The Alphanumerics Of Modern Music: The Kace Era

[Kace-1]

Thanks!
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[Kace-1]

G is for George Harrison.

Beatle. Traveling Wilbury. George Harrison. Perhaps not more than all, but arguably more than many, George Harrison has earned a right bit of respect for his efforts in the music industry. By 1977, Beatlemania had come and gone and George was already a well established solo artist. He had hit songs that reflected on his Beatles days, "All Those Years Ago" and "When We Was Fab." There were other hits like, "Blow Away" and "Got My Mind Set On You." There was the all-star formation of the Traveling Wilburys and his success there. And in 1995, when it was time to reprise a couple of John Lennon tunes in the name of one last brush of Beatles greatness, George was there, along with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (as well as fellow Wilbury Jeff Lynne helping with production). His work with the Wilburys continues to gain more appreciation as the years follow and with the Anthology series, George was able to help welcome a new generation of Beatlemaniacs. George also had his own record label, Dark Horse Records which would eventually wind up in the clutches of Parlophone in 2004, a few years after his death.

For what it's worth, between George's solo entry on this list and his being part of the Beatles and Traveling Wilburys, this makes him among the most well represented in this Alphanumerics project. That in itself is impressive.

"Got My Mind Set On You" is the music video of choice, although there was an alternate video that was filmed where George is in a giant gumball machine (at least that's how I remember it). I like this spooky house version though. And yes it's a cover and my usual policy is to avoid those for this list. So if there's an exception it's for good reason. Aside from the 5th Grade flashbacks (some more pleasant than others), I see this as one of those moments in music where the cover became the superior to the original, by James Ray. And that's just an example of how awesome George Harrison was. He could make a great cover of a song to the point where it would simply become his song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_niy2ZM5Jo
"Got My Mind Set On You" by George Harrison
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[DT]

I THINK that Harrison's first solo album "All Things Must Pass" is still the best selling solo recording of any of the Beatles.

[Kace-1]

G is for George Michael.

George Michael didn't have a Sports Machine like another man with the same name, but in the latter half of the 1980's, he was a pop music hit machine. Initially he was one half of Wham! with Andrew Ridgely. Once that split happened, George was on his own and his solo career took off in both dance appeal and the exploitation of sexuality. Now the idea of sex itself in music is nothing new. One can listen to most any oldies or maybe even a classic rock or R&B station and hear lovely songs of yesteryear involving concepts such as, "making love," and whatnot. In 1987, George Michael went for the jugular with "I Want Your Sex." George didn't just want to embrace the taboos of sexual language in popular music, he wanted to tear it down. In the years since songs like "I Want Your Sex" and "Father Figure," one could argue that George has managed to succeed in his mission somewhat. Pop Music has become a lot less inhibited in terms of language and mature content. George Michael played a big role in that, so those who dig it know who to at least partially thank and those upset know who to blame along with Elvis Presley.

In the 1990's, George continued to rack up hits and also got to perform with Queen. And really, if one thinks about it, in the wake of Freddie Mercury's death there were only so many singers could do the glam and showmanship justice in the role of Queen's lead singer and George Michael was that guy. George also got to perform on stage with Elton John and at one point in the 1980's had performed backing vocals for Elton's "Nikita." Of course there was also that duet George had with Aretha Franklin, so he was very adept at performing well with other artists. In the 21st Century, George Michael's popularity may have waned a bit in the United States, but in his native United Kingdom, he's still just as popular.

The music video of choice is "I Want Your Sex," though really it's Part I of that song. Part II's more of an instrumental reprise. It was his first single as a solo artist and it was George Michael making sure he had everyone's attention. With all the controversy that followed, the message in the video was one that I'm sure even the most Puritan among us could appreciate, "Explore Monogamy." There's also quite a bit of, "There's a fetish for that," going on in the video which just makes it even more entertaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vldh7oQD-a4&ob=av2n
"I Want Your Sex" by George Michael
WARNING: Sexual visuals and stuff
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[Kace-1]

G is for George Thorogood & The Destroyers.

