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When Being A Fan Breaks Your Heart

Romeo Sid Vicious — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:38:18 +0000

So my Wednesday politics post isn’t about national politics this time. It isn’t about local politics. It’s about something that a lot of people don’t even realize is political. I actually had a post about politics ready to go. I had found something that got my ire up and I wanted to speak on it but then today something happened that broke my heart and I decided I had to post about this and that my other topic can wait.

As most folks who know me outside of this blog can attest to I am very vocal about intellectual property especially as it relates to music. And as everyone who reads this blog or ever hears me talk about music knows I am a huge fan of Lucero. I have done an intro to their music just to turn more people on to them. I have met them, partied with them in more than one state, and talked about all sorts of crap. I am a fanboy when it comes to Lucero and while I might should be ashamed of that I am not. Today I had my heart broken.

Let me start at the beginning. 1372 Overton Park is their first release on a major label, Universal to be exact, and with my feelings about the major players in the music industry being what they are this was a hard pill to swallow. But I remembered Ben told me that they would never sign a deal that made them be anything aside from what they were so I figured that whatever the boys put pen to paper and agreed to wouldn’t change the basic band or the fans. To be clear the album is amazing. I pre-ordered it, had the leak before anyone else I know, and love it as much as any other Lucero album. I had to say that because I didn’t want anyone to think that the music the boys are making is anything less than the amazing music they have always made and what I am about to say may have given that impression. When my CD arrived yesterday I was not happy. On the packaging there are two visible FBI PIRACY WARNINGS visible and on the CD itself there is yet another. I figured this was just Universal and being that it’s Lucero and they have always encouraged people to share their music like I did with the intro that it was just the record company shaking their junk. I was wrong. Early this morning the other site I write for received a takedown notice for the two songs posted, as is the custom there, after the review. Autopsy IV replaced them with live versions so the songs are still there technically but not the versions you hear on the album.

I will never purchase another album from Lucero. I will buy merch at the shows, and I will go see them live, but I will never send another penny of my money to the corporation who now controls their music. It breaks my heart to say that but for me this is a clear cut abuse of copyright. The songs were obviously posted as part of commentary on a site which has no advertisements and does not charge for anything. This is not commercial use and being as that the songs are part of the commentary it is obviously fair use. The abuse of fair use that the system allows is disgusting. The DMCA, in the manner in which it is enforced, provides for no fair use which is a violation of the Berne Convention at the least and morally wrong to boot.

As an old man I shouldn’t have heroes. I shouldn’t. But I do and Lucero were some of them. Since they now allow a record company, a dues paying member of the RIAA, to control their music they have lost that status. You may not feel this is political but when these companies take laws meant to prosecute people duplicating CD/DVDs/etc for profit and use them against everyday people who made the mistake of sharing files and get settlements worth millions against people who make half of what I do and it’s upheld by the courts it becomes political. So it is with heavy heart that I write that I have lost some of my last heroes and will not ever purchase their music again. I can’t help but love the music and I will see them live and most likely still buy merch and I will surely buy the band drinks but they have burned a bridge that I am pretty sure they won’t try to go back down.

For a band that got as big as they by their fans sharing their music with others and then to have them do this is unconscionable. I cannot comprehend it. I plan to try and get time before their show here in town and do an interview with the boys and ask the questions this raises. I hope they don’t know what is happening or at the very least don’t approve. But I won’t know until I ask. Right now it feels like they have sold out and I hate saying that with every bone in my body. I didn’t think they sold out when they had their music used in Cold Case or One Tree Hill, I didn’t think they sold out because this album seems more radio friendly because it sound like a natural progression, but when the takedown notices fly then I can only conclude that they have sold out. And that my dear readers breaks my heart.

I might should have posted more links to copyright abuse stuff but you can find enough on TechDirt to satisfy your curiosity as well as many explanations on why tactics like this don’t work and only hurt the band in question in the long run. I love my boys but I hope this deal crashes and burns so there is nothing left to identify in the remains and the boys go back to making music and encouraging their fans to share it. I will be buying music from Suburban Home in the meantime. In fact I am going to post this and go sign up for access to their digital catalog for life. First off because it’s a great deal and secondly because Virgil doesn’t give the RIAA a dime. I urge you all to boycott this album from Lucero and any further releases of theirs on Universal. I hate to say that, I really do, but for me this is a moral issue and I cannot stand by and be silent.

