A Public Service Announcement for KISS Fans: Mandatory Holiday Viewing - by Anne Marie

My son is a huge James Franco fan and he recently suggested Why Him? for family movie night.  Why Him? came out last December.  Set at Christmas time, it features Bryan Cranston as Ned Fleming, Hollywood's version of a Midwest normal dad, going out to California with his wife and son to spend the holiday with his daughter at Stanford to meet her new boyfriend.  As a comedy, it's pretty much a ripoff of the Meet the Parents storyline, but it has some funny moments and I especially liked Keegan-Micheal Key's character, Gustav.

As we watched it, and repeated reference was made to the fact that the Flemings' favorite band was KISS, and KISS was on the soundtrack and worked into the very fabric of the plotline, I thought, "How has Colin not mentioned this? This must be on his annual holiday watch list."  And when I asked him, I was floored when he responded, “I don’t know that one!  You have one-upped me on KISS!  How is that possible?”

How is that possible?!?  This is the dude whose blog has more than 30 articles devoted to KISS, who has himself written multiple articles about the band, one in which he describes an entire Sunday morning devoted to Googling Kiss setlists and then watching the videos on Youtube and another in which he compares the finer points of Paul and Ace’s respective solo albums, and who can expertly steer any conversation towards the band, to wit this recent Facebook discussion which began as which Rock Hall nominees would become inductees in 2018, and then became which bands were fully formed on their debut album, and then somehow became an all out KISS-o-mania celebration:

James Baumann I always think of The Pretenders and The Clash as the answers to this question. R.E.M. is a good choice as well.

Colin Gawel Scott Carr I don’t think they really hit stride until Heaven Tonight. Love the debut but it’s pretty quirky.

Matt Walters KISS’ debut is pretty hard to beat, although they weren’t really “fully formed” in the sense they weren’t a whopper with cheese yet. 😉 The Jam, The Beastie Boys, Exploding Hearts (RIP), Television all have 5/5 debuts, too. I might also throw Franz and TVOTR in there too. Also You Am I but nobody’s ever heard of them.

Peter Nichols Colin Gawel Sh*t, I forgot "Get The Knack".

'Twas brilliant!

Peter Nichols I mean, the drumming alone deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

James Baumann Matt Walters Love me some You Am I.

Steve Elshoff Van Halen.

Steve Elshoff Jeff Buckley.

Colin Gawel Matt Walters KISS is but sonically it just doesn't have the goods. Alive is really the record in my opinion.

Colin Gawel Van Halen ! duh. Facepalm.

Kyle Siegrist Metallica Kill 'Em All

Kyle Siegrist Colin Gawel IMO the Kiss debut lp is their best, but I agree Alive put them on the map.

Colin Gawel Kyle Siegrist best songs no doubt but I always play Alive for folks. Actually, they probably hit their peak on Destroyer. Artwork - sound - songs - all that jazz.

Colin Gawel Or possibly Crazy Nights.

Scott Carr Rock And Roll Over beats Destroyer all day long.....

Colin Gawel Scott Carr now you are just trolling me. Everybody knows I’m a Destroyer guy.

Scott Carr hehe....

Kyle Siegrist Remember I'm not really a Kiss fan like you or Scott. For whatever reason I personally just like thier debut best. I also really like The Elder.

Colin Gawel In other KISS related news I guess the greatest book ever written is being re released and I’m not talking about the Bible.

Scott Carr Colin Gawel I thought you were a Crazy Nights guy????

Scott Carr that book is anazing...

Colin Gawel Guess the author was on Eddie Trunk and an updated version coming out. And rumor has it Vinnie Vincent is on the cover. Seriously.

Matt Walters vinnie's also on the back cover! It's a commemorative edition specifically highlighting how overrrated he is by certain fans of the band ;)

Matt Walters I think this discussion about KISS vis-a-vis the "fully formed on the debut" comment is really interesting. On KISS boards, the debut typically is a solid #2 among fan aggregate polls (behind RARO - usually Hotter than Hell is third and Destroyer is f...See More

Colin Gawel Kyle Siegrist I think reasonable people can agree The Elder is better than The Wall.

Rick Kinsinger Am I the only one who suspects that Colin's motive for this entire thread was to turn it into a discussion about the KISS discography?

Kyle Siegrist Colin Gawel yeah that's a no brainier

Nate Puderbaugh Oasis "Definitely Maybe"

Pete Vogel Some of my fave debut albums: VH, Boston, Foreigner, The Cars, Tom Petty, Led Zep. All broke new ground, IMO.

