Fandom Friday: Albums that have Changed My Life!

Friday again! You ready for this one? It's gonna be fun!
I've always loved music, and while there are plenty of songs that evoke memories or have "changed" my life in some way or another, it's mainly been entire albums that have been the most life altering. Back in November, I posted a list of 5 Songs that Always Make Me Feel Better for one of the Fandom Friday posts, so today I'm changing it up and listing my top 5 ALBUMS that have changed my life, instead! And guess what? I included Spotify links below each title in case you'd like to check something out! ;)

**As always, thank you to the Nerdy Girlie and Super Space Chick for creating these awesome themes! **



While there are a ton of albums I could list, these particular albums I'll be talking about are the most nostalgic. They're the ones that I discovered when I was in high school or my early college years: the years when everyone really starts to get a sense of who they are and what they're into. They each speak to me in a different way and evoke a different, indescribable feeling.

5. Waking the Fallen (Avenged Sevenfold)

**click here to listen to this album on Spotify

I'm starting with this one because it's kind of a random story of how I discovered this band, (and how they tie into two of the rest of the bands on this list)... Since I can remember, I've always had a strong taste for darker/gothic fashion. Naturally, this led to also trying out 'darker' styles of music as a teen. One day while flipping through a heavy metal music magazine there was a feature for a "new" band named Avenged Sevenfold: Not to sound like a shallow fangirl, but what drew me in the most was how these dudes were dressed. While the rest of the bands mentioned in this magazine were all grungy/long haired/dishevelled looking, here were five guys with neat haircuts, neat black nail polish and some (yes) guyliner, and the lead singer even had his black tshirt tucked into black trousers. I was like "WHOA - if their music is anything like their sense of fashion, I think I'm going to love them!" And love them I did. For quite a while.

(The drummer in this particular photo I mentioned of Avenged Sevenfold was also wearing a tshirt of the next band I'm going to list, and back when they were starting out, the band that's number 1 on this list was their opening act. That may not mean anything to you, but it meant EVERYTHING to me, back then).

These guys are still around, still making new music and putting out new albums, but I don't actually listen to them much anymore. A few years ago the drummer passed away, and I did feel really sad about it for a while. This album is my favorite out of all of them, and it willl always hold a special place in my heart, even if it doesn't fit in with my tastes anymore.

4. Sing the Sorrow (AFI)

**click here to listen to this album on Spotify
 
I can't remember exactly, but I think I discovered this one a little bit before Avenged Sevenfold. But it was definitely in the 10th grade!

Do you remember the glory days of MTV and other music channels? Back when they actually showed music videos and music related stuff? This was also back when "rock" music filled the airwaves, (and not teenybopper pop/rap/COUNTRY/whatevertheheck like THIS day and age... Did you ever watch Steven's Untitled Rock Show on FUSEtv?? THOSE WERE THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE, (music-wise...).

Anyways, I remember one day seeing a fun anime-inspired music video featuring one really pretty dude with really pretty long black hair for a song called "Girls Not Grey". The band was AFI, and the album this song appeared on was Sing the Sorrow.

It may have been the album that launched AFI into the mainstream world, (as they had already been around for quite a while before this video), but it is still my all time favorite. Every single song on this album is beautiful.. this entire album is poetry. It spoke to the dark child in me, inspired me in so many ways, and I still listen to this album on cloudy days. It never ceases to take my breath away every time.

3. Origin of Symmetry (Muse) 

**click here to listen to this album on Spotify



I had a super cool friend in high school named Naomi who had the best taste in music. However, it really wasn't until she moved away to another country and I lost touch with her that I went back to all the cd's she had given me and really listened to them. I have to credit a lot of the stuff she introduced me to as helping to create the geek I am today. Muse was one such band - there was a time when this mega superstar/arena-performing band was actually very much unknown, (at least in the States). My friend Naomi knew who they were before they made it big, (that's how cool she was!). Origin of Symmetry is one of Muse's earlier albums, and it's still my absolute favorite of theirs. Not one single song disappoints, from the tinny fairy-like beginning of the opening song, to the hurricane that builds up after it... Words simply cannot describe the genius behind them. And some pretty epic guitar riffs, might I add. 

