tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73223193134717136852024-03-04T20:25:48.249-08:00Cito's NotesCito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-20630921579634700242020-11-08T13:07:00.004-08:002020-11-08T13:10:49.966-08:00Feelin' Hot Hot Hot!I was pondering this one for a while. I wanted to write it sooner, but life got in the way. I was floored when we lost one of my favorite musicians last year, Eddie Money. I see people are talking bad about him on his Facebook fan page right now. I have defended him (not that it makes a difference, but his widow responded to my comments I made.) Well I wanted to blog about this a while ago as I mentioned before. Now the big thing is I am still reeling from one of the other favorites of mine, I was on lunch break and I turned on my phone to see my favorite guitarist Eddie Van Halen had passed away. This really took to me... not the same way that Tom Petty or Michael Jackson upset me, but it was up there. They had just taken a picture of him before he passed and he looked good. I remember getting a picture of his guitar and Tony Hawk's skateboard at the museum in D.C; I loved taking that picture because it was a peice of rock and roll history. I write this not only as a warm up because I haven't blogged since February 2019, and have so much to tell you.
Since I have last talked to you guys, my vinyl collection has grown. I am getting as much as I can from second hand stores and antique shops. It is fun just seeing what people had, unfortunately the biggest problem is the ones I really wanted yesterday were $13.00-20.00 which is too expensive for me right now as the holidays are coming up, but I love going to the shops with my girlfriend and getting her input on what to get, though I am not a shopaholic like she is so I have to be careful. One of the ones I got yesterday was Marty Robbins greatest hits. I am not sure if I should tell my dad because I don't want to make him jealous, but I got the James Bond record, too. I will post more of what I have and obtain in the future, but that is the reason I go to these stores. I also found a place here that is a big antique mall with good prices. I had a yard sale one time and the booth next to us wanted a lot of money, but my biggest score was 5th Dimension, which ironically I found the CD at the thrift store near by.
I just did a video this morning, too on some hot sauces I bought. Why post this here? Because they bear the name of Elvis, Alice Cooper and Dex from the Offspring. I wanted Zakk Wylde and Joe Perry's hot sauce, but I could not find any. I'm sure if I did it would be expensive. The Elvis one was the medium hot (All Shook Up,) I wanted the hottest one of Burnin' Love, but it was sold out. The Alice Cooper one was called Poison, the hottest one. I wanted to get the No More Mr. Nice Guy, but I wanted the hottest one. Gringo Bandito (Dex's) was good, too. Well I hope to get more to talk about and time to talk about it soon. I'm just letting you all know I am still around and kicking. If you can think about a subject for me to do then let me know. Until then, keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-82082525784852268802018-12-11T22:25:00.001-08:002018-12-11T22:28:59.335-08:00All We Hear is Radio Gaga
So today (oh; by the way, I am done with school and am back) I saw Bohemian Rhapsody for a second time. That's right a SECOND time! Watching the videos and documentaries, they did such a good job with the actors looking like the musicians. It's quite eerie if you ask me but in a good way. I remember my intro to Queen was 1989, when I was about six years old. I heard "We Will Rock You" on a commercial, and then on the now defunct radio station Q105 WQHQ 104.7, before it went off the air and we started listening to Mix 107.3 (more on this at the end, Ah radio memories.) I recognized it and asked mom about it. It was on a flashback segment, as for Q105 would play more things like Paula Abdul, Vanilla Ice, M.C Hammer, Roxette and whatever was hip back then. But I heard the *boom boom clap* and it had gotten me into the song. I was young so I didn't follow the words until a few years later. Later on, when Wayne's World came out, I got a bit more into Queen, and Erik and I would always do the head bang with Bohemian Rhapsody... hell, we still do that! In fact, I think it was when Jock Jams came out in 1995 was when I started listening to what he was saying. In fact, I used to play the game Techmo Bowl around that time, and when I beat Erik I would sing "I am a champion, I AM A CHAMPION! Erik's a loser,and I am a champion" (well I would sing it until I got punched.) About 1997 Dad bought Erik and I the Queen greatest hits Vol 1 cd. I would listen to that all the time, and even mid high school work out to it. It was a favorite of mine, always bringing it to school. Also, one of my favorite Queen stories is when Erik and I would do Under Pressure at karaoke, him as David Bowie and me as Freddy. Good times had by all. Freddy, and Queen will remain legends until the end of time, one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
I have always been enthralled with the radio, music, and the like. I read plenty of music blogs, and always wanted to be a DJ. In fact a DJ named Hercules "the Strongest Man on Radio" said I had the enthusiasm you can't teach in the radio school. I remember the first CD I ever listened to was "Hard Day's Night." I always wanted Dad to play it, or have mom play Elton John's "Sleeping with the past" (Club at the End of the Street is still a favorite) since we didn't have to live the record life anymore. I would listen to Q105 for years, playing all the bands that would shape some of my music tastes. I was distraught when I woke up to hear the D.J's say "well, that's it. Goodbye" followed by static. Luckily Mix 107.3 came along soon enough, Jack Diamond, Bert, Lou Katz were all my favorites. Oldies 100.3 came along soon enough too. Man that was good, but we usually switched to 94.7 WLLT, as they had older music, good DJs like Davey Jones, but 100.3 had Johnny Dark, and if you heard Dad talk about Johnny Dark, you would understand why I did something years ago. 94.7 eventually got beat out by other stations and became a station I still miss today. 94.7 became WARW (We Always Rock Washington) where the new owners were cleaning the closets and word got out the old managers were real sticklers. Though true, I got to hear the likes of Cerphe, and Weasel (whom I did not like his voice, but man did he know his music.) I would listen to them, until around 2009, when "The Fresh" took over. Now with 100.3 taking over the more Classic Rock moniker dad would listen to his tapes (yes, tapes) more than the radio. In between this all, we had DC101. Elliot in the morning, Roche and Mike Jones helped me through my late teens - early 30's (and sometimes still do...) One of the funniest things is now DC101 has a DJ named Klinger, and he friended me on Facebook. I usually spend my time on the CD function or 100.3, Lisa Berigan, El Duave, Big Rig, The Cope, Bodhi, they all get me through the day. Now to the Johnny Dark story, before he passed away a few years ago, I decided to help my Dad. I searched the internet and found the station Johnny Dark was on. I e-mailed them to make sure I got the right guy, and asked for an autographed picture while my father was away. When he came back, the picture had not arrived so I played him his current show on WTTR. He was so excited to get the autograph and picture. I feel Johnny Dark might have enjoyed it, too. Of course most of this was from memory, so I hope I didn't forget anyone, offend anyone if this gets around, or anything. Just reminiscing. Ah yes, the days of radio. Well, everyone, keep hitting the High Notes!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-90287306341407953232017-10-02T21:53:00.000-07:002017-10-02T21:53:15.276-07:00People come, people go... some grow young, some grow cold... 2008, one of the best Superbowl halftime shows ever. Tom Petty opening with American Girl as he often did (given I have only seen him twice and a few videos of him.) Let's flash forward to five months later. Nisan Pavilion (now Jiffy Lube live.) We were on the lawn, Steve Winwood finished his set (unfortunately he only played his new album.) Steve left the stage and you can bet we were all excited. The first notes of you wreck me came on, and I got goosebumps. Throughout the night, we were excited as the set got better and better. He even played a song by Bo Diddley, in honer of his passing early that year. Bo is another favorite of mine. You can tell he adapted a lot of his sound from Bo, anyway I digress. Steve came back out and rocked "Gimmie Some Lovin' " and they even played "End of the Line." We saw him again with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Again, he started with American Girl.<div>
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Regressing in thought, I remember growing up with Petty's music. Erik saw him once around 2001 when I went to Disney after I graduated. I have not seen him beam from a concert until he saw Metallica later on. I remember when we recorded music off out CDs to tapes, he would always put Tom on his tapes. When WBIG 100.3 here in Rockville, MD started playing newer music, I would always say I would never get tired of them playing Tom Petty. It was true, in fact I got excited when they played "You Don't know How it Feels." In fact when I moved out at 23, I bought Erik a Tom Petty Rolling Stones magazine, and he mentioned he was going to tour less, because his knees were toast from jumping everywhere.</div>
