Category: Music

Piano stool history is long and varied, the earliest models being standard equipment with pump organs and the spinet pianoforte. Various models existed in a multitude of heights and sizes. The current useful function of the stool depends on the build and the quality of construction.

The most common piano stool found in the antique market is the pedestal style organ stool, often sold with the upright piano and various home pianos of the early 20th century. Prices of these benches can vary but are usually quite reasonable, higher market prices being for the more sought after stools with carvings and clawed or inlayed legs. While these type stools can be an asset for the interior décor, they are of little value for the modern pianist and are unstable at best for proper seating.

With the development of the smaller console pianos and spinet pianos in the late 1930’s for usage in homes there was a shift away from piano stools to the now standard piano bench with music storage. While the more elegant stools may have fit the Victorian décor better, the traditional piano stool proved to be a poor choice for the serious pianist. The most important assets to piano seating are stability and comfort, the older stools proved to have neither.

Among educators and piano instructors the most common choice of a piano bench is the standard traditional bench with music storage or the adjustable bench. Various options of leg styles are available as well as many common furniture colors and finishes. While a piano stool may have aesthetic value to many, the practical purpose of a traditional piano bench greatly outweighs any advantages.

I was 13 years old in 1968 when Henson Cargill, a relatively unknown name in country music, topped the country charts with the Jack Moran and Glenn Tubb penned classic, “Skip a Rope.”

I was just getting into music in a new way. And music was changing in an important way. Pop music was becoming more politically and socially conscious. In a few short years we had grown from “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to “Sargeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “All Along the Watchtower.”

Country music was changing too. In another year Kenny Rogers would hit it big with the Mel Tillis Vietnam-inspired “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.” On all popular music fronts, social commentary was on the rise.

“Skip a Rope” was another early country entry in the “all we need is love” musical movement.

Back in those days the teen music magazines printed the lyrics to top songs in the back of the publication. I was becoming fascinated with songwriting: who wrote the song, what do the words “really mean,” etc.

“Skip a Rope” was one of those songs that I found the words to. As a kid experiencing big family problems, the lyrics were particularly meaningful and poignant to me.

“Skip a Rope” dealt with it all: family discord, racial discrimination, greed…and I was not yet far removed from literally skipping rope on the playground and hearing the kind of mean-spirited things kids can say, often just repeating what they had heard at home. The song rang “true” to me, and I guess for countless others as well.

Over the years I’ve often thought about “Skip a Rope” and hummed it to myself. I didn’t recall who wrote or even who recorded the song, until I learned that Henson Cargill passed away at the age of 66 on March 24th, 2007. The news brought back a flood of memories.

Skip A Rope Lyrics

(Words and Music by Jack Moran and Glenn Tubb)

Oh, listen to the children while they play,

Now ain’t it kinda funny what the children say,

Skip a rope.

Daddy hates mommy, mommy hates dad,

Last night you shoulda heard the fight they had,

Gave little sister another bad dream,

She woke us all up with a terrible scream.

(CHORUS)

Cheat on your taxes, don’t be a fool,

Now what was that they said about a Golden Rule?

Never mind the rules, just play to win,

And hate your neighbour for the shade of his skin.

(CHORUS)

Stab ’em in the back, that’s the name of the game,

And mommy and daddy are who’s to blame.

Skip a rope, skip a rope,

Just listen to your children while they play,

It’s really not very funny, what the children say,

Skip a rope, skip a rope.

Music is a piece of art, which is something that you have to make, play, appreciate and have fun together. Although you can play your favorite music in your car while you are driving alone, music is best enjoyed with your loved ones like friends or colleagues. And this is true even when you are a musician yourself. If you think you can become a musician from the comfort of your home, you need to think again. Let’s find out how you can become a good musician like TOMER Orenstein.

Learning to become a good musician is all about practicing your skills. You need to step out of your home and join other avid musicians. You need to learn from them and learn how creativity works.

For instance, you may get inspiration from TOMER (TOMER Orenstein). He is a young, emerging music artist, model, and songwriter. According to his philosophy, music is the symphony of life, the melody of the mind, and the rhythm of the body. Born and raised in TLV, Israel, he enjoys an inborn passion for the art of music. He was inspired to think out of the box and creative exuberating music at a young age.

