jarvys cafe

Jarvys Cafe' is About Music Education!

2011-12-21T19:45:00.012-05:00

I have been writing in this Blog for over 3 years and I still do not have many readers. One reason is that there are so many choices of blogs to read, that finding an audience is a very difficult task. And number two is that the title of the Blog post usually contains the Artist the Blogger is talking about and titles are a very big part of how Google rates your page.....so if you are talking about Rihanna, then you have a shot of a lot of dumb kids clicking on your link, but if you talk about a great band like Watershed, then forget it, you will be lucky to have 5 people visit your Blog. But you know what, that does not deter Jarvy.......we are going to keep writing and trying to educate people (especially young people) about what GOOD MUSIC really is. Watershed is a band from Columbus Ohio who has been banging out some of the greatest Rock and Roll of the 20th

Century and has been doing it for over 20 years!! Talk about preserverance!!
You must check them out. They have a Brand New Album called "American Muscle" YOUR EDUCATION STARTS HERE!!!

The Redwalls / Another of Rock's Best Kept Secrets

2011-11-24T15:53:00.006-05:00

In this day of digital everything it's rare to find the real deal. As I heard John say in an interview, you don't make records anymore, you assemble them. Well....The Redwalls are thr real deal. The problem is, they made 3 amazing records and never really found success. The biggest break they had was when they were invited to join Oasis on their Summer 2005 UK tour. Chicagoans Logan Baren, his bassist brother Justin started the band in 2001. I would start with their first record "Universal Blues ".... as your introduction to this amazing band. It just pisses me off that the music biz is so fucked up that a band like this never "made it" and then you guys like Justin BEAVER' making millions and kids have no idea whats really good music. It is not all like that....there are young kids who know what the real deal is. And the internet is a place where you can find bands like The Redwalls if you know where to look. Check this out! Logan Baren could be the illegitimate love child of Lennon and Dylan (if that was possible). Jarvy gives all 3 albums 5 stars!
The Redwalls- "Game of Love"

MAD Dragon Records | Myspace Music Videos

Do You Know: BUTCH WALKER?

2011-08-21T06:23:00.011-04:00

If you do not......YOU SHOULD! I have followed Butch Walker's career since I first heard his band called Marvelous 3 in about 2001 (the same year they disbanded). They were what the "press" labeled "Power Pop", but to me it was just good plain ole' Rock and Roll".
Butch Walker grew up in Cartersville, Georgia. Right out of high school, Butch took his band, Byte the Bullet to LA and they were signed to Virgin Records within the year. They changed their name to SouthGang and released two albums, Tainted Angel in 1991 and Group Therapy in 1992. Butch had 2 more bands with record deals, before forming Marvelous 3 and making 3 albums, 2 of them on Elektra records. Starting his solo career in 2002, I had the amazing luck to have seen him play on his first solo tour at Alvins, the Iconic Music Bar on Cass Ave., downtown Detroit....my home town. In fact, there were 2 little bars wich Mitch Ryder loved to play at, when we were home off tour and Alvins was one of them. I think the capacity is about 150....but on many nights that we played there.....I think 150 people alone...were just on the dance floor in front of the stage. Alvins is just one of those places that has the "magic"..it just sounds right, looks right, and most of all "feels right". Anyway....seeing Butch play there with only about 75 people was a once in a lifetime experience.

This first ( Left of Self-Centered ) album and tour was his "Heavy Rock" period and I remember that it was REAL loud....even for me (who stood next to a Marshall amp for 13 years). But it was amazing!!! I remember leaving there, that night thinking how great it was that here were still "Real Rock" bands left on the planet! Butch's second solo effort (Letters in 2004) took a complete 180.....and still is one of my favorite albums of all time. You have to hear this record. If you do not know about this amazing writer, producer, and performer......start with "Letters" for it is a good cross section of what he does. I had not written a post in quite a while and thought...."who should I write about" and I asked myself..."who is your favorite band/musician"? No Hesitation!!! Butch Walker. He has been recognized as a producer (Once named "Producer of the Year" by Rolling Stone), working with everyone from, Weezer, to Avril Lavigne. But as a rock and roll icon....well, it is a crazy world we live in today. The "Music Business" has changed so much from when I was in it, that there really isn't a "Music Business".....not like there once was. And I cannot say if that is a "Good Thing" or a "Bad Thing"....I just know that finding "GREAT" rock and roll, is not like it use to be. Sure...go ahead and say..."Yea, that Jarvy is just an old fart and just likes the music from when he was a kid. But if that's true, then why do young teens love Jimi Hendrix still.....after 40 years! I don't remember hanging posters of Benny Goodman on my wall when I was 14.
Butch Walker has a band again and they are called "The Black Widows". They have done one album and a new one called " I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart" and have a new album coming out August 30th, called "The Spade"
Do yourself a favor......if you "Do Not Know Who Butch Walker" is: FIND OUT!!!!
Jarvy...Aug. 21, 2011