Someone had to bring the harsher edge of pure guitar rock to the 1980's. Why not George Thorogood? With a heavy blues influence and an acid tone in his singing voice, George and his Destroyers spent the latter half of the 1970's pursuing their art and the 1980's and '90s, pushing to new heights. In 1982, "Bad To The Bone" was unleashed upon the world and those who didn't know about Mr. Thorogood before certainly did now. There were other great tunes like "Gear Jammer," "I Drink Alone," and "Get A Haircut," with George's unique delivery and penchant for killer blues-metal riffs. Along with George's guitar work, there was also Hank Carter at saxophone and his ability to deliver quality sax solos.

"Bad To The Bone" is the music video of choice and arguably George's signature tune. The song is heavy in Bo Diddley influence and Bo himself is in the video, serving as George's opponent in a series of pool games. I'm not sure if it's good or bad that as a kid, I also remember there being an Alvin & The Chipmunks version of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyhJ69mD7xI&ob=av2n
"Bad To The Bone" by George Thorogood & The Destroyers
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[Kace-1]

G is for Glenn Frey.

In the wake of the Eagles breaking up, Glenn Frey knew he could still bring the goods in the music industry. He had served as a backup singer in the past and had proven his worth as a lead vocalist while with the Eagles themselves. He could play guitar and also the keys. In short, post-Eagles Glenn was going to be okay. It was just a matter of catching up to 1980's popular culture and the MTV Generation, which he would do with "Smuggler's Blues." On top of his musical talents, Glenn was now able to show off his acting skills which granted weren't quite as celebrated as those musical abilities.

Eventually, Hell would supposedly freeze over, the Eagles would get back together and Glenn wouldn't worry as much about his solo career. And really, why would he?

"Smuggler's Blues" is the music video of choice and is one of the videos responsible for showing everyone what music videos could do when concept meets plot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGxpRik0OIQ
"Smuggler's Blues" by Glenn Frey
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[Kace-1]

G is for Gloria Estefan.

Originally, it was the Miami Sound Machine and there was a niche audience. That morphed into the Miami Sound Machine & Gloria Estefan, then Gloria Estefan & the Miami Sound Machine. Ultimately it just became Gloria Estefan. What started as a band eventually became a single entity with a backing band still getting paid. At first, they were Espanol in terms of language in the music. Then they started doing more in English and the general English speaking audience was suddenly receptive. In 1985, after years of effort, Gloria and the MSM finally started achieving some major Billboard success, scoring a Top 10 hit with "Conga." The Cuban/Latin beat fused with a 1980's pop friendly appeal merged nicely and Gloria and her Sound Machine of Miamians were off and running. There were Billboard #1's that leaned more toward the Adult Contemporary side like "Anything For You" and "Coming Out Of The Dark."

There were triumphs and tragedy along the way, but Gloria and company managed to maintain a presence into the 1990's. There were still the English hits like "Live For Loving You" and the Espanol hits like "Mi Tierra." There was Gloria's cover album, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me which featured covers that became hits, like "Turn The Beat Around" and "Everlasting Love." Into the 21st Century, Gloria was still a force to be reckoned with as she would score Billboard Latin #1's with songs like "Como Me Duele Perderte" and more recently "Hotel Nacional." In music, especially in Dance, Gloria has been her own flavor for the masses. And a nice one at that.

"Live For Loving You" is the music video of choice and aside from being from my Freshman year in high school where it seemed like the music industry was declaring war on itself, there was Gloria, smiling, making music and providing for a positive vibe that was needed at the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXZoBvygp4U&ob=av2e
"Live For Loving You" by Gloria Estefan
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[Kace-1]

G is for the Go-Go's.

