Cherlyn's Music Blog

The Joshua Tree

2010-02-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

U2's fifth album was released on March 9, 1987. Influenced by Irish folk and American roots music, The Joshua Tree wont U2 the band's first two Grammy Awards, and went on to sell over 25 million copies, making it one of the biggest selling albums of all time.

If you consider yourself even just a casual listener to U2, you probably own this album.

I don't think much more needs to be said, so here come the videos.

"With Or Without You"
March, 1987

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
May, 1987

"Where The Streets Have No Name"
August, 1987

"In God's Country"
November, 1987

I also have to throw this in.
Accepting the Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal:

The Edge is The Funny.

The Unforgettable Fire

2010-02-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

When U2 went into the studio to record their fourth album, they decided to experiment with new sounds and textures. The band employed Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois to help lead them in this new direction. Edge played around with new guitar effects, which had been all but absent on the War album. The end result of the new direction was The Unforgettable Fire, which was released on October of 1984.

The first singe from the new album, released September, 1984, was a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" was U2's first single to crack the US Top 40 and the UK Top 5.

The second single was the album's title track. Released April 1985, it reached #6 in the UK.

On July 13, 1982, U2 participated in Live Aid, a concert to benefit famine relief in Ethiopia, at Wembley Stadium, London. During their set, they played a 12 minute long version of the song "Bad" from The Unforgettable Fire. During this performance, Bono jumped from the stage, helped a young girl over the barricade, hugged and slow danced with her. This began a still-standing tradition of Bono pulling girls from the crowd and dancing with them on stage during their concerts.

Life changes and War

2010-02-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

On August 21, 1982, Bono married his long time girlfriend Alison Stewart. To heal the rift that formed between them during the Shalom Fellowship period, Bono asked Adam to act as his best man.

Soon after the wedding, U2 went back into the studio to record their third album. War was released February 28, 1983. While October was heavily influenced by faith and God, War was very politically driven.

The album's first single, "New Years Day" was originally written by Bono as a love song to his wife Ali. However, it was eventually re-written and reshaped, inspired by the Polish Solidarity movement.

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" was released as a single on March 11, 1983 in Germany and The Netherlands. The song was written about the troubles in Northern Ireland, specifically the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry in 1972.

The single gained popularity worldwide when the video, a live performance at their now legendary concert at Red Rocks in Colorado, was played in heavy rotation on MTV.

On July 12th, The Edge married his secondary school girlfriend Aislinn O'Sullivan. Edge was also the first member of U2 to become a father, with the birth of daughter Hollie the following year.

October

2010-02-09T07:01:00.000-08:00

In 1981 while recording U2's second album in Dublin, Bono, Edge and Larry became involved a charismatic Christian organization called the Shalom Fellowship. During that time Bono and Edge particularly had a difficult time reconciling their Christianity with the rock and roll lifestyle, and left the band.

U2 ceased to exist.

Bono was the first to come back. Edge resisted. Bono eventually convinced his friend that they could make their dreams of U2 come true while still being good Christians.

The result of this period was the spiritually influenced album October, which was released that October 12th. The album produced two singels, the title track and "Gloria."

October was not as well received as Boy had been, and is U2's least selling album to date.

"October"

"Gloria"

"I Will Follow"

2010-02-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

"I Will Follow," the second single from U2's debut album Boy was released in Oxctober, 1980.

The song was written about threee weeks before they band started recording the album. The lyrics are about Bono's mother, and the unconditional love she had for him before her death.

My personal opinion: I really, really love this song.

Island Records and Boy

2010-02-04T07:51:00.000-08:00

In November of 1978, Larry Mullen Jr's mother died in a car accident. Overwhelmed with grief, Larry considered leaving the band. Having lost his own mother, Bono went to Larry, knowing what he was going through. Ultimately, Larry decided to stay with U2.

Over the next couple of years, the boys played gigs throughout Ireland, gaining local popularity. Finally, in March of 1980, U2 signed with Island Records. "11 O'Clock Tick Tock", their first internationally released single, was released that May.

