Unsuccessful People - The Modern Art Sketch
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The ramblings of a musician.
www.jonmccracken.com
Unsuccessful People - The Modern Art Sketch
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Unsuccessful People - The Traffic Report
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Unsuccessful People - How to be a DJ
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I’ve decided to blog about a really tender subject, religion. This is a subject that can make or break one’s opinion on you, and can even go as far as absolute hatred of another. I really don’t think there are any other subjects that can affect a person so much. I, personally, am not a religious man. I don’t believe in god and I’m not spiritual in any way. That doesn’t mean, however, that I am anti-religion.
I truly believe that the world needs religion, or at least it does now. I think that all hell would break loose if religion suddenly disappeared, or was outlawed. However, I do believe that people have taken their religion too far at times. For instance, people who read the Old Testament and believe that the stories actually did happen are not reading it correctly. The book is a Jewish book, and any Jewish person will tell you that the stories are meant to help guide you through life to be a better person. God just wants you to be a good person, do onto others as you would want them to do onto you, and you will get into heaven.
Now I have read the Bible, both Old and New Testament, I have read the Koran, and I have read the book of Mormon. I have even read Dianetics. And the basic underline meaning behind them all is to be a good person. Which does in fact make sense. So why do I not follow any religion? I don’t want to spend my life preparing for an after-life that may or may not exist. Also, it seems that any religion you step into has loopholes and people who don’t really know what they are saying. In my opinion, which I am perfectly entitled to say, people have taken the original ideas behind religion, and skewed it into something completely different. I am pretty sure that if Jesus came back, he may not be happy with what people are doing with his teachings.
Like politics, there are corrupt people in religion. It’s led to so much fighting, countless number of wars, and killing in the name of god. All which doesn’t work in my book. Now here’s the biggest issue. I know for a fact that this little blog is going to offend some people. And I know that in their mind I should keep my opinions to myself. But that right there, folks, is the definition of hypocrisy. I am constantly seeing verses from the bible on sites like Facebook, and there is religious propaganda everywhere. But, the second an atheist says anything, then everyone has a problem. I think the point to all of this is freedom of speech. If people are allowed to post religious views, then I am allowed to post what I believe.
The question I get most is: what if I’m wrong? What if there is a god and I will now go to hell for everything I’ve said. Well, then so be it. The fact is there is no proof that all of the religions are true, and there’s no proof that I’m right either. Luckily, we are all entitled to believe whatever we want. Even if its nothing.
I was never a big car person. Not “I’m afraid to drive,” but I don’t really study up on them. I don’t go to the car shows, and I spend hours cleaning my car everyday. If it gets me from point A to B without costing a fortune in gas or breaking down halfway, then it’s my dream car. It also helps if I can fit my drum set in it, but I have no problem with that.
Honestly I don’t get the obsession with cars, to a degree of course. I understand studying up on them, learning how they run, but there are some people that go a little too far with their car. Does anyone truly believe that painting flames on the hood makes the car go faster? Cause it doesn’t. If anything it makes your insurance go up, and the police tend to pull you over more. Why pay more for a car that can go to speeds up to 200 mph, when you can’t drive it that fast anywhere. It’s like buying a train when you have no access to train tracks. It’s just pointless in my opinion. And here’s a helpful tip for a number of people that is way too high. Putting a whale tail on your Dodge Neon does not make it a racecar.
There will always be people who do things like the above. I’m sure it’s part of the evolutionary process. Not for survival, but more for entertainment. Cause if you’re ever bored, you can go out and people watch. And thanks to obsessions with cars, you can even watch them drive by.
Its funny how being in a band is very much like being in a relationship. I’ve been in many bands, and I’ve been in many relationships, and I’ve come to realize that it really is the same. Except there’s no sex in a band. So I guess it would actually be closer to marriage.
In some ways, being in a band is worse. You’re only with one other person in a relationship, in a band you’re with at least two others. Success in a relationship is created the same way success in a band is. Similar interests and the ability to be around each other can make things work out a lot easier. You audition to join a band, and in a sense, you audition to join a relationship. Except, instead of showing how well you play an instrument, you show how you talk and act. So once the fun starts, both a band and a couple go through an awkward beginning. Or is that just me? Anyway, eventually you warm up to each other and either share all the good qualities, or call on the other’s bull crap.
In the end both scenarios either stay together, or eventually split. It’s hard to say if one is better than the other. Both have an equal amount of pros and cons. You get paid to be in a band, but not in a relationship. Well, you can, but its illegal in many states. Many of you will read this, especially the musicians, and say of course a relationship is better. But really it and think about it. Cause in the end, both can be just as great and suck just as much.
