I admit it. This blog is NOT consistent. What it is keeps changing.
Right now, it's pretty much a place where I keep photos, videos, and links to websites that interest me.
Before that, I wrote a few blogs myself and still do once in a blue moon. But most of the stuff before the links are just reprints of articles I found interesting.
Email me at OlderMusicGeek(at)yahoo(dot)com.
ABOUT ME
Just your typical middle-aged divorced father (of a teenage daughter)/music fanatic/local bands supporter/nerd-geek-dork/smartass/movie lover/tv watcher/book reader/former comicbook collector/science fiction fan/slob/science buff/casual philosopher/spirituality peruser/ponytail wearer/world traveler/big Lipstick Homicide fan/huge Violent Femmes fan/Sigourney Weaver crusher/rabid Journey hater/liberal/mostly straight former cross dresser from Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A.
We passed by a town in Missouri called "Humansville"! I said it sounded like the name of a homo sapien ghetto on a robot planet, or a really bad name that a town of aliens came up with to hide what they were!
My daughter and my girlfriend, for some reason, gave me weird looks!
Apparently, all the chest-waxing, makeup and facials have the folks at the New York Times feeling worried, and a headline today anxiously asks, "Are Modern Men Manly Enough?" Oh no! Let's completely ignore the War on Women and the wage gap and steaming pile of injustices that women face everyday. Won't someone think of the men?
As predicted, not too many of 15 global takes on all-American apple pies at the State Department’s Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday evening actually looked like pies. Once the trio of judges’ marks for appearance, taste and creativity had been tallied, Belgium’s fruity eagle on a patriotic background landed in the No. 1 spot.
There are a number of artists who frequently make the “best of” lists but most rational people don’t argue their merit. The Beatles and Led Zeppelin are typically at the top in classic rock, and even their critics don’t place usually place them farther than top 20. Move a little farther down and you’ll find Jimi Hendrix and The Who where most will agree if they’re not the all-time greatest, at least they’re not horrible. Bruce Springsteen may not be everybody’s favorite, but most rock fans appreciate what he does. This list is specifically made up of groups who have a large contingent of rabid supporters, yet they also have a large number of devoted detractors. People are passionate for them, or passionate against them.
Text from my girlfriend: 'I sarcastically told a very crabby son on the way to camp he needed to have a good attitude and find his happy place... After our water games turned into water wars and he was soaked head to toe, he comes running over to me and yells "I found my happy place!" '
These are just some things I wrote for Facebook but couldn't manage to get my phone to put them up.
- Ready to rock out on Day 2 of 80/35. And to folk out, bluegrass out, and even jam out. But I'll say one thing, with all this heat and sweat, it's obviously that I'm out!
8035, I love you dearly. But damn, you take a toll on this middle age body!
- One thing I forgot to mention on Facebook on Day 1 was how I was amused when I saw where 80/35 had their headquarters. It was our old GLBT center.
We had got kicked out a couple of months back, and now it was sitting vacant. Last I heard, some of The Center's stuff was still there. I kinda wanted to go in and see, but I didn't!
But I'm on a couple of the committees for The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition, who put on 80/35, so I probably could have gone in. Buti'll ask if anything was still there when we're chatting before the committee meetings start.
- Ready to rock out on Day 2 of 80/35. And to folk out, bluegrass out, and even jam out. But I'll say one thing, with all this heat and sweat, it's obviously that I'm out!
- Arrived at 80/35 just in time! As I got there, the lead singer said, "Hi, welcome to 80/35. I'm Derek Lambert."
Why did I not know about Derek Lambert & The Prairie Fires? A really good local folk rock band that can rock out while keeping the folk roots.
- Checked out Now, Now. Two female guitarists and a drum machine. Pretty bland indie rock.
- Little Ruckus last night at The Vaudeville Mews and today at 80/35 have been the best shows yet! Their shows are experiences, not concerts! Full of fun audience participation! (Long live The Sandwich Eating Crew!)
I have never had such fun messing up my arthritic knee!
Little Ruckus totally wore out this middle age man with their fun interactive show.
- Now enjoying the sweet air conditioning of Subway!
- Once again, I'm watching a band from the outside using the big screen. Listening to Grensky Bluegrass. They're pretty good, but kind of mellow for my taste.
- Well, went back to Grensky Bluegrass after catching the end of the Mumford's and checking out Night Moves. (Night Moves didn't move me!)
But Grensky Bluegrass seem to found their groove and put out some awesome music. Their banjo player and mandolinist were incredible, and the way they played off each other was amazing.
I have to add that the heat isn't keeping the jam band/bluegrass folk from dancing at 80/35!