Over the past four years, he wrote, composed, and produced his very first music album. His first album “Vertigo” hit more than 220k views on the video-sharing platform YouTube. This success got him selected for the “spinnup” playlist of Universal Music Group. Apart from this, he created “Superman”, which is another one of his songs that got a lot of appreciation and love from his fans. Today, TOMER has more than 13k fans on Instagram.

“If you want to become a musician, you must have both head and soul,” TOMER says. Some musicians have a lot of “head” while others have a lot of “soul”. In other words, some musicians have tons of technical knowledge of music, while others have a good knowledge of what works best when it comes to the type of groove and chord progressions. You need a balance of both the head and the soul.

To become a good musician, you may want to work on your skills, says TOMMER. For instance, if you have a lot of “soul”, you should learn the way your talent can be structured into a song. Similarly, if you have a lot of head, you should learn to think out of the box and be creative. If you are part of a group, you should learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

You can also learn from TOMER. If you have not heard of him yet, you can check out this website or social media pages.

In 1989, Reinhold Bogner revolutionized the guitar amplifier after moving to the United States from Germany. It was during this time that the external multi channel pre-amp setup was being widely used and Bogner seemed to be unsatisfied with its performance, wanting to get back to the sound of real, cranked up tube amps. It may have been his meeting with guitar legend Eddie Van Halen that was the catalyst for his explosion onto the music scene, as Eddie hired him to overhaul his original Marshall Plexi.

Through the years, Bogner amps have changed considerably. You will learn in this article how Bogner guitar amplifiers have evolved over time.

Bogner Ecstasy 100

In 1992, external multi channel pre amplifiers dominated the guitar amp market. This type of setup was widely used because various sound effects could easily be achieved. And so Bogner developed the Ecstacy 100A and 100B. This is considered to be the very first production 100 watt Bogner amp. The “A” version represented the American sounding version, using 6L6 power tubes, the type of power tube traditionally used in American-made Fender amps; with the “B” version representing the British sounding version, using EL34 tubes, the type of power tube typically found in Marshall amps.

Ecstasy 101 (A.K.A the White Chassis)

Three years later, Bogner, still aiming for high quality sound coming from the amplifier, decided to come up with another version of the Ecstasy, the 101, also known as the White Chassis. This guitar amplifier is considered by many to be unmatched, even when compared to guitar amplifiers made today. This amplifier was very similar to the original 100 model, but it had more features to accommodate the demands of modern players. Over the years, the Ecstasy 101 went through a number of changes, including a stripped down version very similar to the original 100 model known as the Classic. In 1997, the Bogner 101 had a total overhaul. Instead of having just the usual white chassis (which the amp is known for), it was now covered in an elegant black.

The Caveman

This was introduced in the market in the mid-90’s but had limited availability. The prototype was said to bear the word Mojo on its back because this amp was originally a slightly different called the Mojo. This two channel amp had an interesting six position Schizo knob which greatly changed its sound.

Super Sonic

Also known as the German Uberschall, the Super Sonic is a high gain monster with two channels. A six 12ax7 power tube section yielded to a EL34 power amp to crank out 120 watts, an enormous amount of volume. Over time, the company released three versions of the amp: the original, a first revision and what was referred to as “revision blue.” The different versions related to issues such as normalizing the volume between the channels.

Shiva

The Shiva is a more subtle, well-rounded amp. It is designed to produce a shimmering, Fender-like clean tone, and a gain tone similar to a classic Marshall JCM800. This model possibly represented an attempt to expand market share by producing an amp that could be used by a wider audience and not just metal heads.

Bogner amps are played and loved by a who’s who of artists. Heavy bands such as Slipknot and Disturbed have used Bogner amps to create incredibly heavy sounds. However, world class guitar players such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani have also played Bogners to create some of the world’s most beautiful and tonally complex music. A Bogner amplifier is a true investment, so if you can get your hands on one… do it!

Scotland is a country with a long and rich history spanning back centuries. The keeping of its culture and traditions mixed with its modern society makes Scotland a very unique place to visit. From castles to golf courses to beautiful lochs, you wont leave disappointed.

Edinburgh – The country’s capital and host of the largest arts festival in the world every August. Edinburgh is a diverse city full of castles, underground chambers, theaters, cathedrals and much much more. An array of shops, cafes, parks and monuments, and museums you have plenty of things to keep you interested during the day, and by nightfall the city’s vibrant nightlife comes alive. Edinburgh is definitely a place you wont forget.

