Rock and Roll Children: Parenting Done Right!

The (Metal) Kids Are Alright  

Everyone knows that the 80's metal children grew up with a level of intelligence that fans of other genres just simply didn't have. Its because the music made by iconic bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Savatage, Megadeth, Metallica, and countless others was simply put, intelligent. Especially those kids who became musicians themselves. Metal fans don't just listen to their music. They absorb and ingest it, analyze it, and dissect it. They break every single little riff down individually, and know the most simple high hat ting as much as they know the lyrics and guitar solos. And, they know every single note of the guitar solos too. This intense studying of the music later turned into brains that are extremely attentive and sensitive to detail. 

So, what are these attentive brains doing to make me say that this is parenting done right? Its simple. They are exposing their kids to the same music that they grew up with. The result? Smart kids who know the difference between great music, and the over saturated commercial garbage that their classmates and adult drones are listening to on the radio. They have inducted their kids into a family that will be there for life. Metal is more than music. Its a lifestyle, and they (like us) will always have a home at a metal concert. Raising them on metal isn't easy either. You might have a spouse that doesn't like metal, and that can be a difficult hurdle, especially if the parents are no longer together, and share custody of the child.

I have several stories about metal kids that I've encountered over the years, including a story about how I'm doing my part to raise a metal kid. We'll start with last night. I am in Portland, Oregon, and Judas Priest played a concert here. It took an act of the Metal Gods to get me to that concert, but you can read about that in my review here.

I was waiting in the line to get a beer, when I saw a father, age 40, and his daughter who looked about 9 or 10. She was dressed in black, and had a J and a P on each cheek. The father was proud to be taking his princess to her first metal concert. Judas Priest. Not bad, huh? He was beaming with pride, and we started talking about raising kids with metal. He said that his wife was leary about the girl going, to which he told her that there was nothing to worry about. The father told me that his daughter played guitar...an Ibanez, no less, and could play all the notes in Breaking the Law, among others. She even knew who Nita Strauss is, and is a fan. I enjoyed meeting them, and I wish I could hear what she thought of the concert. 

Guys, if you see this, please let me know
what she thought of the concert. She
was awesome!

Next, I'm going to tell you about a couple instances with my youngest daughter, who is 8 years old. The first concert she ever went to was a local band at a July 4th festival in South Carolina. She was still very little, and I spent the majority of the evening with her on my shoulders. There was a classic rock cover band playing onstage, but we were trying to stay away from them because my now ex wife was worried about the volume. (It wasn't that loud) But, she kept making it very known that she wanted to go closer. We did, and she was rocking on my shoulders, and loving every moment of it. A local newspaper took our picture, and it made it in the paper.

A few years later, we took her to a festival in Fayetteville, NC where Warrant was playing. Same thing, even down to the reporter taking our picture. Not sure if that one made it in the paper though.

My daughter,  Warrant,
And me

I've taken her to several concerts, mostly locals including my hometown heroes, Dead Serios, and Geezer, and a teen girl rock band called Good Luck Audrey. She loves all three of these bands. But, my the most special one to me was Dead Serios. I got to join them onstage to sing a part in their hit, No More Pipe For Potato Head. I didn't tell her that I was going to be doing this, so when I got called up to the stage, she had no idea. She was just sitting there in awe because she had heard me talk about how I used to be in bands before she was born, but she had never seen me perform. One guy told me that she looked at him, pointed at me, and yelled "That's my DAD!" Proud papa moment, for sure. But, another proud papa moment happened at that show as well. Guitarist, Doug Gibson, a local guitar virtuoso also had his own son join the band onstage to play guitar as a guest in their cover of Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes. I talked to him, and he told me that his favorite guitarist growing up was his dad. He's one of my favorites too.

My daughter with Dead Serios

The last one I'm going to talk about happened at a Stryper concert in 2005, in Charlotte, NC. There were lots of teenagers there. I asked one of them why he was there. He told me that his dad listened to Stryper, and he grew up with them. He told me that he was learning to play metal guitar, and he just had to hear Soldiers Under Command live. 

Parenting. You're doing it right!
If you have pics of you and your metal kids,  email them to me at willtelltale@gmail.com subject line Metal Kids. If I get enough of them,  I'll make a folder on this blog for them.  I'm also thinking about doing a radio show on that topic once we bring the show back.

