that subliminal kid

I started walking up the pedestrial road to Irodeio Theatre, just downside Acropolis. It was a warm summer-ish nigh. Αt least 3.500 people were there. I was stunned! I thought it would just be me, myself and I, best case scenario. But I was wrong.
And when Paul D. Miller, better know as DJ Spooky, stood in front of us at 21.15 sharp, he just said “Wow!”

And WOW indeed! He is the first dj that ever played in a theatre that is… 1850 years old! His records are not distributed massively in Greece but there he was, opposite 3500 people waiting to listen to him mixing and spinning his sounds, scoring an alternative soundtrack for D.W Griffith’s 1915 movie, “Birth Of A Nation”. The screening began, a mutant version of the "Star-Spangled Banner" hit us through the sound system and, for the next ninety minutes or so, we witnessed an extraordinary gig.

I am not going into any details but, for those unfamiliar with the movie [don’t worry, it’s not exactly a mainstream blockbuster production], I will just underline the fact that it is still used by none other than... the Ku Klux Klan as a “recruiting device”, despite the racist content, or rather, just because of it. According to that movie, the African Americans have divided the US Nation, so the country must be re-delivered to white rulers… Anyhoo, I have never been in the States, but I know that racism still exists there, even though one would believe that the KKK belongs to a forgotten past. Unfortunately, that is not the case!

Nevertheless, the point is that DJ Spooky took a controversial [to say the least] movie that’s more of a call up to arms and a propaganda tool instead of an artistic document [although, technically speaking, it’s kind of interesting] and managed to counter-narrate the tale, spreading the message in a complete different way. As he told us before the gig, in his short introduction, “Those who do not understand the past are doomed to repeat it.” Words of wisdom [erm, actually, this quote is Santamaya's, the LATAM philosopher]...

I despise politics and this blog is bored to death when it comes to analyze things that are too serious to deal with within a blog limitations. But, the music was fantastic, the scenery was majestic, the combination of the phat beats, cinematic strings and… ancient stones was inspiring and when the sounds went off… the night proved to be still young.
And I might as well witness the re-birth of a nation, but I also had a good night out. And spooky that… it was not. So, call me shallow, but “nice” is always a good option…

As a matter of fact…
Call me morbid, call me pale…
I've spent six years on your trail
Six long years
On your trail
Six full years of my life on your trail

But if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life…

recurring dream

Wokeup@04.30andfeltlikewrittinginBrettEastonEllis’style.
SoIpickedupapenamdstartedwirtingdownsomerandomthoughts.
Butitprovedtobethathteywerenotrandomatall.
TheywereallexcludedfromadreamIjusthad. SoIwasdrivingreallyfastandIfeltliketherewasnothingforme
tolose,asifiwasplayingGrandTurismoorsomething,
onlythatwasnogame-itwasreal.
AndsuchwasmyspeedthatIcouldn’tseeclearlytheothervehicles
andpassengersorlights. Butnothingcouldgetinmyway. AndIturnedonmyrightandtherewasagirlandsheestaredright
intomyeyesandheldmyhandandwhisperedinmyear
“Iloveyoumorethanyouwilleverknow”. IthinkthatwastruebutrightthenwecrashedandIdon’tknow
ifwediedornotbutwhenIcheckedonhershewasn’tthere.
Somaybeitwasjustacrush,youknow?
Nothingmore,nothingless. And that’sthe“less”…

I can see my life from here

There are many things I could write…

About my experiences of a past life as a music journo. About my experiences last night in the Box, where all my life passed like a near death experience in front of my eyes – but in slow speed. About all the damned, doomed and gloomy drunks that drank their hearts out in front of me at the bar, while I swang along to me sounds…
About some new records I came across and got excited with. About the forthcoming ISIS gig with JESU supporting tomorrow. About how much and, most important, why I hate the greek eurovision contest song. About famous local singers managing perfectly not to do their military service without facing any problems whatsoever.
About some really crazy, deranged and disturbed people that live among us. About the new System Of A Down album that will definitely go to #1 in the US. About how I hate some people. About how insensitive I feel. About how even more insensitive I am…
About how I loved Wicker Park [the movie] and how I listen to the soundtrack just before I fall asleep. About how much I missed the days I was practicing karate and felt stronger than anyone around. About how much I would like to play basket ball for the National Team. About how old my niece grew just in two weeks when she was in her new home, in Switzerland. About how I can’t stand the heat and I cannot believe summer lasts for six months in this bloody country!!!
About how bad I need a holiday. About how much I miss some friends I haven’t been able to meet for some time. About how strange it was when I stumbled upon an old school mate, ten years after our previous meeting. About what I am planning to do this weekend.
About all the stupid spam mail that insist on trying to sell me viagra pills and pc accessories [as if that combination would secure maximum pleasure – endless net sex in front of a luxurious screen!!!].
But… who would read any of that? And why on earth would I write such a thing? There are worse things I could do, aren’t there? So, I think I will go for that…

Random Rated R

· The best porno flick title ever: "My first time... volume VI"

· The best song to listen to your discman walking your way to work on an early morning: The Jam's "Going Underground". What a bassline!

