I fell in love with hip-hop in middle school. \”Planet Rock\” had been a staple at the skating rink, but my friend Richie was the first person to turn me onto \”Jam On It\” by Newcleus, which kind of blew my mind at the time. If I remember correctly, he wanted to go walk around the neighborhood, but I just wanted to hear that song again.
14 Days of Influences: Day 2 Read More »
On Facebook, my friend David challenged me to do one of those \”one-a-day lists\” of music, probably as a way to cut through the mind-numbing boredom of being quarantined.
This is a list of the albums that influenced my taste in music. They set me on a path in a way — one that I haven\’t really strayed from in more than 30 years of music geekery. Enjoy!
14 Days of Influences: Day 1 Read More »
I don\’t know about you, but I\’m not sure how to feel these days. I wander between a sort of sardonic, sarcastic acceptance of everything and a steel-faced resolve to be strong for my kids and family. But when I take trips to the grocery store in the dark of 6 a.m., only to find
Muh Muh Muh My Corona! A Coronavirus Playlist Read More »
I will tell you a secret I’ve been terrified to admit to anyone I know.
I’ve wanted to write a book — the same book! — since I was fresh out of college. I’ve had the idea for more than 20 years, and the idea has only grown inside me, gnawing at my brain like an urgent, unfinished task.
Why ‘FAIL’ is my word of the year…and it should be yours, too Read More »
The opening band. It\’s like musical Russian Roulette.
You\’ve come to see the headliner. This band is just the band in the way of that. Nine times out of 10, you aren\’t going to be impressed.
An Ode to John Brannon Read More »
One of my favorite things about vinyl is the size. A 12-inch vinyl record cover gives an artist 144 square inches to visually represent their music, and they use the space to shock, to offend, to attract, to tantalize, to create mood. So when you\’re crate-digging and you land upon an artist who appears shirtless,
Diamonds in the Dollar Bin: Steve Walsh, “Schemer Dreamer” Read More »
Danny Vacon believes in rock \’n roll. In Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he\’s the elder statesman of rock, fronting seminal local bands The Dudes, which should be known around the world; The High Kicks, whose mission is quite simply, to just rock out; and The Dojo Workhorse, a project which displays Vacon\’s more sensitive and sensual
10 Albums: Dan Vacon Read More »
I have to admit it. I CANNOT stop listening to the B Boys, a punk band from Brooklyn who has put out three incredible albums that will NOT leave me ALONE. Their odd, angular sound gets compared to the likes of Gang of Four and Wire for good reason, but I just love their attitude.
Now Playing: B Boys Read More »
I\’m a man who has to introduce himself at least twice. When your name is \”Doy,\” there\’s a good chance people are going to misunderstand the sound you\’re making with your mouth. \”Did you say \’Coy?\’\” \”Doyle?\” Or my favorite — \”Hi, Dwayne! Nice to meet you.\” That last one I\’ll just have to live
What’s a Doy Cave? Read More »
Most writers I know are terrible on the fly, but great in revision. That\’s my excuse, anyway. Case in point, today at lunch my sister asked me the five things I love best about my mother, and I stared at her like a bewildered child. Mind you, we were sitting in a packed restaurant, surrounded by
What I should have said… Read More »