rob’s blog

There’s this comic strip that I’m quite fond of, probably one of the top five of all time (Peanuts, Calvin And Hobbes, Far Side and something else I’m forgetting right now) favorites I will always read. It’s called Bloom County.

Anyways, Bloom County went on for a decade or so, every day, before the artist behind the strip decided to call it a day. Now I’m not saying I’m anywhere near as funny as Bloom County…far from it. But it’s time to close the shop for my little neck of the Chrome Decay forest and head off to see what else I can see on the internets.

This decision hasn’t come easy. At all. And it’s not another one of my April Fool’s Jokes either. It took alot of back and forth deliberating in a quiet car on my daily hour long commute to come to this conclusion. My life beyond the blog has become increasingly hectic. My roles in other projects such as Dorkwave and Thinkbox (which needs a defibulator at this point) are calling, as is my increased participation in local politics and something else that has become extremely important to me.

As always, there are a few other projects I would like to pursue. I’d like to work on a full length album, and there’s always that damn book on the backburner I’d like to finish before I shuffle off this mortal coil. There’s always something, and that’s the fun part. But after four years, something had to give in order to make way for something new…and I chose this.

Getting back to the Bloom County metaphor, Breathed (the strip’s author) also decided to start up a weekly strip called Outland. It appeared on Sundays only, and it was just as funny (and a little more surreal) than Bloom County and had some great moments. I will continue to blog on Mixed Blag, but that will be reserved for podcasts, mixes, reviews and music commentary. Posting will be sporadic, but at least weekly, and I hope you’ll drop by and say hello from time to time. If asked, I’m sure I will also be doing some guest blogging on other sites, should anyone out there find me of any interest.

There are so many people to thank, and I don’t want to get into a gushy laundry list of people. But quickly…. a HUGE thank you to Bill Van Loo for hosting and tolerating my panics for four plus years of blogging. Thank you to Will Calcutt for his awesome graphic designs and beautiful photos. And thank you Nima Bararsani for the use of his name for my annual awards ceremony. Thank you Rachel Von Bondie who fearlessly guest blogged beyond the call of duty (and thank you to all guest bloggers who did so). And thanks to the SSCO for…a lot of stuff. (Didn’t think I’d pull the plug, did ya?)

Thank you to the countless blogs that have linked to me and vice versa. Thank you to the new found friends I have made and the ones that were my friends before this little journey. Thank you for the emails with links and constant excitment to draw my attention to awesome things. Without your support, this little experiment would have collapsed a long, long time ago.

I encourage you to visit some of the sites I normally endorse around here. I won’t mention all of them by name, but you know who they are. Of special importance, I highly suggest 1115, whose sharp political writing is now, more than ever, important, needed and inspiring. These guys deserve a bookmark in your browser. Keep informed.

One day soon I plan on registering robtheakston.com, or .net or something. Just to have some sort of static presence on the net where my comings and goings can be documented, but right now I don’t have the time nor the inclination to design something up. As always, you can keep in touch with me at rob.blog@gmail.com. I will continue to check it daily and should anything I may have said tickled your fancy, or if you just want to keep in touch, I certainly welcome your letter and presence in my inbox. Keep sending those links. They’re much needed recess from an ordinary work day.

Thank you for reading. It has truly been my pleasure. This isn’t the end, but it’s truly the beginning of something wide open and awesome. Here’s hoping you’ll come along for part two.

-rt

Well first off, I would like to thank Chris Handyside for the article in which he cited this here soapbox as one of the nicest blogs in Detroit, thereby reaffirming my internal notion that I’m Detroit’s 8th most beloved blog. Thank you Chris. That was awfully nice of you. Anyways, this Model D site is pretty neat, and Handyside and Lisa Collins (responsible for some of the best journalism in recent years at the Metro Times) are the main editors, so you know the quality will be Johnnie Walker Blue.

Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

For those who have been living under a rock or in the suburbs, yesterday was the primary for Detroit’s mayoral race, and probably the biggest primary for the city in ages. The outcome wasn’t really a surprise to those following the race closely, but that’s not to say it could have been anyone’s game. Because for a while there, it really could have been.

First, big hats off to Hansen Clarke for the 8th inning Jed Bartlet by way of Huey Newton effort to really shake things up. He knocked my socks off with his energy, optimism, idealism and passion for what the office of mayor should and could be like with a little less power hungry bureaucracy and a little more rolling up of the sleeves and getting hands dirty. Here’s hoping he strongly considers giving Mama Kilpatrick a run for her money in the upcoming US Congressional race. I listened to back to back to back interviews with him (two on 1200AM and another on a TV station) and every time he demanded we storm city hall and take it back for the people, I got chills up and down my spine and had the urge to put on Fear of A Black Planet and mosh around my apartment. Thankfully, the SSCO and pug would have none of that, so instead I channeled all of my anger into making hash browns and waffles for dinner.

Second, How in hell did Jackie Currie win again?

(pictured: Jackie Currie)

Have you seen the billboards with her haggard mug plastered all over them across 8 mile? My GOD, could that be any more of an obvious campaign move on the tab of taxpayers? I wince every time I cross one, and was hoping that someone…ANYONE…would unseat her as city clerk. If she wins, next election I’m running Derek Plaslaiko for City Clerk. I don’t care if he lives in Brooklyn now, he’ll move back for the right price.

I like the fact Martha Reeves actually made it through the primaries. I’m sure there are already countless threads with jokes regarding her campaign and song titles, so be on the look out for those elsewhere. I’m bumemd that Barry Blackwell didn’t make it through to the next round. He’s 19 and full of energy and ideas. Give this kid a few more years of experience and development and he’s going to be leading the next generation of Detroit politicians.

Okay, now the interesting stuff starts to begin. The hip hop mayor vs. angry old sage. Master P vs. Chuck D. Bluto vs. Popeye. You get the gist. It’s going to be interesting to see where the fragments of McPhail supporters land, seeing as she attacked both the mayor and Hendrix. An endorsement of either one will leave many of her people scratching their head going “uh hey, remember that ad….?”. As for Clarke supporters? I’m sure 6-7 percent of his 9 percent will head to Freman’s numbers, with the other 2-3 percent going for Kilpatrick.

Whatever happens, things start to get nasty from herein. I think the first stone was cast when, during his speech, Kwame mentioned that he couldn’t wait to talk about “shoveling snow and mowing lawns”, an obvious jab at the controversies surrounding city services during the Archer administration. But the thing is, I didn’t hear Hendrix talking about how he can’t wait to talk about “dead strippers and lincoln navigators” during his speech. So I’m sure Kilpatrick will be doing his best to make Hendrix fumble the ball. Here’s hoping Freman’s Donald Duck-like temper can keep in check long enough to handle it.

But Detroit voters aren’t stupid either, and they know an attack when they see one. So hopefully people will wise up and see through the attack jabs and vote their hearts who the better leader truly is.

Okay, time to get back to work.

PS. Ooh last minute and totally unrelated link from the good Reverend Wade: NASCAR Limos. The new style.

Hi.

I’ve received numerous an email regarding my comment about it being “Bush’s America”. Sadly, your defensiveness of Les Pres Terribles hath backfired this time. What was originally meant as a historical reference (Bush’s America ie: The Bush Administration) was taken as an attack on the Bush Administration, which was entirely not my intention.

But now, seeing as you’ve brought it to my attention that it could be construed that way, I like your interpretation better.

Thank you,

mgmt.