Glasgow – Scotland’s largest city and home to its two largest soccer teams. Glasgow has become renowned for its music scene, where a lot of chart topping bands began their journey. The city has three universities, a host of parks, museums and art gallery’s, plenty to keep you busy.

St. Andrew – Famous for its Old Course, the first ever golf course in the world. It is also home to the University of St. Andrews, the oldest university in Scotland with Prince William as one of its graduates. St. Andrews is a small town on the coast of Fife, it is a very warm and friendly town and a good representation of how Scottish people live.

Loch Ness – A trip to Scotland would not be complete without trying to steel a glance of the Loch Ness monster! Whilst Loch Ness has become somewhat of a tourist spot, it still holds some of the most beautiful landscapes Scotland has to offer.

On top of those wonderful destinations you also have many famous Scotch Distillery’s dotted all over the country. If you like a specific brand of Scotch, you can go to the very distillery it is made.

There are also many islands surrounding Scotland, such as the Isle of Arran or Skye that make for a great destination.

In case you are an up-and-coming singer or a musician who is selling your music online, it is important to have a plan that will allow you to make a lot of money from this. As you can imagine, the music industry can be a tough one and it will be easier to sell music if have an established a name. But, if you are an aspiring singer you could still earn money with your talent from selling music online. In fact, many professional singers these days get their start online, which help to pave the way for a professional career.

Since your intention is to sell your own music online, the following are several things to help you get started.

Create good quality music and then prepare them for free digital music distribution on MP3, CD and more. You could also create a video to use as promotional material. You should pay close attention to sound quality, because you don’t want to give people below average audio quality. Copyright your songs. Naturally, you have to own music before you are able to sell them. This is why it’s important to get copyright for your songs. Visit the copyright office or check the websites for requirements that will allow you to get this process done easily.

Promote the music on forums, social networks or from your own site. Internet marketing can be fast and easy, so take full advantage of social networking websites, blogs and forums. With good promotions online, you are guaranteed to sell a lot of music. One of the effective ways to sell your music on the internet is to give sample or demos for people to listen in order to buy the full CD.

Make use of online stores such as eBay and Amazon to sell your music. You can sell this on CD or as a downloadable. It’s also possible to sell your music on sites that enable the independent musicians to sell their songs. Promotion will also be important, so you want good materials to ensure that you are selling music regularly.

Establish your own musical style, sound and image. Singers sell no just because of their singing abilities and voice, but image or overall package will make a difference. As a result, before you even start to think about selling your music, its best to come with an overall package that is sellable. In addition ensure that practice a lot before distributing the final CD.

There are a total of eight swing dance clubs located in and around the St. Louis area (including M.U.S.I.C. in Collinsville, Illinois) that are members of the Midwest Swing Dance Federation, and all of these clubs are descended from the St. Louis Imperial Dance Club that was founded in 1973. The largest of these sister clubs, the West County Swing Dance Club, has the distinction of being one of the largest swing clubs in the United States with an active membership that totals more than a thousand dancers.

Imperial Swing got its name from the Club Imperial located at Goodfellow Boulevard and West Florissant Avenue. The building, originally called Imperial Hall, was built in 1928 as a dance hall, bowling alley and restaurant/bar complex. In the 1930s and 1940s, it was the dance spot of Northwest St. Louis, just as Arcadia (later called Tune Town), the Admiral Showboat in Midtown, and the Casa Loma on the Southside, were the most popular dance halls in their respective areas. In 1952, George Edick Enterprises purchased Imperial Hall and George Edick renamed it the Club Imperial. During the early part of that decade, he operated the club as a ballroom with the theme of “a nice place for nice people.” He played “big band” music and catered primarily to private parties. He was able to regularly book guest appearances with popular performers like Stan Kenton and Louis Prima because Robert Hyland, of CBS and KMOX radio, broadcast his weekly “Coast To Coast with Bob Hyland” program from the Imperial Ballroom.