U2's first full-length album, entitled Boy, came out the following October.

"11 O'Clock Tick Tock"

Three

2010-02-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

After winning the talent contest in Limerick, the U2 boys went into Keystone Studios in Dublin to record their first demos. The band acquired their manager Paul McGuinness that May in 1978.

In September, 1979, U2 released their first EP, entitled Three. It was only released in Ireland. The EP included the songs "Out of Control," "Stories For Boys" and "Boy-Girl."

U2 also began appearing and performing on Irish television.

"Street Mission" March 1978

"Stories For Boys" on the Late Late Show in January of 1980.

The Edge still has that Gibson Explorer and still plays it live.

Artist of the Month

2010-02-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

Yes I know. I've never actually done an Artist of the Month before. Hell, the one time I did an Artist of the Week I didn't even complete it. So you know, I fully intend on seeing this one through.

My Artist of the Month is on of my favorite bands of all time.

U2

In the beginning...

Lawrence "Larry" Joseph Mullen, Jr. was born on October 31, 1961 in Artane, which is on the north side of Dublin, Ireland. He was the middle child of Maureen and Larry Mullen Sr.

Larry began playing drums at the age of 9, and spent some time in a local marching band. In the fall of 1976, he posted a note on the bulletin board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, which he attended, saying he was a drummer looking for musicians to form a band.

Adam Charles Clayton was born March 13, 1960, the eldest child of Brian and Jo Clayton, in Chinnor, Oxfordshire, England. His family moved to Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland when Adam was 5.

After being thrown out of a few private boarding schools as a teenager, Adam eventually landed at Mount Temple, where he eventually saw the notice posted by Larry. Adam had recently taken up the bass guitar, and he discovered his friends, Dave and Dik Evans would also be going to try out for the band.

David Howell Evans was the second child of Welsh parents Gwenda and Garvin Evans. Dave was born on August 8, 1961 in Barking, London, England. The Evans family moved to Dublin, Ireland in 1962.

Dave and his older brother Dik both took piano and guitar lessons, and often performed together. They were also learning to build guitars themselves. Dave also happened to sing a little. While they were attending Mount Temple, they both decided to answer an add they saw looking for musicians.

Paul David Hewson was born in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. Ireland, on May 10, 1960. He was the second child of Iris, an Angelican, and Bob, a Roman Catholic.

Iris Hewson died on September 10, 1974, when Paul was just 14. She'd suffered a cerebral aneurysm at her own father's funeral.

Paul knew how to play guitar but didn't own one. Nevertheless, he answered the add looking for musicians on the board at the school he attended, Mount Temple.

The first meeting of the soon-to-be band was set up in Larry's kitchen. After the final line-up was decided, Larry on drums, Adam Clayton on bass, Dave and Dik Evans on guitars with Dave doing backing vocals, and Paul Hewson on vocals, they had to think of a name. The first name was The Larry Mullen Band. That lasted about "5 minutes. Maybe 6." The band then settled on the name Feedback, named for the primary sound coming from the bands' amps.

Paul had been involved in a street gang of sorts called Lypton Village. Part of the culture of this gang was the giving of nicknames. Paul had been given the nickname of "Bono Vox of O'Connoll Street," which had become shortened to just "Bono." Bono and Dave, who had been acquaintances at school, were becoming close friends. He gave Dave the nickname "The Edge," because of his angular jaw.

In march 1977, Feedback changed their name to The Hype. Dik was beginning to attend college, so he decided to leave the band. They held a farewell show for Dik at Presbyterian Church Hall in Howth playing cover tunes. Halfway through the set Dik ceremoniously left the stage, leaving Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry to complete the set on their own. For the last half of the set they played all original music and revealed yet another new band name: U2.

U2 eneterd a talent contest that was to be held in Limerick, Ireland on St. Patrick's Day. First prize was a record contract.

U2 won.

A music shuffle survey thing

2010-01-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

Because I am bored. Also, I hadn't seen one like this before, so I thought I'd do it.

