Teach Them Well And Let Them Lead The Way

My little brother Aaron is going to be one weird adult. Or so I think. I am totally confused about what the hell the kids of today do for fun, what they listen to, what they think. When I was 11, my high point was going to Shinders and getting a pack of baseball cards and possibly taping songs off KDWB. I played video games probably about an hour a week, more so if I had a friend come over on a Friday or Saturday. I had very little knowledge of what was "cool" in music and films (although I did get into Clerks pretty early). But I just don't understand how kids now work.

Back to Aaron. Pretty much all he does is play shitty simulation video games like The Sims and Theme Park. That, and play baseball and other little league sports. Unlike me, he never just goes off into the woods or goes off on a bike and explores stuff. The weird thing is, no little kids in my area do. What the hell are they doing? I can remember spending the entire summer outside as a kid, riding my bike up to Brookdale and things like that. My brother would be scared shitless to go up to the gas station two blocks away.

It also is really strange how Aaron really doesn't listen to any current popular music. I am not sure that all little kids have a fondness for crappy 80s pop and Johnny Cash like him. I am pretty sure, however, that most kids between 11-15 really don't have favorite bands anymore. When I was 11, I really liked the Spin Doctors and the song "I'm Gonna Be" by the Proclaimers. And that was lame as hell, but it was pretty tame. Now, you don't really see anything marketed to kids under 16, except for those "Kidz Bop" CDs and maybe "Now That's What I Call Music". The good majority of music played on top 40 radio now is way too raunchy to be convienently marketed to youth. The most raunchy top 10 songs from when I was 11 years old were probably "Whoomp! There it Is!" and "Baby Got Back". And those songs were no raunchier than Rod Stewart telling a woman to "spread her wings and let him come inside" in 1976.

Today, you have things like "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas and "Candy Shop". Hell, sometimes I get a little uncomfortable with the shit they say in those songs.

My point is, how can there be any sort of youth culture if they are all too overprotected to do anything outside of their homes and have nothing to hold them to the current popular culture? I was primed on making my own decisions by going out and experiencing things without my immediate family. This allowed me to discover certain kinds of entertainment and think for myself. Where is this going to come from now?

Rebel Pride And Victory, Unity As One/You Can All Just Kiss Off

I hate the city of Champlin. I hate pretty much every thing about it, from its "trying to be a small town really fucking hard" attitude to its hard assed cops to its love for its Ruby Tuesday and its movie theatre. I always used to joke about how hick-ass Champlin was about 99% white, and now I know I was wrong. It's only 95% white, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Oh, and to all those who called it "Brooklyn Dark" when I was in high school, we actually are 78% white, which doesn't mean anything. I just wanted to call out the bastards who called it "Brooklyn Dark."

In a happy note, I bought the new Alien Ant Farm. I listened to it twice in a row, which is one time more in a row than last weeks purchase of the Thom Yorke solo album. Thom Yorke does rule, although anything that Radiohead does is usually a difficult listen (except for the first two albums). Alien Ant Farm is incredibly poppy and also does rock substantially, which should make them as big as Journey (or at least Cheap Trick). But, unfortunately, they are not. The Alien Ant Farm cult seems to consist of only my immediate group of friends, their roommates, and a few kids who were on the North Hennepin North Star staff with me in 2003. I just do not get it. There are so many fantastic songs.

There is another band that didn't get the love that they deserve in their time that I am a huge fan of. That band is the Marvelous 3. The Marvelous 3 actually sounded like Cheap Trick, but their lyrics were much more witty and the bassist looked like Keanu Reeves. Radio played the hell out of "Freak Of The Week" off of their first album, and then...nothing. A few local stations, 93X and maybe Zone 105, played "Every Monday (off the first album) and "Sugarbuzz" (off of ReadySexGo). I assume that the lyrics were just too damn glam for the "Mommy I hate daddy/My anger faded and fell away from me" era of Korn and Staind. But then Butch Walker (the M3 lead singer) went solo and still can't get airplay on his solo stuff. Sure, he produces everything under the sun, but dammit, someone should be playing his solo stuff too, cause its good. And don't even get me started on Talib Kweli, Lyrics Born and J5 getting no love...

I Wanna See My Smilin Face On The Cover Of The Rolling Stone

So, as I was saying before I left...

I haven't been up to much lately. I have been golfing a few times a week. I really enjoy golf. I always used to shit on golf, but I really like it now. But I still suck at it. Kind of poetic.