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Edick realized that the country’s taste in music had shifted to “Rock ‘n Roll” and he used his advertising-public relations firm, to aggressively promote the Club Imperial on KWK, KXOK, WIL and WGNU. The Joe Bozzi Quintet, Jimmie (Night Train) Forrest, Chuck Berry, Dolly Parton, the Monkeys, Glen Campbell, Ike and Tina Turner and a small vocal group now called the “Fifth Dimension” are among the many artists who began their careers at his club. He promoted a “Jitterbug” contest where a couple from the Club Imperial (Teddy Cole and Kathy Burke) won the National Jitterbug Championship. During the “Rock ‘n Roll” craze, Edick held Tuesday “Teen Night” dances, and it was during these weekly dances that a jitterbug variation that became known as the “Imperial Style” of St. Louis swing was born. As the 60s progressed, music trends were changing again. The ‘roll’ started dropping out of “Rock ‘n Roll,” the ‘rock’ got harder, and the teenagers increasingly attended loud, psychedelic music concerts. Because the freak-out beats of their acid rock music was almost impossible to dance to, Edick gradually discontinued all public dances at his club.

In the 1970s, George Edick wanted to reintroduce more listenable and danceable music at Club Imperial and he found that hosting swing contests was just the ticket! He got together with Teddy Cole, the Jitterbug champion who was also a dance promoter in his own right, and they decided to sponsor a yearly St. Louis Jitterbug Contest “Imperial Style” to pick a “City Champion.” These widely publicized contests prompted many of the older, experienced dancers to come around the club again, and Edick sponsored a number of “Salute Dances” to introduce these old timers to the newer dancers. As more and more people began learning the Imperial, they began organizing into small dance groups that met in apartment complexes around the St. Louis area, and George Edick kept in touch with many of their leaders.

In 1973 Al Morris conceived the idea of forming a club, and it was his group that first met at the San Miguel apartments in St. Charles which became the St. Louis Imperial Dance Club. The founders are: Dave Cheshire, Jan Cheshire, Rick McQueen, Joan Fritz, Debbie Dustman (Wheelis) and Veronica Lynch. The new club alternated their dances between Lynch’s apartment complex in South County and the Wood Hollow apartments in West County. Edick contacted the Board and he told them that he was very interested in helping their club to fulfill their mission to keep swing dancing alive. The great promoter convinced them, with a persuasive new adaptation of his original 1950s theme, that their growing club should hold their future dances at his Club Imperial ballroom because it’s “a nice place for nice people who like to swing dance!”

Good mottos never die but unfortunately people do, and on June 11, 2002 George Edick passed away. The building is silent now but it stands, not only as a landmark where Imperial Swing all began, but also as a tribute to a man who, over his colorful, eighty-six-year lifetime, was able to convert his dreams into reality . . . not a bad epitaph!

Although Christmas, New Year and Halloween in Los Angeles is incredibly fun, nothing beats the summer months. With the sun out and schedules bursting at the seams, it is time to get planning! With the lineup of events packing up the June and July calendar, you’ll be opening up the floodgates to a load of fun outdoor and indoor activities all around Los Angeles. Some are free, others require a nominal fee, so, take your pick.

The month of July and early August are more packed than others, naturally, and you’ll get to enjoy infectious music festivals, exhilarating concerts, catch an outdoor movie screening (which is almost always free), live it up with an impromptu getaway at a neighboring CA beach, pack your friends into the rented charter bus for a tailgating party, or join everyone else for the July 4th fireworks and parade. With longer days, cooler nights, it’s the perfect time to let your hair down and enjoy concerts, cultural festivals, seasonal markets, quaint exhibits at museums, a weekend of camping, a cocktail event, or a pool party.

Don’t let anything stand between you and the best summer of your life

1. The Go-Gos

Jul 2 – 4, 2018, 7.30pm

Hollywood Bowl

2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

(323) 850-2000

It’s summer, the sun is out, the games are on and the fireworks are set to go off July 4th… what else is there to wish for?

Well, America’s very own 1980’s Spice Girls, maybe?

The Go-Gos, the all-female L.A. 1980’s wonder rock band will be performing at several locations this summer which includes The famous Hollywood Bowl. The female group rode high on the 1970s music wave despite going into semi-retirement in 1985. Fans know them as the rarity of an all-female group who plays their own instruments, compose and sing their own songs. This was a refreshing change from the constant of manufactured bands and cookie-cutter groups. Billboard charts welcomed their inclusion and so did their fans.

