Be Kind - Rewind: The Story of Twelve Songs

I was driving to work the other day and found myself skipping over tracks in order to listen to  standout songs from the Everclear record, "Sparkle and Fade."  I don't know about you, but most of my revelations come to me when I am driving somewhere.  

So as I reached toward the skip button, I caught myself, and stopped.  Why in the world am I skipping through the record to merely listen to the radio hits?  Some of you, myself included, have come to know these non-radio songs as "album filler."  But why?  Is the rest of the record garbage?  Certainly, as a former artist, my band didn't write hits and say, "eh, lets just throw this other shit in as filler."  No.  Every song, on every one of our records contained 115% of the best we could do as a collective unit.  Every song was as relevant as the next.

I felt a little disgusted in myself.  And for the first time in over fifteen years, I reached toward my disc player, started the CD from the beginning, and listened to the album all the way through.

SOMA - San Diego

 

When I was a kid, I'd go to shows throughout San Diego and Los Angeles.  I'd be at SOMA, the Roxy, the Epicentre, the Troubadour, the Whiskey, the Che Cafe, soaking it all in.  The bands would be up there on stage pouring their souls out for everyone to see and hear.  If I liked what I saw, I bought the vinyl or the tape, and I'd go home and listen to the entire record a hundred times.  There weren't any "hit" songs within the underground scene.  There were just punk rock/rock n' roll bands and a thriving community of music lovers who found their identity within those San Diego/Los Angeles back street music venues.  The energy and effort is what mattered.

I can't pinpoint the exact time when I fell into the habit of skipping through records to find the "best" songs.  Were the bands writing music that wasn't as good?  Or was I merely becoming selfish and ultra picky?  I don't know.  Maybe a bit of both?  Maybe I'm getting old?
  

You know who helped kick me back into my old mind set?  Dave Grohl.  I've never met Dave, but whenever someone asks, "If you could meet anyone, who would it be," my first answer is always Dave Grohl.  Not only because I was a massive Nirvana fan, and certainly a fan of his work in the Foo Fighters, but he comes across as being very approachable.  A dude who makes music for the working class.  Middle finger to the industry kinda guy.  You know what I mean?

Anyhow, those guys put out the "Wasting Light" record a little while back.  Then, they toured regular American garages, for folks like you and me, to kick off support for the record.  That floored me.  I'd say that it got those old rock n' roll wheels turning in my head all over again.  I've been watching interviews with Dave and the rest of the band lately.  As I watched the excitement, clearly evident in the bands' eyes as they spoke of recording in a natural setting, on reel-to-reel tape, I found my own motivation to pull out records with the sole intent of listening to every song on every album.  Not just the hits.  Guess what?  The records are really good.  I mean, really good!

I think that in the age of digital music media, we have become lost in a sea of singles.  Don't get me wrong.  There's nothing wrong with enjoying a single song.  And God bless you for purchasing the song in order to support the artist.  I simply think that we have forgotten that there is an album attached to those singles.  There are ten to however many more songs on the record from which that song was born.  And the artists poured out their soul in order to put that record into the hands of the public.  

I suppose I have written here today to encourage you to revisit your records and give every song an equal shot.  If you're like me, you own records that you haven't even heard.  Show those records some love.  Fall in love with music all over again.


Post Script:  This entry is dedicated to any musician/band that have enough talent to write their own music, and play their own instruments.  And to every band who truly pay their dues.  Cheers!

Looking to the Sky To Save Me: The Story of an Open Road

Morning Stroll

I was on a morning stroll with my son when I was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for having been blessed with the opportunity to have traveled as much as I have.  I have been noticing this for years, but wanted to take the time to write about it briefly here today. 

London

As we walk, there are certain areas within my city that take me back to places I have been throughout my life.  As most of you have noticed, I am certainly a nostalgic creature at heart.  I love recalling memories that I have made.  I’d like to think that it keeps my mind in peak physical shape.  Let me explain. 

Sierra Nevada Mountains - California

I might be walking through an area of Denver and will see certain things that take me right back to Athens, GA.  On my stroll this morning, I was reminded of a brief walk I took through Lexington, KY.  We’ve had some lightning storms through the last couple weeks that reminded me of being cooped up in a hotel in Glasgow (Scotland).  And a few colder days with snow that reminded me of being bundled up in Saskatchewan (Canada).

Philly

 

Warmer days in the city remind me of Adelaide (Australia), and if I drive toward the Rockies, it feels as though I am driving toward the Pacific.

I just wanted to encourage everyone to travel if you have the ability to do so.  Even if you just jump in your car for a road trip to your neighbor state.  Do it sporadically.  Throw some great CDs in the car, budget out some money for local food, and take some pictures at the known landmarks. 