Scott Carr Rick Kinsinger isn't that why all Facebook threads are started?

Colin Gawel Matt Walters I can't find pre order for updated KISS touring history? Can you help a brother out?

Scott Carr ColinGawel I think the only place they are taking orders is through pledge music.....

Colin Gawel Scott Carr good tip. Stumbled on many other Kiss books in my quest. You read that Elder one?

Scott Carr yeah The Elder one is good. If you have the solo album book, it's done by the same guy. Lots of info....

Matt Walters Colin Gawel I believe it sold out. Let me check the FAQ

Scott Carr Colin Gawelhttps://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/alive-forever

So if you, like Colin, are a KISS fanatic who hasn't seen Why Him? yet, or if you are just looking for another Christmas-themed raunchy comedy to pass a couple of hours, Why Him? is currently on demand.

 

SPOILER ALERT!!!!

* * *

DO NOT EVEN GLANCE BELOW HERE OR WATCH EITHER OF THE VIDEO CLIPS IF YOU WANT TO BE FULLY SURPRISED BY JUST HOW KISS "PLAYS" INTO THE MOVIE.

Attention World: Colin on Andymanathon Saturday Morning. Stream It!

Watershed and myself have a lonnnnnng history with the annual CD1025 Andymanathon charity for the kids. The late WWCD program director Andy Davis started the tradition 25 years ago when he would stay on air for 48 straight hours and play requests in exchange for donations for children's charities. Though sadly he has left us, his tradition remains alive though the current staff widely divide up the two day event among themselves.

With that is mind, I will be on air with Brian Phillips Saturday December 16th from 8-10am. (Or from after I drop off Owen at basketball practice until 10am.) The good thing about that time slot is that if you call in, and make a request-donation it usually goes on air very quickly. So, please tune in or even better, stream the show at www.cd1025.com and request your favorite Watershed-League Bowlers-Lonely Bones song. You will be glad you did.  

Call 614 221 1025 and tell Brian and myself "hello" and play a song for the kids. 

The title song to Colin Gawel and the Lonely Bones' December 2010 release. We shot the video at the "Still Love Christmas" release party at Rumba Cafe in Columbus, OH. COLINGAWEL.com

Live from the CD102.5 Big Room, Colin Gawel with "Superior" on April 10, 2010. -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- Please watch: "Brian Fallon "Nobody Wins" LIVE in the CD102.5 Big Room" → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvDjAwDt92A -~-~~-~~~-~~-~-

Wes John Cichosz Threads the Needle with New Record - by Matt Walters

In order to succeed in today's music industry, artists are frequently encouraged to have the widest possible appeal. 

Be immediate.

Be universal.

Don't ever be obscure!

After all, in this digital download age, instant gratification has become the calling card of the marketplace. To satisfy restless fans in the ADD era, where tens of millions of entertainment options are available at any possible second, there is simply no room left for an emerging artist to try to be an acquired taste. There's too little mantle space left to display a newly-discovered curio, anyway, with all of the instantaneous access we have to million of songs. Yes, it would be sheer folly for any artist to attempt to become that unlikely favorite you loudly champion in that back room to your oldest friends, as the hours turn from late to early, and as the scotch runs three fingers deeper....

..and yet, against all odds...Wes John Cichosz will be exactly that thing, should you give him the opportunity. 

Cichosz's sophomore effort, "The Moon Threads a Needle" is an exceptional triumph of nuance and subtlety. Each of the nine tracks are a distinctive blend of sophisticated musicianship and incisive lyrical wit, set against a backdrop of uniquely imaginative arrangement. 

It's the early solo work of Paul Simon (at his most sardonically clever and concise) blending with hints of Steely Dan at the height of their tragically sharp wit and stupefying arrangement powers. It's the muscles of Zappa's compositional prowess flexing to couple with the mellifluous delicacy and dynamics of the great late-70s solo artists: Lowell George, Loggins and Messina, and yes, Boz Scaggs. 

If these seem contradictory, believe me, they should be. This record should be a convoluted, disastrous mess. However, "Moon" is quite the opposite. Wes has painstakingly synthesized these sharply distinct ingredients into an cool, organic, cohesive stew that simultaneously cooks and flows. 

In a word, it's fucking brilliant.  (Okay, that's two words. Here's two more: Sue me.)

The album opener and lead single, "Everybody Says," contains so many things that "everybody" would probably caution you against doing in a song these days...beyond the ridiculously irresistible chorus, of course. 

