I'll preface this entry by granting you that my tastes in music, and perhaps that of people whose paths I cross in New York City, are probably not necessarily typical of the rest of the country, or the world for that matter.
That being said, I dj around town here and there, at least once a week....and not always for the same "types" of people, but, for the most part, for typically younger bar crowds of varying #'s (not clubs - which for some reason seem to exclusively play hip hop and dance music) . But, as always, people will often request songs, which I usually don't mind, as long as people aren't too damn obnoxious about it.
One of the reasons why I like to hear out people's requests is that I'm curious as to what they want to hear....and if you HAVE what they want to hear, you might make a new friend. There's no shame in either of those things, is there? Now, the results I get range from the downright insulting ("NO, I won't play any Good fucking Charlotte, ok? But feel free to try again!") to....the extremely cool ("Sure, I think I might have a Kyuss song for you!").
But more often than not, no matter how old the requester is, and they're often very young (i.e., early- to mid-twenties), they want to hear what is what most consider to be "old school" Rock N' Roll. It boggles my mind how....whether it be a girl who's 21-years-old if she's a day, requesting A-HA's "Take On Me" (ok, that might not be very "Rock N' Roll" but you get my point) or an entire room full of them singing on the top of their lungs with their hands in the air to Bon Jovi's "Livin' On a Prayer"....or whatever. Granted, these were HUGE commercial hits in their time, but most of these people weren't even born yet when these songs were initially popular.
But what really boggles my mind, is that I get WAY more requests for Guns N' Roses and Led Zeppelin, etc, than I ever do for fucking Nickleback or Fall Out Boy, et al. Doesn't that strike you as being a bit strange.
I mean, when I was younger, I was into what was happening at the time and what had become old school. In my experiences, which, again, are limited to New York City in this case, the old school seems to be the rule. I mean, sure, you go out and hear She Wants Revenge and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Kings of Leon, but.....those bands (like my own) are far more reminiscent of....again, old school Rock N' Roll....which, the more time passes, covers a lot more ground and a lot more subgrenres. I think it's awfully interesting.
Is music (or, more accurately, the "music business") killing itself, and rendering itself obsolete? Are people's tastes actually just as good as they always were, and like many of us, do people just look for what they want out of music from the figurative history books? Is it true that there just isn't a standard of quality with music anymore, which causes people to turn a deaf ear to what's going on currently?
Who the hell knows?
What's great about it is this: no matter what's going on in music today, there's always going to be that singer or band that you never heard...whose song is going to cross paths with your ears, and make you say, "Holy SHIT, what the hell IS that? Well, FIND OUT!!!" Ahahahahaha. I mean, case in point, last Summer, I was in a minivan being hauled to the movie set, when I heard something BRILLIANT emitting from the speakers.....and I heard this GREAT guitar lead and I said, "Hey...will you please turn this up?" Then, after about 10 more seconds, I said, "WOW!!!! This is AWESOME!!!! What IS THIS?" Well, it was UFO's "Doctor Doctor" on some satellite radio station. I've loved the band ever since! Like Mick Jones from the Clash once said, "If doesn't matter when you get it, as long as you get it."
My point is that there's always going to be great music out there.....just keep listening for it. And if you find something awesome, let me know!
Take care,
Marty E.
PS-And I hope that somebody somewhere out there gets one of those moments I just described when they hear the Dirty Pearls, ahahahahahaha.....
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
From just over a year ago: A few words about my definition being real, or I can't believe you would say such a thing!!!
I made this entry on my Myspace blog about a year ago....I thought it was one of my better entries, and just as relevant today as it was then, if not moreso...read on.....
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I am out all the time....and when I'm out, I do a lot of talking. And, believe it or not, I do a hell of a lot of listening too. Conversation is life's most immediately accessible art-form, I think.
But, something comes up often-often enough to make me ponder and write about it.
I get comments, especially from women that I know, that they prefer me when I'm being "real".
But I don't know what they mean.
I think what they mean is that they like it better when I'm not talking about my band, my music, kicking ass, getting successful, getting fucked up, and generally doing the things that I do.
But seriously, those things are so incredibly real to me....and maybe they don't understand, that's the way I live. Rock N' Roll is my life, and everything I do is for that, ultimately. Sure, when I'm 3 beers into the evening, and I talk about growing up as a geek or how cool I think my nieces/nephews are, or how my brothers' wives had a big hand in making me who I am, it might be more appealing than how many clubs I've sold out in New York City or how great a time I'm going to have in LA next month. But, that doesn't make those things any more or less real.
It's all real....across the board. I don't feel that anything I say or do, ever, is insincere, dishonest, or disingenuous in any way, shape, or form....to a fault at times. Just because I'm not kissing someone's ass or disagree with someone doesn't mean I'm not being real. On the contrary, it means that I fucking AM being real....perhaps much more so than the person at the other end. Every time I sing a song, pound the drums, shake a good friend's hand, or kiss a beautiful girl, you can bet your sweet ass that it's 100% for real.
Case in point, there was an occasion recently in which I thought someone really overstepped some bounds with me, and was extremely presumptuous. I became a little bit upset, which happens pretty rarely. I usually take the high road (insert joke here, ahahahaha....) when it comes to trivial conflicts such as this, but there are certain things that I think a person shouldn't have to tolerate, no matter how easy going he/she might be....and I'm pretty fucking easy going! But this person, again, said something about liking me better when I'm "real", as opposed to having my guard up and calling shit the way I saw it. Fuck that - I WAS being real. It's just that this person REALly pissed me off. But that's over now.
