GONE

Music is one of the biggest passions and influences in my life. It’s not about being on tour or seeing as much live music as possible (once this was my goal), it's not about seeing the next "big name band" or dj. It’s about playing or creating music, expressing yourself. Its understanding the emotions that creates the music I enjoy. It’s not soley what I enjoy, these people are translating their emotions, lives, thoughts into some artistic form for us to enjoy – that is important to me – it is important for the artist. Your talents are truly appreciated! There are certain bands that have moved me, shaped some of my memories and life – my own mental ipod (before there was an ipod).

So… What bands have moved you, shaped your life, and created your personal soundtrack? What band could you listen to when you’re happy, jaded/pissed off, going to a party, at the party, in love, chilling on a rainy day, drunk; what are you “keane” to listen to in your entire emotional embodiment?

For me, one band stays in the top 5, the Disco Biscuits. They haven’t been my favorite band all my life – they’ve only been in existence since 1995. It’s what I’d listen to if I lived in the future (4050); it’s what you’d expect to hear from an extraterrestrial being… Trance Fusion, Livetronica, technoRock, whatever – the biscuits are one of those bands that leaves you flabbergasted when it’s time to describe them and their style. I think the only reason I’m able to describe them right now is from intense history with the boys, the scene and the life of a rock and roll star ;-)

As for the remainder of my list, it looks like:

Number 2: Bob Marley
Number 3: Bill Laswell
Number 4: Bjork
Number 5: Sublime

I’d be lying if I told you my list didn’t change overtime. Trust me, it takes a lot to put those people on my top 5. It’s hard not to put Nirvana, KRS-one, Nas, the Doors, Floyd, Oasis, Notorious Big and a slew of other bands and dj’s on this list. These are the people I listen to regularly; as often as I drive to and from work. My top ten is good, trust me. What's your top ten - high fidelity style.

Back to the Biscuits….

When these guys work together, playing their ball theory of improv music, inverting, doing it dyslexic or just a teasing, you’ll get a taste of what the gods call bliss or “Bisco”. I can only describe “Bisco” as the Disco Biscuits version of “techno”. If you want to hear what they sound like, check out Bisco Radio. I’d say the main thing to consider when you listen to the biscuits is their style, improv. They aren’t conventional in the playing, maybe in their composition (unless they invert or add a dyslexic part to a song). They have song structure, structure with chords – don’t expect that with their sound. It’s everywhere, all over the place, in your face!

My favorite work of theirs would have to be CWB or the Chemical Warfare Brigade – a rock opera! I’ve felt connection to most of their songs, even the ones with little or no lyrics. This collection of songs first presented itself to me on a playbill in 2000-12-30 at a little venue in Long Island. Here’s the setlist. The story of CWB unfolds like this:

Plan B (the start of our tale – the plan to sell,)
Little Lai (the baron, Pablo Escobar style, meeting the boss)
..And the Ladies Were The Rest of The Nigh (enjoying the “fruits” of labor, partying)
Floodlights (our actor landed himself in muddy waters due to his “dealing”, mental stress)
Shelby Rose (the woman, someone who wins our actors heart, could it be a trick)
Chemical Warfare Brigade (the war, back to the wall, theory of the actors’ actions, realization)
Three Wishes (could he take it all back, start a new life, grow, learn, dream)
Confrontation (dealing with his problems – necessary)

Maybe I’m too paranoid or too analytical, but, this shit sounds like the soundtrack to my old life the one I left behind. I got go on and on making plenty of comparisions.

I asked for 3 wishes and I got them...