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Recently (3 days ago,) I was listening to Spencer Davis Group, and the first song is "Gimmie Some Lovin' " and I thought how I would like to see another concert like Tom. At least when Glen Campbell passed, I could prepare myself, but not this one. This sprung up randomly when I looked at the news feed, I was floored. I mean I never knew him, but Tom was a huge influence on my charity. So all I have to say is say hi to Bo, Del Shannon, Roy and George! R.I.P Tom. This one personally hurts. </div>
Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-76523485851369575172017-09-28T14:12:00.001-07:002017-09-28T14:12:32.139-07:00Bigger Than Lennon Hi everyone! I just got my new computer, so expect more updates!<br />
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Last night on Netflix, I saw there was a George Harrison documentary, so of course I watched it. It was more of a "things that happened to George, while focusing on Paul" film, and it jumped around a lot. I only suggest it if you have a severe case of Beatles-itis. It's not for the casual fan. I like they mention Stuart Sutcliffe, but not much is said about Pete Best. Anyway, they had a lot of Yoko Ono in there (do not let that persuade you from watching it,) and she had a lot of good words to say. It's amazing what you can learn on a documentary. The footage they got back then... could you imagine if it had been now? They even got him gargling a concoction that he said Clapton used, and said "your throat will never bother you again."<br />
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My favorite Beatles member was Ringo, but I did like George. I remember when I was still a pup, I would watch all the documentaries I could on music, and one of my favorites was The Beatles first U.S tour. The jokes on that and hard days night, and everything in between and after were great. George was wearing a conductor's hat asking for tickets, and he took it off for the camera saying "it's me!" Also during the ride, he was laying on the luggage rack (due to his smaller stature.) Also, one of my favorite John jokes was asking if Ringo was the best drummer in the world, and he replied "Ringo isn't even the best drummer in the Beatles."<br />
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So I would recommend it, also I would recommend the new SOiL essentials CD. They are missing a few songs, but it is nice to have it all on one CD.<br />
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Peace, Love and keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-11308658020754716082014-11-08T12:57:00.001-08:002014-11-08T12:58:43.209-08:00The long and winding road... Sorry it's been a while. Crazy things going on... anyway, if I could have taken anyone along for the ride, it would have been you! (This excludes Erik, because he was there for most of it.) Anyway, there are some bands I have gotten into in the past year, some concerts I went to, albums I bought. Ready? Let's go!<br />
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So it's been a year since I wrote here, so I will try to sum it up as best as I can. I have gotten into some bands (Volbeat, Haim, Sixx A.M, etc.) that I never knew existed, or were new. I have also gotten more into bands I loved for a long time, like I saw SOiL twice (more on that in just a second.) I also went to Mayhem fest where I got to see Mushroomhead again, Ill Nino (from afar) Trivium, yet again... not complaining. Though I did not like the 2 headliners much the first time I have seen them (though one I saw again and liked) KoRn really impressed me, this time they brought it. Now the first time I saw Avenged Sevenfold, I was no where near impressed (though they had just followed Adema, who I was a big fan of at the time.) Well this time they didn't have to lead in for Ozzy and whoever was before him (I wanna say System of a Down, who I do not care for.) They were headliner, they had their own set. It was a huge castle with pyro, and LCD screens in the back and a giant "king" on a throne of skulls. It was an amazing show, and they dedicated a song to Rev, it started pouring rain, and of course we were on the lawn.<br />
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When I went to see SOiL the first time they seemed mad, and later we found out why. Well the first time was a chilli cook-off with no chilli, no beer, barely any food, and 2 stages that you had to shift back and forth to get to. Well apparently some of the bands were talked to about not getting paid. We found this out because at the second concert, we actually talked to the band! I got to meet them. I got a picture with Ryan McCombs, and an autographed set list. Later on they sold an autographed vinyl record on their website for $12, I had to snatch that up. It was just nice to actually talk with them and they seemed to be genuinely happy to talk to the fans, and I got to tell Ryan I talked to him on Facebook, he said "on purpose?"<br />
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As for new music, I bought both Slipknot, and Bob Seiger's new album. I was so excited about Seiger, but when I listened to it the excitement kind of dropped. His notes are still well done and his lyrics aren't what you would think coming from him. Though his voice has aged, still not as scary as John Fogerty when he sang with the Foo Fighters. The new Slipknot, however is full throttle smash faces in with baseball fun for all Slipknot fans. Corey really brings it, and doesn't quit until the end.<br />
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So it has been an interesting year. I will try to keep up with this now that things are less hectic and I can focus, so until then, keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-72325413658717161692013-06-26T22:18:00.001-07:002013-06-26T22:18:16.700-07:00Special Edition: Crazy on You As much as I love concerts, I have not been able to go to all that I wanted to. I got tickets to Heart and Jason Bonham's Zepplin experience, and was so excited. $15 to see an interesting concept AND a band I loved as a kid? Why not? Unfortunately, Erik got sick and decided it was best not to go, and as the planets aligned, as they sometimes do, and I got to take a date to the concert. Now she knows music, but is a Country fan. I thought this would be perfect, a way to show what I like.<br />
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So as the Led Zepplin experience took the stage, they were playing, and I thought "not only did we arrive JUST in time, but they sound pretty damn good!" I'm sure if I closed my eyes, it would have been what I would have imagined what Zepplin sounded like back in the day. Though they only played 30 minutes, I thought it was an amazing venture into rock history, hearing Jason's story, listening to the official backing drum track his dad laid down years ago, and getting to experience what it was like, I think the only thing that was more classic than this was seeing Black Sabbath with Bill Ward, ya know, before the screw job contract.<br />
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As the opening band left the stage, the mood was set, it was getting dark,and it was exciting. Then all of a sudden, Nancy comes on and plays the riff to Barracuda... I think that was a gutsy move. Usually bands save their most popular or best work for later. As the concert went on, going on the recordings and word I have heard from people, I have heard Heart sucks live. Well the recording studio must have messed with the sound, and people must be hard critics. Nothing was farther from the truth! From Nancy's solos and her lead on "These Dreams," to Ann's always fantastic vocals, this is a concert to see! I like that they played Alone, and a few songs I haven't heard before. Nancy even sang an Elton John song (I Need You to Turn to.) As Ann said, "I am going to turn the microphone over now." (and she did just that and turned the mic backwards... Very funny...) I hope they come back. I would LOVE Erik to see them, after his selfless action, and it was nice to see Heart gain a new fan. We had to leave early before the big group finally (plus Jiffy Lube Live is a pain to get out of anyway.) I heard the final songs as we left, but I don't know how I would have felt about it if I stayed... I am a music snob, and need my covers to be great (maybe that will be a next blog?) Anyway, I hope this isn't a lackluster post, it is late and I could not sleep... I figured I would get this out of the way. Thanks for listening, and oh yeah... OOH BARRACUDA!<br />
