Tell Us the Truth

Tell us the truth/ Don't let us down/ You're a fool if you do---
Rock n' roll does emotional truth really well. When it's positive and upbeat, and a truth everyone wants to believe, it's pop, top 40 material easily. Calm down! That doesn't mean bad...



Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" expresses a subtle ache before a date...with power chords! But when you start talking about the real truth, that no one wants to hear, you are talking punk rock or hard core.

Probably the opposite of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" is G.G. Allin's "You Hate Me and I Hate You."



I love this song, because this is how all my high school pain started, really. I think it's where a lot of pain for a lot of people begins. I never heard these kinds of lyrics anywhere else.

You know, you know that you don't like me and I don't like you
You never listen to my point of view - I'm telling you
Why don't you all drop dead, you fucking fools - It's you who lose
You never wanted me so I say fuck you
You know, you know that you don't like me so I say fuck you

More on letting loose or now that we live in a mentally hygenic world,"acting out"


Telling Them by Social Distortion

Some of my favorite truth songs are simple. One was only 12 bars "I GOT THE JOB I GOT THE JOB I GOT THE JOB I GOT IT"

This is a little more traditional--


Iyiyiyi wanna fuck Annette! Wowowow!
Maybe the most basic truth of all...

Punk Rock Love Song Set List

Yesterday I was confronted with a punk love song set list that included Oasis from the 90s. I think I vaguely remember Oasis coming out with a good power pop song or two back then. But it wasn't punk.

I have to say I'm a purist when it comes to naming things in general. Punk is 1950s rock n' roll played much faster and much drunker, with a whole lot of attitude. And it wants to be loved or hated. The most insulting thing you can say about a punk rock band or song was "eh, it was alright, a little schmaltzy." If the music is anything else, it should be called something else. Emo, screamo, power pop, no wave, new wave and hardcore are all great things to be, but they are not really punk rock--perhaps nephews or cousins of the genre.

Here is my punk rock love set:

Johnny Thunders "I love you"


The Ramones "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend"


The Clash "Janie Jones"
Is there love in a rock n' roll world? Is there love in a Janie Jones world?


The Buzzcocks "Love You More"
It's in my blood to always love you more


The Cramps "Like a Bad Girl Should" risque video
I love your ass for bad or worse (now that's love!)


Motorhead "Love Me Like a Reptile"
You know I've got my eyes on you,
You're petrified, gonna stick like glue,
Love Me Like A Reptile, shock you like an electric eel

MC5 "Borderline"
I'm at my borderline/ I love you girl but I don't know why/ I have to love you so


Stiff Little Fingers "Barbed Wire Love"


The Senders "My Baby Glows in the Dark"


New Rose
I got a feelin' inside o' me/ It's kinda strange like a stormy sea....

Your Fortune for October. From The Rock N' Roll Singer's Survival Manual

Biblioscopes are the union of bibliomancy, divination through opening books to random pages and pondering the meaning of the phrases, and horoscopes, in that each sign does share certain commonalities, including planetary transits. Once a month I ask the Universe to lead my hands in opening the book to the right page for a month’s worth of good advice for each sun sign. My comments are in italics.

This month I am using "The Rock N' Roll Singer's Survival Manual," written and illustrated by Mark Baxter.

Aries (Mar. 22- April 21)
You should make your voice louder by  thinking volume instead of push. Your larynx has  reflexes to respond to the thought.
Fame: Being positive will draw people to you.
Money: Ask for some.
Love: Attract rather than chase.
General: Intention creates events.


Taurus (April 22-May 21)
It's not a good idea to use the type of sprays that numb the throat or drink syrup type liquors. You need to remain sensitive to the irritation to know if you're causing damage.
Fame: You will probably need more alone time than usual.

Money: A good time to monitor your habits. If you go drinking, spend cash, and don't bring your atm/credit card with you.
Love: Take it easy.
General: Your feelings are your guide this month. Do not run from them. Listen to their messages, and act accordingly.