The party didn't last long, but oh what a party it was, nonetheless. The Go-Go's burst upon the scene in 1981 and for the next few years would make their impact. Three albums, all of which were in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 list and a nice collection of hit songs that managed to cross over from Hot 100 to Mainstream Rock to Dance. From Los Angeles, the all-female rock group had a nice lineup during its peak run in the early 1980's. There was Belinda Carlisle, who would go on to have a nice solo career on lead vocals. Jane Wiedlin who would get to show off some acting skills, particularly as Joan Of Arc in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure on guitar. Kathy Valentine on bass, Charlotte Caffey who could play the keys and one of my favorite drummers ever, Gina Shock.

As rock bands are wont to do, the Go-Go's would eventually grow tired of one another and disband, the all-female rock torch being passed to the Bangles in the process. There would be the Go-Go reunions and in 2001, even scored a hit with "Unforgiven" which was co-written by Green Day's Billie Jo Armstrong. But it's their run from 1981 to 1984 that puts them on this list. From "Our Lips Are Sealed" to "Yes Or No," the Go-Go's scored several hits, had fun music videos and left their indelible mark on the 1980's.

"Head Over Heels" is the music video of choice. It was their last big hit, served as a metaphor for Go-Go's themselves at the time with their impending breakup and is one of my favorite songs ever. Can't go wrong with that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jjux-_A5ug
"Head Over Heels" by the Go-Go's
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[Kace-1]

G is for Goldfrapp.

This is what happens when one of your favorite films from the previous decade is DEBS and your favorite TV show from said decade is The L Word. You wind up noticing bands like Goldfrapp. Such was the case for me in the Mid-2000's as I found myself a fan of a song called "Strict Machine." The thing is, Goldfrapp is a really good representation of the electropop of the 2000's. It's modern technology with a classic disco attitude. As far as I'm concerned, it's always good that there's someone with that kind of vibe that also sounds good.

The music video of choice is "Ooh La La," which I recall being a Season 4 song on The L Word or as I call it, the Post-Dana years. The song is an electropop take on what I call the Boom Boom riff, which is any song whose cadence reminds me of "Boom Boom" by John Lee Hooker. It's a good song and also proved to be one of Goldfrapp's most successful efforts, reaching #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance chart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uco-2V4ytYQ&ob=av2e
"Ooh La La" by Goldfrapp
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[Kace-1]

G is for the Goo Goo Dolls.

Two things happened to the Goo Goo Dolls that caused them to be defined as they are in the public eye, for better and for worse. The first was "Name" becoming a hit in 1995. No matter how much they wanted to be known as a rock band, it wasn't going to matter once "Name" finally picked up mainstream traction. "Naked" got airplay, but it didn't matter as people were still stuck on "Name." The Goo Goo Dolls would once more try to show that they were a rock band, having "Lazy Eye" as a feature single from the Batman & Robin Soundtrack, but it would be another song on another film Soundtrack that would be the second thing solidifying the Goo Goo Dolls' status as this contemporary act with a penchant for slow songs. That would be "Iris" from some movie I've never cared about watching. And while the song is nice, it quickly became annoying. The closest the Goo Goo Dolls could ever get to being away from that would be "Slide," but their fate was sealed.

I'm sure they don't mind and their bank accounts were probably thankful for the opportunities. While they'll never admit it though (and why would they?), I've always had this feeling that ultimately this is one band that may wind up feeling unsatisfied with how things turned out for them musically. For what it's worth, at least what their sound wound up being like sounded nice.

"Here Is Gone" is the video of choice. "Name" and "Iris" can be forever entrenched in the battle of Goo Goo Dolls Siganture Song, but for me, "Here Is Gone" is far and away their best tune. It's uptempo yet melancholy and while I'm unsure it was designed this way, there's an emotion attached to this song. There's a feeling there. Perhaps it's dealing with an unfortunate inevitability that we all must face at some point. Maybe it's trying one's darndest to make the most of what's left of a limited time of goodness. Whatever it is, it always feels like it hits home for some reason. Whatever that reason may be. I do recall 2002 being a year of vague memories involving working nights and sleeping during the day. And some online silliness, but it still seems like a blur. Almost like 2002 was some separate Universe altogether that I just wandered into by accident. "Here Is Gone" is from that time and considering my memories of it, I suppose it's appropriate just for the title.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtN83-vQmw&ob=av2e
"Here Is Gone" by the Goo Goo Dolls
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[Kace-1]

G is for Gorillaz.