Awesome-ness (A Shuffle/Music Survey) :D! Created by lover-face and taken 732 times on Bzoink
Put your music player on shuffle/random and answer these questions with the
song title. If it doesn't make sense, hopefully you'll have a laugh. :]:]:]
1. Don't you think this would look awesome on a t-shirt?:	Turn The Page
2, These are the words that you say with your dying breath.:	London Calling
3. You go to the bar & order your favorite drink called...:	One Step Closer
4. The advice you offer to your friend who is having relationship problems::	My Gift To You
5. The pickup line you use to charm that cutie across the room...:	Rain. Sun. Gone.
6. You decide to get a tattoo of your life motto which is...:	Let's Do This Now
7. If you were to create your own perfume/cologne, you'd call it...:	Schism
8. You're hoping this catch phrase will replace the word awesome...:	Fight Fire With Fire
9. You always thought this would be a great title for a soap opera...:	Change (In The House Of Flies)
10. When you open your fortune cookie it reads...:	Points Of Authority
Complete the sentence with lyrics of the song either with a line, phrase or
word(s).
11. My excuse for not going into work today is...:	cause my path had lost direction
12. I would solve the current financial crisis by...:	dreams of war, dreams of liars, dreams of dragon's fire
13. The reason for my frown is...:	no longer living, just a shell of what I've dreamed
14. I just called to say...:	Stop fuckin' with me, I'm the accused I'm not the enemy
15. My remedy for fixing a broken heart is...:	Going coast to coast watching all the girlies shaking
16. Sorry officer for speeding, I...:	I've been crawling on my belly
Basic iPod (MP3 player etc) Questions.
17. First 3 artists/bands in your music player?:	Adam & the Ants, AFI and Aiden
18. How many songs in total?:	1598
19. Which artist/band do you listen to the least?:	I listen to all of them
20. Name a song title starting with a S. Who is it by? Like it?:	Sunday Bloody SUnday by U2. I freakin LOVE it
21. What's your current favorite song?:	Hurricane by 30 Seconds To Mars
22. Do you have any techno artists on your music player? Are you a raver?:	Not really
23. Name the last album title in your music player & who it is by?:	30 Seconds To Mars (band and album name)
24. Any movie soundtracks on your music player?:	Queen of The Damned and Sweeney Todd
Put your music player on shuffle/random again. Answer with song title
and artist.
25. I get this really goofy smile on my face when I hear...:	If I die Tomorrow by Motley Crue
26. This song gives me a killer headache...:	Animals by Nickelback
27. This song totally gets me in "the" mood...:	Mr. Jack by System of a Down
28. My dance jam is definately...:	Acrobat by U2
29. My favorite song ever...:	Edge of the Earth by 30 Seconds To Mars
30. This song reminds me of my mother...:	Master Of Puppets by Metallica
31. This song describes my current state of mind...:	In Pieces by Linkin Park
32. This song describes my dream last night...:	Bullet The Blue Sky by U2
33. Basically this is my New Year's resolution...:	Wherever I May Roam by Metallica
34. This would be the perfect superhero theme song...:	Dirty by Korn
35. For whatever reason this song makes me cry...:	Ditty Diego (War Chant) by The Monkees
36. Like wow, this would be perfect for a fight scene in a movie...:	Hold On Girl by The Monkees
37.I would serenade my crush by singing this song...:	Dirty Day by U2
38. This song has taught me a life lesson...:	Take A Bow by Rihanna
You've been totally Bzoink*d! Take This Survey \| Search Surveys \| Create a Survey

30 Seconds To Mars

2009-12-16T19:49:00.001-08:00

I love them.

They're awesome.

They have a new album out.
*points to banner*
-------------->

My boyfriend doesn't like them.

He's an idiot.

Kings + Queens

Ok, I just laughed until I hurt

2009-10-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

This is freaking brilliant!

Song of the week!

2009-08-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

Adam & The Ants - Dog Eat Dog

Brush me daddy-o!

Mayehm Festival

2009-08-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the Rockstar Mayhem Festival at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater.

I went with my BFF Chele...

and my awesome boyfriend Josh.

