This is what I walked into this afternoon. I believe it to be my 5 year olds take on the Vans Warp Tour. It's fully equipped with an outdoor wrestling ring, mega ramp,guitars, a functional skate shop, and a medical and/or beer garden tent. Enjoy the show everybody.
So for this holiday season, Standard Style a locally owned and operated clothing boutique, had a holiday give away each day leading up to Christmas. Guess what..... I freaking won!! I rarely ever win anything, an occasional free lottery ticket, maybe a free carwash because I spend a million dollars a year on cleaning my cars, or my once a summer golf outing when my foursome is so hungover that I get to win only because I was somewhat responsible the previous evening.
So what did I win you ask. A pair of Baldwin denim and an Ever hoodie. The denim are made by a company started by the owner of Standard right here in KC. The hoodie is a somewhat limited run that they won't even have in stock (or so I was told). Regardless it was a very generous gift that I was really impressed with. It's a way cool place with way cool people, so thanks Standard and Merry Christmas.
While we are on the subject of Ben Harper, here is a little goodie form a jazz festival where he, in my opinion, killed it. He's pretty magical when it comes to playing that lap steel and tearing through solos like a tornado in Kansas. He's so good in fact that he has his own lap steel model through Asher, check it out here http://www.asherguitars.com/lap_steel_ben_harper.php.
I've always liked the way this dude has dressed too. He always looks like he just left the coolest vintage clothing store ever made, yet always looks clean and polished. Might have something to do with a little company called Propr. Check it here http://www.proprclothing.com/
I have been revisiting alot of music lately, mainly focusing and playing my favorite bands. I've had this song in my head for the past few days and broke out the Austin City Limits show they played in 2009. Pearl Jam toured with Ben Harper (another favorite) and this stood out in my mind. I love how Ben comes up on stage and greets everybody and gets all giddy, cracks me up.
I DVR'd the RUSH documentary "Beyond The Lighted Stage" last week. I had time to sit and watch it Saturday night and enjoyed the hell out of it. It basically started like any other music documentary and progressed through the years, but the way the story was told is what made it interesting. They have influenced so many artists from Vinnie Paul (who is/was the drummer for one of the most progressive/known metal bands to date). To Gene Simmons ( KISS anyone, anyone ). To Trent Reznor ( Industrial modern sound pioneer of Nine Inch Nails ). The list goes on and on and across so many types of music.
One of the chapters towards the end of the show was how so many generations are fans and followers of this group. Most of the ones that were there from the beginning are now doctors, lawyers, parents, grandparents, etc. They have passed the music on to the next generation and that generation on to the next. I know for a fact I am not afraid to play them in front of my son and hopefully one day he can share an evening of RUSH and become the super fan that I have become. If not I will continue to geek out quietly, under the radar, by myself until the next time I get to share the live experience with the other 20 million world wide geeks. Until then, " Begin The Day With A Friendly Voice......."
Today my son turns five. I mean really? Five years old, where did those last five years go? Well anyway, I'm super proud of this kid and honored to be his dad. He has a huge heart and is such a cool kid. Happy birthday kian, me and mommy are crazy about you and love you lots.