John Lennon Rock God / Lennon and Cheap Trick

2011-05-04T10:19:00.006-04:00

I never knew that Rick Nielsen Bun E. Carlos played a track on Lennon's last recording sessions for Double Fantasy. I stumbled across a video on YouTube of this track. The amazing producer Jack Douglas, who produced the last Lennon albums...brought in Rick and Bun E. one day to try something different from the normal band they were using for the tracks. The result is what you see and hear below. It is said that even though John loved the outcome of this session, he thought the sound was to different from the rest of the tracks. Still....you can really understand what a GREAT ROCK VOICE John had....especially when being backed up by Real Rock musicians. As a side note, Tony Levin on bass. Here is the story direct from Rick Nielsen:
As Nielsen remembers it, before Cheap Trick achieved worldwide fame in the 1970s, they first needed to record an actual album and were seeking a rock culture giant to bring the release credibility. “We wanted John Lennon. This was in 1976, and he hadn’t done anything in so long.” But the rising artists got nowhere with that request, and the acclaimed first album was produced by Jack Douglas, a longtime studio master whose work over the years has included classic recordings by Aerosmith, Miles Davis, Alice Cooper and even Lennon, on his comeback album, “Double Fantasy.”
As Lennon hung out in his home at the Dakota in New York, famously tending to his new son, Sean, and making bread, Cheap Trick vaulted to worldwide fame with the stunning success of the triple-platinum “Cheap Trick at Budokan.” When Lennon dusted off his Rickenbacker and exhumed his legendary songwriting skills, he recruited Douglas to work on “Double Fantasy.” Recording commenced in the summer of 1980 in New York, and soon Douglas told Nielsen the sessions were “too studio musician-ish.” Lennon wanted some real, rough-around-the-edges rockers, and Nielsen was thrilled at the chance to record with a true rock legend. Problem was, his wife, Teresa, was about to give birth to their son, Daxx. “We were actually on tour, in Toronto, going to Japan the next day, when we heard about this, and the day of the session was the due date for Daxx. I asked (Teresa) about it, and she said, ‘C’mon, he’s your hero, you have to do it.' So on Aug. 12, we had a baby boy, and I was in Montreal. I smuggled a bunch of Cuban cigars out of Canada and flew into New York, showed up at The Hit Factory. After about an hour of setting up, in walks John Lennon.” After the clumsy introduction, Nielsen realized Lennon was a big Cheap Trick fan and started showing him some of his old tools. “He was playing this old Veleno guitar with dirty strings. He opened this case with an old Rickenbacker in it, and the set list from the Shea Stadium concert was scotch-taped to the back.” Lennon showed him a truly rare instrument, the Mellotron he played on “Strawberry Fields Forever” for soundscapes on “The White Album.” Nielsen was privy to conversation between Lennon and Ono as they planned arrangements for “I’m Moving On.” “She was asking him, ‘Should I do it fast or slow?’ He says, ‘Do it however you (bleeping) want, Mother!” “I’m Losing You” was knocked out in two takes but did not fit with the slicker material throughout the rest of the album and was left off the final printing of “Double Fantasy.” “It never fit with the continuity of the rest of the album. It’s like a lounge band, then this grungy song (“I’m Moving On” with Nielsen and Carlos also was left off). It was sort of embarrassing when people heard we were going to play on the album, then we weren’t on the album.” But the version surfaced on “John Lennon’s Anthology” in 1998, and Cheap Trick recorded a video to accompany the song several years ago. At the end of the session, Nielsen passed around his ill-gotten Cubans. Lennon joked with Carlos, “Hey, Bun E., I’ll see you at the hop,” and also told the Cheap Trick drummer, “I wish (Rick) had played on ‘Cold Turkey.’ Eric choked on that.” The “Eric” is Eric Clapton. “The whole time, it was just guy-to-guy, musician-to-musician,” Nielsen said. “Funny, I never got anything signed by him or anything like that.” Nielsen and Carlos did mention to Lennon the idea of him recording “Cheap Trick” years earlier. “We tell John this, and he says, ‘I would love to have done that.’ We wanted to kill our manager, of course. It was one of those what-if, never-happened things.”
Ain't that the truth!!! I was watching the Beatles Anthology the other night and heard The Beatles version of "Twist and Shout" 1964!!
Listen for yourself....God Love John Lennon!

Celebrate Band On The Run / Paul McCartney at His Best

2011-04-30T07:55:00.002-04:00

Paul's first real band after leaving the greatest rock group in history was a band called "Wings". The GRAMMY winning, smash # 1 album - originally released December of 1973 - yielded the immortal title track and world-wide hit “Jet” becoming Wings’ most successful and celebrated album ever. Paul McCartney personally supervised all aspects of the Band on the Run reissue. The remastering work was done at Abbey Road using the same team who recently remastered the complete Beatles’ catalog. If I had to take only 10 albums to a desert island, this would definitely be on the list!

The "RECORD COMPANIES"

2011-04-16T18:01:00.003-04:00

Here is an amazing commentary about how the record companies came to be and how they were originally just selling furniture (not music). Even in the beginning the rich big company only cared about making money not music. What is really ironic about this video is how in the present, the "Record Companies" have lost their way and now they have been put out of business by the internet and file-sharing. If they were really concerned with the actual "art" and "artist"......maybe they could have survived in some other capacity. Jarvy would like to know ......"WHAT DO YOU THINK?"

The Strokes Have a New Album / Angles

2011-03-15T05:34:00.007-04:00

If you love or hate them, you can't take away the fact that the Strokes are one of the most important bands in rock and roll in the last decade. They have single-handedly kept real rock and roll alive in the new miilineum! (Jarvy's opinion only....of course) But let's really take look at what has happened to not only the "Business of Music", but pop culture itself. In 2001, when The Strokes eponymous album "This is It" was released, the record business was basically dying a slow death. The years Top 10 songs on the Billboard Chart, included; Eve featuring Gwen Stefani , Peaches & Cream, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink - Lady Marmalade, Nelly featuring City Spud , Destiny's Child, and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot. That list in it's self could trigger a 3 page post.....but my point here is along come these kids from the NYC art college scene and have capture the masses by playing music that could of come straight out of Andy's Warhol's factory in 1968. As my life has always been about music, I can remember that time so clearly and that the first time I heard the record. It was the first time since I was 18 years, that I actually felt "that feeling" that a great new rock band could provide......and that is knowing that everything was "going to be ok", because you had a new friend. One that would help you through the dark hours....just by putting that piece of vinyl on the turntable and turning it up to 10!! No, they are not the most prolific players, but they understood....what it was really about. Just as The Velvets, The Stooges,The MC5, The New York Dolls, and The Ramones all had. The new record is officially to be released March 22nd, but I had a chance to here an advance copy and "Jarvy's Take" is The Strokes are still the BEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND in America today!!!

Iggy and the Stooges Live On!!

2011-03-01T09:23:00.002-05:00

In a recent interview with Crawdaddy! magazine, James Williamson talked about rejoining the Stooges, working on Raw Power and Kill City, and mixing and songwriting. He also spoke about the possibility of recording new singles with the Stooges, and said: "We’re continuing to work on new material, even though we haven’t had much time off the road yet. So this is the period when we’re starting to do that. But we have to have new riffs that capture our imagination, and the lyrics have to match that, and finally the performance has to be such that we can feel proud of it. The bar is set pretty high ... we don’t want to release something that’s not up to par with the Stooges material, but I think we can do it."

