Tons to say

For whatever reason, I just realized that I have a lot to say. I need to post some new pics of the kitchen, as it's growing into what looks like a real kitchen now daily, but I also have some other goings on that I just wanted to write about. I will more than likely have separate blogs for the items I have in my head now, just to make it easier for people to digest and comment (if you want!).

Here are the things on my mind, in no particular order:
*These "big summer shows" that include 70s and 80s bands, who may or may not have any reason to tour together, other than to bring in tons of cash,
*Getting pregnant,
*Kitchen updates,
*Law school and MySpace,
*What it's been like NOT working and NOT having to look for a job.


For this blog, I will start with the "big summer shows" item, as I just saw yet another alert for one of these shows minutes ago, and I had a reaction.

For those of you that go to numerous shows, or just look at the concert calendar for any major city, you may have been seeing these massive "3 band rock tours" coming your way. I am referring to the examples of: Def Leppard/REO Speedwagon/Styx trainwreck, Poison/Dokken/Sebastian Bach (which I am actually going to and will explain later), and the most recent upset of Journey/Cheap Trick/Heart.

Now, most of the time I have no issue with these types of things if it's for a great cause, such as Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour. It also makes sense that she has 80s bands along with her, and even bringing on some no names to show us some new music. It supports the Human Rights Campaign, and it's something I can stand behind. Go Cyndi. She's a badass.

Another example is the show I'm attending--the Poison/Dokken/Sebastian Bach tour. For one, I love 80s metal. Two, I LOVE Sebastian and all his antics. And three, for what I could research, all these bands have the original artists in them. And I'll get more specific, HAVE THE SAME LEAD SINGER. Most of you that know me will know where I'm going here, but read on anyway.

If you take my first example (Def Leppard/REO Speedwagon/Styx trainwreck), this has many issues on first glance. First, WHY IS DEF LEPPARD TOURING WITH REO SPEEDWAGON AND STYX?? Metal and pop?! Now, I know some of you may argue that Def Leppard is pop, as in the 80s they were played on the pop stations, but please. If you put Def Leppard and REO in a room together, you guess who's gonna kick who's asses. But don't get me wrong, I love REO; they are just not metal, and don't belong on this tour.

Second, Styx? Just saying the name of the band pisses me off. For those that don't know, Dennis DeYoung, the "voice of Styx" (oh sorry, I am not allowed to say this per a court order from the band), is NO LONGER IN THE BAND. He sadly left the band initially due to health issues, but from reading updates over the years, there seems to be other, let's just say, "artistic differences" causing problems. And, oh and by the way, he's better now.

I have boycotted seeing them since I saw the "Styx: Behind the Music" on VH1 years back. What is the deal with people kicking the lead singer out of a band that CREATES THE SIGNATURE SOUND? Did I mention that he was also in the band for 39 years?? Can these so-called men act like real men so we can actually enjoy these shows? I've been so mad at this Styx issue since I saw the show that I have NO idea who the lead singer is and haven't even heard him! Sure, Tommy Shaw is kickass, and he has a few hits to his name, but take a look at the singles and you tell me who's the man while viewing this Wiki.

Third, let's talk about my beloved Journey. Look, I'm a child of the 80s and a girl. Journey is the soundtrack of the late 70s and early 80s, and most of us (especially girls), have some sort of sweet memory regarding this band. I have two. The first is "Open Arms" was my first awkward slow dance in middle school in 1983. I danced with Jay, I grew up in that moment, and Steve Perry was there cheering me on. Deal with it.

The second major memory involves stealing my mom's vinyl of "Frontiers," which we tended to argue about where it was constantly. I still laugh that my mom was that cool back then, but I digress.

There's always been a lot of controversy around Journey, it seems. Some say (including Steve) that Neal Schon kicked Steve out of the band; some say, it was Steve's choice. But once again, if you watch "Journey: Behind the Music" on VH1, I say this is a Neal Schon issue. Now, some of you may be saying: "Damn, Kathy. What's with all this drama? Who cares?" Well, I do. Steve is the "voice of Journey." There is no debating that, even if you don't like the band. Steve IS Journey. To not find a way for Steve Perry to be in this band is just plain rude and wrong, seeing that the band is continuing to tour, make albums, and make a ton of money he deserves.

What I also find bizarre is that they have changed lead singers so many times. There has to be a reason. It's like there's a curse on the band or something. I wonder why? (insert sarcasm here)

However, getting back to my "big summer shows" rant, I just found out minutes ago that Journey will be on tour with Cheap Trick and Heart. Wow.

Now, I knew last week that they would tour, as I got an alert on MySpace about the new album. I knew months ago when Neal found this new guy on YouTube (no, I am not making this up), and that they'd be back in the studio. See, Neal had a choice there. Could he maybe call Steve to see if he had a change of heart? I guess not. However, not only is this guy going to be the lead singer, but they are releasing a double-disc exclusively at Wal-Mart (don't get me started on that, we'd be here for hours) with the hits, REDONE BY ARNEL.

The press release regarding this info came from the band one night last week thru a bulletin on MySpace. I have no idea why they chose to accept public comments on this bulletin, but I can tell you 90% of the comments were full of anger and plain WTF? I added my own blurb to maybe get my voice out to the band, or honestly, to Neal. I mean, it's one thing to get a new band member and create new music, fine. But, to blatantly redo the CLASSICS that Steve sang and made into hits?? Blasphemy. I don't care how much this guy sounds like Steve.

Who knows? Maybe the band or the label people who may run their MySpace saw all our comments. Were they afraid that people would boycott the shows due to the choice they made to re-record those classic songs? Who knows? But all I know is that they are now touring with Cheap Trick and Heart.

I heard about the Cheap Trick and Heart announcement (Journey was not mentioned) second-hand from a friend, and almost considered going as I've seen Cheap Trick before and had a blast, but then I got the official announcement from LiveDaily, and my heart sunk.

The thing is they will sell tickets. Most people are not music snobs like I am, and really don't give a rat's A about the drama. But for me, that makes a huge difference. I guess it's about the integrity of a sound and the band.. the sound that I remember and love. For me, it's easier just to put in the CD, reminisce and enjoy it that way. I was lucky enough to see Journey's "Raised on Radio" tour back in the 80s and saw my beloved Steve. Even if it was just once, I get to say I saw Journey--the real Journey.

If you got this far, thanks for reading. I know I can sometimes be a bit snobby when it comes to this stuff, but hey, it's how I feel. I'm not here to tell you what to do, though. If you have tickets for the shows I mentioned, hell, have a great time, but I feel that part of "my job" is to shed light on some of the things that people don't think about. If that changes your mind, great. If it has you research the band more and buy some of the old stuff, perfect. We all have our reasons for listening and attending shows.

For me, if I'm going to spend the money it takes to go to one of these shows, I want the guys that created it from the beginning there (if at all possible). If that's not available, I have a choice.. and I can tell you with Journey and Styx, the concerts will just have to be in my mind for now. Unless they see what they themselves are missing and give us what we want.. someday.

I will never give up hope. Other musical miracles have come to fruition as of late, why not this?