Posted by amillionmilesblog on October 28, 2015
I'm just out of it today. I went to bed at 8:30 last night. I was so cold I was shaking, & I couldn't sleep until some time between 11:30-12:00.
Kim had to feed me my pills, I was shaking too much. "….I've been down here before. All my bones & joints are sore….."
1 Comment Posted in Illness Tagged Finger Eleven
BASEBALL HANGOVER?
Sorry, I wasn't feeling great today. I think I may have the flu? I wrote this in the morning, tomorrow might be sketchy, I'll see how I'm feeling.
I've never heard of a "baseball hangover"? I was watching a sports talk show yesterday, Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown, & he's talking about a baseball hangover since the Toronto Blue Jays are done, eliminated from the playoffs. I never assumed they'd win the World Series, but the regular season & the post season really caught Canadians attention. Baseball in Canada became interesting, for anyone that was willing to watch it! I don't have a "hangover" from a lack of Blue Jays baseball. Opening day for the regular season is in April, for me it's like waiting for Christmas, just a shorter waiting period. While I'm waiting, I have an interesting off season to watch. Who's coming back, will David Price sign, is the new President of Roger's Sports going to keep/sign the general manager back, who else is coming & going, etc.? Sure I'd love to be watching a game 7 on Saturday night or game 1 of the World Series involving the Blue Jays. It didn't happen so it's time for the fans to focus on the NOW, not last week, it's over & can't be changed. Spring training isn't that far away!
"Finger Eleven" 'Gods of Speed' live!!!!!
Ricky Gervais is returning to the "Golden Globes" stage!!!!
http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/ricky-gervais-to-return-as-golden-globes-host-20151026#ixzz3pisMTzGL
Top 25 punk albums of all time. I'll admit, I'm not that knowledgeable on punk music other than Green Day, which is very mainstream punk.
http://loudwire.com/top-punk-albums-of-all-time/
Are you kidding me???? Noel Gallagher can play nice with others???? Even U2? I don't think this would have happened in the '90s when he was name dropping everyone saying they were rubbish & Oasis was all that & a bag of chips!
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-noel-gallagher-join-u2-for-i-still-havent-found-what-im-looking-for-20151027
I'm not really a fan of "Avenged Sevenfold". To close to Metallica territory for me. LANGUAGE!!!
http://loudwire.com/10-unforgettable-avenged-sevenfold-moments/
Songs I like, "System of a Down" it's hard to find songs of theirs without language, so consider yourself WARNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Why did this turn into a music blog? Because "music is a BIG ^%$#@&*^* DEAL"-Dave Grohl
"Learn something from your mistakes and don't do them again"
"I feel good about the good things and bad about the bad things"-David Eric Grohl
Leave a comment Posted in Illness, Music, Pop Culture, TV Tagged Avenged Sevenfold, Finger Eleven, Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais, System of a Down, Toronto Blue Jays
WINTER'S COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today's workout was brought to you by "Trivium's" 'Silence in the Snow' album. I'm tired this week. I'm not taking the week off, just scaling my exercise back a bit. Instead of doing 2 out of 7 exercises a day, I'll do one this week. Today was 40 leg lifts on each leg from my hands & knees. Tomorrow will be something different, what? I don't know?
I can tell winter is very near, not just by the calendar either! Here in Regina, Saskatchewan, with no daylight savings time (which I like), it's quite dark by 7:30 pm. When it's full on winter (December & January) people go to work when it's dark & come home when it's dark. Kim & I would carpool to work when we started at the same time. She would start at 7am, so my boss would let me come in an hour earlier than everyone else. Kim eventually changed to 8 am, so I would just come in at the same time as everyone else. The print shops we worked at weren't that far apart in town, & our initial house wasn't far from them. When we'd carpool in the winter it was always dark in the morning & nearing the dark when we'd come home. Thank goodness for remote car starters! Go to the kitchen window, hit the button & let the car warm up a bit! Seat warmers, I just don't like. I didn't have them growing up, so why do I need them now?