Today’s entry comes from a colleauge of mine who needs no introduction to about 63% of my readership. For the remainder of you, just trust me that he’s a good guy. AMG Movie Editor, Music Contributor and Lansing fixture Mark Deming:

———————————-

As someone who loves music and has been writing about in one capacity or another most of his life, I must admit I wasn’t especially surprised when the story broke about the recent Sony/BMG payola scandal – disappointed, sure, but to me this sounds like business as usual for the music industry (emphasis on that second word) over the past sixty or so years. I was rather amused by the public reaction of Sony and BMG’s spokespeople, who seemed at once like (a) petulant kids feigning shame after they were caught with their hands in the cookie jar and (b) Claude Rains in Casablanca, who indignantly declares he is shocked, shocked! to discover the presence of gambling in Rick’s Café while he collects his winnings. But the only thing that raised my eyebrows was how open everyone was being about the payoffs, with little or no concern about covering their tracks.

In commercial radio, pay for play is an old scam, and the only new wrinkle to be found is in the stakes of the game. A close friend of mine worked in promotion and marketing for a major label for several years, and on occasion she expressed no small degree of disgust over their use of “independent promo men,” whose function is essentially to funnel payola to radio outlets (read Frederic Dannen’s book Hit Men for more about how this dirty game works). What annoyed her most (and rather surprised me) was the fact there’s no quid pro quo in the independent promo game – if you want to get your record played, you have to pay for the privilege, but paying a promo man doesn’t guarantee play, it only puts you in the running. Hell, the Mafia is more honest than that – at least if you pay them to have someone’s legs broken, legs will be broken.

To me, the greatest irony of this minor scandal is that it happens while the music industry remains up in arms about online file sharing, and remains wary of internet radio, satellite radio, podcasting and other similar innovations in musical technology. I’ve long believed that one of the reason folks are looking for new ways to hear music is because radio has gotten so incredibly lousy and predictable – for years, radio was where folks heard the new sounds, but in an era where (between payola and Clear Channel) radio has been strangled within an inch of its creative life, you have to go elsewhere to hear anything that isn’t a dull replay of what you’ve been hearing for the last five years. In a better world, radio outlets and record labels both would realize that more diverse playlists and a broader range of formats would be in everyone’s best interests, but in a business where hardly anyone knows how to make money off a record than sells less than a million copies, this doesn’t look like it’s going to happen anytime soon.

I recently ran across a relic from my youth while digging through the stacks at a used record store – CKLW Solid Gold Volume Two, a two-LP set that was put out in the early 1970’s in association with the great Windsor AM station that I listened to faithfully in my grade school days. (After much begging and pleading, my Mom mail-ordered me a copy all those years ago, and I played it a lot until it got lost in transit when we moved from Jackson to Saginaw.) Compiled by CKLW’s legendary program director Rosalie Trombley, CKLW Solid Gold Volume Two more or less captures what seventy minutes worth of the Big 8’s programming was like back in the day, and while it’s hardly flawless, what strikes me is it’s far more eclectic than what one hears on commercial radio today. On CKWL, James Brown’s “Ain’t It Funky Now” and the Chairmen of the Board’s “Give Me Just A Little More Time” could sit next to Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind” and the Poppy Family’s “Which Way You Goin’ Billy,” hippie-dippie stuff like Teagarden and Van Winkle’s “God, Love and Rock & Roll” could get programmed in the same hour as Alice Cooper’s deadly and brilliant rocker “Eighteen,” and just plain oddball stuff like “Timothy” by the Buoys (the best hit single about cannibalism ever) and “Little Green Bag” by the George Baker Selection could get a hearing. CKLW was a business, to be sure, but this was a place where the management realized good radio means good music, and a broad range of good music will attract more listeners.

More listeners equal good ratings, good ratings equal lots of advertisers, and advertisers bring in the money. Does anyone else think there might still be room for this sort of radical thinking in radio today? I’m not holding my breath, but it sure would be nice.

Anyone in the music industry who is truly shocked by the recent payola scandal involving Sony/BMG has been a) living under a rock or b) turning the other cheek and practicing the procedure themselves. The practice of bribery in exchange for playing songs on the air is as old a practice as modern radio itself (see: Alan Freed), as documented in Dannen’s excellent book about payola, Hit Men.