What happens when the lead singer of Blur and a comic book artist watch MTV together? Music history. While the days of the Archies burning up the Billboard charts were long gone, it wasn't as if other fake/cartoon bands hadn't existed in its wake. There were the Banana Splits in the 1970's and the Simpsons in the 1980's-90's. Alvin & The Chipmunks were even occasionally coming out with their own covers of Top 40 hits. In Canada, a couple of guys from a group called the Philosopher Kings created a cartoony duo, Prozzak. And who can forget Beavis And Butt-Head?

In 2001, Gorillaz came along and furthered the evolution of the cartoon band along. Their first single was "Clint Eastwood" and almost immediately they were able to capture people's attention. In 2005, Gorillaz solidified their status as the most successful cartoon group since the Archies' "Sugar Sugar" hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 by scoring the top spot on the US Alternative chart with the single, "Feel Good Inc." Into the 2010's, Gorillaz remain active. And in case you're trying to remember who Blur was, they had "Song 2." You know, the two-minute song where the guy screams, "Woo-hoo!!!" a lot? Yeah, that one.

"Clint Eastwood" is the music video of choice. I still remember hearing this and seeing the video for the first time in 2001. I guess it's titled after the actor due to the Western film kinda feeling with the song since Clint's not exactly mentioned. Then again, this could be a very well veiled Back To The Future reference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoQYw49saqc&ob=av2e
"Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz
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[Kace-1]

G is for the Grateful Dead.

By 1977, the Grateful Dead were well established in music history as a non-stop tour de force. A product of the Woodstock Generation, the Dead became a multi-generational giant. The Grateful Dead in concert was more than just a concert or event. It was an experience like no other. It was a family gathering and an appreciation for being a part of it. It was devotion and it was a way of life. I've known some Deadheads from various places and generations over the years, from an art teacher in Ceres, CA to a fellow student in Edgewood, MD to DJ's of different ages and stages in life. I've never claimed to be a Deadhead myself, but I cannot help but admire that fandom. Had Jerry Garcia not died in 1995, chances are Jerry and the rest of the Dead would still be touring together. It's what they did. It's what they were. They were the Grateful Dead and they knew how to jam.

"Touch Of Grey" is the music video of choice and really, the only music video of any relevance they had. It also turned out to be their biggest hit, chartwise, as the Dead's only Billboard Top 10 and also #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It was also their lone Adult Contemporary Top 40 single, making it to #15. But those are just numbers and really, when it comes to the Grateful Dead, those statistics don't matter nearly as much as the following they continued to have and in fairness, still do have. In the years the Grateful Dead were around, the music industry evolved and even had wars within itself and some of its genres. None of that mattered to the Dead or the Deadheads. For them, they had one another as a peaceful getaway from all that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmT6udys8Tc
"Touch Of Grey" by the Grateful Dead
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[Kace-1]

G is for Green Day.

Since 1994, Green Day has been a part of quite a few personal soundtracks for people's lives. Obviously I'm no exception. In fairness, it should be pointed out that Green Day didn't just appear out of nowhere in 1994, it only feels that way. For the previous seven years, Green Day toiled in the underbelly of the West Coast Punk scene. To give you an idea of how wide open things were in California at the time for non-mainstream/too alternative for alternative rock, along with Green Day there was also Inside Out, which was Zach De La Rocha's band prior to Rage Against The Machine. Needless to say, there was a different brand of angst for kids everywhere. I kinda remember it from living in California at the time, but didn't pay as much attention to it. Hey, at least I'm honest.

