I'm Tired

 I'm Tired

An impromptu poem 

by Aaron D. Backes

I'm tired

I'm tired of bad things happening to good people

I'm tired of stupid people being put in positions of power

I'm tired of greed

I'm tired of people who refuse to listen to doctors and educators in favor of politicians and political pundits

I'm tired of the MAGA movement

I'm tired of political fights 

I'm tired of politicians who would rather argue with people in the opposite party instead of doing the job that they were actually elected to do

I'm tired of people who are far different on social media than they are in real life

I'm tired of people who try to push their viewpoints on others

I'm tired of how overly complicated job searches and applying for positions can be

I'm tired of companies whose executives are paid hundreds of times more than their average employees

I'm tired of businesses offering low pay and unappealing benefits, only to complain that "no one wants to work anymore"

I'm tired of not having enough time to pursue more creating writing and drawing

I'm tired of how expensive life can be

I'm tired of people who complain about every little insignificant thing

I'm tired of individuals who always have to be right

I'm tired of policies that simply don't make any sense

I'm tired of programs that were designed by people who aren't the end users

I'm tired of cruelty and hate in the world

I'm tired of the increasing lack of civility

I'm tired of people being shitty to one another for no good reason

I'm tired of the "us versus them" that I've noticed in many different aspects lately

I'm tired of hypocrisy

Hell, I'm just plain tired

That's all for me for now. Had the base concepts for this piece ruminating in my head for a while. Hope you enjoy it. Until next time, have a great week, and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Real is Rare

 Personal relationships were a lot easier when I was little. I had parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends I could trust and count on. I was raised to follow the golden rule and treat everyone with whom I came into contact with courtesy, dignity, and respect. It's something that I still adhere to today.

Maintaining personal relationships can be difficult, even in this age of the Internet and social media. We have so many things trying to get our attention. Some are more important than others, but the people who care for you will show you that they care over time. 

I'm very thankful for the people that I can rely on. Some of them are closer to me than actual blood relatives. I've learned to differentiate between those who are blessings and others who are nothing more than burdens. 

Whenever I meet someone new, I try to keep an open mind. I've met some truly amazing individuals. I've also met some people who are quite attractive on the outside but turn out to be very ugly human beings on the inside. 

I've definitely been burned by some people in the past. As much as I dislike what happened, those experiences have shaped me into the adult that I am now. I learned my limits and what I'm willing to accept and reject.

I'll always be true to those who matter to me, but I'm not going to bend over backward for people all the time. I'm not going to make an effort for those who don't and I certainly won't keep giving for those who consistently take far more than they ever give. 

I know that there are people who will never reciprocate or show me the same kindness and courtesy that I've shown them. I'm okay with that. I'll just focus on those who treat me how I want to be treated and make myself more of a priority in my own life. I can't let others take advantage of me, ignore me, or take me for granted anymore. Life's too short to allow shallow, narcissistic people like that to get into my head and make life miserable. 

There are some great genuine people in my circle, who I treasure each and every day. They make me remember why life is worth living. Real people like that have been increasingly rare nowadays. It's rather amazing how social media has brought forth so many profiles of people who are nothing like their online personas. 

Just had to get that off my chest. I've been removing people that I don't connect with from my life, and I guess it's something that I need to do more of. After all, it's the quality, not the quantity of the individuals in your circle that really matters.

Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Thank God for Rock and Roll!

 Not gonna lie, I've been under a lot of stress lately. Work, Covid and a few other things were stressing me out over the last few weeks. I was unhappy and more importantly, I wasn't my usual self.

I took a much-needed break on Tuesday to attend my 41st Sevendust family reunion. The show was at the Fillmore, a new venue in Minneapolis near Target Field that's only been open for 3 years. It's a smaller club that provided for more intimate performances by MJT, Sevendust and Alter Bridge. 

The concert was just what I needed. It was my first show since late May. I got to catch up with an old friend who was visiting from out of state, along with a few MN locals and my buddy who also happens to be the guy in charge of Sevendust's merch sales.

I hadn't seen my friends in Sevendust in almost a year, and it was another great family reunion. The band sounded just as great as ever and I found myself smiling regularly for the first time in months. I'm so thankful that there are great rock and roll bands to listen to and see in concert. They took my mind off of my stressors for a while and let me appreciate living in the moment. 

Still on a concert high, but that'll probably last until the next show. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#37: Creed

 Creed was a popular rock band from Tallahassee, Florida. They recorded 4 studio albums before dissolving for what we assumed was for good in 2013. However, fans were overjoyed last month to hear that the group will be reuniting next year for the Summer of '99 cruise. 

The band was created by guitarist Mark Tremonti and singer Scott Stapp in 1994. The two were school classmates and had some of the same music tastes. The original lineup was a quintet, including rhythm guitarist Brian Brasher, drummer Scott Phillips, and bass guitarist Brian Marshall. They performed their first gig under the moniker Naked Toddler.  came up with the group name Creed, which stuck. Brasher departed a year later and Creed continued on as a quartet. 

