A Wilhelm Scream :  Career Suicide

This is one of my favorite albums by far. One of those few and far between bands who are still willing to be dangerous in a world of self-indulgent rock star cliché crap!! Punk rock these days is looking more like MTV and HotTopic got in a head on car wreck and was glue back together with snot from the noses of its whiny lil inhabitants. There are a few bands left out there that harken back to the days when punk rock was fueled by anger, angst, anarchy, sex, drugs, and all the good shit that made it daring and bold !! A Wilhelm Scream is one of those bands. Awesome songs like “I Wipe My Ass With Showbiz” are a stiff middle finger pointed at the luke warm media whores of todays scene. This band exhibits amazing technical prowess and the ability to stray far from formulaic and predictable writing while still maintaining a great sound and flow about their songs. From the opening riff to the last symbol crash ,this album is a balls to the wall ,all out assault. The drummer is amazing ,the guitarists are super creative and the bass player can tap some rhythms that would make Eddie Van Halen crap his drawers. The singer writes great songs and wretches his guttural rants in dissonant harmonies that really carry you away.  If you like bands like Strung Out, The Refused, NOFX, Pennywise, and Guttermouth…youll love this album.

I’ve seen some bands that sounded really good, had nice gear, plenty of energy on stage and great songs, but something was a little off. One guy was dressed like a rocker in black with studded bracelets, one guy was a hippy with dreads and tie dye, one guy was wearing a jersey like a sports fan  and the other something different. Now don’t get me wrong, I think you should be who you are. After all music is an expression and a form of art. However, the impact of the band’s music and the message they were trying to convey was lost on this hodge podge of styles. You don’t have to wear a uniform or look just like one and other but you should have a certain flow.

When you see a band who’s tight and has a style. You would know they were a band if you saw them on stage or at your local Starbucks. You could tell they all had a specific flow about them.  You don’t have to be cliché to accomplish this either. A band should have a common goal in mind and part of that is your style.The style of songs you play, the types of messages you wish to convey, and the look of the band all go hand in hand. Even if your style is hoodies and jeans…if one guy comes in caches and a polo, its gonna be awkward to look at from a fans point of view. Dont be that person!!! Your bringing the band down!!!

So spend a little time thinking of your band’s style and dress accordingly…it makes a big difference.    E.lectroshock

Nothing is more boring than watching four or five guys stand still with their heads pointed at their guitar or feet while they play. People come to be entertained,to feel a part of an experience happening on stage. Music can be cathartic, energizing, inspiring and moving. People  came to see you not only play your music ,but express how you feel so they can relate and feel it through you. When you see a band like Story of the Year full of energy, jumping around the stage, bouncing in rhythm and slinging guitars through the air….All you see is a sea of people moving in unison, inspired by the energy before them and absolutely lost in a moment with the band. That’s what real art is, an escape from reality, a transcendence from the mundane routine of daily life. Give the fans what they crave and deserve..your energy. Spill your guts out or hang up your axes and go the hell home.

Obviously we are talking rock music here, but this applies to all genres. If you’re not having fun and showing your passion, believe me…no one else is feeling it either. Tori Amos toured for years with herself and her piano. But when she took the stage there was no denying her passion and energy. People got it because she was so inspired and expressive with her playing and singing. So i challenge you…open up and spill the blood, the energy, the memories, good or bad, the anger, the joy, put your fist in the air or your hand on your heart, grab your crotch like MJ, flip your hair like Beyoncé, smash your gear like The Who, and light a fire like Hendrix. We want your blood sweat and tears.!!!!!!! Bottom line, Put on a show!!       E.lectroshock

These days clubs are not paying a lot of cash to local bands. Since any good time charlie with a detuned squire strat  can write a heavy riff in drop D , make an iron on T shirt ,start a facebook page and call his group a band. Club owners are overwhelmed with plenty of novice bands who will play for next to nothing(if not free). This means good bands with integrity get pushed to the side to make way for cheap or free entertainment. So if you’re a good band who still wants to get out there and play shows for the fans, the best way to make it worth your time is selling goods.

Most importantly is your music. A well recorded and well packaged CD is essential if you expect anyone to remember your band the next time you have a show. Chances are you’re not going to get $10 for your music. Think of making your music affordable  an investment in your future as a band. Cover the expenses of manufacturing, but don’t expect people to pay overwhelming amounts of cash for a local band CD. $5.00 for a full length disk is a good price.

Everyone likes a cool shirt. A catchy logo will help you sell shirts, hats, ladies underwear, key chains, bags, pins, stickers, headbands, wristbands, original band art, prints and posters, nearly anything you can get your logo on. Again keep them priced to move! Run through that box of shirts fast. Afterall its free advertising for your band and it gets your logo out there. If you learn anything from hollywood its the importance of branding. Get yourself out there!!!