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Keep hitting the HIGH NOTES everyone!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-3390275230724091302013-06-10T10:06:00.003-07:002013-06-10T10:06:58.320-07:00Special Edition: What Time is it? So to start this, I have to go back to the beginning. That's a good place to start, OK, so when the album Pocket Full of Kryptonite came out, it was 1991. In 1991 I was 8, and my brother Erik and I went to private school. Now they didn't have bus service, so someone had to drive us. While my dad liked oldies on 94.7 WARW (I believe...hey, I'm not a professional blog yet, I don't have to have ALL my ducks in a row.) When mom drove us though, it was Q107.3 (they later went off the air, and became Mix 107.3. The ones who sponsor the Fairfax fair concerts.) Anyway, one of my favorite songs to come on was Two Princes (when it made it as a single.) Yes, at an early age, after I got out of the New Kids on the Block phase (hey, I was young. It happens... shut up!) I had gotten more into bands like The Beatles, U2, INXS, Genesis and the like. However the Spin Doctors always hit me as just a "cool" band. Almost the epitome of cool. The flow, the meanings (what I could understand of the meanings anyway) of their songs, were just awesome.<br />
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So to present day (I wanted to do that transition as boring as possible. Moving 22 years forward too fast might make a great law suit for you, but trust me... you won't get much.) I always look to see who is playing Fairfax Fair. I have seen the likes of Sugar Ray, The Smithereens, Rick Springfield, Collective Soul, Cheap Trick, and a few others. Now one year Blues Traveler came and I missed them, when I found out the Spin Doctors were coming, I was not going to miss this one. As soon as I heard they were going to be there at 4:30, it was obvious what they were going to open with (and it's my favorite song of theirs, so I am not complaining.) I was pumped, they sounded great, had a fantastic energy to them, and were totally on point (unlike Smash Mouth.) then they did Nice Talking to Me right after which was nice, considering I thought they were going to do something I didn't know. Now one thing I get upset with at concerts (Steve Winwood) is when they only play new stuff. Spin Doctors played a lot of new stuff, and it was great. The trick is to mix it in with the old stuff to keep interest, and Spin Doctors did just the perfect blend of that. The new songs are really unique, without sounding like they sold out. When they did an old song, it was like meeting an old friend again after a long time (either being away from the friend or you were too drunk to remember you saw them recently.) But yes, I suggest seeing them because of the energy, and the full on sound all together. Even with the very talented Eric Schenkman singing, I think that was one of the best performances I have seen, and the tickets were cheap, double positive!<br />
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This is where I would usually end the blog, but there's more! During the concert Chris said they were going to be at the tent and to come say hi. The thing is, you didn't even have to buy anything! Of course that came with the guilt trip of their kids having to eat cardboard... But I digress. I got in line right during the encore because I knew the line was going to be long, because I have met bands (Hootie and the Blowfish, Disturbed, Otep, Strapping Young Lad) before, and as they showed up and I looked back, yup... long line. As I headed up all I really had was a free hat I received from the government that said "Recycle" and had the Fairfax website on it. I asked if they would autograph it, and there was no problem at all. In fact, Chris wrote the band logo on it and said "there, now it's a spin doctors hat!" I asked for a pic, and Eric said "ask the man in the tie. His name is Bob." Yes, I'm a music nerd and knew for a fact that Chris Barron's name isn't Bob. I got the picture and left on cloud 9.<br />
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So for some of the meet and greets, I had to pay $20, Spin Doctors and Hootie and the Blowfish are the 2 I have done that were the nicest and most down to Earth groups I have met. As dad said, they treated their fans like they were human. Anyway, great energy, nice style, and just plain fun. When people were leaving because it was raining, I laughed. I threw my "Spin Doctors" hat in the closet on a top shelf so nothing ruins it, and posted the picture on Facebook (I want to print it out to frame it) and all is well. So until next idea or concert (I will try to post more...) I will see you next time, until then... Keep hitting the HIGH NOTES! <br />
(now where are those damn ducks?)<br />
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Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-36343862669104892582013-05-01T00:30:00.001-07:002013-05-01T00:30:46.867-07:00Greatest Hits Who doesn't love a greatest hits? (Other than bands who think it means "we're done.") All the best songs from that band/artist all on one CD, or 2 or 3...or volumes (lookin' at you Eagles...) Anyway, have you ever thought a band or artist shouldn't have a greatest hits, or they have 60 of them? It becomes preposterous, yet for some reason you can't help but buy it.<br />
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I had many conversations with people, and they would tell me "I hate it when a band puts a new song on the greatest hits album. It's kind of arrogant and overzealous, thinking it's going to be a hit..." Well look at Boston, they went through the 70's and 80's, and fell apart, and when Brad went to other bands, and Fran Cosmo took over in the 90's when Tom decided to do his own thing. When Brad came back to the band, they had 2 singers. Well, they weren't done and wanted to show they were recording more music, so instead of the fans losing interest in what would be a record in 6 years, they added Tell Me (a song that would have been a good fit to close Walk On) and Higher Power, a soulful new outlook on what was to come out of Brad's and Fran's and Tom's think tank of music and show they weren't down for the count. Some bands refuse to put out a greatest hits, they feel it's a death sentence.<br />
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Now when a band makes a ton of greatest hits, and super hits, and whatever, and suckers (me) will buy it. "Chicago and Beach Boys have a new greatest hits? Who would buy that? Oh...it's only $5? OK." I mean I have 2 copies of Boston's greatest hits because for one I thought I lost it, and it had the songs from Corporate America, But it's better to buy the collection for some bands. I could not imagine a Metallica or Beatles greatest hits ("1" does not count.) Look at Led Zepplin, they have a 4 disk greatest hits (not talking box set.) Kiss has a box set, but they also have double platinum and a few greatest hits, but it just doesn't feel right. The Eagles can get away with it because they had a career, broke up and got back together, and they had time to mature. If you listen to the two volumes, you can see it. One band I could see doing this is Pink Floyd. Their songs are long and intricate that they could do so, but they didn't. Now one greatest hits I saw that irked me was Notorious B.I.G. I think the fans would be better off getting the entire series of albums.<br />
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So think of greatest hits as you will, sometimes it cheapens a band, or just isn't right, but sometimes there are some good ones. Now compilations are another thing, so maybe we can get into those next time, until then, keep hitting the HIGH NOTES. Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-18208031690055321032012-08-06T15:41:00.002-07:002012-08-06T15:44:13.867-07:00These words he speaks are true. We're all humanary stew... if we don't pledge allegiance to The Black Widow! So it's been a while, I haven't had much to say, and I have been super busy. I hope to start this up again regularly and bore ALL of you again! So I went to see Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden (yes...Maiden again.) I believe I have mentioned before about how I had the chance to see Cooper and missed out. Anyway if I didn't, short version is I went to get free tickets and couldn't get the tickets to get to the show. When he opened he was singing Black Widow...which caught me off guard for I was expecting "Hello, Hooray." Anyway he played a lot of his good songs. He played "No more Mr. Nice Guy," and of course "Feed My Frankenstein" and "School's Out." It was nice that he did the decapitation/I love the dead bit, and during School's Out he incorporated "Another Brick in the Wall" and yelled "EXPLOSION!" before the confetti cannon went off. All the guys did great, good to see Ryan Roxie back, and Orianthi is a fantastic guitarist. I have seen Maiden 3 times and do believe I blogged about them at an earlier time.<br />
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Unfortunately with the loss of time I did not do this blog when it was fresh and lost a little, but what I did do, was got Alice Cooper's new CD. I like that he has the surviving original members when Alice Cooper was a band, not an artist. People like Kip Winger, Ke$ha, and Rob Zombie/John 5 make an appearance too. I like this album and like they didn't make a sequel to Along Came a Spider...because they could not really go anywhere with the concept album...though I am made of you would have worked for that too.<br />
