Music

Why it’s good when bands break up or have lots of side projects…

In the CD player: King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime by FNM (yes, I know…)

I was just thinking, it’s amazing the number of other bands and artists and various other people I’ve been exposed to because of one band I really like.

For example: Mr. Bungle

I don’t really remember why I first bought their debut album. Certainly, I think I was fairly young. I must have bought it for “The Girls of Porn.” Anyway, not only did the album significantly expand what I thought could be considered music (they’re more chaotic than prog rock…) but I discovered various other bands:

  • Faith No More (same lead singer as Mr. Bunlge for the majority of their career…I’ve been unreasonably obsessed with them for a long, scary while now): the best metal band of the ’80s/’90s? I guess I shouldn’t say that…(the part of me that loves G ‘n R is screaming at me…and I know certain metal fans would object strenuously) Calling them a metal band is a misnomer anyway
  • Dieselhed (drummer from Mr. Bungle): a ridiculously awesome alt-country band
  • Secret Chiefs Three (guitarist, drummer and bassist from Mr. Bungle, at first; guitarist’s project): like Mr. Bungle circa Disco Volante only without much vocals and more schizo
  • Fantomas (lead singer, bassist from Bungle): a crazy metal band
    John Zorn (producer of first album): apparently one of the most important figures in avant garde music in the last 50 years

I have been exposed to other artists as well but haven’t been able to hear more than a few clips:

  • Crooked Fingers
  • The Trevor Dunn Trio Convulsant
  • Marty Ehrlich
  • Ben Goldberg
  • John Schott
  • Emergency
  • Tomahawk

There are more but I don’t feel like looking for them…

Anyway, the point of this procrastination exercise is to help me recognize that modern bands are as interconnected as they used to be back in the day (I tend to idealize the 60s in this regard and others). It’s amazing how many other bands you find when you just do a little research to see what the members of one have done or are doing.

I just picked Mr. Bunlge as an example. I am not suggesting you necessary do the same thing. But I’ve done the same with various bands I think…Blind Melon, the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Velvet Underground, etc.

It’s like 6 degrees of separation, only not.

On a somewhat related note (since Mr. Bungle was from San Fran): San Fran seems to have had a crazy music scene in the late 90s. I wonder if it’s still going strong?

What else can I say to avoid studying?

See, my problem is: what to study? I know the stuff pretty well (the Bible, Tommy Aquinas, Marty Luther, Tommy Hobbes, Johnny Locke)…well, the major themes anyway. And I can guess at what he’s going to ask about…

By the way, there’s been a change in the CD player: Album of the Year by FNM. I’d say it’s the weakest of their Patton-era albums

I’m going to Oakville tonight. Picking my dad up from the hospital tomorrow morning so I figure I might as well be in Oakville to make my drive shorter (and to lessen his waiting time). This will being my few weeks mostly in Oakville. I’ll be back tomorrow night because of my Wed exam. But after that I’ll probably be gone for a week. Then back for a day and a half. Then gone for a few more days. Then back for a day. Then gone for a week or two. Then back in Hamilton until the end of July (with the odd trip out of town, I’m sure). Isn’t that exciting?

I realize I’m boring you. But I just don’t want to do any kind of work…

I could clean my room…it really needs it…

Well, whatever I do, it probably won’t be work.

Be seeing you.

1 Comment

  1. Anonymous says:

    Faith No More is the greatest metal band of late 80s/early 90s, eh? We’re gonna hafta have a little talk Rilo. I think you may have a drug problem.

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