Their first album, My Own Prison, was self-produced in 1997 with an initial run of 6,000 copies through Blue Collar Records. It soon got the attention of Wind-Up Records executive Diana Meltzer. She and a few of her co-workers flew to Florida to see the group perform before deciding to offer them a recording contract. Wind-Up re-released their debut effort that August, which became a big hit. 

Creed used the proceeds from that album to craft their sophomore album, Human Clay. It would go on to sell more than 10 million copies. Marshall's alcohol issues led to his temporary dismissal from the group in 2000. Brett Hestla would take his place on bass guitar. Hestla would tour with Creed, but Tremonti played bass on their third album, Weathered. 

The band continued to tour until Stapp needed to take some time off in 2002 because of injuries that he sustained in a car crash. Stapp's pain medication and addiction issues also contributed to Creed's first breakup. 4 concertgoers filed a lawsuit against the band that year, stating that Stapp was unable to complete the lyrics to a Creed song in concert because of chemical influence. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and the band issued a public apology, but the damage to their reputation had already been done. 

Their first disbandment was in June 2004. Tremonti and Phillips joined forces with Marshall and former Mayfield Four frontman Myles Kennedy to form the band Alter Bridge, while Stapp pursued a solo career. Wind-Up issued a Creed greatest hits album in November 2004 and no new Creed tunes would be heard for another 5 years.

The classic Creed lineup (Stapp, Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips) returned in June 2009, and their fourth studio album, Full Circle, was released that October. Eric Friedman joined the group as a touring guitarist and they toured regularly from 2009 through 2012, even though their shows weren't all as well attended this time around as they were when the band was supporting their first three albums. 

Creed has been inactive since 2013. Stapp still continues to perform as a solo act and was involved in the group Art of Anarchy. Tremonti has been busy with both Alter Bridge and his solo group. Phillips has been involved in Alter Bridge and Projected, a group that also includes Friedman and Sevendust rhythm guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vince Hornsby. 

The group announced on July 19th of this year that they would be part of the April 2024 Summer of '99 Cruise. The cruise sold out in a matter of hours. It remains to be seen whether or not they will add more tour dates. In all likelihood, any tour dates would probably be in 2024, because both Stapp and Alter Bridge are currently touring as separate acts. 

I haven't seen Creed play live in concert yet, but this latest reunion has definitely intrigued me. I've seen Stapp and Tremonti's solo acts along with Alter Bridge. In fact, I'm going to see Alter Bridge with Sevendust again on Tuesday. Based on how well the cruise performance announcement was received by loyal fans, I'm fairly confident that any future Creed concerts will be well attended. 

Well, that's all for now. This is the last article in this series that I'll be writing for now. Future blog posts will be on different topics. I may resume this series sometime in the future. If there are certain rock bands that you'd like to see covered, please let me know. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#36: 9Electric

 9Electric was a fun rock band that I saw open for Gemini Syndrome at the Fine Line in Minneapolis a few years ago. I still have the signed poster, CDs, and guitar pick from that show. Unfortunately, they broke up a few years ago but their music still lives on.

The band consisted of drummer Nick Ramirez, guitarist Mikey Lopez, bass guitarist Ginny Eck, and singer Ron Underwood. They were active for about 10 years, beginning in 2010. Control, Megalith, Omegalith, and The Damaged Ones were their studio albums.

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of current information about this group. There aren't any posts newer than 2020, so I have to assume that they're no longer active. That's a shame because I really did enjoy their live set. I hope that the band members enjoyed their run and are successful in their current ventures. 

Well, I guess that's all that I can write about 9Electric. Next time, I'll talk about Creed, a popular rock band that's making a bit of a resurgence next year. Until then, have a great week, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#35: Slash's Snakepit

 Slash's Snakepit was a side project that recorded a couple of albums. With all of the past band members currently busy with various projects, it's doubtful we'll ever see a third album from them. However, they were definitely fun while they lasted.

Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash (real name: Saul Hudson) recorded a few demos at his Snakepit home studio shortly after finishing the Use Your Illusion albums tour. His bandmates Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, and Gilby Clarke contributed to the new material, along with Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez. Slash presented the tunes to Axl Rose, who eventually turned them down. Inez, Slash, Clarke, and Sorum decided to record the demos, and Eric Dover was brought in to sing on the songs. 

Dover and Slash co-wrote the lyrics for each track on the record titled It's Five O'Clock Somewhere. The album was issued via Geffen Records, whose management wanted it to be listed under the group name Slash's Snakepit instead of just Snakeput as Slash had initially wanted. Slash's brother Ash created the cover artwork which also included efforts by Brazilian percussionist Paulinho da Costa, harmonica by Teddy Andreadis, and keys from Dizzy Reed. 

The bluesy rock album that debuted during a GNR hiatus was well-received by peers and the general public. The group even went on tour for a while, with drummer Brian Tichy taking over for Sorum and James LoMenzo holding down the bass guitar spot in the band. Soon after Axl announced that he was ready to resume work on another Guns N' Roses record, Geffen dropped their support of Slash's Snakepit, and the side project bit the dust not long afterward. 

