If Music Could Talk

I know 400 is not much compared to most of you...

Music has meant more to me in my life than anything (except my kids). I have a lot of favorite bands. I’ve bounced around many, many music forums. Hell, I spent time on the Smiley Smile forum (it’s like a musical warzone). I can’t remember how I stumbled on you lot this last fall...but I’m glad I did. Good collection of people. Fun discussions. I appreciate the honest opinions.

...and this gets me to post #397 (I think)....

7045.

Yup! #397! I’m getting to #400 tonight. It could be very easy, but I want them to mean something.

How did I get here? I think I’ve always been a music fan. My mom and dad like music, but they don’t love it. For me - music is like a drug. I think I get that from my uncle and my cousin (actually, my first cousin once removed - but in reality just my older brother).

I grew up in an America where rock was dead. Late 80’s and early 90’s. My cousin didn’t tell me what to listen to, but he would make me mix tapes (on cassette). I’d get stuff like The Clash, Huskey Du, Black Flag, REM, Game Theory, Guadalcanal Diary and on and on. He’d let me listen and then loop back and ask for more.

Clash hooked me early. I was born on January 14, 1977 - 2 weeks into the whole year zero story on punk. I come from a berry liberal family - but working class liberals. My grandfather was a honcho for the machinist union. I was going door to door with my mom and dad to hang lit for Mondale in 1984.

I really bought into the young idealistic vision of Joe as some sort of amazing visionary. Like he had all of the answers. He was my guru as I grew up...

2 more posts!

Here’s the deal (and I’m downing a 6-pack of Red Stripe tonight and while I can drink - I get philosophical with every drink). As I grew up - I realized Joe wasn’t the man with the answers. I reallized that why I identified so much with him was because he was like me. He was the most human of rock stars. Joe talked a lot of BS, but that was what caught me. I realized he didn’t have all of the answers, but I realized he cared. He didn’t know why the world sucked...but he wanted to know and he wanted to use his talent to ask. That realization was really huge for me,

It allowed me to hear their music in a whole new way. Kind of made me free. Before that - it was all about the big statment songs...but suddenlly I was getting lost in tracks like Something About England.

Hell...I’m rambling...but I’m hitting 400 posts tonight!

What can I say about The Clash in the US?

Nobody knows them. People my generation might know Should I Stay or Casbah...but that is it. They might see something on a T-shirt.

I won’t push my musical tastes on my kids. I play what I love and hope that some rubs off on them.

Okay! Post #400!

I see most of you joined in 2008. I’m a newcomer (by a decade).

I’ve been a member of so many music forums. I joined and within a few weeks I was done. It’s like trying to join a closed group: you are not one of them - you are nothing.

I don’t get that from you all. I’ve already put my foot in m mouth a time or two (but it’s been okay).

I think you are all stuck with me. Sorry!

I’m flighty. I’ve been good about signing up for music groups and then bailing...but this feels like home!

I really do live off of Westway. So funny. I live in Greendale (which was a town that was created out of nothing during the Depression as a relief project). It was actually designed on English vllages, but the road that circles our village goes from Southway to Westway to Northway.

There you go! 400 posts since October! I still feel like a junior member...but hey - gotta start somewhere. Thank you all for being accepting! Just remember: Charlie Don’t Surf and if any of you get around to Milwaukee (great town) let’s have a drink or two!!

BostonBeaneater wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 9:17pm

7045.

I have a Red Sox tattoo on my arm. My grandpa was a Sox fan. I always swore I’d get a tat if Boston and/or Milwaukee won the Series. I wept when they won it in 2004 and as I type this Fenway the Cat is sitting next to me. He’s getting old - but I literally found him the night they won the 2004 pennant. We went out and got trashed and as we were heading home we chanced upon this stray black kitten!

WestwayKid wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 9:57pm

BostonBeaneater wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 9:17pm

7045.

I have a Red Sox tattoo on my arm. My grandpa was a Sox fan. I always swore I’d get a tat if Boston and/or Milwaukee won the Series. I wept when they won it in 2004 and as I type this Fenway the Cat is sitting next to me. He’s getting old - but I literally found him the night they won the 2004 pennant. We went out and got trashed and as we were heading home we chanced upon this stray black kitten!

Pinky Higgins wept!

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 10:45pm

WestwayKid wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 9:57pm

BostonBeaneater wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 9:17pm

7045.

I have a Red Sox tattoo on my arm. My grandpa was a Sox fan. I always swore I’d get a tat if Boston and/or Milwaukee won the Series. I wept when they won it in 2004 and as I type this Fenway the Cat is sitting next to me. He’s getting old - but I literally found him the night they won the 2004 pennant. We went out and got trashed and as we were heading home we chanced upon this stray black kitten!

Pinky Higgins wept!

Instant Karma got Pinky

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 10:45pm

WestwayKid wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 9:57pm

BostonBeaneater wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 9:17pm

7045.

I have a Red Sox tattoo on my arm. My grandpa was a Sox fan. I always swore I’d get a tat if Boston and/or Milwaukee won the Series. I wept when they won it in 2004 and as I type this Fenway the Cat is sitting next to me. He’s getting old - but I literally found him the night they won the 2004 pennant. We went out and got trashed and as we were heading home we chanced upon this stray black kitten!

Pinky Higgins wept!

I missed the connection at first glance. I’d take Fenway the Black Cat to use his grave as a litter box.

WestwayKid wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2018, 9:48pm

Okay! Post #400!

I see most of you joined in 2008. I’m a newcomer (by a decade).

I’ve been a member of so many music forums. I joined and within a few weeks I was done. It’s like trying to join a closed group: you are not one of them - you are nothing.

I don’t get that from you all. I’ve already put my foot in m mouth a time or two (but it’s been okay).

I think you are all stuck with me. Sorry!

I’m flighty. I’ve been good about signing up for music groups and then bailing...but this feels like home!

I really do live off of Westway. So funny. I live in Greendale (which was a town that was created out of nothing during the Depression as a relief project). It was actually designed on English vllages, but the road that circles our village goes from Southway to Westway to Northway.

It's good to have you on board mate, you've injected some life into the place with some good discussions. And funnily enough, I live about 100 yards from a street called Westway.

We are glad you have joined us!

You're a good man, kid.

Erecting 400 posts must be tiring work especially for a kid. Well done mate!

It's cool having you around.

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

29 Jan 2018, 1:25pm

Erecting 400 posts must be tiring work especially for a kid. Well done mate!

It's cool having you around.

No prescription required round here.