2018 summer, The Go-Gos will come out with their original members, performing at The Fox Theater Oakland, Humphrey’s by the Bay and the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets are on sale at The HollywoodBowl.com. After news of their ‘farewell tour’ in 2016, the hitmaker’s appearance of Jimmy Kimmel Live! showed that the group was anything BUT going into full retirement. They’re ready to electrify fans with famous hits like ‘We Got the Beat’ and ‘Our Lips are Sealed’, while the Los Angeles Philharmonic will be led by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel.

2. Seaside Lagoon and its Summer Swimming Pool

Redondo Beach

200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

10am-5:45pm daily during summer

(310) 318-0681

If you’re looking for a place to hang out with your family and kids, Seaside Lagoon is the perfect location. Although the attraction is not open off-season, the 50-feet-deep saltwater lagoon is often full. Offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, you’ll get to spend a few peaceful hours sunbathing, building sandcastles and splashing around in the waters.

There’s naturally an uptick of usage during summer months, especially during the Independence Fireworks event. During this time, the beach area remains open from 2pm to 10pm where professional lifeguards man the swimming pool. The swimming pool employs cutting-edge technology to clean and treat up to 1.5 million gallons of water coming in and out of the lagoon from the nearby stream.

Come out in full force with family and friends to enjoy the water park facilities, slides, playgrounds, after packing in tidbits at the snack bar, enjoy a few rounds of beach volleyball matches, picnics, swimming and hours of listening to the lapping waves coming in from the Pacific Ocean. If you have an event, book the grassy and luau shelter and you’ll have a splashing good time.

3. Pinz Bowling Center

12655 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

(818) 769-7600

For a day of simple entertainment like bowling, air hockey or billiards, Pinz Bowling Center is a place you can always count on.

So popular is the place that it is frequented by both locals and public figures alike. With 32 bowling lanes, a complete arcade center with classic and modern video games, party rooms and meeting rooms for the picking, Pinz is THE place for gatherings. In fact, locals might share their stories of celeb-sightings with you if you asked. The bumpers and glow-in-the-dark settings till making it an absolute ball for younger children (gutter balls be gone!) while Jerry’s Famous Deli is ready to cater to your party needs.

Kids get to bowl for free as a form of encouragement to give bowling a shot. The bowling center also runs an All You Can Bowl promotion on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, from 9pm to 12.30am so, you can bowl till you drop. Pre-booking your bowling session online or over the phone is strongly encouraged if you hate long lines (which is precisely so during weekends). However, it remains a popular regular haunt for locals.

4. Pan For Gold at Autry

Autry Museum of the American West

4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles 90027

(323) 667-2000

The California Gold Rush may have come and gone between 1848 to 1855 but history remains. The Autry Museum has an exhibit that lets people of all ages pan for gold the way it was done by the 49ers back in the days! After James W. Marshall found gold at Sutter’s Mill in CA, it brought over 300,000 prospectors into the state of California.

The museum is tucked away in a tight little corner of Griffith Park and details the history of famous cowboys, infamous outlaws, life-changing revolutions, new inventions, engaging history of the West and mouth-to-mouth myths. Housing approximately 500,00 artifacts related to America and California’s history, the park spans 4,300 acres of land, covering everything from hiking trails, haunted sites to picnic spots. Running regular programs like lectures, screenings, music and cultural events throughout the year, the museum is an engaging, massive classroom for teachers, volunteers, and parents. Its top quality programs are sponsored by individuals and corporations alike, which includes Wells Fargo, AltaMed, Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, The Albertsons Companies Foundation, Edison International, Sony Pictures Entertainment and many more.

It is a quaint understated museum that packs a punch.

5. AmericaFest

July 4, 2018, 2pm – 9.30pm

Rose Bowl Stadium

1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103

(626) 577-3100

Combine the fireworks and flair of July 4th and the explosion of red, white and blue pride and you’ll have AmericaFest.

The event, the longest-running July 4th event in California, is set to take you to new heights of patriotism at Rose Bowl Stadium with a fine array of mind-boggling fireworks display, a buffet of classic American food, a roaster full of games, a motorcycle stunt show, rides, and crafts; even toddlers and young children will have an amazing ball. Tailgating is the perfect plan for groups are out for a party in full force.

The 90,000-seat stadium was built specifically for NFL tournaments and major network productions like American Idol, concerts, and UCLA Bruins football, NCAA Tournament of Roses game and parade. It is, therefore, no stranger to large, massive crowds because even when it is off-season and there aren’t any games going on, the world’s largest flea market takes center stage at the stadium every Sunday of each month.