Sadly, this isn’t just a rare occurence. And it’s not just exclusive to the big corporations either, though because of their prominence their crimes will be caught and exposed on a greater level and increased focus than smaller labels/promotion groups. This is a strike generalization I know…but I have in the past become well aware of several “indie” labels offering up bribes or gimmicks for chart placement or rotations on non-commerical outlets, right down to the smallest of National Public Radio or college stations. College radio, in particular, is ripe with these kinds of practices. There are still labels that play fairly with integrity and honesty…but like every bunch of apples, there are always that two or three that foil the success of the whole crop.

This practice was allegedly made illegal in 1927. But for major corporations, paying the fine of a few million is a drop in the bucket compared to the return profit. $10 million is a promotional budget for Sony. Somewhere in NYC, Sony-BMG executives are waking up, having breakfast and going about their day as if nothing’s wrong. And well they should be. Count on it ..in Bush’s America… few lose their jobs over this, execs serve time, or even pay out of pocket for the damage done.

So who is to share the crux of this problem? Should their have been stiffer fines? Should stations lose their broadcasting liscence? Should their be a sweeping probe, requiring any personality who accepted a bribe or gmmick to repay the cost of their prize to music education? And where’s the RIAA looking out for the little guy, the artist whose sales have probably been hindered by the allowance of this practice? Where’s their outrage? I know of a few artists who could have been FM airplay worthy, if they had a shot to compete against the big guys.

Was $10 million stiff enough of a fine? Probably not. $10 million is pretty paltry compared to some of the settlements New York AG Eliot Spitzer has made, which is probably indicative of the small percentage of evidence he was able to dig up. Imagine what hasn’t surfaced, or what never will. Also, bear in mind: this was just Sony-BMG. Imagine what could be uncovered at Warner, Universal or EMI.

Will the practice continue regardless of this probe? In Bush’s America…count on it.

Here’s hoping the FCC has the intestinal fortitude to start their own investigation, but that’s a pretty spineless organization. I’m not holding my breath.

I have failed you.

I do not have links up.

I do not have blogroll.

I do not have a new redesign.

I do have alot to say though. But first I just wanted to get it all out in the open:

I’m sorry. I truly am.

But, I will try and make it up to you with an extra special edition post, and frequent updates through the rest of this month. Deal? Deal.

Now. On with the show.

My birthday was great. Thank you to everyone who came out to Les Infants to celebrate with me. It was a good time and Common Factor rocked it the fuck out. Cupcakes were eaten. Photos were taken. Fireworks lit and people were, too.

Hockey’s back and so is Grambo: Relegating me back to the seventh best blog in Detroit is the return of Whatevs and Uncle Grambo, who after a brief holiday returns with two revelations:

1.

Terry Lawson likes black people

. Heck, he even has a black friend! Good job on keeping those stereotypes perpetuated about whites alive! Huzzah! and

2.

The Red Wings will be losing D-Mac

. This one hurts. As a huge HUGE fan of the grind line, this one hits close to home. Maltby, Drapes and D-Mac were the non flash in the pants line that EVERYONE could relate with. They weren’t the white collar line that had finesse and poise (though Drapes has come into his own as of late), they were the guys that went in, got the job done. Sure it got rough, but that’s what it took and they weren’t afraid to do it. Unlike some on the team who now play elsewhere and dated underage sports stars. D Mac, will go down like Spuddy Gallant, Shaun Burr and so many others who represented this town and its people with class and an ethic we could all be proud of. Not flashy, but just right.

So that makes Chelios, Hull, Joseph, DMac and Hatcher. Who’s next?

Porchsleeper’s new album is out. And it’s pretty damn good. For those about to rock, or moderate rock, or rock with a little bit of country, or country with a little bit rock and roll, this album might suit the end of your summer just fine. Straight up no frills rock and roll from start to finish. Those who may or may not read this site who happen to have a late night radio show on a local national public radio station who happens to bring in Gomez at every opportunity should consider playing it on their radio show. Just a suggestion.