So this short little list here actually took me quite some time. I’ve noticed that people can name band after band on their own, but when asked who their favorite band is, all knowledge of music leaves the mind. It’s like how you can think of every cd you want, until you walk into the record store. So I figured I’ll list my top 20 favorite bands in order now, before someone asks me. This list is my most current, which is why this is just for 2011. I’ll make a new one when it changes. The bands are in order from my favorite down.
1. The Beatles - I can’t imagine my life without The Beatles. I quite literally listened to this band from birth. There was a time, when I was younger, that I thought any other band with four members was just a rip off of The Beatles. There is no topping these guys. And of course, Ringo Starr is the reason I started drumming.
2. The Who - This truly is a super group. All four members are the best of the best. I can’t think of one song of theirs I don’t like. Ringo may have been the reason I started drumming, but Keith Moon is the reason I continued.
3. Led Zeppelin - Here’s a band that revolutionized Rock and Roll. One of my favorite albums is Led Zeppelin II, and I will never get sick of it. Once again, I am bias cause of their drummer. Tied with Moon, John Bonham is my favorite drummer. And I want his drum set.
4. The Police - This is the perfect mix of the two best genres, Rock & Roll and Reggae. The Police is definitely one of the most original bands. Sting’s song writing was amazing, along with his bass playing, and Stewart Copeland is one of the most solid drummers around. And with Andy Summers, the band really is perfect.
5. Queen - Fronted by probably one of the best singers in music history, this band is amazing. Not only are they great musicians, but they are all amazing song writers. No surprise that they are the only band where each member has written a song that reached number 1 on the charts. First song I ever learned on the drum set, Keep Yourself Alive. So Queen will always be in my top 5.
6. David Bowie - Here is probably one of my favorite songwriters. This man has written hit after hit, and he’s just one guy! Sure he’s had help from various musicians, but as a solo artist, he is the best. I probably also own every movie he’s ever done. And one of my favorite movies is Labyrinth. What can possibly be better than a movie with David Bowie and Muppets?? The answer is nothing.
7. Peter Gabriel - Another genius of music, Peter is up there with Bowie as my favorite songwriters. Between his work with Genesis and his solo work, Peter is without a doubt an inspiration to me. And my dream is to one day play at least one song with Peter Gabriel.
8. Joe Cocker - Seeing this guy live was a dream come true. Joe mainly does covers, but he makes the songs his own. The guy has been performing since the 60s, and he still sounds just as amazing.
9. Pink Floyd - There were four different versions of Pink Floyd, and every one of them was great. These guys are the gods of Prog Rock. They are one of the few bands that has albums I can sit and listen to all the way through. And their live shows are an experience of a lifetime. Roger Waters performing The Wall was without a doubt the best show I’ve ever seen.
10. Bob Marley - When god gives you lemons, go find a new god. Then put on a Bob Marley record, and you will feel 20 times better. This man is the definition of Reggae. Not only is he an inspiration to me, but he has also moved millions all around the world.
11. The Rolling Stones - Honestly, who out there cannot like The Stones? Like The Beatles, these guys are the pioneers of Rock & Roll. The songwriting is great, and they have a sound that’s unique and original. With Mick Jagger and Keith Richards leading the band, The Rolling Stones will never be forgotten.
12. Rush - Take the best bassist, the best guitarist, and the best drummer, and you have Rush. Here is a band that manages to sound like an orchestra, and yet its only three guys. Whenever I feel like giving myself a challenge, I sit and learn a Rush song. I think it’s safe to say that Neil Peart is the best drummer today.
13. Talking Heads - For all those artists trying to be “out there” and edgy, Talking Heads beat you to it. And they’re genuine. David Byrne is probably the most unique songwriter out there. And also a great showman.
14. Leo Sayer - Here is a guy who is definitely a forgotten legend. Leo has written for many great artists including Three Dog Night and Roger Daltrey. This guy was tiny, and yet could belt it like he invented singing. Whether it was a Joe Cocker raspy voice, or a Frankie Valli high-pitched voice, Leo Sayer mastered singing. He’s definitely up there with Freddy Mercury as the best singer in the history of music.
15. Three Dog Night - Just like Joe Cocker, Three Dog Night played covers, but made the songs their own. Each singer had their own unique voice and character, and also meshed together perfectly.