6. The LA Anime Convention

Jul 5 – 8, 2018

Los Angeles Convention Center

1201 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles CA, 90015

(213) 741-1151 / (800) 451-1196

The Anime Expo brings Japanese pop culture and your favorite anime characters to life. AX, as it is also commonly known as, is an annual event that brings fans and industry power players together in an elaborate celebration.

This year, 2018, it will be held at the LA Convention Center from July 5th to July 8th (there’s a special pre-show on July 4th). The Japanese culture and its accompanying anime craze have swept over not just America, but the world over. So, you can expect hundreds of thousands of fans thronging to the event. Apart from epic games, the whimsical and magnetic cosplay and signature events held throughout the convention center are crowd-pleasing affairs. Stars and celeb cosplayers will take to the stage, giving interviews and signing autographs while those into card or electronic gaming will be at another wing of the convention center hustling it out with each other!

Donning of a pair of comfy shoes is encouraged (there’s a whole lot of walking to be done) and the variety of merchandise on offer with put your personal budget and restraint to the test. Regardless of the price, they tend to fly off the shelves in a matter of minutes.

It will be, as the Japanese will say, Fantasutikku!

7. KTown Night Market

June 15 – June 16, 2018

Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools

701, S Catalina Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005

4pm – 11pm; After party 10pm – 2am (Club Bound LA)

Speaking of culture, if you’re intrigued with Kpop, kimchi and bibimbap, pencil it down for a trip to KTown for the Ktown market event on June 15 and June 16, 2018. The weekend market-cum-festival introduces the trendiest and most popular Korean culinary, entertainment and artistic creations sweeping across the world today.

Renowned traditional and internet Korean or K-inspired artists like Kisum, FYKE, Ted Park, Justin Park, Gemini, Late of Off Folks, Sarisuk, Victoria Loi, Cathy the Kimchi, Tommy Trinh, and Stephy So will be gracing the stage. If you’re into shopping, the hottest SILK Show will not be a disappointment.

Dipping their toes into the event are big brand names like Monster, Pocky, Sparkling ICE, afreecaTV, and USSAV, with Blushcon showing you the right way to wow the world with useful makeup, lifestyle and beauty tips. Meanwhile, chowing down on LA-inspired Korean cuisine like bulgogi French fries and sushi burritos is a common sight at the event.

Pre-Sale online tickets are selling for $5 per person for the 2-day event. Otherwise, you can grab the tickets off the counter on site.

8. The Mass Meditation Initiative

June 23, 2018, 10am – 8pm

Los Angeles State Historic Park

1245, N Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

(323) 441-8819

It’s not all airy-fairy at the event. It’s relaxing, calming and introduces new ways to deal with the stress of our everyday lives… we’re talking about The Mass Meditation Initiative coming to Los Angeles this June.

There’ll be yoga classes of all kinds ranging from Hatha to naam and kundalini, mindful healing music, group meditation classes and a delicious vegan feast! To give it a little bit of technological twist, they’re scheduling in an online streaming meditation session too.

Throughout the historic park, visitors are treated to a host of vegan plant-based cuisine, conscious products and services, healing tents, speakers heating up the park, and live performances that double up as sound and movement therapy. The initiative is backed by renowned brand names like Open Eyes, DTK Entertainment, Heal the Bay, Tree People, LA Weekly, Earth Island, Carla Lee’s Organic Nut Burgers, Whole Life, Metro and many more. The free-for-all meditation session begins at 2pm and you can register for a spot on their website if you’re keen to discover a whole new way of life!

So, what are you waiting for?

Yes, with these fun, exciting, over-the-top, filled with chutzpah events happening all around Los Angeles, CA, it is time to get outdoors. Pack your sunscreen, call your friends, drag them out of their apartments and out to an event that they will remember for a long time to come. It’s going to be awesome! I just KNOW it!

When you first start out in the music industry, especially as a performer, there is a certain level of romance about playing in a smoky club and using a dingy storage closet at your changing room. You think that you are paying your dues and will eventually make it big and can then look back on these simpler times with nostalgia. Never mind the fact that your working conditions are uncomfortable and can even be dangerous.

Music industry jobs working conditions vary from state of the art concert halls and recording studios to grungy basements and run-down clubs. However, as soon as you declare yourself to be a working industry professional, you and your health are protected by OSHA standards. OSHA stands for occupational safety and health administration and is the branch of the federal government that ensures your working conditions are safe.

