I posted the below one year ago today and post again in memory to the victims, their families, and fellow Hokies affected by the tragedy.
I live in NYC but my heart is always in my home state of Virginia. I am deeply saddened and shocked by the events today at my alma mater Virginia Tech. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims as well as the entire VT family and community.
By JOHN JURGENSEN
March 8, 2008; Page W1
WHAT TO WATCH
![[sxsw]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-BD012_serene_20080307160136.jpg)
Ryan Barkan, director of marketing and advertising for music publishing company Primary Wave
Band: The Most Serene Republic
Comment:
This Canadian indie-rock septet has "a fun sound that goes with life. I
could see it working well in campaigns," Mr. Barkan says.
The full article, including a quote from my homey Amy R., can be read here
Thanks to this latest report by the Center of Public Health in Liverpool I now know that rock stars are more likely to die prematurely.
Between 1956 and 2005 there were 100 deaths among the 1,064 musicians examined by researchers at the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University. As well as Presley, the toll of those dying before their time included Doors singer Jim Morrison, guitar hero Jimi Hendrix, T Rex star Marc Bolan and Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. More than a quarter of all the deaths were related to drugs or alcohol abuse, said the study in the Journal of Epidemial Community Health.
"The paper clearly describes a population of rock and pop stars who are at a disproportionate risk of alcohol and drug related deaths," said Mark Bellis, lead author of the study."In the music industry, factors such as stress, changes from popularity to obscurity, and exposure to environments where alcohol and drugs are easily available, can all contribute to substance use as well as other self-destructive behaviors," the report said.
Like we didn't have enough sick venues to begin with. What's looking to be the Bowery Ballroom of Brooklyn, the Music Hall of Williamsburg's opening month lineup is lookin' really good. The opening night is sold out but looks like those that feel they must be there can still get in....with bonus features to boot to boot!
Last time I saw Patti Smith she was hawking loogies on the floor of Carnegie Hall. I think I'll might make sure I see her kick off the show calendar at MHOW by heading to Icon Collectibles to bid on a 2 tix to the show, signed lithograph, and a backstage meet-and-greet at the show. The auction goes live today and closes August 26th. One can only assume the number of flying spit from Patti at a new venue will be pretty high. Over / Under 10. Any takers?
One of my photos from the Day of The Child Event ran in this month's Sista 2 Sista magazine. Peep the photo gallery from that event by following the link below
Fresh Bread is dangling its indie-cred on the line as I have been helping to blog MTV's Video Music Awards website since last week. Yesterday I went out to Battery Park to cover the VMA kick off concert. The show featured a few very popular (*cough* mainstream *cough*) artists playing to a couple thousand brave folks who really don't mind a bit of rain for a free show. Fans of Cartel, Chamillionaire, New Found Glory, Rihanna, and All American Rejects were rewarded with a great show despite the nasty elements.
I'll have more pics up later but I had to get what might be the greatest photo I've ever taken up:
...it give me inspiration in music...that is why I can't refuse it...
A sad Thank Jah...It's Friday today. A reggae legend passed on this week:
R.I.P. Joseph Hill (January 22, 1949 - August 19, 2006) - lead singer of Culture
Hill passed away in Beirut while on tour with Culture.
Joseph Hill will probably be best remembered for the impact Culture had on the reggae scene when they first appeared in 1976. During this period the group had a string of highly successful singles for producers Joe Gibbs and Sonia Pottinger. Perhaps most well known was the song 'Two Sevens Clash' which, due to its infectious rhythm and apocalyptic imagery, left a lasting impression on both Jamaicans and UK punks. The 'Two Sevens Clash' album was a landmark in reggae music and was named by Rolling Stone magazine in 2002 as one of the '50 Coolest Records' - the only single artist reggae album to make the list (wikipedia)
I will remember him for two reasons. One, the massively awesome song and 4:20 favorite "International Herb". Two, a Culture show I saw in college at the uber small Bailey's on Main Street in Blacksburg, VA. During this show Joseph wasn't so cool and totally stopped the show to call out a smoker (cigs)...I think I heard a "...damn blasted..." and a "...babylon..." in his ramblings. Virginia is in Tobacco country and as such allows people to smoke in bars (nasty). It just wasn't cool.
On the whole however, Joseph Hill was a massive reggae legend and excellent front man. He will be missed...BIG UPS Joseph, Seen.
A few tracks from Cultural Livity...Culture Live In '98:
