[Hype Hype Hooray] “Drugs” and TEENS

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.

The other day I was listening to “Drugs,” by Black Lips when the message of the song really set in.

The track jump starts: “Rad attitude and my nose is a runny / I like you lots but you think that I’m a dummy / Can I pick you up with me and my buddies and chill.” We’re immediately introduced to some sort of juvenile delinquent, looking for nothing but a good time. But it goes so much deeper than that.

The song continues with the same delinquency: “We’ll hammer down in my Plymouth Barracuda / Huffin’ and a puffin’ on that BC Buddha / Don’t worry ’bout it sugar you’ve got nothing to lose.” But after “Drugs” winds down its chorus dedicated to all things fun and destructive, it crescendos with the real message of the song: “We’ll laugh about this tomorrow / It’s times like this I hope will follow.”

It’s that line that struck a chord inside me. While I’ve never been the skateboarding, get-drunk-and-smash-your-gear kind of guy, I’ve always had an appreciation for the passion and sheer audacity of the guys in that scene. The people in “Drugs” might be out to get high and drive fast, but in the end they’re just trying to make the best out of life, no matter what. But who are these people?

Last month, out of nowhere, I met them.

Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] “Drugs” and TEENS

[Hype Hype Hooray] How Much Influence Does Indie Music Really Have?

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.

This week I got my TIME [...]

[Hype Hype Hooray] If We Ignore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame It Will Go Away

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.

It happens every year. As the [...]

[Hype Hype Hooray] When I Passed Out at an Of Montreal Show

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.

I just spent the last six [...]

[Hype Hype Hooray] How 9/11 Changed Rock ‘n’ Roll, Part 3

Jamie normally snarks on the music industry and the indie blog scene, but for the next three installments he will explore how the attacks on September 11 changed the course of rock music (note: he’s not talking about pop music, just rock). I know it’s about 9/11, but don’t get all weird [...]

[Hype Hype Hooray] How 9/11 Changed Rock ‘n’ Roll, Part 2

Jamie normally snarks on the music industry and the indie blog scene, but for the next three installments he will explore how the attacks on September 11 changed the course of rock music (note: he’s not talking about pop music, just rock). I know it’s about 9/11, but don’t get all weird [...]

[Hype Hype Hooray] How 9/11 Changed Rock ‘n’ Roll, Part 1

Jamie normally snarks on the music industry and the indie blog scene, but for the next three installments he will explore how the attacks on September 11 changed the course of rock music (note: he’s not talking about pop music, just rock). I know it’s about 9/11, but don’t get all weird about [...]

Knox Road Live Blogs the Grammys (With a One-Hour Delay)!

The Grammys are back, you guys! While I usually wait until the awards are over to write a snarky commentary, I’ve decided to give it to you straight, as the action happens. Some Hype Hype Hooray-regulars might note that I don’t have cable, but this year I found a liiiittle loophole (my girlfriend has to work late and there’s a TV at her office). You can send me some of your commentary or hatred over on Twitter. I’ll be here all night, so get ready for some gramophone action! [NOTE: Apparently in the mountain time zone, the Grammys is broadcast an hour behind everybody else. You know, because who in mountain time watches the Grammys? I DO.]

Continue reading Knox Road Live Blogs the Grammys (With a One-Hour Delay)!

[Hype Hype Hooray] The Online Hype Machine Pushed Lana Del Rey Over a Cliff

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.

“Poor Lana Del Rey” read The [...]

[Hype Hype Hooray] The Horrible Criticism Machine Takes on Boring Mainstream Rock

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us.

Ohhhh some critics like to opine [...]