I remember when I was in one of my old bands...I'm sure you know which one....someone came up to the bass player and I and said she liked the band but wishes we sang about "real" things. We replied that we played songs about Sex, Drugs, & Rock N' Roll....and since we do those things, there isn't anything unreal about it. I don't think she understood. But have you listened to the Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album? Well, "Sister Morphine", "Brown Sugar", and Sway" are all on there...so are "I've Got The Blue" and "Wild Horses"....and it doesn't get any more real than the Stones (well...up until 1983, ahahahaha....). My point is that those songs aren't all about the same subjects...and they don't sound the same. But what ties them all together, besides the fact that they are absolutely brilliant, is that, to my ears, they are 100% the real fucking thing.
My point is, best exemplified by the following juxtaposition for you to chew on....I think that Poison songs like "Talk Dirty To Me" and "I Want Action" are probably far more real than any of the pseudo-Christian "rock" candy-ass muzak spewed forth by the likes of Nickleback and Creed, ok?
I'm hope this has cleared any doubt on the subject.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I am out all the time....and when I'm out, I do a lot of talking. And, believe it or not, I do a hell of a lot of listening too. Conversation is life's most immediately accessible art-form, I think.
But, something comes up often-often enough to make me ponder and write about it.
I get comments, especially from women that I know, that they prefer me when I'm being "real".
But I don't know what they mean.
I think what they mean is that they like it better when I'm not talking about my band, my music, kicking ass, getting successful, getting fucked up, and generally doing the things that I do.
But seriously, those things are so incredibly real to me....and maybe they don't understand, that's the way I live. Rock N' Roll is my life, and everything I do is for that, ultimately. Sure, when I'm 3 beers into the evening, and I talk about growing up as a geek or how cool I think my nieces/nephews are, or how my brothers' wives had a big hand in making me who I am, it might be more appealing than how many clubs I've sold out in New York City or how great a time I'm going to have in LA next month. But, that doesn't make those things any more or less real.
It's all real....across the board. I don't feel that anything I say or do, ever, is insincere, dishonest, or disingenuous in any way, shape, or form....to a fault at times. Just because I'm not kissing someone's ass or disagree with someone doesn't mean I'm not being real. On the contrary, it means that I fucking AM being real....perhaps much more so than the person at the other end. Every time I sing a song, pound the drums, shake a good friend's hand, or kiss a beautiful girl, you can bet your sweet ass that it's 100% for real.
Case in point, there was an occasion recently in which I thought someone really overstepped some bounds with me, and was extremely presumptuous. I became a little bit upset, which happens pretty rarely. I usually take the high road (insert joke here, ahahahaha....) when it comes to trivial conflicts such as this, but there are certain things that I think a person shouldn't have to tolerate, no matter how easy going he/she might be....and I'm pretty fucking easy going! But this person, again, said something about liking me better when I'm "real", as opposed to having my guard up and calling shit the way I saw it. Fuck that - I WAS being real. It's just that this person REALly pissed me off. But that's over now.
I remember when I was in one of my old bands...I'm sure you know which one....someone came up to the bass player and I and said she liked the band but wishes we sang about "real" things. We replied that we played songs about Sex, Drugs, & Rock N' Roll....and since we do those things, there isn't anything unreal about it. I don't think she understood. But have you listened to the Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album? Well, "Sister Morphine", "Brown Sugar", and Sway" are all on there...so are "I've Got The Blue" and "Wild Horses"....and it doesn't get any more real than the Stones (well...up until 1983, ahahahaha....). My point is that those songs aren't all about the same subjects...and they don't sound the same. But what ties them all together, besides the fact that they are absolutely brilliant, is that, to my ears, they are 100% the real fucking thing.
My point is, best exemplified by the following juxtaposition for you to chew on....I think that Poison songs like "Talk Dirty To Me" and "I Want Action" are probably far more real than any of the pseudo-Christian "rock" candy-ass muzak spewed forth by the likes of Nickleback and Creed, ok?
I'm hope this has cleared any doubt on the subject.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
What an insane Saturday night....even what I missed was awesome....
I'm gonna start by saying thank you to everyone who made the second headlining Dirty Pearls show at the Bowery a SOLD OUT success. That means, thanks to each and every member of that beautiful crowd...I mean, wow....like Don Henley once sang, "I thought I knew what love was...what did I know?" Ahahahahaha.....
.....and THANKS to everyone who helped us promote the show, via interviewing us, by telling your friends about us, reposting our self- promo posts, or what-have-you. Every little bit helps, and means a whole hell of a lot to us.
I think above all, I have to thank our crew that night....of course there's Dave, our manager....and Jeff, Nate, Tommy, Joey, Mystie, Lauren, Jamie, and of course, the "Pearlettes", Jennifer and Alex.....the impact of that show wouldn't have been as massive had it not been for your help, nor would it have gone nearly as smoothly.....I hope I didn't miss anyone....hahahahaha....
It was really glorious up there for me, and for the rest of the band too.....I will admit, I was a little nervous beforehand, which is rare for me. As soon as I stepped on that stage, those nerves just melted away....I think it was the sound of the audience beginning to scream that cut through my nerves like a hot knife through frozen butter....THANKS again.
I think it might have been the best show I ever played, all in all.
We're just waiting for the results to come in from this show, and it might take a week or two....the last time, we got opening gigs with Twisted Sister, the New York Dolls, then Bret Michaels....so I'm excited to see what might happen this time. I'll keep you posted.
On another note, The Perfect Age of Rock N' Roll (the movie in which I am part of the principal cast) world premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival, also this past Saturday night....I hear from my boy Jasin that it was standing room only, for a capacity crowd of 300 people, who evidently loved it....I hear that people were fighting over the last few admissions....these are all very good signs, and inspire confidence that there might be a nation and/or worldwide release coming soon. Anyway, thanks to everyone I worked with on the film...I love you all...and to anyone who might have caught the premiere....I hope I looked ok, ahahahahaha....
