How I got the gig is a story unto itself. It involves an ex-boyfriend and Adam Ant and I'll tell it to you sometime.
It's all a great deal of work, but I need the extra money. I also love the challenge.
Most often, I do profiles on individual artists, generally based on a phone interview. Today, however, I am doing an overview of a general festival that includes '90s hit-makers the Gin Blossoms and Everclear. I had no idea that the Gin Blossoms' lead guitarist and songwriter, the guy who wrote "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You" had a tragically short life.
He killed himself at age 32 after being fired from the band for alcohol-fueled behavior that was said to be erratic and difficult. He died in December of 1993, bitter, sad and drunk, just as his songs were becoming hits.
I didn't mean to bring you down. It's just that that's how this writing thing is. You learn something new every day.
The other event headliner is the band Everclear, so here I am reading up on the group and listening to tunes like "Father of Mine," that I haven't partied with in near 20 years. It's a catchy group as well, and I'm surprised by how many words I know to their most popular songs.
All this diving into '90s alternative reminds me that there is no time machine like a song.
An ex-boyfriend had a weakness for the Gin Blossoms "Hey Jealousy." Another guy I had a crush on, years ago, purchased an Everclear album, the one featuring "Father of Mine," and tried to sell it to me because it turned out not to be his bag.
If you are around my age, 41 if you must ask, you will likely be similarly transported by a sample of today's listening fare.
Here are my—yes, it's plural this time—songs of the day.
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