A professional merch booth set up is also a good idea. People are trained to be consumers. They will be way more likely to buy something that looks like it came from their favorite indy record store than if you just have your shirts laying on a dark card table. Lighting effects, well displayed merch, multi media(laptop or digital picture frame with pics or videos of the band and your previous shows). And yes even an attractive ,interesting and outgoing sales person will boost sales.

Get a banner to hang behind the band while you play. This will drive home  your branding and lets people who didn’t come to see you  know what your band name is. If you walk in a club and set up like you’re a major label band on its american tour, you may be one step closer to exactly that.Keep working and save your money for more gear ,more merch ,more branding

E.lectroshock

The Raffle:  When I was in local band Heres To Honor http://open.spotify.com/album/7uvu7yB4LanERhyBWUa93D in west palm beach, we would always make good money with a raffle. Yager  was the drink of choice for bandmates and fans alike.  Heres how it works: Buy a large bottle of your favorite liquor. Buy a cheap role of raffle tickets.(Usually found at most departement stores or dollar stores). Sell chances to win for $1 or$2. (This doesnt work if no ones there)  Alot of people would buy at least 1-2 tickets. If you paid $20.00 for the bottle and sold 40 tickets for $2.00 each you made $80.00 for a profit of $60.00.  Add  to this your merch sales and the pay for the gig it all adds up to more band funds.

Good luck and keep rockin!!!       E.lectroshock

Just goes to show that once a head doc you are always observing society when and where ever you are at.

Point in case, while I was getting the car aligned today, I was sitting in the waiting room with a few other customers who were, like me, forced to watch bad tv or read the supplied magazines and other literature that they supplied. The guy to the left of me was in a desperate search to find that perfect ringtone, so he played every one on his phone numerous times. And the gentlemen to my right smelt as if he had been rolling around in diesel fuel and wet animal of some sort. So in the midst of my slow painful waiting room torture, I noticed an innocent looking trade mag, you know the type of magazines where people sell cars and other automotive stuff. I figured that this would be the lesser of two evils, cause conversation with these two seemed at the time, too taxing for 9:00 am on a saturday.

Flip… flip… flip… pages of overpriced, redneck treasured possessions for sale. None of which intrigued me at all. What am I going to do with a 20 year old school bus converted into a rv, or an abused truck that look as if you hit a bump parts would fall off? Then, right there in the middle of all this was the craziest thing I have ever seen advertised. No mind you I have been dealing with the mentally deranged for years and even this shocked me.

“Sirris” simple heading, and then, “Sirris needs a date! Loves taking long runs on the beach, watching tv, playing in the pool. Very social and loves being the center of attention.” Ok, I know what you are thinking and no you are wrong. This isn’t a personal ad for a person, it was for a dog. Yep a half page ad, in living color and with pictures of the one and only Sirris doing, yep you guessed it, running on the beach, watching tv, playing in the pool and the most shocking a picture of the this lonely pup spread out as if he was in a Calvin Klein photo shoot.That is where I sat the magazine down and thought to myself about what a crazy world we live in.

So if you have a lonely poodle who loves the same thing as good ol’ Sirris, look him up. I am sure that he probably has a facebook page, maybe even a twitter account. What does he look like you ask, he’ll be the one one in the nice pair of BVD’s, running shoes and lounging poolside.

– Dr. Siglov Freudivan

Neotropics

UK band Neotropics is a pleasing blend of Dance, Pop, Electro, and Rock. Blending driving dance beats reminicent of classic bands like Depeche Mode  with the rock sensibilites of pop giants like Oasis and the Killers  glued together with catchy and emotional vocals. Add to it a killer sounding production and you have a formula for a really excellent band. This music would be at home in your car stereo or blasting in your favorite club. Sexy guitar riffs and smooth harmony vocals really set a mood and set this band apart from typical electro influenced bands. Most definately worth checking out.

Band Website: http://neotropicsmusic.tumblr.com/

Friend them on facebook or follow them on twitter

Enjoy!!!

– E. Lectroshock

As I recall it was a warm day, middle of spring, flowers were in bloom, birds chirping their lovely songs… yada, yada, yada. I was sitting having my morning coffee, reading the paper, you know, catching up of the so called news that everyone seems to get so worked up over. To me, it seemed like it was going to be a good day.

Then it happened, as I was in the middle of reading how the Octo-Mom was doing  wrong, yet again. In a high pitched, almost shrieking voice, “Is Dr. Siglov in? I have to see him NOW! It is a matter of up most emergency!”

My faithful receptionist and psycho bodyguard,  Tanya tries her best to calm the situation. Me, I open my desk drawer and pull out the trusty bottle of Jack Daniels and proceed to fill up my almost empty cup of coffee. There goes the day.

As the war between Tanya and Patient 372 comes to a shouting match about having an appointment or not, I chug down my spiked cup of courage and head to the door. As I walk to the door I am thinking to myself what the hell is going on to get p.372 so worked up, it’s only 7:09 a.m. for god’s sake! I take one last deep breathe of normalcy and slowly open the door.