Iggy and the 70 year old Stooges have released a live version of Raw Power from their sold out World Tour! Amazing!! To see these guys playing their hearts out at "going on 70 years old" is simply INCREDIBLE! Here is a link to the live album and a link to the Limited Deluxe Edition of Raw Power. This 40 year old album is a great lesson for anyone yearning to be educated in the "School of Rock"

Rock is not Dead / Beady Eye Lives!

2011-01-25T11:06:00.002-05:00

Beady Eye was formed by the other three core members of the 1999-2009 incarnation of Oasis, namely singer Liam Gallagher, guitarist Gem Archer, and bassist Andy Bell,who switched back to guitar in Beady Eye, together with live drummer Chris Sharrock, who became a full time member of the new group.Jeff Wootton and Matt Jones will perform live bass and keyboard duties.

The band began writing and recording new material in November 2009,and offered a preview of their upcoming album with the release of "Bring the Light", on 15 November 2010 as a free download. It charted at number sixty-one on the UK Singles Chart, topping the Indie and Rock charts.

This guy Liam.....has single handledly saved rock. He may be a little conceited, but doesn't he deserve to be?

Welcome To My Nightmare II

2010-11-16T01:18:00.004-05:00

After 35 years it’s a bit risky, some would say desperate, to have a sequel to you’re most successful album. Alice decided the only way for him to recreate the magic of that album was to get together with Dick Wagner and Bob Ezrin. Now it’s the first time Alice, Wagner and Ezrin have all worked together since 1983’s Dada. Dada was a commercial and critical failure at the time, but has come to be regarded as a hidden gem. Alice was noted saying:

It feels great to be working with Bob again and the entire Bigger Picture team have been tremendously supportive. Lightning has struck more than once in the past with Bob’s involvement, so we feel great that we’re onto something really electrifying now that we’re together again. The album we’re crafting is, in some ways, a ‘shriekquel’ to what’s gone before and there’s no better guy to oversee things than Bob.

According to Gail Worley, Alice and Bob Ezrin have already written more than 10 songs for the new album. This includes the ballads “I Am Made of You” and “Something to Remember Me By”. Alice has also written a few tracks with Desmond Child, who brought Alice success in the late 80’s/early 90′s, with the albums Trash and Hey Stoopid.

Possibly the biggest news is that for the first time in over 35 years, Cooper has done three new songs with the original Alice Cooper group. The line-up includes Dennis Dunaway (bass), Neal Smith (drums) and Michael Bruce (guitar). Unfortunately original member Glen Buxton (guitar) died in 1997, so the reunion can not be a complete one. The reunion might have something to do with their possible induction into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame.

The fact that the original Alice Cooper Band has reunited to record is a long awaited wish for many of us old rockers.....who remember that first AC album "Pretties for You"

When Johnny was ON!!!!!

2010-11-02T19:13:00.002-04:00

Take a look at this video.....1987 and Johnny was playing with Jerry Nolan and Arthur Harold "Killer" Kane Jr. at the Roxy in Hollywood. This is what rock and roll is all about!!! There is a lot of crap performances of Johnny Thunders out there on the net and many of those attributed to what brought about his own demise at such an early age. But after watching this, I hope you understand that losing Johnny was a tragic loss to rock and roll!!!

Will Owsley....Gone but not Forgotten

2010-10-12T00:30:00.008-04:00

I had been thinking about Will Owsley one night while surfing the web....and thought I would Google him.....to see what he was up to. Here is what is really sad....One of my favorite musicians of all time was gone and I never even new anything about it. Will was definitely an "Insider's Musician" but what a loss to the music world.... and the fact that most people have no idea who he was.....is a REAL Tragedy!

Will Owsley died April 30, 2010 at Williamson County Hospital in Franklin, Tennessee; he was 44. The Tennessean reported the cause of death as "an apparent suicide.

I loved his first album, entitled "Owsley" I think one of the great Power Pop albums of all time. If you can find this CD....BUY IT!

With the money he earned working with Amy Grant and Shania Twain, he bought a house in Green Hills, Tennessee and in it built a home recording studio.In 1998, it led to the release of his self-titled solo album on Not Lame Recordings. It was co-produced by Millard Powers and Jeff Balding. Doug Morris of Universal Music Group picked it and proposed the album to be rerecorded, but Owsley insisted that it simply needed to be remixed by either Tom Lord-Alge, Bob Clearmountain or Andy Wallace. Tom Lord-Alge signed on,together with J.R. McNeely. The eponymous album Owsley got re-released on March 23, 1999 under Giant Records.

Recorded almost entirely on a vintage Studer 2-inch 16-track tape machine in his home studio on Hobbs Road in Nashville, Tennessee, it garnered him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Engineered Album. The album would be labeled one of the best pop records of the '90s.
RIP....Will. I will miss you!
Jarvy....10-12-2010

I'm not a BIG METAL FAN....but this is a Good Show

2010-10-11T17:42:00.000-04:00

I'm not a BIG METAL FAN....but this is a Good Show. That Metal Show on VH1 Classic is one of the only Rock and Roll Shows on TV. They talk about "ROCK" music more than just Metal Rock. It has 3 hosts, Eddie Trunk with co-hosts Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. It premiered on VH1 Classic on November 15, 2008. New episodes air on VH1 Classic on Saturday nights and are rebroadcast throughout the week.
But you can watch online at ANYTIME at this link: "That Metal Show Online"
Check it out.... it is definitely on the "Jarvy's Jazz Must See" list.
Rock on...Jarvy 10-11-10

THE HANDCUFFS / Rock from Chicago!

2010-08-19T21:54:00.006-04:00

The Handcuffs are a Rock and Roll band from Chicago Illinois. And believe me when I say they put "THE BIG R" in Rock and Roll! I discovered this cool duo by happening to catch the "The Main Vain" behind "The Handcuffs", Mr. Brad Elvis playing drums with my friends, THE ROMANTICS, last weekend at an outdoor concert in downtown Detroit. And he was unbelievable. Not only does he hit as hard as any drummer that I've ever seen, he also is the consummate showman! From my investigation of him on the net, I would say he is something of a musical legend in Chicago. In the past, leading 2 important Chicago groups, "The Elvis Brothers" and "Big Hello".......... with Big Hello having released three critically acclaimed CDs, played hundreds of shows and received airplay on college and commercial radio all over the globe. It was at this time that Brad recruited "Chanteuse", Chloe F. Orwell as lead singer of Big Hello. Later.... Brad and Chloe went on to form The Handcuffs. The Handcuffs have officially released two albums, recorded with Mike Hagler (Wilco, the Pulsars, Neko Case, the Mekons) at Kingsize Sound in Chicago and are putting the finishing touches on their third release as you read this. There are many reasons as to why YOU NEED to check out this band......But the "JARVY JAZZ" gives you only "One Good Reason". "IT'S THE REAL THING" These 2 amazing artists do not seem to care about what is "in vogue" and what is not! They are only interested in making good music and not being afraid to try and explore new and different genres and soundscapes.
CHECK THEM OUT!!!
Jarvy' 8.19.2010

THE GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL EVER!