In order to assure that your music industry working conditions are safe for you, you need to know your rights under OSHA. This means that regardless of where you are playing or what you are getting paid you should have a safe place to change and store your equipment. You should have easy access to drinking water and a clean toilet facility. You should be allowed adequate breaks during your working time; industry standard is generally ninety minutes of playing and fifteen minutes of break. If you feel that equipment or infrastructure is unsafe you should be able to report it to your building contact without fear of breaching your contract.

Music industry jobs working conditions don’t have to be as bad as they are as long as every musician, from the kid with his first live gig to the veteran performer, band together to demand safe and clean working conditions so that they can produce the best music possible.

The Atlantics were formed in January 1976 by bass player Bruce Wilkinson and guitarist Tom Hauck, two students at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. They wee joined by drummer Boby Bear and lead guitarist Jeff Lock. To complete the lineup Wilkinson recruited singer Bobby Marron, a friend from his hometown in New Jersey.

The Atlantics played their first concert in the spring of 1976 at The Rat in Kenmore Square. In May of 1976 they performed as the opening act for the Ramones, who were playing two nights at The Club in Central Square. The Atlantics made their first trips to New York in the summer of 1976, playing at CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. The band quickly became an important and authentic part of the emerging punk/new wave movement.

The following spring Ray Fernandes replaced Boby Bear on drums. In the summer of 1977 the Atlantics recorded their first independent 45 on Jukebox Records, “When You’re Young,” written by Bruce Wilkinson, backed with “Where Would I Be Without Your Love,” written by Jeff Lock. A thousand copies were pressed but never released, and the single is now considered a collector’s item. In the spring of 1978 Jeff Lock left the band and was replaced by Fred Pineau of the Bonjour Aviators.

The Atlantics were signed to ABC Records that summer, and in December the band recorded their LP BIG CITY ROCK at the Hit Factory in New York. The album was released in March, 1979, just after ABC Records was sold to MCA Records. Their new label, together with Premier Talent, put the Atlantics on a nationwide tour with Roxy Music, followed by a regional tour throughout New England. The band performed with artists including The Ramones, The Cars, Cheap Trick, Boston, Graham Parker, Talking Heads, and many others. The single “One Last Night” by Bruce Wilkinson received regional and international airplay, and the album garnered a glowing review in Rolling Stone.

In the summer of 1979 Paul Caruso joined the group as drummer, and the band came back in 1980 with what was to become one of New England’s biggest independent singles, “Lonelyhearts,” written by Tom Hauck. It was the flip side to “Can’t Wait Forever,” a Motown-flavored song by Bruce Wilkinson. “Lonelyhearts” rocketed to the top of New England radio and dance charts and stayed for months, and can still be heard on Boston radio stations including WFNX-FM.

During the next two years the Atlantics released several more songs on tape to Boston radio stations, including “Pop Shivers,” “Wrong Number” and “Weekend.” In June 1983 the band played their final show at the Channel in Boston.

The original analog tapes of many of the Atlantics most popular songs were consigned to storage. In 2006 these tapes were recovered and thirteen tracks were digitally restored for the ATLANTICS CD. These tracks were recorded between 1979 and 1982 in studios in the Boston area, and have no overdubs or other alterations. In 2007 the Atlantics released a live set from the Paradise club in Boston. ATLANTICS LIVE was recorded in March, 1979 and features many of the songs from BIG CITY ROCK. Atlantics CDs are available at CDbaby and at Newbury Comics.

In October 2011, the Atlantics were honored to have the “Lonelyhearts” single cover included in a wonderful new book by Matthew Chojnacki – ” Put the Needle on the Record.” It’s a collection of over 250 single covers by artists ranging from The Ramones to Pat Benatar to Run-D.M.C. The covers are accompanied by comments from the artists. The “Lonelyhearts” cover was designed by Tibor Kalman, who had recently started M&Co, which became a leading design firm. When the band first met with Tibor, he had several other ideas; one of them was to cover the sleeve with sandpaper (the rough side out!). The band thought this was a cool idea but it would not endear them to record retailers or radio stations. The cover concept that they went with – the rows of tiny photos of members of the band – was an instant hit, and luckily the song was too.

© 2011 Thomas Hauck Communications Services