I went to see Pearl Jam and Tom Petty a few weeks ago at the Xcel and it was pretty fucking rocking. The two downsides were the stupid silicone sister next to us who got pissed every time I sat down during a Tom Petty song, and the fact that Pearl Jam only played for 90 minutes. The drunk chick was making out with her biker douche boyfriend during the ENTIRE Petty concert, and that made me hate "Don't Come Around Here No More" even more. But Petty really killed on the older stuff ("The Waiting, "American Girl(with Eddie Vedder)" and "Refugee"). And his new song was pretty good also. Oh, and they played "Handle With Care" by the Travelling Wilburys and "Mystic Eyes" by Them. Pearl Jam rocked ass, but they didn't close with "Yellow Leadbetter." That pissed me off.

Guess who's not going to his high school reunion? THIS GUY. I laughed my ass off when I saw that about five people had responded as "yes" to the invite. I hate pretentious places, and Drink is pretty much the definition of pretentious. Every one is dressed in the same fucking button up, and the dudes all look vaugely Russian. Scary.

I fucking hate Young Jeezy, Young Dro, and Yung Joc. What the fuck is up with this shit?

To Nathan Andrew: You know damn well I ain't fucking no one. Except for you.

I am obsessed with Wikipedia. I know its lame, but I have never learned so much about Canadian fast food chains in my life. That and the useless facts about Mitch Hedberg and Dane Cook that somehow make it into every single entry, even if that entry is about the British Judicial System.

Let's Talk About X Baby. Let's Talk About You And Me

I'm really used to being let down. Some things get super hyped and suck (such as Episode 1 or your first sexual experience). Very little lives up to it's hype. I was looking forward to "X3" pretty much all winter. Sadly, "X3" sucked ass. I was incredibly dissappointed by just about everything in the movie. The plot had huge holes in it, there was no character development, and the pacing was fucking terrible. Oooh, Brett Ratner, you egomanicial fuck. Great, I get it, you are soooooo friggin cool. You can make the characters say "bitch" and "dickhead." It doesn't work when the characters sound like they are swearing for the first time. Oh, and next time, don't put the big cliffhanger after seven minutes of credits. Wow, what a dissappointment.

Viva Las Vegas

Vegas was pretty cool. I wish that we could have done some more stuff, but sandwiching all that fun into three days made all of us super tired. Anyways, here are some of the highlights:

-Going out on the first night, getting really wasted while walking up and down the strip and finally passing out at the Mandalay Bay taxi stand at 6 AM.

-Eating Del Taco at 4AM (yes, they have breakfast foods at a fast food Mexican place!)

-Seeing a guy passed out on the sidewalk at sunrise at the Luxor.

-A hooker coming up to Jeff at the pool and asking if he was "Earl." (She eventually found her "Earls" at the other side of the pool.

-Going to get tattoos and then realizing that they were really expensive and that the tattoo shop guy was an asshole.

-Eating the buffet at the Sahara.

-Drinking a "yard long margarita" at the Luxor before we saw one of those shitty topless revues.

-Shitting on Carrot Top fans the same night.

-Getting bombed by the hotel pool in 105 degree heat.

-Walking to 7-Eleven every morning for Slurpees and breakfast.

-Listening to pathetic old women talk world politics on the Monorail.

There was some other great moments, I can't think of them all right now. I would love to go back, as soon as possible. This time, I would like to actually stay on the strip. We had to take a shuttle there every time we wanted to go.

She Goes In And Out And In And Out

I just read the wikipedia entry for In-N-Out Burger (don't ask). I so have to go here when I am in Vegas. I do not care how much the cab fare is. Turns out it has a secret menu where you can order special burgers and fries with names like "animal-style" and 2x2. I love any place that is like Skull and Bones, all secretive and ritualistic.

I Turn To Stone When You Are Gone

The new Pearl Jam is a solid work. I was worried for a second. I realized that I have played the last two live PJ CDs more than I played "Riot Act" (their last studio CD) since it came out. As a matter of fact, I don't think "Riot Act" has come off the shelf for over a year. Anyways, the new one is good. The first four songs rock hard, and I dig "World Wide Suicide" each time I hear it. "Unemployable" really gets to me. I downloaded that song about a month ago, and I liked it immediately. After reading the lyrics, I liked it more. It deals with a man getting laid off from his shit factory job. With my mother about to lose hers (thanks Bill Ford, you prissy little bitch) it really resonates. I still don't get the avacado on the cover, or the gross out pictures in the booklet, though.