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On other topics, everyone was talking about a new Aaliyah song. I looked it up because her final album was produced a while after her death, and I thought they said she finished most of the vocals before making Queen of the Damned and had more mixing to oversee (though I don't doubt the production style of Timbaland.) I thought the producer's used all her unused music to finish the album... which unfortunately the break between QotD and her going to film her music video was when the accident happened. I'm sure the movie would have been better and she would have had more albums out and R&B/Hip Hop wouldn't have partially died with her.<br />
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Well, until next time guys...keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-24085759645324606522012-04-26T01:03:00.001-07:002012-04-26T01:03:49.535-07:00We hear the playback and it seems so long ago. I was thinking tonight, I thought "could you imagine if Facebook was created in the 50's?" There is a song by a group called Friend and Lover, it's called Reach Out of the Darkness (yes, the song says reach out in the darkness...but the title is R...actually, I think I covered this before.) Anyway the lyric is "I knew a man that I did not care for, and then one day this man gave me a call. We sat and talked about things on our mind, and now this man, he is a friend of mine." Could you imagine changing the lyric to this man sent me a friend request? Kinda creepy if ya think about it. If that were to happen, what sort of creepy things would we be singing about today?<br />
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I'm kind of in a 90's mood tonight, but I regress the decades every once in a while, and one of the things that is weird is I was listening to Ugly Kid Joe, and how that song seems...forgotten. I like the big forget you song...yes, even C-lo! One thing I haven't messed around with on here is rap. I am not the biggest rap fan, but I like the rap songs that are actually rap songs, not this mumbly random beat stuff, I like Naughty by Nature's Pin the Tail on the Donkey for instance. Anything by Run DMC is good too, but I tell you what absolutely amazes me still...the crossovers, Run DMC and Aerosmith's walk this way for one, they both knocked down the door of the rock rap border. Next people like Anthrax and Public Enemy go together and make Bring the Noise. it's just nice to hear both styles in tune with each other. Don't get me wrong, I like Anthrax by themselves, but when they collaborated with Gene and Paul for Love Her all I Can, it was cheesy. I just think this lead to bands like the early 311, and the like.<br />
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Now a collaboration I am not to keen on is Lionel Ritchie doing all his old songs with country stars. I don't mind country, but I like Lionel better. I was happy to see he did a new CD, just to find it's stuff I can get off my CD...if I can find it. I lose CDs all the time. Now a lot of people ask me "why does someone your age like and listen to these old songs?" Well it's simple, I grew up with them. Mom always played the 80's/90's mix, Dad was stuck in the 50's, 60's and sometimes 70's, and well my stepfather is...crazy, so I was always around that. I had to discover new music by myself...which wasn't easy because in 6th grade my radio occasionally got DC101, which is/was the grunge/punk 90's stuff and they still keep pretty true to it. So I just find it funny when someone is confused with my music tastes...<br />
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Oh well, If anyone has a subject they want me to cover, feel free to email me or comment, or check me out on Twitter or Facebook (not Myspace though...that's lame.) Till then keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-25053266260602120942012-04-13T00:49:00.000-07:002012-04-13T00:49:48.622-07:00LACK sabbathSo it seems my excitement was misconstrued, as the four members of the original Black Sabbath will not be doing the CD and tour. Bill Ward has pulled out because he was not given a "signable" contract that made him look respectable as an original member. They do not give any more detail on specifics, but it sounds like they were given separate contracts, and if this is true then that was a bad idea. I don't understand who would think that was a good idea, this is what breaks bands up in the first place. I believe KISS had the best contract idea of splitting everything straight down the middle, Equal divide, yet I understand why the contracts happen, if Bill or Geezer writes a lyric, and/or the music and no one else pitches in, then all the other members get paid just as much, it's unfair. Though it's hard to live with a band that you have been dealing with for years, and have someone you fired in the 70's rejoining it can get flustering. I guess as a Sabbath fan I was just excited, and this got to me. I just wonder who they are going to get to replace him on drums. I would hope it's not someone who doesn't fit the bill, or can't do the job, or a studio drummer...I don't know what would be worse. Now what I would like is having Ward to sign the contract, but I guess the fans can't have everything. When I saw Sabbath, it was an amazing experience, I was thinking (as I stated in a previous blog) I was seeing a band that many had not received the chance to see, or lied to their parents to see...or even (eww) people were conceived at their concert (people that were may have even been at that same concert I was.) Oh well, we will see, and only time will tell.<br />
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Anyway I have been cursing new music, a lot of boy bands (speaking of which, the boy band One Direction is being sued by another band with the same name) and stuff that doesn't reach my interest (Lionel Richie singing his classic songs with country singers, or Nicki Manaj, Train or Keane.) I finally broke down and bought (along with some classic music) Pighammer by Wayne Static. It's a solid album and I like it so far, wouldn't expect anything less from Wayne. Hard core fast guitars, booming bass and vocals, and drum sounds, it's like sadistic, evil disco. It's a concept album about a guy who kidnaps women and attaches pig noses to them. As Wayne said in an interview,<br />
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"The 'Pighammer' concept conjures up bizarre images," Static explains. "It's about a mad plastic surgeon, with a pig fetish, that likes to convert hot chicks into pigs. It is the total opposite of what a plastic surgeon would do. He has this crazy hammer device made from a pig foot. The images of the surgery in the CD package are only a dark comedic visualization of the real theme of the album, which is my transformation."<br />
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If you like Static-X, or that style of music, I suggest checking it out. It's quite interesting. Until next time, keep hitting the <b><u><i>HIGH NOTES. </i></u></b><br />
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<span></span>Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-16837612583979365382012-04-07T01:44:00.000-07:002012-04-07T01:44:19.177-07:00Hard for me to say I'm sorry... I notice a lot of people saying things about certain bands losing their touch. One of the most notable being one of my favorite bands, Chicago. I see people saying they lost their unique sound when the 80's hit. I would like to say I disagree. I do agree they lost a lot when Terry Kath died, I mean come on. His style was the 70's in a nut shell. Him and Peter Cetera together were amazing. Yet, the 80's slowed Chicago down and made themselves a ballad band (though Along comes a Woman was a great upbeat song...) but we forget one of Kath's best songs was Colour my world...hell even KISS did "Beth," and that's one of their best known songs. It's interesting the way the full transition went, but honestly...who even thought two of the guitarists from the Yardbirds would do "Forever man" and "Kashmir?"<br />
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It's like in the late 80's when Boston started to fall apart. When third stage came out (the album with Amanda, Cool the Engines, and a lot of Tom's solos) and the band was really starting to crumble, he forged on and they didn't lose touch, they filled the gaps and when they lost Brad to other projects, they forged on with Fran until Brad came back. Now what worries me is the new album coming out, the last of Brad's vocals. They only finished 80% of the album when he took his life. Even INXS finished Elegantly Wasted before Michael killed himself, yet I think here what it will sound like. We all know Tom Scholz isn't known for piecing together albums in a timely manner, yet some of these comments about these bands being "sellouts" worry me. It's like when people said Metallica sold out. I still feel they were hard driving riffs with "we won't take it" lyrics (given low man's lyric kind of destroys that last sentence,) Cyanide is a good reference to my point. I think that song gets to the core of the meaning of this blog, and drives into your soul and lays a nest.<br />
