I'd love to change the world.

But I don't know what to do. So I'll leave it up to you...

This blog may go nowhere. Not sure yet. I am sitting in a hotel room in Marquette MI pondering existence. So I write...

I've never really tried to "change the world", I spend too much time making my little world better. Maybe that is selfish. I am starting to think there is more to give.

Now for something completely different...

I am going to do a little shameless self-promotion tonight. I am on a self induced nostalgia trip.

Back in 2008, I was possessed to write and record an acoustic LP. It was a huge step away from the Metal band I cherished for so many years (and still do BTW), but I had to get all of these ideas out of my head and onto tape. Driven is the correct word, I was driven to do it by forces beyond my control.

I had some help, mostly from Dave Watson, who worked his butt off at Soundscape Studios to make me sound good and produce something worth a shit. I also had the brilliant idea to bring Jon Rice (JFAC) in on the project to take the drum throne. In a few hours, he nailed everything better than I could have imagined. Both Dave and Jon are gifted guys, and I was lucky to have them on board.

I always thought of myself as a songwriter first, and a musician second. I can honestly say that after months of work on this project, I became a better musician.

Now, I spend a lot of time criticizing in my blogs, and I know that in putting examples of my own work out there, I am opening up the door to some criticism from others. But that's OK, do better, then we will talk. I have the benefit of the underground to protect me. I can still do what I want.

The following song, Shine, seems to be a favorite based on hits it has gotten over the years. It is a self explanatory love song that took a total of 10 minutes to write and 10 tries to record. I could not get the vocal right no matter how hard I worked. I was guilty of over thinking it. Mr. Watson had already mixed another version of the vocal that I think we both hated and knew was not right. I am sure he was not pleased that I demanded we re-re-record it the day I sang this take. It is still not perfect, but overall it turned out good enough. I am glad we took the extra steps.

One more example, then I will quit this self indulgent study:

freaknotcounted:
I try to not write in heavy metaphor, except when I do. This one was pretty personal in lyrical meaning and I will leave it at that. What is really cool about this version is, well... everything. This was an old Domicile MKII song written in its Metal form back in 2000. I re-vamped it for this project, and I love everything about it. Jon Rice's shuffle is amazing in this song, and I am proud of it. I stretched my then vocal range to it's peak in the bridge (my range is actually better now, go figure). The result is very cool. My broseph, Base says it is one of his favorite songs, period. Believe me, that is all the compliment I need.

OK, I lied... I want to throw up one more:

For me, alone.
This little sleeper is one of my most favorites that I have ever written. It is very auto-biographical. It is simple, and I dig that sometimes. It has to do with my personal struggles through the years, and my tendency to shut down. In a way, it's a "just leave me alone, I'll figure it out myself" tune.

There's more. Find them if you want. I am thinking about giving this entire LP away on Spotify or something. If I get the chance, I will put it up this weekend and see if I can make it a free download.

A.D.H.D. and the Beatles, Part III

I am headed to the airport soon, but instead of thinking about what I need to pack, I am thinking about John Lennon's song "In My Life". So I am taking 5 to jot my thoughts down.

A few years ago, I saw the hand written lyrics to this song hanging on the wall at the Rock and Roll HoF, and I welled up. Yup, I got all emotional.

The words are poetry to me, and my interpretation of his words hit hard. For me, the song is about old stomping grounds and old relationships, and how they are both wonderful things. It's ok to reflect and save your treasures from the past, even though today, you love what you have more.

Funny thing about Love, it doesn't ask permission, and typically doesn't apologize.

I get that.

John lived that.

RIP (you socialist bastard).... Oh, don't get all twisted up about that statement, both are essentially true, and you know it. I love John and it's my blog, so I say what I want, kinda like John did.



Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be, there's a NAGO hanging over me.

Jane's Fantasy

Ok... This has bothered me for years. Why the hell does Aldo Nova's "Fanatsy" sound so much like like Jefferson Starship's "Jane"?

Was there a lawsuit?
Were they collaborators?
Is Aldo Nova even relevant enough to care about this? (I think so).

What would a Blog by Nago be without a history lesson? Let me start from the beginning.

