Kurt Cobain
Sex , Drugs and Rock and Roll - marketing hype
Clearly rock music isnt about that at all. When I first started playing guitar I often met a lot of guys elder to me playing some crazy cool guitar. I was amazed at their lifestyles. Some were downright nerdy who never smoked a cigarette. They would shred some scales and I would drop my jaw listening to them.
Then again there were a few that I admired but they were all into something. I dont know what they were into but they always seemed they were intoxicted on something. They would play the guitar with emotion and make jaws drop as well.
Got me thinking – after all these years, come to think of it – It wasnt about the genre of music. It was about different people with different orientation.
During the late 90s with the grunge scene, I remember everyone wanted to be like Jim Morrison and like Kurt Cobain. It just seemed so much fun. Self destruction was actually “artful”.
With the violent death of Kurt, I guess it got many people wondering as to how far someone could push the envelope if they wanted to. I think rockers started being a bit more realistic in their outlook about being reckless.
Alice in chains , still one of the best bands I have ever listened to, are champions for me but I cant help but wonder why Layne Staley was depressed all the time. Alice is like Pink Floyd – transports you to another world. I guess the drugs did make these really talented people fall “down in a hole”. What I loved about Alice was the music it created, the unusual drum patterns with the toms and the harmonized vocals. Perfect combo! Lyric wise – you can hear Layne cry out to the world.
I guess there is always some hype everywhere. Thankfully long hair and makeup days are over. Whew! Now we can just focus on being ourselves. If you`ve watched rockstar, I am glad we are in the days of the reformed Chris Cole rather than his glam days.
Funny thing is I still love all them glam bands- loved their shreds, moves and grooves. It worked for them but it doesnt agree with me as an aspiring musician myself. But still we wouldnt be here if not for those guys who made me imitate them when I was younger.
Thanks to rock musicians and artists around the world. They truly make me feel like we arent alone. We truly love the music first and foremost. The hype well, its nothing but a marketing strategy. Lets face it rock music is targeted to a young audience. The young are restless and often supressed by parents and teachers – there would be no better way for them to express themselves freely if someone told them ” Sex, Drugs and rock n Roll” instead of ” Get high with God not with Drugs”! I think they would find the former more appealing. Its just a matter of letting them feel boundless. Usually most dont fall for the hype but unfortunately there are many who think its the ultimate truth.
Layne Staley
