8.27.2003

Education without Music?

I find it very disturbing that our public education system in the USA continues to slide deeper and deeper away from the basic rudiments of learning that help children become well-rounded members of our society. As schools frantically try to figure out how to boost ‘Test Scores’ the students get short-changed by having access to the arts almost yanked away completely. Music and the Arts have been forced into the back seat so the US Government can pretend that our children are ‘keeping up’ with other countries academic achievements as our schools turn out under-prepared graduates into a scarce job market.

According to the Music Industry News Network, ‘The nation's leading music advocacy organization today advised parents and local educators that despite good intentions, local interpretation of the federal "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) education law is seriously affecting access to music education for America's public school students. "The law clearly identifies the arts as a core academic subject," explains American Music Conference Executive Director Rob Walker. "However, the requirements for standardized testing in literacy, math and science are leading local districts to divert resources away from other subjects. As a result, the arts are truly being left behind. We fear most of all that music, which is a vital learning pathway for children's success in school, is being sacrificed for shorter-term testing results. We're talking about what kids need to be successful learners." Read Full Story HERE

How have we let this happen in the USA? Is the ‘Power of Pride’ so weak that it can’t lift an arm and stop this type of foolishness from happening right under our own noses? You are probably asking yourself ‘What can I do?’ or ‘Where to go from here?’ If you’re not registered to vote then that’s a good place to start. From there you can go to SupportMusic.com and learn more about how to support music education in the United States.

I’m not willing to let our music, art, or heritage to be pushed aside. I’ll even support this issue in a country that’s not my own. Are you satisfied that your children’s education will only prepare them for the time clock? What will you do about it?

S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions and Comments: editor@phreshwater.com

8.25.2003

Music and Bombs

Driving to work today I made an all too frequent mistake of turning on the radio when the BBC world news is airing. I’m not one to turn my cheek to the tumultuous affairs that happen on this Earth but I at least deserve my morning cup of coffee before being subjected to a mudslide of media doom, gloom, and gore. Bombs are going off in taxis, suicide bombers are getting onto crowded buses in Jerusalem, and religious extremist women and children are suiting up with plastic explosive vests and walking into crowded hotel lobbies to detonate their payload of anger toward fellow humans. It’s a damn shame that such diverse and abstract concepts as religion can motivate people to intentionally harm their brothers and sisters on this planet.

After arriving at work with my steaming cup of Joe sitting on my desk I find more disheartening news in the music industry that I have reported on earlier in this column. Cuban musicians Ibrahim Ferrer, Chucho Valdes and Cuban group Los Van Van, three nominees for the September 3rd Latin Grammy Awards will not be able to attend the gala event because of stringent processes set up by the US State Department. Apparently, The ‘GW Gump’ Administration has been stepping up its resurrected ‘Cold War’ tactics by intensifying the process by which Cubans gain passage into the USA by tying up paperwork and investigations that could take up to two months before clearance is granted. All of this is due to the paranoid visions of our government that Cuba is still financially backing global terrorist efforts. Read Full Story HERE

This situation, which could easily be rectified by ‘GW Gump’ himself, is an absolute tragedy to musicians and to all artists worldwide. ‘Road Map to Peace’? How about extending your hand to three legendary musical artists and help them on their journey for recognition they fully deserve? I can’t believe the American public allowed such a foolish, bumbling, idiot into office. Are you going to let it happen again? You may have to put your remote control or Game Boy down for an hour to vote and make a stand this election, people. If all the music fans got together to help put these antiquated, outmoded, 1950’s idealist numbskulls out of their leather chairs in Washington maybe we could help turn this planet into a place where music is heard and not the sound of bombs…..

S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com

8.22.2003

Full Bluntal Ignorance

Ted Nugent, Seventies Rock Icon turned NRA zealot and poster boy, has recently filed a lawsuit against the town of Muskegon, Michigan for canceling his upcoming concert in June. Apparently, Rick Lewis and Michael Floorwax, morning talk show hosts on radio station KRFX-FM, ended the interview in progress with Ted after he made several racial slurs against Asians and African Americans. Nugent claimed that the cancellation of the June 30th concert “damaged his reputation and career”, according to a statement issued by his attorney. Full story HERE

I guess if you were encumbered by the same massive ego as Ted Nugent then it would be hard to understand why an entire city wouldn’t want you and your ignorant, loin-clothed, bigoted mouth making a public appearance. Does he think we are all complete idiots when we listen to his lyrics in ‘Stranglehold’ and don’t notice the outright degradation and references to violence against women?

