I AM a Rocker Chick

So last night I went to see Rock of Ages which was offensively trashy and I don't recommend anyone to see it (and you know that's a big deal coming from me). But I also went to see Def Leppard, Poison, and Scorpions in concert this month. And I have come to this conclusion: classic rock music ignites my soul. Not just my body. Not just my spirit. My soul.

There were a few good things about the movie which I will use to illustrate why rock music is so wonderful.

• Rock tells stories. 

The lyrics to rock songs may not tell stories over a plot arch the way that country and rap tend to do. It's much more subtle, but thereby more relatable and  intrepretable by a wider audience. The stories rock tells are about the every day lives of ordinary people. Take for example, the song "Let's Get Rocked" by Def Leppard. First verse is about an "average ordinary everyday kid" and the second is about an "average ordinary everyday dude," both who just want to live life their own way without anyone telling them how. Or "The Zoo" by Scorpions. About a couple who spend a fun night on the town. People do these things in real life. Everyone can relate to this. Then there is also the many, many rock songs that address the issues of humanity as a whole, such as "Humanity" by Scorpions, or "Bicycle" by Queen. Or "Bohemian Rhapsody."

One of my favorite Scorpions songs.

• Rock is emotional.

 Anyone who knows me knows that there is little I love more in this life than passion. I'm in favor of anything that is done with passion. And rock is always done with passion. And it's not stuck in one passion or another. It's not always about sex, it's not always about drugs, and it's not always about rock and roll (although it is sometimes each of these). I've actually come to realize that a huge portion of rock songs are about trying to get through the mundane parts of life and feel alive once in a while. "Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world. She took the midnight train going anywhere..." - Don't Stop Believing: Journey. "When the bombs and the devils and the kids keep on comin', no way to breathe easy no time to be young" - Crazy on You: Heart. And another huge portion is about figuring love out (of course, this is the eternal question for all artists, and could be considered a sub-category to the previous). "I would try to change the things that killed our love" - Still Loving You: Scorpions. "I've been waiting for a girl like you, a love that will survive" - Waiting for a Girl Like You: Foreigner. Again, these are emotions that everyone can relate to: growing up, figuring life out, regret, infatuation/falling in love/giddiness depending on the intention. And my personal favorite thing about these rock concerts is that the passion comes through on the band's faces - all the members - and ignites the crowd.

C.C. DeVille of Poison killing it.

• Rock just rocks.

To anyone who listens, there is a hinge that started in the 90s, where rock music changed. I think a lot of music changed, but rock was pretty drastic. Some people blame this change on Nirvana, but that's another blog post. So the rock that I am talking about in this post is not alternative, or heavy metal, or "soft rock" (whatever that is). It is Grade A, Premium, Extra Large ROCK. I'm talking electric guitars with solos in every song. I'm talking the drummer goes crazy and rips his shirt off every other song. I'm talking the stuff that takes incredible skill to play and blasting vocals to sing. The stuff that sounds different in every song (yes, that is possible!). This is why it imbues my soul with fire. It is not average, it is not humdrum in the background. It commands your attention. It is bright, edgy, glamourous. It is meant to be heard!

Scorpions rocking my face off.

So for those of you who might believe that rock is devilish, to you I say: if it is wrong for humanity to try to understand and then express itself, what is the point of living? I love rock and roll, so put another dime in the juke box, baby.

Heroes: Ann and Nancy Wilson

So, a few weeks ago, Jill and I went to see Heart and Def Leppard in concert. It was the third Def Leppard concert we've seen together. But it was Heart that I was really going for. Heart is definitely one of my top three bands of all time (with Muse and Foreigner). And I always worry that I won't get a chance to see my favorite classic rock bands in concert before it's too late, so I always grab the chance.

I've seen a lot of concerts, but something about this one was different. I know a bit about the story of Ann and Nancy Wilson, and I'd been looking forward to seeing them in concert, interacting with each other, observing the sisterly bond. It was there: they complimented each other and talked of the support and talent they'd provided for each other over the years. I found that quite remarkable.

