3 reasons why you should listen to Punk Rock

You may be asking, why in the world would write an article like this? It is indeed simple. Many times I hear comments from friends and relatives who do not enjoy punk music. I'm hear to give some reasons why you should. So let's analyze this nice and easy, with some handy dandy bullet points (because everybody loves them!).

Punk rock shows have incredible energy! I feel as though this is pretty self-evident. Think about it-you walk into a bar/Tavern/nightclub and the first thing you see is a massive crowd of people swirling around a well with the music. Everyone is having a good season, the music is loud, just might be felt the energy. It really is a powerful thing. music and lyrics can be very powerful and emotionally charged. This fact may come as a shock or a surprise to some people that see this style of music from abroad. But trust me, musicians and artists are often writing exactly what you feel. While many times this may be angry (like associated with punk quite often), it can also be about sadness, loss of a loved one or the hope for a better future. I have been to many shows for the punk artists and left with shivers on the deep meaning behind music. Finally, as a drummer himself can't find punk music is absolutely amazing to play. Something gets up on stage and playing at the peak of physical fitness is just fascinating. It's absolutely the same feeling as when you have finished your work. You're drenched in sweat and tired, but at the same time filled with a feeling of joy and pride for having given your all. Also, people come to talk to me after shows are great, especially when you know that you have only enriched their lives, if only for a short time.

So you, my top 3 reasons why you should listen to punk music (although granted the last dot is actually true if you're a musician yourself). However, I understand that not everybody will agree with my feelings about this topic. And therein lies the beauty of art, and especially the music. There are so many choices out there and not a genre or style will appeal to everyone. But hopefully some of you might think twice or have another listen to after reading this.

To look at some of my own music and Download a free album from my band, Omega Moo. You can also watch our video of this song's Music City wreck, which is on the album.

Seven Great Songs by "The Killers" That Should Have Been Singles

1. "Ultra Violet (Light My Way)" - A cover version of U2 which was recorded for the "Achtung Baby" covers album in 2011, this actually equals the original version! Some may say it is even better than the original, which is an amazing accomplishment. Brandon Flowers, the lead singer, and his cohorts rebuilt the song from scratch as a full on stadium rock anthem.

2. "Neon Tiger" - Taken from "Day and Age", their third proper studio album, this is a short and sweet song with great lyrics, which basically root for non-conformity. The spirit of the lyrics can be summed as "Just do your thing, do not let them tame you."

3."Move Away" - Taken from "Sawdust", their b-sides compilation. This was actually included in the soundtrack to one of the many "Spiderman" movies, but was never released as a single. This track finds "The Killers" in full attack mode, with powerful guitar riffs and relentless percussion. One of the top tracks in the running playlist on my iPod.

4. "Jenny Was a Friend Of Mine" - Taken from their outstanding debut album "Hot Fuss", this is the opening track. And what and opening it is. Guitar sounds that quote U2, the keyboards bring to mine the early works of "The Cure", and the bass parts are obviously inspired by their long-time heroes, "New Order." A storm of a song.

5. "Be Still" - "The Killers" are often accused of being bombast and forthright. This may be true sometimes, but they do it with belief and self awareness, and that is what makes them special. This low key ballad from "Battle Born" shows their more quite side. It is just beautiful, a magnificent "you are special, stay the way you are" night-time lullaby.

6. "Sweet Talk" - It is amazing how songs like these end up in a b-sides collection. Other bands would kill and steal for a song like this to be released as a single. But "The Killers" must have very high quality control standards. Very dominant keyboard sounds fill the speakers, and you can actually get chills when Brandon sings the refrain "hold on" towards the end.

7. "Bling (confessions of a king)" - A prime example of a recurring theme in Brandon's lyrics, the travelling protagonist on a quest for answers. I just love the turn that the song takes about 3 minutes in, with it becoming a no holds barred cry of "higher and higher..."

More about "The Killers" can be found in my The Killers mini-site.
For more reviews and insight about music, be sure to visit my music blog

Should You Refinish a Fine Stringed Instrument for Color?

Should a Desire for Color Change Warrant Refinishing a Fine Violin?

The finish on antique and modern fine stringed instruments is applied painstakingly for reasons of acoustics. Refinishing an instrument for aesthetics is not recommended.

One of history's great, unsolved mysteries is what makes the sound produced by the finest of Italian violins so magnificent. One theory holds that the wood available to the likes of Stradivari, Guarneri and other master luthiers of the 18th century came from trees that grew in the "Little Ice Age," a time (about 1645 through 1750) when cooler temperatures in Europe caused trees to grow more densely.