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So in conclusion, I can't wait for the next Metallica album, Black Sabbath album and still listen to stuff like Paramore and Wayne Static. Until then, stay diverse in taste and keep hitting the HIGH NOTES.Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-31422559247343686332012-03-31T23:40:00.000-07:002012-03-31T23:40:48.601-07:00Until your love comes back around... I'm back blogging world. I apologize for my absence, crazy weeks in the music world. The loss of Whitney Houston, and Davey Jones, I could not bring myself to blog because that was all the other bloggers could write about, I didn't want to sync in with the others but I also didn't want to not write about it and be disrespectful. Now a loss we suffered today was Armand Crump, Kerry King's guitar tech. I haven't heard a cause, but still sad. A well respected man in the music industry, so I hope it was nothing foolish.<br />
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Anyway, I was listening to "All I Need" by Jack Wagner (who sang that at the Christmas show to be sort of like "remember me?") and I remembered mom being impressed of me knowing all the words to Summer of '69, since I was around 4 when it came out. So I searched youtube's recommended songs and they had "How Can I Fall" by Breathe. I remembered singing to that as "you just won't give me raisins" instead of reasons...not a mondegreen...I was just joking about that one. Oh the good times in music.<br />
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There are some great tours coming this summer, I hope to catch at least one to blog to you guys about. My main one is Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden, I have seen Maiden a few times but have been trying to see Cooper for years, even after I won free tickets. The next one is KISS and Motley Crue, that would be nice if KISS doesn't open and wear me out like they did the KISS/Aerosmith tour. Last but certainly not least is the Aerosmith and Cheap Trick tour, that would be nice to see. I loved seeing Cheap Trick live, I wanted to see The Scorpions too, but I don't see that happening any time soon.<br />
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Well I hope to write about those shows sometime soon, until then, keep hitting the HIGH NOTES.Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-26367641034181132762012-01-27T00:50:00.000-08:002012-01-27T00:50:20.090-08:00So very very far away, maybe it's only yesterday... In 1969, there was a song by a group called Zager and Evans called 2525, and let me start off saying they were 2 members of a band called The Eccentrics. The band broke up and Denny Zager and Rick Evans went out to form a pop duo (very common for that era,) and though they made a lot of songs, this was their only hit. Now the duo was expected to get the same success as the Beatles...but they only made that hit. It's a song about the world lasting until that time, as a kid I would listen to it and get creeped out. Now I just listened to it and thought "what?" The song starts off as in the year 2525, if man is still alive, then 3535, then after 5555, and so on they say in the year 7510 and 8510...well that's random, oh wait, rhyme scheme. Now after the duo broke up, Rick Evans went on to be a solo singer and writer, and Denny became a guitar teacher and sells his own style of guitar on his website.<br />
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Now there was a duo in the 80's named Buckner & Garcia who tried their damnedest to make it as a real pop duo, including co-writing the theme for a show called WKRP in Cincinnati. Now unfortunately for them when they put out their most popular song "Pac Man Fever" in 1982, they were pretty much expected to follow up (which they did, with songs called "The Defender" and "Do the Donkey Kong" after their song about E.T was shelved) that pretty much solidified them as a video game band, and despite their best efforts, they compiled a CD named Pac Man Fever, solidifying their destiny. Though the duo continued writing songs and made a new song for a website (that you can find on giantbomb.com, or Rock Band Network, or my suggestion, youtube.) Though they were seemingly on a comeback, Gary Garcia died of undisclosed circumstances in Nov, 2011.<br />
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Like the late Jani Lane of Warrant, most of his interviews cursed the song Cherry Pie, which was just put on as a fan favorite to sell albums, he became the cherry pie guy, he said he was doing things like cherry pie eating contests, and ended up dying alone in a hotel room due to alcohol poisoning. The music industry is rough, even if the sights are stacked in your favor, there is no guarantee you will end up the next Metallica. Until next time, keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-53992597844696991122012-01-19T19:41:00.000-08:002012-01-19T19:41:54.080-08:00Gene vs. Ace Well I just finished Ace Frehley's book, and a few years ago I read Gene Simmons' book. It's funny how the hottest band in the world had such a love/hate relationship with each other. I mean it was apparent that Gene and Paul were friends and Ace stuck by Peter, but the way the two books differ, it seems like some things could have gone much worse. As you can see alone from the personality you can tell that Gene is a (self proclaimed might I add...) hard ass whose soul intention is to make money...and damn good at it, and Ace was in it for the music, a rocker's soul that just didn't want to quit (though his body would from time to time.) Though Ace's solo was the #1 seller of all the CD's, it was clear who the bigger rock personality was.<br />
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There are a few stories in the two books that overlap each other, and some explanations that Gene didn't go into (whether he was trying to make Ace look bad, or just didn't know...because he wasn't there,) Gene talked about only one of the two times he saved Ace. Ace mentioned some of his (interesting) ways he recorded his solo album, went into his drug problem multiple times, and how he overcame it, and a lot went overlooked (Gene said he suggested Casablanca to Neil Bogart, and Ace just said for some reason it was changed from Emerald City records.) Though Gene was more elaborate in some things (because he had a better relationship with a lot of people, though usually business.) Ace mostly wrote about the music, like what the song was about or how it inspired him, which is a main reason I picked up the book in the first place. I do think it was funny he called Gene a whore, not something I expected to be used as a description of him. Both are good reads but I can't put my finger on which I liked better.<br />
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Now in my personal opinion, Ace's solo CD with KISS was the best one of the group. I liked his, then Peter's then next Gene, and last Paul (sorry Paul.) But each CD showed their personal traits as artists, and their personality. For instance, Ace was the best and that is because I like rock, and it was a pure uncut rock album, and had his version of New York Groove written by Russ Ballard. Peter's CD was a clear jazz album with his own version of tossin' and turnin'. Gene, though was more of a soundtrack to his life's movie, using stars like Cher, Bob Seiger, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, Joe Perry (Aerosmith) and "Skunk" Baxter (Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers) just to name a few. Don't get me wrong, it's amazing, but you can tell Gene did the star studded cast for...almost an ego trip. Though that may sound like I am attacking him, which I am not...one thing that made me happy was Gene did not play any bass on his album. Paul's on the other hand was kind of ballad like, but figuring he does a lot of opera stuff these days, it fits better than when I first heard it...though his is the one I listen to least. I liked all the CD's but Ace's takes the cake.<br />
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Now when Tommy Thayer took over for Ace and Eric Singer took over for Peter, it seemed like it was a "conspiracy," but I see a bit of what Gene said, Ace, always the poor victim. Now given that Gene had asked Ace back for the KISS/Aerosmith tour he declined because he was ready to do his CD "Anomaly" and tour on his own, and from what I heard he said how can someone say it's over and go out again as they are planning something else? Also (I take this with a grain of salt) he was saying how can we open for someone who would opened for us long ago? Anyway, I had the pleasure of seeing both line ups and have to say, I see what Ace is saying...KISS made Peter and Ace's absence almost a secret. I did not know until the day of the concert that Tommy Thayer was taking over, and did not know until next year that it was Eric Singer. People knock Peter's ability, but Eric did not have the same solo ability and charisma Peter had. Though I was not able to rock out as hard to Aerosmith like I did during the "Just Push Play" tour. Now when I saw the originals at the farewell tour (which they wanted to call Jews in Space...even though Peter is Catholic and Ace is Lutheran,) it was an amazing night, Ted Nugent and Skid Row were there (Johnny Solinger looks and sounds so much like Sebastian Bach...but that's another blog all together...I will incorporate bits of this blog in it.) But when KISS hit the stage, I stupidly asked "we won't be able to sit during the show, will we?" Anyway, when they opened with Detroit Rock City, and the curtain went down, I knew the electricity would continue, and they played songs like Lick it Up when Ace and Peter weren't in the band, and songs like Flaming Youth, an apparently less played song from the tours after Destroyer. My favorite thing that night (besides Peter's drum solo) was when Paul went flying to the center stage for Love Gun. Also when Ace hit the light fixture and broke it with a rocket. But anyway, I got a free Yahoo! card with KISS on the front at that concert that I kept in my wallet until it pretty much ripped, and I drew pictures and made art in class usually of KISS, I was hooked more than I was when I only listened to the tapes of the greatest hits, and Psycho Circus.<br />
