A Journal for Walking Over Fallen Fences

I am a little embarrassed for posting this email, but thought I’d do it anyway. I figure if I allowed myself to post hate mail then I might as well post interesting emails from people who have enjoyed my writing.

In January I wrote about the Surfin Bird, which I feel is the greatest Rock n Roll mantra in the history of recorded music. Well, it seems the internet is not a vacuum. People actually read things and share with others. A few days ago I was tickled to find the following email in my inbox. The Bird has heard the word!

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Dear Matt,

Your Journal piece from January of this year, “Walking over Fallen Fences”, tumbled into my computer just this week. As “Band Mother” to The Trashmen, I was delighted to see yet another piece on them, and, as my self imposed job description demands, I shared it with them. We all agree that you are a young genius. We are thoroughly impressed by your command of the English language and your brilliant observations. Your beautifully written interpretation has fascinated and enlightened us! For 43 years, they have pondered what it all really meant…who WAS that odd little Bird bearing gifts: Fame, Fortune and Female Fans? ( Personally, I was always under the impression that the Bird was Jewish…go know! )

The Trashmen have reunited and have scheduled tour dates beginning in July in Chicago. If The Bird happens to perch briefly in your area, come on over. If it interests you, you are invited to come backstage to meet the band. You may have too much time on your hands but such a clever boy you are!

Best personal regards from The Trashmen:

Tony Andreason, Lead vocalist & guitar
Dal Winslow, Rhythm guitar
Bob Reed, Bass Guitar
Mark Andreason, Drums

and Band Mother, Barbie Cohn

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Trashmen then:

And now:

Are you fed up with the state of the world? Are you fed up with the hassles and direction of your life? Do you crave justice?

Naturally in this climate, many people are looking for God. Search no further: We have God… right here in our cage. And God is just as fed up as you are!

God is giving free fortune tellings. God’s readings from the cage will increase your luck and prosperity. Just click inside and see the light.

http://godinacage.com

When done, you can also buy salvation and merchandise.  Our goal is to save a million people and raise a million dollars.  If you forward this link to 5 of your friends, good luck and opportunities will come your way… but if you don’t: Hell to pay.

—–God in a Cage is a new project I’ve created.  Hope you enjoy.

Silence is a virtue.  I’d like to make a blog where all the entries are blank.  That would say a lot.

One of my favorite radio stations is Radio David Byrne (the internet station, which you can stream online and also find in iTunes). Every month the musical guru posts a three hour song list, with additional commentary. Check out the radio station, and check out his quote below regarding a new paradigm in recorded music….

“There was another piece in the Times today about yet another 20 percent drop in CD sales. (Are they running the same news piece every 4 months?) Jeez guys, the writing’s on the walls. How long do the record execs think they’ll have those offices and nice parking spaces? (Well, more than half of all record A&R and other execs are gone already, so there should be plenty of parking space). They, the big 4 or 5, should give the catalogues back to the artists or their heirs as a gesture before they close the office doors, as they sure don’t know how to sell music anymore. (I have Talking Heads stuff on the shelf that I can’t get Warner to release). The “industry” had a nice 50-year ride, but it’s time to move on. Luckily, music remains more or less unaffected — there is a lot of great music out there. A new model will emerge that includes rather than sues their own customers, that realizes that music is not a product in the sense of being a thing — it’s closer to fashion in that for music fans it tells them and their friends who they are, what they feel passionately about and to some extent what makes life fun and interesting. It is about a sense of community — a song ties a whole invisible disparate community together- it’s not about selling the (often) shattered plastic case CDs used to come in.”

— DB

from DavidByrne Radio June 2007 Playlist