Above all, I just want to thank all of my friends & family for supporting me, thick and thin, drunk and sober.....insane and more insane....you mean the world to me....it's all going to happen, and I'm taking you all with me.....
Marty E.
.....and THANKS to everyone who helped us promote the show, via interviewing us, by telling your friends about us, reposting our self- promo posts, or what-have-you. Every little bit helps, and means a whole hell of a lot to us.
I think above all, I have to thank our crew that night....of course there's Dave, our manager....and Jeff, Nate, Tommy, Joey, Mystie, Lauren, Jamie, and of course, the "Pearlettes", Jennifer and Alex.....the impact of that show wouldn't have been as massive had it not been for your help, nor would it have gone nearly as smoothly.....I hope I didn't miss anyone....hahahahaha....
It was really glorious up there for me, and for the rest of the band too.....I will admit, I was a little nervous beforehand, which is rare for me. As soon as I stepped on that stage, those nerves just melted away....I think it was the sound of the audience beginning to scream that cut through my nerves like a hot knife through frozen butter....THANKS again.
I think it might have been the best show I ever played, all in all.
We're just waiting for the results to come in from this show, and it might take a week or two....the last time, we got opening gigs with Twisted Sister, the New York Dolls, then Bret Michaels....so I'm excited to see what might happen this time. I'll keep you posted.
On another note, The Perfect Age of Rock N' Roll (the movie in which I am part of the principal cast) world premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival, also this past Saturday night....I hear from my boy Jasin that it was standing room only, for a capacity crowd of 300 people, who evidently loved it....I hear that people were fighting over the last few admissions....these are all very good signs, and inspire confidence that there might be a nation and/or worldwide release coming soon. Anyway, thanks to everyone I worked with on the film...I love you all...and to anyone who might have caught the premiere....I hope I looked ok, ahahahahaha....
Above all, I just want to thank all of my friends & family for supporting me, thick and thin, drunk and sober.....insane and more insane....you mean the world to me....it's all going to happen, and I'm taking you all with me.....
Marty E.
A very in-depth interview w/ Crusher Magazine...
Thanks Christine, for the great questions and great times!
http://www.crushermagazine.com/features4_09/featpearls.htm
http://www.crushermagazine.com/features4_09/featpearls.htm
Monday, April 20, 2009
The best way to not get jaded, bitter, and old is to learn how to get over it and move on....
I meet a lot of people in my travels. I cross many paths. A lot of water has passed underneath the bridge that my life is, and plenty of shit goes down. I know I'm not unique in that, especially in this town. Everyone I know is probably living some kind of perpetual mini series.
I'm more into comedy than drama....I don't mind WATCHING drama, but I'd rather live a comedy...which is not to say that I want life to be a joke or that I don't take it seriously....quite the contrary.
Nobody's perfect, but time and again, I see people who do nothing but complain, complain, complain.....and bellyache about this and that which happened in the past. They hold grudges, dwell on ancient history, and consequently hold bitterness in their hearts. And what good does THAT do? It ages a person, and makes them unattractive to others. People can see your true colors pretty quickly, I think....just ask them.
I learned very early in life that when life throws shit at you like some rhesus fucking monkey, or knocks you down like steamroller, the best thing to do is wipe yourself off, feel the pain for a *little* while, then face forward and do your best to learn a lesson, move the fuck on, and GET THE FUCK OVER IT. How did I learn this? Let's just say I lost a lot of significant family members before age 12, ok? But the rest of my family and I didn't waste our lives sitting around and moping and crying about it. We turned chicken shit into chicken salad and made the best of it! It's not being callous or cold (two things that I am definitely not), it's simply facing reality but not letting it kill who you are.
We all have our stories about why our lives are fucked up in one way or another....nobody wants to hear you complain. People want to be inspired and forget about the shitfalls of their own, even if for a few moments. To me, that's what Rock N' Roll is about in a lot of ways, and is one of the more poignant reasons why I do and believe in what I do.
And so far it's going pretty well, because I couldn't be bothered with any reasons why it WOULDN'T! I mean, the whole world is stacked against most everybody.....that's a given. Why dwell on the fucking negative? Forget about that shit....and I refuse to travel in negative company....can you dig it? Too many people justify their own failures and problems with all these reasons why they can't do something, how it's all someone fucking else's fault, and pretty much just bitch, bitch bitch their lives away. They take no responsibility for anything, even their own actions.
Not me!
That all being said, we all have problems and disagreements. That's just life. But coming to a resolution is awfully important. Some people are actually taken aback by how forgiving I can be.....and how quickly I'll apologize when it's proper for me to do so. I'm not saying I'm righteous or that I'm even close to always being right. What I am saying is that if there are problems, and there often are, the best thing to do is to atone in whatever way you can and move the fuck on. The longer you let shit fester, the more lines will appear on your face. People, at least the sharp ones, can smell bitterness from miles away, and most of them don't like it. You don't have to be friends with EVERYBODY....but not eveybody is ENEMIES with everyone you don't like, you know? And gratuitous shit-talking is only going to reflect badly on you. Again, I see it happening again and again.
You'd be amazed at how good it feels, if you have a chance, to let the shit that ails you go. It's like concrete blocks have been lifted off your shoulders and replaced by wings. Chances are that the shit that's keeping you down is doing so because you enable it to. That makes you your own worst enemy....and who has time for that shit? Life is, indeed, too fucking short - and remember, it's YOUR life! Take heed and take care.....and while everyone else is bellyaching, shit-talking, and pussyfooting around, you'll be laughing, kicking ass, and having fun. I know which sounds better to me! How about you?
I'm more into comedy than drama....I don't mind WATCHING drama, but I'd rather live a comedy...which is not to say that I want life to be a joke or that I don't take it seriously....quite the contrary.