#MetalKids
#ParentingYoureDoingItRight

Heavy Metal Christmas! Geezer Style!

Ms J: Drums, Harvey Geezer: Vocals, Calvin Sizemore: 4 String Guitar
Leonard Geezer: Guitar and annoyed grunts, Lil Shoogie: Gangsta backup vox

Heavy Metal Christmas,

Rocking in the New Year!

Heavy Metal Christmas,

Show no doubt, show no fear!

When I first heard the dynamic super punk band from Miami, Geezer, I knew they were something special. I saw more energy from them (a band from a nursing home in Miami, FL where the youngest member was over 70 years old.) than I have from bands that are young enough to be their great grandchildren. I was worried yet confident that they would bounce back following the tragic death of drummer, Victor Farnsworth. The band delivered! They had an orderly fill in on the drums for a while, until they found a permanent replacement, Ms J. I can't decide if she's gorgeous or hideous, but I digress. 

Like I mentioned, the band delivers. And they continue to deliver. I've never heard of a band that takes each milestone that they achieve, or challenge that presents itself and beats them into submission with a cane, while challenging the next challenge to bring it on. But, you get used to it when you follow this band. 

Hey, Shoogie...Call me! I think Harvey has my number!

But, what milestone have they achieved now? This is impressive. This punk band has crossed over into the dark realms of heavy metal. Yep. They have released 2 Christmas songs that are available on CD Baby. A very creative punk version of Jingle Bells, that pays homage to Slayer, as well as an original song called Heavy Metal Christmas. That song blew my mind completely. Deep dark metal guitar riffs that pull influence from the young heavy metal whippersnappers in Black Sabbath. Guitarist, Leonard Geezer delivers a stunning lead guitar solo, and the song is just ominous and dark. But, while on the surface, its a classic metal masterpiece, the lyrics are just as cheerful and joyful as everything else we've come to expect from Geezer. 

Yep. That's what Heavy

Metal Christmas is.

Balanced! 

So, go to CD baby right now, and buy these two tracks. You'll be a hit at your family Christmas party when you play these songs after a nice scrumptious dinner. When the Geezer Christmas CD comes out, it will take its place proudly in my CD rack along with Transiberian Orchestra, and A Twisted Christmas. 

Geezer has hit yet another home run in their quest to achieve rock super stardom. You gotta have a crossover song, right? Well, Heavy Metal Christmas is a punk into metal crossover, so there you go. Geezer: Doing it RIGHT!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Geezer Links:

Facebook

Geezer's Blog

Geezer Blasts Doors Off Nursing Home With Volume II

 

They got me

Feelin Freakie! 

Following the 2015 release of  Geezer's self titled first album, the retired rockers from Miami stormed back with the follow up. I'm told that much planning, debate, and consideration went into the naming of the band's sophomore effort. The name they decided on was Volume II. What wisdom. An elegant name that reminds of how great life was before the internet, and when we had to replace a set of encyclopedias every couple years. We could all learn a lesson from them. 

Volume II picks up where the self titled album left off, and chronicles the band's growth as musicians and song writers. The first track, Feelin Freakie is a punk anthem that would make The Ramones proud. They also do a superior version of the Katy Perry hit, I Kissed a Girl. Perry, in a 'hot mic' moment was heard considering hanging music up after hearing Geezer's version of her song. Other incredible covers are She's The One by The Ramones, and We Are The Road Crew, an amazing tribute to the late great Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, who Harvey once babysat. We also get to hear Leonard Geezer on vocals in Boom Chicka Pop. He rules the mic. Smile Sara Smile is a driving groovy tune, and when I hear it, I know everything is okay.

Everybody loves Geezer

Guitarist, Leonard Geezer is emerging as a guitar icon. Bassist, Calvin Sizemore has been taking lessons from Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, who he considers a cool kid. It shows in his budding ability. And, of course, singer, Harvey Geezer, the enigmatic frontman is is crunk as ever. Unfortunately, drummer Victor Farnsworth has passed away. The official story was that he was chasing a bunch of teenagers who were searching for Pokemon Go off his lawn, and he fell into traffic. That is true, but he wasn't trying to chase them away. He was trying to give them Geezer CDs! The band is currently seeking a replacement, but they aren't letting this slow them down. They aren't a Sad Banana about it, and are still playing shows with guest drummers until a suitable replacement can be found. 