16. Joe Walsh - Gotta say that Joe is the best one in The Eagles. But, I’m a bigger fan of his solo work. One of my favorite songs is Life’s Been Good. Joe is an amazing songwriter, and has a great sense of humor. Many artists write generic songs about love, but he manages to have a great theme behind every song. Also, Joe Walsh is another artist I would love to play for.
17. AC/DC - When you think Hard Rock, you think AC/DC. This band would be higher, but a certain tribute band I was in kind of ruined it. That aside, These guys know how to write catchy riffs that burrow into your head and never leave. Every AC/DC song is simplistic, yet they are also thought out and unique. It is very easy to mess up an AC/DC song. Every note must be played perfectly, or else the song is ruined.
18. Yes - Yes was the first Prog Rock band I ever listened to, so they have to be on this list. And, of course, they are a great band. Rick Wakeman of keyboards, Bill Bruford on drums, Chris Squire on bass, these three guys alone are incredible. Put them with Steve Howe and Jon Anderson, and the band was even better. Even when other musician’s came in, the band still kept to their sound that had many layers of instruments and great arrangements.
19. Elton John - Of course Elton John has to be on this list. You can’t compare his songwriting to anyone else, cause its great in too many ways. Him and Bernie Taupin managed to write music that can be liked by anyone. Elton always had the best musician’s backing him up, which meant he was just as great live as he was on his albums.
20. The Doobie Brothers - With or without Michael McDonald, The Doobie Brothers pushed so many great songs. This is definitely a band I want to see live. As musician’s they were great, and as songwriters they were amazing. Between the arrangements and the intricate yet soulful harmonies, The Doobie Brothers managed to make gold. And apparently there is a possibility that I’m related to former drummer Chet McCracken.
So there you have it. I’m sure there are mixed reactions to this list. And I’m sure I’ll get crap from even my own band mates. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll be bored enough to make a top 100 list. A man can dream. Cheers.
Luck must have something to do with it, mainly because it seemed almost too good to be true when the opportunity to join Arrest My Sister came up. By matter of chance, I went from a fresh graduate from Musician’s Institute to playing Carnegie Hall exactly one year later. And it was all because of the band I joined before AMS. The band was an AC/DC tribute band; started by a coke addict with a DUI to pay off. My audition was interesting. The rhythm guitarist was auditioning with me, I had to pay for the studio time, and the lead guitarist was off playing with one of his other 9 bands.
Eventually I got the gig and 2 weeks later the “Angus Young” of the band finally came back to town. Our first rehearsal, I had to drive out to Hollywood to pick him up cause his girlfriend couldn’t, and that was the first time I ever met Crazy Tomes. The guy was literally a crazy guitarist, and knew every note in all of the AC/DC songs we played. And I will be completely honest, I didn’t understand a word he said for the first 3 weeks of knowing him.
Eventually Tomes left, and called me saying one of his other bands was looking for a drummer. At the time I had 4 other bands and a part time job. At first I was going to say no, but I changed my mind and said I’ll audition. I met up with Tomes and this other guy, who kind of looked like he could be Tomes’ brother, to get a cd of their music. Tomes did pretty much all the talking, while the other guy kind of sat there looking half asleep. I quickly found out that he was the lead singer and songwriter, Scott Siegel. I got the cd, wrote out charts, practiced once or twice, and went to the audition, nervous as hell. I didn’t really know the songs, and the detailed charts I made were left at home on accident. There I met Wadada, one of the best bassists I’ve ever seen, and the band manager Michael. In April I’ll have been in this band for a year. I guess in the end I can say they liked me.
This trip to Reno for the WFA has definitely been an experience all in its own. The WFA was a convention designed to let county fairs hire different acts to perform at their fair. I am completely grateful to have done this and I have to thank our manager Michael for giving myself, and the rest of the band, this wonderful opportunity. I, for one, definitely appreciated every moment of this trip.
Probably the best part, besides playing, was seeing the other amazing bands perform what was basically the best 15 minutes of their song catalog. The bands ranged from Pop and R&B, to Rock, to Blues. And there had to have been about a dozen country bands. They were good, but I am no country fan. One band that especially stood out was the Blues Brothers tribute band. It was basically like watching Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi on stage like they did back in the day. This band was absolutely incredible.
It was great being able to meet and talk to the other bands and acts, especially to study up on how they got to where they were in the music business. As for the show itself, I don’t think we’ve ever played the medley we created so well. There were no mistakes, at least none that I heard, and we managed to play non-stop for a solid 15 minutes. The audience seemed to like us, and apparently we got a potential gig within 30 seconds of getting off stage. That is pretty much proof right there of how good we were that night.