- Favorite t-shirt I've seen at 80/35: "I've seen bands that don't even exist yet!"
- John Isbell & The 400 Unit was some nice well done roots rock. And he uses an accordion in one song!
- The K-Holes were some interesting hard rock with a nice stage presence in their sexy black clothes!
- Okay, Dan Deacon does some really fun, energetic, pounding electronic dance music. But by performing on street level instead on the stage, he has made sure only people within five feet in front of him could see the performance.
Which is too bad, cus it was some of the best music this weekend. I would have liked to have SEEN the show!
Oh, well, at least it have me a chance to sit and rest. Could hear and see everything just as well that way!
- Tried to watch Deathcab For Cutie since it's the favorite band of one of my nieces. There were two songs that had a pretty good groove going on. Other than those, they rather bored me.
- Went to After 80/35 party at Vaudeville Mews. Pure Gut with Patrick Fleming of Poison Control Center opened. It featured Ladd Askland, who's usually involved behind the scenes with Des Mounes music.
The band, though, was fun and energetic. And Askland has a very interesting stage presence!
But Poison Control Center closed out the night. It seems these guys have been involved in every 80/35! If not in the actual festival, then doing an after party at The Mews! It's just NOT 80/35 without a PCC performance!
And the crowd was hopping! The show was free and the bar was packed. And the front of the audience was bouncing all over the place with plenty of local musicians filling the ranks.
I have to admit that I was rather annoyed cus they didn't do "Magic Circle Symphony"! But after the crowd chanted "One more song!", they closed with it. So we all repeated what Pat Fleming just said! And the stage was stormed with much if the audience singing how love was the answer!
It put a nice big exclamation to the end of 80/35!
Daughter: "I'm fine if you take it upstairs and I don't have to hear your military band music!"
Me: "I'm not listening to military bands! The Fourth of July is over. I'm listening to 8035 music!" 80/35 is the local alternative/indie/jam music festival.
Taliban Attacks Could Resume
-
A spokesman for the Taliban has announced its forces may resume attacks in
Afghanistan. This comes after the U.S. announced a peace agreement with the
grou...
Housekeeping.
-
I put my blog under review by myself. Most of the thousands of posts are in
drafts pending me going through them and making sure I didn't say ignorant
stuf...
Fuel increase triggers price hikes
-
[image: 1 Fuel increses (2)]
Maseru-Following the increase in petroleum products, particularly petrol
and diesel, taxi operators say they would approach ...
Relationship Funerals & The Way We Say Goodbye
-
One year ago today I wrote the following in response to this piece about
Relationship Funerals I share it now with you. A breakup ritual could be
incredibl...
This Guy
-
Remember how I said I was pregnant? Well, I’m not anymore. This is our
little peanut: They forced her out 4 weeks early before we were adequately
prepared ...
Episode 129--- Kickstarting another episode...
-
In this latest episode, we join Socar Myles, Kieran Yanner, Patrick McEvoy, Drew
Baker, and Jeremy McHugh as they discuss their latest goings-on.
Patrick...
John June Year - Pop Sucker
-
John June Year is part of the thriving music scene in Cedar Falls/Waterloo
area via Clinton, Iowa. They are a 5 piece band with 2 guitarist,
keyboards, bas...
World War Kaiju - progress report!
-
Hello there faithful followers. I'll bet you're wondering how World War
Kaiju is coming along, and how your host Patrick is doing with the art.
Well, ha...
#49 Handshakes
-
It has been theorized that Men are descended from apelike creatures, and
that through a process called evolution Men emerged as a distinct species.
Darwin...
#136: My So-Called Life
-
Though very specific to white people who were going through an awkward
phase in 1995 (basically anyone between eleven and forty), My So-Called
Life’s reson...
Link Exchange (a win-win situation for us both!)
-
If you have stumbled upon this blog, whether it be by the "Next Blog"
button, or by a link on someone else's site, I propose we do each other a
favor. If y...
Advanced Reading: I Am Me!
-
*With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I want you to spend time
thinking about yourself and how important you are. You all are a very
special part ...
Avoiding an Awkward Massage
-
Hello WWRD fans! I've now moved to blogging with my colleague Linda Holmes
over at Monkey See. But while you're here you might as well check out the
latest...
Scandal! Behind-the-Scenes Strife! Spinal Tap!
-
» Hear the 'Weekend Edition' story Blind Items: In NPR's internal In
Character wars, who said what about whom? And which fictional figure best
embodies the...
Starting my business
-
Now that I am about to face an empty nest I am thinking more and more on
the business I have wanted to start for some time now. I kept telling
myself I nee...