There's way too much exposition before we hit the first hook.  There's way too little volume going on to excite and titillate the impatient, and there's way too many key changes to grab the listener. Ah, but grab you, it does- and his songs don't exactly do a good job of letting go, once their hooks sink in. As it turns out, the acoustic exposition is utterly crucial to change your ear from hearing to listening, while the space within the Royal Scam-influenced verse lets the wine of the words breathe, and the chorus arrangement features a sophistication that is curiously never overbearing despite its playful dance. 

This track is a tour-de-force of all things that encompass the totality of Cichosz: the top-shelf musicianship featuring his brilliant acoustic guitar phrasings and virtuoso-caliber saxophone; the deliberate arrangements that always sound effortless beyond the complexity they betray to the careful listener; the iconoclastic, against-the-grain philosophy of the sharp-tongued anti-hero he crafts, his voice filled to the brim with the rough-hewn character and subtle dynamics that his incredible lyrics demand. All of it is channeled through an observational-but-cutting lyrical humor that is woven to tie it all together, standing steadfast, just on the dry side of dry, just on the funny side of helpless, just on the right side of cynical despair. It's crucial to it all. 

The title track spills out of that first song in the second position, almost as a plaintive sigh of relief, as a wheeze of a guitar phrase that resolves into a caesura, and then breathes into a pleasant, understated melodic theme. "The Moon Threads A Needle" is the perfect linking verb in the first paragraph of an essay, featuring beautiful reeds and a nice set of harmonies over an anti-chorus, which is really more of a resting point between complex musical passages than a hook. Still, it manages to get into your head in the most subversive of ways. The highlight actually threading the needle is a dizzying middle eight, conjuring instrumental Zappa in the perfect part of his compositional career- after he abandoned the cheap thrills of pure satire, but before he waded so far into the synclavier that he forgot how to really make a band routinely dazzle an audience. 

I've always felt there was a natural link between album sequencing and a proper batting order in baseball, and so the most immediate and best pure pop song of the album, "Kittens and Ice Cream," coming in at #3 in the lineup (the best hitter for average), tickles me even beyond memes of the two titular nouns ever could. It's thematically reminiscent of "Something in 4/4 time" from the underrated 1980 Daryl Hall solo LP "Sacred Songs" (where Daryl's catchy commentary on label executives goes nuclear after a Robert Fripp guitar break with reversed rhythm patterns is inserted into an otherwise tailor-made radio hit); here we have a common-key, artfully crafted pop song with an insidiously toe-tapping chorus admonishing us of the evils of modern consumerism. The punchline is everything, though. Wes' sarcastic optimist still hopes for the best, despite "the clear and present manger never seem(ing) so far away", wishing that "one day skies will open up to equal rain." He's always riding the edge with a wink and a smile, rather than cynically diving over it. I love that. 

I could go track by track and reveal all of the details I've personally mined from this incredible album, but to do that would simply rob you of the discovery I hope you dare to make for yourself. All of the other tracks contain similar musical and lyrical depth, and like all other exceptional albums, it's almost impossible for me to choose my least favorite song. The "Blackout" opening lyrical couplet is a brilliant observation on life's spell of diminishment (one I've definitely felt resonate while occasionally lost in the wilderness of my own head in an increasingly confusing music industry); "Important Stallion" showcases Wes' supple, modular, crack band of Chicago professionals in their hottest bebop shuffle, behind the beat but aggressive...a loose feel, but tight as hell; "Bottle Made of Twine" pushes the sonic climax of the album into progressive territory, in ways that are truly daring...but never truly pretentious, with breathtaking dynamic contrast through it all. "The Birds of November 6th" contains the sweetest jazz vocal harmonies, borrowing all the right things from yacht rock while checking the self indulgence at the door. "The Only Day" is a fitting exercise in the confident restraint of a great songwriter, and "When Molly Got Lost" has an undeniable roll of a rhythm paired with an infectious call and response.

In another era, Wes John Cichosz would be a Signed, Fully Financed Artist, one who would already be making his way around sold out mid-level venues with the muscle of a Columbia or Warner Bros behind him, as he gathered momentum towards the next phase of his career. Yes, he's that good. It's sad that with the evaporation of truly exploitable financial opportunities in the music industry, some truly deserving artists can't get the exposure to lead them to that Big Break. However, like Wes' lovable anti-hero, I also happen to be a not-quite-cynical optimist, preferring to believe that one day skies will open up to equal rain, too, and that the Wes John Cichoszs of the world will get their due alongside the other great songwriting virtuosos we already know. My advice is to jump on board now... because it never goes out of style to be the first one of your friends to find a gem like him.     Click here for his website

 

Matt Walters is a retired professional poker player, theatre industry Union thug, lead guitarist and keyboard player for Roxy Swain, and the songwriter, vocalist and frontman of Sixcups. When not negotiating, recording, or performing, he is typically found at Galloping Ghost in Brookfield Illinois, setting high scores on obscure Japanese arcade games. He still resides in Oak Park, IL after all these years, and is occasionally persuaded to write about music.