Let’s get real, brothers and sisters. Ted needs to get a grip on reality and stop bitching and whining when his mouth gets his ass in trouble. My two year old is light years ahead of Mr. Nugent in intelligence, composure, and respect for the other inhabitants of this planet. Ted’s back-ass values and blatant disregard for anyone who doesn’t agree with his platform of “Kill it before you grill it” just makes me sick. You got asked to not appear in concert, Ted, because you are a disgrace to our society that has evolved beyond your shallow perceptions of our planet that is searching for peace.


S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com



8.20.2003

Chalkdust Torture

I was poking through the Music News last night on the ‘Net like probing a bowl of spaghetti with a fork in search of the last remnant of a meatball. Suddenly, out of the piles of hype and fluff, appeared a headline that made my head spin in wonderment: ‘Phish Bassist Arrested for Child Endangerment’. You can imagine the shock of hearing that Mike Gordon could be into a major mess involving a child. I clicked quickly on the link and read the story. A sense of relief came over me as I finally came to the bottom of the article which read: ‘A joint statement released by Gordon and the girl's family reads, "We have had several discussions regarding the situation that occurred at Jones Beach. It is now clear to all involved that this was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and we look forward to putting this matter behind us."

I should probably do Phish and Mike Gordon a huge favor by not even mentioning this again in the press. But, my point in doing so is to point out that the core of this story, which held the truth, was eclipsed by the impending sense of doom in the headline itself. What idiot decides that this manure can get served to the public?

This is the difference between the Independent Press, like ourselves and others ventures on the ‘Net and print, and the mindless dolts who make a living by turning a harmless situation into a ‘Breaking Story’ that could cause irreparable damage to another persons social life and not to mention their career. Just look at the headline and then the article. The body of the story, which is Mike Gordon is cleared of accusations, cancels and nullifies the Headline itself! Lenny Bruce would have a field day with this material! I guess you don’t need to take a class in common sense in order to get your degree in journalism either.

So, before you go to class this morning or hit the Phantasy Tour forum you know the truth from the bullshit and can help the music fan community from spreading rumors. Please remember, in this fast paced world where you are expected to toss your brain out the window as soon as you roll out of bed, to not scan the headlines and inadvertently continue a trail of slime created by some lame-brain sitting in a high rise capitalizing on disinformation.

S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com


8.18.2003

Download This! Part II

Although there is much squawking and paltry caterwauling in the news today over the issues of illegal downloading there are still legal, viable, and exciting methods of getting the music you love while giving back to the artists and their community of fans. While the talking heads on the idiot box mumble and grumble back and forth over lawsuits and subpoenas there are diligent, avid music fans with extensive programming knowledge building and delivering ‘cooperative’ P2P networks fueled by the fan base and supported by the artists they follow. The taping of live performances and trading them is an entire subculture in and of itself. While the RIAA and major record labels furiously try to dig themselves out of the pits of their own ignorance and laziness there exists a beacon of positive energy building a new model for artists and digital delivery of their music. Terabytes of musical bliss pump merrily along, day after day, into the hands of satisfied fans and the more that passes across the matrix of servers and networks this community of traders gets deeper and stronger in numbers as more become educated.

Why would any band or music artist not openly support this level of commitment from its fan base and deny them permission to trade live performances? Why wouldn’t you allow fans to record, trade, and deliver your message into thousands of waiting hands? The answer is simple: Some bands are motivated by the all-mighty dollar and some aren’t. Don’t they realize that they will sell more tickets to concerts and immensely benefit with no more effort than taking the stage and having a good time? Sounds like a win-win situation to me….

No matter what becomes of the ‘RIAA vs. itself’ and all the noise being made in the press you will see two nodes of digital delivery establish itself and prosper and it’s just a matter of time. Once the dust clears and the lawyers have walked away with millions over an issue that should have been solved without them, the two new models will exist and they will evolve again within themselves. One genus of this will be the Pop culture digital delivery system where everyone gets their precious money right down to the micro-cent and they will be happy. The other genus, the live music trading community, will continue to be one big road trip of happiness and continue to lead the way with positive energy as its fuel.