I'm different than most Canadians! Everybody wants to go on a warm all expenses paid resort vacation in the winter,………………..NOT ME! I hate the heat when it's above 23 degrees celsius. Just too hot for me. That's roughly 80 degrees fahrenheit for those not on the celsius scale. Just remember, if it's cold I can layer up, if it's hot I can only get so naked……………………………legally!
10 best cover songs by "Pearl Jam". Lot's of songs I had no idea they'd cover & a couple I've heard and/or have seen live.
http://diffuser.fm/best-cover-songs-by-pearl-jam/?fb2
Proof that Donald Trump is your drunk neighbour.
I can't stand the WWE anymore. I grew out of it in the early '90s or late '80s. There was a claymation TV show that was pretty good though. I can't remember, but I think I rented it as an X Box game?
http://loudwire.com/corey-taylor-slaps-wwe-nxt-superstar-baron-corbin-aftershock-festival/
Does anyone over the age of 24 even care about MTV or Much Music? Neither of the stations play music videos for more than an hour a day, from what I've seen on our guide?
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/mtv-emas-2015s-8-best-and-worst-moments-20151026
Jared Leto on playing the role of "The Joker" in 'Suicide Squad'
http://loudwire.com/jared-leto-playing-the-joker-very-painful/
Top 5 "Arctic Monkeys" songs. I've heard the name but never really bothered to check them out.
http://consequenceofsound.net/video/the-top-5-arctic-monkeys-songs/
Cool! Pentatonix hit number 1 on the Billboard Charts! Not bad for 5 singers with no other instruments!
http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6738540/pentatonix-first-no-1-album-billboard-200-chart
The Glorious Sons…
Halloween is coming up. It just seems like extra work to dress up & go to a halloween party to me, more now than when I was in my early-mid 20s. It was fun then seem like extra work now.
New "Weezer" tune & video
http://www.nme.com/news/weezer/89287?utm_campaign=nme-daily-26th-oct-26-10-2015&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter
Chevelle fans, this is from their facebook page. A contest!
"CONGRATS TO RYAN FANNING!!!!
Ryan is the winner of the Autographed Guitar Hero Live Bundle. Ryan, you will be contacted by phone and email to arrange delivery of your prize pack.
Thanks to everybody for participating. . . . But the fun isn't over yet!!!
Be sure to upload your best rock performance/Guitar Hero Live videos to GETMORECHEVELLE.COM to vote on fan videos and win weekly prizes. Chevelle will be giving away another Autographed Guitar Hero Live Bundle to the most popular video as voted by you, the fans.‪#‎GuitarHeroLive‬"
"The Darkness" interviewed on Consequence of Sound/the Rock It Out Blog! I gave you 2 songs for reference & to "stir the pot" for my brother. First single from their first album & a single from their new/4th album.
This not the "Blown Wide Open" we know from '97! This Ian Fletcher Thornley's reworked version coming out on October 30th
This is the 1997 version we know well & have heard many times, yet it never get's old. Both are good, it will just take me time to get used to the new version "Blown Wide Open 2.0?"
Songs I like, "Supergrass" a Greatest Hits from 1994-2004.
I wonder what song is played during the credits for this HILARIOUS movie. If you like Monty Python or Kevin Smith movies, these guys are for you!
Leave a comment Posted in Cancer, Movies, Music, Pop Culture Tagged Arctic Monkeys, Chevelle, Hot Fuzz, Ian Fletcher Thornley, Jared Leto, MTV, Much Music, Pearl Jam, PENTATONIX, Supergrass, The Darkness, The Glorious Sons, Trivium, Weezer, Wrestling
The Toronto Blue Jays are done, but look at the Montreal Canadians 9W-0L! 2 of those wins, the first & the most recent came against the OH SO terrible Toronto Maple Leafs. Almost makes me want to watch the NHL again.
https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=Rc53VIzBC8yV8Qe3lYHIDg#q=nhl+standings
I have 3 favourite teams. In order they are Montreal, Edmonton & any team playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
No more baseball, the incredibly boring CFL season is almost done & I just can't get into NFL football, it might be a season of NHL this year or Netflix, DVDs, & Blu-rays on the weekends?