· The out of competition best way to start your day: an e-mail with an attachment under the code name KARDAMILI

· The best current t-shirt slogan: Quit Your Job!

· The best song title: Rubin Steiner’s “Your Life Is Like A Tony Conrad Concert”

· The best anthology title: Steve Wynn’s “What I Did After My Band Broke Up”, collecting his solo years [post Dream Syndicate]. Mediocre material, great title

· Music to my ears: Your voice, over the phone

· Best movie I have seen lately: Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind. What a script! What a direction!

· Second best thing I’d like to do right now: Play “The Punisher” in PS2

· Highlight of the week: anytime soon

and there were times I'd take my pen...

…And feel obliged to start again
I do profess that there are things in life
That one can’t quite express
You know me I’m acting dumb-dumb

You know me…

But even if you don’t, it’s not that difficult to understand I’m acting really dumb-dumb, is it?

Another sign with no regret
More coins inside her hand
One more time to own respect
No mercenary she stands
I'm no boy stealing pennies from the poor
Break it down
Can't you see she's the dum-dum girl

Another hand upon her hair
Time probably erased distaste
And so she's left outside of guilt
Break it down
Can't you see she's the dum-dum girl

Anyhoo, enough with 80s’ songs’ lyrics…

Some people say that what I know should be kept secret,
Some people say I don't know anything at all,
Some people say that what I do could be dangerous,
Some people say I don't do anything at all.

Some people say this is a blog that needs some posts in,
Some people say no it's a blog for the masses,
Some people say that they can't stand what they're reading,
Some people say... who gives a damn what they say.

Some people say that I look just like my father,
Some people say I've got my mother's eyes,
Some people say I'm like my sister 'cos I'm honest and truthful,
Some people say they know my sister’s just another lie.

Some people say that we should let the search continue,
Some people say just what the hell's going on.

But, honestly now…
Do you think I care, do you think I care,
Do you think I know or I'm aware,
Do you think I care what you say when I'm oblivious.

Blimey! Songs. All my life is surrounded, or even worse, guarded, by songs. Everywhere I look, every stone I lift, every trip back to memory lane, every move I make, every breath I take, every little thing I do, every bond I break, every step I take, every game I play, every word I say, every vow I break, every claim I stake, every smile I try unsuccessfully to fake, every fucking single day… there is a song that scores the moment. And there is a high chance songs tell me what to do actually. They show me the way. They force me to do things. They inspire me. They cheer me up. They set fire to my imagination. They sparkle in my eyes. They sex me up. They make my day. They fix the mood. They set the record straight. They send shivers down my spine. They make me wanna share!!! They make me wanna dance, scream, shout, sing and play the air guitar. They make me wanna smash, rip and burn everything around me. They make me feel ALIVE. And they never let me down. Almost…

But… great songs have no meaning when you can only imagine where they are referring to. I mean, you listen to a really GREAT song, like Blur’s “Universal”, or Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over”, or Diana Ross’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, or Queen’s “One Year Of Love”, or The Blue Nile’s “Let’s Go Out Tonight” or Blood, Sweat & Tears’ “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” or any song you consider to be great anyway and you’re left there speechless. And all you can think of is something like “Wow! Now that’s a great song. I wonder what were those guys thinking when they were writing it…” And then one day, you get the chance to actually feel what they were thinking because that’s exactly what you think as well, so you know. And then beautiful songs become more, erm, beautiful that you could ever imagine, because every detail has its own meaning and everything fits into place and everything blossoms. And you are privileged to know that there can only be one. You are the chosen. You are the one who knows that all great songs are out there for a reason: to describe the beauty that lays in front of you and the warmth that spreads inside of you. And the beats your heart skips. And the love-making. And the tears of joy and happiness.

But you are only human. Full of flaws. And you ruin it all. And you pick up the pieces, you try to rip it up and start again.
These are the times you 'd take your pen...
And feel obliged to start again.

Oh, what the heck. Rip it up and start again then. But, you know, why don’t we play the next round with the same team[mate]s?