All Hail Caesar

I am a sucker – for I had the chance to see AC/DC perform live in Boston – and I missed it. I somehow rationalize by saying that circumstances that prevented me from attending the show were too strong, but I know in the back of my head that I could have overcome them if I had only had the energy and the commitment – that has the potential to lead me into another topic altogether, so let us stick to AC/DC. I’ve become a fan of this local Bostonian classic rock FM station, WZLX 100.7. Since I couldn’t go to the concert, I was home all day not wanting to do anything else – just listening to this station. It didn’t help that they kept talking about the show as well. They were holding a pre-concert party at The Harp and giving away free tickets through a draw. I could have gone, perhaps – seen “Back In Black” (the apparently very popular AC/DC tribute band) perform, and if I didn’t get the tickets, I’d at least have had a beer or two and a reasonably good time. But I didn’t go. I seem to be digressing again. Back to AC/DC.

I was however, probably one of the earliest listeners of the new AC/DC album, “Black Ice”. It thoroughly and undoubtedly rocks. Unlike “sellouts” like Metallica, the riffs are still powerful, the guitar-work is still magnificent, the overall sound still brings it. That’s right – Angus and the boys are still bringing it. But the biggest attention-grabber is Brian Johnson – he is 61 (that’s right SIXTY-ONE) years old now and still sounds exactly the same as he did during “Back In Black”. Let’s just say his “Powerage” hasn’t faded one bit. In the great AC/DC divide of Bon Scott vs. Brian Johnson – I always take Brian Johnson’s side. I listened to the album and went “Oh, man, this guy’s gonna die screaming someday!” (God forbid). AC/DC have not sold out, and will never sell out (read my lips, Metallica) – they will keep the faith. Their album and concert, on the other hand, did sell out!

Anyway, I know missing the show is going to haunt me for some time – but I have Boston to help me get through it. I love this city for it still loves classic rock and metal so much. Where else would you still get to listen to good old classic rock and metal in almost all of the bars? Case in point – a couple of weeks ago I was hanging out at Beantown Pub – and they played Slayer. That’s right – Slayer – in a pub. I love “Beantown Rock City”. As for AC/DC, I have three words: “All Hail Caesar!!”

Somewhere back in India again

Well, Iron Maiden are coming back to India again. What good does that do me? Not a lot. I happen to be stuck in God-foresaken Nepal. What that means is the only decent concert I’ve ever been to is when I got to see Satriani, Pitrelli and Gilbert perform when I was in Boston. India, which is right around the corner, has meanwhile played host to bands that I truly worship.

Deep Purple came to India. That wasn’t enough. They came again. That still wasn’t enough. They decided to pop in for a third time. Uriah Heep came to India. They all love India. Now, Iron Maiden is coming for the second time that I know of. They’re stopping in Mumbai as a part of their Somewhere Back In Time tour. Nobody ever wants to come to Nepal – and nobody should, either. Besides the fact that a lot of them might not be aware of the existence or at least the location of this country, and it is also logistically impossible as there is not one decent venue in Nepal that could accommodate these bands, they simply should not come to Nepal because the concert-going audience in Nepal sucks: I wouldn’t want to play for them either.

I’ve got a few friends in India, none of whom are Maiden fans, unfortunately. So, all you stranger Indian Maidenites – enjoy while I cut to Seventh Son of A Seventh Son on my iPod.

Jewish and jazzy

Amy Winehouse shows promise. To be honest, so far, all I’ve heard are the three singles off her Back to Black album that have been made into videos: “Rehab”, “Back To Black” and “You Know I’m No Good”. I like what I hear so far, though. She appears to be musically literate and has managed to find that elusive signature jazzy sound – and let’s be honest, since she isn’t that hot, it’s easier to concentrate on the music.

My primary taste in music has always been the classic rock and metal genres of the 60s through the 90s, with a little bit of the blues thrown in. For a long time, I remained confined to this genre – keeping a closed mind about everything else popular music threw at me. With the plague of boy bands and “whore-pop-queens” in the late 90s, I wouldn’t say you could blame me.

Now, however, a lot of new, diverse and good music is coming out – both on the rock and pop scenes. Ever since bands like Franz Ferdinand appeared on the scene, there seems to have been a flood of mellow, civilized rock that’s been going on. You’ve got Maroon 5, Wolfmother and The White Stripes – to name a few. The pop and hip-hop scene isn’t that bad, either. Things seem to be looking up. It has come to a point that I can relax and watch VH1 for quite a while without being appalled by what I hear.

Anyway, back to Winehouse – it’s been quite a while since I’ve actually bought a CD. The music that I listen to is limited to the plethora of MP3s I have on my iPod – which is pretty much limited to my primary classic rock and metal genres, and whatever I get to watch on VH1. Amy Winehouse is different, though. I might just end up buying her album. Let’s not get anyone’s hopes up, though.