How often should artists release an album? Friday's Rock It Out Blog.
"Sticks & stones may break my bones. Words will never hurt me"! LIE! Broken bones will heal. People being mean verbally is an entirely different story!
http://www.littlethings.com/stop-bullying-experiment/?utm_source=ama&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=inspiring
David Bowie release in January.
http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/david-bowie-to-release-oddest-album-yet-blackstar-in-january/
Nirvana covered this on the "Unplugged" episode.
Ozzy Osbourne sings on Billy Morrison song
http://loudwire.com/ozzy-osbourne-guests-new-billy-morrison-song-gods/
"Linkin Park" on recording their first album "Hybrid Theory"
New "I Mother Earth" song on the way? They just release singles now, not full albums. This will be their 3rd single since they got back together in, 2012 or 2013, after breaking up after the release of "The Quicksilver Meat Dream" in 2003.
I looked it up. I Mother Earth was in Regina, or the entirety of Saskatchewan, in 1998 or 1999, with Finger Eleven opening promoting their first album.
20 years ago Ozzy Osbourne released "Ozzmosis"
http://loudwire.com/ozzy-osbourne-ozzmosis-album-anniversary/
London "Beastie Boys" musical
http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/london-theater-group-tells-beastie-boys-story-in-licensed-to-ill-musical/
We went out for brunch with friends & family this morning. A family dinner, with Fraser side of the family, to celebrate Kim, Rachel & Grandpa's birthday. After that Kim's party time is over. Good thing all of these events that go to 9:30 pm are making me tired! BAZINGA!
Songs I like, "Sum 41" the Screaming Bloody Murder album it's a surprisingly good hard rock album.
Leave a comment Posted in Music, Pop Culture, Sports, TV Tagged Beastie Boys, David Bowie, I Mother Earth, Linkin Park, Montreal Canadians, Netflix, Ozzy Osbourne, Sum 41
THE MEAT SWEATS
Today's workout was brought to you by "Paramore" all 4 albums on shuffle! These are 1 song from each album. These are the popular songs that you might have heard? Paramore isn't extremely popular, I didn't want to leave anyone in the dark.
I know I've had the meat sweats before but Thursday evening was terribly uncomfortable. Kim wanted to stay in & not really do anything for her birthday. So we watched TV & ordered from Boston Pizza. I had the bacon double cheese burger & started sweating profusely half way through the burger. I eat healthy usually but on special occasions or if we go out (which is rare) I make it count. I don't think a diet is logical. Eat healthy, binge on occasion, & just keep in mind what you eat without going overboard, & exercise for 15-90 minutes a day. At least that's what I do! Could be wrong but I'm not giving up any food long term. I'll eat a burger again, just not in the near future.
If the Blue Jays win tonight with David Price starting, Saturday evening/game 7 should be less stressful with Marcus Stroman pitching. David Price is likely among the top 3 pitchers in the game, but he hasn't had much success in the playoffs. Marcus Stroman may be young (24 or 25) but he is the best pitcher the Blue Jays have at the moment, that's why I think tonight will be more stressful than Saturday. If they lose tonight, at least it's been a fun ride for Blue Jay fans & the bandwagon jumpers!
"Head of the Herd" was the opener on tour with Finger Eleven. They were tight as far as a decent band goes, just not my thing. There's 3 albums on iTunes. Most recent was released in September.
