Jonathan Valania's latest PW jeu d'esprit takes a nostalgic look at American garage rock (due to the release of the third CD in Rhino Record's four CD disc box-set, Children of the Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the Second Psychedelic Era 1976-1996) via how he got his "music mojo". Turns out, Valania's music cool spawned from a broken heart when his girlfriend dumped him for the lead singer of her -what else?- garage band. As he puts it, " I got myself a paisley shirt and some Beatles boots, grew out my pizza-slice Flock of Seagulls hairdo into a Brian Jones pudding bowl and started my own garage band."
Why do I bring this up you might ask? Well, whether it's from a break-up, taking your first lesson, going to your first concert, hanging with the older kids for the first time or, well, whatever, I'm sure there's a distinct story of when you found your own music mojo. When it was no longer just the recordings or on the radio stations your parents listened to, but a part of your identity. That simultaneous feeling of empowerment, freedom and acceptance as you suddenly found yourself in a small niche in the music world.
For me, it was my little brother. He was ten, I was thirteen. I listened to musical soundtracks, he listened to the radio, and one day he became cooler than me. Not that there's anything wrong with musicals, heck they formed half of my musical taste and provided some great repertoire over the years, but let's face it, when you're a freshman in high school and your little brother knows more about pop music than you do, it's a little disheartening. So, I promptly hid the Phantom and Les Miz CD's, bought Green Day's Dookie and started wearing Vans, albeit Vans with flowers on them, but nonetheless cool-kid kicks. Hence the music mojo I possess today.
Now it's your turn. I spilled. Valania spilled. You owe it to us.
I can't believe you admitted publicly to owning 'Dookie'. But yeah, i did too.
'Basketcase' was the first song i learned to play on bass. Then I moved on to 'carry on my wayward son' sheparded by my cowboy boots and balding ponytail sporting bass teacher. Ah to be 13 again; Locked in a room with a man my mother would have walked to the other side of the street because of. But Gene had a big impact on my ability to listen and learn from just about any kind of music.
Furthermore. We must not forget the importance of our friend's hot older sisters when considering the music choices of our formative years. At least for me, that was a primary factor for my first cd purchases. They Might Be GIants, and The Violent Femmes.
Hey.... I thought I took "Dookie" away from you!! How did you score another CD??
And.... let's not forget Buddy Holly and Sister Act 2.... ok..one of those may be considered a musical.
Hey... I thought I took "Dookie" away from you!! Only to be reminded everytime your brother played the CD!! Hey.... life's lesson learned... life is not fair....
Love you!
I was about 6...driving around the Jersey Shore in my 17 year-old cousin's not-so-new green Firebird convertible...Crimson and Clover came over the radio, followed by Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfield and Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. I remember the way the air smelled, and remember thinking "Wow! This is way better than anything I've ever heard before in my life." COrny but true. Up until then I never had any idea there was Pop music beyond the oldies my Dad listened to. Starting then, I've grown to love Pop music in almost all of its forms. No country AND western, though, despite my best efforts.