The other CD I bought yesterday was "Wolfmother"by Wolfmother. This CD has some Shaq-sized balls, I'll tell ya whut. I love the fact that they are directly ripping of Zeppelin, right down to the mythical album cover. The lyrics are all about fairies and unicorns and mythical lands. There's also some soloing and some Bohnam style drumming. Short story is it rocks. But only when they also do a song about the Misty Mountain is when they ascend the mount of Thor and seize the hammer for good.

Game Of Love, Love La La La La La La

I watched a Bruce Lee doc on the making of "Game Of Death" on AMC today after my usual nap. Wow, that dude was one bad mother. He trained Steve McQueen, James Coburn and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. And Chuck Norris. Chuck was Bruce Lees Padawan. No wonder all those internets think that Chuck is so bad ass.

I seem kind of sad and lonely lately. Probably just the weather, and I'll be back to normal soon. Softball being cancelled didn't help matters much. Either did my visit to IHOP and me realizing that they suck balls. I had to wait nearly an hour for my stuffed french toast. And to top it off, the stoner waiter made fun of how quickly I ate it! Yeah, I have been having stomach problems (I have acid reflux, like John Elway) lately. For the last two weeks, coffee and anything spicy have made me nearly throw up. Thats a little hard when you work at a coffee shop.

Found Kiss "Alive" on CD for nine bucks today. That album actually rocks pretty f'n hard. I used to hate Kiss, but I have grown to appreciate their own special brand of cock rock. I absolutely love the intro to "Cold Gin". "Someone here backstage told me you guys like to drink vodka and orange juice. YEAH!" Oh Paul, why did Ace's solo album kick yours ass?

I Seem To Recognize Your Face. Haunting, Familiar...But I Can't Seem To Place It

Ah yes, Vegas Baby! Locked and loaded, booked and ready steady go! I can't wait! For the last three years I have taken one big, out of the city of MPLS trip. Two years ago, it was Chicago. Last years was Milwaukee. Now onto Vegas. I am so excited, and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control, and you know what? I think I like it.

My big weekend news number two is that I finally got Pearl Jam tickets. I have never seen my favorite band live, so this is going to be an interesting experience. The fact that they are playing with Tom Petty only makes it that much cooler. Not to say I'm a HUGE fan of Tom Petty, but I do like the man's singles. I hope PJ puts on an experience like I have heard on one of the many live CDs I have. I would go nuts if they busted out a rare cover, like "I Got You" by Split Endz. I would also go equally nuts if they played some rare old song, or a B-side. I don't think that they ever play "Oceans" in concert. Or, say, "Dirty Frank." Yes, that would be mint.

I was listening to "Born In The U.S.A" today in my car, and I marvelled that Springsteen had seven top 10 hits off that CD. I don't think that there would be any chance in hell today of a singer/songwriter having more than three hits off of one album. I guess it just shows the quality of the songs that Bruce was churning out at that time. Hell, even the non-singles like "Bobby Jean" and "No Surrender" are fantastic. The best part of this is the fact that "Born In The U.S.A" was recorded after he did "Nebraska," which is easily the most fucked-up major label album by a star ever.

"Nebraska" is just Bruce, his guitar and a harmonica. The music is sparse, but the songs are some of the scariest shit I have ever heard on disc. Songs about being broke, murder, family and cars go on without much hope whatsoever. Legend has it that "Nebraska" is based on a 17 year old who left Nebraska in the late 50s with his girl and killed a dozen people nationwide. The line that this comes from says "I killed everything in sight." Seriously, the album is un-classifiable. It leans toward folk, I guess. An album not for the faint of heart.

I Got More Game Than Parker Brothers

Random Musings from the overactive noggin of Jake:

I'm still not all about gauchos.

Some kid in my American History lecture said, in an attempt to impress a girl, "We live in a country where people think the Molotov Cocktail is a drink." You can't make this shit up.

I'm booking the Vegas flight/hotel tomorrow. It's going to suck dying in a plane crash. If I do make it to Vegas, I will be enjoying the rare West Coast delectables known as Jack-In-The-Box and In and Out Burger.

R.E.M.'s "Don't Go Back To Rockville" is one of the best songs ever.

My iPod keeps playing Metallica. I think I'm up to ten out of the last 100 songs being by those whiners. But hey, when they were on, they were on.

Taco John's Crunchy Chicken and Potato burrito is about five times better than sex.