The most important issue is that no matter what side of the fence you fall upon, no matter if you are into Pop music or Jam bands, that you support the artists so they can continue to entertain you. Being under the illusion that everything should be free and compensation doesn’t matter is completely absurd. Don’t be a part of the problem and contribute your time and energy to Kazaa and the like who only care about the millions they will gain in force feeding you advertising in exchange for killing an industry and musicians careers.

If you are in search of some good live music, are willing to share and not freeload, and have the tenacity to educate yourself in digital audio formatting and trading then here are my top picks for where you should start your journey: etree.org, FurthurNet, SharingTheGroove.org. Read the FAQ’s and sticky posts before you begin, be kind and others will be kind in return. That’s the way it should be.

S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com



8.14.2003

Oh Canada!

(Toronto) - The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) is initiating what CRIA President Brian Robertson categorizes as "the second phase of our education program with Canadian users of file-sharing services".

"This phase follows on the heels of our Value of Music campaign, which launched in April of this year", said Robertson, "and is designed to inform Canadian users of file-sharing systems of the damage they are inflicting upon the thousands of people involved in the creation of music, as well as to warn them of the legal implications they might face". ..:: Read More Here

Thank the supernatural entity of your choice that there are people in high places on this planet that have some sense! ‘Value of Music Campaign’ – It is Brilliant! If this is a democracy, in the USA, can we fire the RIAA and HIRE the Canadians? Educating people the VALUE of music and its importance instead of hauling them off to court and using scare tactics? Well, that’s no fun now is it? Educating people might mean someone will have to do some work. Work? That might lead to solutions or facilitating the next phase of the digital revolution….

I’m going to go out to the back yard, face North, and give Canada a standing ovation!

S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com


8.13.2003

Digital Prohibition

I would probably lay off of the RIAA and stop giving them such a hard time but their ignorance and unabashed stupidity keeps getting them more grief. Just the other day a judge in Massachusetts stymied the efforts of the RIAA to make MIT and Boston College divulge student information in order to subpoena them for sharing copyrighted files on the Internet. I’m here to say again, as an upholder of our Constitution and Democracy, that the RIAA is still fighting a battle they can’t win.

Yesterday I checked the Internet traffic reports for PhreshWater.com and was being entertained by all of the ‘Keyword Searches’ that brought visitors to our site this month. While scrolling down the list that included Jerry Garcia, DJ Mark Farina, Phish IT Festival, and other common phrases my eyes stopped dead in their tracks. Someone, believe it or not, had actually made it to PhreshWater.com via Google using the keyword search ‘RIAA Internship’! I ripped out a hearty ‘Baa Ha!’ and nearly fell out of my seat. I can’t believe there are actually people who want to join up with these thugs! Why don’t they just tie a red bandana around their necks and join the Hitler Youth, for the love of St. Pete!

Let’s face it: The RIAA is going to fail again and again and again trying to force a download prohibition. When they tried it with alcohol did that stop Al Capone from bootlegging and send him off whimpering into a corner? People don’t care if it’s copyright protected! I know it’s sad and the last thing I want is for the musicians to not get paid. But, the real issues that should be discussed here are SOLUTIONS to the problem instead of hauling off students into the gas chamber. ‘Illegal’ P2P file sharing is going to happen, full scale, whether Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the RIAA sob and whine morning noon and night about it. Apple iTunes seems to be plodding along just fine while filling their Swiss bank accounts to the brim and other services are being developed and deployed on a daily basis for music and video digital delivery. Welcome to the future, cavemen.

People thought that Copernicus was nuts when he suggested the Earth moved around the Sun. It’s called the ‘Evolution of Logic’, people. I’m not suggesting that you throw away your DVD player because it will most certainly be outmoded in the coming years. But, the ‘Consumption’ of music and video is evolving! CD’s and DVD’s WILL BE REPLACED in due time just like Vinyl Records and 80’s Mullet hair cuts (At least I hope they go away).

Conclusion: The RIAA has NO Solutions and their tactics will continue to be as worthless as trying to roll a snowball through hell….

S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com

8.12.2003

Political Hoopla?

I had reported last week that Krist Novoselic, Nirvana Bassist, was giving up his music career in pursuit of politics. I was enthusiastic about his decision and if he decided to run for the ‘Big Kahuna’ of them all, being the United States President, I’d carry him all the way to Washington on my shoulders even if he threw his bass guitar up over his head in the process. I even thought for a moment that maybe we’d see a trend starting, in Jesse Ventura proportions, where entertainers finally use their powerful presence and take political offices by storm. A few days later this daydream became a nightmare….