Wes John Cichosz performing "Everybody Says" at Sofar Chicago on May 26th, 2017 Click here to come to a show in your city: http://www.sofarsounds.com/signup For a new gig every day, along with playlists, features and more, subscribe to Sofar here: http://bit.ly/SubscribeToSofar Find us on Facebook and Twitter for more information - http://facebook.com/sofarsounds http://twitter.com/Sofarsounds http://facebook.com/sofarsoundschicago http://twitter.com/SofarChicago http://instagram.com/sofarchicago Artist: Wes John Cichosz http://wjcmusic.com http://facebook.com/wjcmusicinc http://twitter.com/wesjohncheese http://instagram.com/wjc_music Filmed by: Chris Owsiany, Alex Kapp Edited by: Alex Kapp Audio by: Dan Norman of Mystery Street Recording Company http://mysterystreetrecording.com

I'll Tell You Who Belongs In the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - by Colin Gawel

Nineteen acts have been nominated to be inducted in the rock and roll hall of fame in 2018. Fans can vote for five acts they feel deserve the nod by clicking here. I'll go ahead and save you the trouble and tell you who gets the thumbs up and thumbs down. I know there is the popular misconception that arguments for and against the rock hall are purely subjective. I concede this is the case for everybody on the planet except for one person. Me. My opinion is strictly objective. 

I think reasonable people can agree that being a member of Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? gives me added insight compared to just a "regular" music fan.  I know what you are thinking, "Why does Colin waste his time sharing his thoughts with us bloggees when he could just as easily send a text to Jann Wenner telling him who should be in the rock hall?" 

That's a tough question, but a fair one. The simple truth is that while it is true I am over qualified to write this article and share it with you nice folks, I am no elitist. Rock n roll is music for the people so it would be selfish of me to keep my insights to myself. Possibly even cruel. So on that note, let's boogie!

No Brainers: Judas Priest and Radiohead. Metal has been under-represented and along with Iron Maiden, nothing has held up better over time than Priest. As for RH, they are the REM of their generation. I was a bigger fan of The Bends though everybody lost their shit over OK Computer. Also of note is that the rock hall induction has become a televised HBO concert so they need some actual fans to fill an arena. Having these two bands on the bill would be a good start. I have three votes left.

 I can appreciate what Link Wray, Nina Simone, Kate Bush and Sister Rosetta Sharp have contributed to the rock and roll cause, but they don't deserve a vote here. The rock hall needs to slide them in some back door the way Baseball does with their veterans committee. I still have three votes left and 13 bands to choose from. 

Good bands, but not Hall of Fame worthy:

Eurythmics - Nice videos sure, but the band barely toured. Without MTV would they even exist? I do love the song Why by Annie Lennox, though.

J. Geils Band - I know, I know, everybody on the West side of Columbus loves J. Geils. Yes, they were a very, very good bar band who broke through the mainstream with Freeze Frame. But, very good is not HOF worthy. Bonus points for the bouncing ball lyrics on the Love Stinks video and the fact you could rub one out to Centerfold on MTV in middle school if you didn't have time to wait around for a Madonna video. 

Dire Straits - I could be won over by the case for Mark Knopfler. Now, that guy has had a career. Dire Straights, Notting Hillbillies, Princess Bride, all that cool shit with Emmylou Harris. But just Dire Straits? They may get the money for nuthin' and chicks for free, but no rock hall for you.

Moody Blues - Naw 

I have three votes left and nine bands to choose from. 

The Zombies - I wanted to get on board with these guys but they only put out two records in their hey day. If you only put out two records, one better be call Appetite for Destruction. Thumbs down.  (editor's note: Two records in their heyday? Not even close, Colin, not even close, but don't get me started.) (My note back to Ricki C. Right now I'm staring at The Zombies discography and they have a release in 1965, one in 1968 and not another until 1991 - Colin) 

The Cars - Speaking of amazing debut records, The Cars may be the best in history. How many other bands arrived on the scene fully formed? Off the top of my head.......