Nobody's perfect, but time and again, I see people who do nothing but complain, complain, complain.....and bellyache about this and that which happened in the past. They hold grudges, dwell on ancient history, and consequently hold bitterness in their hearts. And what good does THAT do? It ages a person, and makes them unattractive to others. People can see your true colors pretty quickly, I think....just ask them.
I learned very early in life that when life throws shit at you like some rhesus fucking monkey, or knocks you down like steamroller, the best thing to do is wipe yourself off, feel the pain for a *little* while, then face forward and do your best to learn a lesson, move the fuck on, and GET THE FUCK OVER IT. How did I learn this? Let's just say I lost a lot of significant family members before age 12, ok? But the rest of my family and I didn't waste our lives sitting around and moping and crying about it. We turned chicken shit into chicken salad and made the best of it! It's not being callous or cold (two things that I am definitely not), it's simply facing reality but not letting it kill who you are.
We all have our stories about why our lives are fucked up in one way or another....nobody wants to hear you complain. People want to be inspired and forget about the shitfalls of their own, even if for a few moments. To me, that's what Rock N' Roll is about in a lot of ways, and is one of the more poignant reasons why I do and believe in what I do.
And so far it's going pretty well, because I couldn't be bothered with any reasons why it WOULDN'T! I mean, the whole world is stacked against most everybody.....that's a given. Why dwell on the fucking negative? Forget about that shit....and I refuse to travel in negative company....can you dig it? Too many people justify their own failures and problems with all these reasons why they can't do something, how it's all someone fucking else's fault, and pretty much just bitch, bitch bitch their lives away. They take no responsibility for anything, even their own actions.
Not me!
That all being said, we all have problems and disagreements. That's just life. But coming to a resolution is awfully important. Some people are actually taken aback by how forgiving I can be.....and how quickly I'll apologize when it's proper for me to do so. I'm not saying I'm righteous or that I'm even close to always being right. What I am saying is that if there are problems, and there often are, the best thing to do is to atone in whatever way you can and move the fuck on. The longer you let shit fester, the more lines will appear on your face. People, at least the sharp ones, can smell bitterness from miles away, and most of them don't like it. You don't have to be friends with EVERYBODY....but not eveybody is ENEMIES with everyone you don't like, you know? And gratuitous shit-talking is only going to reflect badly on you. Again, I see it happening again and again.
You'd be amazed at how good it feels, if you have a chance, to let the shit that ails you go. It's like concrete blocks have been lifted off your shoulders and replaced by wings. Chances are that the shit that's keeping you down is doing so because you enable it to. That makes you your own worst enemy....and who has time for that shit? Life is, indeed, too fucking short - and remember, it's YOUR life! Take heed and take care.....and while everyone else is bellyaching, shit-talking, and pussyfooting around, you'll be laughing, kicking ass, and having fun. I know which sounds better to me! How about you?
Friday, April 10, 2009
Repost from my Myspace blog from this past November: I just saw the movie I’m in...or, what the hell am I doing up there?
I was going through my Myspace blog to see what might be worth reposting here....so, this will be my first installment of reposts that are still relevant today....
Friday, November 14, 2008
So, after the debacle in Hollywood, I flew home....to be greeted by a low-key screening of the movie I "acted" in this past Summer....it's called The Perfect Age of Rock N' Roll, and stars Kevin Zegers, Jason Ritter, Taryn Manning, Peter Fonda, Lucas Haas, Jason Cadic....and ME!
Here's a little background info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1242548/fullcredits
I'll tell you something: it's quite a trip to see yourself up on the big screen, when you've never been in that position before. It's almost as if you feel like you're someone else....which I suppose, if you're acting, you ARE. But I'm not used to it....
...that being said, it really is fucking cool, for me at least. I say this mostly because I think this movie is great....it's true to life, and very, very Rock N' Roll....hell, I'm playing a rambunctious drummer in it....how much more true to life can you get than that?
One thing I thought about though, last night, while I was slamming light beer and watching this thing, was where I was and what I was thinking when the individual scenes were filmed. It conjured up many ghosts what had happened to me that day (and a lot of whacked out shit happened over the Summer), whom I woke up next to (don't even ask, Smartass), new friends I'd made, what kinds of crazy hijinks some of us were up to on the set, the crazy parties we had in hotel parking lots, etc. It was a strange sort of visual emotional roller coaster, as if it was going on inside my mind, except it was up there on the screen!!! I can tell you that I spent most of the film laughing my ass off.....because, not only is a lot of it funny, but I really had fun being a part of it.....I really had no responsibilities to speak of, save for showing the fuck up, and being myself...which basically gave me a license to Rock out, and have fun!
Yeah, that's tough shit, isn't it?
Today, we put some finishing touches on it....I did my voiceovers and all that shit, because there were some sound issues....but it looks like it'll be completely finished before Christmas. It has been submitted in some form to the Sundance Film Festival, and....if it gets in, that's where it will debut....and I'll do my damnedest to be there for it!
Anyway, being part of this film and the entire process was very special to me, just like making music with my band....let's just call it a very close second, or the next best thing. But, as with anything you do that's creative and expressive, the best part is often taking a look at what you've done when it starts coming to fruition....that's got to be the most rewarding thing I can think of really....especially when you're close to the other people who are involved....it's like getting hot and bothered with that sweet angel girl you didn't even know existed a week ago and now you're staring at her ceiling with a cigarette in your mouth wondering how the fuck you got there, ahahahahahaha. (wait a second...what did I say the next best thing was again? Ah, never mind)...it's a fucking beautiful thing...and a feeling that's too rare...and irreplaceable!
Anyway, I can't wait for you all to see this film...it's something I think everyone involved is really proud of, and I think everyone will dig it.
Take care,
Marty E.
