An Angry Fix @anangryfix - Tumblr Blog

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Delusional Thoughts From Fantasy Island DTFFI 19.1: My First Drum Set

One of my favorite things about David Bazan as a musical artist is his ability to tell a story. At first, many of those stories were about his struggles with religion and, later, ironically, his struggles on his way out of Christianity. His recent albums in his band, Pedro the Lion, tell more lighthearted and less spiritually depressing stories. One of my favorites is an autobiographical retelling of his father buying him his first drum set, “First Drum Set.” It feels personal and similar to my own story of receiving my own. In his song, Bazan got his first drum set due to a void in his school's band. My band was just me and my friends. Here’s the story.

I'm weird about attaching myself to things of value. I generally don't take any massive stock in things that are necessarily expensive. Sure, some things are expensive and necessary, while others are luxury items masquerading as status symbols. Because something is costly, you a. Don't need to buy it and b. You don't need to show it off to everyone. Nobody cares; your possessions do not make up an individual's character (or at least shouldn't in a perfect world).

That said, there are some tangible things that I own that I place extreme value on. I have a pot that my grandmother used to cook rice in. I have a "book" my daughter made for me to read on planes when traveling a few years ago. There is a guitar pick from a band I don't even like, but I always keep it in my bass guitar case for good luck. I also have a carabiner that's held my keys since the 1990s. These are all my Horcruxes – if you are ever thinking about destroying me, these should be the first places to look.

My last Horcrux is my pride and joy. Well, I wouldn't necessarily call it that. But it's something that I hold a lot of emotional value to: my first drum set. Of all the things in my life, that drum set has been there through most of it—a constant in the most bare of terms. I received my late-1990s dark blue Premier drumset when I was a sophomore in high school. My first instrument was a black and white bass guitar in seventh grade (not a Horcrux, but I still own it), and I played in a few "bands" with my friends into high school. None of them were any good, but it started a lifelong desire to play music. The bass guitar is still my preferred instrument, but I always wanted to get into drums from the very start. I can never forget playing along to the songs back in middle school and staring at whoever was thumping away on the drums and wishing it was me.

My mom would be the first person to tell you that. I used to annoy her by tapping on almost anything to pass the time. Like all musicians (and I still wouldn't call myself one, more of a musical hobbyist), sometimes you start playing to fill a void left by another. That was me. I became the drummer.

One of the first "bands" I played in my early adolescence was with my two best friends, both named Will. I played in probably a half dozen musical projects between the two Wills in my life, but one Will in particular became my musical beacon for over a decade. Anyway, there was a time when we didn't play in a band together. At the time, I was more or less a "hired gun" for bass guitar and would sling my services to anyone. I was in two or three projects in early high school, but none were with that particular Will.

Around the same time, I regularly attended his church and fell in with his friend group. He and a few other friends there, who went to the same high school as we did, started a band with Will on the drums. I remember hearing about them practicing with a bit of jealousy but never letting on.

Later that year, between ninth and tenth grade, they played their first "concert" at his house for a church summer pool party. I wouldn't say they were fantastic, but I have likely never been more jealous of something I wasn't involved in. Thankfully, a few months later, I got to join the band when one of the guitar players had to split. The only problem was that Will moved to guitar, and they already had a bass player. I had to fill on drums. We called ourselves "The Transition." I never realized until now how fitting that title was for me.The Transition, Battle of the Bands, c. 2000.

I started slow in those practices, playing on Will's semi-beat-up Percussion Plus kit. Within a month or two, we recorded our first "demo" in Will's bedroom with analog recording equipment. I tried listening to that tape, which I still have, but I had to turn it off. I was terrible, but thankfully I got better.

My parents saw me that October for a "show" at our bass player's house, which gave them enough confidence that I could earn my own drum set. As mentioned earlier, I got my first drum set, the Premier, that Christmas. I understand my privilege in getting that set, and I will never be more appreciative of my parents for allowing me these things that piqued my interest. At least I still play it today, right, Mom and Dad?

It's hard to describe how that first set felt. I remember feeling very awkward behind it. It felt so big, which is hilarious because that was most likely due to the drum throne being too low. The best part of that drum set was figuring out how it worked: how to tune it and orient the drums to make it look cool (yes, I used to draw drum setups from famous musicians and try to emulate them until I found my style). Ultimately, I found the four-piece standard style was my favorite. I now only use one bass drum, snare, and floor tom. Less is more, baby. Will and I with the Premier Set, c. 2002-2003

I won't go into the details about that drum set in rich detail. I've probably set it up and broken it down more than I can count. It's survived a few crash drives from guitar players, beer stains, cigarette burns, etc. I remember a drunk girl at JMU threw up on it, and I had to wipe off puke on my bass drum back in college. But I love it just the same. My first drum set (with some added pieces) in a room where I spent the best years of my life: Will’s garage.

I play in a band now without a drummer. Well, that's not entirely true. We do it in the Big Black/Le Tigre style, with a backing track of mostly drums played by a guitar and bass player. The kicker (pun intended) is that I am also the drummer in this band; I record it without playing it live. It's truly the best of both worlds, and I couldn't be more stoked to still use parts of that first drum set in each recording. The band's name is Han Gan, in case you didn't know. When you listen to those songs, you are listening to a musical record of my life that goes back decades. It makes those songs feel special every time I hear them. The floor tom I hit on songs recorded last year are the same ones I stared at in wonderment back in high school.

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#substack #writer #non-fiction #music #tumblog

Oh, I Get It

It’s not that you are done talking to other people for the evening, You are just done talking to me.