In 1994, one couldn't help but notice. "Longview" hit the airwaves and video channels and Green Day was off and running. "Basket Kace" became one of my nicknames my Senior year in high school as too many friends of mine likened "Basket Case" to me. For whatever reason. "Brain Stew/Jaded" has a story linked to friends of mine. Ditto for "Nice Guys Finish Last" and "Minority." And then there's "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)." That song will always remind me of a guy I worked with years back named Nixon who described in great detail how that song was arguably the most punk thing ever done. Green Day provides not just flashbacks, but fun storyarcs from many of the previous twenty years of my life. It's hard to overlook that. Green Day even managed to inspire a musical based on one of their albums. Impressive, I say!

"Minority" is the music video of choice. I have my reasons which may be obvious to some and not so much to others. At the risk of coming off like a philosophical craphead, I will say that there are times where you will have to embrace being on the minority end of an argument. It's the only chance you have of getting a majority to understand your side of things. "Minority" is also a great song to listen to during Election Year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDBlqu6KF4k&ob=av2e
"Minority" by Green Day
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[Kace-1]

G is for Guns N' Roses.

They were the rock band's rock band. A rock band in every sense of the term. Loud. Obnoxious. At times, offensive. Thought out lyrics with an acid tone and angst ridden attitude. Guns N' Roses had the ability to excite and disrupt. Axl Rose and the rest of GNR were on a mission to infuse a much needed attitude in late 1980's Rock. It's not that there was anything wrong with the standard hair bands of the day or the alternatives to them. Or even the metal bands that were doing their thing at the time. Guns N' Roses however had a way of reinforcing parental fears as a mainstream rock band. They were deemed as a danger for the youth and Generation X. In that regard, they were perfect.

Appetite For Destruction wasn't so much an album as it was a wake up call to rest of the Rock genres. It was a warning that the smiling, family friendlier bands were now going to have a nightmare on their hands. It was a "Welcome To The Jungle." And the Lord of this jungle was an angry young man from Indiana. Artistically, it was channeled into great music. From "It's So Easy" to the taboo language shattering "One In A Million." As the 1990's approached, Guns N' Roses didn't just feel like recording one album, they decided to record two and release them simultaneously. The Use Your Illusion albums inspired the Use Your Illusion Trilogy of music videos, "Don't Cry (Original)," "November Rain," and "Estranged." And even with "Estranged" serving as a coda to both the twin albums and GNR itself, The Spaghetti Incident?, filled with cover tunes became the focus. One particular cover however was saved for The Interview With A Vampire Soundtrack, "Sympathy For The Devil."

After that...well, things got a bit murky. The fallout was apparently brutal and everlasting. Axl would form a new GNR, but it wasn't the same. Slash would have his own project, Slash's Snakepit, but it wasn't the same. There was also Velvet Revolver, featuring a few former GNR'rs and Scott Weiland and while it was nice...it still wasn't the same. Guns N' Roses was a powerful lightning bolt in a bottle. It appears that lightning will never be recaptured.

"Paradise City" is the music video of choice. It's pure GNR, from the sound to the sights. It's Guns N' Roses doing what they do best and that's being the rock band's rock band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbm6GXllBiw&ob=av2e
"Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses
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[Kace-1]

G is for Gwar.

Wrapping up the letter G is one of the more bizarre examples of using rock music to tell a story or two. In a genre that can appreciate different, Gwar takes difference to a different level. The various members of the band, past and present alike all represent characters of a greater narrative. And while artists using an album to tell a complete story is nothing new, for Gwar it was ratcheted up a notch. Their albums and their concerts are all part of it. Gwar however comes with a punchline of satire. In other words, people aren't supposed to take this band too seriously. They're weird, they're shocking, maybe even a bit taboo. They introduced the all-consuming worm that swallows people fetish to the rock audience which in itself is a worthy accomplishment. Regardless of what one might think of their music, Gwar has made sure over the years to not just perform their music, but put on the kind of show that could be argued as an evolution from the days of KISS.

"Saddam A Go-Go" is the music video of choice and captures Gwar's lineup of that time perfectly. The crazy attire, the characters and most importantly, the live performance of Gwar's own artform. All while telling part of a story of their greater narrative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgmeHsdtO4E
"Saddam A Go-Go" by Gwar
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