break the truth with more bad news...

There will be extra large scars when former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, recovers from the severe burns he received in a plane crash last Friday.

Barker, DJ AM, and four others were involved in the crash. The plane crashed shortly after take off from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, South Carolina.

Barker and DJ AM are expected to fully recover, but sadly the other four passengers, pilot and co-pilot, and two close friends of the survived, died on impact of the crash.

Both Barker and DJ AM are in their fans, families, and fellow musicians prayers.

Last Saturday my boyfriend came to visit me at school, and he told me about the crash. I was really sad about it. Even if I don't know a person, I still get really sad when I hear about their death or injury. This article was so vivid and descriptive, I can't even imagine how they must have felt while the crash was happening.

All weekend we followed the story and were happy to find out he would be ok. My boyfriend is a drummer, and we love the music Barker has made over the years.


For those who don't understand the title, it's part of the Blink 182 song Reckless Abandon.

Girl Power!

Girls are everywhere. Really they are. Especially in music. Within the past year more women than ever have made their way into the music scene.

I've never been advocate for Women's Rights and gender equality, which may be bad because I am a woman, but nevertheless I actually like that so many female vocalists are out right now.

I was thinking of new music to download and when I made my list, all but two of the artists were women. When I watch late night vH1 music videos (one of my favorite things) I see an abundance of female singers.

Three of my favorites right now are Duffy, Kate Nash, and Adele. They all have a very different sound, but their lyrical content is amazing, and definitely worth listening to.

Even in my World Music class there are a lot of women from different cultures who play music just as well, if not better than the men. We watched a video of Liu Fang a Chinese Pipa player, and she blew my mind. The instrument she plays looks incredibly difficult but she makes it look like tying your shoes.

So look out boys, the girls are making their way to the top.

Burn Up or Shut Up

Over the summer I fell in love with the Jonas Brothers. I own their CD's and have giant poster proudly hanging in my room. Yes, this may make me lame or a sell-out, whatever. They are truly talented musicians.

Pretty much everyday I hear a new complaint or insult about the Jo Bros. And I have come to the conclusion that the people who make fun of them are just jealous. These three young men are making more money than most of us ever will in our lifetime, and they are making good music that millions of people love. And so what if they're on the Disney Channel, they're on MTV and still get made fun of. And most people grew up watching the Disney Channel anyways.

Their music is aimed mostly at teenage girls, but myself and most of my friends rock out to 'Burnin' Up' in the car, and were 20. Their music is clean also, there is no swearing, or inappropriate content, so parents can be happy their children like them.

Some people can't even let them get away with being pure. Russell Brand, the host of the 2008 Video Music Awards on MTV, made fun of them for wearing purity rings. While I don't wear one myself, it's wrong to make fun of someone for a choice like that, and made him look like an idiot.

For all of the haters, either burn up, or shut up. It's ok if you don't like them, but don't knock them for living the American Dream, because you would too if you could.

Cleveland-Ohio's Music Capital

As I have said before, I have been to a lot of concerts in the past few years. One thing I've noticed is that in Cleveland (my hometown), there are more concerts than in Columbus and Cincinnati. I find this odd because being from Cleveland, I don't think of it as being a large booming city with a huge musical following.

Every time I am on www.ticketmaster.com I look for concerts in the Cleveland/Akron area and also the Columbus area, since it is closest to Marietta. And every time I am surprised to see that Cleveland remains dominant.

Just because Cleveland has more doesn't always mean they're better. Some bands do not go to every city and play, sometimes they only go to one of the major cities (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati). This has resulted in quite a few road trips to see the bands I want to see.

As surprising as it is though, it makes me happy that my city really is the music capital of Ohio.

Concert Going 101 The Final Instalment

Well here it is, the third and final instalment of Concert Going 101. I hope that everyone has learned something and they will put these tips to good use in the future.

Another thing that bothers me is when people wear a shirt of the band they are going to see. Obviously we know you like that band or you would not have spent money on a ticket to their show.

It's cool you want to promote and show love for the band, but do it at school, or the mall, just not the show.

Also if you buy a shirt from the show, good job! You are helping out the band and that is always cool. Here's a tip, if its an opening band or a lesser known band buy their stuff, it will be cheaper and people will wonder about who the band is on your shirt.

But if you buy a shirt from the show, and then put it on right after you buy it, that's lame. It will most likely get sweaty and gross from just being at the show and then you have to wash it before you can wear it. And do not just fling it over your shoulder and expect to have it at the end of the night, I have acquired many shirts that way.

If you're worried about losing your merch, loop the shirt through your belt loops, even if someone tries to grab it, you will feel it. You can also wait until the end of the show to buy stuff.

My last annoyance is doubling up band t-shirts and hoodies. I find no real reason for anyone to have to wear the same band on a shirt and sweatshirt, at the same time. Spice up your life a bit, and wear two different bands, it will make you seem more musically inclined.


Well that's all I have for my concert guidelines, but have no fear I'll keep posting my musical insight.

Concert Going 101 Part 2

I'm back for Part 2 of Concert Going 101. This time I'll be talking about how to act while in the crowd of a show.

Unless you're at the venue super early to get in the front, you're going to have to make your way up close. There are a couple of ways this can be done.

The first way is to push through the crowd relentlessly, my friends and I used to do this when we first started going to shows. Most of the time the people surrounding you get really angry, I almost punched a girl in the head once!

DO NOT try to use the age-old excuse "My (insert family member or friend here) is up there I need to find them." It's the oldest trick in the book.

Instead of getting to the front by being rude, be nice about it. If people look like they're staying in the same spot the whole night work your way around them, just don't block their view. Also, wait till the bands actually start playing and the crowd starts moving, this will allow spaces to open up and you to move in closer.

Moshing, and crowd-surfing are pretty much inevitable at a show. There's no real way to prevent it other than to move away from the people who start the mosh pit. I've been hit in the head plenty of times by random crowd surfers, so don't get angry if you get a Chuck Taylor to the head, just help them along the sea of hands.

One thing that's always bothered me is when people cheer for no reason. Unless you think the stage crew is doing an awesome sound check, save the clapping until the performer(s) take the stage, you don't want to wear yourself out too soon.

That's all for this section of Concert Guidelines. Stayed tuned for the third and final instalment.

Concert Going 101 Part 1

I like to think of myself as a concert connoisseur. I would say that in the past 4 years I have been to more than 100 concerts, or shows as i prefer to call them. Through the years I have learned a few Do's and Dont's when it comes to shows.

Number One
Appropriate Show Attire

- Jeans
- T-Shirt
- Tennis Shoes (flats are also acceptable.)

You always want to be comfortable at a show, if you're not you won't be able to enjoy the music fully.

Inappropriate Show Attire

- Flip flops
- High Heels

- Skirts
- Low cut shirts
- Purses

Unless you enjoy getting your feet stepped on, or losing your shoes, don't wear flip flops.

On the same note, heels at a show are just dumb. Your feet will hurt and you will hurt others and that's just bad karma.

Skirts and low-cut shirts set you up for indecent exposure, so unless you want to pull a Janet Jackson at the 2004 Superbowl (1), cover up. And if you plan on crowd-surfing, it allows creepy people to cop a feel, not how you want to remember seeing a band you like.

A purse is a bother at a show. Its like babysitting a small child, if you lose it you're basically screwed. Try to leave as much in the car as you possibly can, the only essentials you need; cell phone, money, keys and camera, can all fit in jean pockets.

That's all for installment one of Concert Going 101, up next being courteous while in the crowd.







(1) http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/02/superbowl.jackson/