Cut Funding for Military Bands?

In an August article in the Washington-Post, writer Walter Pincus discusses the large number of military bands throughout America and overseas. He suggests the military should cut back funding for "music performance teams" or MPT's.

It seems as though Pincus does not know the true value of music and how it can effect the human spirit.

Kimberly Moore knows the value of music. She knows how important creating and listening to music can be to people who, day in and day out, put their lives on the line. In her article for Psychology Today, Moore argues about the importance of music in the military, its history, and how it has affected the troops from the past to the present.

Pincus was drafted into the Army in 1955 and worked for the Counterintelligence corps in Washington D.C. for five years before he was discharged. Although he was drafted, Pincus never fought overseas, and while he makes a great argument in his article about the large number of bands there are in the Army, Pincus can never really understand what music means to the troops. Music is a way to escape the constant shooting, the deafening bombs, and the years separated from loved ones. Pincus has never truly expierenced  that hardship.

My Grandfather was in the military for five years. He fought in World War Two and was stationed in the South Pacific. While my Grandpa wasn't in a military band, he did however play the bagpipes, and use them as an escape from the bloodshed he saw everyday in the Pacific. He told me stories about him and other soldiers of Irish background getting together,  playing the bagpipes, and sharing stories. He learned tons of songs overseas which he used to play for me when I was a child.

Funding for music and music programs is getting cut all the time, and to deprive our military of the release that music can bring them from the horror they see everyday would be a travesty.

Punk Rock....Raver?

In my last post, I discussed the importance of punk rock and how a generation of young outcasts flocked to its aggressive style. When we think punk rock, we think of mohawks and spikes. Others think of leather jacks and chains. But have you ever thought of glowsticks and strobe lights? Maybe dance floors and glittery clothes? Punk rock may have been loud, arrogant and in your face, but it influenced a whole new generation of musical artists. These artists would go on to create what would later be called "Raver Nation."

There must be something in the water in Manchester, England because there seems to be no shortage of great musical acts hailing from that region. From the Smiths to Oasis, Manchester has pumped out a seemingly endless stream of influential artists. However, one band that seems to go under the radar and is still one of the most influential bands to come out of Manchester is Joy Division. Joy division was directly influenced by the Sex Pistols, another British act. The were signed by journalist Tony Wilson who started his own record label called Factory Records.

Joy Division was a huge success, but unfortunately, while preparing for their first U.S. tour the lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide. However, the band still released their highly-anticipated album "Closer" with the single "Love Will Tear Us Apart" which would be the bands highest charting single. The three remaining members would go on to form the critically and commercially successful band New Order.

But what does this all mean, and how did this start the rave scene? Great question my friend! Tony Wilson, the journalist who signed Joy Division and now New Order, along with Rob Gretton needed a venue were bands with "different sounds" could play. A place free of judgement and an alternative to the mainstream clubs that had filled Manchester at the time. Wilson and Gretton created a venue called the Hacienda, and right away it was a success. It was packed every night and gave bands like New Order a venue to display their new style of music that was not punk, but not dance.



However, by the late 80's, the Hacienda was facing financial troubles and was unable to book big bands. Instead, they booked DJs because it was cheaper. Eventually, every night there was a new DJ. This was the birth of what we now know as night clubs. The Hacienda was the first place to embrace using a DJ and changed nightlife forever. It was the first place to hold all night raves and started "Raver Nation." Though the Hacienda would eventually go out of business, its legacy will continue forever.

And to think, every time you go to a nightclub or rave and dance, you owe it all to some punk rockers from Manchester.

Sheena is a Punk Rocker!!

In the 1970's, bands like Foreigner and Boston were selling out arenas all over the world and ruling pop radio like Genghis Khan ruled Asia in the 12th century. Known as arena rock, bands of that title focused on making long, orchestrated songs with guitar solos that were seemingly endless. They sold millions and millions of albums, but they lacked the emotional voice of the youth during that time. Enter punk rock.

Bands like the Velvet Underground and the Standells had been around since the mid-60's, but it was until bands like the Clash and the Sex Pistols from Britain and the Ramones from Brooklyn hit the scene that punk rock hit a wider, more diverse audience. No matter what background a kid came from, punk offered them an alternative to the arena rock and disco music of the time. It had heart, depth, and was unlike anything that had come before it. Punk rock lyrics dealt with the struggles of everyday. "Chinese Rock" by the Ramones is a prime example of the struggles kids face everyday in the city. "I'm livin on Chinese rock, All my best things are in hock, I'm livin on Chinese rock, everything is in the pawn shop."

In a blog by Russell Hall of Music News, rock music by the late 1970's was becoming "Disco-fied." With its aggressive guitar riffs, and quick to the point songs, punk rock broke away from this mold and developed its own sound, while making sure never to lose focus on the youth. Rock-n-Roll had started as a music for young people in the 50's but it lost sight of its purpose. Punk rock has never lost sight of its original purpose: create music about everyday social issues that faces the youth.

The message of punk rock music was clear through its lyrics. "Don't give into it all, Don't exsist, Don't disgrace, Don't ever judge me!" Any person who ever felt discriminated against or outcasted flocked to punk rock and its powerful message of self-acceptance. Who cares what anyone else thinks. Be yourself and always keep your head up.

Motown: Breaking social barriers with Black music

When you think of Motown, what artists come to mind? Do you think of the soft, sultry voices of the Supremes or dance hits from the Jackson 5? Maybe you think of Smokey Robinson or  the thunderous basslines' of the Isley Brothers. No matter what images come to mind when you think of Motown, there is no doubt that Berry Gordy and the artists of Motown revolutionized the music industry, and paved the way for African-American artists to be commercially successful in a time of extreme prejudice.

While African-Americans were being hosed in the streets and harassed by police, those same police were buying albums from Motown, and paying to see artists like the Temptations often in segregated theatres. Between 1961 and 1970, Motown had 110 top ten singles, all by African-American artists. Even though Motown did have several white artists, they were never able to duplicate the commercial success of the African-American artists.

Motown broke through all social barriers of the time, and, through its new and youthful sound, brought together a younger generation which didn't hold the same racially charged views as the generations of the past. Through music, people were finally able to push aside their views of race and embrace a feeling nationality instead of ethnicity.

The most socially conscious artist on the Motown label was none other than the late Marvin Gaye, and his 1971 album "What's Going On" was not only a critical and commercial success, selling two million albums by the end of 1972, but its socially charged lyrics and new neo-soul, funk style was something that had never been heard before. It is the landmark album in a career with countless hits. With "What's Going On," Gaye brought together black and white Americans with the idea that together they could make a stand against a government who was sending its sons to a meaningless death in a foreign country.

Motown will always be remembered as Hitsville U.S.A. However, Motown is more than record sales and chart-topping singles. It's more than beautifully composed music and choreographed performances. Through the power of music, it brought together a generation in need of an identity, and that's why Motown will live on forever.