“See I told you the Doctor will see me, he knows who I am!” Patient 372 screams in a condescending voice to Tanya. “Now get me a cup of coffee, 1 cream and 2 sugars. Do you think that you can do that or do I need to show you how?”

“Come on in Patient 372, the couch is all yours.” Not exactly what I wanted to say, would rather of said what really came to my mind, but that damn professional demeanor is a bitch sometimes.

As Patient 372 storms past me into my office to lay claim to the couch for the next hour that she fought so vigorously for, I turn to Tanya and say, “Two cups of coffee please and that will be all for now thank you.”

Tanya grabs my courage cup, rolls her eyes, gives me that look and walks towards the break room muttering every dirty word that nuns would condemn you to the fiery place below for.

“What seems to be the problem this morning? You seem a bit worked up.”

“Why can’t people just realize who I am? Why is it that everyone in the world is in complete denial and obviously unaware of my needs? My husband, the kids and especially that damn old q-tip driving the sky blue Cadillac in the left lane going 2 miles an hour on I-95. She kept me  from getting my morning venti, sugar-free, non-fat, vanilla soy, double shot, decaf, no foam, extra hot, peppermint, white chocolate, mocha with light whip and extra syrup. And as for your receptionist, I think you need to find one that is better equipped for handling people who need help when they are in a crisis! Maybe she needs to take a few hours on the couch and fix her anger issues.”

As my head spins from the coffee order that she just rattled off or the effects of my friend Jack is finally starting to kick in, I vaguely hear her ramble on about how the world is against her and that she deserves everything, never does anything wrong. Typical NPD issues, same story different, day for Patient 372. But I start to notice that she continually comes back to the “Ole’-Wanna-Be Rich, Q-tip” (as she so eloquently calls her), that kept her from her coffee. I start to wonder to myself what she is like if she never gets her coffee or any form of caffeine, With that in mind, I quickly jot down in my notebook “Note to self: Always have coffee on hand in the office.”

I ask her if she has been working on the Schema Therapy that I have went over with her. (You know the same old bullshit remedies that every therapist uses, start a diary to write your emotions down to get them out of you, meditation, chairwork.) As she starts to riffle through the shoulder suitcase that she call a purse, I get up to go get the coffee that Tanya has made for us. She places her diary on the table in front of my chair. Then goes right back into the woe is me routine. I think to myself, “Game on, diary here I come!”

Ok let me stop right there, the diary thing is just something that we, therapists, use to see how messed up and blind our patients REALLY are. We hope that they, the patients, will take a day to read it back to themselves and realize that they are their own problem, but that day never comes. Some people just can’t’ read between the lines. Oh well, job security!

Alright, back to where I was,  I placed her cup of joe on the table in front of her, I sit back down in my chair with her “Therapy” in hand, I take a quick sip of my coffee, aaahhh, Tanya my wonderful receptionist, invited Jack back to the session. I jot another note to self: “Give Tanya a raise.” Then I wonder if and what she spiked Patient 372’s coffee with, well… maybe I don’t want to know.

Patient 372 takes a big gulp of her “questionable?” cup of coffee and goes back to rambling on and on about the lady in the sky blue caddy. I thumb through her diary that she handed me, page after page in her diary, “Sky blue caddy!”, “Damn sky blue caddy!”, “Was behind the F$#&*@$ Sky Blue Caddy again today!” Over and over, throughout the pages in her pink, leather bound diary, there it was, the trigger of her NPD issues.

Now mind you, I have been treating Patient 372 for a good while. She does have issues… A LOT of issues, but normally her sessions are pretty normal. “Life is so bad because people don’t know who she is.”

Turns out he was right! Good Morning America posted about 115k views by the time I got to it, youtube hit over 800k. It’s crazy what goes viral nowadays. You’ll all be happy to know that no kittens were harmed in the making of this video. Perhaps only my friend’s head! Just a quick share, thought y’all would enjoy it!

This cd is not a brand new release ,it came out in 2010.  But as you will come to know this blog is not all about new music,just great music in general. This and other Zac Brown cds make regular rotations in my daily playlists. Catchy songs with really talented musicians and excellent production quality make Zac one of my new favorite bands to listen to. You will find a taste of different musical influences that transcends the boundaries of simple country and takes you through a variety of emotions and soundscapes.

Although Zac has had some great commercial success with hits like “Colder Weather” and ” As Shes Walking Away” I have never judged any album by the songs they play on the radio, and there’s some real gems on this album like: “Martin” a touching ode to the mans connection to his favorite guitar. And ” Cold Hearted” is a well written track and a  cathartic piece for all you star-crossed lovers. Add in some good old fashion country picking with a lightning fast beat, lyrics about drinkin and raisin hell and you’ve got a recipe for the track” Whiskeys Gone”. All in all every song has its own life and flavor. I give it 9 out of ten on the voltage scale!!!

Enjoy freaks!!

– E. Lectroshock