This Is Rock'N'Roll!

Hey Guys and Girls,

Two video's of two rock'n'roll sensations destroying their equipment on stage. The epic guitar smash and drum kit smash have been pioneers in defining what is "rock'n'roll". Everyone has had a moment in their life where they have seen a video or any type of footage of a band destroying their gear on stage. Whether it is an explosion or just throwing around instruments.

The infamous "Who" video is pretty shocking in my eyes. Normally i can really accept the fact that a band smashes their gear and to be honest I really enjoy it and think it is entertaining and "classic". Still, this situation was different in my eyes because it really unsafe. Keith Moon decided to use more explosives than planned without notifying the band. This got in the way of the bands safety. While Pete Townsend was smashing his guitar I found it all great but the moment the explosion occurred I was really shocked. Smashing instruments and things in that nature I find valid in the particular form of art that is rock'n'roll but using explosive I think goes a step to far. It did not offend me but it did simply shock me!

The example of Jimi on the other hand really defines the perfect guitar smash in my eyes. This video is so legendary and it contains so much emotion. It just really impressed me and almost made me want to play guitar! In comparison to the other video (The Who) Jimi at least keeps the aggression to himself and does not to much in the way of the other band mates safety. He keeps it to himself as you should. The fact that this video has the potential of actually influencing people in a positive way really gives me a "liberating" feeling. I am totally not offended by these images. I just see this video as a legendary piece of footage which changed the view on rock'n'roll!

To conclude I think smashing your instruments is destruction but I also believe it is a valid thing to do (if you desire) within the art form . Showing emotion by smashing your instruments almost seems to be something that has been accepted into the "world of rock" and we can thank all the old and legendary rock sensations for this. JIMI YOU ARE MY HERO!

Cheers and thanks to reading,

Drew

80 db, A musical and social gathering

Hey folks!

Let's start of this blog with the following: I think 80 db is one of the greatest social/musical initiatives i have ever been a part of. The following comments i will make are only constructed criticisms on top of the stated fact that 80 db is simply AMAZING! Obviously i also have a load of compliments and positive remarks to make.

The first thing i was very happy with this year is definitely the choice of songs. I thought the set-list was very mature and also very diverse. Especially the amount of "groove" really turned me on! Songs like Son Of A Preacher Man, Pick Up The Pieces, Peace Without The Rest and I Don't Need No Doctor are all very funky and groovy tunes and for the first time in my life i saw people in the audience wanting to get their groove on. But, the thing which is really interesting is that i can not give enough respect to the people that chose to pick "odd ball songs" like Liar In The Glass or less serious songs like Country Roads. Acts like this are more than necessary within a school concert. People also want to laugh and be surprised and songs like the two i mentioned really make sure those emotions translate into the audience.

Here is a link to a video which really captures the magic that is 80 db:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRn6xUc6G70

My only real criticism is not the sound itself but the levels. I had many members of the audience tell me that they could not hear particular solo's or could not here particular instruments. I really believe 80 db is a chance to let everybody that participates shine and when that solo moment of yours comes i think it should not be ruined because of the fact that your guitar, sax, trumpet or voice is not loud enough. I know and fully understand being in charge of the sound is not an easy task but i do think this is an issue worth focusing on. These kids work really hard and put a lot of time into making 80 db a fantastic show and so do the sound people. That is why i think we should focus on this issue and try to fix it as a team. Team-work is really what 80 db is all about right?

I thought this years 80 db was at a very high level in relation to other years and i am honored that i was able to be part of the crew again. 80 db is something that should never "die" in my eyes because i think and i know that many others agree that 80 db is basically what makes Laar en Berg the great school that it is! It is just a very special event that really brings students, teachers and parents together.

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Andrew