Video Reviews, Depeche Mode Covers, Cobain Remembered
April 8, 2011
Got lots swirling around in the ol’ nugget today, but I want to lead out with yet another remembrance of Kurt Cobain. I know many think he’s overrated and overmentioned, but this week marked 17 years since he took his own life… time flies, doesn’t it?
Near the end of high school, I really got into Nirvana. The first time I heard them was just before Teen Spirit blew up. It was a random group of guys, hanging out in someone’s basement. A cassette tape was pulled out and played, and despite the different musical tastes of everyone in the room (from Primus, to Depeche Mode, to Phish fans) we all agreed: Nirvana was awesome.
One thing I loved about Cobain was his understanding and empathy of the underdog. Back before the modern era of Lady Gaga- a strong advocate for the gay community- Cobain rose to fame on the strength of a catchy guitar riff and an intense music video that MTV played with the feverish excitement that is now solely reserved for reality TV shows. At the height of his fame Cobain did an interview with The Advocate Magazine, appearing on the cover to talk about how he appreciates the gay community. Since we all know his music, I thought it would be more interesting to share this.
At the time, I probably appreciated his stance of gay issues because I’d taken a small amount of shit for in junior high and high school for having Depeche Mode as my favorite band. They were European and played keyboards, in Waynesboro, Virginia that somehow qualified as being gay. I don’t know how many times I was told my favorite band was gay- so many times that I figured it didn’t matter if they were or not. It’s funny, but even the thought that a band was gay, a band that had influenced me and helped guide me through the somewhat treacherous experience of puberty, probably had a lot to do with my opinion that sexual orientation is not something that matters in the slightest.
Speaking of Depeche Mode- I had the great experience of helping my friend, Andy Deane of Bella Morte, with a cover of one of Depeche Mode’s classic songs. It sounds great- I’ll reveal the song when Andy does. It’s being done as part of Bella Morte’s Kickstarter campaign to help fund their new record, After the Flood. The Depeche Mode cover is an exclusive giveaway to anyone who donates to their campaign, which ends of April 16. So if you want the tune, and want to help a very gay-friendly group of musicians in their own right, you have a week to donate.
It was a lot of fun singing back-up vocals on a song that I’d drive circles around Waynesboro singing in my car back in the day. Glad I could put the harmonies I worked out twenty years ago to good use!
Lastly, I’m humbled by the kind response that the Synthetic Division music video has received. If you want to hear me talk about music more, then check out an interview I did for Horrorshow Radio this week, The Life and Times of Shawn Decker. Geek Crafts also featured the “Out of Time” video, and called me a “geek chic trifecta” due to my involvement in music and writing, as well as the fact that I named my band after math… Speaking of the music video, if you look closely you’ll see a Depeche Mode music video within the Synthetic Division music video. (It’s not a clue as to which song Bella Morte covered, btw!)
Hope you have a great weekend.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
TODAY: National Call-In Day to Fund Domestic HIV Programs
April 5, 2011
Today is the day- make a quick call to your representatives to urge them to continue funding HIV/AIDS programs in the United States. Whether you are a democrat or a republican, these programs are necessary to insure the safety of our fellow Americans who are living with HIV. Without them, we run the the risk of losing more people to AIDS… and, really, haven’t we lost enough?
Click here to find out who to call, and what to say- it’s easy, and it matters.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
Synthetic Division “Out of Time” Music Video
April 4, 2011
Here it is, my band’s first ever music video, featuring stop motion and Playmobil toys- including a hospital! Funny thing is, the inspiration for this song came in part from a hospital visit in late 2009… so the creator Dirk Roth’s concept really fits the song and release perfectly.
I hope you enjoy the video and share it with friends!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
Synthetic Division “Out of Time” (lyrics, vid on Monday!)
April 1, 2011
It’s tough being my own publicist, I tell ya. The job doesn’t pay, and my client is a major dick. But aside from that, I can’t really complain too much I guess. Just pass along info on “the boss”. *sigh*
__________
As I mentioned earlier this week, the first Synthetic Division music video (created by the talented Dirk Roth) has been made, and I couldn’t be happier about how it turned out. You’ll be able to see it on Monday… and, yes, like the Joy Division video I posted a few days ago, this one features the Playmobil likeness of the band. The vid is for the song, “Out of Time” from my CD, A Symptom of Life. I wanted to share a still and the lyrics to the song, which you can hear on the music player at the bottom of this blog post.
Out of Time by Synthetic Division
Know when, know when to try again
Know when, know when to try again
Decide to take that ride
CHORUS:
You’re out of time
And that is fine
Just please don’t ask
for some of mine
Know when, know when you’ve reached the end
Know when
You’re out of time
Just try again
Don’t look into her eyes
CHORUS
I warned you who knew better
Know when, my friend, know when to try again
know when, my friends, know when you’ve reached the end
decide
CHORUS
Last year’s release holds special meaning to me, because it’s all about survival. The song above is about outliving the limited expectations one faces when dealt with a terrible diagnosis, like, say, HIV. As a songwriter, I didn’t have to dig too deep to find the inspiration behind the tune. I am thankful that I’m getting better at tapping into some of the deeper emotions behind my diagnosis. I don’t struggle emotionally with my HIV status, and haven’t for years… but looking back on those early days, months, years, it makes me so happy to just be here.
As a teen, I was obsessed with music videos, back when you had to stay up until midnight to see the good ones. It’s super cool to have one for my little synthpop duo. I hope you enjoy it on Monday!
Have a great weekend and don’t get fooled today.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
LIFE IN PHOTOS
Face Time fun with my Goddaughter. She was digging our phone chat- even though we were about three feet away from one another.
Making the enemy quit out with @squirrel_munky and @vaineos :)
Closing out the Joe with @gwennbarringer this afternoon.
Caught in full Mocha Mode...
Speaking About Sexual Health
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