2010-07-17T14:05:00.003-04:00

HERE IS WHY HE MC5 WERE GREATEST BAND TO HAVE EVER TAKEN THE STAGE!
NO MORE WORDS NECESSARY.

BUTCH WALKER /AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

2010-07-09T02:31:00.004-04:00

I have been a Butch Walker fan since he had a band in the late 90's { Marvelous 3}. I have seen him perform twice and I must say...both concerts were 2 of the most entertaining nights of my life. This guy is "OLD SCHOOL" entertainment. If you look at his solo record history, he has done everything from Heavy Metal to Power POP to just plain old Pop Music. But the one thing that runs true through all of his records is "Good Songwriting"....and there just are not that many great songwriters today..(I am sorry to say). He just released a new album with his new band "The Black Widows"
Check out this video from his concert tour, opening up for Pink (Don't Judge!)

If you wonder why Iggy is the King...Well Here Ya Go Kids

2010-06-20T06:02:00.002-04:00

This video from back when Iggy had just released his 1979 album "New Values' his record which had reunited Iggy with Raw Power guitarist James Williamson,who he had not played with since they made Kill City (right after The Stooges had broken up). Also, the album reunited Pop and Williamson with multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston, who had played live piano for The Stooges (1973 and 4) and also played on Kill City. For real Iggy fanatics, New Values is known as one of his best solo efforts. And as you can see in this interview, he never did have much patients for condescending (in quotes) journalists. But in the lip-sync performance...it's all attitude and there is nothin phony about it. For most of the performance, he doesn't even bother trying to pretend like the mike is for real.....so he just disregards it........ You gotta love him!!!

Billy

Dance to the beat of the living dead

2010-06-18T12:02:00.002-04:00

Dance to the beat of the living dead
Lose sleep baby and stay away from bed
Raw power is sure to come a runnin to you
If you're alone and you got the fear
So am I baby let's move on out of here
Raw power will surely come a running to you
Raw power got a magic touch
Raw power is much too much
Happiness is guaranteed
It was made for you and me
Raw power honey just won't quit
RaW power I can feeeeeel it
Raw power baby can't be beat
qpin eyes and flashin feet
Don't you try
Don 't you try to tell me what to do
Everybody's always tryin to tell me what to do
Look in the eye of the savage girl
Fall deep in love in the underworld
Raw power is sure to come a runnin to you
If you're alone and you got the shakes
So am I baby and I got what it takes
Raw power is sure to come a runnin to you
Raw power got a healin hand
Raw power can destroy a man
Raw power is more than soul
Got a son called rock and roll
Raw power honey just won't quit
Raw power I can feel it
Raw power honey can't be beat
Get down and kiss my feet
Everybody's always tryin to tell me what to do
Don't you try
Don 't you try to tell me what to do
Everybody's always tryin to tell me what to do
Don't you try
Don 't you try to tell me what to do
Raw power's got no place to go
Raw power honey
It don'twant to know
Raw power is a guaranteed o.d.
Raw power is laughin at you and me
And this is what I wanna know
Can you feeeeeel it
Can you feeeeeeeeel it
Can you feeeeeel it
Can you feeeeeeeeeeeel it
Raw power! raw powwwwwwer!
Raw power! raw powwwwwwwwer!
Can you feeeeeeeeeeeel it

Send "Raw Power" R

THE STOOGES FINALLY GET THEIR DUE

2010-06-18T06:25:00.003-04:00

Finally my favorite band of all time is getting what they deserve! RESPECT!!
Not only were the Stooges inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but they have also just re-released the most important rock and roll album of all time, Raw Power. Growing up in the Detroit suburbs, it was kinda cool to know that you had your own little secret about a band that not only understood whar Rock was about, but more important...... really understood YOU....a 13 year kid you couldn't fit in. And isn't that what R&R is suppose to be about. What is even more amazing is now after all these years you learn that there were little pockets of teenagers all over the world,that understood this great band...and many of those misfits turned out tobe rock ledgends them selves and were meant to carry on the torch.(ie: The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and the list just goes on and on) Sony Legacy Music has rereleased Raw Power in 2 different packages. One with both mixes, the original Bowie mix and then the later re-mix which Iggy did himself. It seems after all these years of Bowie's mix tking the hard hits, it has now turned around and some of the 'experts" are saying that Iggy's remix lost some of the original magic of the record.
Here is what you get wit hthe Deluxe Edition:

Original 1973 David Bowie / Iggy Pop mix of Raw Power
One-hour+ of audio rarities, outtakes, & alternatives from the Raw Power era
Georgia Peaches, an 8-song, one-hour performance at Atlantas notorious rock club Richards in October 1973
Deluxe 48pg photo / essay book
Five exquisite 5x7 Raw Power prints
Japanese pic-sleeve 7 vinyl single (Raw Power / Search And Destroy)
Brand new Making of Raw Power documentary

Michael Jackson Where Were They Then?