Please Consider Where I’ve Been (an intro to Tim Barry)

Romeo Sid Vicious — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:47:51 +0000

Stepping out of the legendary punk band Avail and into bare feet and the occasional tour bus Tim Barry has carved his name in the hearts of alt country fans everywhere. From the opening strains of Laurel Street Demos’ Idle Idylist to his presence on the Revival Tour he is a powerhouse. His songs evoke the kind of emotion that Southerners grasp on a level not available to the rest of the world. From train songs to heartbreaks Tim covers the range. His influences range from punk to vintage country and his songwriting shows it. While I refer to his music as alt country it really transcends the genre. There is an honesty to this music that is rare in any genre. You can listen to a few of these songs and say “Mr. Barry your punk is showing” and not be off the mark and still on others you can hear the haunting melodies of the country greats. I don’t think any music fan won’t find something to like in Tim’s catalog.

I have missed him the last couple of times he has been through Houston and it is much to my dismay. I don’t have a single cool story to tell about this man. In fact I am pretty much a new fan. I had heard his name floating around amongst my musical peers but I had never listened to his solo music. I had been an Avail fan for a long while but for some reason I had skipped Tim’s solo career. Last year I got a copy of the Revival Tour’s stop in Denver and Dog Bumped was the first time I had ever heard Tim Barry. Since then I have procured all of his released music and it’s been in heavy rotation since I first bought Laurel Street Demos last year. Much like most of the other intros I have put up Tim is a Suburban Home Records Artist and that’s, at least around these parts, a mark in his favor. While his solo catalog is small compared to bands like Drag The River there is so much ground covered in the few LPs he has released that it never ceases to amaze. Choosing these tracks was no easy task and I did sit and ponder which tracks to include. I hope that I have done Mr. Barry justice in my choices.

(I did things a little differently on this set of tapes and included the albums in the ID3 tags so there isn’t a track to album list for each tape. You’ll just have to buy them all!)

Tape 1 Track Archive

Tape 2 is two tracks off of each of Avail’s full length albums. Tim’s method of delivery may have changed but these tracks will show you that from his humble punk rock beginnings to his quieter method these days the intensity hasn’t gone anywhere. I couldn’t choose a favorite part of Tim’s career if I tried. Although Pink Houses holds a special place in my heart. I probably listen to more of his solo stuff nowadays but that’s just where I am at. Also I’m old…and GET OFF MY LAWN!

Tape 2 Track Archive

Tim has a new album in the works so be sure to keep your eyes on Suburban Home Records for more details…

Linkage:
Tim Barry’s Website
Tim Barry on Suburban Home
Tim Barry on MySpace

I Bleed Just Like You

Romeo Sid Vicious — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:00:15 +0000

Some years back I was in Austin with my wife and brother to see Lucero. I had seen them the weekend before in Los Angeles and my ride had sort of bailed on, she had her reasons, but all of my merch was in her car. I had spent a pretty penny on merch that evening and was not happy about the whole situation but the evening wasn’t ruined. I ended up borrowing money from Ben to catch a cab back to my hotel and since neither of us had clue one about where were or where the hell my hotel was he gave me a crisp new hundred. Also not realizing, due to hanging out with Ben all night if you know what I mean, that LA is sort of built in the hills I thought it would be a good idea to just hop over the flower-bed in the hotel parking lot. The four foot drop on the other side was unexpected and I ended up in the street, face down, in front of my cab. I picked myself up, brushed off the gravel, and left my dignity lying in the street. Five whole blocks later I stepped out the cab and went into my hotel. It had been that kind of night. But I digress…

I went to Austin to see Lucero and pay Ben back for the loan and there’s more stories to that night than I can tell here but Bill Krejski (Sorry if I murdered you name Bill) had heard about my merch driving away and went about making sure everything was replaced and on top of that handed me some CDs by bands he really liked. I had never heard of either of them and have to admit that Nashville Pussy rarely sees any time on the playlist but the other band sees more than most. The first time I dropped I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House into the CD player I was hooked!

Now you have to understand a couple of things here. I love music for the sake of music and generally don’t like mixing politics with my tunes so normally that would be strike one against any band, after all Dear Mr. Heston is not exactly apolitical. The second is that Michael Dean Damron and I are polar opposites when it comes to politics. I doubt there is a single thing we could agree on politically and he does, or did with I Can Lick Any SOB, bring politics into his music so there would normally be strike two. I don’t usually even bother trying to find a third strike when it comes to music so most bands wouldn’t have seen a second play from me after listening to Put Here To Bleed but the music was so good that I overlooked the politics completely and now own all of their albums and thanks to our gracious host have recently caught up on Michael Dean Damron’s solo career. I think both with I Can Lick Any SOB and solo that Damron is an amazing songwriter and performer and more than that worth getting to know musically. So without further ado here are two tapes covering Damron from I Can Lick Any SOB to his most recent solo effort. Tape 1 is all I Can Lick Any SOB and covers all of their albums including Live at Dante’s. Admittedly I left out the political tunes for completely selfish reasons but since I am the one making these tapes I get to do that….

