Square Coal Bear

For a little insight into what makes me me and what my core musical influences are, I'm borrowing an idea from Pitchfork in which they talk to artists about what music they loved at 5 year interval points in their lives, at 5-10-15-20. For mine I go up to 30, haha- stream of consciousness style.

5- 1986ish- (maybe not quite 5). MTV new. Tears for Fears. Money for Nothing video. Michael Jackson. Prince. Soft rock radio on family van rides.

10- 1991ish- Michael Jackson. Still soft rock. R&B Classics, Boyz II Men, MC Hammer, dancing/singing along to Randy Travis reminds me of good family times in late 80s. Best age ever, by the way, haha.

15- 1996ish- High school- Eric Clapton! First love of the guitar and tone then. Especially on his Unplugged album. I originally wanted to learn how to solo and pick, but later would focus more on melody and rhythm. Other big Classic Rock influences at the time were Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Cream, the Beatles, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.  I got their box set from BMG and had it on repeat constantly. Simple Man is a heart song that I really connected with and still love! This also was a time were I was beginning to get into 90s Alt Rock like Foo Fighters (Everlong!), Collective Soul (local!), DMB, and Pearl Jam.  The first time I heard Paranoid Android from Radiohead blew my mind so I was definitely hooked to their sound.

20- 2001ish- College- Weezer. Weezer. Weezer. I was a late comer to the band's full catalog of music, for instance I hadn't heard of Pinkerton till my freshman college roommate re-introduced me to the Blue album back in late 1999. But then I fell in love with their harmonies, melodies, and hooks. Especially the B-sides and rarities like Longtime Sunshine, Susanne, and Devotion.  Guess I could relate. From that I grew an even greater appreciation for Doo Wop, the Beatles, and the Beach Boys. Rilo Kiley, Ozma, and Nada Surf were also key before Weezer broke back out or during their breaks. I was also listening to a good bit of Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Modest Mouse, and Guster early on. Later Wilco, Calexico, and the White Stripes!

25- 2006ish- Post College and Grad School. Still Weezer! I was also most heavily influenced by the Unicorns and their quirky melodic tunes. Kanye West- College Dropout. Modest Mouse. Death Cab for Cutie. Wrens- Meadowlands. Appreciate bands like Cake, Jazz from the 40s (Early Ella Fitzgerald!) and the start of Doo Wop (Ink Spots), Affinity for acoustic like Sufjan Stevens and more alt. country. Also really getting into country classics from the 20s-40s and especially Hank Williams Sr. and the Blue Sky Boys (great harmonies).

30- 2011ish- Honestly got a little behind the times with indie rock/pop groups. Still love the 80's. More appreciation for smooth 70s AM Gold, ELO and Abba melodies, Tom Petty, Springsteen, etc. More appreciation for the golden age of 90's bands- that sweet guitar crunch. Finally getting back into indie pop bands. Still and forever Weezer!