2009-07-03T02:47:00.004-04:00

OK, MJ was one of the greatest entertainers in our countries short history. So why is a Detroit rock blog even discussing Michael Jackson.....certainly the Jacksons weren't Detroit Rock. No...... but they were from Detroit in a way.........because if there wasn't a Motown, hence there would of been....no Jackson 5, no J5, no Michael. So I felt it was important to acknowledge him....
So here it goes..... the Jarvy Jazz. I am so sick of listening to all the pillars of the Black community talking about how important Michael was to the Black heritage and what a great humanitarian and friend he was and...... blah blah blah.....Listen I don't take anything away from the guy.....he was an amazing singer and dancer, but I want to know where were all these great celebrities 2 weeks ago when MJ was holed up in his rented house bankrupt and scorned as a child molester......I didn't see Spike Lee, Jeese Jackson, or the Reverend Al hanging out over at Micheal's playing Guitar Hero with him. I think MJ would be happy at all the attention he's received since his fateful day.....after all I believe the limelight was more important than anything to him....but why was it so important? Well...I think we all know that MJ had a very troubled life all the way back to when we remember seeing those Motown audition tapes of him singing "I got the Felling" at 5 years old. It's so weird when you look at those old videos of him on stage at 9 or 10 and he looks like a man in a child's body and then later when it appears that he is a "child in a mans (well sort of) body". Something just wasn't right. And for that I was sad for him. But comon!!! Stop being Hippocrates...you can't have it both ways.....or......maybe you can. After all this is America.
RIP Michael........and shame on you.......leaders of the Black Community.
Jarvy July 3rd, 2009

Eminem Says He Was Not a Chump!!!

2009-06-11T01:35:00.003-04:00

Do you believe it? Is Eminem really that good of an actor? Did you see the same 8 Mile as i did? I all fairness, he wasn't really all that bad in his semi-auto graphical movie....butt (pardon the pun) then again he was playing basically himself, wasn't he? I will say..... I did laugh at loud at the TV and that's pretty rare these days. Esspecially while watching the MTV movie awards. It has.....well MTV overall has disintegrated into such a piece shit (a 13 year wet dream....The Hills, come on what the ***** is that), that its hard to beleive that this was a TV channel that changed the face of rock and roll. Anyway....below is piece from The Huffington Post with Em's denial.

NEW YORK — Eminem says he knew full well what he was about to face at the MTV Movie Awards _ including Sacha Baron Cohen's bare butt.

Enimem told the Web site RapRadar.com that the much-talked about stunt was all rehearsed, right down to Eminem's mock disgust. Says the rapper: "I'm thrilled that we pulled this off better than we rehearsed it."

Eminem says when he left the show, he went back to his hotel and laughed for three hours, including as he watched the playback.

The rapper calls himself a "big fan" of Baron Cohen, who he said approached him about the gag while he was in Europe.

At Sunday's live show, the comedian descended from the ceiling on a wire in a fake mishap that ended with his bare hindquarters in Eminem's face.

Detroit Rocks Again (Finally)

2009-03-27T12:36:00.002-04:00

Theres a new sheriff in town....and they're called The Satin Peaches.
This band makes me proud to say I'm from Detroit.....still the rock and roll capitol of the world!
Check them out.
Jarvy,,,,

The tale of a Struggling Screenwriter or "How Not to Get Your Movie Made"

2009-03-13T18:35:00.005-04:00

American Star is a screenplay about a rock and roll dream that comes true. The problem is the screenwriter's dream of making the ultimate Rock and Roll Movie is a dream that is not coming true. Getting the right people to even know your screenplay exists, is nearly impossible. I have read 1000 websites about screenwriting and how to get your script into the right hands and have had absolutely zero success. At some point I decided that maybe I have been going about this all wrong. Instead of trying to get my movie made by Hollywood, maybe I should think about making my movie on my own. OK, the first thing that I would need to do is downsize the script to a more manageable size.........I don't believe i can shoot the scenes in the 80,000 seat stadiums and make it realistic. Stay tuned. I'll be back, when I have revised the script.

RED is the Color of Change

2008-11-09T17:24:00.009-05:00

The new Red Scarlet is going to be unveiled in 4 days. Last year at NAB, Red Digital Cinema showcased the long-awaited Scarlet, a compact model capable of shooting 3K video for under $3,000. Film and video enthusiasts flooded the show floor, clawing to catch a glimpse of the Scarlet's rectangular upright body and unconventional architecture. The Scarlet is equipped with a new 2/3-inch Mysterium sensor and supports 1-120fps with a 180fps burst mode. The Scarlet can capture video up to 100Mbps in REDCODE Raw format and RGB recording to dual compact flash.

"Considering the performance and the price of Scarlet, it's going to have a huge range of customers, from the soccer moms to the indie filmmakers," stated Ted Schilowitz, Leader of the Rebellion at Red Digital Cinema.

Red's latest compact addition has a 4.8-inch LCD screen, 8x optical zoom lens, and full Auto or Manual shooting modes. The Scarlet's connectivity includes HDMI, HD-SDI, FireWire 800, and USB 2.0. Many of the accessories from the Red One are compatible with the Scarlet.

The Digital Film Making community has waited almost a year for the release of this amazing camera. And after the release of the Red Camera, no one doubted this was going to change everything. Just when you think you know what to expect, Red goes and changes everything. They annouced ( a few months ago) that The Scarlet was going back in for a complete redesign and to just try and imagine the most awesome camera in the world and it will be even better than that. Well the time has come and on November 13th, we will finally know what the new Scarlet is all about. I don't think that I have ever seen so much web activity about a new product than I have about this camera. If it trulely does provide 3K video in a small handheld package and cost $3000, it will change the whole industry. I have been saving my pennies and will be ready on the 13th to put in my order. Will you?

The Living End

2008-08-24T16:35:00.004-04:00

Michael Butler from Rock and Roll geek Show claims that Australia produces more great rock and roll bands than even the home of R&R ...the USA. I don't know if I totally agree with that statement, but the truth is; they surely have given us some of the great rock bands of our time.
From old school bands like AC/DC, INXS, and Rose Tattoo: to the new generation with bands like The Vines, Jet, and Wolfmother. One band that has remained unknown here in the USA, but has built a huge following in their homeland of Australia has just released their 5th album and the Australian critics are hailing it as their best yet. The band is called 'The Living End" And the album is called "White Noise" It was recorded here in Hobokan New Jersey and was mixed by my favorite producer Brendan O'Brien. This band has been knockin them down for 15 years straight without a break. And why they are not a household name is beyond me. If you like your rock and roll straight ahead, with a great melody, then you'll love this band. Check em' out, I promise, you won't be dissapointed.
Jarvy, Aug 24, 2008

American Star Screenplay Complete!