AC/DC - Jailbreak     Guns n Roses - Appetite    Tracy Chapman   Maybe Ramones?

and The Cars. Problem is, they sort of ran out of steam soon after and sunk into self-parody with the Mutt Lange produced Hello Again bumble bee video stuff.  Ugh. Lots to like here and I want to root for Elliot Easton but The Cars don't quite deserve it. Though they will probably get inducted to help fill seats in the ceremony. Thumbs Down. 

Rage Against the Machine - Damn, I've come around to these guys and that concert in England is jaw dropping but if Rage is going to get in I suppose it's only fair the MC5 get in first. Thumbs down.

MC5 - Ok, Ricki and Big $ love this band and they score huge points for Kick Out the Jams and having their manager get busted twice for selling weed to the same undercover agent. My knock against the 5 for all their swag is how many great songs do they really have? Ah, hell, who needs great songs when you can just scream KICK OUT THE JAMS, MOTHERFUCKERS! The MC5 have waited long enough. Thumbs up. 

Two votes left for five bands. 

Rufus featuring Shaka Kahn? What the hell is that? No.

Bon Jovi - As I wrote in a separate piece, the only argument for Bon Jovi is their huge record sales during the late 80's. Upon closer examination during the same period Whitesnake was selling six million records and even Stryper went platinum. Bon Jovi are the Sammy Sosa of rock n roll. Inflated numbers masking their awfulness. They are a better version of KISS during the Crazy Nights era. Does that deserve to be immortalized? Ten thumbs down. 

Two votes for three bands

The Meters - When in doubt go with a band from New Orleans. Somebody is going to have to get people dancing at the induction ceremony after Radiohead performs. These guys can lay it down. Beat out J. Geils for my vote. Thumbs up. 

Two Votes - Two Bands

Hmm....this comes down to a difference of styles. I know people love Depeche Mode and that Personal Jesus song was pretty bad-ass but.....

LL Cool J stood next to Rick Rubin at the very beginning of the NYC hip hop scene. Run DMC, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy soon followed. I've never bought that stupid veiled racist bullshit that rap isn't rock. Crank up Mama Said Knock You Out next to Ace of Spades and let's call it a draw. 

Thumbs up to LL Cool Jay. Depeche Mode has to wait another year.

So the 2018 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductees are:

Judas Priest - Radiohead - The MC5  - The Meters - LL Cool J

Colin Gawel plays in Watershed and the League Bowlers. He founded Pencilstorm just so he could write about stuff like this while ignoring customers at Colin's Coffee. 

 

 

Ray Davies is the Best Songwriter Ever. Exhibit B - Thanksgiving Day

Sure, Ray and The Kinks recorded arguably the greatest Christmas song ever but is that enough for Ray? Surely not. He just had to go ahead and write a Thanksgiving song. Who does that? Nobody except Ray Davies. Happy Thanksgiving!  Lyrics and video below

                          Click here view Ray Davies is the best songwriter Exhibit A

                               

                               Thanksgiving Day by Ray Davies

Are you going on Thanksgiving Day
To those family celebrations?
Passing on knowledge down through the years
At the gathering of generations

Every year it's the same routine
All over, all over
Come on over, it's Thanksgiving Day

Papa looks over at the small gathering
Remembering days gone by
Smiles at the children as he watches them play
And wishes his wife was still by his side

She would always cook dinner on Thanksgiving Day
It's all over, it's all over
It's all over the American way
But sometimes the children are so far away

And in a dark apartment on the wrong side of town
A lonely spinster prays
For a handsome lover and a passionate embrace
And kisses all over, all over
All over her American face

It's all over, it's all over, it's all over

'Cause today she feels so far away
From the friends in her hometown
So she runs for the Greyhound
She'll spend hours on the bus but she'll reach town
For Thanksgiving Day

Come on over, come on over
Come on over, it's Thanksgiving Day
Come on over, come on over
Come on over, come on over
Come on over, it's Thanksgiving Day

At a truck stop a man sits alone at the bar
Estranged in isolation
It's been a while now and he seems so far
From those distant celebrations

He thinks back to all the mistakes that he made
To a time when he was so young and green
Innocent days when they both looked forward to that
Great American dream

Now it's all over, it's all over, all over
And all over America people are going home
On Thanksgiving Day

Now Papa looks out of the window
The sight brings a smile to his face
He sees all his children coming back home
Together on this special day

Come on over, come on over
Come on over, it's Thanksgiving Day

2005, promoting his EP 'Thanksgiving Day' and LP 'Other People's Lives'