Who is going to be next?

In a recent interview, Motorhead frontman,  Lemmy Kilmister said something that struck me as both funny and sad. When it was mentioned in the interview with Crypt Magazine, that Lemmy is a living legend, this is what his response was:

"I just think it's funny. I mean, the trouble with legends is they're dead. To call somebody a legend, you need to listen to their new stuff, you know. I'm not interested in being a fucking legend. I want to be around to be competitive, you know. I don't want to get stuck with this legend bullshit."

Disregard the majority of that quote and focus on one part of it; the fact that he states that the trouble with legends is that they are all dead. Are they, or is there just a lack of them?

Based on Lemmy's comment it seems that he has a lack of faith that there are any alive ones out there. I am going to take the opposite stance on the subject, and say that there are many living legends.  Ozzy, Mick Jagger, Ronnie James Dio, Steve Perry, Bowie, are just a few of the guys that I believe to be of legend status, and they still have the ability to kick the dust off their boots.(Though some better than others)

Lets turn the conversation to people who have become legend simply because of their death status, specifically one; Kurt Cobain. I talked about Kurt back in a January post, and I do not want come off as someone who has a vendetta against him, or hatred towards him. I have a problem with what we have done with his life, and life's work. We the fans make legends. We put them on a pedestal for something that they accomplish in their lives; and they do that something consistently, and with innovation. Did Kurt really do that much? He was a simple writer; with simple skills; and although it seems that he gets a lot of credit for killing hair bands, the only thing that he really did offer us is a look into his pain. He didn't even want it when it all came down to it, and you have to question that if he was looking down on all the people who put him in that light if he would even appreciate it.

You see to be a real legend in my eyes you have to embrace it, and own it. Lemmy, much like Kurt just doesn't want it. It all makes me wonder who will be the next guy to reach legend status in the arena of hard rock / metal. Any suggestions?

The Church of Rock & Roll

Music has always made me feel closer to a spiritual being. It satisfies something in my soul; and most likely it does in you as well. Throughout the years there have been a few bands that have made it known their ties to their religion. Stryper is one such band. Recently Stryper announced that they will be putting out a new album filled with covers of their favorite songs by bands that influenced them. Shockingly enough the songs that drove them to musicianship are not religious songs. Michael Sweet, lead guitarist and front-man was recently quoted in their decision to do such an album:

"For those of you who may think that we're walking away from our faith — you're wrong. We've never been more serious about our faith at any point in our lives. It is, however, important to enjoy what you do and lighten up from time to time. That's what we plan to do."

This statement really bothers me; it seems that Mr Sweet is saying that rock & roll and keeping ones faith can not be done simultaneously. What if rock & roll is my church? I find sanctuary in it; peace; a sense of calm.  Isn't that what religion is supposed to do? I even look to find answers in it sometimes. Music has always been a constant in my life that can take me to a different place. Isn't conventional religion supposed to focus on what is good for the soul. Why can't an insane guitar solo be good for my soul?

There has always been this divide when it comes to Rock & Roll and God. Somehow folks got the notion that people who listen to hard rock / metal, and good old fashioned rock and roll are not religious, or even worse against God. This could not be farther from the truth. We praise God every time we go to a show, or every time our favorite artist drops a new album. We thank God that we were alive to see that show, or hear that lick. Rock & Roll and God go hand in hand. Granted there are groups that do denounce God however they are so few of them. Hell even Ozzy goes to Church! 

In fact I dare you to find a more Christian environment that a rock concert. You will never find a place where people are more in harmony, more forgiving, or more generous than they are at a rock concert. Aren't these what our core religions try to instill in us.

The charmed life of Robert Trujillo

Bass players tend to be over shadowed by the singer and lead guitarist, leaving them literally keeping the back beat. Granted there are a few of them who have stepped out from the shadows to front their bands; guys like Mike Watt; Les Claypool and of course Kip Winger. (That last name should have generated some laughs) But in the natural hierarchy of bands they tend to be bottom at the bottom. There are few that leave us with a lasting impression; a few such as Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo.

It is not just because he is the bass player for possibly one of the best metal / hard rock bands out there. It lies in his roots; on where he has been. Metallica has not been the first go around for this talent. At the tender age of 45, Robert has played with some of the most innovate artists out there, and has been apart of some great teams.

Starting in 1989 he was part of one of the craziest bands out there; Suicidal Tendencies , which later evolved into Infectious Grooves. Evolved is a loose term in this matter because it was really only Robert and front man Mike Muir that were still playing together. He pulled double duty at the time with Infectious Grooves by re-recording tracks with Ozzy and Company; for Blizzard of OZ.  Which leads us to him working with Jerry Cantrell and then Black Label Society and then on to Metallica.

Lets forget the fact that he has played with all these people; that is not what makes him great. It is his dual ability to play either with a pick or with his hands. It's his combination of funk and metal that makes his sound so unique. To top it off he looks like a spider creeping around looking for its next meal;  creating a looming stage presence. Taking all these factors into place is the reason why he is one to remember!