The Broad Street Bullies

I'm not sure what it is about hockey & Philadelphians, but mixing the two really seems to bring out the brute in us.  I tend to think of myself as a relatively peaceful person, & honestly I don't really follow sports much.  But being a Philadelphia native makes me intrinsically obliged to root for their sports teams, which I do gladly.  Yet it seems that it's only with hockey games that I get the most fired up.  Of course it doesn't help that I watch most of the games with my brother, who's a huge Flyers fan, but I find myself jumping out of my seat & yelling at the TV even when I watch them alone.  The players move so fast up & down the ice that it's almost impossible not to get worked up watching them, especially during the playoffs.  Every player on every team has worked all season to get to where they are & it's very apparent that this is when the take off their "nice guy hats".  Yet even still, I'm always surprised when I catch myself cheering/encouraging an opponent getting a hard check into the boards, or even when a fight breaks out.  It can be so barbaric & so mindless, yet my team always gets my support.  This is especially true when revenge is called for after a cheap shot is taken against one of my guys.  Is it all those pads that makes it okay to route for a fight?  Is it ever okay to cheer on violence?  This type of activity has been part of human culture for thousands of years, but does that make it okay?  Are those whom consider themselves peaceful & reasonable allowed that one time (such as a Flyers playoff game) to support barbarism, or does that just make them hypocrites?  I can't help but ask myself these things after I realize what I'm doing.  Strange isn't it?

Does Talent Mean Nothing These Days?

  So as if I have mentioned before, I am in a band and we are completely self-sufficient right now.  And I don't mean that to be a good thing.  Most people don't realize how hard it is to just get a gig by yourself, without the luxury of a manager, booking agent, or promoter making you out to sound like hot shit.  Most clubs want to make sure you have a big draw (following) before they book you or they won't have anything to do with you.  But tell me, how is a band supposed to develop a following without playing a few gigs to begin with without one?  This is the catch 22 we find ourselves in often.  We just got 'replaced' from a club that we had a regular spot at because they weren't getting enough business, even though we have only played there less than a hand full of times.  Now if you're thinking to yourself "maybe it's because your band sucks", I don't blame you for thinking that but in fact we do not suck, we are actually really good (see for yourself www.gatesofedenmusic.com - and if you still think we suck you can kiss my ass).  Situations like this one would probably be a lot easier to swallow if we really weren't good, but the frustrating part is that we are good but for whatever reason we aren't getting the right kind of exposure.  But regarding clubs such as the one that just 'replaced' us (with a DJ no less, I'm sure people love listening to a snare & kick drum all night), don't bother hiring a band that's starting off if you're going to rely entirely on the band's following for business.  The club itself should have a draw of its own, & if it doesn't then perhaps it's the club that sucks and not the band, perhaps those $10 drinks aren't flying well with the clientele.  It seems that a new band could be the greatest band in the world with the most talent (not saying that's us, although like I said, we do ROCK), but if you can't pull a following out thin air, people want nothing to do with you.  It's like the old tree falling in the woods metaphor.  How about someone gives the underdog a f&#%ing chance!

Live from New York it's Saturday night!!!

  For almost 40 years now Saturday Night Live has been what many Americans have turned to for laughs & sanity.  It has endured through cultural, political, & cast changes that many thought would surely be the end of SNL.  The fact that it is still around says a lot about the show, but also a lot about America.  It shows that no matter what the circumstance, America loves to laugh... or even, America needs to laugh.  Whether it's satirical comedy or slapstick comedy, America needs a healthy outlet for all of its pent up frustrations, & SNL seems to be the perfect answer to that call.
  Along with being an American institution, SNL has also become the place where some of the world's most beloved comedic stars are born.  Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Chris Farely, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrel... the list is almost endless.  This habit of producing stars is something SNL has become known for, despite dramatic cast changes.  Remember is 1995 when Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Kevin Nealon, and a few others all left, & in came Will Ferrel, Cheri Oteri, Darrel Hammond, and the rest of the new cast?  I do, and I remember thinking that was the end, that it would never be funny again.  Of course I was very wrong.  The comedic style did change, but not the comedic value.  I'm sure people felt the same way when the original cast starting getting replaced by those who left in '95, but low & behold it endured.  I've noticed that we as viewers become attached to the cast members like family, & when they leave it is heart-breaking.  But all good things must come to an end, & this is something producer Lorne Michaels is very much aware of.  SNL's ability to change with the times it what has kept it going through the years, & I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I hope the SNL train never stops.