We started out on the lawn, but, as they often do at this venue when a show hasn't sold out, the upgraded random people from the lawn to seating. We ended up in the far-left-back section, but we had a really good view of the stage.

The stage from the lawn:

Bullet For My Valentine:

Killswitch Engage:

Slayer:

Marilyn Manson!

Manson played a disappointingly short set. I think it felt shorter than it actually was though. He also wasn't sounding that great. Well, the screaming did, and there was much epic Manson screaming. His singing however, not so much. But this was my first time ever seeing him, so I didn't really care that much.

Here's what all he played, although this isn't anywhere near the order they were played in:
We're From America
Little Horn
Disposable Teens
Irresponsible Hate Anthem
Tourniquet
Sweet Dreams
The Fight Song
Dope Show
Rock Is Dead
The Beautiful People

OK, actually, 10 songs isn't bad. But with his catalogue, he could've played much longer.

In Your Eyes

2009-07-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

The greatest love song of the 80's.

Perhaps ever.

Tool

2009-07-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Tool for years. Not one of those pretentious "I'm smarter than you because I listen to Tool" kind of Tool fans, but a fan none the less. I love their sound and I think Maynard James Keenan is an amazing vocalist.

I've gotten back into a Tool phase after spending the weekend with my boyfriend who is pretty heavily into them. (Thank the Goddess he's not one of those pretentious fans either!)

So here's a joke for all you Tool fans out there.

Q: What did Maynard James Keenan say while he was working on a jigsaw puzzle?

A: I know the pieces fit!

R.I.P.

2009-06-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

Michael Joseph Jackson

Punk (ETA)

2009-06-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying this:

Good Charlotte = NOT PUNK

Green Day = NOT PUNK (Not anymore. They used to be)

Blink 182 = NOT PUNK (ETA: Apparently their older stuff is more punk than their later stuff. I'll admit to not hearing a lot of it.)

Punk is bands like The Misfits, The Cramps, The Germs, The Ramones, The Clash, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, and of course, The Sex Pistols.

Bands such as The Police, U2 and Adam & The Ants started off as punk bands. In fact, the short-lived band Bazooka Joe, which was fronted by Adam Ant, was the headliner at The Sex Pistols' very first gig.

Now, I wouldn't say I'm a hardcore punk enthusiast. But I'm definitely a fan. An ex-boyfriend of mine, who was heavily into punk, made me a mixed tape of various punk artists and songs. I listened to it until I wore it out.

Here are some favorites of mine.

T.S.O.L. - Code Blue

Dead Kennedys - Kill The Poor

The Germs - Manimal

Eclecticity

2009-06-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Is that a word?

Anyway, I had my iPod in shuffle mode when I was walking this morning. It kind of showed just how eclectic my musical taste is.

Here's what it played:

By The Sea (from "Sweeney Todd") - Helena Bonham Carter

The Fantasy (Live) - 30 Seconds To Mars

Cocaine and Toupees - Mindless Self Indulgence

It's On - KoRn

Puss n' Boots - Adam Ant

Slutgarden - Marilyn Manson

Rehab - Amy Winehouse

Bobo on the Corner - The Beastie Boys

Random musical coincidence

2009-06-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

So I'm at work today, running the shop by myself all day. Because of this, I have the radio on the salon tuned to a local rock station. Because, in case you haven't noticed, that's how I roll.

So the radio station plays one of my favorite songs ever, One by Metallica, the video for which contains footage from the film "Johnny Got His Gun."

Not two minutes after the song is over, I get a text message. Rob Zombie, who I follow on Twitter, has Tweeted: "Just finished watching Johnny Got His Gun. Wow, what a fun way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon."

Random? Yes.

Coincidence? Of course.

Still pretty frickin' cool? You bet!

Zombie!

2009-06-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

That's right folks.

Rob Motherfucking Zombie.

More Human Than Human
with White Zombie

I'm having a hard time finding official videos that don't have embedding disabled. It's aggravating.

