Friday, November 19, 2010

Interview With A Rockstar: Brandon Grail

Mike Magazine : "Wow what did you do to your guitar or is it suppose to look like that?"

Brandon Grail: "Well Mike, I was on stage, rocking out like usual, and smashed it right of the stage" [sarcastically]

M.M.: "Haha well that is truly believable. So getting started when did you start playing guitar?"

Grail: "Hmmm. I was 10 when I started taking lessons. Then I took a break for a while."

M.M.: "That's right, you did stop playing guitar.. for a good 2 years. What was going on at the time you started playing? What made you say "ok I want to play guitar"."

Grail: "When I was in grade 3(?).. my dad bought an old guitar. I thought it was really cool. From there I wanted to learn how to play guitar."

M.M: "So we all know that Slash is/was your biggest inspiration, is there any reason why that is?"

Grail: "Because... he's crazy. He, himself was influenced by great guitarist and he blends their style all into one. You can feel and hear that when he plays."

M.M: "So we all know you love classic rock, what do you think about modern music? You know pop, hip-hop, rap..."

Grail: "I don't like it, it sucks balls. You don't get that feel of real players and music. It's all computorized and everything has to be perfect."

M.M: "Do you think rock/classic rock is dead?"

Grail: "I want to give a big R.I.P. to classic rock. Modern pop/rap crap has taken over the face of music."

M.M: "So do you think you are going to be the one to bring it back?"

Grail: "I would take rock and the power of my guitar and kill all those pop stars like Justion Bieber, probably give him a concussion and that would be the rebirth of rock."

M.M: "Would there be any competition, seeing as the favoured music music of the time is pop?"

Grail: 'Yes there would be an all out war between rock and pop. A Vietnam of music. Sure there will be some hate against rock, but I'm here to change their minds."

M.M: "Do you think you will join a band anytime soon, or just stay a solo artist?"

Grail: "No, i don't plan on it anytime soon. personally I couldn't think of any people who would want to start a moder/glam rock band. At the moment I'm fine playing solo."

M.M: "Wrapping up, this interview is there any message you want to give to our readers?"

Grail: "Yes, Rock the f*ck on! You can have your pop for now, but just be ready for rock to unleash hell!"

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Song Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers-Californication



Imagery

    When listening to Californication, there is one main focus of imagery. You see the California lifestyle, people trying to fit in, getting liposuction, plastic surgery etc. When listening and focusing to the lyrics, alot of the imagery is used. You can see this when they sing "Dream of silver screen quotations" and "Pay your surgeon very well to break the signs of aging, Celebrity skin is this your chin or is it war your waging". When I heard "Born and raised by those who praise control of population, Well, everybody's been theren and I don't mean on vacation", I saw the greedy corporate leaders and producers that would naturally be stereotyped. I feel the mian image they are trying to show everyone nin California is trying to be too perfect and that's taking over their lives, hence Californication ( which actually means "the negative effects of media and culture originating from California).

Layers and Instruments

    The song starts with a repitive bass and guitar line. Around 10s in the drums kick in and back up the guitar and bass. Vocals start at 20s in. Rythm guitar comes in and helps compliment the end of each guitar line. You can hear a lead guitar come in 1 minute into the song then fades underneath the chorus voals and guitar at 1:10. This pattern seems to continue throughout the entire song. One additional thing to the vocals are the "oooohs" you can hear coming in before the chorus some what in the background.

Response/Target Audience

   I feel Red Hot Chilim Peppers were trying to target more of an adult audience. I feel it's almost a rebellion against the califronia lifestyle.The only ones who would actual respond would be the ones who don't get caught up in the mainstream media, and teens woulsd picture people the age of the band (40s-50s). Now this could also get a response to young teens who haven't turned to brands names, mainstream music, trends, etc. It may also target those who have went through 'Californication' and have failed fitting in with it, so this song would join these groups of people together to avoid/ boycott the California lifestyle.

Time Period's Relation to Song

   The song was released in 2000. This is the start of the new millenium. Almost then revolution of music and movies occur during this time, and the song would almost fit the time. Well as we know from the song and title it tries to rebel against the mainstream (I know, it's repitive), and that's why the time could influence the song itself.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010