Starting about a year ago, I started fantasizing about creating what I described as the ultimate Vietnam Rock band. I had heard that term used in a random zine review of the Karate “Operation: Sand” seven inch and it struck me not just as a perfect description of the music but as something I yearned in my heart.
As a child of boomers, I had grown up on my dad’s record collection filled with dark and trippy albums by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Crosby Stills and Nash, CCR and Neil Young. While I had joined the world of punk rock a few years prior and gone through all of the normal phases one does in that scenario (dropping the influences of my earlier years, somehow becoming more obnoxious and self assured for legitimately no reason, questionable fashion choices) the allure of Vietnam rock was relinquished.
I started hearing it everywhere, including in some of my favorite bands other than Karate. For instance, I always felt like the earliest work by Rainer Maria had the ominous swirl I enjoyed with Caithlin and Kaia’s struggling vocals emulating Neil at his finest.
I could keep going, there are others and we will get to them eventually. I promise. There are so many Dead Meadow records, my friends.
The main point is that this is something that I want to do. I started taking it seriously with the beginning of this calendar year and started compiling ideas. However, my life changed dramatically this spring with the loss of a tremendous friend who not only shared my love of Neil Young and Dead Meadow but also happened to be one of the most supportive people I’ve ever met.
Since then, I’ve been more active, more focused and motivated to create. My drive to build this music is now powered by my goal of honoring and celebrating my friend.
With that in mind, this blog, his idea in the first place, will act as a way for me to celebrate. I will celebrate my creative spirit and those of others. I will share my thoughts of the music that inspires me. I will document my attempts to please my own ears chasing the elusive song in my head.
If you want in, feel free to join.