So I will just post these videos (that someone else filmed) from when I saw Rob Zombie play live at The NorVa in January 2008. It was definitely one of the most awesome shows I've ever been to.

Lords Of Salem

Dragula

Antpeople are the warriors!

2009-05-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

Antmusic is our banner!

Adam & the Ants
Kings of the Wild Frontier

I love how he had two drummers.

Song Of The Day

2009-05-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

It's actually been stuck in my head for a couple of days. The song is about serial killer Ed Gein, and it's one of my favorite Mudvayne songs. They played it when I saw them at The NorVa last December, and I went totally nuts. It was a very intense preformance.

Chad Gray is one of the best screamers ever. He gives me chills.

The official video doesn't have the full song. So I found this excellent live performance from Rock AM Ring.

Mudvayne - Nothing To Gein

Cold and silent
Soiled face I will wash it all away,
With my love
That's all she's ever needed
From me
It's my time
To mother
One of my own in my life
I am so alone
Left with no one
In my life
I'm so alone

Life submissiveness
Hypnotizing the ignorant
A little boy's best friend's always his mother
At least that's what she said
Life of a simple man
Taught that everyone else is dirty
And their love is meaningless
I'm just a soiled dirty boy
I'm just a soiled dirty boy

Sheltered life
Innocence
Insulated memories
Spark reflections in my head
Duality in my consciousness
Caught in the war of hemispheres
Between the love lost in my head
Mommy do you still live inside of me
I'm so lost in my life without any guiding
Protected me my whole life from everything
Nailed shut the doors to the shrine
To screen your dead eyes from me and my sickness
Mutilate and sew my new clothes for masquerading
Aprons of flesh corpse scalped hair with skin upon my face

Deliver the remains from her womb of earth
Prep the rack and tie up for new love's rebirth
Covert understanding of novice surgery
I'll focus concentration and only take just what I need
For sickness I'm masticating
Dancing and masturbating
Celebrate in fields of night with skin upon my face

Life submissiveness
Hypnotizing the ignorant
A little boy's best friend's always his mother
At least that's what she said
Life of a simple man
Taught that everyone else is dirty
And their love is meaningless
I'm so soiled

If I soak my hands in others blood am I sick
If I wash my hands in others blood am I sick
If I drench myself in others blood am I sick
If I bathe myself in others blood

Blame mother for the sickness
Mutilate and sew my new clothes for masquerading
Aprons of flesh corpse scalped hair with skin upon my face
Dance and masturbate in night light by myself..

Nothing is left for me to gain
They're coming to take me far away

Life submissiveness
Hypnotizing the ignorant
A little boy's best friend's always his mother
At least that's what she said
Life of a simple man
Taught that everyone else is dirty
And their love is meaningless
I'm so soiled

Life of a simple man
Taught that everyone else is dirty
And love is meaningless
I'm so soiled
Soiled

My Top 10s

2009-05-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

These aren't necessarily going to be in any kind of order. But maybe somewhat.

Top 10 Favorite Bands/Artists
1. Metallica
2. KoRn
3. 30 Seconds To Mars
4. Static-X
5. Mudvayne
6. Linkin Park
7. Marilyn Manson
8. Rob Zombie
9. U2
10. Alice In Chains

Top 10 Favorite Vocalists
1. James Hetfield (Metallica)
2. Jonathan Davis (KoRn)
3. Jared Leto (30 Seconds To Mars)
4. Chad Gray (Mudvayne/Helleyah)
5. Maynard James Keenan (Tool)
6. Wayne Static (Static-X)
7. Chester Bennington (Linkin Park)
8. Bono (U2)
9. Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)
10. Layne Staley (Alice In Chains)

Top 10 Favorite Guitarists
1. James Hetfield/Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
2. Munky/Head (KoRn)
3. "Dimebag" Darryl Abbott (Pantera/Damageplan)
4. Koichi Fukuda (Static-X)
5. The Edge (U2)
6. Tomo Milicevic (30 Seconds To Mars)
7. Marco Pirroni (Adam and the Ants)
8. Jimmy Page (Led Zepplin)
9. Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains)
10. Brian May (Queen)

