Standing

Hello everyone, at the start of last I felt that I may have used the title to that post, Long Cold Winter a bit prematurely. Then that idea went out the window with how warm it got here. But I know that you aren’t reading to hear about the weather. And NO this is NOT exactly a year in review entry either…

This post stemmed from several thoughts I had over the past week and what music I decided to revisit amongst my favorites. Last week I was describing everything involving performing at the 2nd Annual Misfit Toy Mosh. There was part of my usual “ritual” if you will whenever I am out of the house (but especially at our shows) that I forgot to include, handing out stickers. More so my temporary inability to do so and the almost castrating or sterilizing feeling that it brought me. A bit over dramatic perhaps, but I feel it necessary to be able to do so. But this was soon overshadowed by realizing that about 1k stickers have been shared around the country (I included the very last of them in most of the cards sent to stores that carry our music around the Country during the Holidays) My point here is to reiterate the importance of Perspective. This is only one instance of something that is by all accounts fixable, even if I have to wait to have the money to order more. However, the right mindset can be life changing as most of us probably already know by now.

I really wanted to put that thought out to all of you going into the New Year. For I learned that the way you enter the new year sets the pace for the year in its entirety. And of course, of nothing else I would like all of you to take away something good to think about and be inspired by what I am saying. I know I don’t have a huge subscriber base (cough,cough) but if one person can seek positive change from this than I have accomplished something. I know the events of this past year have brought us several hardships economically, emotionally and otherwise. Not to mention more division within people of the world and the Country in general. It baffles me that no one can see through this “Divide and Conquer” tactic but hopefully they will at some point. We have lost so many great people (too many even mention, but I’m sure some you may have read my previous entries with tributes to Ace Frehley and Ozzy Osbourne to name just two) for me these losses have inspired me to have a more proactive approach to life itself and not just wait around for things to happen. There are so many things I could have said to each of these Men that helped inspired me to follow in their footsteps (although my latest plays,views and sales haven’t really reflected that much to be honest. Not that I am trying to make any feel guilty because I’m sure many of you don’t own any of my albums or even heard some of the music. Obviously this hasn’t discouraged yet…) Knowing I had the opportunity to do so is even more crippling. I know this seems like I am starting to contradict myself, but as my friend Jimmy Gnecco once wrote “the past has a way of haunting our lives” (from the Ours songs “Kill the band”)

And will the world stay standing still, at least for me

I hope capturing these lines verbatim doesn’t get me into trouble. I am simply trying to emphasize my point and the inspiration for this entry. A song by the Synth pop band VNV Nation called “Standing (Still”). This maybe a surprise to some that they (or he, I believe most or all of the music is written by Ronan Harris) are an influence on my music. As usually only one or two tracks on most of my albums are heavily synth based (maybe that needs to change?) As I usually do before diving into an entry (once I start writing I always know there is no going back, figured I would share some of positive mindset amongst all this) I discovered that I misunderstand lots of the lyrics in this song. And in doing so discovering they have even more depth than I had originally thought, basically to “Seize the Day” or Carpe Diem. Even though I like to joke about how I feel this song at around 33 seconds in could have easily been the song used in the SNL skit & Movie “Night at the Roxbury” lol. I have yet to find an interview or anything official stating Harris’ true meaning behind the song, but it seems pretty clear. Of course I will share it at the end of this entry. I also wanted to include this song because I do recall it being played at various club events and towards the end of the night from what I recall. If you get the chance to attend, I highly recommend requesting it (politely of course, maybe even with a bribe of a drink for the DJ. Yes it is that good) Hearing it over a good sound system, if not live (which you maybe able do this coming year when they tour) is an entirely different experience.

In closing I hope everyone enjoys (or if you read this after the fact) enjoyed your 2026 NYE celebrations, to the fullest! Again I know this past year was very hard in many ways, but we are still here right? Yes there are things I wish I could have done, or should have etc. The few times I did take action, I am glad that I did so. But I was able to play more shows than we have in the past years and learned plenty. I already see some of the changes I would like to make happening already (I’m actually reading more than 1 book at a time. After abandoning a book I have been reading for longer than I care to remember) I think I owe some of that to Ariel Hyatt of Cyber PR and her amazing book From Buzz to Bond , (there is a FREE sample in that link btw) . I have recommended it to many of people who are in bands, but it is a good read over all and her strategy works. I did go and buy after all. I learned first hand last week of how important this and what I learned is after trying being locked out of my Facebook account last week due to a hacker. Not to give away the farm, but we artists need to take command and not allow our work to be buried by some algorithm, hence why I am writing this entry on our website and suggesting you subscribe to read more (not hinting anymore, I’m asking and I don’t think it is a lot. And if you know me, you know I will be more than happy to follow any endeavors you are involved in). But for those of you who have helped me along this past year’s journey I thank you and even if seems like I don’t care or listen, I am grateful and have absorbed what you have tried getting through to me. Either way, I will do my best to keep everyone informed and share the results of the new mindset I hope to put forth. Thanks again everyone, be well.