Back In My Day

When I was growing up……oh how I hated to hear the stories that started with those words when I was younger,  but love to tell them now that I am older.  Of course, my stories are interesting and funny. A long, long time ago, (Pie) when I was younger, straight up –  I fucking hated, fucking hated it every single damn time some old fuck (over 22) said that to me in my youth.  Fucking hated it!  Yet, I cannot stop myself.  I say it almost every day. I am obsessed with getting older. I talk about it (and write about it, yeah, yeah) all the fucking time. And I utter that phrase every dang day.  Why?  I tell myself it is because I am teaching my kids something, leaving them with something for posterity.  I know, I am delusional.  My kids fucking hate it too.

When I was growing up, there was only Rock and Hard Rock.  Somewhere around high school, there was Metal (thanks Iron Maiden and Motorhead, just to name a few).  But, maybe the genre wasn’t so well fleshed out then (or maybe I was still listening to Styx). We called things “Acid Rock.”  Then there was Grunge, which I think we all know, I don’t like talking about.  Because it killed metal (see I Had a Plan Blog). Then, there was only Classic Rock, because that is all I listened to while boycotting grunge and local rock radio.  

When I finally pulled my head out, I found new bands and discovered that many of my favorite 80’s bands were being described as Hair Metal (our local rock station played a throwback Thursday set, calling it ”The Aqua Net Set”, hilarious and genius). This is a description that didn’t bother me, obviously.  But, I think it got to a lot of  those “long hairs” who spend way more time doing their hair than I do.  Hurt some of their little feelings.  Fine. Could be the reason why all the other genres started to bubble to the surface. While I just made that up on the spot, trying to be funny. I wonder, I am probably correct.

I talk a lot of smack about musicians, local as well as famous. Truth is, I love them. I admire their commitment to what they do (except for those tribute band motherfuckers, don’t even get me started on those guys). I admire their drive, their talent, their mile high confidence level – even with no talent. Talented or not, these guys work their asses off (another blog). And, thanks to Behind the Music (bring back that show, please), we all know what happens to the professionals. And these guys, when they come down, they’ve got nowhere to go. They are not happy unless they are performing.

So, now we have Symphonic Metal, Death Metal, (it is here that I had to Google as I was out of metals). There is black (?) metal, Christian, and many more sub-genres that are weird and I am not sure I buy into them. Mostly because I didn’t get to name them.  We are finally getting to the point, really.

I recently found William Control whom I will describe as a Disco Metal group. Wait, wait, take a deep breath and let me explain.  It isn’t quite metal, different from symphonic, not quite dance.  Like Flock of Seagulls meets Metallica  or disco meets metal.  Which sounds impossibly disgusting (and okay, off the top of my head, 3 of my friends would insist it was impossibly disgusting. By the way, they are boys. And as soon as I tell them what he sings about – yeah, then they will be in).  William Control does the seemingly impossible – stripping all of the irritating out of disco, leaving all of the fun and all the stuff that  makes you want to shake your hips. And it is delightfully easy to dance to. And, did I  mention, fun?  And, a little confusing. I didn’t know if I should bang my head or dance so, you know, I looked like an idiot. The synth/keyboard isn’t as irritating when the music makes you want to head bang and dance. Disco may have sucked, but it sure gets your hips going. I listen to WC, and, instantly my mood  improves. Could be the hip shaking head banging beat or the naughty, naughty lyrics. Don’t know.  

They are my new favorite happy music, horrible lyrics band. Here is another crashing moment, how to describe the lyrics or “schtick” of the band, so to speak?  A dark and sexy place. You will have to investigate the rest.

We attended Vans Warped Tour experience and, I have written about it. But, I have been saving this for the right time. Plus, occasionally I write these things for hours. In this case, though, I wanted to give the band justice.  They are dynamite live. Their keyboard player, is a phenomenal performer and I watched him the entire time, so I am unable to describe the others, which I think is hilarious.  But, I danced. We all danced. Everyone danced and when I looked around, smiles everywhere.

But, what did I know? I listened to Styx. They were going to play at my first wedding. The one I was going to have until I discovered Motley Crue and Harleys.

P.S. William Control has decided to stop touring/performing and is producing and collaborating on other projects. Once again, late to the fucking party! Of course.