2. The Alternative (IAMX)

**click here to listen to this album on Spotify
 
IAMX was another artist introduced to me by my friend Naomi, and I am especially grateful for this one.

The discovery of Chris Corner came at a perfect time in my life when I was in need of a male fashion muse, for all the crazy stuff I so desperately wanted to design when I was a senior in high school, anxious to start fashion school the next year. I actually was introduced to IAMX through a song from the album that came before The Alternative, but as a whole, I dig this one just a bit more. Chris Corner/IAMX is still one of my favorite artists, and he will have a new album out soon!

1. The Black Parade (My Chemical Romance)

**click here to listen to this album on Spotify
 
 Saved the biggest for last. But I actually don't think I can accurately describe what this album means to me or how it changed me. I've talked of My Chemical Romance many times before and they are still probably my favorite band of all time.

I can remember being the most inspired by this album when I was already in my second or third year in college/fashion school. The overall look behind the Black Parade inspired my designs a lot, and I remember I even took the actual cd/album to class one day to show everyone the artwork during a presentation of something I made, and my professor thought it was so great. One of my biggest dreams back then was to one day get hired by MCR to design their stage outfits or something, but alas, the Black Parade is dead, and My Chemical Romance is no more... ;)


If you missed any of my previous "Fandom Friday" posts, check them out here:


October 3rd 2014:  Five Fandoms that have made me Who I am Today

 October 17th 2014: Five Characters I'd love to dress as for Halloween 

October 24th 2014:  My Must See List of Halloween Movies

November 7th 2014: Five Songs that Always Make Me Feel Better

November 21st 2014: Five Characters I Would Invite to my Thanksgiving Feast

December 12th 2014: Presents I Want Santa to Bring Me

January 2nd 2015: New Year's Fandom Resolutions

January 16th 2015: Conventions I Wish to Attend

Fandom Friday: 5 Songs that Always Make Me Feel Better

Fandom Friday time! Since I'm not much of a 'foodie', I took some creative license with this week's theme and instead of talking about 'comfort foods that always make me feel better', I'm going to be listing some songs that I consider 'comfort music'! (Because music really can heal!)

As always, thank you to the eternally awesome Nerdy Girlie and Super Space Chick for these Fandom Friday prompts, and please do check out their blogs if you're not familiar with them by now!

5. "Songs that Saved My Life" - Kill Hannah

 I had to start with this one because the name of the song sets the tone for this post. Sometimes, when nothing else feels like it's working, shutting out the world by putting on headphones and listening to music is the only thing you can do. This is, essentially, a song about that. I always take comfort in knowing that someone else out there has felt the things I've felt, and that I'm not alone.

Click here to listen to a sample or download this song (on Amazon)

4. "Battle for the Sun" - Placebo

Placebo is a band that has been around for yeeeears... (Cool story: I got to meet them once! They are SO NICE, it's not even funny!) I still consider this particular song to be one of their "newer" ones, even though it was released in 2009. But I consider anything they've put out since original drummer Steve Hewitt left to be "new", or at least just a slightly different sound than the Placebo I was used to. But ANYways, this is kind of a song that pumps you up!  You can sing along to the words and just sink into that feeling of "I'm not letting (insert bothersome thing here) bother me anymore!"

Click here to see the official music video for this song

3. "It's Not a Fashion Statement, it's a _ Death Wish" - My Chemical Romance

Ok, so this is probably the most "emo" song on here, but it's just so good!  In general, the band My Chemical Romance itself has always been credited for "saving lives" not only with their music, but their overall message of "it's okay to be messed up".. (and unless you're a complete stranger to my blog, then you already know I'm their number one fan!) I can clearly remember turning to this song to get me through a 'rough patch' when I was in high school, (involving some jerk who hurt my feelings), and to this day, every time I listen to it, it just makes me want to throw my fists in the air and scream with joy! The line "I will avenge my ghost with every breath I take" is everything.


Click here to listen to this song on Spotify

2. "Eye of the Storm" - The Cruxshadows

 This entire song's lyrics are like a poem from start to finish. It's hard to describe, but every single line is very beautiful, and the overall message is uplifting and positive. The lovely violin parts just make it all the better. If you only get curious about one song on this list, let it be this one. (And listen to the rest of the album if you like dancing!)

