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| Contacting me | |
| Oct 16, 2008: After 6 years, I finally remembered the e-mail address and password to log into this site.
In case you haven't figured it out, due to the lack of postings and reviews, I am no longer writing for Phillymusic.com. This is mainly because at first I could not devote the time needed for this type of work due to job committments, but now it's for an even bigger reason. I don't live in the area anymore.
My time with Phillymusic.com has been exciting and very educational to say the least. I've met some terrific bands and great people. The local Philadelphia music scene has come a long way since I first got involved and I'm so glad that I was able to be a part of it for some time.
So in the meantime, thank you all for being a part of Phillymusic and I wish you all good times and good tunes!
Keep Rockin'!
-Amy
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| R.I.P. Dave Blood, Bassist of The Dead Milkmen | |
| Mar 11, 2004: Dave Blood, bassist for defunct Philadelphia rock act the Dead Milkmen, committed suicide Wednesday, according to a post by his sister on the band's official message board (http://deadmilkmen.com). He will be missed by all of Philadelphia, and PhillyMusic.com sends our condolences to his family and many friends.
"This morning Dave Blood is no longer with us," wrote Blood's sister, Kathy. "David is my brother. Since the breakup of the band David has never really found his niche in life. My brother was a smart, clever and talented person. Inner peace has seemed to elude him for the last many years. Sometime last night David chose to end his life. He left a note that I don't know all of what it said, he was not elaborate -- but he said he just could not stand to go on any longer." | |
| NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS | |
| Feb 27, 2002: Hey guys. I just wanted to let you know there's a new address in which to contact me. My another.com e-mail has since been ended as another.com has decided to charge for their e-mail accts.....and I don't know about you, but I prefer free e-mail, so you can now reach me at
rockinkiwi@yahoo.com I just figured I should let you all know.Keep rockin! -Amy | |
| Classic Rock in a More Modern World - The Steve Pepper Band by Amy | |
| I'm sick and tired of they way "Rock" is changing. Not that I'm against the evolution of Rock and Popular music (I mean, Devo would never have existed, and frankly I can't live without them...), but now it's all scratching, yelling, and frankly it’s getting old. Now and then you get the band that does something original, however every other band then does that same thing in hopes of also sounding original... However, that's not a new idea either. (Two words - British Invasion!) So the bands will continue to play that “signature” style until we, the listening public, are sick and tired of it. (Not to mention that the cover bands begin to run out of things to play and are scared they may have to start writing their own music...OH THE HUMANITY!) Once again, something new comes along and everyone latches onto the bandwagon once more. Sadly thus, the cycle starts over again. One group however is breaking away from the current Rock trend; the Steve Pepper Band. I actually met Steve Pepper earlier this month at The New City Tavern in Center City. He had done a quick set of songs off of “Memphis”, the band’s newest album, and I was quite interested in hearing the rest of what the band had to offer. His raspy voice and his poignant lyrics painted pictures of pure human emotions; feelings of needing and being needed, wanting and being wanted…. and that was just a solo performance! There is nothing like the pure, uncontaminated Rock (Rock with a capital "R" of course) that is this Steve Pepper Band. Their sound, as refreshing as it may be, also brings back that classic Rock sound that we Americans hold true and dear to our hearts (minus the Amish of course. They think everything we do is basically pure evil). "Memphis" sings Americana as it should be heard. Clean guitar sounds, steady back beat and bass line; almost like a modern day, Lynyrd Skynyrd/ “Sweet Home Alabama” kind of sound with Neil Young and Tom Petty influences shining through. Nothing too fancy, just simple, pure rock with original lyrics straight from the Heartland. What can beat that? Every author wants to write the “Great American Novel”, but what about the “Great American Song”? "Winnebago Song" may possibly be a candidate for just that. The emotion of the actual music ties in with the sorrowful and heartfelt lyrics to make it a soul nourishing song. Another song on the album, "Ordinary Life" is more upbeat, with absolute country influences, perfect harmonies, and a killer banjo (I'm partial to banjos...isn't everyone?) not to mention crisp rockin' guitar. It is a perfect combo!
This is the band’s second album, their first being “Information Age”, which was released in 1999. I believe this second endeavor has great promise, as well as a great Rock sound that needs to be spread unto the masses. If you are in need of some new tunes that differ from your run-of-the-mill Rock that is played on the radio nowadays, check out their website, http://www.stevepepperband.com, and listen to a few tunes. Let us hope that this kind of rock is something that others will actually latch onto. It is a bandwagon I would not mind following.
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