Friday, November 14, 2008
So, after the debacle in Hollywood, I flew home....to be greeted by a low-key screening of the movie I "acted" in this past Summer....it's called The Perfect Age of Rock N' Roll, and stars Kevin Zegers, Jason Ritter, Taryn Manning, Peter Fonda, Lucas Haas, Jason Cadic....and ME!
Here's a little background info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1242548/fullcredits
I'll tell you something: it's quite a trip to see yourself up on the big screen, when you've never been in that position before. It's almost as if you feel like you're someone else....which I suppose, if you're acting, you ARE. But I'm not used to it....
...that being said, it really is fucking cool, for me at least. I say this mostly because I think this movie is great....it's true to life, and very, very Rock N' Roll....hell, I'm playing a rambunctious drummer in it....how much more true to life can you get than that?
One thing I thought about though, last night, while I was slamming light beer and watching this thing, was where I was and what I was thinking when the individual scenes were filmed. It conjured up many ghosts what had happened to me that day (and a lot of whacked out shit happened over the Summer), whom I woke up next to (don't even ask, Smartass), new friends I'd made, what kinds of crazy hijinks some of us were up to on the set, the crazy parties we had in hotel parking lots, etc. It was a strange sort of visual emotional roller coaster, as if it was going on inside my mind, except it was up there on the screen!!! I can tell you that I spent most of the film laughing my ass off.....because, not only is a lot of it funny, but I really had fun being a part of it.....I really had no responsibilities to speak of, save for showing the fuck up, and being myself...which basically gave me a license to Rock out, and have fun!
Yeah, that's tough shit, isn't it?
Today, we put some finishing touches on it....I did my voiceovers and all that shit, because there were some sound issues....but it looks like it'll be completely finished before Christmas. It has been submitted in some form to the Sundance Film Festival, and....if it gets in, that's where it will debut....and I'll do my damnedest to be there for it!
Anyway, being part of this film and the entire process was very special to me, just like making music with my band....let's just call it a very close second, or the next best thing. But, as with anything you do that's creative and expressive, the best part is often taking a look at what you've done when it starts coming to fruition....that's got to be the most rewarding thing I can think of really....especially when you're close to the other people who are involved....it's like getting hot and bothered with that sweet angel girl you didn't even know existed a week ago and now you're staring at her ceiling with a cigarette in your mouth wondering how the fuck you got there, ahahahahahaha. (wait a second...what did I say the next best thing was again? Ah, never mind)...it's a fucking beautiful thing...and a feeling that's too rare...and irreplaceable!
Anyway, I can't wait for you all to see this film...it's something I think everyone involved is really proud of, and I think everyone will dig it.
Take care,
Marty E.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Is everybody going batshit crazy, or what?
What a day. I think maybe this entry will wind up being the most faithful to this blog's title, hahahahaha....
Between having a strange, wonderful, and unexpectedly great couple couple of nights...that seemed to me to be written in the stars....and on the other side, all of the varieties pitfalls that (more than 5 of) my friends have been having in their interaction with the world....and certain people giving me less than merciful character assassinations - one after another - while I try to help sort everything out for everyone....this has been a strange fucking day.
Is it the Spring-denying NYC Weather? Are certain people not getting laid? Is there some kind of poison infiltrating the air? I can't figure it out.
What I can tell you is that, while I am by NO MEANS anyone's boyscout, I CAN say that I make every effort to be, generally, an honest, sensitive, and thoughtful dude. Do I fuck up? Sure! Does my behavior at times deserve to be filed under "Questionable"? Absolutely, I'm sure. But hurting anyone is, and never will be, on my agenda. I'm all about inspiration, fun, and getting the most out of life.
Now, that all being said, sometimes I think that people paint an image of you as a person, that isn't altogether accurate. Consequently, when they are disappointed that you don't live up to that image, or their definition of who you are, especially in relation to them, they get hostile. It's something I don't particularly understand, but when you haven't lied to such people, or misled them into believing that you are a certain way (if anything, you've told them the OPPOSITE) then the only people they are fooling are themselves. Consequently, they are, in effect, using you as a vehicle to hurt/sabotage themselves as well. And all you're doing is waking up and wondering what the fuck this person is so angry at you about.
I mean, just because I can't be what someone expects me to be all the time, for whatever reason, doesn't mean I don't care about that person. And I don't think I pressure anyone, ever, to be something they are not. So, why would anyone else want to do that to me? It's as silly as it is selfish. And what's funny is, when someone is acting up on you in a situation like this, they often use favors that you've done for them as ammo to use against you. It's like that old adage, "No good deed goes unpunished." Well....again, you're welcome.
The best part? The reason people have for ripping you a new one these situations is often the result of hearsay, rumor, shit talking, and the like. And jumping down someone's throat, assuming the worst about them, and believing every single word said out in "drunkland" is wrong....and most people know that....or at least most of my friends (which is a pretty fucking big list, I think, and I love each and every one of you) know that, which is WHY they're my friends.
And if you expect someone to treat you with enough respect not to jump to conclusions (which, as humans, we all do from time to time), maybe you should do the same for them, right? It's not an unreasonable assumption. (There's also the issue of, whose BUSINESS is it WHAT you do?).
If someone automatically assumes the worst about you whenever there's some kind of a discrepancy, then perhaps that person was never your friend in the first place.
Which brings me to a final set of thoughts....perhaps it's shit like this that's sort of life's way of "weeding out the weaklings" from your life. And if it happens that way, you can rest assured that the choices you made were the best ones for you, don't you think?
You're probably wondering what the fuck I'm talking about....but I'm not telling....
Tomorrow is another day....let's make it a brighter, warmer one, ok?
Take care,
Marty E.