Click here to listen to this song on Spotify

1. "Invincible" - Muse

 There are actually several songs by Muse that make me feel good, but this particular one is just so beautiful. Like "Eye of the Storm" (by the Cruxshadows, that I just listed above), the lyrics are very encouraging and just give me a warm and fuzzy feeling all over... It's like getting a big bear hug. And that's why it's number one on my list!

Click here to listen to this song on Spotify

*BONUS SONG*

"Butterfly Cry" - Kerli

 I couldn't hit "publish" without including at least ONE song by a female artist! So here's an extra. This is kind of a slow song to listen to when you're feeling particularly sad. Kerli's sweet voice feels like somebody stroking your hair and wiping your tears away, and the lyrics gently remind you that it's all going to be okay. Comforting, indeed!

Click here to listen to this song on Spotify



So there you have it. I truly hope you enjoyed this post, because I really enjoyed writing it! I love music so much, and I would love to know if there are any songs that YOU guys listen to when you need a pick-me-up. Please do share with me, okay?

If you missed any of my previous "Fandom Friday" posts, check them out here:


October 3rd:  Five Fandoms that have made me Who I am Today

 October 17th: Five Characters I'd love to dress as for Halloween 

October 24th:  My Must See List of Halloween Movies




Until next time,

G.

Gerard Way's Hesitant Alien Merch Unboxing!

Boy, last week was rough. Between the health scares, feeling ill, missing my art class, and car and family drama, it was just all around suckfest. However, on Thursday I received a package of pure H-A-P-P-Y  in the mail that made everything better. Gerard Way's long awaited, first ever solo album was finally released September 30th, and the pre-order c.d. bundles were mailed. Check it out:

The pre-order bundle consisted of  a t-shirt, a very special copy of a zine, handmade by Gerard himself, the c.d., (and yes, I'm still one of those people that HAS to have a c.d. I've always loved the liner notes, and besides, I can only play c.d.'s in my car!), and if you were one of the first 50 or so to place an order, (like I was!), you also got a bonus pack of pins!

The zine itself is SO cool. Like, I can't even stand it! If you don't know what a zine is, it's basically a self-published mini magazine that you put together yourself by writing/drawing/collaging literally whatever you want onto a bunch of pages, xeroxing them, and binding them all into  little booklets by yourself, that you can then either give away or sell. It was something that was big in the 1980's and 90's. In a way, I guess it's also like a physical or manual form of blogging! As a teen, I remember trying my hand at making a zine, myself... I believe I called it 'Cupcakes and Crossbones', but I only managed to put out two measly issues.

But I digress!

If you're not familiar with Gerard Way, he is (first of all) known for being the lead singer of the now defunct band My Chemical Romance, (which I blogged about Friday!), and he is also an accomplished artist and writer of comic books.

excuse the chipped nail polish job!

My favorite pages in the zine are the ones with his little doodles, the one where he talks about the research and planning involved in his newest "look", (second photo), and I didn't picture this one, but there is also a page of collaged photographs that he took of his work space.  I love love love getting a look at artists' work spaces, so I'm so glad he chose to include it! He has shelves full of books and comics, toys, coffee cups, and there is even a child sized desk set up right next to his own drafting table for his five year old daughter to sit at, and make some art right next to him... SO amazing.

I am also completely obsessed with the clean graphics he's been using on everything. A big letter 'G' ! Especially because my OWN name starts with 'G'!!! :)

I can't wait to put these pins on my backpack!

This last photo is the pull out liner notes, with a poster on the back! One of the things us fans have been trying to figure out is WHO exactly is this fuzzy pink character named "Lola" that has been following him around everywhere... Needless to say, that poster really throws me off because he claims he himself isn't Lola!! Yet there he is in the costume! How very interesting, indeed!

(He did also make Lola's face/mask by himself, too. I remember seeing the photo on Twitter earlier this summer and I can't get enough of it).

So yes. I'm so thrilled with all of this. I always appreciate when bands/music artists put out such unique and special merchandise. (I also happen to own a VERY unique piece of merchandise from another band, but I'll talk about that another time!)