Middle of Nowhere - Australia

Finally, encourage your children to travel!  Get them out of the state.  Encourage them to go on long distance trips.  There is so much more to this world then the neighborhood and city where you live.  So much more to see than what we are accustomed to in our own little personalized bubble.  And far more rewarding experiences to live out in person rather than reading about it on Facebook or in a silly blog. 

Dover Peaks

You’ll never regret the times you left it all behind for a quick affair with the open road.

Steven

Say Hello to Your Local Hero

I want to address the issue of law enforcement neglect.  I’ll try to make it short, and sweet.

I do not have any desire to draw attention to the anti-police crowd rioting in the streets.  My blood boils whenever I’m forced to see it within the media, and through social media.  And I know you are tired of seeing them as well.  The nation is over it.

No.  Today, I want to target the majority of Americans who still feel that law enforcement officers continue to be the heroes of our time.  I am asking that you let your voice be heard.  I am asking you to show our officers that you are thankful for their service.

Because right now, they are losing faith in you.  

Courtesy of Colorado FOP

You’ll see patrol cars driving through your neighborhoods, pro-actively looking for those who seek to do the general public harm.  You’ll see a lone officer at the Chipotle, back against the wall at the rear of the restaurant (so he can analyze any potential threat that walks through the door).  That officer might stop to assist you when you’ve broken down on the side of the road.  She might even respond to your call for assistance during far more critical times.

Leave a note on their patrol cars.  Thank them for their service.  It only takes a matter of moments to make this simple gesture.  And the morale you will single-handedly supply will have a long-lasting affect. 

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

Walk up to a patrol officer, shake his hand, look him right in the eye, and say Thank You!  If your walking with your kids and you see a patrol car, point the officer out and wave to him.  You say, “that man is a hero.  Whenever something bad happens, that man will respond and he will help you.”

I guarantee you that most officers, not en route to a service call, will give your kids a show if you are kind.  Whenever I take my girls to the 16^th Street Mall, I always make it a point to stop and wave to the DPD officers we see.  And they always invite both of them to sit on the bikes or in the cars.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is equally classy.  A friendly wave has brought several deputies to our daughters while strolling along on our evening walks.  They flip on the lights, chirp the sirens, and hand out Douglas County badge stickers.  The looks on both of my girls’ faces are always priceless.  They are absolutely mesmerized by these officers and deputies.

Your local officers and deputies are fatigued.  They have been left out to rot by the media and your local politician.  And quite frankly, they feel abandoned by you.  They are discouraged that the ignorant voices of the anti-police movement are being heard and acted upon (in favor of the common criminal).  Only small pockets of people are standing up for what is right.  The officers hang on to the hope that one day, common sense Americans will stand up for law enforcement officers and send the anti-police movement back into the shadows.  

JCSO 

Lets show our law enforcement officers that we care.  Lets restore their faith in humanity.  Say something encouraging when you see one of ‘em!  I think that this is the very least of what you could do.  Take it from me, your kind words will go a long way.

  

Thanks for listening.

Steven S. Press

Why Aren't You In A Band? The Story of Letting It All Go.

I field two questions quite frequently these days:

1)  Why did you move away from San Diego?

2)  Do you miss being in a band?

I’m not even going to start on the San Diego thing this evening.  Instead, lets go ahead and address the band.  

Jingle Ball - Arco Arena - Darin Brookner and I

I try not to think about my music industry days.  No, no, no!  Not because it was a bad experience!  It’s not that!  For me, there is a fair amount trauma (in the weakest sense of the word) surrounding our demise.  Not in a sense that we all hate each other.  More like what it was that I chose to walk away from.

Does that make any sense?   This is what I mean.

Being in a popular band and playing in front of as many people as we were created the most natural high, or biggest adrenaline rush I have ever felt.  We did it night after night.  Signing autographs, playing with bands we grew up listening to, touring the world, it was all insane.  It was beyond surreal.  Something that 99% of the world will never know. 

Australia -  The fans and I

 

Walking away from all of it was traumatic.  Getting a job and re-establishing myself as an average Joe was weird.  Watching it all fade away was hard.

I coped by blocking it all out.  I was never really good at it.  When I wasn’t able to block it out, I found myself picking up the guitar while trying to convince myself that I could do it all over again.  I know I could have, but where would I be today?  I think about that sometimes.

As I grew older, and started a family, I had to force myself to bury the past.  Having kids and being married sure helped me layer the concrete and dirt over that grave.  Funny how fast your priorities change when your love shifts from one entity to the other.  