Tracks 1-4: Creepy Little Noises
Tracks 5-7: Menace
Tracks 8-10: Put Here To Bleed
Tracks 11-14: Live at Dante’s

Track Archive

Tape two is Michael Dean Damron solo and I think he is still getting better and better. I Can Lick Any SOB was an amazing band but songs like Cape and Blame it on the Whiskey are amazing songs and I will freely admit have helped me deal with my personal demons. You know those demons. They are the ones that show up when you come home from the bar, wife asleep, and all that’s there is you, whiskey, and the thoughts in your head. Those are the nights where you want to drop in some Michael Dean Damron and just let it all go. His cover of Drag The River‘s Beautiful and Damned is one of the most amazing covers I have ever heard and is in heavy rotation on the iPod. Anyway, enough of my jawin’…

Track Archive

Tracks 1-3: Bad Days Ahead
Tracks 4-7: A Perfect Day for a Funeral
Tracks 8-11: Father’s Day

Track Archive

All the linkage you might need:
I Can Lick Any SOB – Official Website
I Can Lick Any SOB store on In Music We Trust
The day I Can Lick Any SOB broke up – 9b article
Michael Dean Damron – Official Website\
Michael Dean Damron – Myspace
Michael Dean Damron’s coverage on 9b

Enter: Two Cow Garage

Romeo Sid Vicious — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:00:35 +0000

I haven’t been a fan of Two Cow Garage for that long, which is a travesty, but they have taken a rightful place among most played artists. I went a different route with this intro as, much like Cory, I was working with a limited selection of releases only this time I had but a single bootleg recording with which to supplement. So instead of walking through the Columbus, OH rockers’ career in chronological order I decided to slap down one tape of my favorites from all of their albums and give you the only concert I have in full and un-cut. While seemingly limited two tapes is more than enough to show anyone who’s tastes cross mine that Two Cow Garage is an awesome band. I advise listening to these tapes while point you browser at Suburban Home Records and buy their three albums as quickly as you can.

Tracks 01, 08, and 11 are from Speaking In Cursive
Tracks 02, 03, 05, 12, and 15 are from III
Tracks 04, 07, 09, and 13 are from The Wall Against Our Back
Tracks 06, 10, ad=and 14 are from Please Turn The Gas Back On

Track Archive Here
Embed Code:

This is a show I found linked on the Drag The River message board. It was formerly hosted on cotapers.org but isn’t in their database anymore. Thankfully there were two seeders for the torrent and it took about eight hours. I’ll probably never know who the seeders were but I owe them a debt of thanks. Also thanks to the original taper: James Freeman for making this available for us. I did convert the FLACs to MP3 for this tape but it’s always nice having FLACs of concerts laying around. And there you have it….

Track Archive Here
Embed Code:

Well folks that’s all for this intro. I have one more in the alt-country vein then I am going to bring in some Texas/Red Dirt music to fill out the intros series. I may have two or three more months of weekly intros in me. If you have heard me mention a band and would like to request an intro please feel free to drop me a line on twitter and I’ll see about taking care of it for ya’.

It’s Always Darkest

Romeo Sid Vicious — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:57:21 +0000

Just in time for #musicmonday on twitter I managed to finish up the latest in my intros series. This week we have William Elliott Whitmore for your listening pleasure. I have only been listening to this guy for about a year now, after seeing a post about him on 9b but in that year I have purchased every album he has released. He’s just that good. With a voice that Tom Waits could only dream about Whitmore moans out every track with an amazing passion. I have read the bio on his website, the reviews all over the web, and I have to say that getting to know WEW is best done by simply listening to his music. So press play and off you go…

Tracks 1-3 are off of Hymns for the Hopeless(2003)
Track 4 is from The Day the End Finally Came (2004)
Tracks 5-8 are from Ashes to Dust (2005)
Tracks 9-11 hail from Latitudes (2005)
Tracks 12-14 are off of Song of the Blackbird (2006)
Tracks 15-17 come from Animals in the Dark (2009)
Track 18 is from the single Animals in the Dark (2009)

Click here for the track archive
William Elliott Whitmore’s website
Nine Bullets – Since Autopsy IV is responsible for my introduction WEW it’s only fair I toss his site in here as well.

And I almost forgot…the embed code so you can plop this little tape anywhere you like