This is one of the best sophomore releases that I've ever heard from a band. If you want a bunch of high energy tunes that will make you feel good and freakie, than Volume II by Geezer is for you, and get their CDs and awesome merchandise! Find them on tour, and on social media:

Cassette tapes!

The band's Facebook page
Harvey's Facebook
Calvin's Facebook
The band's blog
The band's Twitter page

Geriatric Album Review: Geezer!

Holy Ebenezer!

I'm jamming to Geezer!

I've been very much anticipating doing this review. My new favorite band, Geezer has finally released their debut CD, and it delivers much more than arthritis pain medication. Although I could use some because of all the headbanging I did while listening to this CD. I'm well on my way to becoming a geezer myself. I've already written about them two times. That's how much I like them!

The CD starts off with the geriatric rock and roll anthem, Geezer Nation, chanting the line 'Let's get excited!" That got my head bobbing, as I realized that it is in fact a geezer nation. This blowout hit is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Its catchy, and energetic and easy to remember. I could see a whole sea of kids chanting along with them. And that's the thing. This music isn't written to play in a smoky bar of people from age 35 and up. Its targeted to kids, but the older people dig it too, which is a plus!

Track 2 is Let's Go To The Beach. Probably a popular favorite in their retirement home on Miami Beach! Its another fun groove that will make you want to dance. (You, not me. I don't dance.) Although my six year old daughter was having a blast dancing to this one. Teenage Tragedy is a funny bit of irony. It speaks about mommy and daddy not loving you, but its coming from your grandfather! The song is on the album twice, once as its normal version, and second time, an acoustic version, or "Super Teen Remix."

There are several things that definitely stand out on this album. One thing is the enormous guitar sound. It sounds like it comes from a wall of Marshalls. I haven't heard that big of a guitar sound since...well, ever! I want to ask guitarist, Leonard Geezer what kind of rig he uses to get that incredible sound, but he doesn't hear too well, as I have found out in the past. And, when I saw them live, I couldn't get close to the stage to get a look because it was standing room only in front of the stage. 

Speaking of Leonard, I've mentioned before that he is an elite guitarist. The solos on this album are shred-tacular, and in the song Silly Putty Buddy, the solo is done in 4 breaks. I imagined singer, Harvey Geezer trying to hand Leonard an egg of Silly Putty and Leonard swatting his hand away during the breaks, then getting back to the solo. 

Another thing that stands out is the backup vocals by Sarah Jean Balarezo. She harmonizes well, and it accents the raspy vocals of Harvey.

The most powerful song on the album is Bad Luck, which Geezer seems to have none of. Its a heavy jam that is more metal influenced than anything else on the album. The rhythm section here is top notch. Calvin Sizemore and Victor Farnsworth are as tight and powerful as anything out there. 

Leonard, Harvey, Victor, Calvin

To say the band is talented is an understatement. I am in awe that they have only been playing for 2 years. I figure if they can get that good that quickly both on an individual basis and as a band, then anybody can do anything if they want it bad enough, and are willing to work at it. 

This album is a must have. You owe it to yourself to pick up a copy, and to crank it loud. I imagine that as the crowds get bigger, they will find themselves as headliners in no time. As long as they take their meds and naps, nothing will be able to stop them...unless they fall asleep Down by the Lazy River.

Hell...Their golden years rock more than my prime!

Geezer: They've Got Something, and it Ain't Arthritis!

Harvey Geezer, Leonard Geezer, Victor Farnsworth, Calvin Sizemore

I got a fever...

And the only prescription...
Is Geezer!

Its official. As I mentioned before in this post, Geezer, the geriatric rockers from Miami are good. Very good. Before, all I had to go by was studio recordings. You can get an idea of someone's talent by listening to studio recordings, but the real test can only be administered by one thing, and one thing only: A live show. 