Brett Favre is still a worthless old bitch who has no chance in hell of winning more than three games next year. And that's if they somehow get Jevon Walker to come back for his stupid old ass to throw to.

The City Pages did not name me "Best Barista" for the third consecutive year. They, however, did give the 22 (Deuce-Deuce) the best strip club award. I will leave this one to Jeff Hills quote, "I'd rather look at you than that fucking stripper."

Controlling Faster, Obey Your Master

The 2006 Northstars campaign got off to a rousing start last night at the Fridley Community playing grounds. The Green Giants won the opener 16 to 15 and the twi-night portion of the doubleheader 23 to 17. The hitting and defense of the boys looked mighty improved over last years sub-.500 fall campaign.

I am so pumped that softball started finally. The five months that I spent waiting were far too long. And we took both games, with me scoring the winning run on a double by my younger brother Jordan. My hitting kind of blew, but I did get 4 RBIs between the two games. Quade went yard, which was impressive. The team we played was a bunch of douches from DeLisis restruant, which doesn't even exist anymore. I found that weird, them being from DeLisis.

To get pumped for the game, we bumped old school Metallica. "Master Of Puppets" (which is the greatest song to get pumped to and has been shortened to "M of P" by the Eickholt boys), "One" and "Sanitarium" were all spun. I think that it has to become a Monday gameday tradition from now on.

Oh, and I heard "I Think I'm In Love" by Eddie Money on JACK 104 and I almost crashed my car into a bus. I friggin love that jam. Then I saw some dude who looked like Bob Dylan from the Rolling Thunder Revue in '75 (weird Gaucho hat, long Jew-Fro) and I got even more pumped. My pumpedness is at a orange level right now.

My Hands Are Small, I Know

I saw the new Jewel video today, and I'm pretty sure that I'm the only person in America who still thinks this. but I really want to bang Jewel. I have had a thing for 'Ol Snaggletooth since 1998, when I saw her on the cover of Entertainment Weekly and got kicked out of Ms. Rudys class for commenting on Jewels "tremenjous breasts." Spectacular.

To the asshole who opposed the Twins, Vikings and Gophers stadiums in the Thursday Star Tribune Editorial page: Go to hell, you fucking retard. This d-bag had the audacity to say that he wanted a laminated card with the outlines of Anoka and Hennepin counties so he wouldn't spend his hard earned money there. This is like those stupid tree hugging bitches who only shop at the Wedge because they don't support big business. Do these fucking morons realize that a downtown stadium will bring in millions? And a stadium will make a hilljack part of Anoka County an actual city? There was one guy who opposed the tax because he would waste $600 over 30 years. I will make a deal with that dude if I ever see him. I propose this: How bout I give him that $600 dollars over the course of 30 years if I can beat the shit out of him once a year with a Torii Hunter model bat? Because I would rather see some ass get the shit kicked out of him then lose the Twins. Its that simple.

And those stupid assholes who say it takes away from education funding? They can go to hell also. I went to public school for 12 years, and guess what? Public schools are corrupt as shit. At Champlin Park, we had no idea where our parking lot funds went. The sports teams were outfitted with professional equipment on money that, technically, could have went to the freaking textbooks or something. But you know what, the teachers who teach at most public schools wouldn't know how to use them, because they are incompetent and burned out on teaching. The only reason that you couldn't miss more than seven days at Champlin Park a quarter was so the district wouldn't lose out on funding. For what? Soy burgers and texts that, I shit you not, said "Electronic Mail is coming!" and were from the early 80s? And don't get me started on all the funding that went to the new Walker and Orpheum. Yeah, athletes get paid a lot, but the enjoyment pro sports teams bring to the people is worth 3 cents on every 20 dollars spent. And yes, I will be paying, because I live in Hennepin County and work in Anoka County.

Thumbing My Way...

Pearl Jam is at Summerfest this year with Tom Petty! Tix are a little spendy (100 bucks for me cause I'm in the Ten Club) but the next night, its Nine Inch Nails. It would be like freaking listening to the Edge in 8th grade all over again.

I think that when the Twins play the Brewers we should do a Mee lee wau kay invasion. Say three words..."We're takin' over" and invade Miller Park. I am sick of these 'Sconnies on campus sporting Brewers gear. .500 one year doesn't make you a good team. Pat Listach and Jim Gantner were the only true Brewers.

Whats the deal with gauchos? I hate those damn things

Oh, and I cracked and started a MySpace. Friend me for random, unsatisfying hookups.

I'm A Fu@#$*& Samurai!