In other “return” news, one of my favorite music writers Andy Kellman is back with a new mp3 blog. It looks like this fifth season just might be my second favorite yet (the Permafrost years will always have a warm space in my heart). Look for this to be around maybe until the beginning of 2006, when he decides to retire yet again from the blog/web world.

I have tirades and venom saved up regarding two other issues: the mayoral race and the Ann Arbor edition of the 826 project, but it’s best to save them for later in the week…no? Otherwise I’ll just plum run out of ideas.

Bye for now.

oh yeah and mixedblag will be updated alot this week too, including the sassy new podcast. Thanks again to Tony Chen and Blank00 for hooking that site UP!

So as of…oh…ten hours ago and change I was born unto the earth 28 years ago.

I’d like to thank my mom at this time for choosing to keep me around. Nice call, ma.

Things really do kind of feel different right now, almost as if I’m having that crisis you’re supposed to have at 30 prematurely. I’ve got a slightly different outlook on life at the moment. I realize B-days make you all philosophical, reflective and what not…but there are some things on the horizon that are definitely going to be life altering. I’m excited.

I haven’t checked my email today. I haven’t really done much of anything. Actually, I’m going to go back to reading Bloom County now, until the SSCO gets off from work and we go to Pronto for lunch.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Love,
Rob

Hello Detroit.

What a weekend eh? Hendrix is leading in all mayoral polling. Larry Brown is leaving the Pistons. Porchsleeper’s new CD is out. Scooter Libby makes the girls cry. Common Factor came to town and left Corktown tavern in a pile of smoldering ash. Okay that was a bad metaphor, considering Corktown has burned down already once this year…sorry.

It was one hell of a time. Thanks to everyone who showed up and had a good time. Next month the endless summer campaign continues. Maybe we can get Bombscare to come up and rap over new wave records.

I had a tirade posted about how stupid an idea a fake goth dance party is (scroll down a bit), but I’m desperately trying to remain positivepositivepositive. Along with trying to lose more weight, having less fun, arguing more with Republicans for sport, and learning to cook better I’m trying to remain positive for the next 365. Yeah I know, let’s see how long that lasts…but I’m fairly optimistic this time around.

positivepositivepositive.

Okay so my friend Tony started a blog. I know that I’ve been promising a revamp of the site. It’ll happen. I promise. I’ll bring the links back and everything.

Hey bookseller, where are you? Same goes for Grambo. My god….I’m moving up in the Detroit blog rankings with the three week absence of UG. I’m now Detroit’s #4 blog.

Porchsleeper…one of those damn bands that I think are better than sliced bread and Mountain Dew…has a new site, and a new CD. Word is they’ve almost sold through their first pressing and the damn thing ain’t been out for a week. That’s what you get when you have McSweeny’s darling, local rock icon Jim Roll to record your music. For those who don’t know, Roll was the Van Dyke Parks to Neal Pollack’s failed attempt to be the next Brian Wilson.

Rock fans, these guys deserve your hard earned cash. It’s a rocking good summer album that’s perfect for porch sitting (I tested), summer walking (does it), gardening (try not to mow the lawn while listening to Johnny and Joyce, I defy you) and all sorts of other summer like activities that may or may not involve drinking. They’re a fun band to watch live, too. So the CD is almost through pressing 1. Get it before pressing 2 takes another 7 weeks to get through to shops. You’ll be glad you did. Honest.

Fox Coporation set to buy MySpace for an obscene amount. Benskey and Brennan: work harder.

someone asked me to do up an out of ten list really quickly.

birthdays 10/10
cupcakes 7/10
hydras 9/10
some water and sun 8/10
larry brown 3/10
fake goth parties -100/10
beans and cornbread 11/10
selling your company for $580M 10/10
porchsleeper 8/10
moodlogic mp3 software 5/10

Weird searches that brought people to my site somehow:

Fennesz Jesus
Jack White Fan Fiction
Nate DeYonker’s Feet

There’s a short story somewhere in those three searches. So Nate, if you want to send me a photo of those tanks of yours, I’d be much obliged.