THE BLUE BUS, IS CALLING US.

Last Friday night spun me into rock n' roll overdrive again. I think I got distracted along the way by work suits, fake smiles, lost kittens, fatty foods and all the things that are thrown at you in everyday life situations. But I know I will always go back to rock n' roll. One night is enough to make you remember what you've been missing out on, and I want more. It's so hard, living in a small English village, gigs are limited, and so are bands. There is unfortunately not a very large audience for rock music around here unless you are 50 years old and were a 'part' of that time. It's so rare to find other people in their 20's who are interested in classic rock. I'm sure many of you agree, it's an era and an industry that slowly died out. These days, you cannot go to a rock concert without being pushed back by security, without being accused of being on drugs for dancing too hard, without being thoroughly searched on the way in, without paying ridiculous amounts of money to just get through the door... there are so many restrictions which completely go against the natural unwritten 'rules' of rock n' roll. As quoted by Lester Bangs in Almost Famous ''...they will ruin rock n' roll and strangle everything we love about it.'' It's an era that's completely missed by thousands of people, and there are those who try and re-create it. This is where tribute bands come in - musicians who get together and impersonate iconic bands, imitating their looks, vocal style, musical style and singing their original songs. What are everyone's views on tribute bands?! Do you think they are trying hard to recreate a subculture or more rightly way of life that has completely died out and failing terribly at it? Or do you think they have passion & ability and just want to keep it all going? It would be interesting to hear people's thoughts on this because I have heard so many mixed opinions. If you want to chat about it I am always open for discussion - email luciatarrant@hotmail.co.uk.

Personally, I admire tribute bands. I admire them for having the passion, the ability and most of all the guts to impersonate such famous rockstars, such as Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, The Beatles etc. Because to be honest, it could all go very wrong. I've witnessed abuse being shouted at tribute bands for being 'fake' and 'not writing their own material' and 'not being themselves'... These are men (mostly) who idolise a fantastic musician who has perhaps either died or quit the music industry alltogether, they want to show tribute & respect to musicians so influential and iconic, and most of all they just want to make the audience happy. It's a high paid industry. People will pay good money just to experience a real life Doors concert, or see Mick Jagger dance again, and if it isn't going to be an option to go back in time, then why not re-create a sixties concert and all these people like me & you will be satisfied. I see no harm... but as I said, there are those who will accept that era is over & done with and rock n' roll has died forever and then there are those who will try and preserve it. I know which team I'm on. What do you think?!

Also, if any of you have seen the Bootleg Beatles or the Rollin' Stoned, please let me know as I am thinking of getting tickets and want to hear good things!

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED, FOR WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE

This is what I have been thinking about for the past couple of days. I am about to begin reading Pamela Des Barres' - I'm with the Band for the third time. This song (below) played with these pictures will speak for me.
Song: Kick out the Jams by MC5.

HEARTBREAKER, YOUR TIME HAS COME, CAN'T TAKE YOUR EVIL WAYS

A post dedicated to the ultimate rock n' roll heroes of all time. A band that never gets old. You never get tired of rocking out to Led Zeppelin. The perfect band for listening to whilst getting ready, whilst going on a drive or whilst preparing for a gig, or if you just fancy a bit of classic rock n' roll. Their music set the scene for many metal/hard rock bands in the future, as their music was way ahead of their time. Whilst other bands of the early seventies were playing folk music and progressive rock, Led Zeppelin created a music never heard before, 'hard rock', but at the same time, it was still influenced by early blues musicians. They made themselves famous not only for their music, but for their reputation for being the epitomy of 'rock n' roll' and notorious sex villains, after groupies had kiss & told about them. Especially the stories about Jimmy Page and his suitcase full of leather whips which still gives me the shivers after reading about it all in their Hammer of the Gods biography and Pamela Des Barres' books. Jimmy Page alone is a fascinating person, someone with lots of mystique about him (apparently being a satanist), and Robert Plant purely for that voice & his medieval sorcerer looks. I am slowly getting into a Led Zeppelin phase again through listening to Heartbreaker this morning after an off few months and itend to keep it this way.

Top 5 Zeppelin songs:
1. The Battle of Evermore (medieval, haunting, Paganistic lyrics with Sandy Denny from Fairport Convention)
2. When the Levee Breaks (slow, dreary Mepmhis Minnie blues)
3. Heartbreaker (a song that sums them up as rock n' rollers)
4. Boogie With Stu (good for a dance)
5. Black Dog (another rock n' roll classic)

5 facts about Led Zeppelin you may or may not know:
1. They were all Pagans, particularly Plant & Page.
2. Supposedly Jimmy Page's black magic interest & practice caused the death of John Bonham & various other negative incidents.
3. Supposedly if you play Stairway to Heaven backwards it is chanting for the devil, this was meant on purpose.
4. Led Zeppelin originally called themselves 'the new Yardbirds' for their first tour, mainly due to Jimmy Page's earlier work with the Yardbirds.
5. Led Zeppelin deliberately mis-spelled the first part of their name so that American's could pronounce it without mistake.

WE WERE ALMOST FAMOUS

A year ago, we were having the times of our lives. We didn't nescessarily realise it at the time, but we were living the Almost Famous dream. What I had wished to become a reality had actually happened and we found ourselves amongst musicians, dingy clubs and rock n' roll. Now I look back on it a year later and I realise we had it so good. We used to turn up, the three of us, all so individually different and all hell would let loose, we always got our own way and something dramatic would always happen. So many of my best memories are from that time in my life and I'll remember them forever. For example - falling at the Doors Alive concert & being rushed straight to hospital only two songs in. Months later being given free access all areas passes to their London gig because the band were 'sad we missed it'... definitely one of the highlights. Despite all our efforts to try and bring back the good nights we had, it never worked. I'm not sure why. Everything has changed now and the people aren't the same. Not to mention the fact ever since I cut my finger they now have plastic glasses & security gaurds at the venue so we would never be allowed to play volleyball at 4am in there again. I'll never forget the night we were this close to meeting the Kinks but I chickened out because I thought we would look like 'little fan girls', isn't that the point?! I'll never forget the psychedelic night (no doubt about that). I'll never forget that house party on New Year's Eve. I'll never forget all the freebies we got given. Most of all I won't forget the situations we got ourselves into, what we actually used to do. I now know for certain that that time in our lives is over now and it's time to grow up. It lasted a year, it was a year of an experience I never thought I'd have but all three of us got it spot on. Here's to Simon from Letz Zep because I know he reads this - the chavs are still onto us. Here's to Andrea for being there. Here's to Saratonin - we miss you. Here's to Son of Kirk - Mischa's one of the best guitarists I've ever heard. Here's to Wolff - sorry for making a mess of your gig venue with all the blood. Here's to Willie aka Jim - still have your scarf. And here's to all the other people we found & dragged arond with us or willingly let us wrap our legs around them for photography purposes only. Good times, bad times.
Check out Emma's blog - http://www.dazedandconfused1991.blogspot.com/.