Instead of Bob Weir or Trey Anastasio announcing they would run for Governor of Vermont or Colorado a seismic quake of insanity arises in California. ‘The Terminator’, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is running for Governor! Then, to counter the ray gun toting Republican meathead from advancing closer to Sacramento, Gary Coleman, of 70’s TV ‘Different Strokes’ fame, rises like a diminutive phoenix from the California smog to challenge the politically rabid cyborg and announces he’ll fight for the seat in office!

What can we do to counter-attack this insanity? Do Californians REALLY want a ‘Shoot-Em Up’ action figure as Governor? For Christ’s sake you’ve already got the LAPD filling that slot! What will happen when those two forces unite? Gary Coleman? C’mon now! Give me Re-Run or J.J. Walker and then you’d get some asses up and into the balloting booth!

Don’t be fooled, people. This is all just a plot to lull you to sleep again so you’ll forget that ‘GW Gump’ is your elected President. So, take another Zoloft, put on your Britney Spears CD, do what the ‘Good Tube’ says and you’ll be just fine.......


S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com

8.11.2003

Cuban Music Crisis

Over the weekend it was reported that Cuban music artists nominated for the Latin Grammy Awards this year are having problems securing a visa in time to be able to attend the ceremony. Some of the effected musicians include Ibrahim Ferrer, of Buena Vista Social Club, Afro-Cuban jazz star Chucho Valdez and the salsa band Los Van Van. Many Cuban-Americans have threatened to boycott the Latin Grammy's, and rightly so, if actions are not taken to speed the process of helping these artists obtain visa's to get the recognition they deserve.

A very unimaginative and stiff spokeswoman from the US State Department, who obviously sees everyone on this planet as yet another wad of paper in her wastebasket said, "We have not received any visa applications from Cuban citizen Grammy nominees in connection with the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony. Visa applications received from award nominees to attend the Latin Grammy Awards are adjudicated in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations governing the issuance of non-immigrant visas." Good God, I know burnt slices of whole wheat toast with more personality than this jaded automaton.

This is yet another ongoing problem I'm having with our establishment and society. What ever happened to 'Grace'? What ever happened to extending yourself to help another human being, regardless of their geographical location or race, in order to give someone the credit they deserve? What about the US record labels that raked in cool millions for the stellar performances of Ibrahim Ferrer and the other Cuban artits? What other countries muscians can we exploit next year and stockpile our bank accounts?

As much as this is a tragedy to music and art we only have ourselves to blame by letting these heartless dimwits into political office in the first place. It's not even the State Department spokeswoman's fault; She's simply doing what her stodgy elitist boss requires her to do and say so he can hit the golf course this morning and make more underhanded deals at the expense of the real inhabitants of this planet.


S. Remington - Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com


8.08.2003

String Cheese Gets Tough

I just received this press release last night in my in-box:

‘On Wednesday, August 6, SCI Ticketing, a company owned by The String Cheese Incident and Madison House Inc., filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Federal Court in Denver, Colorado, claiming that ticketing giant, Ticketmaster, has monopolized the concert ticketing industry, using its immense market power to prevent competition for the sale of concert tickets. SCI Ticketing also alleges that Ticketmaster has entered into agreements with, among others, Clear Channel Communications Inc., to restrain trade in the market of concert tickets.

On Monday, August 11, at 11:00 a.m. to Noon EST, at the Inter-Continental Barclay Hotel (Drawing Room and North Parlor II), 111 East 48th Street in New York City, a news conference will be held to explain the lawsuit, and present the argument that fans shouldn’t have to suffer financially at the hands of Ticketmaster, and artists should be able to provide their own ticketing services, thereby maintaining relationships with their fans and controlling their own musical futures.’

Here again, music fans, is your chance to start using your hard earned (or borrowed) money, your brains, and hands to swing your ‘political’ bat. I know that’s a scary word for some of you but if only half of you who read this actually believed that your voice and actions make a difference this world would be a different place.