Gemini (May 22- June 21)
Pendulum: A swing is a pendulum. a sound wave or vibration that has the same characteristics as that of a pendulum.
Fame: It comes and goes. If you pay too much attention to it, you may get overly stressed.
Money: Binge-spending on payday anyone? Anyone?
Love: It's only a rollercoaster if you want it to be. (see general)
General: That running to/running from swing you go on is about one thing: fear. If you can't conquer it, at least be aware.


Cancer (June 22-July 21)
Before you fix something, it helps to know how it works. In this section, I have simplified the process of breathing as much as possible.
Fame: No one really knows how this works. Meditate.
Money: Re-evaluate your spending.
Love: Look at what you are doing on your side of the relationship. Is it working?
General: You may meet someone who tries to teach you something you already think you do well. Pay attention, even if this person annoys you at first.



Leo (July 22-August 21)
"Belting": Forcing your voice to extend the chest register higher than it should be  by singing loud. (You are vulnerable to vocal damage by doing this.)
Fame: Yes, but it is exhausting.
Money:Maybe.
Love: If you have to make someone show up, do you really want them to there?
General: Forcing issues will harm yourself and others.





Virgo (August 22-Sept 21)
Goals, both long and short term, are vital. You can get in a car and drive as fast as you want, but it doesn't mean anything until you know where you're headed.
Fame: Once you know what you want, talk it up. It'll come.
Money: Attainable.
Love: Talk about what you want out of your relationship, if you are in one. If not, talk about what you are looking for in a relationship, someone may know the right person for you.
General:'Nuff said.


Libra (Sept. 22-Oct 21)
Play around with different length phrases in the same manner. Whatever the length, if you move your finger along the gauge while singing, your finger should pass zero when your [sic] half way through the line.
Fame: You have a long way to go.
Money: Balance your checkbook, then decide.
Love: Do not take anything too seriously for a little while.
General: This month is going to be a lot about experimenting with things and finding out what their value is to you in your life. If you can, put off committing to new projects until you feel more settled.

Scorpio (Oct 22-Nov. 21)

Each muscle, when isolated, has a simple function.  However, activated simultaneously, they begin to work against each other.Control is lost to a battle of tensions once you can no longer separate one muscle's job from another's.

Fame:Do not tell every single person your plans. Too many people may try to "help" at cross purposes.
Money: Keep your money close till things sort out.
Love: Sex. Perhaps some intimacy.
General:You will have to be very organized when delegating work or working with others, or there will be chaos.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Usually singers smoke a little pot to get loose and uninhibited. I think there is a better way to deal with your nerves than placing such a burden on the larynx...

Fame: Don't worry about it. Honest.
Money: Peace, my brothers and sisters.
Love: Rose colored glasses look good on you.
General: Your fun can end up being a burden for yourself and others. Not that I'd want to stop you.

Capicorn (Dec. 22- Jan 21)

There's nothing more powerful than your opinion of yourself. In the end that statement makes or breaks every singer.

Fame: October will be a prime month for working on your image. If you need help, definitely ask a professional. It will be worth it.
Money: Eh.
Love: In love, water seeks its own level...meaning the people we love are the same emotional age as we are, who feel as good about themselves as we do. Fortune-wise, if you have someone and you want to criticize, you probably have the same issues. If you are looking for someone new, think about the best qualities in yourself, and start your search there.
General: To repeat--your self-esteem will make you or break you this month.

Aquarius (Jan. 22-Feb. 21)

With an "oo" vowel, vocalize a continuous sound, starting in a middle range and sliding down gradually to your lowest note. This will sound like an old siren winding down or a bomb dropping.
Fame: Definitely go for Halloween all the way this year.
Money: Don't invest.
Love: Unlikely. Go for laughs.
General:You are going to scare some people create some chaos, just by being yourself. But you know, you are special that way. Boo!

Pisces (Feb.22-Mar 21)

Any sport you can think of that combines quick blasts of energy with stretching, jumping, bending and balance becomes a good cross trainer for singers. They build your endurance and lung capacity and sharpen your reflexes which are all pluses.

Fame: You have to go out and find more people to follow you.
Money: If you have money sitting in a savings account, look into investments.
Love: Go for the sex.
General:Being active is crucial for you right now. If you are just starting out, start slow and encourage yourself.