Top 10 Favorite Bassists
1. Cliff Burton (Metallica)
2. Fieldy (KoRn)
3. Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)
4. LynZ (Mindless Self Indulgence)
5. Adam Clayton (U2)
6. Gene Simmons (KISS)
7. Les Claypool (Primus)
8. Geddy Lee (Rush)
9. John Entwhistle (The Who)
10. Jason Newstead (ex-Metallica)

Top 10 Favorite Drummers
1. Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
2. David Silveria (ex-KoRn)
3. Shannon Leto (30 Seconds To Mars)
4. Larry Mullen Jr. (U2)
5. Vinnie Paul (Pantera/Damage Plan/Hellyeah)
6. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
7. Ginger Baker (Cream)
8. Neal Pert (Rush)
9. Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa/Missing Persons)
10. Bobby Alt/Adam Alt/Frank Zummo (Street Drum Corps)

Top 10 Actors Who Want(ed) To Be Musicians
1. Eddie Murphy
2. Don Johnson
3. David Hasselhoff
4. Russell Crowe
5. Keanu Reeves
6. Bruce Willis
7. Jamie Foxx
8. Jennifer Love Hewitt
9. Julliett Lewis
10. Hilary Duff

Top 10 Actors With Successful Music Careers
1. Jared Leto
2. Jennifer Lopez
3. Jared Leto
4. Jennifer Lopez
5. Jared Leto
6. Jennifer Lopez
7. Jared Leto
8. Jennifer Lopez
9. Jared Leto
10. Jennifer Lopez

Take A Look In The Mirror and Head's departure

2009-05-23T06:53:00.000-07:00

Take A Look In The Mirror, KoRn's sixth studio release, came out November 11th, 2003, again to mixed reviews, mostly from fans. This reaction was primarily due to the fact that, during recording, Jonathan Davis claimed that his band was returning to a more "old-school" sound. And in the opinion of most fans (myself included), while sounding nothing like Untouchables, it didn't exactly sound old-school either.

Three singles were released from Take A Look In The Mirror: "Right Now," "Y'all Wanna Single" and "Everything I've Known."

I, myself, don't find it to be a bad album. But then, I don't think it's possible for KoRn to record a "bad" album. But I can say that it's definitely not my favorite.

"Y'all Wanna Single"

On February 22nd 2005, it was formally announced by KoRn's management that Brian "Head" Welch had left the band, stating that he had "...chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end."

Soon after, Head revealed that this decision and his religious salvation came after years of battling alcoholism and an addiction to methamphetamine.

He has since written an autobiography titled "Save Me From Myself," which chronicled everything from his childhood, his time in KoRn, his friendships with his band mates, his addiction, rehabilitation and salvation. Soon after, he released a solo album of the same name.

Untouchables

2009-05-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

KoRn's 4th hit record store shelves on June 11th, 2002, nearly three years after Issues.

Sales for Untouchables were considerably less than those for previous albums. It only reached single Platinum. It's widely believed that Internet piracy was responsible, for an unmastered cut of the album leaked onto the Internet three months before its release.

The sound for Untouchables was vastly different, using strings, synthesized sounds and new guitar effects. Some may suggest that this new musical feel for koRn may have also been responsible for the lackluster sales.

My opinion: I've found that some KoRn fans that have been fans since '94 are terribly elitist and think Follow The Leader or Issues was their last good album. I strongly disagree. If KoRn made the same album over and over again, it would get boring, and fans would tire of them quickly. Music evolves. Bands evolve. That's the way it should be. And while my admittedly least favorite KoRn song, "Wake Up Hate," is on this album, I love Untouchables. I just skip that song.

One of my most favorite songs ever:
"Here To Stay"

Issues

2009-05-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

KoRn's fourth album, Issues, was released on November 19th, 1999. To celebrate the release, KoRn performed the entire album live onstage at the Apollo Theatre, making KoRn the first rock band, and only the second predominately white musical act to play the Apollo. The show was simulcast on radio stations nationwide.

