmonic Percolator distortion pedal, and explains the origin of the imitation pedal “pussyfuzz” created by Mr. Bill of Guitarworks. He gives Bill’s phone number at the end of the video should you have desire for one. A quick search brought up this company that claims to produce an exact replica using the same circuit.
Link: Theremaniacs Harmonic Percolator Reproduction

Gear Wire: Steve Albini Percolates!

Rounding out todays Comedy of Metal posts is this Propagandist exclusive interview with the extremely elusive Floridian death metal pioneers Rectik Blotus (most excellent logo here). The interview is hilarious and Rectik Blotus is definitely poised to uh BLOW THE FUCK UP real soon as stated by FreshJive interviewer Eric Stricker.

Rectick Blotus: Freshjive Interview

Check out the free MP3 of their pop hit “Bowel Massacre Part 1″. It’s a Two part massacre, but they probably should have called them both part 2…

MP3 BM Pt1: : Download