I got an email from the lovely Gertrude Geezer last Monday, informing me that the guys had their first live performance on Sept 10, at a Melbourne, FL nightclub. I had plans to go to the movies that night, which I quickly cancelled. I was not going to miss the debut of Geezer. Another thing that made me realize these guys were not only real and good was the fact that they also seem to be 'up' with current pop culture. Their show was a 'Gig Bomb.' You all know what a photo bomb is, where some knucklehead jumps into a picture. Well, a Gig Bomb is the same thing, only at a show. They were up on stage, played 2 songs, and were literally out of there within 20 minutes. At 9:30, it was well past their bedtime.

The nightclub had an open mic session going on, and I was summoned to the back of the place, where I found the band and their entire entourage loaded up in a van, waiting. Nobody knew they were there. This was when I first got to meet the band in person. Guitarist, Leonard Geezer is the grouchy one. When I introduced myself, he just sneered, but still shook my hand. Bassist, Calvin Sizemore, looked like he would have been a Parrot Head, but was about a generation earlier. He was the laid back and good natured one. He told me about his younger, swinging days before Singer, Harvey Geezer interrupted. He wanted to shake my hand, and make sure our interview in a couple weeks on the Will and Thunder Show <Ca-ching!> was still on schedule. He was all about the business. He was talking to everyone in the entourage, and making sure that everything was going smoothly. Drummer, Victor Farnsworth was just kind of there. The band's doctor, Ken Daniels told me that he was on the meds because he had hip surgery only 6 days prior. Shortly thereafter, manager, Gino Bagalini told them it was show time. The van drove around to the front of the building, and I walked through to watch their entrance. A merry band for sure. I was excited.

Bassist, Calvin Sizemore, Yours Truly,
and Harvey Geezer

The club had a room full of hipsters and millennials. The acts that were up prior to Geezer were simple acoustic sets, and standup comedians. The crowd there was pretty well responsive to the acts that were preforming, and there was energy in the room, and outside in front of the venue. Suddenly, the Geezer Mobile pulled around from the back of the building, and pulled up right by the front door. The driver, Smitty was first out, opening the doors of the van. Next were Ken Daniels, and nurse, Veronica Cratchette. Carefully, they helped our pre classic rock rockers out of the van. Nurse Cratchette was especially kind and gentle, especially when helping Harvey out. He was the only one in a wheelchair. Leonard required assistance, Calvin was also being helped to a certain degree. Victor was on his own, using a cane. They quickly got into the building, and the next step was getting the wild ass grandpas on stage.

Harvey Geezer and Smitty

As this went on, the club, which had a pretty active crowd before was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. Everyone was speechless, not knowing what do expect. It was so quiet that the only noise you could hear was the squeaking of the wheelchair, and the thumps of Victor's cane. Once they got to the stage, Nurse Cratchette began telling them to watch their step. "Ok, Harvey, one more step. Be careful, hun!" You could hear that plain as day, even if you were at the bar, which is at the opposite end of the establishment as the stage. I've never heard a bar that quiet in my life.

Finally, the guys got to their spots onstage, with the medical staff close by. And, that's where the story goes from fascinating to strange and downright awesome. Harvey announced the band, saying simply "Hello, My name is Harvey. We are here from the Miami Retirement Home. Its great to be here in Ft. Myers." That got some laughter, but the crowd was still not sure what was going on. He continued, "You kids like Rock and Roll?" That got a little bit of reaction. Then came the 1-2-3-4 count from the drums, and the show started with the songs California Sun, but next....

Doctor Ken Daniels and
Nurse Veronica Cratchette

...I don't know what happened. Did Ken Daniels and Veronica Cratchette inject the guys with something loaded with caffeine and painkillers? All of a sudden when California Sun started, the band sprang to life. Harvey was doing high kicks in the air, and jumping around. Leonard and Calvin were rocking their guitars and bouncing around as well, while never missing a note! And, let me tell you this..Leonard can SHRED a guitar. The crowd there was electric. These kids LOVED Geezer. There were people dancing in front of the stage, and everyone who was outside came inside. I kept hearing people commenting, saying "BRILLIANT!" and "This is AWESOME!"