The greatest movie, nay, the single greatest piece of entertainment ever is the 1992 film "3 Ninjas." The dialogue makes "Casablanca" look like a steaming pile of shit. The saga of Tum Tum, Colt and Rocky and their ninja grandpa Maury Tanaka touches every one of the five senses. Actually, it roundhouse kicks them, then feeds them a Coke laced with Ex-Lax. How can lines like "I won't eat dog poop!" and "Rocky Loves Emily" not be on par with "If you build it, he will come," and "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse" in the national vernacular? And the stunts? At one point, you can actually see the Asian actor turn into a white dude when he falls down the stairs. The plotholes are only minor inconviences, though. The most glaring one is this: why are ninjas carrying guns? Doesn't that technically not make them ninjas? And why don't they just shoot the kids in the knees? Oh well, "3 Ninjas" is still the best film ever.

Uh Huh, It Ain't No Big Thang

Vegas, baby! I think May sounds good. Mid May. Leave on a Thursday or Friday, come back on Sunday. Spend way too much money on bullshit and stay buzzed for four days sounds like a good time for me. Plus, after finals week, I will need a break like this.

Eagles of Death Metal is the shit on a shingle. I think that "Peace, Love, Deathmetal" is probably better, but what is better than that one? The only thing I can see hurting the new one is the inclusion of that annoying bitch from the Distillers. God, they fucking suck. I hate the Distillers with all the passion in my heart. Why does everyone think they are soooo punk? Mind you, I'm not one of those d-bags who thinks that the Sex Pistols sold out when they signed to EMI. But the Distillers are not punk, they are just shit, plain and simple. They are lame in the same way that crap punk bands like Pennywise, Guttermouth and NOFX are lame. Too much attitude, and songs that a handicapped monkey could write. Write something original or at least carry a tune.

Speaking of tuneful, I wanted to take this oppritunity to shit on Ryan Adams. I own all but three of the mans solo albums, and I do like his work. But would it be so hard to sit down and write a verse-chorus-verse every once in a while? I bought "29" recently (the one he dedicated to his dog) and I got uber angry when I heard the song "Strawberry Wine." The song rambles on for like 5-6 minutes without even so much as a hint of continuity. Dylan was a rambler also, its just that he also wrote shit that was memorable. "29" is so unmemorable that I couldn't tell you one thing other than the album is called "29" and I thought that "Strawberry Wine" was a cover of a Deanna Carter song. "Cold Roses" sticks out a bit more, and the stuff off the EPs is pretty much golden, except for that song about a lonesome scientist. If it wasn't $6.99 when I bought it, it would be sitting in Cheapo's Friday new arrivals bin tomorrow, and I would use the procedes towards a case of Miller Light or Sam Adams.

I am on a country/rock jag these days, with the Jayhawks and Neil Young and the Byrds dominating the listening. I also have been eating a lot of soups, pastas and salads with vinegrette if anyone cares. And only drinking Iced Coffees with white mocha syurp in them. Its a special little treat that only me and some housefrau in Maple Grove have. God, I feel like Blanche from the Golden Girls.

Have I Got A Long Way To Run?

Hey, what's up? What you doin? Oh really. Not much, just sittin at my comp, typing up a blog.

Yeah, lifes been pretty boring for the last few weeks. I have felt lonely for some reason. I never feel lonely. I think that it stems from a dream I had a week ago where I met this really attractive girl at a party on Cody Stevens deck. I walked with her in the general direction of Steve Miller's house, then I don't remember what happened. I woke up and was really depressed. It's odd.

I bought Collective Soul's greatest hits off half.com. I really wanted to hear "Why Pt.2" and "Run". That shit reminds me of Jackson and my formative years at CPHS.

My brother Zach introduced me to a new way of eating a Subway Subshop Submarine. You get sweet onion sauce and honey mustard with carrots, lettuce, and onions. It tastes like cole slaw. And as a fan of cole slaw on my sammich, I dig it like John and Paul dug a pony.

Substitution, Mass Confusion All Inside Your Head

I was listening to my New Wave greatest hits disc today when I was greeted with a pleasant surprise. The Cars greatest hits suddenly fell out. I popped it in for probably the 100th time. It was around the opening notes of "Just What I Needed" that I realized that everyone likes The Cars. Everything about them is appealing. They did rockers, they did ballads. The dudes were ugly, yet they nailed models. They put hot nearly naked chicks on their album covers. They scored the best topless scene in the history of cinema (Fast Times. Phoebe Cates. Uhhhhhh). I do not know a single person who has a distaste for these Boston gods. Four out of five Eickholts own a Cars LP. There are some bands that peple are indifferent to, such as Boston or Oasis. I mean, everyone likes the first Boston album and the first two Oasis albums, but no one is really puttin those on all the time. You can listen to the first Cars album, most of Hearbeat City and the greatest hits disc nearly every day and not get all that bored. Oh, and Rick Ocasek produced Weezer's Green and Blue albums. Bonus points.

