I went through a huge Tom Petty phase two years ago and I haven't completely recovered from it. While obsessing over all of those great songs and records, I discovered that he did a book of sorts. It wasn't an autobiography, per se. Instead, he agreed to a series of interviews with Paul Zollo in which the two of them discussed pretty much every song and every record he'd done to that point. It was a great read for Petty fans as it took you inside the records and the songs and to an extent inside the mind of Tom Petty.
One thing that stuck out for me in that book was when he talked about being approached by fans. He said people would come up to him and tell him he'd written the soundtrack to their lives. I like that phrase. I understand it. Music is merely entertainment for some people. For others it's even less than that, to them it's a commodity, or just an accessory for whatever image they're trying to create. For me, it's all of the above and more. Sure, I've used music as an identity trinket and there's nothing wrong with music that entertains but for me it goes further than that and when it gets inside you, songs, albums, and artists become a part of your life because they're a part of your memories.
I can't say that there is one single artist who has written the soundtrack of my life, but there are a handful of artists who have contributed sizable chunks to it. I didn't realize how many memories I have attached to songs and albums by Toad the Wet Sprocket and Glen Phillips until I was able to book Glen to appear on my BlogTalkRadio program. As I prepared for that interview, I listened to the records and started cataloging memories. Here are just a few of them:
- 1992: "Walk On the Ocean." Toad the Wet Sprocket. Even though I was still firmly ensconced in my high school hair metal foolishness, I was already a sucker for great harmonies having been permanently altered by listening to the Beatles on oldies AM radio. They had my attention.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Great Article...
for me it goes further than that and when it gets inside you, songs, albums, and artists become a part of your life because they're a part of your memories.
Being a MetalHead,for me, was more about finding music that had passion & musicianship and in the late 80's there were plenty of underground Metal bands producing far more passionate & meaningful albums than what was on the radio. Dream Theater Images & Words got me through some horrible times.
That said, Toad.. was one of those bands that had a unique sound & passion for their brand of rock. Fear was also the beginning for me with the songs "Pray Your Gods" & "Stories I Tell" , the latter being just as heavy as alot of the "Hard Rock" of the late 80's. That album was a crutch for during my hardest break-up. When I found Bread & Circus, that's when I truly became a fan & Pale just made it that much easier to stay one.
That is freakin awesome that you were able to interview Mr. Phillips!! I hope the guys get back together for a few more albums & tours. I would love to get the chance to catch'em live...
2 - Phillip Winn
That was a fantastic interview, Josh!
3 - Phillip Winn
I should add that the article is fine work, too.
4 - Josh Hathaway
Brian, my thanks for the kind words, sir. You know, I never thought of how heavy "Stories I Tell" is, but you're not wrong there. There is a heaviness to the sound of that. It's not metal in the classic sense, yet there is a heaviness to it. I listened to that song twice yesterday. it's definitely a favorite.
And as for passion and musicianship, as a "retired metalhead" I understand that as well. Toad was never a band of virtuosos, but those albums they did with Gavin MacKillop always had a very professional sound to them. The music stands up very, very well.
Phillip, thanks for your kind words and for being there to listen. I hope I asked some questions that led to some interesting responses for everyone who tuned in. If you missed it, the show can be downloaded in the archives.