So I saw this really good band tonight.
Not that this is any big revelation in itself, but the news flash comes in the unexpected place I saw these guys. Who, by the way, are called Glass Republic (and yes, I agree they need a better name ... among other things we'll get to in a minute).
Earlier tonight I met my friend Dave, as I often do on Friday night, at the Poogie Tavern here in West Seattle. The Poogie is pretty much your classic beer bar. And it is something of an institution. It's a place where guys go to drink beer. End of sentence right? It's a place where various drunks, bikers, and working class types go to quaff a cold beverage at the end of a hard working week. Been that way for years. As my West Seattle neighborhood has experienced the proliferation of various upscale restaurants and bars in recent months, the "Poog" has remained something of a constant. It's a place you can go to drink a cold beer that isn't going to come with some fancy name and an even fancier price.
Anyway, my beloved "Poog", in an effort to compete with the fancier joints populating the neighborhood these days, adopted a live music thing sometime earlier this summer. No big deal right? You get your shitty Top 40 bands providing a backdrop to the usual working class dudes getting their buzz on and trying to score on that hottie at the bar with the tight jeans.
So imagine my surprise tonight when they actually booked a decent band. Not just decent, but actually pretty damn good. Glass Republic needs work to be sure. Their name sucks, as I've already noted. But the basic ingredients were there. They played all original material (which takes a lot of balls in a place like the "Poog") --think of the Blues Brothers playing "Rawhide" at that shitkicker bar.
Not only that. These guys had chops. The bass player was playing this wildly progressive Chris Squire shit and the drummer was playing in time signatures to match (think King Crimson circa the Red album, or someone like Bill Bruford). Anyway, I know a diamond in the rough when I see it. I always have. Which gets me to the real point of this article.
My friends will tell you. I am the very definition of a music freak, as in obsessed. I can't let it go. I go out to have a beer at some dive with my friend and there is always the potential I may discover the next great progressive band. It's a fucking curse.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
So maybe it is time to let the music go.
Then again...
(Thanx for publishing this Erin. I imagine this one was a bit of a challenge...so double thanks.)
-Glen
2 - Trent
Well I think i've got a little better understanding now of the article you wrote about that Beatles and the Bible book.
Can you say mid-life crisis Glen?
maybe some career counseling .... ?
Good luck mate.
3 - Christopher Rose
Glen, please don't ever let the music go.
4 - Glen Boyd
I hear ya Trent.
So I basically give myself personal therapy by writing these little pep talks to myself and publishing them for you and all the world to see on the internet.
Thanx for the comment.
-Glen
5 - Glen Boyd
I probably couldn't if i wanted to Chris. So ya know where I can put all of this useless information of mine to work for somebody?
Thanx for the comment.
-Glen
6 - Scott Barkley
Hey Glenn.....When the Music's over.... Turn out the lights! We can NEVER let it go or all will be dark for us!!
Hang in there brother and keep searching for the opportunity to get paid for doing what you love.
We may be rapidly becoming historians in the genre....but the genre needs its links to the past. After all, how would my 15 year old know where all the stuff he listens to was born if I wasn't here to expose him to it! Besides bud..like ya said...you are a bridge between the origins of the current and the current and still have the talent and ability to bring it! Keep your shoulders square and your eyes forward...and don't give up the fight!
Still reading and writing
Barkley
7 - Michael J. West
Glen, it may just be time you sniffed out the indie scene. The mainstream scene is a lost cause. That, though, has been inevitable from day one. The times when great, cutting-edge, and yet still universal, music ruled the charts and the media? Those were all flukes.
8 - Glen Boyd
Thanks for the kind words Scott and Micheal.
Micheal, I actually sent Razor & Tie my resume...they're looking for a publicist which I'd more than qualify for. The problem is...with all these places...is they take one look at me and basically say "you've gotta be kidding".
I'm an old fuck and I just have to face facts as far as that goes I guess. At least I'm not running around looking like some ridiculous David Lee Roth sort of caricature (I actually know people my age doing exactly that).
Thank God I can write my way through this midlife crisis by publically crying in my beer here on Blogcritics though right?
By the way Micheal, did that dude ever send you those Radiohead outtakes? He took forever but I finally got mine from him last week.
Scott, all I can add to your thoughts is the epithet "Music is your only friend...until, the end." That Jimbo sure had a way with the words didn't he? LOL...
-Glen
9 - Michael J. West
I give you props, Glen. You may be undergoing the basic process of the aging music lover, but nobody will ever call you a stick-in-the-mud.
And as for the Radiohead...he never even wrote me back.
10 - Glen Boyd
LOL Micheal...
