RTP-area local music and culture

[Thom Wiley <monkeyboythom AT gmail.com>]

To all,
I spent most of the yesterday's workday slogging through dreary drudge
work of which seemed to escape the simplest comprehension of my more
dumbass colleagues. I think the praise, "went postal," would have been
used on the six o'clock news hour to describe me at my workplace if
had not been for a new CD that had been loaned to me the day before.

The CD, "Durham Rocks!", is a collection of local artists and was
distributed at the recent Durham Music festival two weekends ago. From
Blackstrap's punk opening to the late Rasheed Ali Williams' thoughtful
guitar, I forgot most thoughts of homicidal rage. In all,  seventeen
songs, just over an hour of music, speaking of rejection, admiration,
paranoia, ennui, and some strange place called Efland.

I'm not familiar with all the bands and this album was the perfect
vehicle for piquing my interest in these bands. I hope the new place
in Brightleaf or the other music stores will have some of these bands'
CDs. Otherwise I'll will definitely be looking to the local club
schedules to see them play.

Thanks again to all who put your songs on the CD and to those who
produced it. Who knows, if we get more venues in Durham, maybe
everyone else (read:Chapel Hill, Raleigh) will have to drive to our
town to listen to the best bands?

Before I end this, just a few thoughts about some of the tracks (I
could comment on all the tracks, but I don't wish to bore y'all):
"Which Car Is He In?"  - You all should think about submitting this to
'Rock the Vote'

"Bloody Merry" - I didn't think uhm... serious emotional baggage could
sound so smooth.

"Madador" and "7 Loads of Fun" - When I said wtf and played the CD on
my office speakers instead of the headset, I had people coming out of
the other offices asking who were these bands and do I have any more
of their music. Folks, you got some new fans.

"No Me Jodas" - I could have sworn my officemate was flashing gang
signs while rockin to this one.

"Green Lights" - Okay, before moving to the big city of Durham I lived
in a quaint little town called Graham (for five confusing years).
Follow the Durham Freeway north (actually west) to 40 and then drive
an additional 20 minutes and you're there.  I had to make that drive
daily for work and when I went out at night for a show. Drive out to
Graham about 1:30 AM tonight (after a show) and you'll understand
"green lights."
 
"Olga" - I wish I had seen him play. I feel left out from those who
did get to see him.


Just one overall critique - Canada? They robbed Wilmington of our film
industry and now they're taking the music? (It says "made in Canada.")
Darn those sneaky bastards from the north.



Thanks,
thom

-- 
I like to play poker with tarot cards...I get a full house and four people 
die.