The Wild West is back
This site has basically been down for the past three years. Just life has intruded. I am getting older. Dealing with an aging parent. The ups and downs of work. Fatigue. The music scene of which this site was a part has changed. Dramatically. In the end, I was asking what am I doing?
Not a whole lot has really changed, but I was not able to let go of the site. After three years of keeping the site on life support, I felt I had to bring it back cause I could not let it go. There is a desire to see it thrive, but what is it? My initial response is something like JK Simmons final words at the end of Burn After Reading.
Much of it is a journal of musical wanderings of a person that is not all that musical? I have listened to a ton of music, all types, seen a bunch of bands and shows. Tried to sing, more than tried, even put a band together for a few years. Now and again will pick up an instrument, but just too lazy to stick with it. Even dabbled in promotion for a few years.
In the end, the Wild West is kind of a musical diary or journal. So I actually do have some idea on what it is, but it is pretty loose.
Before I wrapped it up in 2021, I spiced it up a bit, inviting Cyndi Dawson, who some of you might know from the Cynz, to join in with writing.She more than stepped in and filled the void for a few months. I hope she will periodically join in the fun. I once again welcome her pieces, and anyone else who desires to put pen to paper. Photographs, art, video. . . You have an idea? Drop me a note.
I had in the last year or two, before the hiatus, explored video interviews and the like. A bit of work but interesting. I started one writing project exploring the evolution of one guitarist. I barely got a third of the way into that. That, right there, needs to be finished.
Sitting here now, one part is missing. I feel it is gone. The NYC music scene is for my money gone. That is my perception. I welcome folks challenging me on that claim. I would love to be proven wrong on that claim. A better description is that the NYC music scene has changed. Hell, last week I had to reach out to Alan Rand and inquired if Frank Wood was still with us. Anyone who had caught the NYC music scene around 2005 or prior would have to concede that shit has changed. But shit always changes.
How does a band proceed today as compared to twenty years back? How do folks even find music today? I trip over shit. I have no method there. And how do folks wander into a live show? How does one afford some of these shows? My feeling is that live music is just so in the past. Kids certainly cannot afford to go to shows like I was doing when I was a kid. Again, I welcome folks telling me I am dead wrong on this or that. I would be happy to eat my words. These are themes I want to kick around. Talk to folks and pick their brains on such.
So we are back. Hopefully, we can stay at this for another ten or fifteen years. Keep in mind that the Wild West started back around 2005, and this site is like the third iteration. And I am thinking I want to revamp it. It is due. If we have any Web Developers or more importantly UI folks who have some background with WordPress, drop me a note.
And I still listen to music. Hooked on Jason Isbell and the Pretty Reckless these days. Went with my kid and checked out Thick Lizzy, an NYC based Thin Lizzy tribute act a few weeks back, which was supporting F*Bomb. Thornes started up that show and she is always fun. Actually, Thornes is a band. Antoinette sings and plays guitar, but the band has been pretty consistent over the years. I think. Going back to check out the Silver Sun Pickups again in August. Actually, going to that with the wife, and a buddy of mine from high school and his significant other. If not for that dude, I would not be here now. All because of a biology teacher’s assigned seats.
Bob Schaffer