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/birds-on-the-roof-deluxe/id1024184864
25 years ago Thursday "Pearl Jam" took to the stage for the first time.
http://diffuser.fm/25-years-ago-pearl-jam-take-the-stage-for-the-first-time-ever/?fblw
"Back to the Future II" on Jimmy Kimmel
Bjork is still around? Can she sell 2000 copies of this rarity? I believe this was as close as she got to the main stream?
http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/bjork-announces-limited-edition-vulnicura-live-album/
I was thinking a LOT about suicide when I was in the Wascana Rehabilitation Center. NOT ANYMORE!! I've realized how selfish it could be & how it would affect everyone else. At the time I was thinking I didn't have anything to offer to the world, & I was only thinking of myself. I'm here & I have no plans on leaving anytime soon. I was in a bad place mentally at the time, for myself & everybody else in my life. Now I'm on anti-depressants & anti-psychotics, to this day. 2 videos inside the link!
http://loudwire.com/blink-182-travis-barker-offered-friends-million-dollars-kill-him-plane-crash/
Sorry, this was the "Depeche Mode" song "Finger Eleven" covered on their 2nd album "The Greyest of Blue Skies"
I remember leaving work at the Staples Call Center to sing a few songs at The Exchange for my brother who was basically in a week long "Rock Band Camp" at Long & McQuade. He wanted me to sing 2 Finger Eleven songs. Family & friends come first for me if I can help do anything!
"Finger Eleven" is or was my brother's go to band, which rubbed off on me a bit. My band is "Foo Fighters" that rubbed off on him a bit. The first band we were both really into & still are is "I Mother Earth". We of course got into them on the '96 album "Scenery & Fish" at first, in the kitchen doing the dishes blasting the CD as our Mother would yell at us from the living room "TURN THAT CRAP DOWN!!!!" You win mom. Wait she's bopping her head to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" now is what I hear from Dad?
How do I know "Rush" isn't on tour at the moment? Geddy Lee was interviewed earlier this week in his season ticket seat during the playoffs for the Blue Jays!
We played with a band from Ontario a few times that were touring across Canada, each time they would play a show with our band "Chemical Horizon". I think we played 3 shows with them? When I was diagnosed with cancer they were either passing through town on tour or going home to Ontario. I know they had plans to tour across Europe. Don't know if they made it there? We all liked them, heck their 2 albums are on my iPod. They never got signed by a label & eventually broke up. Really nice guys, that made really good music! "Flatlined", if they didn't get signed I knew we wouldn't. I looked at it as just a hobby anyways, I had no intention of signing to a label. If it happened, GREAT! If it didn't, that was fine too.
This is the only song/video they have on good ol' www.youtube.com
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/deaf-leading-the-blind/id385897924
Too Funny. Hahahahaha! Every hit song in 4 chords. It's all over facebook. LANGUAGE!!!
New "Anthrax" song!!!
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-anthraxs-fast-thrashy-frantic-new-song-evil-twin-20151023 No album yet, just the single.
Opeth fans unite, box set on the way
http://www.omerch.eu/shop/musicfornations/proddetail.php?prod=MFN_Opeth_ddCD&cat=4183
Stone Sour drummer with drum camera. At first I felt compelled to rap the "Ninja Rap", then the beat changed!
There are two Big Wrecks. First incarnation of Big Wreck were 4 guys that dropped out of the Berkley School of Music to form Big Wreck. Ian Thornley was the only Canadian at the time. They released the first 2 albums between their debut in '97-their breakup in 2002 with their second album "The Pleasure & The Greed" released in 2001.
Then came the age of "Thornley" for a decade, a rather unstable line up that released 2 albums in 10 years. The first album was fun to play along with!
"Thornley" was an all Canadian group.
Then Big Wreck came back with different members. All Canadian other than the return of the original 2nd guitar player who's American. In 2012 they released the album "Albatross" then "Ghosts" in 2014
The only constant thing throughout all of this has been the singer/song writer/lead guitarist Ian Fletcher Thornley, who has a solo album being released on Friday, October 30th. More of an acoustic sound along with other soothing instruments.
Songs I like, "Sugar Ray" had to skip a few. I only have one album. They were big in the '90s. Honestly, I haven't listen to this since I was in University, in the fall semester of '98 & the year of '99.
