The Living Rockumentary

I'm home with a classic cold. Like classic hits, or classic coke--you know what to expect. It's safe, reassuring, not scary. But, like classic rock or classic coke, there are many things I'd rather have. Say, to be healthy, listening to the new Spanish For Hitchhiking and drinking a Dewers on the rocks.
That will have to wait for Friday night. With all the Vit C, zinc and echnacia and garlic ,I best be good for Friday.

I just heard 2 inspiring pieces on Morning Edition. In one, the famous rock critic Robert Christgau (sp?) said "there's not a bad song on the latest Fountains of Wayne album". And, to put it mildly, he's a tough nut to crack. He hates a lot of things. So, well done.

Then there was a piece on Jenny Toomey. That name was all over the place about 9 years ago when everyone was putting out 7" records. She ran Simple Machines records and she and her Tsunami bandmates put out the "how to exist in the indie world" bible. My facts may be a bit off. I'm sick.
In any case, she's still fighting the good fight (and putting out solo records). She's representing the majority of musicians in the world--the ones with little to no Bling. The ones who are sitting bemused by billionaire record execs and recording artists crying that they're being ripped off by college students who use Kazaa etc.
Her big fight these days is that there is no outlet for indie rock on the radio. She's gone up and testified against the RIAA and all. The irony? She's married to a Clear Channel executive. And she STILL can't get her songs on the radio.
Anyway, go to indiecentre.com for indie touring etc resources.
Go to jennytoomey.com to learn about her.

On the other side of radio reality,I was listening to a bit of Howard Stern on Monday--they were talking about the Grammys and how Outkast were signed just out of high school. Howard said, "that's the way to do it--there's nothing sadder than a bunch of guys in their late 20's still trying to become rock stars".
For a minute I felt defensive and defeated. Then I thought, wait--he just turned 50 and he makes his living talking about what your average 14 year old boys talk about. And that's great. I enjoy him in low doses.
THEN I thought--wait wait. I really don't even wanna be a rock star. I just want to play drums in good bands. If I really wanted to be a rock star, I'd not have such an impressive resume. Really, my only goal has ever been to be the anonymous drummer on a song that still pops up on radio from time to time. Like "Psychotic Reaction" or "Have You Never Been Mellow". (again! he work that song into a post!)