Thoughts From a Rock Concert

Last night I went to a triple rock concert, Ted Nugent, Styx and REO Speedwagon. The primary reason I went is my brother is REO’s Lighting and Stage Designer, so I get to see his designs and spend some time with him. Very cool.

I only caught the last three songs of Nugent’s set. These aren’t 3 minute radio play songs, these have long drum and guitar solos. Blast from the past, every musician on stage gets an extended solo. He’s still the fast fingered power guitarist. He may be the last of the true anti-establishment rockers. He’s political for sure, not the limousine liberal that other rockers are now and claim to be anti-establishment. Remember, the Left has ruled culture; books, movies, and music for well over half a century, and been in political power (with the exception of a couple years here and there) since the 1930’s. They are the establishment, and I’m not aware of any entertainer out there ranting against it. The entertainment stars are making their $millions, living in mansions in gated communities. They’re anti-second amendment yet have guns. They’re anti-free speech, except for their own. They’re pro high taxes yet have legions of tax accountants and lawyers finding deductions and hiding places for their funds received from mediocre performances, but won’t hesitate to blast Romney for being rich. He’s had jobs that he’s done well. Entertainers bring us pleasure, allegedly. Many don’t because they’re mediocre in comparison to so many that have gone before.

My brother Paul and I took a brief walk out on the Strip (I live in Las Vegas) and it was just a freak show! Even the people “dressed up” looked horrid. We’ve all seen the WalMart people photos. People “dress up” and show no more clothing sense going out to concerts and fine restaurants than that.  I've been to fine restaurants with a casual business attire dress code, and people show up in flip flops, shorts and T's. They unfortunately are let in. Listening to bits and pieces of conversation, I could barely tell what was being said with all the “like” being more than peppered into the conversation, it was like ya know like, ya know what I mean? like um, like ya know? Good grief.

We go back to the auditorium and Nugent is rockin’ hard. Screamin’ guitar! I listen to guitarists now, and they’re mediocre by comparison. I don’t hear anyone the equivalent to Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Nugent, Satriani, Santana, or Dick Dale. One could tell the women there weren’t enthralled with it. They consented to this with their significant other is my guess, and when Styx and REO were on, they were up and dancing. It’s well performed music, with melody, stories and declarations of love. Most lyrics now are babble about sex and repetitively repetitive.

The CD player in my car is broken, so I’ve been tuning into the “rock” stations. Scare quotes. That’ because a noticeable amount of it is rap music backed with loud fast guitar. Loud fast guitar with someone beating the crap out of drums with a rhyming talking lead “singer”, does not rock music make. Rap is rap; don’t care how it’s formatted. I don’t know whether to blame the Beastie Boys or Aerosmith\Run DMC. Kid Rock hasn't helped. It’s mundane, mindless and mediocre.

Civilization goes on, it just changes; it doesn't end. Lots of philosophers and the political class have bemoaned the end of their specific civilization while doing their best to contribute to it. Mostly civilizations reject what made them top dog, become decadent, and some bad totalitarians move in. Notice the lack of creativity the past half century? Nothing new, just adjustments or what we can generously call improvements. That’s because what were once cultural rebels are just going along with groupthink and say they are. What were once creators can make a mint just rearranging what already exists. We’re at that crossroads, and can change direction from a centralized communist state and start moving back toward a constitutional republic. This coming November will tell. That liberty would open the flow of creative juices in arts and entertainment, religion, and business and technology. If we do, I’d like to see Nugent play Hendrix’s Star Spangled Banner at one of the inaugural concerts.

Just some thoughts on a concert.

Clapton "Crossroads"

http://youtu.be/MtLhPeLB9bA

Saturday Night Out

Last night I met my brother at the Thomas and Mack arena. He's the Lighting Designer for REO Speedwagon, so I get to see a lot of their concerts. This year they're on tour with 38 Special and Styx. I got there while 38 Special was playing, and Paul and I went for a walk. It was only a little after 7:00 and REO was the closing act and didn't come on until about 9:30. This whole endeavor is sooooo massive! All the equipment for three groups take about seven semi's and seven tour buses. They had driven from Phoenix the night before and started working here in Vegas at 8am. Last night, or rather this morning, (I left a little after midnight) they were still loading out. Backstage, there is good humor, helpfulness and focus. These guys had been at it since morning and it was nearly midnight. Giant trunks on wheels getting stuffed with equipment, massive wires, computers, control panels; then fork lifts racing to get the trunks on the trucks. I've seen lots of load outs, lots of locations, and am always amazed at the efficiency and quickness. Next time you're at a concert, take a good look at the lighting trusses. They're massive and complex. These roadies are amazing. Paul at one point comes down off the stage, signals to me to follow, and says he's going to put me to work. We dismantle and pack the CO2 bottles. He's said he'll turn me into a road dog yet. My dogs are tired; I leave them up and stay home. I'm amazed these guys live on the road. Last year REO did ninety something concerts. Simply amazing.

The concert itself was fun. I of course know all the REO music. One of my favorite groups since the 70's. Styx, not really on my musical radar, was okay. I thought in the seventies they were a bit self important, and they still come off that way. Though they don't engage me musically, I do appreciate their singing and musicianship. It's high quality and technically proficient. When the lights went down for REO to start after Styx, the stage stayed dark for a bit too long, and the crowed starts its stomping and cheering. It could have been a teaser. What happened was that when Paul went to bring up the lights, there was no response in the control board. The Thomas and Mack computer guy did a quick check and couldn't find out what was wrong, so he got Paul moved over to the backup board. They were both so pro and calm. What had happened was that when the master board was moved a little for the REO set, a cable got disconnected. Just a little, so couldn't be noticed in the dark. I may a bit biased here, but REO has a better show, and is way more fun. It's just a celebration of music. It was great to see, for both groups, thousands of people dancing, singing and laughing. A lot of the lyrics to are so celebratory of life, of people, of rising up to meet challenges, not giving up; then the story telling songs.

Here's a kudos to a job well done...to roadies and musicians.