lovehatethings

"And nobody really knows how wonderful you are. Why, we could never reach a star without you, zero, my hero." - Bob Dorough

Reflections on seeing Phish again and recalling memories of my history as a "phan".

Another story inspired by a song. This time an epic, heard in concert, performed by the inimitable Neil Young. The song stuck in my head for years even though I didn't hear it again for the better part of two decades.

Not knowing a whole bunch about the band Faithless, I happened upon this track while watching a festival broadcast on HDnet and was hooked. Now that I've heard all three distinct versions below and read the lyrics, I love this track even more. Give Faithless a try and let me know which version you like best - unless you're like me and find it hard to decide.

Mass Destruction (Faithless)

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether you're soar away sun or BBC 1
Misinformation is a weapon of mass destruction
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

My dad came into my room holding his hat
I knew he was leaving, 
he sat on my bed told me some facts, son.
I have a duty, calling on me
You and your sister be brave my little soldier
And don't forget all I told ya
Your the mister of the house now remember this
And when you wake up in the morning give ya momma a kiss
Then I had to say goodbye

In the morning woke momma with a kiss on each eyelid,
Even though I'm only a kid 
Certain things can't be hid
Momma grabbed me 
Held me like I was made of gold 
But left her inner stories untold
I said, momma it will be alright 
When daddy comes home, tonight

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether you're soar away sun or BBC 1
Misinformation is a weapon of mass destruction
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction
We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction

The skin under my chin 
is exploding, again.
I'm getting stress from some other children.
I'm holding it in, we taking sides, like a politician
an' if I get friction we get to fightin'.
I defend my dad he's the best of all men
an whatever he's doin he's doin the right thing.
It's frightenin but it makes me mad, why do all 
of these people seem to hate my dad?

An' if that ain't enough, now I've got these spots.
I go to sleep every night with my stomach in knots.
and whats more I can hear Mama next door 
explore the radio for reports of war.
and all we ever seem to do is hide the tears, 
seems Daddy been gone for years.
But he was right, now I'm geared up for the fight 
an he would be proud of me if Daddy came home tonight.

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether you're soar away sun or BBC 1
Misinformation is a weapon of mass destruction
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

Been a while since a formal lovehate podcast (several impromptu and live-on-scene podcasts in between) so we're going a bit longer to catch up on some content. This episode contains myths on copyright, gmail fail, summer concert etiquette, and the impending media purge.

1. I know you love your 3 year old. I know I don't. There are beer, drugs, and scary-looking people at rock concerts. For the price you paid for a ticket, hire a sitter.
2. I get that there may be a song that you don't like and so you use that opportunity to go buy a drink or hit the bathroom, but if you're putting double digits on the odometer before the first hour is up, maybe you should just stand in the concession area.
3. Your friend does not need to know RIGHT NOW which song the band is playing, nor do I need you to scream into your cellphone for 5 minutes while standing 3 feet behind me on the lawn.
4. This is a concert, not a ball game. I can get my own drink. I don't need beer-laden shills waddling through my view to sell suds at my seat. I'd like to watch the show!
5. As much as I might not like, but respect your right to walk up out of nowhere and stand right in front of me on the General Admission lawn, must you light up your shitty-smelling clove cigarette when doing so?
6. Remember the inspirational maxim "Dance like nobody's watching"? Well I AM watching, because you're 5 feet in front of me and flailing around like a spastic marionette on an amphetamine bender. How about giving it a rest during, oh, I don't know, setbreaks!
7. You know how there are times when the band WANTS you to sing along with them... oh, that's right, you do! And you think it's EVERY WORD of EVERY SONG! If I pay you the ticket price, will you shut up for the rest of the night?
8. Your blanket is NOT eminent domain!
9. While I know you want to get rid of you $9 beer cans so that you don't have to step on them while getting your "groove thang" on, letting them roll into my space so that my equilibrium on a hill is threatened. Especially if you move downhill from me... I'm a big guy.
10. I'm guessing you talked to your concert-mate on the phone earlier, on the drive over, and pre-show. While the music is playing, here's a general rule: How about a little less talking and a little more SHUT THE HELL UP!

I'm going autobiographical on one of the most embarrassing, yet most genuinely enjoyable aspects of my life. I don't expect people to understand, but maybe it's something that everyone can relate to - at least on some level.