Leave a comment Posted in Cancer, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, TV Tagged Anthrax, Back to the Future, Big Wreck, Bjork, Blink 182, Depeche Mode, Finger Eleven, Flatlined, Head of the Herd, I Mother Earth, Ian Fletcher Thornley, Jimmy Kimmel, Mitch Fraser, Nirvana, Opeth, Paramore, Pearl Jam, Stone Sour, Sugar Ry, Vanilla Ice
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL WIFE/FINGER ELEVEN
Definitely give this time to load 8,000,000,000,000+ links!
Today's workout was brought to you by "Queens of the Stone Age" on shuffle. Everything but the Greatest Hits album & 'Era Vulgaris'
Yes, I saw "Finger Eleven" at The Pump Roadhouse. More cash to see a band in a bar than anyone should ever pay RIDICULOUS! I've seen probably 4 or 5 live shows at The Pump. It's likely not the best live venue in town. Site lines to the stage aren't very good if you're seated at a table. Even if you're standing near the middle or back of the crowd it's not that great. I didn't really "see" Finger Eleven last night, I heard them. I sort of expected not to be able to see them, so that really wasn't a big deal. They did start their set with a bang and a bit of Pink Floyd near the end. The first time I saw Finger Eleven, they were opening for I Mother Earth on the "Blue Green Orange" tour in either late '99 or early 2000
I solidified my reason for not listening to any local radio station. Before the show Regina's rock station was playing a ton of post-grunge rock & all of it was terrible for me anyways. I did hear/see one video that was good though, before the show started on time @7 like the tickets said. Only an hour & a half late? ( 8:30 )
Little bit of this near the end!
We heard 2 great songs from their first album as well
I'd like to know if anybody at the show last night had a clue that Finger Eleven "Walking in my Shoes" from their 2nd album, is a Depeche Mode song?
Too bad my brother had to miss seeing his favourite band live due to work training. Sorry Mitch, you missed a good one.
There were 3 bands in total, each played a cover song. The first band played a snippet of a Led Zeppelin song that I can't remember. He 2nd band played "Come Together" as my dad said in the car after, "I wonder if anyone in the crowd knew that was a cover?"
I guess Canadian punk rockers "GOB" are back? I saw their video on screen while waiting for the show to start. Now they sound like that generic post-grunge music, completely different than their early 2000s & late '90s sound….
This video was on one of the TVs last night too. Took me back to 2000
Actual video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTggop1K7w8
I wasn't a fan of GOB, but it's sad to hear a band completely change their sound in order to survive in the music business today? It could also be that their new sound is what they want to do now?
Toronto Blue Jays won yesterday so it's back to Kansas City for game 6 of the ALCS
Unfortunately for the Chicago Cubs "Back to the Future" got it wrong. They lost last night in an elimination game against the New York Mets. The Cubs will not win the or even play in the World Series as predicted in Back to The Future. Nice run sorry it's over Cub fans.
Bruce Willis is all in for "Die Hard" prequel!
http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/bruce-willis-endorses-die-hard-prequel-it-s-a-real/390907?utm_campaign=nme-21-oct-21-10-2015&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter
2 things happened on this day in 2002. It was the first birthday for Kim that I was a part of, we started dating in April of 2002. Foo Fighters released their 4th album "One by One" on the same day. I bought copies immediately after class at SIAST. 1 for Kim & 1 for me, yes, I got her something else as well.
More "Star Wars" news. If Kevin Smith is involved in writing, directing &/or acting in a movie, I'm in. Is "Luke Skywalker" turning to the "Dark Side"?
http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/does-luke-skywalker-turn-evil-in-star-wars-the-force-awakens-this-clip-might-hold-the-answer?utm_campaign=nme-daily-22nd-oct-22-10-2015&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter
LANGUAGE!!!
I think Dave Mustaine, of Megadeth, is in a bad mood? LANGUAGE!!!!!!!
http://loudwire.com/dave-mustaine-fires-guitar-tech-calls-him-waste-of-skin/
25 essential Pearl Jam moments
http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/25-essential-pearl-jam-performances/
In the summer of 1998 I worked with a plumbing company out of Moose Jaw, installing duct work & AC in an Extendicare in Regina. Every morning we'd start at 6:00 before it was too hot in the attic. I'd pull up to work blasting Pearl Jam's album "Yield"
Stuff like this makes me wonder how those people got their job & how they can forget about it & live with themselves?
