Today, Synesthesia reaches its 2nd birthday and to celebrate, I decided that it would be fun to produce a questionnaire similar to one I put together for Savage Cinema last year. It is strange, though, as I am essentially interviewing myself but it has been fun t write and maybe, through this edition, you'll have the chance to learn a little bit more about me...especially as you have clearly been waiting so very long to get a peek a the DJ in the broadcast booth (ha ha).
What is your earliest musical memory?
Music was always a part of my household growing up, from the radio to the records that my parents' played. In fact, if you could see the collections that both my Mother and Father have amassed during their respective youths (lots of jazz, soul, showtunes, Barbara Streisand, Motown and some surprises like albums by Chicago and War), you could easily see the connections to my life.
I have been told several times by my parents that when I was a baby, Side Two of The Beatles' "Abbey Road" would always calm me down when I was crying. My Father also told me that he used to hold and dance with me to The Delfonics' "(Didn't I) Blow Your Mind?" Obviously, these are two stories that I cannot remember due to being just so young. But...I do remember vividly my being so in love with Seals And Crofts' song "Summer Breeze" (which I actually wrote all about in the very first month of Synesthesia's existence). What I really think is especially significant was listening to Side One of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" album, which featured the tracks "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," "Candle In The Wind" and "Bennie And The Jets." I remember sitting on the couch and holding the album jacket, looking at all of the liner notes, illustrations and lyrics, creating very literal mental images as the songs went along. To go with that, I remember my cousin Susan during a visit just staring at me as I was singing along to "Bennie And The Jets," without the lyrics in hand, and she said to me in awe, "How do you know every word to this song?" I just shrugged my shoulders. I didn't know. I was four or five years old. I loved it and I was just tuned in.
What was the first album you ever heard?
Well...as a piggyback to that first question, I guess I would say "Abbey Road" even though I wasn't aware of it. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" would be a close second even though I didn't know that there was more than Side One at that time. Susan was the one to show me how to turn the record over for Side Two. And since, Elton John's album is in fact a double album, she showed me the other record that had Sides Three and Four.
What are your pivotal childhood music listening experiences?
In addition to the radio and records albums, when I was a kid the 8-Track format was widespread. My family had a case of 8-Tracks that we would take with us for long road trips to Kentucky. That's where I heard a lot of Jackson 5 outside of my home, for instance. As I got a little older (8-10 years old), we had the soundtracks to "Grease," "Saturday Night Fever" and the film version of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" on 8-Track and I listened to those CONSTANTLY, (as Susan said to me regarding "Sgt. Pepper"). We also had Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" and The Eagles "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" on 8-Track as well. I think what was so interesting about that format to listen to is that I really had no idea of what the true album sequence actually was for so many of those albums, especially Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles. So, I would have to imagine what could possibly be the beginning, middle and end for those and was so surprised to discover what the running sequence really was quite far in the future.
Once I really began listening to music more and more at home (probably around that same age--somewhere around 7 or 8), I loved just having the vinyl out and I really loved sitting in this one big chair with those giant headphones strapped to my head. It was like being inside of the music itself. . I would stare at the album jackets and liner notes and just...listen and dream. In particular was Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life," (which we also had on 8-Track), a double album that also contained a 4 track EP and a GIANT lyric/liner note booklet. I would have that just sprawled on the carpet as I listened. I think those times formulated my perceptions of the album existing as a work of art, where the cover, liner notes and entire presentation worked in conjunction with the music creating a full, immersive experience. It is something that keeps my purchasing physical copies of new albums and something that I feel is lost in the digital era when music is reduced to an electronic file. Yes, I do download as well but it is just not the same by a long shot.
Which artists did you love growing up?
Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and The Jackson 5 as you could tell from above. But I was particularly in love with KISS, Peter Frampton, Queen and I really loved Electric Light Orchestra (I was obsessed with Sides Three and Four of their "Out Of The Blue" double album). Queen and E.L.O. had albums I checked out from my school library over and over and over again.
But I think the first bands, such as they wee, that I was ever obsessed with happened to be...The Monkees!! Yup. My cousin Adam (Susan's younger brother) introduced me to the television show when I was may be 6 years old. I loved it at first sight and the music sent me into orbit. I remember one time when Adam was visiting my house and he happened to have a Monkees Greatest Hits album with him and I listened to it all day. When it was time for him to go back to his house, he, of course, had to take the album with him and I flew into the worst crying tantrum!! I could not understand why he could not just eave the album with me as we saw each other all of the time. Why couldn't I just have it for a little while longer? Why did he have to take it away? Maybe I thought that if he left, I would never get to hear it ever again or something but I was devastated to no end.
What was the first album you purchased with your own money?