Why has Ticket-Bastard become a huge monopoly? It’s because you and I and the rest of our brain-dead society, who would rather blindly accept our Mc Jobs and X-Box entertainment, has allowed it to happen. Period. Even I am guilty of Ticket-Bastard convenience: I have allowed them a link in our ‘Tour Central’ page on the website as a ‘convenient’ way for fans to get the tickets they really want. But that stops today! To show our support for String Cheese going up against the unconstitutional tactics of Ticket-Bastard and in the best interest of music fans globally we will take down this link and interface before the weekend is over.

This is not the first time Ticket-Bastard has tried to seal itself off from the constitution to siphon the wallets of music fans. My suggestion to you all who are buying tickets for events is to go to the artists website FIRST and put your money THERE. That’s politics!

S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com

8.06.2003

Sex Machine!

James Brown the Godfather of Soul, the hardest working man in show business, and undoubtedly the Funkiest human ever to walk the planet is set to be honored by the Kennedy Center for his achievements. Although the Godfather is a ripe 70 years old he still dominates the stage with electrifying, ass-rocking, vitality that even the younger Rap and R&B artists can’t seem to muster. It just goes to show that age is no limiting factor when it comes to getting your groove on.

A concerned reader wrote in the other day about the ‘Pop-up Ads’ that they received from PhreshWater.com upon their visit. I want to point out that during my search this morning to find the ONE James Brown story on the Internet that didn’t have a ‘Pop-up’ Ad tagged onto it was a long and aggravating battle. After browsing nearly a dozen websites I finally found a news source worthy of adding to the News Ticker. Let me say that being part of the independent media that we need some advertising to keep afloat but I promise you that PhreshWater.com will NEVER accept ‘Pop-up or Under’ Ads of any kind. That type of invasive visual pollution just makes me sick. However, when we link away from our site we can’t control the devious advertising schemes of the other news sources that are present on the Internet.

If anyone else is fed up with ‘Visual Pollution’ (Force-Fed Images such as Billboards, Pop-up Ads etc.) I’d like to hear your thoughts on the subject. This is an editorial column which means your voice is just as important, or more important, than mine. Don’t just sit back and let it all slide by: Free minds need Free voices. That’s what PhreshWater.com is all about.


S. Remington – Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com



8.05.2003

Novoselic for President

Earlier in the week Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic announced he is done with the music business and is giving up his latest musical project in exchange for a shot at politics. Eyes Adrift, Novoselic’s latest band configuration with Meat Puppets Kurt Kirkwood and ex-Sublime Drummer Bud Gaugh, seemed to be a good outlet for Krist but led him closer to his true self and interests. You can read Krist’s official statement at the Eyes Adrift website HERE.

I would give anything to see Novoselic vs. G.W., rock legend up against half-wit oil baron, this upcoming election! And just think about all the kids who thought ‘Cigar Willy’ Clinton was hip because he could blow a sax, amongst other things. With Krist as our new President he could incite a mosh-pit to really liven up those White House press conferences. Of Course, Donald Rumsfeld would have to loosen up a bit and stop wearing those crappy ties…

In the wake of 9.11 and the ‘Bush World War’ that have since taken place I want to implore the music fans of this world to not simply sit on the outside and get lulled to sleep with the rest of the mediocre Americans this upcoming election. Let’s get our heads on straight and not forget the big scam that happened last time when the candidate who accumulated the most votes was the loser……

S. Remington - Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com



8.01.2003

Happy Birthday Jerry

Guitar and music legend Jerry Garcia was born this day in San Francisco, California. Although losing a fingertip in a wood chopping accident at the age of five Jerry would kindle his love of music by learning how to play the piano, guitar, and the banjo. During the early sixties Jerry would play in many musical configurations including the Asphalt Jungle Boys, Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers, Hart Valley Drifters, The Wildwood Boys, and then would help form the Warlocks in 1965. The Warlocks first paying gig was at Magoo’s Pizza Parlor and they later went on to become the house band for Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests. Later that year the Grateful Dead were formed in San Francisco.

Jerry Garcia would influence many over the years and share the stage, studio, and front porch with greats including Merl Saunders, David Grisman and Bob Dylan. I could probably sit behind this desk today and write about him until lunch, take a break, and return until bedtime. I want to remember Jerry today like most of us want to be remembered and spoke about while we are not in the room. I want to remember him not because of his shortcomings or his troubles. I want to remember him alive on stage playing his guitar with thousands of people smiling back up at him in the crowd.


S. Remington - Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com