Till My Head Falls Off 02.12.03: Takin' It Back To The Old School

Before I get started, I just want to send my condolences to the family, friends and fans of “Mr. Perfect” Curt Henning, the latest professional wrestler to die a sad, early death. He passed away earlier this week, and 411wrestling’s Ken Anderson has a very touching tribute to him, here. Rest in peace, Curt.

For Your Listening Pleasure
Michael Jackson – Invincible

This is not a bad album, as much as Tommy Mattola may want you to think. True, it’s hard to suspend disbelief long enough to be convinced Michael’s love songs are actually based on personal experience, but here’s the thing. He really believes that he’s invincible! Don’t believe me? Have you seen some of the things he’s been up to? First, he AGREES to let the man known as “the guy who tricked Princess Di into admitting she committed adultery” into his life, and produce a documentary on him. What did he think was going to happen here? When was the last time anyone, let alone a controversial filmmaker, portrayed the King of Pop positively?

But it doesn’t stop there. Now it’s being reported that Jacko is planning to show the world how he was duped, by releasing a tape of the interviewer telling him he’s “an excellent father” and other assorted bullshitting in order to gain his trust. He really believes people will show compassion towards him. Passion like that shines through the music, though — and the man’s always had a great deal of soul — so I guess that’s enough for me to enjoy giving his latest album a listen every now and then.

News to You
So, the Oscar nominations have been announced, and the Grammy awards are right around the corner, as I was reminded in Daniels’ latest column. Is it just me, or are awards shows more played out than reality shows? I mean, at least there’s something fun — albeit of the guilty pleasure variety — about watching the pathetic “contestants” on shows like “Blind Date”, “Joe Millionaire” and “The Bachelorette”, especially so close to Valentine’s Day. But, there have to have already been at least five or six awards shows this year, and it’s only February! I’m waiting for the awards show awards show. I can see it now: “And the award for best music awards show goes to… the MTV Video Music Awards! Accepting on behalf of the Moon Man is…” Ugh.

That being said, unlike the passing fad that is Reality Television, awards shows are here to stay. So here I am, jumping right on the bandwagon with my Oscar picks:

Best Music (Song) Nominees

CHICAGO – “I Move On” – Music by John Kander; Lyric by Fred Ebb

8 MILE – “Lose Yourself” – Music by Eminem, Jeff Bass and Luis Resto; Lyric by Eminem

FRIDA – “Burn It Blue” – Music by Elliot Goldenthal; Lyric by Julie Taymor

GANGS OF NEW YORK – “The Hands That Built America” – Music and Lyric by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen

THE WILD THORNBERRYS MOVIE – “Father and Daughter” – Music and Lyric by Paul Simon

I’m gonna have to go with “Lose Yourself” here, which was one of the best songs of 2002 overall, let alone songs from a movie. Plus, the song really captures the essence of Eminem’s character, Rabbit, and helps the viewer feel what he’s going through as he’s trying to come up with the perfect phrasing, the best way to express his thoughts on paper, as he gets ready for the final, Karate Kid-like rap showdown at the film’s climax. Nothing against Paul Simon — possibly the greatest songwriter ever — but I didn’t even know there was a Wild Thornberrys movie.

What, you wanted my picks for the other categories? Nah, man, this is a MUSIC column. Haha.

Takin’ It Back To The Old School
It’s ba-ack! After a six year hiatus, Lollapalooza has returned, and the first few acts set to perform have been announced. I have to admit, I’m pretty excited. Perry Farrell has a knack for bringing interesting acts together, and the timing may be just about right for this festival to make a come-back. By the time Lollapalooza was on its last legs in 1997 — after debuting in 1991 — interest in the tour had faded, both from the fan point of view as well as that of the artists. No offense, but Snoop, Tool, Korn, Tricky and Orbital (the 1997 lineup) don’t compare to some of the bands that headlined the tour when it was at its peak. But how will the 2003 list of acts do with a crowd already split between Ozzfest, the Warped Tour, Area II, Smokin’ Grooves or whatever else is out there these days.

Let’s ask my friend JD what he thinks…

moodspins: did you hear that lollapalooza’s coming back?
JD: Wow, only four years after the last high school kid forgot what it was.
moodspins: Yeah, the lineup is listed on Lollapalooza.com
JD: Interesting lineup. Jane who?
moodspins: what?
moodspins: jane’s addiction
JD: Who’s that? I know Incubus. And wasn’t the guy from Audioslave in some other band once?
JD: What about Creed?
JD: Where the f*ck is Creed?
JD: Where’s SOAD? Who wants to see all these old fogey bands?
JD: This is bullshit. I want my Ozzfest.
JD: What about Good Charlotte?
JD: I don’t need this shit. I can go to the Warped Tour. I think.
JD: There’s still a Warped Tour, right?
moodspins: not sure

Hmmm… JD has a good point here. Those of us who were kids back in 1991 will only make up so much of the crowd Lollapalooza is going for. The trick for Perry Farrell is to have a solid lineup, of major acts mixed with up-and-comers, that crosses genres enough to attract a wide audience of 2003’s kids.