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I hope for Paul and Peter to make a book too, though I highly doubt it. As Ace was saying though he was writing a book and had some things to say to Gene (he was mad when he said that at his concert on the youtube clip.) It's amazing how 2 Christmas gifts can be made amazing by one man, when Erik gave me tickets for him and I to see Ace at a small club in Springfield, VA called JAXX, and how 2 summers can be made awesome by seeing Gene with the boys in concert, but that's how life is sometimes, just saying. Until next time, keep hitting the HIGH NOTES.Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-39050402435004262612012-01-13T12:37:00.000-08:002012-01-13T12:37:41.611-08:00I'm only human, of flesh and blood I'm made... Well, I'm back (sorry, I had a few things to deal with.) So I am going to start 2012 on a high note and try to make Thursdays the blog day again, though I am writing this one on a Friday just to get back in the swing of things.<br />
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So I was reading something today, and I try to stay on top of music history for everyone that reads this...just to spread my knowledge, and I am a tad bit embarrassed about this, but I was under the impression that Fats Domino was dead. I knew he was rumored when Hurricane Katrina came, and he refused to evacuate...but that was debunked. He actually stayed with of all people JaMarcus Russell, the free agent football player who played in Louisiana, then later the Raiders (also his granddaughter's boyfriend.) Later I heard that he was to do a concert but fell ill and died. Now that is where I got that idea...but apparently he is still alive and well. Anyway, one time I was on youtube listening to the BoxTops, and it was the exact day that Alex Chilton passed away, and I did the same for Crispian St. Peters when he died, eerie huh? But as you can see, even as a blogger I make mistakes, but hope not to be misleading.<br />
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Anyway, has anyone heard the new song Tattoo by Van Halen? David's voice is shot, and it's missing a bit backup wise without Michael Anthony, but it's got the classic writing and most of the classic sounds of a Van Halen track, the more I listen the more I like it. I mean the video looks like a classic Van Halen video with a few new tricks, Though I don't think Wolfgang Van Halen fits the bill (though I like his "Jump" era bass guitar and I want one.)...and Alex looks old as anything now, but he is STILL one of my favorite drummers. I am looking forward to the new album.<br />
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Another new album I am looking forward to is the classic lineup Black Sabbath album, I was so excited over that news. Even though they say Tony Iommi has Lymphoma, he says he won't let that stop him from making the album, as for a tour though, no one knows. In fact there are a few albums that have come out in the past year and a half that I didn't expect. Phil Collins and Elton John (who said they wouldn't do another album,) Devo, the Cars, Ratt, even Metallica are said to be working on a new album. Yet in all this excitement I haven't even gotten Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton's new album (though I will chalk that up to the fact I am not one for live music...but that is another blog all together.)<br />
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So that said, I hope to be back soon, and hope in May I have that new tattoo...tattoo, tattoo...ok, I'll shut up now. Keep hitting the high notes!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-9449269409523202932011-09-30T21:52:00.000-07:002011-09-30T21:52:48.522-07:00Terrible Lie... What songs do you listen to when you are down? Are you a misery loves company type and listen to the downer songs? You know, the type that are considered sappy when listening to them in a good mood? Are you the type to resort to the songs that make you want to throw chairs, like Stabbing Westward, Disturbed, or well anything thrash. How about Pure Hatred by Chimera, or Payback by Slayer, the songs that make you want to rip someones eyes out and squish them like grapes...or are you a Beethoven person? It's amazing what music can do when we need it.<br />
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One of my go to Cd's when I am mad or down is Nine Inch Nails "Pretty hate machine." I love that CD to death, it's almost a therapy session for me, and was only $13. The first 3 tracks alone get me screaming along, then moping, then screaming, oh God it's great. Another go to band is Disturbed, their first album, and Ten Thousand Fists are good anger chasers, even what they did with Land of Confusion (I wouldn't listen to the Genesis version when mad.) A few overused and non useful things are St. Anger and Smashing Pumpkins. I can not get into them as an anger extravaganza (so to speak...though Master of Puppets is good.) I am not a classical music mood fan, I listen to it when I am anxious, but not mad...I think it might make me hate it...but a good song for bad moods is "You Can Do Anything You Want To" by Thin Lizzy.<br />
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So whatever side of the spectrum, songs are like apps...there's one for that, but hopefully my followers aren't getting too mad, but if you are, you know where to turn. Till next time, keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-30260684074505809852011-09-28T21:08:00.000-07:002011-09-28T21:08:54.679-07:00they call me the seeker... What band is your favorite (or least favorite) bad named band. I mean some bands have weird names you have to figure out, like Toad the Wet Sprocket was a skit by Monty Python, Hootie and the Blowfish is 2 friends of Darius Rucker that got nicknamed because of how they looked. Now if you're thinking "Cito, why do you not mention Captain and Teneille?" Well that's a ridiculous GIMMICK (that's another blog where we will find the flaming lips, and the Beegees...) now as much as I like them, The Guess Who are on my list. That was purely intentional...Randy knew what he was doing (I assume he made the name.) Now some bands names are so bad they are good, like Deep Blue Something, they were thinking of the name and said "deep blue...something." Pretty simple, right? Or Puddle of Mudd...their practice space got flooded, but The The, there's a stupid name (good music though...) trying to out do The Band (named because they were a backup band to many artists before taking to their own...so FAIL, The The.) While we are on names, isn't it cool how some bands get their name? Like Genesis for example, their first gig was at a house that someone Peter Gabriel knew from bible school owned, therefore "Genesis" was born. <br />
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Well that's all for tonight, tomorrow I might do another special blog...maybe something on Thin Lizzy? Keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!!!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-8990728601577626462011-08-27T10:32:00.000-07:002011-08-27T10:32:55.685-07:00SPECIAL EDITION! Keep the Adrenaline PUMPING!<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">"We saw you at Jaxx last night after working at 6 am, and no sleep then getting up at 5 am to get to work at 6 am again, with major hearing loss...I want to say every minute was worth it. This band is going places! Adrenaline Mob was the first concert I went into blind and enjoyed everything, every smack in the face, every push from people trying to record video. I want to personally thank you fo<span class="text_exposed_hide"></span><span class="text_exposed_show">r coming to a small club and rocking it. This is the 4th time seeing you perform (once in Bristow, VA with YES, then Toronto, and then again at Bristow with Iron Maiden.) If anyone asks, I would definitely recommend this band, if you like metal, rock or even hard jazz, you guys cover the entire spectrum without crossing lines and coming off as "selling out" to a certain genre, and that is hard to find. I would love to see you guys again with one of the bands I have known Dream Theater to tour with. Again, thank you Adrenaline Mob for a great night of music, I really needed it</span><span class="text_exposed_hide">" - My letter to Mike Portnoy on Thurs. August 18th after seeing Adrenaline Mob.