Issues was a very emotional album for singer/lyricist Jonathan Davis. He wrote about many personal matters, such as his infidelity ("Trash," "Make Me Bad"), his battle with drug addiction and alcoholism ("Let's Get This Party Started"), his own self-loathing ("Dead," "Dirty") and high tensions within the band ("Wake Up").

Issues debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top 200, and was later certified 3x Platinum. Three top-selling singles were released: "Falling Away From Me," "Make Me Bad" and "Somebody Someone."

So far as my personal opinion of Issues:

Best. KoRn. Album. EVER.

Follow The Leader

2009-05-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

KoRn's third album was released August 18th, 1998. It debuted at #1 on Billboard and eventually certified 5x Platinum.

Follow The Leader included the quintet's biggest selling singles to date, "Freak On A Leash" and "Got The Life." The album also included collaborations with Ice Cube ("Children of the KoRn"), Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst ("All In The Family") and Trey Hardison from The Pharcyde ("Cameltosis").

The success of the album and videos brought KoRn to a larger mainstream audience.

The innovative video for "Freak On A Leash" won KoRn their first Grammy, for Best Music Video, Short Form.

Life Is Peachy

2009-05-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

On October 15, 1996, KoRn released their sophomore effort, Life Is Peachy. Again, they recorded under producer Ross Robinson. Songs included a cover of Ice Cube's "Wicked" performed by Davis along with Chino Moreno from Deftones, and a cover of War's "Low Rider" with Davis on bagpipes and Head on vocals.

Life Is Peachy garnered KoRn's first Grammy nomination: Best Metal Performance for the single "No Place To Hide."

While co-headlining Lollapalooza in 1997, Munky contracted viral meningitis, forcing the band to drop off the tour.

1997 was also the year KoRn started their own record label, Elementree Records, signing acts such as Videodrone, Orgy and Deadsy.

(There's no actual video for this song. I just picked this off Youtube. The footage is from the video for the song "Clown" from KoRn's first album)
"Twist"

And now, the song that got me hooked on KoRn in 1997:
"A.D.I.D.A.S."

My first Artist Of The Week!

2009-05-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

The first seeds of KoRn formed in 1989 in Bakersfield, CA, when high school friends James "Munky" Shaffer and Brian "Head" Welch, both guitarists, with Reggie "Fieldy" Arvizu on bass, recruited young drummer David Silveria and vocalist Richard Morrill to form a band which they called L.A.P.D. After moving to Huntington Beach and getting signed to Triple X Records, they released the EP Love and Peace, Dude and a full length album titled Who's Laughing Now.

Due to drug problems, Morrill was let go from the band in 1992, leaving Munky, Head, Fieldy and David to find a new vocalist.

During a trip back to Bakersfield to visit their families in early '93, Munky and Head stopped by a local bar one evening where local band SexArt was playing. They were immediately taken by the vocalist's stage presence and unique vocal style. After the set, they made a point of meeting the singer, whose name was Jonathan Davis, to join their band, which was at that time called Creep.

After some consideration and a visit to a psychic, Davis decided to make the move to Huntington Beach and join Creep. They collectively decided to give the band a new name, which became KoRn.

After being seen in a club my Immortal/Epic Records rep Paul Pontius, they were signed and began working on their debut album with producer Ross Robinson.

KoRn's self-titled debut was released October 11, 1994. The first single was also the album's first track.

ARE YOU READY?!?

Starting Monday...

2009-05-15T09:24:00.001-07:00

I will be doing an Artist Of The Week.

I'll be posting about a different band every Monday, and post favorite songs/videos throughout the week.

I'm not sure who I'm going to start with yet. I have it narrowed down to 3 bands.

Hmmm...who will I pick?

Song of the day

2009-05-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

He wrote this song after the ending of a relationship. It's a beautiful song that's guaranteed to make me cry if I'm in the right mood.