My Family - 2015

I think I prevailed because I convinced myself that I would NOT be that 40 year old guy working at Guitar Center for the rest of my life.  I have a lot of friends who are still scraping by in the pop-punk genre.  They’re doing everything they can to remain relevant.  Even as the shows and venues get smaller and smaller, they keep plugging away.  I don’t know how I feel about it.  I suppose I feel bad for some, but I understand the rest. 

There are a lot of guys who have no idea what else they would do.  Google your favorite musician along with the phrase “I don’t know how to do anything else.” 

Walking away from music was hard, but not as hard as it would be to still be involved in it all.

I’ll tell you why.  I have a wife and three children.  In order for me to make it, this is what I would have to do.

I would have to write amazing songs that are different than everything you’ve ever heard.  Then, I would have to find a band with guys who all share common musical interest.  And we would have to play very well together.  There would have to be that “magic.”  Then we’d have to use our own money to demo all the songs.  We’d have to self-fund tours and play terrible shows until someone notices us.  We’d have to spend at least five days a week in the rehearsal studio for hours at a time ironing out and perfecting all the songs.  To make a decent living, we’d have to tour for 75% of the year. 

At the end of the day, my entire life would be spent with my band.  Not my family.  And my wife would murder me.

My rationalization, these days, is easy.  I already did the band thing, and I was successful.  It was a massive high point in my life.  I don’t have to do it again.  The desire is gone.  The memories remain. 

These days, I suppose I don’t mind talking about it as much as I used to.  I love telling the stories and showing the photos to people who are genuinely interested.  I think I don’t mind because the memories are getting a little fuzzier day by day.  I’ve been telling myself to start a journal with the stories that I am able to recall.  Something I can pass along to my kids. 

That’s all I’ve got.  I hope that answers your question.

Thanks for listening, again.

Steven

File under: Disheveled Journal Entry 

2015: We Hit the Ground Running. The Marathon, It Continues...

I haven’t written anything for a few months.  I figured January 1, 2015, would be as good a time as any to briefly recap our year.  And what a year it has been.

I’ve always found year-end resolutions to be fascinating.  I don’t have anything against New Year resolutions.  I’ve seen people accomplish great things while using January 1^st as [the starting line]. 

The average American will see approximately seventy-eight birthdays.  You probably started subscribing to the idea of yearly fresh starts in your thirties (men and women vary, of course).  Usually around the time when you’re trying to figure out whether or not your life accomplishments have made an impact within your social circle.  

We all do it.  This isn’t a slight against what it is you do.  I do it as well.  We’re always searching.  Always looking to fill that void.  With love.  With health. With service.  With religion.  With whatever it is you find value in.

I suppose this is the reason why I am fascinated by the idea of a “new start.”  Another chance.  There are so many different interpretations as to what this might mean.  This became blazingly clear as I scrolled through all the year-end posts on social media last night.  All of which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, by the way!

A fresh start, for me, is wholly intertwined with my faith in Christ.  So I see one starting line and one finish line.  Everything in between feels like milestone markers.  There are failures and victories.  Joy and sorrow.  Just like everybody else.  I see the end result as beautiful. Something to encounter fearlessly.  Courageously.  What we live for.  Saturated in grace and forgiveness.  Mercy.

I have to admit, 2014 demands a look back because our family endured and persevered through so much.  Our son, Elden, went through two heart surgeries.  We spent the better part of the first few months living at Children’s.  Heather made the decision to focus on a career in medicine.  Our daughters have reached scholastic milestones related to speech and general social skills (they’re getting so big).  We have uncovered some of Elden’s 22q setbacks and have taken the appropriate steps to get ahead of potential problems associated with those setbacks.  I transferred assignments at work and tested for promotion in December (we’ll see if it happens).

Oh, and we celebrated Valentine’s Day, our wedding anniversary, and Heather’s birthday....(Never forget, fellas).

We have so many reasons to celebrate.  I am so thankful for our victories. 

I would be lying if my failures haven’t weighed equally on my mind.  I don’t feel that it is necessary to list my transgressions here today.  But it is important for you to know that I see my opportunity for great improvement as a father, husband, son, brother, co-worker, and friend.

I want to take this moment to say that there are many of you who are true inspirations to me.  Some of you are service members [military, law enforcement, and fire].  Your service is under-appreciated by many, and you deserve unending [thanks].  Please accept my sincere, humble “Thank You.”

Others offer humble service to the community through church or charity work [with humans and animals].  Your selflessness in this area is, again, under-appreciated and largely unnoticed by those of us who are caught up in the day-to-day business of life.  Including me.  The world would be a better place if every American took a little spare time to care for the less fortunate or help to fix a broken community.  I have no doubt that one of these days, the nation will see how rewarding selfless service can be.  And there is no doubt in my mind that you are impacting those you serve in such a great way.