</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_hide"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_hide"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The other week I was looking through my room and saw an old ticket stub, and thought nothing of it...just looked normal to me. But the next day I was on </span>Facebook<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and saw that last year's post and saw that the old post was lyrics, and I picked up the ticket stub and saw "August 10th, 2010 Tom Petty and </span>CSN<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">." I thought "wow...it's been a year since I saw a show." Not a good thing for someone who likes to blog music. Anyway I get on the computer 2 days later and see a post on a band called Adrenaline Mob (Mike </span>Portnoy<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> of Dream Theater's new band.) I told my brother and my friend Jake (Shameless plug: His blog, a day in the life. Check it out on my subscriptions.) We decided we have to go, I bought Erik's ticket, and mine...Jake bought his, and Jake and I had lunch and hit the road, meeting Erik up art the club. Typical </span>JAXX<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> style the ticket said doors at 6:30, when we got there the bands started coming on...at 8:30. </span></span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway, 1 band came on called Widow. I kinda liked them, and another band the girl had trouble keeping pitch and slammed the door in our face as we entered the bar area. Anyway, the supporting bands were OK, but as we got to A.M, the place was rockin'. Their songs were great considering I haven't heard any of them in completion before that night. Though I got slapped in the face by some dude's hair all night, it was a great show and I highly recommend it if you like metal, hard rock or even hard jazz. It fits a spectrum I have never heard before! So the year drought is over, I hope I can see more shows, and more shows like this at that!</span></span></b></span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_hide"> <span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Sorry for being away so long, had an over extended business and I am going on vacation! I hope to come back from Canada with more music stories, and tales of interest. Until then keep hitting the HIGH NOTES!</span></span></b></span></span></span></h6>Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-34783363696674683282011-08-09T22:32:00.000-07:002011-08-09T22:42:14.877-07:00Chug-a-Lug You Strawberry Man! Who ever thought Puff Daddy would make any sense? "When you hear a song, make sure you hear it right, don't make an ass out of yourself by assuming..." Here is a blog I have been meaning to write since I started this blog a year ago...so if you don't remember what a "mondegreen" is...or if you are too lazy to look at my first blog, wikipedia describes it as mishearing a lyric in almost perfect homophony. Now we've all heard people say they thought kiss the sky was Hendrix singing " 'scuse me while I kiss this guy."(which is actually how Jimi got out of the army...but that;s neither here nor there right now.) The term Mondegreen came from an old song where the singer said "I shot him and laid him on the green." I guess people freaked when they thought they said "and Lady Mondegreen" (what did she ever do?) Even Ellen DeGeneres got it wrong thinking the Eagles were singing "Wipe in the Vaseline." There are some good ones out there, let's make fun of the people who hear it wrong! (Myself included.)<br />
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You know the term Gringo is based off a mondegreen? It's true, myth has it that the Americans were singing this old drinking song called "Green Grow the Lilacs," and the Mexicans overheard, and well...history was made. Now I have been known to have this happen before, when I was little (these examples ranging from when I was 10-14,) I heard the song "Across the River" by Bruce Hornsby, and I would sing "Some fine day, we will find our way...Fossarilla, Fossarilla." What the hell was a Fossarilla? Oh...across the river...don't look at me, I'm dumb. Also Alanis Morrisette saying the cross eyed bear that you gave to me? Oh...cross I bear. I thought Dave Coulier gave her a cross eyed stuffed bear, how would I know? I always knew it was bad moon on the rise, but Erik and I would love saying "there's the bathroom on the right." My friend had a Christian song called "I Exalt Thee" and said when she was little she thought it said "I salt thee." I mean who blames the Beatles wondering if they will be needed when they are 6 feet 4...oh...it's 64?<br />
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I once heard someone sing "Chug-a-lug you strawberry man" in public to Jungle Love by Steve Miller, and when I bought a book (an excellent read if you like funny comics) called "'scuse me while I kiss this guy" oddly enough that and the next example were in that book. Erik was dating a girl once and I was friends with her little sister, and I was telling her that people thought the song "Our Lips are Sealed" by the Go-Go's (then more popular by her as the song covered by the Duff sisters...) was Alex the Seal. Now the funniest part is the girl he was dating actually thought it was Alex the seal. Well I won't give away any more of the book...in case you want to read it.<br />
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Now some bands will sing their misheard lyric (the previously noted Hendrix, Manfred Mann, and ELO) live when they heard about it. Imagine hearing "Don't bring me down BRRRUUUUCEEE" or "wrapped up like a douche" at a concert. most fans would be scared and confused, and wonder what was going on. <br />
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Well if I give all my examples, I might as well have written out that entire book, and I don't want to do that. So until next time, keep hitting the HIGH NOTES! (and get your damn hearing checked...)Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0Centreville, VA, USA38.839321241020791 -77.45084955624997738.804061741020789 -77.489649056249974 38.874580741020793 -77.412050056249981tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-48171150374925105842011-08-07T21:12:00.000-07:002011-08-07T21:12:16.817-07:00G'N' Are you kidding me??? I was at the grocery store the other day, and I get in the car to go home, and the radio is playing November Rain by G'N'R from the beginning. So I was thinking about how I hate when people put this song up or quote it during an actual November rain...anyway, so I was driving back home, and when it got to the bridge of the song, it started raining. I thought that was an interesting placement. It's things like that which makes life worth living.<br />
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I would like to apologize if I have any loyal readers, I have been having a rough time, and used that story as a warm up blog. I will get to the story I wanted to tell early June but couldn't. I needed time off...<br />
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Hope to be hitting the HIGH NOTES again soon.Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-33649617691398834322011-06-14T23:36:00.000-07:002011-06-14T23:36:28.171-07:00I'm headed for a breakdown... We, as music fans usually find it a blast to go to concerts, and I am not one to be excluded. We have some good and bad experiences. I've been to some concerts where it was perfect, and some Ozzfest years where I was glad it wasn't me. A guy was laying on the lawn passed out during most the sets, I mean beer, 90 degree weather, and God knows what else and he stayed passed out and every once in a while would get up and run around yelling "WOOOOOOO" then high 5 everyone and pass out again (o.k, that wasn't bad for me...but I think you get the point.) Yes, some of my concert experiences personally have been filled with bad things, kicks in the head, vomit, the band Wicked Wisdom...just to name a few.<br />
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One of the most predominant things was at a Breaking Benjamin concert back at Nation where the now Nationals park stands, where Erik was enjoying the music, and the guy in front of him just turns around (I think he was trying to make it to the bathroom,) and just heaves all over the floor. It almost got on Erik's shoes. After that he had to stand in it all night,and your probably surprised that being at Nation was the bad experience, but no, Nation (the two times I have been) were interesting considering the location, you could pay a crack bum $20 and he would watch your car all night, ah, simpler times. Now that does not beat out when Erik and I were watching Killswitch Engage, and we got kicked in the head seven million times (once in the temple unfortunately) but that comes with the territory. I will never forget when I blogged about this the first time, Erik was surprised that I took a beating like that! But it beats the time when I had long hair and some dude grabbed my ass (but on the upper hand, at Aerosmith I had a girl grab my ass, so that one was o.k.)<br />