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/calgary-caregivers-who-assaulted-92-year-old-sentenced-to-60-days-1.2622213
I'm really enjoying the new "Pentatonix" album
http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/22/7-acts-add-pentatonix
Alter Bridge's 'Blackbird' has been voted to have the best guitar solo of all time? I like Alter Bridge, but this is laughable! It's not the first time I've heard this either! I heard another outfit had declared the same thing in 2010?
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/ug_news/alter_bridges_blackbird_is_the_winner_of_greatest_solo_of_all_time_ug_showdown.html
Nobody thought about this or any other famous solos?
Phillip Anselmo's other projects outside of 'Pantera' just seem wrong & not as appealing to me. LANGUAGE!!!!
http://loudwire.com/exclusive-philip-anselmo-superjoint-new-album/
Songs I like, "Stone Temple Pilots" they announced in January that they were "…95% done recording the new album.." with Chester Bennington of "Linkin Park" on vocals. They're touring, yet no release date for the album?
Leave a comment Posted in Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Sports Tagged Alter Bridge, Back to the Future, Bruce Willis, Finger Eleven, I Mother Earth, Kelly Clarkson, Kevin Smith, Kim Fraser, Lenny Kravitz, Megadeth, Pantera, Pearl Jam, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, Star Wars, Stone Temple Pilots, Toronto Blue Jays
HAPPY 30th ANNIVERSARY TO 'BACK TO THE FUTURE'
I need to watch these movies again. All 3 are beside me on DVD, maybe this weekend if the Blue Jays lose this afternoon, which I hope they don't or all of this hype has been for nothing. 1 lose in any of the next 3 games for them & the season is over for them & I.
Today's workout was brought to you by "Pentatonix" & some "Into Eternity"
The 2 best things about being "Auntie" Kim & "Uncle" Chris, is that we get to teach kids bad habits such as using your sock to clean up a tiny spill of liquid. "Uncle" Chris gets the left over, slobbered on, cold Kraft Dinner/Mac & Cheese!
Yeah, odd/weird what's with the water? That & the fact that I instantly thought of Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac are the 2 things I'll remember from that show.
http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/florence-and-the-machine-performed-in-a-pool-of-water-on-ellen-watch/
Dave Lombardo (Slayer drummer) does a solo exclusively for www.loudwire.com
http://loudwire.com/dave-lombardo-exclusive-drum-solo/
Barenaked Ladies talk about the new album "Silverball". My first concert in 1992!
http://www.etcanada.com/top+stories/barenaked+ladies+talk+silverball+tour/video.html?v=548055619750&p=1&s=da#top+stories
Fall Out Boy shared it…This album was a bit underwhelming after "Save Rock n' Roll" which is a really good pop album.
Finally, "Room 333" on www.youtube.com
I'm still not sold on "All That Remains"? I saw them live in Saskatoon opening for "In Flames" still not sure. I think it would be one of those things I'd buy & never listen to.
http://loudwire.com/all-that-remains-announce-tour-devour-the-day-audiotopsy-sons-of-texas/
Foo Fighters play a classic rock hit with a special guest drummer.
http://loudwire.com/foo-fighters-welcome-ratt-bobby-blotzer-love-ride-performance/
I liked her first album, so I hope this one measures up to fan expectations?
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/adele-talks-make-up-album-25-in-emotional-open-letter-20151021
"The Glorious Sons" shared it….
From "Walk off the Earth"
NEW WOTE VIDEO!!
Follow a young girl named Ellie though a world of paper mache non-acceptance. Please share with the world.
