I never really thought about death prior to this year. Leah, a best friend to someone I care about, passed away last month. Famous deaths that stood out for me were MCA from BEASTIE BOYS, and just recently, Tony Sly of NO USE FOR A NAME. Sure, it seems unfair to put two people I have never met up there with someone I did know. But each brings a different experience out to the open.
Why did MCA and Tony Sly effect me, considering I didn’t know them personally?
You know how music works. Sometimes it just cuts to the core. I was 15 (circa 1995) when I really grasped BEASTIE BOYS. That started my obsession with turn-table hip-hop (Tribe Called Quest, Hieroglyphics, Jurassic 5, DJ Krush, etc). Every party I have thrown, I have included my favorite BB tracks in the mix. BEASTIE BOYS were very open of about their positive faith and outlook of humanity, distancing themselves from the ’80s/party version of BEASTIE BOYS. MCA passing was an end of a very important and philosophical band in my life.
My younger brother actually exposed me to NO USE FOR A NAME back in ‘97 (?) with ‘Justified’. Only knowing that one song by NUFAN (and loving it), I had an opportunity to see them live in March of ‘99 with DANCE HALL CRASHERS. Mind blown!! They were the essence of pop skate-punk I was always looking for. I play guitar as well, they molded how I perceived 2-guitar melodies, and also loved Tony Sly’s lyrics. Those who know me are aware that lyrics are the last things I pay attention to. Melody is most important to me. And fans of punk rock can’t deny how melody driven NO USE was.
I had opportunity to meet Tony Sly and the rest of the band at the 2004 Warped Tour in Dallas. In fact, I was on stage with them, thanks to my friends in NEAR MISS (Austin punk rock band no longer together). It was huge highlight for me, as a fan and hobby-musician.
Tony Sly passed away 4 days ago, age 41, and he was a big influence into how I feel and hear music. It bummed me out more, realizing, it took such bad news for me to remember his music again. NO USE has not been in my music radar since 2008… I feel guilty. But it has been awesome re-visiting the songs I realized I still love.
All of the tragic events have brought a new direction to my life. Leah, MCA, and Tony all left this life too early. They have kids and spouses that they loved, and were loved back. As cliche as this sounds, personal / financial / professional success is pointless as a main goal in life. You will be remembered superficially for those qualities. But to be remembered and known as a loving parent/spouse/significant other is incredibly rich, even if it’s a few people. I am not going to fight against that life anymore. While personal/professional success will still be important, it will not be priority #1 anymore. I am going to stop being self-absorbed in life paths, because I have given up too much of who/what makes me happy.
NO USE’s song “Chasing Rainbows” shares a cautionary and protective message against ’chasing rainbows’ and dealing with the wrong people in this life. It’s one of my favorites.
Tony, MCA, and Leah. Where ever you are, you don’t have to worry about the wrong people anymore. Start chasing rainbows. Chase away.
No comments:
Post a Comment