Hiawatha Didn't Bother Too Much, With Minnehaha and Her Tender Touch

Tori Spelling is one of the few celebs I have seen who actually looks better after having plastic surgery. I just watched her Lifetime movie "Alibi" (which she escapes a killer by skiing down a black diamond ski run!)and realized that, yeah, she did need a new nose and some new boobs. I usually hate plastic surgery of any sort. During the movie there was an Icebreakers commercial with the Duff sisters and I also realized that I am pretty sure that Duff the younger got some serious work done. And now she looks like shit. Duff the Elder, by the way, is still super friggin hot.

So I went totally gay the other day and bought "Extrordinary Machine" by Fiona Apple. I saw her video with Zach Galafornakis on VH 1 at 4:30 in the AM and dug the song. The CD is really good, for those who care. I also picked up the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which is also really fantastic.

To balance out all the estrogen, I have been reading "The Dirt" by Motley Crue. God, what a fantastic book. Each member gets to write a chapter about a certain time period in the bands history. It makes for some funny stories, like hearing about how Vince banged a certain girl, then Tommy did or vice versa. As expected, Mick is the only one who doesn't get all debauched. And who knew that they were all so obsessed with Sweet? This book and "Scar Tissue" by Anthony Kedis make illicit drugs sound really rad. I hope no one under the age of 14 reads these things. Oh wait, they don't listen to anything except T.I. and My Chemical Romance, so 80s rock wouldn't interest them.

Gimme Some Of That Nasty Bass

Lord, am I tired. A total of about 7 hours of sleep in the last two days SUCKS! Anyways, I have been downloading just about every 80s power ballad that I can find lately, and a bunch of 80s R & B also. Any suggestions? I got about all the power ballads I need (even going as far as to d/l some "Love is on the Way" by Saigon Kick and "Only Time Will Tell" by Asia). As for old school pop R&B, I went back to the late 80s. Still need to get "Love You Down" and "The Rain" again. Oh, and I got super amped when I put in an old CD mix this morning and heard "If I Had No Loot" by Tone Toni Tony (I thinks thats right). Reminds me of 5th grade.

Screw Barry Bonds. Listen, you asshole. Just because you cheated and your back is against the wall, don't play the race card. Hank Aaron had to go through segregation and death threats to beat Babe Ruths record. You were an upper class little shit whos daddy was a major league all star. Your wife was white. There would be no debate about race if your dumb ass hadn't used steroids (which I would bet my life on. Remember him with the Pirates? Leadoff hitter with Jacque Jones power numbers). If there is any justice, Bonds will never see that record be broken, and his 73! home runs in a season should be stricken from the records.

Sussudio (An Appreciation)

I went through a dark period in my life over the last few years. A period where I denied my love for a balding little Limey singer. Mr Phil Collins, I am sorry. I truly do love your hammy rock songs and poingant balladry now. My friend Nick got me to come out of the P.C. closet. He took took me home (cause I didn't remember). I came to terms with this and had to purchase both Phil's "Hits" CD and the greatest hits of Genesis. The man had like 20 top ten songs in a ten year period between the two bands. EIGHT #1s, which gives him eight more than Springsteen, Dylan and Led Zeppelin combined. I thought he was all just about these two bwhemouths, but no. Phil was an easy lover, a gun for hire. He preformed on avant glam god Brian Enos solo albums AND on George Harrisons masterpiece "All Things Must Pass." He produced an ultimate slice of 80s cheese "I Know There's Something Going On" by Frida from ABBA, and he drummed with a reuniuted Led Zeppelin at Live Aid (I haven't seen that one, cause Zep won't release it because it blows, but hey, Zeppelin!). Oh, and he was the game show host on "Miami Vice." And he was in some movie called "Buster" that I haven't seen. If you forget that song from "Tarzan" that you hear at the dentists office, you realize that Phil was hot like fire for a very long period of time. I salute you, and I will always remember to watch others drown so I can exact revenge on them at one of my concerts later on. And I may go rent "Buster," but probably not.