Harvey in action

Leonard in action

They then played Lets go to the Beach, wrapped the Gig Bomb up...To a standing ovation! Harvey thanked the crowd, gave out the band's Facebook page. The band's adrenaline boost must have been timed just to do the show because they were helped off the stage, outside, and back into the van. All the while, people telling them how much they loved it. Then, the Geezer Mobile took off into the night. That was it. One of the most unique shows I've ever been to.

Victor in action

Calvin in action

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You NEED to see this band. They will be with us on the Will and Thunder Show <Ca-Ching!> on September 29, and I'm told there will be a full set sometime in October. Stay up to date. Gertrude Geezer does a great job updating their Facebook page.

By seeing these kids react to Geezer the way they did, I am convinced that they have something here. They can and will be touring...As long as nobody gets car sick.

facebook.com/geezër2000 /soundcloud.com/geezër2000 
Management: GeezërRocks@yahoo.com 

Geezer: These Farts Rock!

__________________________

"Growing old is compulsory.

Growing up is optional."

-Bob Monkhouse

_________________________

I got an email the other day, and I was wondering if someone was pranking me. I did a little investigation, and I was pleasantly surprised. Nobody was pranking me. The email was from one Gertrude Geezer, a feisty old woman, and she was telling me about the greatest band in the world. A band called Geezer, that her husband, Leonard Geezer plays guitar for. Nothing out of the ordinary right? Well, the baby of the band, bassist Calvin Sizemore is 75 years old.  Yep. The band is a group of old guys who rock harder than most of today's bands. And, they have their sites set on global domination.

Living out their golden years in a retirement home in Miami, field trips are common for them. Fortunately, human error is also common. One day last year, a field trip to Disney World was cancelled due to the van driver's mistake. They wound up at the Vans Warped Tour in Orlando. That gave singer, Harvey Geezer the idea to start a rock band 

Leonard and Gertrude Geezer

After that fateful day, the retirees dipped into their savings accounts and bought guitars, amps, microphones, PA, speakers, and drums, along with instructional video tapes. Before too long, they had a set list of original songs, and they are ready to rock!

I was so intrigued by the information I was provided, I had to speak with Gertrude Geezer. We spoke on the phone, and I am happy to say that I am more pumped to see these old farts in concert than I would be for an Iron Maiden concert. I told Gertrude this, and I'm guessing that her husband, Leonard was monitoring the call because he yelled "Gertrude isn't Myron's Maiden, she's mine, Sonny, and don't you forget it! And, who the heck is Myron???" I told him that I had no intentions toward his wife, and he told me that I had better not. Gertrude told me that she is Leonard's first wife, but he is her seventh husband. She is the band's booking agent, and she does a great job. So far, the only shows Geezer has done are preforming for the other retirees at the center. That has been well received for the most part, but as Gertrude explained to me, other old people are not the target audience. They want to play "Terrific Tunes for Terrific Teens." 

Harvey Geezer and Manager,
Gino Bagalini

And, the tunes are terrific. You can check out one of the songs on their demo tape...Yes, I said tape...on Youtube. California Sun. Its pretty groovy, and singer, Harvey Geezer enunciates very well. You can understand every word he says as he sings. Maybe he should just sing all the time. The guitar is better than most than I've heard in the local bars. In fact, so is the bass and drums, which makes me think that they could actually pull this off. They aren't just a novelty. They are GOOD. 

I spoke with manager, Gino Bagalini, he told me that he sold his restaurant to manage Geezer because he believes in them. His vision for them includes a world tour in the next year or so. He told me he's all in, and he's going to use the energy he used to make his restaurant a smashing success to make Geezer a worldwide phenomenon. Who wouldn't want to see this show? Gino told me that an entourage accompanies the band whenever they go. Nurses, and doctors. Because of their age, you never know what could happen. When they are on stage, the band sometimes forget how old they are, and they have to be ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.  

Calvin Sizemore on the bass!
(Or 4 string guitar)

So, after talking with the band's management, I decided I had to get Geezer on the Will and Thunder Show. <Ca-ching!> September 29, 2015 at 9:00 PM. Singer, Harvey Geezer will be joining us. Do NOT miss this.Click here. And, do not miss them in concert when they come to your town! You may not have much time to see them!

Geezer's Soundcloud Page

Geezer's Facebook Page

Harvey Geezer's Facebook Page

Geezer with their Management/ Medical Staff