2008-07-18T16:45:00.013-04:00

The screenplay is done and I am on to the next step....selling the screenplay. Of course this is all new to me and trying to get someone to read your work, when you don't have an agent is a nearly impossible task. But, we don't like the word "impossible"! Nothing is impossible is you really want it. I know that sounds like New Age gobbly goop...but I really do believe it. If you study up on the people who achieved their dreams, the story is always the same. It is about someone who doesn't give up and never let's the word "NO" stop them from their quest.

And my quest is to get this movie made. I seriously believe that my only real option is going to making the movie myself. The new age of technology has effected the Indie Film business maybe like no other field in the world. I can equate it with the Recording Studio Biz. 10 years ago, you either needed 1/2 of a million dollars (or more) to obtain the needed equipment to make a real professional recording. Or be able to pay $200 an hour to rent a studio. Today you can make that same recording with all the "Right Gear" on your laptop with $1000 worth of software. And that's not an exaggeration!! Now just because you have the right equipment, that dose not mean that you automatically know how to use it and it's the same thing with the film biz. Even with the right equipment, you still need talent and experience to be able to use it correctly.

I have a website for my film company, "Dakota One Films". I have put up a short trailer/teaser for the movie. It's only a flash slide show, but it will give you an idea what kind of movie I want to make. If you know anyone who would be interested in either looking at the script or investing in an Indie Movie Project, please direct them to the site. I really appreciate it!

The World We Live In

2008-07-15T00:07:00.017-04:00

When I decided to shoot my own movie, I investigated all my options, regarding the DV Camcorder market. As with Digital Still Photography, there have been amazing leaps in technology in Digital Video photography. When you stop to think about it, it wasn't really all that long ago when The Polaroid was the camera of choice, when it came to instant photos. It all started to change in the 80's. Kodak scientists invented the world's first megapixel sensor, capable of recording 1.4 million pixels that could produce a 5x7-inch digital photo-quality print in 1986. And then guess who it was that brought us the first consumer available Digital Camera and accompanying software for your home computer?
APPLE!! The first digital cameras for the consumer-level market that worked with a home computer via a serial cable was the Apple QuickTake 100 camera February 17 , 1994. Apple's marketing makes a pretty foretelling statement on this link above. It says "If it (The QuickTake 100) catches on, it will be the forerunner of a line of products which could change the way families take, manage and print their social pictures.
YA THINK!!! And I can remember it was only a few years ago that my brother paid 399 dollars for a 2 megapixel camera. Today, you can buy a 10 megapixel camera for under 200 dollars!
The camcorder technology has moved forward at the same rate, maybe even faster. Professional Digital Cinema Photography is in the process of replacing film just like the still photography consumer market. Cameras like the Sony HDCAM/cinealta(750/900/F23), the Thomson Viper , the Panavision Genesis and most of all the amazing Red Digital Cinema's The RED ONE, has changed the way Hollywood makes movies. On the Prosumer side, the message is even cooler. Now the idie filmmaker can make a movie that looks and feels like a 20 million dollar Hollywood film for a cost in the thousands instead of the millions.
On my next post, I will explain my choices for my gear, but at the top of this post is just a preview of what I choose and below an example of some footage shot with this exact setup.

The Canon HV20 and Letus 35mm Lens Adaptor.
Shot by Philip Bloom

A STAR IS BORN

2008-02-18T17:45:00.007-05:00

Ok...a podcast about rock and roll is on the way, but I had to take a minute and let you know how the screenplay is coming along. I have completed about 2/3's of the script and I must say.....I am really excited about what I have. It is absolutely the best thing I have ever done artistically. The working title is "AMERICAN STAR". I had mentioned last year on this blog that this title held sentimental appeal to me...for this was the title of a rock opera which I wrote with my first rock group back in the early 70's. When I receive the inevitable question that every screenwriter is asked when they reveal that they are writing a screenplay, "What's it about"...here is what I say.
American Star is the story of a young kid growing up in the 60's and 70's, who has a life long ambition to become a rock star and even though he has had a difficult life (he never knew his real parents and grew up in a series of abusive foster homes) his perseverance is rewarded by becoming one of the biggest rock stars of the 1970's. This is the story of the excesses of the rock star life in a time when sex, drugs, and rock and roll was a "Good Thing". But even so, fame and fortune still do not guarantee happiness and this guy's journey about finding what really is important in life is the main plot of this story.
That's the long version. Usually when I am asked "what's it about", I say....
I want to make "THE ROCK AND ROLL ROCKY".. I know that sounds kind of trite and silly, but....I really do want to accomplish two things with my movie.
#1. To show what it was really like, being a rock star in the 70's, when "Being a Rock star" really meant something.
And #2. I want this story to make the audience fall in love with these characters and care about what happens to them!
Stay Tuned...I will be posting some excerpts from the screenplay very soon.

Peace, Jarvy.......Feb 2008

It's Time To Talk about the Greatest Band That Never Happened

2008-01-13T09:15:00.002-05:00

Oh they happened, but they surely never met their potential. What's most amazing is that you put on Bellybutton in 2008 and it still sounds better than any powerpop rock record of today. How did it happen that Jellyfish never happened like it was suppose to? Well there are a number o reasons, I'm sure....but probably the best reason was that the timing was wrong. in the early 90's is was all about Grunge and not about guys in funny hats. That was probably a bad move.....looking back. The image they were trying to portray was all wrong. Ans it didn't have anything to do with the music. So at this point you are saying to yourself.....What is Jarvy talking about....has he lost it? This blog and podcast is about Detroit rock and other straight up rock and roll...isn't it? Well yea...it is but I thought it was time to come out and tell you this is my favorite band (at least of my adult life....the MC5 and The Stooges were my childhood bands). You have to go to Itunes or better yet....go to Amazon and buy one of the only {2} studio albums. Bellybutton or Spilt Milk. I promise you...if you love a great production and a good melody in your rock, you won't be disappointed. The keyboard player and one of the 2 main writers is still making music and has a great website. His name is Roger Manning Jr. The other musical genius is Andy Strummer. The singer and writer with Roger. Andy is not as active as Roger in todays internet world of music....but his is still doing a couple of projects. One really cool project that he sang on is: L.E.O. a take of on ELO of the 70's one of the precursors to powerpop. And of course the ELO was influence by the original Powerpop band....the Beatles. Theres also a brand new double tribute album for Jellyfish fans call ed Sensory Lullabies. It's a pretty cool CD of current bands doing Jellyfish songs. So stay tuned for Jarvy's next Podcast.......all about guess who....you got it....Jellyfish.

