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Speaking of the Advocate, I just wrote an email to the scribe who writes the Dear Dexter column. In last week's issue, Dexter griped that local bands never write about their hometown. (I won't reprint the whole article- you can find it here:
http://valleyadvocate.com/gbase/Lifestyle/content?oid=oid:94321
Here's my hastily penned response below:
Hi Dexter,
In regards your latest column's passage about local music, I'm going to go out on a limb and just say you haven't been listening to the right local bands! If anything, those of us in this incestuous Valley music scene write about our local surroundings too much. The Lonesome Brothers "Crossin' At The Cuckoo" is all about the intersection of Pleasant and Main in downtown Northampton, The Figments wrote a tune about "Hugo's," their favorite bar (on Pleasant St.), Ari Vais of The Pelicans (but formerly of Northampton band Humbert) wrote a song called "Burnout" about Lord Russ, lead singer of The Aloha Stematrain and a drunken escapade of his at the legendary Baystate Hotel, Lord Russ fired one back (also called "Burnout") about Mr. Vais (a "pot calling the kettle black," piece), there's a Fawns song about snowplows plowing South St., a School For The Dead songs about local folks who are always hanging out downtown, etc. etc., ad nauseam. These are just examples off the top of my head. If you took the time to peruse just one CD by The Lonesome Brothers (and you'll be happy you did), you'll get so sick of hearing about the Valley, your next column will be dedicated to whining about how locally-obsessed Valley musicians are, I guarantee it.
I write this note not out of contempt or criticism but because like I said, you've been listening to the wrong bands, and I suggest you remedy the situation and get exposed to some great music in the process. Any of those previously listed would do for starters. You'll be glad you did.
Sincerely,
Anthony Westcott (School For The Dead)
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