But the thing that really got to me was the courage of their concert. As a concert goes, the lighting was very simple, wardrobe simple, effects practically non-existant. But the energy flow from Ann and Nancy, and their performance - unmatchable. Nancy, a 57-year-old woman, was jumping around on stage during her guitar solos - she did a toe touch in the middle of the intro to "Crazy on You." And Ann...was unbelievable.

Usually in concerts, the songs are a little different from the recordings. Notes held a little longer, a few extra runs thrown in, whatever. But Ann was totally unafraid to mix up the tempo and sing whatever in the world came to her head, and pulled it off completely brilliantly. I wish I had a recording to share. But for example, after the second chorus in "Crazy on You," she slowed down so much, people thought the song was over (I knew better because I'd been waiting for my favorite line which hadn't come yet!). And I already knew she knows how to bust it out...but live, it was mind-blowing busting. She just sang...as though to stop singing meant to die. I felt like her heart, the spirit and the emotions, was tangible through the sound of her voice. I know it absolutely doesn't make sense, but I'm still blown away.

Knowing Ann's history, I thought about the things she must've gone through mentally to become what she is. To be able to stand on that stage and blast the ears and minds of thousands of people...you must have a ton of confidence, or a ton of gumption (probably both).

So I realized something, between "Crazy on You" and "Barracuda" somewhere. What's the point in holding back? Sing, whatever you want, as loud as you can. Do it differently than what people expect. Do it the way it makes you happy. You'll discover your boundaries and limits, and you'll become stronger within them, and gain the ability to stretch them. And no one in the world can rightly scoff at you for passionately pursuing something you legitimately love. It will be hard work, and you'll have to keep trying and keep getting up every day, but when you right the right note with the right power, the whole world will stop and notice. So just keep singing until you get there.

 

Thank you, Ann Wilson (and Nancy cause that toe touch was awesome!).

July: Month of Action! 4th Weekend

This weekend was also most excellent, but first one event from the previous weekend I forgot to mention: I tested for my blue belt in karate!! I tested after only being in karate for seven months, which is pretty awesome because usually it takes 9-12 months to get to your blue belt. :)

So on July 21st, a Thursday, a wonderful event happened. My dear friend Remington came down from Rexburg to go the the Foreinger and Journey concert with me!! It was spectacular. Foreigner is one of my top 3 favorite bands (with Muse and Heart), and I had previously gone to a concert where they played, but missed their entire act because traffic was so horrible! So I was STOKED when I found out they were coming again. And Journey is just disgustingly awesome, and no one can deny it.

So we went to the concert and it was incredible! Night Ranger was the opening band, and even though I only recognized one of their songs they put on an awesome show. Respect. It definitely set up the right mood.

Then Foreigner came on....oh my heart had wings. They played all my favorites, "Urgent," "Cold as Ice," "Hot Blooded," of course, and came back for an encore with "Juke Box Hero"! which is probably one of the most brilliant songs of all time! Remington and I found out we are both associated among our separate circles of friends with that song, and I bought the shirt for it, too. Beautiful. Wonderful!! I was in rapture.

By the time Journey got to the stage, it was too dark to get very good pictures, plus their light show was amazing (almost as amazing as Muse!) so that made it even more difficult. But they were completely rockin' in concert!! The new singer is incredible! He sang with ultimate intensity and was jumping all over the stage and totally melting everyone's face off. The lead guitar rocked the solos too....it was just brilliant. Without doubt, this was the 2nd best concert I've ever seen!

The next evening was Alyssa's wedding reception, which was a brilliant masquerade ball. I thought that was pretty much an awesome idea and I'm a little sad I couldn't use it first...but I'm sure I'll come up with something equally brilliant. My favorite part was of course, the exotic cheese selection, but followed closely by the fact we got to wear a little bit fancier dresses than normal and wear masks all night! Sarah, Kristan and I went around the wooded areas (it was held in a park) and took a lot of vanity pictures. So I'll end with those and for more practical details of the receptions, see Jill's blog post.

Also, Saturday, July 23rd, was my one year anniversary of graduation from BYU-Idaho. :)