Earl Greyhound Rocks!!!

2007-09-30T13:53:00.001-04:00

Earl Greyhound Rocks!!! Check this band out.....I found them on MySpace and they floored me!
The following is an excerpt frpm Spin:
New York trio Earl Greyhound formed in 2002 when guitarist/vocalist Matt Whyte joined forces with bassist/vocalist Kamara Thomas to perform as a duo in New York and Los Angeles. After experimenting with a slew of drummers, including current Grizzly Bear drummer Chris Bear, the pair eventually brought on heavy-hitter Ricc Sheridan to round out their line-up. The band are releasing their debut album, Soft Targets, via Some Records.
What's the Deal: With his guitars drenched in thick layers of fuzz, Whyte conjures up some seriously heavy riffs in the spirit of Led Zeppelin and T. Rex. The album kicks off with the supercharged "S.O.S," featuring Whyte's spacey vocals over a churning sea of distortion, and "Monkey," with its brain-bending time signature and deafening drumming, is eight minutes of aural ambush. But the band never forget the melodies, and even the break-up song ("It's Over") is a catchy, bouncy affair.
Fun Fact: If the band ever decide to give up rocking for more reliable work, they can always return to their fast paced day jobs: "Kamara sold fish, Matt tended bar, and Ricc bided his time watching Mahavishnu and Buddy Rich VHS tapes," a source close to the band tells SPIN.com. ELI SCHWIMMER
http://www.earlgreyhound.com/
I promise...you will not be dissapointed
Jarvy 09-30-2007

Rock of Ages / Jarvys Cafe' #4

2007-09-01T17:44:00.000-04:00

Jarvys Cafe Podcast #4
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Jarvy changes the format for show #4. One of the driving forces behind this podcast, has been Jarvy's need to let the world know (especially the 40 to 50 year old Baby Boomers) that even though it appears as if there is nothing but pure shit for music in todays market place, if you do allitle digging (and digging is now so easy with a computor and an Internet Connection) you can find an amazing amount of great rock and roll being made...... and made by todays youth. Rock IS NOT dead.....it's just hiding in plain sight. So the cafe is turning you on to a few of Jarvy's new favs..... In this episode, he covers:

The Answer ....great blues rockers from England
Electric Mary .... Austraila's new version of a tried and true formula
Hell n' Diesel ....... Sweden circa> 1978
The 1990's ....... Englands new pop rockers
The Long Blondes ......Another English import....but with the correct influences...The Ramones, The Buzzcocks, and Velvets

He also starts the show with Danko Jones....My Baby Hates Me. Possibly one the all time great rock records. You've got to hear this one!!
Enjoy!!!

WHITESTARR IS THE REAL THING!!

2007-07-07T18:01:00.000-04:00

Where the hell did these guys come from. I have heard the name "Whitestarr" quite a few times over the last 5 years....and usually connected to the fact that a couple of the band members have famous parents. That alone....usually throws up the red flags....and that is why I have not ever pursued finding out more about them. The second thing that comes to mind is I remember something about them being LA's most famous unsigned band.......so anyway....I somehow happened across this band in my web browsing and holy shit....these guys ROCK! And not only do they rock, they are concerned about all the right things....girls, girls, hot cars and having a good time....isn't that what rock was supposed to be about? So from what I understand, there is a reality show coming out about the band called "THE ROCK LIFE" ON VH1 AUGUST 6th. On their MySpace page, there is a tralier and it looks awesome! So I can't write this blog without mentioning that the lead singer is the first real rock and roll character I've seen in 20 years.....Cisco Adler is an amazing singer and front man, but more importantly.....he comes off as a normal guy....a really hard thing to pull off....as we all know, especially those of us who have played in rock bands..... the dreaded LSD (lead singer disease) is almost a given. So eventhough I said the famous parents thing was a red flag, I can't expect you..... not to want to know. So here is the heritage line... Cisco Adler, is the son of the legendary Lou (founder of Dunhill and Ode Records, producer of the Mamas & the Papas, Johnny Rivers, and Carole King). Their lead guitarist is Dickie Betts Jr., son of the Allman Brothers Band guitarist. And if that weren't enough, their drummer is Alex Orbison, son of the late, great Roy. Should be some talent there somewhere...huh?? Check them out!!!

Whitestarr ROCKS!!! jarvy 7-7-7

The Stooges luv the Cafe' Show#3

2007-04-28T20:51:00.006-04:00

Jarvys Cafe Podcast #3
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Show #3 is the show we've all been waiting for. Jarvy had been talking about a Stooges show back when the "cafe" was just an idea....(like it was a real long time ago, this IS only the 3rd show). None the less, The Stooges are the right band for this podcast, for they where the inspiration behind Jarvy's/Billy's love for rock and roll. if it was The MC5 that first captured his thoughts and the way he looked differently at the word at age 13, it was Iggy and The Stooges that first captured his heart and started him down the road of Debauchery and the rock and roll life. We will talk about Iggy's life story and how the Stooges started out, all the way through the Iggy Pop solo career and on to the amazing 30 year reunion.

The Ramones Stop by the Cafe'

2007-03-16T20:49:00.001-04:00

Jarvys Cafe Podcast #2
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Jarvys second show is dedicated to one of rock's greatest bands. The Ramones! Jarvy provides his unique brand of rock history....regarding the band that has been awarded "the Godfathers of Punk Rock" moniker. We follow the band from it's humble beginnings in Forest Hills N.Y. to the sad ending with 3 of the 4 original members now play in rock and roll heaven. Jarvy covers all 15 albums and gives a little insight in to when and where the boys were in their career at the relase of each. So sit back and let the Madman Jarvy take on a trip through Ramone memory lane.
We hope you enjoy!!

