#rockblog

▪ Under a toxic blood red sky, ghostly clouds quickly passing by.

Friday, March 3rd Shiny Toy Guns w/ Kitten @ The Regent Hippo Campus @Teragram Ballroom L.A. Guns @ Whisky A Go Go Creeper Lagoon @ The Echo The Kyle Gass Band @ The Wiltern Andy Black @ The Glass House The Wood Brothers @ Troubadour Y&T @ Saint Rocke Gravler @Hermosa Saloon Saturday, March 4th Desert Daze Caravan w/ Temples, Night Beats and Deap Valley @ The Regent Don’t Sit Down: Benefit for Planned Parenthood w/ Grouplove, Best Coast and The Regrettes @ The Wiltern The Brian Jonestown Massacre @ The Fonda Chicano Batman w/ Sadgirl @ The Roxy The Wood Brothers @ Troubadour L.A. Guns @ Whisky A Go Go Aesthetic Perfection @ Complex Groves @ The Hi Hat The Shins @ Fox Theatre Such A Mess @ Chain Reaction After The Burial w/ Emmure and Fit For an Autopsy @ The Glass House P.O.D @ Morango Casino Sunday, March 5th Korn @ HOB Anaheim Hippo Campus @ Constellation Room Ironaut @ Complex Monday, March 6th Steel Panther @ The Roxy Whisky Myers @ Troubadour Magic Bronson @ The Satellite Korn @ HOB Anaheim Spoon w/ Cherry Glazzer @ The Obeservatory Benjamin Booker @ Constellation Room Red Fang w/ Big Jesus @ Velvet Jones Tuesday, March 7th Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Staples Center X Ambassadors @ The Roxy Night Talks @ The Hi Hat Faulkner @ Hotel Cafe Thrice and Manchester Orchestra @HOB Anaheim Creedence Clearwater Revival @ City National Grove of Anaheim Social Distortion @ Majestic Theater Wednesday, March 8th Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Staples Center Bon Jovi @ The Forum Goatwhore w/ Whitechapel @ Belasco Theater Dude York w/ Tennis System @ Resident Big Thief @ Troubadour Hey Violet @ The Parish at HOB Anaheim Thursday, March 9th Sick Puppies, Skillet and Devour The Day @ Belasco Theater Japandroids @ The Fonda Theatre LVL Up @ The Echo YACHT @ LACMA Surf Curse @ The Glass House The Soft White Sixties @ The Wayfarer Street Fever @ Complex Warbly Jets w/ Twin Temple @ Bootleg Theater Friday, March 10th Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Staples Center Japandroids @ The Fonda Theatre The Japanese House @ Teragram Ballroom Darkest Hour w/ Ringworm @ The Regent Hey Violet @ Troubadour Blue Oyster Cult @ Saban Theatre STRFKR @ The Observatory Enter Shikari w/ Being As An Ocean @ The Glass House The Stone Foxes @ Saint Rocke Saturday, March 11th STRFKR @ The Glass House Sick Puppies, Skillet and Devour The Day @ City National Grove of Anaheim Social Distortion @ Fox Theatre Sunday, March 12th Enter Shikari @ The Roxy Pussy Riot @ The Fonda Theatre The Part Time Punks @ The Echoplex Fucked Up w/ Dangers and No Age @ The Echo Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness w/ Night Riots @ HOB Anaheim

Hey Everybody, it’s Spaz here, and I’m gonna tell you about 5 times I resonated with a song on a personal and emotional level. I’ll try to keep this within rock and metal culture, but my music tastes stretch further than that—everything from modern pop to 40s jazz music.

In case you’re feeling insecure about being a metalhead, punk, or goth and still liking mainstream music or some dusty stuff from grandma’s magic trunk, remember: these subcultures are rooted in moral beliefs, not just music.

As long as you’re anti-violence and discrimination like a metalhead, against corruption like a punk, and accepting like a goth—and you listen to the music—then who cares if you need a switch-up sometimes?

Listen to whatever the fuck you want!

Here we go!

1. “Scars” - Papa Roach (2004)

Lyric:

“I tear my heart open

I sew myself shut

And my weakness is

That I care too much”

“Scars” by Papa Roach is a deeply reflective song for me. Just like the lyrics suggest, I tend to be the type of person who cares about others a lot. I value friendships and laughter and do whatever I can to keep them going. I never forget the people who’ve been kind to me. But sometimes, I care about others at the cost of myself. Being around people 24/7 can wear me down, but I keep going because I feel like, if they were there for me, I need to be there for them. It’s caused me anxiety at times, feeling like I need to respond 24/7. This lyric reminds me that it’s okay to have an off button and that I need to strengthen myself, not just for others, but for me.

2. “Vienna” - Billy Joel (1977)

Lyric:

“Slow down you crazy child

You’re so ambitious for a juvenile

But then if you’re so smart tell me

Why are you still so afraid?”

“Vienna” by Billy Joel is a song I hold close. It’s perfect for when I need a break. The reason it’s so personal is that it feels like it’s written about my life. Achievement after achievement goes by, but I still feel pressure. There’s always a voice saying, “Will I be able to support myself when I move out?” or “Will I be successful?” or “Have I done enough to make my mom proud?” Lyric: “Slow down you crazy child Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while It’s alright, you can afford to lose a day or two (oooh) When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?” These words speak to my desire to succeed but also my need for rest—a break from the expectations that exhaust me inside and out.

3. “Dance with My Father” - Luther Vandross (2003)

An honorary mention.

Lyric:

“If I could get another chance,

Another walk, another dance with him

I’d play a song that would never, ever, ever end

How I’d love, love, love

To dance with my father again.”

My dad passed away the day after my 6th birthday. Sometimes this song just pops into my head, and I start to miss him again. He was an amazing man.

4. “Redemption Song” - Bob Marley & The Wailers (1980)

Lyric:

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery

None but ourselves can free our minds.”

I relate to this song because it aligns with my belief that we’re often mentally enslaved in today’s world. This comes in many forms: trends we participate in, social media, the way we view ourselves, how we think society views us, and more. Bob’s message reminds me that self-liberation is key.

5. “Stripped” - Rammstein (Depeche Mode cover) (1998)

Lyric:

“Let me hear you make decisions without your television.”

This song hits home because we, as a society, have become a hive mind. We no longer value differing opinions. Instead, we bully them into hiding. Everyone wants to be right, but no one wants to understand. We’re heavily influenced by what we see and hear, and when the masses believe something, it becomes harder to think for ourselves.

There you have it!

Five songs that resonate with me on a deep and emotional level. Music, regardless of genre, has the power to reflect who we are and what we’re going through.