In 1987-ish, my mother briefly dated a guy from DuBois. This dude had a red-headed daughter. She was tall, beautiful and 3 years my elder (17 to my 14).  Like many teenage girls at the time, she was a rocker and I was crushing big time on this lass.

Now, being a young music nerd back then, we had some things we could talk about. We became friends and semi-running buddies for a brief period while the fantasies played out in my mind. She had a car and did not mind hanging with a young long haired rebel with his finger on what was happening then, so it was a beneficial relationship for both of us, I suppose. During a road trip to DuBios, (somehow it was just the 2 of us) I attempted to get her into thrash, but she insisted on putting Aldo Nova's self titled tape into her tape deck. Turns out, Headbangers in DuBois really dug Aldo Nova... Who knew? I think they all dove '78 Ford Grenadas and smoked Marlboro Red's as well.

I have to admit, Aldo Nova was not exactly what I considered to be heavy, but it grew on me over the 2-1/2 hour road trip. Maybe I was just trying to play along, I really can't remember. Regardless, after the short relationship with this family was over (like ships passing in the night), I picked up Aldo's LP and kept it for many years. It was one of those things that was always around.

Fast forward a few years.... Erie did not always have a classic rock station. When Rocket 101 came on the air, I was exposed to the rock from the previous generation, and like so many, had to suffer through it's repetitive play-list during warehouse work hours. I must have heard Jefferson Starship's "Jane" 7,000 times in my blue collar days.

The question was in my head then, and still is today.... WTF. It's the same song!!!! I do not claim to know why, and the Internet had little to offer me today as I started looking into it. Aldo's tune is absolutely the better jam, but Jane came first.

 

 

If there was no lawsuit, I cant imagine why... George Harrison was sued by Motown for much less.

Sorry for wasting your time, NOT!!!


Mike is just a fanatsy, can you let this fanatsy lie?

Blogging season, Duck Season, Blogging Season, Duck Season, Duck Season, Blogging Season. BLAM!

 

 

Lets call this Blog a "Summer-y":

Before I get started with my heavy handed opinions mixed with the occasional nostalgia trip that you all hate (yet still read), I want to formally announce that I DO TAKE THE SUMMERS OFF!!!! That was for the 4 people that have inquired about the blog recently. Maybe it is strange of me to take a bloggers vacation each year, but my geek side is especially busy with the family, the garden, the dogs, outdoor activities and the usual work/travel schedule in the hot months of the year. Something has to give.

That is not to say I take a break from being a nerd. This summer I have read 2-1/2 books by Eric Larson, 1 by David McCullough, the new Neil Gaiman and I am actively trying to get started on understanding the insanity of Terry Prachett (a task that is proving extremely difficult).

Beyond that, I am actively writing music again, and after a long hiatus I am pleased to be working with my longtime collaborator, Louie Rice, on some overdue Metal material. It is good for my soul to be back at it. I always felt that we were not quite done yet, and had much more to say, so..... More to come on that later, but I am hopeful that a new LP will be in our not so distant future.

What else? Well, my broseph John Muroski and I have re-connect after years of non-communication, and I was very pleased to catch his (and Mike Russell's) killer band, The Tradesmen, last month here in Pittsburgh. They inspire the blue collar Erie-ite in me to no end. I am in awe of their greatness.

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tradesmen/404007310693

Musically, I found myself listening to new stuff by old bands this summer mostly, including the new Megadeth, the new Sabbath, Black Star Riders (aka the re-vamped Thin Lizzy), and Newsted. Ghost BC's latest LP has been in rotation, and (no matter how repetitive) I love the Sister Sin LP: Now and Forever (forgive me for not knowing about it when it was released late last year - I am not always up on the latest European music). It sounds like a modern take on early Crue with Mega-Countdown bridges. It's rad.

Lastly, the break in blogging brought with it new inspiration. Fall 2013 topics may include:

• Self Help: 10 Easy steps to achieving Aerosmith hatred YOU CAN DO IT!!!
• Franchising your old ass busted up band 
• The over saturation of bogus Satanism in silly immature music (and why it's so cool).
• Why Opeth is better than your favorite band
• Two hated millionaire musical dishrags: Bob Rock and Desmond Child, a study in F- Major.

I leave this post with an apology for the break, but a promise that I am not disappeared. Here's to a great Autumn.

The lunatic, is in the blog...