Between having a strange, wonderful, and unexpectedly great couple couple of nights...that seemed to me to be written in the stars....and on the other side, all of the varieties pitfalls that (more than 5 of) my friends have been having in their interaction with the world....and certain people giving me less than merciful character assassinations - one after another - while I try to help sort everything out for everyone....this has been a strange fucking day.
Is it the Spring-denying NYC Weather? Are certain people not getting laid? Is there some kind of poison infiltrating the air? I can't figure it out.
What I can tell you is that, while I am by NO MEANS anyone's boyscout, I CAN say that I make every effort to be, generally, an honest, sensitive, and thoughtful dude. Do I fuck up? Sure! Does my behavior at times deserve to be filed under "Questionable"? Absolutely, I'm sure. But hurting anyone is, and never will be, on my agenda. I'm all about inspiration, fun, and getting the most out of life.
Now, that all being said, sometimes I think that people paint an image of you as a person, that isn't altogether accurate. Consequently, when they are disappointed that you don't live up to that image, or their definition of who you are, especially in relation to them, they get hostile. It's something I don't particularly understand, but when you haven't lied to such people, or misled them into believing that you are a certain way (if anything, you've told them the OPPOSITE) then the only people they are fooling are themselves. Consequently, they are, in effect, using you as a vehicle to hurt/sabotage themselves as well. And all you're doing is waking up and wondering what the fuck this person is so angry at you about.
I mean, just because I can't be what someone expects me to be all the time, for whatever reason, doesn't mean I don't care about that person. And I don't think I pressure anyone, ever, to be something they are not. So, why would anyone else want to do that to me? It's as silly as it is selfish. And what's funny is, when someone is acting up on you in a situation like this, they often use favors that you've done for them as ammo to use against you. It's like that old adage, "No good deed goes unpunished." Well....again, you're welcome.
The best part? The reason people have for ripping you a new one these situations is often the result of hearsay, rumor, shit talking, and the like. And jumping down someone's throat, assuming the worst about them, and believing every single word said out in "drunkland" is wrong....and most people know that....or at least most of my friends (which is a pretty fucking big list, I think, and I love each and every one of you) know that, which is WHY they're my friends.
And if you expect someone to treat you with enough respect not to jump to conclusions (which, as humans, we all do from time to time), maybe you should do the same for them, right? It's not an unreasonable assumption. (There's also the issue of, whose BUSINESS is it WHAT you do?).
If someone automatically assumes the worst about you whenever there's some kind of a discrepancy, then perhaps that person was never your friend in the first place.
Which brings me to a final set of thoughts....perhaps it's shit like this that's sort of life's way of "weeding out the weaklings" from your life. And if it happens that way, you can rest assured that the choices you made were the best ones for you, don't you think?
You're probably wondering what the fuck I'm talking about....but I'm not telling....
Tomorrow is another day....let's make it a brighter, warmer one, ok?
Take care,
Marty E.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Perfect Age of Rock N' Roll to premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival, April 25
This is the movie that I acted in last Summer....having its premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival.....
.....they would have it the same night I play the Bowery Ballroom on the opposite coast...but what the hell can you do?
Don't be fooled by the fact that I'm not listed with the cast....I'm a principal cast member and get a lost of face time....and you can hear plenty of my rasp in it as well....I guess I'm just not famous enough from a marketing standpoint.....hopefully, enough people will see this fucker to change that.....so......
Anyway, if you're in the LA/Orange County area that night, please go and check it out!
Details: http://newportbeach.bside.com/2009/films/theperfectageofrocknroll_newportbeach2009
.....they would have it the same night I play the Bowery Ballroom on the opposite coast...but what the hell can you do?
Don't be fooled by the fact that I'm not listed with the cast....I'm a principal cast member and get a lost of face time....and you can hear plenty of my rasp in it as well....I guess I'm just not famous enough from a marketing standpoint.....hopefully, enough people will see this fucker to change that.....so......
Anyway, if you're in the LA/Orange County area that night, please go and check it out!
Details: http://newportbeach.bside.com/2009/films/theperfectageofrocknroll_newportbeach2009
The Lonesome Fools finally record/post some songs
The Lonesome Fools consists of my great friend Brian Burke and myself....it's a side project of ours. I usually describe it as Simon and Garfunkel on crack, which I guess is as accurate a description of it as any, but maybe you should just listen to it, and decide for yourself, right?
We wrote these songs mostly about a year and a half ago, when we were both freshly broken from long term relationships, were out getting bombed a LOT, and had no shortage of ideas or inspiration.
These songs are the result of quite a few late nights, and document some of the new girls that crossed our paths along the way.....well, except perhaps for one of the songs, "Times Don't Change", which I think was more of a testimonial to trying to move on from the past, which isn't always easy. I guess even when you've made the decision to leave someone that you've been close to for a long time.....even when it's the right decision, it doesn't necessarily make you happy. Luckily, for most of us, there is a healing process. For us, I think, part of that was writing this song.
"Janie Jones" wasn't about anyone in particular, but more of an expression of our love of cool, beautiful Rock N' Roll chicks in general. God bless each and every one of you....you know who you are! You make me get out of bed every day....except for the days when you keep me there, ahahahahaha....
"Tonight", I think we wrote one night in which, coincidentally, we both got dissed by whatever girls we might have been hanging out with....which is kind of cool, really, because we got a good song out of it, ahahahaha....it's sort of our even more arrogant version of the Rolling Stones song, "If You Can't Rock Me (Somebody Will)".....
"Stay With Me" is a song about....sort of having a thing with someone, and feeling close to that person, but the insanity of your life brings about a lot of uncertainty. When you are the type of person that doesn't want someone he cares about to bank on promises that he can't keep, he just won't make any promises at all. That being said, it doesn't mean that the great times and shared endearments are empty or insincere....far from it. But they just are what they are.....depending on what that is. I guess it's about living in the moment.