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At Family Values tour (I believe it was...or Ozzfest, man I'm getting old...no, it was values,) we saw Evanescence...and now I'm not a big fan of them, so I took this time to get snacks (and nothing beats $7 for chicken fingers and a coke.) I was on the lawn at Nissan Pavilion (known to you kids as Jiffy Lube Live now,) and was heading down as I hear profanity, and I look up and see a guy is recording the band with his cell phone, and they were doing a Doors song (I think that's why I decided to get food now that I think of it.) I felt bad until I heard a "God damn you, you fat mother fucker!" That's when I thought "mission complete.<br />
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Now I think I mentioned this in my special edition where at Tom Petty people were telling my mom's neighbors (my friends) to sit down, and they were clearly drunk. They were feeling the back of my freshly shaved head (I mean who can't resist that?) and they actually had the nerve to SIT on me...not the back of the chair, but on MY back? Who does that, even when drunk? Oh well...it didn't ruin the show.<br />
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Though all these "bad things" may have been a minor setback, I've seen Boston (my favorite band,) I have an autographed shirt by The Tubes, met Mudvayne (Chad Grey on a separate occasion...kinda.) Met Evil Jake from Otep (only one that talked back to me,) met Hootie and the Blowfish, front row to see Nickleback, 7th row back from AC/DC (thanks Jon,) saw Tom Petty, Kiss, Killswitch Engage and Metallica 2 times each, high 5'd Ryan McCombs, and seen All That Remains God knows how many times, and Dream Theater in Toronto where James is from. Concert life has been good to me.Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-72988659829572054122011-06-07T23:13:00.000-07:002011-06-07T23:13:47.909-07:00Who do you love? Most people ask me what kind of music do I like, and I say "everything." Some people accept that and some I have to go into detail, I listen to a lot of classic rock, metal, 80's, and a little country, rap (I like the old school stuff better...) so I like something in at least every genre. Now I won't go so far as to say I like reggae or reggae-ton, opera (though I do like classical...) anyway, a lot of people say everything but don't like jack squat..."Oh, I like everything as long as it's not country, rap, nu-wave, metal, or folk!" Gimme a BREAK!!!<br />
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Well one thing you wouldn't start off a conversation with is "what kind of music do you hate?" Well if you ask me that you will hear a tirade about Michael Bolton, most pop singers 1994-today and about 98% techno. Now there are bands and artists I am not too fond of...like System of a Down (they were a phase for me,) Blink 182, Kittie, Hed P.E, and anything where Bruce Springsteen is screaming instead of singing...but I can see how people would like it. I also like hearing about others guilty pleasures (bands like Ace of Base for one of my friends...I liked them when I was like 14...but she likes em now.) Not really a high note...just something I've been dwelling over recently...Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-7339091745383137742011-06-05T01:11:00.000-07:002011-06-05T01:11:44.516-07:00The Sounds of Summer So, it's finally the first day of summer has come and gone. The nostalgia is put to rest, and the summertime blues are in...and not The Who's version either, and the air is filled with the smell of grills and chlorine. Of course another thing is the beach. Now what is the beach missing? Girls in bikinis? No...volleyball, well the beaches I have been to have had it. Surfing? Seen it...girls in bikinis? No...wait...I've already said that...though it's my favorite part. Oh yes, surfer music! My second favorite part. With the likes of Jan and Dean's "Surf City" or anything by Dick Dale, The Safaris, The Ventures, The Trash men...the list goes on and on. Now one band I insist on taking to the beach is...well, America's band, The Beach Boys. Whether you feel "Good Vibrations," going on a "Surfin' Safari," I mean what band has their debut in 1962, and has an album come out in 1996? So everybody get around to your Sloop John B.<br />
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Now for me, my fascination with The Beach Boys started in 1989, three years after The Beatles (technically they were my first favorite band...dad started me young.) Sure I would listen to the beach boys, but it wasn't until I was 6 that I started appreciating them. Kokomo was on full play on the radio, "Still Cruisin'" was fresh off the press, vinyl was still hip, and I was out putting finger prints on my dad's "Hard Days Night" CD (like I knew the CD would skip...though I still feel bad about it.) I would hear it, not associating Kokomo with the same band as the cheeky song "Barbra Ann." Going through listening to them on the radio and finally finding out who they were, by 1996, I was 12 and figured I needed to own some. So mom let me choose a CD out of the catalog and that was what caught my eye...Surfin' Safari/Surfin' USA. TWO albums on ONE CD! I was in love! Then by 2001, my CD collection grew, I had 3 of their "Greatest Hits," 2 were free and the other was complete...and that is when I learned more about Jan and Dean and their collaborations with Brian Wilson. For that Father's day, I got my dad the greatest Beach Boys album, Pet Sounds...on VINYL!<br />
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Did you know before Brian Wilson flipped out and went "mental," that he was friends with Charles Manson? A lot of the murders Mr. Manson did (so I am told) were the families that moved in to where Brian moved out because Charles wanted to kill him? That's what I have heard. But during the "Endless Summer," there were a few more works with bands like Chicago, and even Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." When Brian Wilson returned, he continued to produce the albums. There was even a made for TV movie produced by Lorne Michaels, the SNL producer.<br />
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Though the Beach Boys have lost many of the members like Carl Wilson, who was married to Dean Martin's daughter. He died of cancer in 1998, but continued to sing and perform through his illness, singing the song "God Only Knows," as only he could. Dennis Wilson (founding member and drummer) drowned falling off his yacht to grab his possessions that had fallen off the side. He passed freshly at 39, right before the turn of 1984, though drinking and drugs were taking a high toll on him. Along with short time fill ins David Marks, Ricky Fataar, and Blondie Chapman, this band that started as 3 brothers (Carl, Dennis, and Brian Wilson,) a cousin (Mike Love,) and longtime friend Al Jardine, and later Bruce Johnston (came in 1965, who sings Brian Wilson's parts,) are still up and at 'em. Rumor is told that Brian will join them for the 50 year reunion tour, and maybe even record a new album. But here's to hoping that the sounds of summer are to not be silenced, and that the endless summer is not a gimmick and will continue. Though there are many summer songs (War's "Summer," Mungo Jerry's "Summer time," and a personal favorite "Summer in the City" by the Lovin' Spoonfull) those bands are more grill and cookout bands, and there will be only one quintessential summer band...The Beach Boys.Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7322319313471713685.post-78450085924652454402011-06-03T22:51:00.000-07:002011-06-03T22:51:43.390-07:00Same as it ever was... Ever have a song that you didn't like, but it bothered you so much to remember who it was, and by the time you find it...you just have to listen to it? Well I have...<br />
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Well now that I got that out of the way, I am listening to Aerosmith right now, and oddly enough I got an email from Aeroforce one. It was a notice they are touring this summer. Well I have seen them 3 times, and don't know if I could see them again. Don't get me wrong, they are good (not follow KISS because KISS kicks your ass good...but good.) Some bands are see 4 times good (All That Remains, KISS, Chaimera, Slipknot, Ozzy, Disturbed) but do not see myself seeing them again unless I have a date that wants to go (ladies, here is where you step in.)<br />
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So I was looking hard for a song, and I found it. A song by an 80's pop star Brenda K Starr. It's called I Still Believe." I finally found it, and as much as I dislike the song, had to listen to it. I did the same with the worst pop song ever (not done by a complete boy band at least...) "One More Try" by Timmy T. Such an annoying song. I am glad I don't have to look up Michael Bolton, ace of Base or ABBA.<br />
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So I am looking forward yo at least one concert this year. Erik wants to see Foo Fighters at Console in PA. I wanted to see Disturbed and Megadeth and all them, we'll see...till that or next post, keep hitting the high notes!Cito's Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576352017980394550noreply@blogger.com0