So, I have decided to ask myself these questions so I can know what it’s like to be put on the spot and define my musical tastes for all of you to admire and or judge. Full disclosure: I used to play the trumpet when I was a lad, so I’m qualified and of sound mind to know what’s good from bad. Aside from writing for the Weekly, I deejay from 2 to 5:30 a.m. every Wednesday morning at 91.3 KXCI F.M.
What was the first concert you attended?
My friend wanted me to go see Chamillionaire and local rap group Dog For Life at the Rialto. I had to stop him from fighting someone because they stole a free shirt he caught. My argument was, “Are you really going to fight someone over a DFL shirt?”
What are you listening to these days?
At the moment the Black Keys’ Turning Blue pique my interest. I have really been into Future Islands, Megafona, Isaiah Toothtaker, Greyhound Soul, Godhunter, Pork Torta, Mission Creeps, Bad Brains, Electric Blankets, Sorry About the Garden, Evasion, Kvasura, The Living End, Prince and Art Blakely.
What was the first album you owned?
Sadly, the first cassettes I owned was the Ghostbuster and Ninja Turtles soundtracks
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don’t get?
Country pop isn’t for me.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Unfortunately, I never got to catch a Chango Malo show. I would have really liked to see Nirvana, Charles Mingus, New York Dolls, The Smiths, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke and Melody Gardot. Gardot is my number one request for the 2015 Tucson Jazz Festival.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Destiny’s Child and My Chemical Romance.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
The Flash Gordon Soundtrack by Queen because if there is an afterlife, I hope I’m sent to intergalactic journey to save the universe.
What artist changed your life and how?
Honestly, I have to say Bayside. My highschool sweetheart introduced me to their music at a perfect time in my life. Their lyrics and music has always spoken to me in countless ways for which I will be grateful for.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Charles Mingus’ “Passions of a Man: The Complete Atlantic Recordings.”
This article appears in Jun 5-11, 2014.
Jeez, is this as good as it gets?
Who cares?
Here’s a question for you….
What have you done lately to contribute to the greater good?
Here’s a question for you: Besides trolling under an anonymous name, what have you done for “the greater good?”
Please post a link with your full name and picture of your mug so we can all admire how much better you are than me.
Henry,
That is my mug, solarized. To know my name, something must be in it for me, some significant contribution from you. What have I done lately? I don’t usually tout my lifestyle, but since you asked, when it rains, I harvest water in great quantities, I recently added solar panels to my house. I drive a Prius…I know, bring on the criticism. I volunteer once a week for a charitable institution which will remain nameless to protect it’s dignity (apparently of which I have little for striking at your bait). I’ve raised 2 kids with jobs, who make a contribution to society. Hands on parenting which includes the diapers, etc. I contribute to my grandkids care, again hands on, diapers, wrestling, playing, reading, etc. I pick up trash in my neighborhood, help with planting trees, recycle religiously, even fanatically. I save gray water for the plants around my house and attempt to help out my neighbors when they need it. I bike as much as possible for groceries, commuting, and quick trips. I worked as an underpaid educator for nearly 30 years, obviously not for the money but for the engagement with bright students and the love of the content I taught.
The key is that I don’t think I am better than you or anyone else. I just am. I read the Range and Weekly to be informed, educated, enlightened, and improved. I expect excellence from most aspects of life, and when I am disappointed, i make comments. Your self involved mental masturbation today belongs on Facebook or some such social media of which I don’t subscribe or care about. Don’t print pablum in such accessible media as the Range if you can’t take the criticism.
Ronko, you forgot to mention that you are insufferably full of yourself.
He asked what I’ve done lately…know that I do not feel above anyone. This is just how I live. In fact quite the opposite, I suffer from low self esteem. Nevertheless, this is no criticism on Henry…just the article. Those are different things. One should aim high in the public or private sector. Seems like one who interviews him or herself particularly with inane content….now there’s an ego with which to contend. Yet, I plan to take your thoughts to heart.
“Please post a link with your full name and picture of your mug so we can all admire how much better you are than me.”
Better than I.
Alright you two . . . don’t make me come over there and knock your pointy heads together.
BTW: I happen to like Henry’s “self involved mental masturbation” piece of “handy work”. [Pun intended] His humor and good taste reign supreme here as in all of his articles.
Keep on making Tucson and this planet a better place to live . . . that goes for the both of you.