There is something irreplaceable about the indie stores – it’s getting that left field recommendation, seeing that stray 7” I’ve been searching for, that chance to actually talk to someone that shares your passion for music, and be immersed in the culture you love. If it wasn’t for my local record store, I would never have discovered so much great music. My record collection holds as many memories for me as a photo album, and I will never part with my thousands of CDs and LPs not matter how much of a pain in the ass they are to store and move.
- Adam Starr (Sr. Director of Marketing, Universal Music)
Record Store Day is an internationally celebrated day observed every year on the third Saturday of April. And guess what tomorrow is - that's right...tomorrow is the big day.
The idea behind Record Store Day? It's the one day that all of the independently owned record stores around the world come together with artists and fans to celebrate the art of music.
Record Store Day was officially founded in 2007 and is now celebrated globally with hundreds of artists taking part in the day by making special appearances, performances, meet and greets with their fans and the issuing of special vinyl and CD releases to mark the occasion.
This year's official ambassador of Record Store Day is Ozzy Osbourne.
Some of the special events planned for tomorrow include...
*The Experience Music Project in Seattle is kicking off Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses, an exhibit based around the grunge band Nirvana.
*The Flaming Lips are set to release a new box-set collection of their Warner Brothers albums issued under the title Heady Nuggs: The First 5 Warner Bros. Records 1992 – 2002.
*Sugar Hill Records will release a trio of Nickel Creek titles on deluxe vinyl.
*The Rolling Stones will be releasing a limited edition 7-inch of Brown Sugar.
*Foo Fighters have announced they are releasing a covers album.
*Radiohead will be releasing a two-song release that contains the songs "Supercollider" and "The Butcher".
*And in Ottawa, Ron Sexsmith will be performing songs from his latest release Long Player Late Bloomer from 12:00pm – 1:00pm at CD Warehouse’s 1383 Clyde Avenue location.
So in the spirit of Record Store Day...here is a list of 15 albums that shaped my musical journey...they take me back to a specific time and special place in my life. Simply put I can't imagine my life without music.
1. U2 - The Joshua Tree
2. Our Lady Peace - Naveed
3. Madonna - Madonna
4. Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack)
5. De La Soul - 3 Feet High And Rising
6. Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory?
7. Maestro Fresh Wes - Symphony In Effect
8. The Smiths - The Smiths
9. Metallica - Metallica
10. Michael Jackson - Thriller
11. Phil Collins - Face Value
12. The Verve - Urban Hymns
13. Pearl Jam - Ten
14. Frank Sinatra - Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits (1987)
15. Corey Hart - First Offence
I'd love to hear what albums are on your 'most favourite of all time' list...the ones that stand out in your ever changing musical journey. (And for the record limiting myself to only 15 choices...completely and utterly torturous.)
So the question that no one seems to have answer for is 'WHY oh why is Rebecca still getting so many hits on her 'Friday' YouTube music video?'
It's that exact question that keeps this music loving Italian girl up at night.
That little-no-nothing, $2000 budget music video for Rebecca's song has been viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube since it was released on February 10. That's 100 million times. That jaw dropping number, aside from making me slightly nauseous, means that 'Friday' has surpassed the total views for Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and Justin Bieber's "Pray" videos. Gaga! The Biebs!
Like really? Like really, really?
And then there's the seemingly endless supply of spoofs and parodies of the Friday video...which at the end of the day pushes the views for a video about a day of the week to well over 200 million. I feel faint.
I don't get it either. But I digress.
In the spirit of all things Rebecca Black a brand new video was released on Monday. It was inspired by the aforementioned viral video but with a new twist. This parody speaks to all those who, day in and day out, work for a living and may not necessarily well, you know like it. The routine...the monotony...and how it can all be tedious and mind numbingly boring. Someone grab me a chilled bottle of Baby Duck stat.
And cue the video for Bob White - 'Monday'.
'Monday' is a brilliant parody directed by Jordan Ancel (co-written by Gray Troutman) and stars Matthew Solomon** as Bob White. Bob White does for Monday what Rebecca Black did for Friday - but better...because this one most of us can relate too. And Monday is catching on. The video managed to rack up over 10,000 hits on YouTube in just over one day and is being featured on countless blogs and sites like Digg, and Funny Or Die.
I had a chance to hook up with Jordan Ancel through the magic of email and asked him how the whole idea came about...
1. What was the first that came to mind when you saw the Rebecca Black 'Friday' video?
When Gray Troutman showed 'FRIDAY' to me for the first time just over two weeks ago, I thought, "This is so truly awful. The lyrics are so inane! How is this getting 70 million hits?"
2. Once you and Gray Troutman came up with the concept for the parody how quickly did everything come together?
Gray, who is one of my closest friends, and not in the entertainment industry, came up with the idea that we should do a parody of a middle-aged guy and it should be called Monday.
The next day, he showed me a first draft of the script and lyrics, which we rewrote in less than a day. It really just flowed.
It was important to us that we not make fun of Rebecca Black because she's just a 13 year old girl, and as atrocious as her song is, she didn't write it, and good for her for making a buck and having her 15 minutes. We wanted to do, what we hoped, was an intelligent parody that could stand alone as it's own thing. We really wanted to tell a story with ours, and have it be the complete inverse of Black's video, which had absolutely no story. Also, we really wanted it to be something everyone our age could relate to in some way.
3. Since we are talking days of the week, what's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear...
Monday: F*** It's street cleaning today, I gotta move my car.
Tuesday: I can actually start working on what I put off yesterday.
Wednesday: Idol is on! YAY!
Thursday: Almost Friday.
Friday: I'm so horny!
Saturday: Booty!!
Sunday: Brunch!!
4. And finally any parting words for Rebecca Black?
First, thanks for the inspiration. Second, don't listen to haters. That's just envy and jealousy. Third, good for you for doing this at 13. And lastly, take some singing lessons. It couldn't hurt.
Word has it that Rebecca Black is working on her follow up single/video...reportedly called 'LOL'. Who knows Jordan Ancel might be inspired to do a follow up too...this time call it 'WTF'. Just a suggestion Jordan. Call me, we'll talk over lunch.
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**"Bob White", the middle aged guy in the video is played by the multi-talented Matthew Solomon. Matthew was a Soundgarden member wanna be back in the day who turned actor out in Los Angeles. He's also a member of the totally fab, Bsides approved, kid's grunge band 'Happy Clam'.
In cased you missed the memo on Twitter and Facebook, the preschool-kindergarten 'L.A.' grunge scene is back in full effect. If you listen very closely you can hear the faint shouts of joy from moms and dads with a fondness for the Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains and STP playlists on their iPods.
And cue the return of the band 'Happy Clam' to the kiddie music scene. After a lengthy 17 year absence the members of Happy Clam...or the 'Godfathers of Grunge' as they are regarded by some...are back to rock it out for the kiddies.
Happy Clam is: Kevin Ride, Matt Dopleman and Ronnie G., and theirs is a musical style that is a total throwback to the whole flannel, ripped jeans and Dr. Martens era...the Happy Clam is all about that true alt rock vibe but with a slight twist.
Their return to the music scene is with a single that speaks to importance of foods in the produce department....with aptly titled single 'Vegetables',
Really somewhere one Kurt Cobain is smiling.
I had a chance to speak to the members of Happy Clam about their music, vegetables and Elmo...
Where did the name 'Happy Clam' come from?
Matt Dopleman (guitarist): We used to be “Wicked Clam” Now we are Happy Clam—cause we are happy—just like our littlest fans.
How did the 'grunge meets kids music' idea come about?
Kevin Ride (lead singer) : I was working at a toy store…I cant legally say the name, but it rhymes with shmoys are shmuss…and I would hear the crap kids are being forced to listen to day in and day out. The Clam has always been heavy. I figured we would give the kids the gift of music with balls.
How did the three of you come together?
Matt: Kevin and I worked for a tele-marketing company in the early 90s. We spent a lot of time sitting next to each other selling paper clips and staplers. One night we were hanging at the Coconut Teaszer after work. We got in a fight with the guys from TUFF. When the dust settled, we realized that Ron Gooch (one of the baddest drummers in town) had flattened 3 of their guys. We decided to jam…and it was pretty awesome.
The band went on a hiatus for a 'few' years...what made you decide to record again?
Kevin: It was time, obviously.
Matt: Yeah, we came together again just as mysteriously as we did in 1990.
Growing up who were your favourite child performers?
Kevin and Matt: The Capt and Tenille.
Kevin: They were Canadian weren’t they? We love Canadians!
When not doing the children's music thing...what music do you love listening to on your iPods?
Kevin: Soundgarden
Matt: Pearl Jam
Kevin: Nirvana
Matt: Alice in Chains
Kevin: and the Black Eyed Peas
What is the first word that comes to mind when you hear...
Elmo: – Matt: Red
The Wiggles: – Kevin: Australian
Barney: – Kevin and Matt: Lame
Alvin & The Chipmunks: – Kevin: The movie kinda sucked. Is that more than one word?
Mister Rogers: -- Kevin: Classic
Yo Gabba Gabba: – Matt: Awesome!!!
Best piece of parenting advice you ever got?
Matt: Breathe
What is the most important thing you have learned about fatherhood that you can pass on to other dads?
Matt: Breathe. Ha Ha.
What do your kids think about your music?
Matt: They love it!!
Kevin: Yeah, they are in the Vegetables video!
And since you sing about vegetables....what's your favourite veggie?
Kevin and Matt: Ummm??
Veggie you hate the most?
Kevin and Matt: Tomatoes.
You can follow Happy Clam on Twitter @happyclamdigger and on Facebook
And for the record...Happy Clam...they would be an excellent band choice to perform on Yo Gabba Gabba's, 'Super Music Friends Show'. Are you listening DJ Lance Rock?
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