Those are my takes on the songs, for anyone who cares. Brian might have a different take on them (we wrote all the songs together), and so might you. Who the fuck am I to say? I do know that I am very proud of these songs, and I hope you like them. We may be playing shows occasionally around NYC....I'll keep you posted.
Listen to the songs here, and add us: http://www.myspace.com/lonesomefools
We wrote these songs mostly about a year and a half ago, when we were both freshly broken from long term relationships, were out getting bombed a LOT, and had no shortage of ideas or inspiration.
These songs are the result of quite a few late nights, and document some of the new girls that crossed our paths along the way.....well, except perhaps for one of the songs, "Times Don't Change", which I think was more of a testimonial to trying to move on from the past, which isn't always easy. I guess even when you've made the decision to leave someone that you've been close to for a long time.....even when it's the right decision, it doesn't necessarily make you happy. Luckily, for most of us, there is a healing process. For us, I think, part of that was writing this song.
"Janie Jones" wasn't about anyone in particular, but more of an expression of our love of cool, beautiful Rock N' Roll chicks in general. God bless each and every one of you....you know who you are! You make me get out of bed every day....except for the days when you keep me there, ahahahahaha....
"Tonight", I think we wrote one night in which, coincidentally, we both got dissed by whatever girls we might have been hanging out with....which is kind of cool, really, because we got a good song out of it, ahahahaha....it's sort of our even more arrogant version of the Rolling Stones song, "If You Can't Rock Me (Somebody Will)".....
"Stay With Me" is a song about....sort of having a thing with someone, and feeling close to that person, but the insanity of your life brings about a lot of uncertainty. When you are the type of person that doesn't want someone he cares about to bank on promises that he can't keep, he just won't make any promises at all. That being said, it doesn't mean that the great times and shared endearments are empty or insincere....far from it. But they just are what they are.....depending on what that is. I guess it's about living in the moment.
Those are my takes on the songs, for anyone who cares. Brian might have a different take on them (we wrote all the songs together), and so might you. Who the fuck am I to say? I do know that I am very proud of these songs, and I hope you like them. We may be playing shows occasionally around NYC....I'll keep you posted.
Listen to the songs here, and add us: http://www.myspace.com/lonesomefools
FUCK THE RECESSION! The Dirty Pearls to headline the Bowery Ballroom, Saturday, April 25, 2009
I'm very proud to be headlining the Bowery Ballroom again with the Pearls. When I moved here, 9 fucking years ago, THAT was THE place I wanted to headline....sure, everybody wants to headline Madison Square Garden, but let's not underestimate the the fucking greatness of playing a great Rock N' Roll venue that isn't so....massive.....
We did our first headliner there last October, and we sold the fucker out. It was a great show, and a real high point. This one will be even better. We are going to put on a show like you've never really seen. You're going to think you're at an arena show, but you'll have the best seats in the house!
Furthermore, we have special guests, drink specials, and some giveaway hocus pocus going on....so get your tickets, come down, and have a great fucking time....I know I will!
FUCK THE RECESSION! ROCK THE RECESSION!!
4 BANDS...DRINK SPECIALS...FREE CD'S...AND MORE...
The Dirty Pearls/Statues Of Liberty/Neil Nathan/Chainsaw Trio
TIX: $15ADV/$18DOS
http://www.boweryballroom.com/event/2692
We did our first headliner there last October, and we sold the fucker out. It was a great show, and a real high point. This one will be even better. We are going to put on a show like you've never really seen. You're going to think you're at an arena show, but you'll have the best seats in the house!
Furthermore, we have special guests, drink specials, and some giveaway hocus pocus going on....so get your tickets, come down, and have a great fucking time....I know I will!
FUCK THE RECESSION! ROCK THE RECESSION!!
4 BANDS...DRINK SPECIALS...FREE CD'S...AND MORE...
The Dirty Pearls/Statues Of Liberty/Neil Nathan/Chainsaw Trio
TIX: $15ADV/$18DOS
http://www.boweryballroom.com/event/2692
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The most awesome review of a show I've played...ever....
http://thesexyarmpit.blogspot.com/2009/03/dirty-pearls-reign-over-nycs-rock-scene.html
Thanks, Jay....I'm truly humbled!
Marty E.
Thanks, Jay....I'm truly humbled!
Marty E.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
April 25, 2009 will be a big fucking day for me....or who's scheduling these things?
Hey....if you know me at all, you know my band, The Dirty Pearls are playing the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday, April 25....and you should get TICKETS soon, because they're already going pretty fucking fast, ok? We're going to be pulling all the stops out for this show....it will be as if we are turning the place into an arena....(and when we start playing arenas, we'll make them feel like clubs....get it?)....
Also, in a case of sheer coincidence, the film I act in, The Perfect Age of Rock N' Roll, is premiering that night at the Newport Beach Film Festival. So, if you're on the LA/Orange County area that night, I'd love for you to go and see it....
Now....I've had a chance to discuss this with a lot of people....some of them have been inclined to ask me if I'm sad that I'll be missing my film premiere.....I have two great answers for that....
#1-It will be the first time in my life where it will be as if I'm in two places at once.
#2-I've been praying for "problems" like this for my whole life.
Besides, I'm sure there will be some kind of a premiere here in New York, and maybe one in Hollywood if we're lucky....and I know the powers that be are working on others....so there you go....
Anyway, I thought I'd share the good news...and ask that if you're in either the NYC area or the Orange County area, please come and support....we'll both be glad you did!
Thanks, and take care....
Marty E.
Also, in a case of sheer coincidence, the film I act in, The Perfect Age of Rock N' Roll, is premiering that night at the Newport Beach Film Festival. So, if you're on the LA/Orange County area that night, I'd love for you to go and see it....