I guess it takes a while to take the hint, Just know that carrots eventually wither on the string.

#poetry #daily #art #poet

oatmeal

This is from a comic about being creative. Read the rest on my website: 8 things I’ve learned about creativity.

anangryfix

Fuck that hits close to home.

Boy bye.

Political Punk Rock Reflection

I can’t sleep. I’m sitting here anxiously awaiting the inauguration tomorrow, hoping to God that nothing bad happens. I figured I might as well reflect on some politics while I have all this nervous energy. Punk rock music, above all other genres, influenced who I am today. For better or worse, the way I think about the world today was influenced by my (mostly) teenage years fully engulfed in punk rock music. Let’s be honest, you aren’t going to get much of a worldview listening to Here’s my list of my top five most influential punk rock songs that shaped me into who I am today. 5. Firecracker - Strung Out Some of these lyrics read like they have been lifted out of the pages the last few weeks. It’s almost as if Strung Out had anticipated the MAGA folks, but I can remember that in the mid 1990s when that record came out, there were probably these types of people crying for freedom and justice over the President getting a blowjob. Sigh. Those were the salad days, right?

Favorite Lyric: “In all your glory in all your Pride. Light the way torch of Liberty, Light the sky for the whole world to see, In all your glory in all your pride.” 4. Fertile Fields - Good Riddance It’s hard to pick a political song from one of the most politically motivated punk bands around. Of all the albums and songs I included in this list, I listened to Good Riddance’s “Ballads from the Revolution” the most. From top to bottom, it’s almost a perfect punk rock record (damn you “Not With Him”). I love the intensity and the way everything comes together in the mix. Once you move past the Sudden Impact movie quotes, the song hits like you like a bed of nails. The vocals are loud and raspy but sung with purpose and drive. There’s no pretense about how they feel and what they want to communicate through their craft. Favorite Lyric: “She who longs for comfort feels instead a savage thrust And the ashen sky grows ever darker as dawn gives way to dust”

3. Nazi Punks Fuck Off - The Dead Kennedys

Could I make a list, especially in light of everything happening right now, and not include this song? What’s more upsetting is the current iteration of The Dead Kennedy’s (Yes, the tax religion, “In God We Trust, Inc.” band) gave a digital hi-five to Mitt Romney for doing the bare minimum of standing up to an attempted coup two weeks ago. Jello was quick to slam any connection with the odd show of support. “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” is loud and straight to the point. Over 50% of the lyrics are the song title. Sure, it’s not as sophisticated as some of their other hits, but that doesn’t mean it gets right down to business. And when you’re dealing with a former Nazi, a current Nazi, or a budding Parler/Neo-Nazi/Y’all Qaeda in waiting, you need to put something on that is short and sweet. Jello gets it. So should you. Favorite Lyric: “Ten guys jump one, what a man You fight each other, the police state wins“

2. Adventures in Zoochosis - Propagandhi I have a child now, so that definitely changes thing. Being a parent on the surface is decidedly anti-punk rock, but I would beg to differ. It’s an open act of rebellion, because I felt more unhinged and out of control as a 30-something than I ever did when I was fifteen blasting punk rock records in my bedroom. Propagandhi hits differently with this song and their record Victory Lap. The whole album is a condemnation of Trump, toxic masculinity, the 1%, etc. And of course, that is part for the course. But the lyrics and subject matter of this particular song relate to something you might pass down to your child. When I first heard this song, I openly wept. I listened to it over and over again. In fact, I’m pretty sure it was my top Spotify song for 2017 or 2018. I’d have to check. The vocal intensity is really what seals it for me. The allegory of a zoo to living in America (i.e. enrichment programs from our “keepers”) is absolutely brilliant. This makes me want to punch a wall, hug my daughter, and eat some vegan cashew cream. This is not only one of my favorite Propagandhi songs, but one of my favorite songs period. Favorite Lyric: “I don't give a fuck about the enrichment programs Implemented to extend our captive lifespans Motherfucker gonna get a load of what I got planned“

1. The Decline - NOFX

Just from a musical standpoint, this is still an undisputed masterpiece. NOFX were never shy to talk about the political feelings. To be honest, they were never shy to talk about anything (See: “My Heart is Yearning”). That doesn’t mean their lyrics are tight and succinct in this eighteen minute song. Although this song came out after I had moved on to devouring post punk and indie/emo genres, I still bought it. I listen to it at least once a month in its entirety, especially when I am in a foul mood. I find myself going back and searching through all the lyrics to find new insight into the DIY approach to peaceful resistance. After all, that’s all punk rock is: a loud, unabashed protest of the status quo. After all...

With a newly bought government, we could make a great profit....or tear it apart. Favorite Lyric: “I wish I had a schilling (For each senseless killing) For every senseless killing I'd buy a government” Happy Inauguration Day.

#inauguration #dc #political #punk rock #music #music blog

chewbacca

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ✿✼:*ﾟ:༅｡.｡༅:*･ﾟﾟ･⭑ [source: milo_the_toller on instagram]

itsboundtobetragic

Atlanta | 01x02

animusrox

RoboCop 2 (1990) dir. Irvin Kershner

anangryfix

Narc.

Taking Digital Footsteps

I’ve wanted to write more. I want to write about what I am doing in my life, what is going on. I want to talk about struggles and triumphs. I have many of both. It’s nice if people read it, but it’s not a requirement. I have lots of thoughts about life, my work in museums, and the joys and pains of...well...living right now. Let’s hope I keep up with it.

#realtalk