Will the kids today buy Audioslave (those guys from Rage and the singer from Soundgarden), Queens of the Stone Age (the singer from Screaming Trees and the lead singer from the Foo Fighters on drums), and Jane’s Addiction (is Flea still in this band?) as the main attractions? Or will more bands like Incubus and Jurassic 5 have to be added to bulk up the event? As much as Matthew Michaels, Farmingdale High School class of 1994 would love to see a concert featuring Jane’s, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, The Beastie Boys, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Weezer, Live, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, House of Pain, Cypress Hill and A Tribe Called Quest… Perry better hope he knows what he’s doing if he’s gonna pull this one off with any kind of success comparable to “the good ol’ days.”

As long as they keep Moby away from this show, keep the concession stands reasonable, and keep the politicking off stage and in tents put off to the side, so those interested in supporting a cause can do their thing while the rest of us rock out by the main stage, I think it’ll be okay.

If not, I always have Lilith Fair and the H.O.R.D.E. Tour, right?

Actually, it looks like I’m thisclose to heading down to New Orleans at the end of April/beginning of May for Jazzfest. Some recently announced acts? Bela Fleck, Ween, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Sweet.

Rockin’ and Lovin’ in the Rock and Roll Night of Love! — Part Two
Two weeks ago, I asked for “sex and music” stories, and didn’t really get too many responses right away. Well, Jalabar came through with not one, but two stories… better late than never, right? Absolutely. Check him out…

OK, I know I’m a week late with this. Two stories:

First, the finest music I’ve ever found to get laid to, particularly in a situation where the question of getting laid hangs in the balance, is Reasons by Earth, Wind and Fire. Six different times in my life I have gotten lucky to that song, and I mean gotten lucky, as opposed to just having it on while doin’ the wild thing.

The second is a concert story. Being a lifelong DeadHead, I have seen over 300 Grateful Dead shows. I became good friends with many of the roadies, and acquainted with a couple of the band members. In fact, band members Mickey (Hart) and Keith, along with others, had on a couple of occasions come and partied with us at various campgrounds while on tour. So, I had prior knowledge of set lists. I was at a show at Hampton Coliseum, early 80s. There was a fine hottie dancin’ near us, and we kinda befriended her. At one point, I mentioned the song(s) Lady with a Fan/Terrapin Station, classic Dead. It turns out this was her favorite song, and despite having been to 20+ shows, she had never heard them perform it live. So I made a little wager with her. Of course, I already knew that LwaF/TS were going to be the first encore lead. The wager was that I’d get a little head if I could predict if and when they would play Terrapin. If they didn’t play it, or I guessed wrong, I had to give her my intricately carved mahogany pipe. Needless to say, I won, and my buddies had to vacate the tent for an hour or so when we got back to the campground (where she and her friends were also staying), so she could pay up. BTW, in the end, after paying up, she chose to give a full contribution to the United Libido Fund. And this after I informed her that I’d set her up. Definitely a good sport.

I guess I need to add a third point. The night after my HS graduation, Pink Floyd was in concert at a local indoor arena (then, the Capital Centre). My girl and I had saved up to get a box for the show, and spent the evening getting busy by ourselves in our own skybox while Pink Floyd jammed on stage below.

Another tremendously memorable experience.

While I’m not recommending Earth, Wind and Fire — or advocating tricking someone into a lay — by any means, I have to give brownie points for creativity here. Jalabar, you dog, you.

Fun With Spellchecker
Cody Webster sent in a fun little spellchecker tid-bit:

What Cody typed: Bon Jovi
Spellchecker’s suggested replacement: Bon Voyage — the same week his CD did not have enough bounce to make a dent on Billboard’s charts…

On that note, and until next week… Bon Voyage.

peace. love. moe.

– Matt

Till My Head Falls Off can be found weekly on 411 Music (old columns are archived in the pull-down menu below). Already hit everything on 411? You can find more from Matthew Michaels at moodspins and 1-42.

Matthew Michaels is one of the original editors of Pulse Wrestling, and was founding editor of Inside Fights and of Inside Pulse Music.