As for the Radiohead, like I said the guy took forever but I did finally get them. If you want his email address, shoot me an email and I can get it for you. I'd burn you a copy myself except my burner is in the fritz (it won't recognize the drive it's on), and I don't have the bucks to fix it right now. Which brings us back to my story here, right? LOL...
But you are correct sir. No muddy sticks to be found here. Thanx for the comments Micheal...I feel better already. LOL..
-Glen
11 - SVIEN GLASS
thanks for the sharp eye!
you should catch us on a better night .
there was no real sound system...we had to share that little fisher price mic.
-glass REPUBLIC
12 - Glen Boyd
So you guys actually kept that crumpled up little piece of paper I gave ya huh? Good. At least now you know that I am for real and wasn't just feeding you a line of drunken bullshit.
Anyway...
You guys really oughtta shoot me an e-mail so we can talk a little more. If you click on the URL in one of my comments here, this will take you to my personal blog (where I also posted this story). If you go to my profile, you should be able to find my e-mail address there.
You guys really surprised me...I mean "The Poog" is a place I go to have a beer, not one where I expect to some band more suited to the clubs downtown.
Very impressive guys.
Shoot me an email and maybe we can put our heads together and figure out how to get your band a bit further...
Change the name for starters though...how about just "Republic"?
Trust me, I know about these things.
-Glen
13 - Snarkattack
As a younger music freak, I have to say I find it inspiring that someone of my parents' generation never let go of the music. Truly!
My music hasn't amounted to anything yet but dammit I just can't let go of the dream! I tried, I even injured myself on my first instrument but that dream will be mine!
So please don't let go of the music! Sounds like it hasn't let go of you :D Don't stop inspiring us!
14 - Glen Boyd
Thanx Snarx. And by all means, please don't injure youtself okay?
-Glrn
15 - Snarkattack
Oh sorry Glen - didn't mean to alarm you, I meant by practising too much when I was a flute player at music school - overuse/RSI type injuries. The pressure to practise is pretty full-on so that you kind of ignore the pain you feel to the point where it - sadly - causes injury in nerves or muscles.
I'm pleased to report my practice habits are a good deal healthier. Thanks for the concern.
16 - Scott Barkley
Yes Glen...he certainly did.
Just a thought. I have always looked MUCH younger than I am, but have had a rather deep voice since puberty (I am still often told I should be a DJ...shame there is no money in it as I would be if there was. Anyway, I worked for a legal service in my early twenties, when I still looked like I was 15 or so...lol, and I often telemarketed appointments. I was often met at the door with a look of surprise from my perspective clients, but within a few minutes around the table that look went away because they realized that although I may look young, I knew my shit and was more than competent. Had an 85% closing ratio, so I guess they were right..lol. When I became a Sales Manager after moving to Alaska a few years later, I actually grew a beard to add a few years to my face. I firmly believe the reverse is true as well. You may look older, but your talent and knowledge will show through during any interview. Hey, adopt my old saying to perspective employers..."I'm your man, Take the sign out of the window and give me thirty days. If your not impressed after that, I'll take half pay and be on my way." It never failed, and neither did I.
Confidence my brother...you are the man! Know that and carry yourself that way when the opportunities arise and look out industry...Boyd is back!!
It is the summer of my smiles...Flee from me keepers of the gloom
17 - Glen Boyd
Thanx for the tip there Scott.
An 85% close rate huh? Sweet. I've done my share of sales gigs over the years and was actually pretty good at it...but it's a very stressy gig and to be honest I'm getting too old for that shit. At my last job, a sales gig, I think I went prematurely gray (well OK, maybe not prematurely but the stress quickened the process quite a bit I think).
By the way I just put up a review of a Neil Young bootleg a buddy dropped by my house yesterday.
Do we dare to tread there?
LOL...
Thanx Scott.
-Glen
18 - simeon
it's time to let the music go when the music lets go of you. TS Elliot writes, 'you are the music while the music lasts'. He also writes that 'acceptance is more important than belief'. meaning that believing you are a talented writer in the music industry and accepting that you are a talented writer in the music industry are seperate concepts. in other words, 'don't stop till you get enough' - MJ (the gloved one). i'm going to check out glass republic now.
19 - Mark Saleski
i (not surprisingly) don't think you should ever let go. heck, i could no more do that than stop eating or breathing.
20 - Glen Boyd
thanx Simeon and Mr. Saleski --
Not sure I get the MJ reference Simeon refers to. But the part Saleski writes about not being able to let go any more than giving up eating or breathing...that part I know all too well. I may end up starving at this rate anyway but I do appreciate the words of encouragement.
Thanx Guys!
-Glen
21 - simian
MJ