For more background on the concept of this video, please read this note from our co-conspirator and director Ben Rispin:
"So, we made a video that encourages Trans youth to be themselves. We made it with with my dear friends in Walk Off The Earth this past summer. Today this video is public to everyone ( It was a Mashable exclusive until this morning).I had a flurry of announcements yesterday and I didn't quite get to express just how proud I am of this project and everyone involved.
When one of my oldest buds Gianni Luminati Nicassio asked me to come up with treatment ideas for a song off their new record I was definitely flattered and over whelmed. WOTE's videos are so well thought out, choreographed and well-rehearsed that I didn't think I'd be able to produce / write / direct something worthy of what they do every day.
I got an advance copy of their album and started listening to the record over and over. A bunch of songs spoke to me but a song called "Alright" hit me like a ton of bricks. The message that the lyrics conveyed gave me goosebumps. I knew this song was really special.The song inspired an idea I pitched about possibly doing a kids show-themed video with bullies. The climax would see bullied kid literally exploding the bullies heads into confetti explosions in some sort of final number. Basically a lot of the visuals you'll see in the video today. Gianni liked it and told me write it up. I immediately called my brother Cole, told him the opportunity and got him on scripting the idea and flushing out the story. Cole knocked it out of the park, the band approved and we got to work.
A couple weeks later I was out for drinks with Gianni and he mentioned Ellie. A transitioning girl that was a dancer that he'd like for the lead role of the video. He spoke of how she inspired him so much that he'd like the theme of the video to support trans youth. I was blown away by the idea. I was blown away that the band wouldn't think twice about putting their names on the line for something they believe in. I know they've always been supportive of all communities, but they have a wide variety of fans from all walks of life ( basically the whole internet ) and would no doubt get trolled by haters. I didn't bring this up. The cool thing about working with the WOTE crew is the band are visionaries and they've either weighed the consequences or just don't care what they are. In this case, it was the ladder. This was important to the band and I couldn't have been more impressed.
We called Cole with 11th hour script changes, made the adjustments and found an amazing location at Hamilton Theatre Inc. We didn't have much budget for the crew at the theater, but they were more than accommodating. Paddy, Dustin, and everyone from the theater got on building sets, recruiting extras and fully committed to supporting this video in anyway they could. Awesome team, awesome people. With them, we were off to the races.
We enlisted the great The Butcher Shop to make our exploding heads and masks. Everything was coming together. When you're dealing with a project like this it's usually running around, freaking out and not really stopping and thinking about what's going on but somehow we made it to our first day of shooting.
When I met Ellie on that first day of shooting is where everything got put into perspective for me. Ellie is the brave little girl who stars in this project. Never have I met someone like Ellie. Her soft spoken words, smile and genuine soul could warm the coldest of hearts. She's quiet but clearly strong. The happy, approving nod she gives when she liked an idea filled everyone with confidence that we were making something special.
I haven't had much experience with the transgender community. I haven't. The first person I'd ever known to be publicly transgender was my friend Laura Jane Grace. Having read her story I saw how hard it was to grow up trans. How confusing that must have been for her. I can't possibly know what it's like, but the least we can all do is try to understand and support.
I guess what I'm getting at is I hope this project can help anyone be themselves at any age. I'd love to see a world where there aren't 30 something back woods dudes like me scratching their heads when their friends announce they're transgender. I'd love to see all communities embraced,accepted and treated equally And I'd really like to thank the WOTE crew for letting us be a part of this special, special video. Love you guys."
How on earth did "Rammstein" get mentioned in the same sentence as "Black Sabbath" & "Iron Maiden"? Different strokes for different folks.
http://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-iron-maiden-rammstein-headline-2016-download-festival/
Songs I like, "Stone Sour" 5 albums, the first 3 on CD.
Leave a comment Posted in Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Sports, TV Tagged Adele, All That Remains, Back to the Future, Barenaked Ladies, Black Sabbath, Ellen Degeneres, Fall Out Boy, Fleetwood Mac, Foo Fighters, Into Eternity, Iron Maiden, PENTATONIX, Rammstein, Slayer, Stone Sour, The Glorious Sons, Toronto Blue Jays, Walk off the Earth