In addition to low-pay and long hours, one of the great benefits of a career in journalism is the ability to be publicly crucified by readers. So it is with great reverence that we present staff writer and resident local music guru Mike Bookey with this well-crafted cross courtesy of Mark Smuland. Thanks for the letter Mark. You can pick up your winner’s prize, an Old Mill pint glass and a cold beverage to fill it at our offices, 704 NW Georgia. You can thank Mike while you’re here.
Pass the Patchouli
Mike (Bookey): Step away from the granola bar, put on your Converse high tops, turn up the volume on some real rock and roll.
While I didn’t attend the 4 Peaks Festival, I’ve been to enough shows throughout my 35 years of attending concerts to know a pechulli (sic) fest when I see one. If I close my eyes, I can see the women spinning in their gauze skirts with their ratty-haired dreadlock kids in tow. Concert of the year? While I do appreciate the promoters of this fest who are trying to improve the music scene in Central Oregon, I don’t think so!
Michael Franti and Spearhead? I did attend this show but primarily to see Built to Spill crush the peaceniks with their 3-guitar assault. I have rarely seen a more contrived show than Spearhead’s. How many sing-alongs can one person take? Those lovey dovey, arm-waving charades with the crowd are only used when the music itself can’t hold your attention. How about that lame-ass cover of that sappy 70’s hit “Dancing in the Moonlight”? I had to go straight to the beer garden to wash the taste out of my mouth from that drivel.
If you really wanted to see a great rock and roll show, you should have seen the Melvins at the Domino Room in July. I mostly went just to see a seminal band of the punk movement for historical perspective. What we all got was a blistering set of music that peeled the paint off of the walls. These guys set the room on fire with their two-drummer assault that left my jaw on the floor. Get off the hippy rock bandwagon and get in touch with the music that really matters.
Mark Smuland
This article appears in Jan 8-14, 2009.
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Dear Mr. Smuland,
Does the name Vishwa Mohan Bhatt ring a bell? No?
You gloat that “I did attend this show but primarily to see Built to Spill crush the peaceniks with their 3-guitar assault.”
I’m wondering if you even have the faintest understanding of the mathematics of music or of the tranquility of peace.
From your words, all I come away with is the grotesque sense that America’s educational system and culture are in total collapse.
I’m not feeling welcomed to your new Dark Ages.
All right Mike! Good to see you’re getting some recognition. Any press is good press, right Mike?
Sounds like Mr. Duray was tapped quite hard by the patchouli wand himself.
I think Mr. Smuland was stating that not everybody who has a taste for music resounds with what Mr. Bookey believes in is a good show.
Look at the list of shows and tell me what any of it has to do with a disciple of R. Shankar? I guess if you look at it in the right light synchronized clapping prompted by Mr. Franti could fit the bill, but only if you stretch it as far as the eye can see.
Just because one digs some good ol’ loud rock n’ roll prompts you to believe “that America’s educational system and culture are in total collapse.”? WTF is that? Get a grip. Your perception of reality is just a touch skewed.
We are far from the Dark Ages, bro. We are entering a time of musical enlightenment and away from the stagnant jamband circus that has clouded this country’s musical taste for too long.
Jerry is dead and with him went the 60 minute Terrapin->Drum->Space->Throwin’ Stones->NFA……And even though I can find tranquility in that, I can find the same sense of peace in a 5 minute wall of sound from Sonic Youth…….