Useless knowledge has to count for something, right?
So the question becomes, if you have spent several years of your life (usually in your early post-high school or college years) in the mad pursuit of acquiring such useless facts as who was the inspiration for Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady Of the Lowlands", how is such knowledge put to use once the time comes to finally grow up?
Some of us, like myself, for example, were fortunate enough to parlay such knowledge into careers in the entertainment industry for a few years as snobby critics or low level record executives (I actually did both).
The select few of us left who hit the nerd's jackpot became millionaire computer Poindexters. As for the rest of us? Well, think of the comic book guy on The Simpsons or the guy wearing the Spock ears at your nearest Star Trek convention.
For me, this particular dilemma has been dead and center for at least the past several years since I was sent packing home to Seattle from my (actually not so) cushy record label job in L.A. This has been particularly true since I turned fifty a few months ago.
So again, the question simply becomes this:
How do I take my encyclopedic musical knowledge, which served me so well when I was the very poster boy for record store geek in my twenties and thirties, and make it work for me now?
Answer: Bar Trivia Games.
At my local watering hole, The Rocksport Bar And Grill, I've been the king of NTN Trivia for some time now. Well, that's actually not entirely true. There are a lot of very smart guys who play there every Friday night, and I can generally hang with them on the general subjects. I hang with them and that's about it, actually. I rarely win the big general knowledge games.
But on Rock Trivia? I kick ass.
NTN Trivia is played in thousands of bars across America. If you've ever been to one of them, you probably already know how it works. You are also probably familiar with the guys and gals who play it. Guys with screen names like Ratman, Fetish, and Cookie (three of the better players I play with at my beloved Rocksport).
Some use humorous names like Phoc U, when they can get away with it (Steve, the guy who plays at my bar under that very name is good enough to back that up).
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Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Thank you for publishing this Lisa.
-Glen
2 - Smartypants
Wow, does this article ever hit home. But I need to share something with you. I actually did get laid playing trivia. It can happen. After beating the pants off this chick at trivia for sevaerl weeks in my local bar, she finally decided to remove hers for me. The Brainiac thing is a turn-on for some girls, and weve been going at it ever since. And let me tell ya something, nerdy chicks look much better once the jeans come off. Like rabbits we are...
3 - Glen Boyd
LOL Mr. Pants....
Thanx for giving a geek some hope.
-Glen
4 - lono
Listen here, Lono writing from Colorado. I have reason to believe I am the greatest rock trivia dork in history. Any chance we can meet online for a game? Last I remember, NTN was online... and I have a kegerator here to ensure I am disabled to the maximum safe amount of beers!
5 - Glen Boyd
Lono,
I've never played NTN online, but I'm always up for a challenge. If you wanna give me the particulars of online play, I can assure you that you will have met your match.
Game on?
-Glen
6 - Christopher Rose
Nice piece Glen.
7 - Glen Boyd
Thanks Chris. It was high time I embraced my inner nerd I guess. LOL...
-Glen
8 - Java Joe
Iused to be pretty good at rock trivia... then suddenly without warning grundge hit and although I liked the sound... I stopped paying attention. I can't even remember a Pearl Jam song... and sometimes wonder if I ever heard one at all. I guess it just didn't matter any longer.
I don't even listen to classic rock any more... I hardly listen to anything... I do get into Muzak... don't ask me why... I don't know...
Sigh.... rock on.....
9 - Glen Boyd
Damn Java Joe, you sound so depressed. Maybe you need to pour yourself another cup of that Joe or something. Theres still some good music out there, though I admit you have to search a bit deeper to find it these days. So cheer up mate, okay?
-Glen
10 - Elvira Black
My man Glen, I can relate all too well to the rock trivia thing. It truly is a blessing and a curse. I could usually name that tune in a nanosecond. And of course, in college I got an A in Rock Music--an accomplishment that still makes me swell with pride.
I'm firmly convinced there's two types of people: music nerds and non music nerds, just like pet people and non. I hooked up with a major music nerd for 20 years, and now I'm with a "non." He's the type of guy who was too poor and too busy working to build up a record collection, and got most of his music spoon fed to him through the commercial radio stations. He didn't even have MTV in the 80s (not that it didn't suck). We truly do exist on different planes, but I've become soft too. I do feel a little like Java Joe if truth be told.
I've been thinking of doing a post on this general topic, and I do believe you've inspired me. Thanks Glen--great piece.
11 - Glen Boyd
Thanx for the kind words Elvira. I'll look forward to reading your article...glad I could inspire ya too!
-Glen
12 - Dave Sands
Classic ROck Party Time Trivia DVD GAme was great fun, we partied hearty to it.. if you know what I mean, great questions on the best rock music of all time.