But careful analysis at Cambridge University (by scientists C.Y. Barlow, PhD. And J. Woodhouse, PhD.) of wood fragments from fine "name" instruments, including at least one Stradivarius, found that the treatment and finish of the woods were also important factors. Using a scanning electron microscope, they identified at least two layers of finishes applied to these instruments: a particulate "ground" layer laid on the wood first, over which the varnish layer was applied. The varnish itself was likely applied with a brush in at least two coats, often more. The oils used might be linseed or walnut, with coloring and oxidized resins.

Additional color is achieved by way of "lakes," which are organic pigments sourced from brazilwood shavings ("verzino"), cochineal ("carmina") and madder root ("robbia"). These lake particles are suspended in the varnish layer to achieve a wonderful visual effect: light is refracted in multiple directions, creating what might be described as a luminescence.

To understand this is to know why refinishing a fine violin, cello or viola is not an endeavor to be entered into lightly. This applies to more than the fine antique stringed instruments. In a typical high-end violin shop of today, fine violins continue to be made with an exacting process. Most luthiers will expose the constructed violin to sunlight (or artificial UV rays) for several days to darken the wood before applying the "ground" sealer and coloring. The seal coating, which is to make it impermeable to moisture, also hardens the finish and creates uniformity.

The impact of the ground on sound is that it distributes the vibration of the strings across the entire instrument. Of note, factory-made instruments may not have a ground layer at all - a cost-cutting measure that explains why such instruments can be purchased or rented by students who have yet to get serious about their instruments.

Interesting to note also is that hand-made, fine stringed instruments follow no industry standard. Every luthier works according to their own methods, and many of those methods evolve and are closely held. The ground and finish are part of the whole, complementing everything else that goes into making fine musical instruments. It defies reason to refinish such a work purely to achieve an aesthetic goal. The impact of doing so could adversely affect what the instrument is intended to do: create fine music.

How Much Should You Spend When Hiring a DJ? Hiring Salesmen Vs DJs - Average Disc Jockey Rates

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AppId is over the quota

Are you looking for a professional salesman or a professional DJ? First of all, it's very important to understand the difference between the two. Most DJ companies get a lot of business because they are strong in sales. The people who run these companies tell their clients, very professionally, exactly what they want to hear, and the clients often choose and book their wedding DJ even before meeting him. These big DJ companies usually charge their clients thousands of dollars and pay their DJs about 10 percent of what they make, which is between $100 and $300 per event. The client often ends up paying too much for a low-budget DJ, poor equipment, and bad customer service.

The equipment some of these companies use is often very old and unreliable. Oftentimes, companies will show off their gigantic speakers and amplifiers in order to impress their client. However, modern technology no longer requires large surface area. Two modern speakers can now do the job of four outdated ones. In the meantime, they would take up far less space and look a lot nicer. Therefore, while some people believe that the bigger the speakers and amplifiers are, the better the sound would be, they often end up with a cheap and plastic sound that cuts the ears.

Furthermore, many of those so called DJs don't even know how to beat match music, or simply adjust the sound and microphone levels and frequencies, not to mention other possible surprises, such as unsuitable attire, wrongs playlist, songs with profanity, poor announcements, etc. You would often be impressed with their nice office and professional booking approach, but in the end you might end up paying a lot of money and getting the equivalent of a Craigslist DJ. Even if you still decide to go with a big company, make sure you review the contact and, before you sign it, meet the person who will be playing at your wedding, not just the owner of the company or the sales person.

If the business is smaller, it doesn't mean it's worse, and my advice would be to focus on those DJs who come from a musical background - live musicians, singers, artists, DJs, music producers, sound engineers, music journalists, etc. They are the ones who are in the business because of music and they are more likely to deliver an excellent service. According to current studies, people spend only about eight percent of their wedding budget on entertainment, while the importance of their wedding's success depends 70 percent on entertainment. Almost all the brides regret not spending more time and money on their wedding reception entertainment, while almost all the guests consider entertainment to be the most memorable part of a wedding.

All of this means that going for big name companies or simply trying to find the cheapest DJ is not a great idea and can often lead to disappointment and frustration. In the meantime, I would not recommend to judge by the price. Sometimes you can find more value for $800 than for $1500, and you should remember that the one who talks best is not necessarily the one who works best. When it comes to hiring a DJ, I would suggest that you do it in advance (as early as possible, preferably a few months before your event) and start looking in the middle price category, which is between $700 and $1000 for four hours of service. Look for professionalism, dedication, honesty, trust, talent, respect, and punctuality. Try to check their music mixes, pictures, videos, testimonials, and make sure they are honest, listen to you carefully and answer all of your questions. It's a common practice for most DJs to charge approximately 50% of the total price when the contract is signed. This reserves the date of your event and makes them turn down other offers.

More questions? Arrange a free, no-obligation, in-person consultation with San Diego DJ Charlie:
(858) 208-DJMC (3562), http://www.sandiegoweddingdjmc.com/