Rough times still for the Deftones and their fans as it was announced recently on Deftones.com that Chi Cheng, bassist for the Deftones, remained in a coma after being involved in an accident November 3rd.
I found the following while checking out the Deftones’ blog:
Chi remains in a coma, and as of this morning there’s been no significant change in his condition. Last week he was moved out of the Intensive Care Unit and transferred to a brain rehabilitation hospital in Northern California. The hospital specializes in the care and management of traumatic and non-trauma related brain injuries with a team of highly skilled therapists, nurses and consultants. He’s in great hands.
It’s always tough to see a rock star involved in something so tragic. Not only is Chi Cheng a member of the very important heavy rock act, he is also involved in his community helping the homeless.
While reseaching how this came about I found the following on Foxnews.com:
Joe Satriani, the famed and respected guitarist, has filed suit again Chris Martin and Coldplay.
The issue: that their soaring, magnificent song, “Viva La Vida,” also the title track from their Grammy-nominated albumof the same name, is plagiarized.
Frankly, the similarity is shocking. It’s not going to take a musicologist very long to testify on this one. Not only are the two strikingly similar, the melody, the chord structure is surprisingly reminiscent of “Viva La Vida.” Listening to it, you can only wonder why it wasn’t a hit in the first place. That, of course, is another story altogether!
The Coldplay record is credited to all four members of the group. So the question will be, which one of them heard “If I Could Fly” and transposed it over to the group, either by accident or intentionally.
So I am slacking on updating here with good quality reading material. My apologies. It was Thanksgiving weekend you know…. I know not a good enough excuse…
Anyways, let’s talk about the gem I came across recently, rather…a few weeks ago. Well actually let’s clear that up by saying my friend John hooked me up with a CD I loved from the past (read on for an explanation) so I guess I was handed the gem.
Where was I? Oh yeah…
It all started when I tried to buy a CD from the Ex-(we’d never fire you after xmas)-change in Kent last month. I was looking for something I have not listened to in a while, something completely random. As I was shopping in Kent I could not help but to think of a certain alt-industrial act from Kent that had a small taste of success. The band was Dink.
As soon as I came to the decision that I would leave that music shop with a Dink CD in hand I went searching for it and found nothing. The CD that comes through the store a lot according to a certain pal who works there just ao happened to be out of stock at the time. I managed to find the Blame It On Tito EPthat Dink released but after getting home I realized the wrong CD was in it…
Fail.
My buddy John who hung out with me later in the week confessed that he had an extra copy of the CD and gave it to me after finding out I was having a hard time finding it.
Score.
Dink
Dink was not around for a very long time but they sure are not a band many have forgotten about. Hailing from Kent, OH the band formed in 1992 and stood out from may of the bands at that time combining elements of industrial metal, hip hop style (mainly excessive samples), and alt punk sounds.
The first time I heard them I was an instant fan. In 1994 the band released their debut self-titled CD under Capitol Records. To me it was a fine mix of bands like Ministry with the industrial feel and Faith No More with the rock jam. At times the lead singer even sang like Mike Patton.
Included on that CD was a song called “Green Mind” that was the band’s big commercial hit. I to this day still listen to the track once in a while. The song, produced by Skinny Puppy‘s Dave Ogilvie, was really the only success the band tasted. The video for “Green Mind”, which I need to mention my good friend Kevin can be seen in it for a brief moment, debuted on MTV’s 120 Minutes. The band was actually discovered by Capitol Records as the track was played contently on a Cleveland radio station program, 107.9 The End’s Inner Sanctum (recently resurrected on Cleveland’s 92.3).
After Dink was released the band recorded some more songs for a follow up CD that would never be released as Capitol Records dropped the band due to a change in the music scene (some of the tracks can be found on the Blame It On Tito EP). Industrial apparently was not “in” anymore and the record label said bye bye to the talented band. With no record deal the band called it quits.
Sucks to see such a talented band just stop because they were let go. I would be very interested in hearing some of the unreleased material that may still be out there. Rumor has it there are 3 cassettes worth of demos floating around out there that the band sold at their local shows before they made it big. I wonder if any of the original band members continued with a musical career or if they just all called it quits and ended their short stint of fame?
Hopefully I will find out one day.
Until then, enjoy the “Green Mind” video:
The voice at the beginning of the video is none other than Ohio’s most overheard rightwing car salesman Bob Serpentini.
Here is an interview I found while surfing the net with an unamed member of Dink. Pretty interesting read.
I don’t want you to feel sorry for me at all because I am working today. It comes with the territory I suppose and in the end I will actually gain something after sitting in my cubicle for 8 hours…2 days off in December. I am ok with that.
The one thing about today that differs from the other days I am here is that it is not that busy. People are being safe today or just waiting until tomorrow to call in for assistance. Anyways, slow days mean I get to use the iPod. That keeps me entertained.
A couple of songs popped up that reminded me of my past throughout my shift. I guess you could say they are jems from my past. Has anyone heard of any of these? If so what do you think?
“Just Another Victim” – Helmet & House Of Pain (Judgement Night Soundtrack) I loved this soundtrack when I was a teenager. The movie was ok but the soundtrack was just awesome mixing up rock with rap. Who would have thought this CD could have started such a trend? House of Pain AND Helmet? Awesome.
“Not The Same” – Dinosaur Jr. I was always a huge fan of Dinosaur Jr. except the time I saw them live. Worst show ever.
“You Make It Easy” – Air I remember I picked up Moon Safari at World Music in Columbus when I was CD shopping alone. I was looking for something new and different from all the metal and punk I was involved in. I sampled this French band called Air and have been a fan of their work ever since.
“Where It’s At” – Beck Whoever does not like this song in some way or sort has issues. I only wish Beck would record material like this again.
“(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” – Minor Threat In my opinion they are one of the best punk bands out there to this day. Even if I was not stright edge when I listened to them in the past I respected them and wished I could have seen them live just once.
“Tonight, Tonight” – Smashing Pumpkins
Still one of my fav Smashing Pumpkins tracks ever. The video alone blew me away when it was over played on MTV. I guess I liked the classic style that was portayed. I also liked Billy’s top hat.
Well that is all I have for now. I should get back to work…as if there is any…
Australian rockers the Vines have canceled their live commitments due to a deterioration in their frontman’s mental health.
In a disarmingly frank website post, the band confirmed that they were withdrawing from live and festival appearances indefinitely.
In 2004 Craig Nicholls was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism, after his behaviour became increasingly erratic. He received treatment and the band were able to continue recording, even returning to the road.
But the situation appears to have deteriorated. The band wrote: “It is with a great deal of regret that the Vines today announce that they have cancelled all of their Australian festival appearances – Homebake, Pyramid Rock and Big Day Out – and their forthcoming Japanese tour, scheduled for late November. Craig Nicholls’ mental condition has deteriorated to the point where he requires immediate help over an extended period of time.”
According to the NME, drummer Hamish Rosser added: “On behalf of the Vines, we would like to extend our sincerest apologies to those of you who have bought tickets to see us perform and will not get to do so. We are all absolutely devastated that we’ve been forced to cancel all our upcoming shows as there’s nothing we love more than playing on stage before an enthusiastic audience.”
I don’t know about you, but I loved The Vines’ debut release Highly Evolved. There was a certain high strung energy felt from the lead singer Craig Nicholls throughout the whole mainly 90’s alt rock inspired CD. I had no idea that he was suffering from such complications. The fact that he did not give up when he wass first diagnosed is amazing yet I can only imagine how hard it is now for Craig Nicholls now that he finally has to take a break for the time being. The band was touring for their latest release Melodia that was released earlier this year.