Adam Ant - Wonderful

Did I tell you how much I miss
Your sweet kiss?
Did I tell you I didn't cry?
Well I lied
I lie lie lied

Over real over
When I nearly hit the face I loved
So tired of packaging the anger
Always pushing you away

Did I tell you you're wonderful?
I miss you yes I do
Did I tell you that I was wrong?
I was wrong
Cos you're wonderful yeah

Did I tell you how much I miss
Your smile?
Did I tell you I was okay?
Well no way
No way way way

Over real over
When I nearly hit the face I loved
So tired of packaging the anger
Always pushing you away

Did I tell you you're wonderful?
I miss you yes I do
Did I tell you that I was wrong?
I was wrong
Cos you're wonderful yeah

You're wonderful yeah yeah

Now now now each and every day
I realize the price I have to pay
You
You're wonderful
And now for your information
I'm walking around like an arm decoration
You
You're wonderful
So high I can't get over it
So deep I can't get under it
You
You're wonderful yeah
You're wonderful yeah yeah
You're wonderful yeah yeah
You're wonderful yeah yeah
Wonderful

Did I tell you you're wonderful?
I miss you yes I do
Did I tell you that I was wrong?
I was wrong
For so long long long

Prince and my hatred for Warners Bros. Music

2009-05-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

When I was a teen in the 80s, I listened to everything: pop, rock, punk, metal, rap, R&B, everything.

One of my favorite artists from that era was Prince.

I owned everything from Dirty Mind (1980) to Sign O' the Times (1987) on vinyl.

(Yes, I know he put out 2 albums before those and 21 albums since. I need to get back working on my Prince collection)

All I can say is, if my mother knew some of the lyrics I was listening to at such a young age (that's age 9 - 16 if you're counting) she would've flipped.

U know you're good, girl
I think you like to go down
U wouldn't have stopped
But I, I came on your wedding gown
- "Head" (1980)

If u're tired of the masturbator
Little girl, we can go on a date
And if u like, I'll jack u off
- "Jack U Off" (1981)

Look here Marsha, I'm not sayin' this just 2 be nasty
I sincerely wanna fuck the taste out of your mouth
Can U relate?
- "Let's Pretend We're Married" (1982)

And of course, my favorite, which deserves full lyrics.

I knew a girl named Nikki
I guess u could say she was a sex fiend
I met her in a hotel lobby
Masturbating with a magazine
She said how'd u like 2 waste some time
And I could not resist when I saw little Nikki grind

She took me 2 her castle
And I just couldn't believe my eyes
She had so many devices
Everything that money could buy
She said sign your name on the dotted line
The lights went out
And Nikki started 2 grind

Nikki

The castle started spinning
Or maybe it was my brain
I can't tell u what she did 2 me
But my body will never be the same
Her lovin' will kick your behind
Oh, she'll show u no mercy
But she'll sho'nuff sho'nuff show u how 2 grind

Darlin' Nikki

Woke up the next morning
Nikki wasn't there
I looked all over and all I found
Was a phone number on the stairs
It said thank u 4 a funky time
Call me up whenever u want 2 grind

Oh, Nikki, ohhhh

Come back Nikki, come back
Your dirty little Prince
Wanna grind grind grind grind grind grind grind grind grind
- "Darling Nikki" (1984)

The hatred for Warner Bros. Music comes from the fact that I wanted to post a video (I was planning on "When Doves Cry" due to general awesomeness), but because WB owns the songs, all audio has been removed from the videos on YouTube.

Which sucks.

But, YAY PRINCE!

Holy Crap!

2009-05-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

That's the effect this 23 year old song still has on me every time I hear it.

Most amazing song ever, from the most amazing album ever, by the most amazing band ever.

They played it live when I saw them in Washington DC in January. The whole arena was singing along. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I'll carry the memory of it forever.

Welcome to my music blog!

2009-05-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

I decided to make a music blog because my other blog ends up getting bogged down with videos and whatnot instead of my personal bitches and gripes I created it for in the first place.

Check out my sidebar over there to the right to see a long list of bands/artists I enjoy.

Over the last couple of crappy days, I've been listening to this song a lot. It instantly cheers me up.

Da diddley qua qua!