I don't remember but I would guess that it was a Beatles album.
How often did you purchase albums?
Once I began purchasing albums with my allowance money, I bought them as often as I was able, maybe once or twice a month or something like that. But, that is where my love of record stores began as I am truly unable to tell you how many hours I spent just wandering, looking, listening, exploring, discovering and then, planning my next purchase. By the time I was 15, I had fallen head over heels for this beautiful college girl who worked in my high school library. I got myself a job in the same library just to solely be around her. When I received my first paycheck, I was honestly surprised. I mean--the reality of being paid NEVER occurred to me as I just wanted to see this beautiful girl and pine away. When I given my first paycheck, and after I had gotten over the initial shock, I thought to myself, "Now I can get more records!!" So, with my paycheck and allowance, I then began buying records and cassettes all of the time.
What was your first concert?
Quite possibly The Jackson 5! It was "in-the-round" at the Mill Run Theater.
Who else have you seen in concert?
Aside from The Jackson 5, who I saw when I was very young, I didn't really see any concerts while in high school as my very strict parents had serious concerns over the con cert drug culture (a la "Almost Famous").But beginning since my first year of college, I have seen Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, They Might Be Giants, Living Colour, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, Lenny Kravitz, Love and Rockets (where The Pixies opened for them), Tina Turner, Lindsey Buckingham (twice), Cheap Trick, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals (twice), The Budweiser Superfest featuring Jesse Johnson, New Edition (surprisingly terrific) and Kool and the Gang, Everything But The Girl (twice), Tame Impala, Zappa Plays Zappa, Todd Rundgren (three times), The Roches, Fountains Of Wayne, Garbage and Miles Davis (three times--the third time was when I actually met the man himself and shook his hand).
Very soon, I will be seeing George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars (in May) and World Party (in June).
What was the best concert?
I honestly do not know. But, I will say that when I saw Rush in 1987 on the "Hold Your Fire" tour, I was seated on a side of the auditorium where I was completely unable to see the movie screen the band had displayed over them showing images here and there. Their performance was so Herculean that it didn't matter that I could not see this extra content that was weaved into the show. It was further confirmation that Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and my hero, Neil Peart were (and remain) three of the best musicians on the planet!
What was the worst?
I am happy to say that I have never seen a bad show. I would say that the one show that I was perhaps disappointed in was Sting's "...Nothing Like The Sun" tour in 1987. There was just no spontaneity musically for me. Everything just sounded like the album and I just wanted him and the band to stretch out. I felt that if it was going to be so reverential, then I could have stayed back in my dorm room and listened to the album. The one spontaneous moment was when Sting was called away from the stage and returned a few moments later and announced to the audience, "Well, it seems as if I have just won a Grammy!" That was fun to see!
What's your favorite album?
The Beatles' "Abbey Road." Forever and always.
What are your desert island albums?
In addition to "Abbey Road"? Well...let's see...
Elton John "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Stevie Wonder "Songs In The Key Of Life" and "Innervisions"
Pink Floyd "The Wall"
Todd Rundgren "Something/Anything?," "Todd" and "Initiation"
Prince "1999" and "Sign O' The Times"
Tangerine Dream "Thief"
The Beatles "The Beatles" (a.k.a. "The White Album") and "Revolver"
Genesis "Duke" and "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway"
The Smashing Pumpkins "Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness"
The Who "Tommy" and "Who's Next"
Joni Mitchell "Heijira"
Planet P. Project "Pink World"
The Jimi Hendrix Experience "Electric Ladyland"
Fleetwood Mac "Future Games" and "Tusk"
DJ Shadow "Endtroducing..."
Ryan Adams "Gold" and "Love Is Hell"
Frank Zappa "One Size Fits All"
J Dilla "Donuts"
JAMES BROWN "Star Time" boxed set
I'd better stop here or the whole collection will go with me! And as you may have noticed, quite a number of these albums are double albums...I just LOVE the double album format more than most.
What's your favorite song?
I couldn't even begin to pick one.
What song makes you happiest?
For me, the music of The Beatles is the greatest I have ever heard. But, you know, what makes me smile more than anything are expertly executed backing harmony vocals. I could get lost in "oohs' and "aaaahs" forever.
What song makes you cry?
Hmmm...songs don't really affect me in that way. Yes, sad songs do make me feel sad, but I'm not really one that is driven to tears that way. I will say that it seems that as I have gotten older, my nerve endings feel more...exposed, I guess, at times, and I will sometimes feel something behind my eyes reacting to what I am hearing. I think Jeff Buckley's "Lover, You Should've Come Over," Aimee Mann's "Deathly" and even the song "Gethsemane" from "Jesus Christ Superstar" are three examples of songs that have disarmed me emotionally and can produce the waterworks.