Slash left Guns N' Roses in 1996 after tensions with Rose began to boil over. He occupied his time by playing in Japan with Chic, an American disco group, and performing with drummer Alvino Bennett, bass guitarist Johnny Griparic, saxophone player Dave McClarem, Andreadis, and guitarist Bobby Schneck in a blues cover band that would later be called Slash's Blues Ball. The blues group played and toured until 1998.

At one point while Slash was playing in the blues group in 1997, he talked to Griparic about possibly resurrecting the Snakepit project. Hundreds of singers auditioned for the revival before Rod Jackson was selected. Drummer Matt Laug and guitarist Ryan Roxie rounded out the lineup. The group worked on new music and had to search for a new label before settling on Koch Records. By then, Roxie had been replaced by Keri Kelli.

Their sophomore effort, Ain't Life Grand, was released in October 2000. Unfortunately, it didn't fare as well as its predecessor. Complaints about Slash's new band members, the tunes, and the songwriting on the album were made. Those and other criticisms made the news that Koch dropped the group from their label a couple of months later hardly surprising.

The revised lineup still went on tour with AC/DC to support the release. Slash developed cardiac myopathy because of repeated drug and alcohol abuse, which caused him to miss several tour dates. Slash's Snakepit returned to the road the following summer, but the writing was already on the wall. Another clash with a singer, this time Rod Jackson, was listed as one of the main reasons for the group's second (and thus far final) breakup in the first half of 2002. 

Slash has since returned to Guns N' Roses and also started his own solo band in 2010, with Alter Bridge singer Myles Kennedy on lead vocals. Myles was one of several guests on Slash's first solo record, before becoming the permanent lead singer for their tours and subsequent releases. This new group debuted six years after another side project, Velvet Revolver was formed. That group included Sorum, McKagan, Dave Kushner on guitar, and Stone Temple Pilots frontman on lead vocals. Velvet Revolver recorded a pair of studio albums before calling it quits. 

Because it's been over 2 decades since the last Snakepit album and Slash's busy schedule, I really don't think it's realistic to expect a third record by that particular group. I enjoyed their albums but didn't get to see them in concert. I have seen Slash's solo group play live twice so far, and have to say that they are quite entertaining. There are plans for them to record again next year after Alter Bridge's current tour comes to an end. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll do a quick write-up on 9Electric, a fun group that I was fortunate enough to see with Gemini Syndrome a few years ago. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone! 

Whatever Happened To...#34: Type O Negative

 Type O Negative was a great heavy metal band I've admired for years. Unfortunately, I never got to see them live in concert. Lead singer and bass guitarist Peter Steele passed away in 2010, so it's unlikely they'll reform, but they made memorable music while on the rock scene.

The group was created by keyboardist Josh Silver, Steele, drummer/percussionist Sal Abruscato, and co-lead singer/guitarist Kenny Hickey in the late 1980s. They originally called themselves Repulsion and later went by the moniker Sub-Zero before settling on Type O Negative as a band name. Roadrunner Records signed them to a recording contract in 1991, since Steele was technically still linked with them because of the agreement that had been in place with Carnivore, his previous group. Their debut album, Slow, Deep and Hard debuted in 1991.

Type O Negative's first record was soon followed by The Origin of the Feces in 1992. This recording included previously unreleased songs and songs that were not really recorded live from their first record. 1993's Bloody Kisses was the group's first gold-charting album. It put them on the map and they started touring in support of the record. By then, Johnny Kelly had replaced Abruscato on drums. Their fourth effort, October Rust in 1996, was well-liked by critics and fans alike. 

Their fifth record, World Coming Down, was written and recorded in 1999. It was a darker, moodier album, influenced by a few losses in Steele's personal life. Type O Negative's first compilation disc, The Worst of Type O Negative, was released in 2000. It had several hits along with B-sides and covers of classic rock tracks. 2003's Life is Waiting took a more melodic approach and was a return to form for the band. Type O Negative signed with SPV Records' Steamhammer imprint in 2004. Their only studio recording for that label, Dead Again, was released in 2007.

Steele died on April 14, 2010. The official cause was listed as sepsis due to diverticulitis. Kelly and Hickey confirmed rumors of the band's demise that November. In 2011, Roadrunner Records issued a Black Friday set of all of Type O Negative's records (Dead Again was excluded from this release). The group had been working on new music before Steele's demise, but the surviving members are currently busy with other projects, so we may never hear those songs. 

I liked Type O Negative because they defied classification. They never really fit in any one specific genre of music. They could be dark and heavy and soft and melodic in different songs on the same album. Type O Negative also recorded some unique covers. I can't hear the Neil Young classic "Cinnamon Girl" without thinking of Type O Negative's version. Thankfully they left behind some great albums and soundtrack songs for us to enjoy.

Well, that's all for now. Next week, I'll write about Slash's Snakepit. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!