The biz is full of scamz. The 'biz' of which I speak is literary publication. It seems that there are a variety of ways that newbie and established writers alike can get swindled out of their bucks. Look at Writer Beware and Preditors & Editors for some of the latest slimy, yellow plaque clogging up the brick road which leads to being a published writer. I do not claim to be an expert on publication or know the legitimacy of these watchdog sites. What they have to say makes sense to me.
A lot of these things are common sense, but it seems we loose what sense we have, common or otherwise, when our fragile egos are massaged just right. How many people put a year or more of effort into writing a book just for the fun of it.
"Like, wow, Scoob, I just wrote the Great American Novel. Let's go smoke a Scooby Snack and light this baby on fire."
"Good one Raggy! roooby doo!"
Sorry, but it's more likely we'd want all that work to pay for groceries. What's worse is that we're willing to accept, on some level, that notion that you gotta spend money to make money. So, when a 'publisher' (aka yellow plaque slime) says our work is really good, we stop listening. However, they continue on with a BUT (asshole is more accurate, but I digress). We only need to pay them $XXX to get it 'published.' Better yet, they say our work is in need of, well, work and they will help us whip it into shape. Awesome! Sign me up!
Well, this writing thing is indeed a biz and should be treated as such. It should be researched (for more than an hour) and should be approached with extreme caution. The system sucks and has many flaws, traps, and quicksand, but its the only way to get your creativity out to the masses. Or is it?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Jump
I got chance to see the Van Halen reunion gig last night. Free club level tickets were just too good to pass up. The show was good. The songs were well done and the guys came up with a great set list. My only complaint was the sound. I love loud music. If I can feel it as much as hear it, things are good. This was the type of loud music that blasted my ears last night. I've played with a band on stage. I know that your 'house' sound is completely out of your control. You've got to rely on the sound engineer. Last night's bozo should be strapped into a swivel chair next to an F-16's screaming after-burner for two hours. Distorted bass, screaming feedback, and completely unintelligible sound was what Mr. Sound Dude threw at us. I'll give Sound Bozo the fact that the venue is an acoustical disaster, but come on you can do better than that.
Anyway, me and VH go way back. I remember using my spiffy high-tech Sears dual cassette player to record 'Jump' off of the static riddled radio station. I loved that low rumbling synthesizer intro; I loved the screaming guitar; and heck I might as well... Jump. I got sick of waiting for the radio to play my song. So, I made the trek to the local K-Mart and bought the album: 1984. 'Jump' got a little tiresome (no pun intended) but I found 'Panama' on the same album. I was thirteen years old and was just developing my taste in music, and I think that song changed the way I listened to music. I didn't care what David was crooning on about. I wanted guitar. I wanted to hear what Ed had to say. How the hell did he make his guitar sing like that? Even today, I still completely focus the guitar's part in songs. That is probably why I play guitar myself.
Back in '91 I got to see VH at Tingley Coliseum--another acoustical nighmare. There was no 'Jump' since Sammy wouldn't sing the 'old' stuff. I didn't care. I wanted to hear Ed and his Frankenstrat. I vividly remember his guitar solo: the lights were all on him; the rest of the band and stage were in complete darkness; Eddie sat down on the edge of the stage and lit up that guitar. He put down an inspired solo. Everything fit together. Amazing.
Seeing those guys on stage again and hearing them nail those old songs brought back floods of memories. I never realized how important and influential Van Halen was in my life. Watching those fifty-somethings play those old songs made me realize what an amazing legacy they are part of. They even closed the night with a little 'Jump'. Thanks VH!
Anyway, me and VH go way back. I remember using my spiffy high-tech Sears dual cassette player to record 'Jump' off of the static riddled radio station. I loved that low rumbling synthesizer intro; I loved the screaming guitar; and heck I might as well... Jump. I got sick of waiting for the radio to play my song. So, I made the trek to the local K-Mart and bought the album: 1984. 'Jump' got a little tiresome (no pun intended) but I found 'Panama' on the same album. I was thirteen years old and was just developing my taste in music, and I think that song changed the way I listened to music. I didn't care what David was crooning on about. I wanted guitar. I wanted to hear what Ed had to say. How the hell did he make his guitar sing like that? Even today, I still completely focus the guitar's part in songs. That is probably why I play guitar myself.
Back in '91 I got to see VH at Tingley Coliseum--another acoustical nighmare. There was no 'Jump' since Sammy wouldn't sing the 'old' stuff. I didn't care. I wanted to hear Ed and his Frankenstrat. I vividly remember his guitar solo: the lights were all on him; the rest of the band and stage were in complete darkness; Eddie sat down on the edge of the stage and lit up that guitar. He put down an inspired solo. Everything fit together. Amazing.
Seeing those guys on stage again and hearing them nail those old songs brought back floods of memories. I never realized how important and influential Van Halen was in my life. Watching those fifty-somethings play those old songs made me realize what an amazing legacy they are part of. They even closed the night with a little 'Jump'. Thanks VH!
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