Now....I've had a chance to discuss this with a lot of people....some of them have been inclined to ask me if I'm sad that I'll be missing my film premiere.....I have two great answers for that....#1-It will be the first time in my life where it will be as if I'm in two places at once.
#2-I've been praying for "problems" like this for my whole life.
Besides, I'm sure there will be some kind of a premiere here in New York, and maybe one in Hollywood if we're lucky....and I know the powers that be are working on others....so there you go....
Anyway, I thought I'd share the good news...and ask that if you're in either the NYC area or the Orange County area, please come and support....we'll both be glad you did!
Thanks, and take care....
Marty E.
Not that it was a big fookin' deal, but.....
Last night, I was waiting for the train to head homeward after work, right? I stayed as late as I could, because I didn't want to go out (I needed rest...badly...but that's another book of stories, hahahaha)....so I was sitting on the bench on the Subway Platform, inspecting my vinyl copy of Hanoi Rocks-All Those Wasted Years (which seems like it's been rained on a couple of dozen times, but what do you expect for 5 bucks?) when glanced at the floor in front of me, and saw what appeared to be a Blackberry Pearls (maybe my band should ask for an endorsement, right?) that someone had evidently dropped.
I picked it up, and put it in my pocket, and figured that it's someone's lucky day, because...I'm going to make sure this poor, clumsy bastard gets his phone back....because that's what I'd want someone to do for me....(Also, the Pearl is kind of worthless to me anyway, ahahahaha, as I use a Curve, but that's beside the point.....)
So, I emailed him on the address listed on his phone, and we made an arrangement to meet near...the scene of his clumsiness....now, this is when this sort of thing becomes a pain in the ass, right? I showed up on the street corner named whatever....and I waited....and waited...and it's kind of cold, and my time is valuable to me....(even if it is mostly sentimental value, hahahahaha)......and after about 15 minutes, my sentiment became, "Snap, Crackle, Fuck This" and I went into work.....and emailed him telling him, "Look, I was there, you weren't....let me know when you want to meet."
About an hour later, phone and....dumbass were reunited.....
The moral of the story? There are two....
#1-We all find shit of vari0us degrees of value.....and sometimes we keep this shit....that's fine, but if it's a phone, you should make every effort to give it back, I think. I'd be devistated if I lost my phone (although Mobile Back-up would lessen the blow, so to speak).....it isn't about being charitable or nice....it's just about doing what's right, which is what we're supposed to do, you know?
But almost as importantly....
#2-If someone is reaching out to you in an effort to help you out, don't make them bend over so far backwards that they are on the verge of breaking their back,....or even freezing their ass off, or even wasting their time....can you dig it? If you're agreeing to meet someone to return something you lost...and they don't expect anything in return but perhaps your gratitude, maybe SHOWING UP is a good idea, don't you think?
Again, it wasn't a big deal, but the audacity of some people just makes me laugh sometimes.....
....but what the hell can you do? Ahahahahaha.....
Marty E.
I picked it up, and put it in my pocket, and figured that it's someone's lucky day, because...I'm going to make sure this poor, clumsy bastard gets his phone back....because that's what I'd want someone to do for me....(Also, the Pearl is kind of worthless to me anyway, ahahahaha, as I use a Curve, but that's beside the point.....)
So, I emailed him on the address listed on his phone, and we made an arrangement to meet near...the scene of his clumsiness....now, this is when this sort of thing becomes a pain in the ass, right? I showed up on the street corner named whatever....and I waited....and waited...and it's kind of cold, and my time is valuable to me....(even if it is mostly sentimental value, hahahahaha)......and after about 15 minutes, my sentiment became, "Snap, Crackle, Fuck This" and I went into work.....and emailed him telling him, "Look, I was there, you weren't....let me know when you want to meet."
About an hour later, phone and....dumbass were reunited.....
The moral of the story? There are two....
#1-We all find shit of vari0us degrees of value.....and sometimes we keep this shit....that's fine, but if it's a phone, you should make every effort to give it back, I think. I'd be devistated if I lost my phone (although Mobile Back-up would lessen the blow, so to speak).....it isn't about being charitable or nice....it's just about doing what's right, which is what we're supposed to do, you know?
But almost as importantly....
#2-If someone is reaching out to you in an effort to help you out, don't make them bend over so far backwards that they are on the verge of breaking their back,....or even freezing their ass off, or even wasting their time....can you dig it? If you're agreeing to meet someone to return something you lost...and they don't expect anything in return but perhaps your gratitude, maybe SHOWING UP is a good idea, don't you think?
Again, it wasn't a big deal, but the audacity of some people just makes me laugh sometimes.....
....but what the hell can you do? Ahahahahaha.....
Marty E.
Monday, March 23, 2009
So, I'm officially a blogger.....
Thanks to my friend TJ (http://tjandthetux.blogspot.com/)....I've decided to start blogging independently of the social networking hocus pocus horseshit (I know, I like it, but I still make fun of it, this, myself, and you too, ok?).....
Basically, I'm going to post and write about whatever the fuck I want on here....it will be an open book....that being said, I don't really give a first-class flying fuck about much of anything besides great Rock N' Roll and having a good time anyway, so....there you go.....
That being said, I have nothing substantive to say besides this....
In the spirit of the delayed arrival of Spring, let's just let Mr. David Lee Roth do the talking, ok? I'm too tired....
Stay tuned,
Marty E.
Basically, I'm going to post and write about whatever the fuck I want on here....it will be an open book....that being said, I don't really give a first-class flying fuck about much of anything besides great Rock N' Roll and having a good time anyway, so....there you go.....
That being said, I have nothing substantive to say besides this....
In the spirit of the delayed arrival of Spring, let's just let Mr. David Lee Roth do the talking, ok? I'm too tired....
Stay tuned,
Marty E.
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