Conquering Fear, Finding a Balance, and Other Alternative Tidbits... And All This Goes Together How??

I have to admit... for the first time since starting this blog, I drew a blank when it came to the title and what to write about. I try not to go off on some rant or off the deep end. But at the same time, I try to get out of my comfort zone, by not writing the same thing or in the same "formula" every time. Face it, for those of you who know me, have been following, or at least been reading my blogs, know how I dislike concepts like "labeling", "conformity", or "the same thing, different day".

With that said, I also realized that it's been WEEKS since the time I was on here. I've been adding more tunes to the station & have been doing updates to it as well, but sometimes a thing called life throws a few curve balls and well let's just say it has been a crazy few weeks.

For starters, my wife's job was eliminated from the organization where she used to work. She worked there for years, and was very good at what she did, but apparently the administration thought they could pass all her duties onto other people who are already over-worked. You read about stuff like this all the time, but it still hits hard when it's close to home. Once my wife got through the shock, she has already moved on to newer opportunities & even fulfilling some dreams that have been put off for way too long.

This lead me to the "conquering the fear" portion of the title. When our friends, family & who knows how many other people learned of the news that my wife was now unemployed, they offered support, but were surprised when she mentioned that she was going to do her own business venture. It was the same reaction I got when I mentioned I was going to start 360 Degrees of Alternative. They all said "do what?"

With the right attitude, anything is possible. I'm sure when many of the bands we feature here on the station said the same thing, especially when it came to the DIY spirit of punk rock in the mid 70's, got the same response... "do what?" Even the Ramones have been known to say to who knows how many other musicians, "Look... we're not that great. If we can do it, you can do it. Just go out & play". That same philosophy can be applied to many things, even in toady's unsure world. Who cares if you're not the best at what you do, if you love what you're doing, just go out & do it. You have to always keep in mind one thing - there are lots of other people out there in the same boat as you... they're either venturing out for the first time or they're still learning. Don't worry... you'll be in good company!

With that said, the next part of the equation is "finding a balance". I have to admit, I have to find more of balance between work, the station and other pet projects that I have. It seems my regular job has been on the front burner lately and I need a change. Granted, it doesn't help that other co-workers are either on vacation now or will be shortly, so it will take a few weeks, but the change will come. While writing this, I think I sorta forgot how much fun it is. I, myself, have to take the Ramones logic to heart... I just have to go out & do it.

While we're on the subject of "just going out & doing it", let's check out some alternative music history since it's been a while.
- On this date back in June of 1973, The New York Dolls begin a 17 week Tuesday residency at The Mercer Arts Center in NYC. The center is a catacomb of rooms & the building is literally crumbling. The Dolls play in the Oscar Wilde room, which only holds about 100 people, but it's jam packed with more than that on a regular basis. More people would have shown up, except there was a slight "marketing" problem. Due to a slight misunderstanding with the Mercer staff, the band was billed as "The Dolls of New York". Oops...

- Also on this date back in June of 1974, Patti Smith along with guitarist Lenny Kaye rent 3 hours of time at the legendary Electric Ladyland studio in NYC. She records "Hey Joe" as a tribute to the studios former owner, Jimi Hendrix. At he end of the session, Patti notices they have some time left, so they record a poem called "Piss Factory". The two recordings would comprise of her first 7" single which 1,000 copies are made.

- This week back in 1977, The Police record their 1st single which contains "Fall Out" and "Nothing Achieving" on Illegal Records. Unlike things to come with the band, drummer Stewart Copeland literally did everything with this single. He started the band, composed both songs, set up the recording session and the label with his brother Miles Copeland, and did the artwork for the record sleeve.

- Also this week back in 1980, Joy Division's single "Love Will Tear Us Apart" has started to appear in record shops. This cult band finally has a hit on their hands, but things have already gone downhill for the band. The song will eventually reach #13 on the U.K. charts - not exactly a lucky number - and the lead singer, Ian Curtis, committed suicide shortly before it's release. It has been widely regarded that the song is Curtis' public suicide note.

- This week back in 1989, the song "Veronica", believe it or not, gives Elvis Costello his first top 30 hit in the U.S. Boy, we Americans can be stubborn...

Finally, we'll celebrate two birthdays;
- Eric Kretz of the Stone Temple Pilots born in 1966.
- Dave Navarro of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers born in 1967.

Here's hoping I'll be on here again soon! Until next time,
Peace out,
Dave