More HyperHeart

More of the Hyper-Active Heart. Branching out. Category: Music I left a big chunk of time off of the last blog I wrote. Mainly 1994-present. It just seemed that by 94, I had found the direction that I would follow. After knowing about the Melvins for 3 years, listening to my own friends in No Talent, and doing the slightest bit of branching out by attending Lollapalooza in 1993 and 1994, I thought the musical sunset was setting. I expected a LONG sunset, but I figured I'd finally found what I needed to hear. Between the 93 and 94 Lolla tours, saw the following acts: Beck, Green Day, Sonic Youth, Hole, Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill, Smashing Pumpkins, what I think was an early version of Ween, and so much more. Some of these bands I still follow. Some, not so much. But for an 18 yr old, these were great times. Two nights of music, camping in a field with thousands of strangers, and just walking around after the show, talking to people around campfires, smoking whatever, and drinking till that lucky ole sun came up. What a time. Unfortunately, at that young age, you don't see the future. You don't even think about it. How was I to know, that in 1993, the Melvins would play an additional fifteen years? Without any sign of stopping? If you forget about the one time tour stoppage, the Kevin era, nothing has ever really slowed them down. How lucky am I/we, that my/our favorite band has been steadily producing an album a year, for 24 years? That's fucking insane. But beyond the Melvins. In the early/mid 90's, the Melvins led me to other bands. I already mentioned Nirvana, AIC, Skinyard, Sonic Youth, Mudhoney, Dinosaur Jr .and others. I then found TAD, Coffin Break, Zeke, and so many others. Between 1994 and 1998 I was steadily watching the northwest scene, while at the same time, ruining my life. A series of bad relationships, and other problems kept me from music and friends for a few years. In 1999-2001 I remember getting to see the Melvins again and again. A return to triumphant times, and bleeding ears. I followed that with another terrible time in life, followed by more music followed by the wosrt time of my life. 2005 was a year that I wish I could erase. Completely wipe it from history. 2005 was also the first time I filmed a show. The Melvins and Jello Biafra. November 5th, 05. Olympia. The final return to music. I taped a beautifull show. Noise, riffs, and Jello's weary rants. I didn't care. I was seeing the Melvins the way I was meant to. Me, and them. Live. Loud. Beautifull. Since that time, I've taped many a Melvins show, traveled to Cali to see them a few times, and spent 5 days this last July on the road watching them. I also filmed Triclops, who want to use my footage in a video. A major book publishing company has bought some pics from me to use in a new book on the art of Kurt Cobain. Hell, that paycheck basically funded my 5 day Melvins trip. I learned of Harvey Milk, and Brothers of the Sonic Cloth. Filmed both on their last Portland stop. BOTSC want the film to maybe include in a future video release. Harvey Milk requested a copy too, but probably more for personal use. I finally got to see Boris live. Words cannot explain what they do with music. Melt Banana entered the picture. Such a fun band to watch and hear. BATTLES. Fucking BATTLES. These guys are a band I will NEVER pass up if they're in the Northwest. There really is so much more. For having found out about so many bands with the last year, I feel like I did in high school again. Discovery, discovery, discovery. Keep looking, the bands and music you hear in your head are out there. And if they aren't, start that band. Get shit rollin'.