This doesn't mean everybody else is below a hearty [thank you].  I know so many of you who give every day your best shot.  Making a difference at a micro-level.  You are just as valuable as all others.  Because every soul you touch is worth saving.  Care packages for service members, some spare change for the homeless, holding the door open for others, placing a phone call to loved ones for a special occasion, or being there for a friend who needs you.  You are valuable beyond words.

So, in a way, this is me bidding [farewell] to 2014, and welcoming the New Year, 2015.  Chapter thirty-six, for me.  Wait, how old am I?  Many of you have made some great resolutions.  I wish you the best of luck, and Godspeed. 

Raising my mug {of coffee} to all of you today.

Happy New Year! 

From my family to yours.  

Steven    

  

Growing Up With Tooth & Nail Records: A Summary Filled With Links

Tooth & Nail Records is releasing a limited edition documentary film and photo book to celebrate twenty years of existence within the independent music scene.  I remember when I heard about the label for the first time.  I had a friend in high school named, Justice.  He handed me a demo tape before school one day and said his band had signed to a label called Tooth & Nail.  I had no idea who he was talking about, and I had never heard of his band.  Some of you might remember Bloodshed.  That was him.  

I had a friend, Josh, who really pushed me into the T&N catalogue.  He showed me a band called MxPx, and I loved them instantaneously.  We used to listen to the “Pokinatcha” cassette while driving from Fallbrook to Oceanside [to surf] nearly every day.  I think the both of us went collector crazy from that moment on.  Rather than describing how each band played a role in my life, I’ll just rattle off a list and will link the band name to a YouTube video.

The Crucified  -  Plankeye  -  Starflyer 59  -  Ghoti Hook  - Value Pac  -  Joy Electric  -  Driver 8  -  Ninety Pound Wuss  -  Strongarm  -  Joe Christmas  -  Puller  -  The O.C. Supertones  -  Stavesacre  -  Slick Shoes  -  The Juliana Theory  -  Project 86 

Josh and I would go to all the Tooth & Nail shows.  We’d drive to Orange County, L.A., or wherever a T&N show came through town.  We went to all the festivals.  I still have most of the vinyl, CDs, and posters from those shows.  

I am honored to have been able to witness, and grow with this particular label and its artists.  I am excited to see the documentary and book.  For me, it will be a large bundle of material filled with a great dose of good memories.

I hope this brought back a memory or two for you.

An Open Letter to Myself: The Story of a Tired Parent

Dear Parents,

You are heroes.  You work a full time job, maybe even two, and you return to your house where you immerse yourself in the most important role of your life.  The life of a parent.  You provide shelter, food, clothing, love, and care.  You discipline, you lead, and you do the best you can to provide moral and biblical direction.  You change diapers, resolve temper tantrums, break up sibling 300'esque [movie] type battles over a piece of paper or a crayon, and at the end of the day, you wash it off with a shower, swallow it down with an adult beverage, or read it away through the latest, best-selling fiction novel.

You know that appreciation, if any, will come several decades down the road when your kids finally realize that you were doing the best you could.  If you're lucky, you're married to your best friend.  A man or woman that helps you and encourages you in every way.  It certainly helps.  Because this is the kind of challenge that was meant specifically for a team of two dedicated people: mom and dad.

And some of you; you do it alone.  Everything still applies.  You are a true warrior.  Making it all happen in any way you can.

With that being said, let me offer a word of advice.  And I direct this toward myself as much as any other.  Let down your guard.  Take off the game face when you're around me.  I need to know you are real.  I need to know that you are tired, just like me! 

Show me a parent who doesn't feel like a failure in one way or another, and I will find you a Frozen unicorn with Tinkerbell wings.  And if a parent tells you that they are flaw-free, ditch their "friendship" and find a pair of parents who are willing to tell you that they struggle from time to time.

Cut yourself some slack!  You stuck around.  You didn't leave.  You listen to your wife.  You listen to your husband.  You are an example of love, and a Christ-like depiction of what a marriage should look like.  You love your children and you show it.  You apologize when you are wrong.  You pray, asking God to work on problem areas in your life.  You lay your issues at His feet.  This is what your children see.  This is the example they will mimic when they mature and make families of their own.  All the rest is water under the bridge if you truly commit to bettering yourself every moment of every day.

I suppose my point is this:

I know you're doing the very best that you can.  If you weren't doing the best you can, then I'm sure you'd hear about it from those you love or the proper local authorities.  Everybody has flaws.  They obviously become very apparent when children come bouncing into the picture.  But you have to know that I am more inspired by those of you who said "this is hard," than by those of you who said "I've got this thing nailed down."

Lets send some good, God-fearing kids into this world.  Heaven knows they need it.  

Sincerely,

Steven