James Bonds Computer/Communicator

2007-03-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

OQO vs THE SONY UX MICRO

I have always had a thing for miniature things. It all started when I was 9 years old. I actually have one of my only real memories from that age. In fact it could be my first real memory as a child. I have a lot stories from my older brother and sister about my childhood, but to actually say I remember anything from age 9 would probably be a (white) lie. (Why are they white lies and not black lies or red lies…..does that come from a middle class up-bringing?) Anyway….. back to my memory and the beginning of my obsession with miniature everything. I went to a marine supply store, which was a store which sold boats and accessories for anything to do with boating. That is where a saw my first Sony TV. It was the 5 inch, model 5-303W. I don’t actually remember the model number, I know this because I have been collecting these TV’s and buying them off EBAY. It was a technical marvel. There was no other TV even close to being that small in 1963. It also was the start of my love for anything Sony. So when Sony released its first handheld PC, the U50 was released in 2004, I was immediately infatuated and wanted one bad! But at $2200 and a touch-screen, but no keyboard, it was a little steep for my pocketbook. The OQO model 01 came out about the same time and did have a slide out qwerty keyboard. The OQO-01 was an amazing little computer, but again, at $2K plus, was it worth the money. As technology marches forward, there now are 2 real choices regarding the new category called; Ultra Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC) They come from Sony and OQO, and if you are in the market for a true Windows (Vista) based computer that can truly be carried in your (Coat??) pocket (well maybe not your pocket, but certainly your pocketbook….especially after the money that’s removed to pay for one of these beauties), you should check out these babies.

Even though I have professed my love for Sony, in this case I am going to buy the OQO-02. And probably for all the wrong (technical) reasons. But mostly because it looks more like a communicator from a sci-fi movie!

Screenplayer is on the MOVE!!!

2007-02-23T21:47:00.000-05:00

The new screenplay is finally taking shape. I have re-written it about 20 plus times and I finally feel as if I am getting it right. My new working title is "American Star". This was also the title of a rock opera I wrote with my band back in the late 70's. I had a great mentor and manager, who's name was Tom Conner. Tom had the idea to turn the rock opera into an Animated Film. We actually had a script and had it story boarded ......the whole movie. We just could never find the financial backing. So now in honor of Tom and my late friend Rick (who was the artist, who drew all the characters), I am naming my live action Rock Movie.....with the same title. Believe it or not....I did a search on the web and American Star has never been used as a theatrical release. I need to copy write it soon.....Especially since I have announced on my ever popular Blog. (I'm kidding, I do wish knew more about how to direct people to my blog)......There is something else that i have been doing a lot of thinking about.......The MAC vs. The PC. I actually started out as an APPLE guy. My first real computer (after my Atari 800) was a MAC SE. I loved that computer. But somehow along the way.....like most.....I turned to the PC. In the beginning it was a lot about "software" .....there just wasn't a lot of great software for the Apple platform back in the 70's. But now.......WOW...HOW CAN YOU NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE IMAC. What a marvel of technology. From the hardware all the way to the MAC operating system / OS X Tiger. I think it's time again.......Let me know what your thoughts are on the PC with the new Vista vs. IMAC.

2007-02-07T21:47:00.000-05:00

THE BEST BAND TO COME FROM DETROIT ..IN THE LAST 20 YEARS HAS CALLED IT "QUITS"
The Fags Break-up!

Yes...it's true! The Fags have called it quits. After reading the artical/interview with the man behind the genius of this band, John Liccardello, I should of seen it coming.
I wrote john an email to say how much I have enjoyed his band and not to let this get him down......and he wrote back to say....he put the Fags together to try and put something together with a comercial value. And that he is done working on that level......no longer will he care about major label interest, radio, or any of the things that must be in place to "make it" John said he has a new "pure punk" band and they are playing their first gig on the Friday Night of this upcoming MetroTimes Hamtramck Blowout. They will be debuting at Smalls Bar.

BOY!!! Those were the days!!!

2006-10-14T12:01:00.002-04:00

BOY!!! Those were the days!!!
Man I never thought I would say that....but....The 9 to 5 (in reality 7 am to 6 pm) grind is really starting to wear on me......especially when I look in the mirror.....ugh!!!! What happened??? See that Stud with the long blonde hair and Ray-Bans.....(in the pic of my old group "The Mitch Ryder Band"). Now that guy used to pull a few "Birds" (as our English friends so perfectly like to describe our conuterparts).
Anyway...the work a-day Johnny thing is getting even older than I am :)
I have been working diligently on "The Screenplay" and I am finally making some headway. Stay Tuned...I will call you from HollywoodLand.......Billy

Rock From Detroit' Jarvys Cafe' Show #1

2006-04-05T13:15:00.007-04:00

Jarvys Cafe Podcast #1
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Jarvys Cafe is a new rock and roll podcast from Detroit, Michigan. This is a test show to check out if I know how to make this podcast work with the RSS tools. You would think it is easy...with all the stuff you find on the web. but for a guy who has never done much html or anything like it. it's not as easy as thay make sound. I hope you enjoy my first test show. I promise, it will get better. thanks for listening!!! jarvy

2006-03-29T10:04:00.000-05:00

Beyond the podcast Jarvy is working on the "TAKE ME OUT OF THIS LIFE AND GIVE ME A NEW START" project. Jarvy believes this project to be the most important thing he has ever done in his lifetime. Do you ever wish for a way out? Out of the daily grind of getting up every morning and going to the same old job, with the same old rush hour traffic, and the same old co-workers who say the same old thing every day of your shitty life? YOU DO?.....Well Jarvy wanted a way out too and buying a course from Carlton Sheets on "No Down Payment Real Estate" did not do the trick....all it did was give Carlton Sheets another $500 toward his way out.....and beleive me when I say he is so far out, you can't even see him! (or something like that)
Jarvy does have have a plan......
The Plan.
Jarvy is writing the greatest rock and roll screenplay of all time. How many baby booomers are out there, who would love a movie about a kid from the early 70's who has a dream to become a Rockstar and then does fullfill the dream and becomes the worlds biggest Rock Star. This movie will be the "Rocky" of rock and roll movies......only better.
Stay tuned for previews and outlines of the movies plot. The working title is "1973"

jarvy 03-29-06

2006-03-20T11:58:00.002-05:00

Hello and welcome to Jarvys Cafe. This is a brand new podcast site. In a couple of days you will find a brand new website design, along with Jarvys Cafe's first PODCAST!! Jarvys Cafe is a new podcast from Detroit, Michigan USA. It will focus on Detroit Rock and Roll from the past, present, and the future.

STAY TUNED!!!!!!

thanks, Jarvy