Dear Friends,
I can’t believe today starts the last week of August. This month has flown by, for the most part, and I love thinking about how much my students and I have accomplished so far. It feels really good to know that we can look back on this month with some pride.
These are the small things that make teaching worthwhile. I’m lucky in that I get to love what I do and know that I am making a difference in the world. Sure, the money isn’t great and having some little person take a crap on what you say and do to help them on a regular basis doesn’t always feel good, but I’ve learned to roll with those punches.
I’ve chased the dollars before, and it never felt great. Besides, no matter what your financial situation is, there is always something or someone with their hand out, a bill that you didn’t expect, or some type of life event that is going to cost you. I’m not complaining, mind you, but realistic. Chasing dollars doesn’t solve any problems.
So, the small things are things you can’t put a price tag on. I would have a hard time quantifying what it’s worth to me to be able to walk into school this morning with a smile on my face and getting to see all the smiles on students’ faces.
I guess what I’m trying to say is this, “Happy Monday.”
*****
We had a fun Freeze practice yesterday. It’s too soon to tell if things are going to stick, but the drums sounded good to me. The energy in the room was excellent and I can’t wait to get it all the way together.
*****
The second time one of the bands I was in ever got to support a touring act was in July of 1989. Religious Skid got to open for Dr. Know at a VFW Hall in Tempe. I don’t remember how we got offered the show, but we hopped on it because I loved Dr. Know at the time.
This Island Earth was in heavy rotation for us when we would go skateboarding from the time it came out in 1986 to 1989. The suped up, heaviness of the record made it perfect for getting the proper attitude happening to approach one of the many empty pools that were available in those days. Whenever I have dusted off the record since then, it has always held up.
One thing about this version of the band, as there are a few, is that This Island Earth is definitely a crossover record. It’s punk and thrash and just enough metal to appeal to a lot of different types of fans. I don’t think there were many people that I played this for back in the day that didn’t like it. Most of those were dudes, though.
It’s definitely dude rock. I’m sure there are lots of ladies out there who like Dr. Know, but most of the people I know who dig them are dudes. There is a lot of testosterone happening on This Island Earth. The playing is pretty muscular and lyrically, it’s kind of a ‘take no prisoners’ and no soft moments type of record, too.
The first song that really drew me in was “Plug-In-Jesus.” I have always been a sucker for these types of songs, but this one is just so good. It’s heavy and great. I remember seeing the band open for Exploited in the summer of 1987 at Prisms. I was so excited for both bands and when Dr. Know played “Plug-In-Jesus” I spent the whole song in the pit.
In fact, I’m pretty sure I was in the pit for both of the bands when I wasn’t being led around my bondage pants by my girlfriend at the time. Looking back, I probably shouldn’t have allowed that, but I was smitten.
Dr. Know was excellent each of the times that I saw them and it was awesome to open for them, too. We talked a little bit at that show, and they were decent dudes. I’m sure they were a little bummed at the turnout that night, but it wasn’t our fault. It was a terrible venue.
This Island Earth has some great songs on it. Besides “Plug-In-Jesus,” I’ve always been really fond of “Burn,” “This Island Earth,” and “In That House.” The songs are all pretty fast and for a three-piece, they have a very full sound. Must of this is due to the guitar tone that Kyle Toucher was able to get on this record. Brian Slagel from Metal Blade records produced the record, so I have to believe he had a hand in getting things sounding the way they did.
Rik Heller’s drumming on This Island Earth is also excellent. The guy was a master at doing incredible fills. I’m guessing he’s still kicking, so “was” might not be the operative word. He was great on this record, though, and so was his rhythm mate, Ismael Hernandez. Pure power, all the way, and again, it was such great music to get ready for some skateboarding.
Nowadays, I use this record for driving music. It’s good for getting the blood pumping after a long day, too. I was stoked earlier today when I was listening to it and Liam was in the car with me and he was digging it, too. That says a lot. He rarely seems to fully enjoy some of the old punk that I play him.
Such good riffs, though. I read that they still play occasionally so maybe we’ll cross paths at some point again. That would rule.
*****
See you tomorrow.
August is done for AI, too.
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