SHUT UP!!

I usually don't get into politics, but today I was so furious that I have to let this be known.

Today I saw the news that crime in New Orleans is out of control. I will preface my response by letting you know that I have been through New Orleans many times and I have spent some time there and have several friends on the police force who live in New Orleans. They provided security for me on many occassions and they are very VERY good at their job.

The protest over the rise in crime was complete crap! The reason the police don't crack down is because the people won't let them!

Remember the issue last year where a black school teacher was beaten by police on Bourbon Street outside a club? Well here's what you should know. The school teacher was a beligerent drunk who was fighting with the police and resisting arrest. I've worked in bars most of my life and when you have a large drunken idiot. You need to take him down with the right amount of force. If he resists, you use more. If you watch the video, you can clearly see him resisting arrest. I was taught from childhood, NEVER argue with a cop!

Did the people care that he was resisting arrest? NO! They wanted the officer's heads on a pole!
Who are they supporing in New Orleans? Their public servants? NO!

So now the police can't arrest anyone without having to face the Spanish Inquisition. Even the mayor was denied the ability to speak at the protest to address the issues.

So what does that tell us? You DON'T support your police department. You DON'T support your public leaders. All you do is whine and complain no matter what anyone does to help.

All I can say is - SHUT YOUR HOLES! SHUT YOUR F^$&(%G HOLES! You made the cess pool now live in it!

Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum!
Well it's Christmas time again and a great time to get something special for the drummers in your lives. If you don't have a clue what to get your little skin-banger, here are some great ideas.
For the beginners, there is nothing more important than keeping them inspired. There are a lot of DVD’s available that not only teach like Neil Peart’s ‘Anatomy of a Drum Solo’ but also inspiring performances like Buddy Rich and his Big Band, Rush‘s 30th Anniversary Tour, and Dream Theater‘s latest DVD. Check your local music store, Best Buy, or online.
For the players, a nice leather stickbag for all our gear. I’ve never known a drummer that didn’t have the classic black Zildjian t-shirt. Get it bigger than they wear, they will have it for a very long time. Maybe a TAMA jacket, or a DW baseball cap.
A case of sticks is always appreciated, just make sure you know what sticks they use. Cymbals are also a very nice gift, you can get a nice splash, mini-china, or some interesting effect cymbal. They are usually affordable and I guarantee your drummer will find a place for it on their kit.
Finally, there is always gift cards. Check your local music store. You could help them get a new set of heads, a new pedal, or that new piece of hardware.
Any one of these gifts will show your drummer how much you care. It doesn’t have to be much but it will mean loads.
Merry Christmas!
Daniel Hogan

The Future Automobile

I believe that the future of the automotive industry is in the driverless car. Even though there are many driving enthusiasts, the driverless coach can change the whole industry as we know it.

Imagine being able to get into your car, or I prefer 'coach', and tell the gps navigation system your destination. Away you go sitting in a comfortable seat reading the morning paper, checking emails, watching the news, doing your makeup, taking phone calls, etc., and you don't have to worry about actually driving! How many people do this while they are driving already? YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Your trip to work takes less time because there is no gridlock on the main roads. Traffic jams are mainly caused by slow reaction times and human errors. Same goes for traffic accidents. So as the stoplight turns green, all the cars accellerate at the same pace maintaining a close but safe distance. Computers can react thousands of times faster than humans and with a guided automoated system like this. Traffic accidents would become almost non-existent.
Just imagine how that would affect insurance rates! I doubt you would ever need insurance because the odds of actually having an accident in a automobile like this would be ridiculous! Even as there would still be non-guided autos on the road, a guidance system like this would be more effective at avoiding the accident than most human drivers.

Travelling on work or vacation would be better. The guidance systems will allow for faster travel and safer highways. There would be less highway patrol necessary and they could be more focused on other issues. If there was an accident, the gps system can reroute traffic automatically avoiding delays and further accidents.

There is a large population of consumers that would probably welcome the day that they wouldn't have to drive. This is a step in the right direction.

Graham Broad and the Dream Gig
By
Daniel Hogan

In the world of music, there are very few of what I would call ‘Dream Gigs’. When Kenny Jones stepped into Keith Moon’s position in The WHO, or Phil Collins filled in for John Bonham, they had the opportunity to not only fill the shoes of a legend, but also have that rare opportunity that so many of us dream about - being able to play those legendary songs with the musicians that made them great.

One of those groups, who I have always been a fan of, was PINK FLOYD. Their music has always been part of the soundtrack to my life. More importantly, was the works of Roger Waters after his departure. The separation was not popular, but I feel now was necessary. Roger always has a story to tell and his solo recordings have been a smorgasbord of intellectual songwriting. Thought provoking pieces, that are produced with the care and nurturing of a master chef serving up his finest dish. THE WALL was a grade school project for Roger Waters as compared to what he accomplished with The Pro’s and Con’s of Hitchhiking and Amused to Death. Now his opera Ca Ira is complete and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

On a cool evening in September, I got to see Roger Waters perform The Dark Side of the Moon in Noblesville, Indiana. Along with his band of hand picked musicians, not just a couple of pals from back home, but a designer group of some of the finest musicians I could imagine. From John Lord-Alge, Snowy White, and the amazing Jon Carin, to three of the most amazing background singers you have ever heard. Then there is the one person that I envy most. The guy that gets to play the rototom solo on Time, the guy that gets to play Shine On You Crazy Diamond, the guy that gets to play Perfect Sense, the guy that has the job every night that many of us would kill to have.

The man who fills this ‘Dream Gig’ is an unassuming gentleman by the name of Graham Broad.

Who? You may ask. I thought so too, so I did some research. There was not a lot of information. As a matter of fact, I found the same bio on several sites, but the information I got was interesting. Not only was Graham the drummer for George Michael in WHAM, but he performed for several years with Tina Turner. So he has proven that he is one of the many drummers that I have come to respect and admire for their amazing ability to maintain a career in music without becoming involved in the trappings of fame or notoriety. Well, I hope to change that a little for Graham for a couple reasons. One, he is truly a talented and amazing drummer, and two, I think he deserves it.

Graham’s playing is something that every drummer needs to see. He plays with a lot of restraint, yet when he does add something, it is extremely tasteful. It is too easy to overplay a part, and a lot of modern drummers have that tendency to want to fill every second with noise. When Graham plays a part and adds a fill, you know it, and it fits so perfectly within the music.

I can tell that he has had a lot of classical training, he uses a lot of rudimentary stickings and his technique for the drum is to pull out of the drum to get the best tone. I also like the way he plays with his hands on Perfect Sense, his arms flow with the notes like a hand percussionist should. Throughout the evening , Graham played without showing any signs of fatigue and was solid as a rock. This is particularly difficult when you are playing along with sequencers and samplers. The whole performance was as close to perfection as I could imagine.

And that , my friends, is what we all try to aspire to as musicians and performers. To play the perfect show. I can only imagine the feeling of pride that he feels every night after 3 hours of playing some of the finest music ever written, but I can tell you one thing…

…I’d be grinning from ear to ear.