notmovingpictures Episode 102: Covid 19 Rambling But At Least X Keeps Rocking

This episode was recorded before recent events in the U.S.



It took a pandemic and being outsourced for the 2nd time in 3 years to get me to put out a new episode. Lots to ramble about. Coronavirus and it's impact and how the rich don't care if you and I die, so long as they make their money that is. I haven't been writing much which is the opposite from most people who are staying at home. They seem able to put songs out, write stories and reviews or do artwork. Hell, X put out a killer new record which rocks! I can't seem to get anyone to write some music for my lyrics. Come listen to me bitch about it.

Closing music: X - Alphabetland

Email: notmovingpictures@gmail.com  Twitter & Instagram: @notmovingpics
Blog: www.notmovingpictures.blogspot.com

Written and Published by Don Leach. May not be used without permission from the author.

Give In To The Dark Side And Join My Young Apprentice

The day I've been dreading has come, I finally gave in after much thought and mental anguish and went over to the dark side. No, not that "dark side" you perverts. I'm talking about something entirely different and much more insidious. That's right, last night I joined twitter. For several weeks I've debated about joining and decided I'd wait until I was actually doing something that would warrant me needing twitter such as when I eventually am able to start my podcast(s) or when I'm trying to do something with the scripts I'm working on. Then I saw that a person I admire and respect had joined so I threw away my reservations and decided to jump in.

The first person that I followed was the one responsible for pushing me over the edge, my brother-in-law Gary. My reasoning is that if it's good enough for him it's good enough for me. After that I looked up a short list that I had already compiled in case I did decide to join twitter. After that I filled in the rest of my initial choices from amongst music artists, comedians and podcasters whose work I enjoy. In the days to come I'll start following more people but mainly I want to find some interesting people with interesting and funny things to say.

Here are the people/artists in no particular order that I initially chose and it is indeed a very stellar and unique group:

theslackersband great ska (and more) band
alescovedo amazing musician and songwriter
exenecervanka vocalist from the legendary band X
joerogan comedian/podcaster/voice of the UFC
stuckinthe80s the best 80s podcast I've found
pattonoswalt funny comedian/actor/writer
BryWaltQ the guys from Tell 'Em Steve Dave podcast
ThatKevinSmith writer/director/podcaster/internet radio guru
DougBenson funny comedian
yragarevir my brother-in-law

So that's the inaugural draft class which I'm sure will go down in infamy. Today I noticed that I've already picked up two followers and I haven't even made my first tweet yet so at least I've got that going for me. Time will tell how this goes so I can only hope for the best. My true passion for writing can't be contained in so few characters but at the least maybe I can direct more traffic to this blog. It couldn't hurt. Before I forget, my twitter name is notmovingpics so get over there and follow me. Please and thank you.
Published by Don Leach

Friday Flashback - X

X is a punk band (originally) that formed in 1977 in Los Angeles and were part of a music scene that included fellow punk groups like Black Flag, The Zeros, The Germs, The Weirdos, The Dickies, The Bags and The Go-Gos as well as other bands such as The Blasters and Los Lobos. Their sound gradually changed as they brought more influences, especially country into the mix.



Classic Lineup:
John Doe vocals/bass
Exene Cervenka vocals
Billy Zoom guitar
DJ Bonebrake drums

The band never reached much mainstream success and in 1986 Zoom left the band. He was replaced Dave Alvin (of The Blasters) initially and then Tony Gilkyson (of Lone Justice) joined as well and the sound matured more naturally towards roots rock. Before long though Alvin left the group and the band went into hiatus in 1988.



They reformed the classic lineup in 1993 but in 1997 again decided to go into hiatus after failing to make a large impact with their new album and the following anthology. Since then the band periodically gets back together to tour again. Of interest is the country side band that Doe, Cervenka and Bonebrake did with Dave Alvin called The Knitters and the fact that Doe has had quite a successful acting career. Some of the movies that he has been in are Great Balls Of Fire, Roadside Prophets, Georgia, Wyatt Earp and Roadhouse.

It took some doing but I finally found this version of the song "4th Of July" that is a bit slower than the album version and is by far my favorite. It was written by Dave Alvin and he has also recorded solo versions of the song as well.



I strongly advise you to seek out their entire catalog and watch this band grow over time. It's a crime that they never made to be more well known than they are now so if you get the chance go see them play live before they decide to call it quits for good.