What are your listening preferences now compared to when you were growing up?
I was so musically narrow when I was a kid. In early childhood, my home played all sorts of genres but mostly leaned towards R&B and soul and with some jazz and gospel thrown into the mix. Rock music naturally chose me when I was very young. It is something that can never be explained. By the time I began learning how to play drums, I was solely listening to rock music (although now I truly understand that playing jazz has got to be the most difficult way for any drummers to play) and partially out of my preferences and mostly, by wanting to fit in with my peers, I rejected so much music and established some ridiculous boundaries for what "real music" and wasn't. But like Jedi Master Yoda explained to young Skywalker, and I am paraphrasing, I had to unlearn everything that I had learned.
So, now (and even though I don't care for country music, that death metal kind of stuff and no gangsta rap), I really feel that there are only two kinds of music: good and bad. While rock and roll remains the dominant genre for me, I'll listen to mostly anything.
Who is your favorite band/artist?
As I have always expressed to you, my musical "Holy Trinity" consists of The Beatles, Prince and Todd Rundgren.
Who do you feel is underrated?
Aside from Todd Rundgren? Unquestionably, and despite their presence in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, I feel that Genesis remains one of the most under-rated bands ever. Even at the height of their fame in the id 1980's, they were always a band that I had to defend and even now, I really don't feel that they have ever received their full due as being world class songwriters and composers, as well as singers and some of the finest musicians we have had. Aside from Peter Gabriel's well deserved acclaim, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks, Steve Hackett and especially, Phil Collins, who I feel has demonstrated over and again that he has been one of rock's finest singers and undisputedly one of rock's BEST drummers, they have all received short shrift.
What do you love about playing the drums?
Just being able to hit something and make a canon's worth of sound is AMAZING! Beyond that, I really love it when I am able to get myself loosened up enough and I can just lose myself in the drums. I don't have my old drum set with me. It is currently sitting underneath the basement stairs in my parent's Chicago home. I would really love to have one of those electronic kits, where you could have headphones and an arsenal of pre-programmed sounds to mess around with. When a certain box store had those for sale and available to play in the store, I would purposefully make trips to just go and bash around. So...if anyone wishes to give Synesthesia a birthday present...
What do you love about being a DJ?
I feel that has been detailed at length on this site in several places but I will quickly say that it allows me to feel creative by taking the autobiographical nature of the music I love and being able to re-contextualize it all into what is hopefully a fun listening experience for other people. I just want to play what I love and maybe it's something you love as well or something you will or could love too. What else is this entire blogsite but a tribute to being a DJ as I am still playing out the fantasy while celebrating the time I was a DJ in college as well as the recent "WLHA Resurrection/Reunion Weekends" events I have been involved with (and will hopefully again this July).
What troubles you about the current state of music?
I keep saying that music has been devalued. The album is not seen as art and even songwriting has become devalued as well. There is just too terribly much out there, from genre to genre, that is completely interchangeable, homogeneous, toothless, derivative, over-produced and without personality. Music has become social wallpaper and does not exist as the form of art that people could be passionate about as the listening experience is not the same as it was. With all of the noise of life and electronic wizardry that keeps jockeying for our attention, people don't seem to just want to take the time and actually listen anymore. I told one young friend that the listening was once the event and it just isn't anymore.
What aspect of the music experience from your childhood do you miss?
I miss the sense of discovery and invention that artists had. Don't get me wrong. There s still great music and there will always be great music being made like the latest albums from D'Angelo and Kendrick Lamar or Tame Impala. And then, I cannot say enough about Post Social and Modern Mod, as those two bands really give me hope for the future because they are just so earnest, engaged, and enthusiastic about being able to make music. But there was quite the lengthy period of time, from the 1950's-the mid 1990's, when it seemed that anything was possible and now, so much of music is just derivative of all that has come before. It's like people aren't trying and I miss that fascination. But the fan community, especially through social media has also made it difficult for artists as they don't seem to wish for their "favorite artists" to grow, develop and change. But look, how boring it would be if Prince just kept making "Purple Rain" over and again. Just imagine The Beatles if the public didn't allow them to grow. Pretty awful, huh?
Have you ever damaged a friendship, or thought twice about a relationship, because you disagreed with the other person's musical taste?
No. Of course not. To each their own. But....there have been times when I have internally paused when seeing something in someone's collection that completely clashes with my personal likes.
What music have you dreamed about?
All of it!!!
And with that, HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY to SYNESTHESIA. May the needle always finds its groove and THANK YOU to all of you who have helped me be being so supportive along the way.
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