ROCK IS NOT DEAD - IT’S GONE BACK UNDERGROUND!
Kim shared this with me last night and I got so fucking (pardon my French) pissed off because I think ROCK MUSIC IS ALIVE AND WELL IN AMERICA!
Guitar Center is apparently like 1 Billion dollars in debt, and they are officially closing between now and like 2021 or something like that.
I’ve bought guitars/gear at Guitar Center and I’ve always been pleased with the experience and meeting the nice people who are just there because they are believers in MUSIC and the power of sounds, rhythms, harmonies, and overall just genuine bonafide human raw talent and passion and energy (UGH! it’s getting me fucking excited just TYPING about and THINKING about live shows and going bananas on the dance-floor).
I have been going to shows for so many years - I’ve had more time in my life that I was dedicating to music than I wasn’t.
The article I read was on DailyNews.com and it was saying how - apparently - there aren’t any more guitar players out there... Hip-Hop & Rap Music have officially become mainstream and because of these apparent changes in tastes (generationally-speaking, from what this article was saying) - there has been a rapid decline of kids who want to play guitar...and ..DO YOU KNOW WHAT I SAY TO THAT?!...
GO PICK UP A FUCKING GUITAR!
Rock is not dead. It’s just that the GOOD rock music is done by BLUE COLLAR FOLK LIKE ME!
We are all too busy working for a living, because Rock music is considered “Dangerous” or “Wild” or “Crazy” or whatever...
I have always listened to music, my whole life, it’s just something that has always belonged to my life and even if I decided to never play music ever again - I would still at least play at home or like at least jam out to some good music, ya know?... Music is ESSENTIAL. A Healthy heart requires a good song to keep healing (or laughter, or loved ones).
I think that more people should listen to rock music, but more importantly - I believe people need to break out of their shells and their comfort zones to develop a bit more interest in the Wild and Crazy and Fun and AWESOME aspects of Rock Music. I know there’s a ton of bad music out there, and trust me, I’ve heard a lot of really obscure and just.. well, I’ve been around, let’s just say that.
Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Country, Reggae, Ska, Electronica, I’m like - Music is Music, but dammit - People have to keep playing music. How the hell does our future have a chance? How are our grandchildren going to be in a world where people are not playing musical instruments and kicking some ass LIVE and IN YOUR FACE at shows?????
Well, either way - there are greater tragedies in the world than a Corporation folding. I just think it’s a tragedy that so many people, and I assure you they are all very talented and good people & musicians - now have to get pushed out to seek very average and mundane jobs that won’t suit their passion for music.
I suppose the local mom & pop shops will HOPEFULLY get an influx in sales and that may boost the local community economy for any area that needs it. There’s a “School of Rock”, according to that article I read, and I think that as long as development is happening with alternative ways for kids, teens, or just any youth in general, to have the proper exposure to music in a fun and educational environment - there is still Hope.
I care very, very, very much about music and it’s always been a passion for my whole life. I’ve literally had to leave amazing job opportunities and turn down promotional opportunities because I have been so dedicated and committed to my life path as a Musician.
God, I just think it’s really something that when I was growing up, I was looking forward to how fucking RAD my adulthood would be just always fantasizing about “The FUTURE” and ...I know it’s kinda silly, but like I would genuinely think, “MAN, I can only imagine what bands are gonna be like when I’m old enough to play my own shows” and I’m like...you know... it’s been like the most negative decline in rock music because I think every fucking guitar player I’ve met or like musician in general - has been either really struggling because of money - OR - they’re like a douche bag that is full of themselves and they are all talk and no play.
I believe guitars come and go - I’ve had my guitar smashed up before and I understand you know, sometimes necessary changes come in the form of sacrifice or giving up what you hold dearest to you in order to salvage another aspect of your life like your family (which is more important than anything) - but like - the spirit of music should be alive and well and should be expressed in ALL forms, not just digital - GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME ROCK & ROLL, BABY!
I’m never going to stop playing - even if I never play a show again - I will always be in my home strummin’ away just because that’s who I am and that’s my destiny, ya know?
I encourage you to think about what it is that you truly enjoy doing in life - what you are passionate about - and seriously - take some time to meditate on that and reflect if there’s a way it can be done for YOU or your FAMILY.
Seriously consider the future and that just doesn’t apply to music, or hobbies, but just in general, you know? like fucking just don’t harm anyone else’s dream or talk shit about someone else to make yourself look better (if you have ever done that, i don’t know, i honestly don’t even really care) - just don’t let really AWESOME parts of American Culture die - this country had a lot of huge movements happen and I will tell you - people sang songs and blasted music and have put on benefit concerts - I’m like... First CBGB’s and now This? What’s next? No interest in music at all??? I digress...
“GOD GAVE ROCK AND ROLL TO YOU”
- ATOMIK 1