I haven't decided if I'm going to wear the tshirt as is, or cut it up/modify it somehow. OH DUH, and the music itself is amazing.  Such a radical change from what MCR fans are used to, but it just feels so right.

I'm very proud of this guy for all he's accomplished, and continues to accomplish. He's definitely my hero and biggest inspiration. You can just feel all the love and thought that goes into making these things, right down to the artwork/packaging and everything in between.

I can't wait for more from my Hesitant Alien!


How about you? What's your favorite piece of merchandise you've ever bought from a singer (or movie, or anything) that you admire?

Until next time,

G.

We are all Goldblooded

The other day I read a great post by Veronica Varlow, over on her fantastic Danger Diary blog about one of her favorite musicians titled "Jack White and How to Dissect Our Heroes".  It really resonated with me, as it's close to a subject I've been wanting to talk about for a while, but have been unable to put into words. So I'm deciding to sort of 'expand' on her post...

Naming rock stars (and artists in general) as my heroes is something I can really relate to. Since I was a young kid, I've always looked up to them and idolized them. What, indeed, is it about them that prompts us to christen them with the word "heroes"?  After all, the word 'hero' comes with certain implications, and it's kind of a lofty thing for someone to aspire to be, no?

So how does one earn that title?

We each have our own requirements, but Veronica's are most accurate:  They NEVER apologize for what they do, they always push the envelope, and they have the uncanny ability to let it all go...  (*cue Elsa's song from 'Frozen' here, haha*)

 Along with all of that, the biggest characteristic that makes somebody a hero for me is the fact that they are NOT perfect..  they are flawed, and honest about being flawed.. because we, ourselves are flawed. Why would you want to look up to somebody who is 100% perfect? It would just serve to make you feel worse about yourself, and give you something much too unrealistic to strive for.  The fact that the ones you DO look up to have overcome their struggles and sometimes even utilize their issues and channel them into the art that we love and respond to, encouraging us to do the same... That is a hero.

  

Take two of my top heroes, for example:  Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I've been a huge fan of these two singers for years, now. And while other artists that I've admired sometimes fall down the list for one reason or another, these are two that have always (and probably always will remain) at the top. I've mentioned Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance fame before, and the guy in the photo at the top of this post is Mat Devine, known primarily for his band Kill Hannah. Both started with not much more than a dream and have spent good chunks of their lives working hard at it.

Neither of them is perfect, and to this day they still struggle with  a fickle industry, critics and naysayer, legal as well as personal drama. They still have their ups, downs and go through big changes. But the important thing is they keep going.

Not only that, I also admire them for trying new things:
After announcing the 'end' of My Chemical Romance last year, Gerard is still around. He is preparing a solo album, he continues to draw and write his comics, forever keeping in touch with his creativity and even the other heroes and former members of MCR are busy with their own projects, all vastly different and unique to them. Mat also took a break from his own band, tried his hand at acting in Broadway for a bit, and now he is embarking on his own solo act, taking a huge risk with producing it himself, and putting his whole heart into it.

It's tough to carve out your own niche, especially when you've spent so much time on one thing, that people have come to associate you with it exclusively. Since graduating from college last year, I've found myself at a point where I'm having a tough time deciding where to go next.  I've spent seven years studying fashion design, only to realize at the end that I don't even know if it's what I want as a career anymore. And believe me, it hasn't been easy admitting something like that. I have moments when I feel like a failure. Like I've wasted so many years on something that I don't even want to pursue anymore. And it's not that I don't fully enjoy it any more, it's just that I've changed so much as a person, and I want to try new things. I'm still searching for my own voice and my own place in the world... And that is completely okay.  My heroes have shown me time and time again that it is OKAY.

It is okay to be flawed.
It is okay to change paths. 
It is okay to hit forks in the road.
It is okay to try new things and make yourself happy.

The first time I met Mat in 2008, after presenting him with a notebook filled with fashion sketches.  I got to meet him again in 2009, as you can see on my Instagram here

So where am I going with all of this? What is my point?

My point is that one of my heroes needs some help in achieving a dream. Mat Devine has embarked on a crowd funding project to make his Wrongchilde solo album a reality, without the help of a major record label. For a meager $10, you can pre order a digital download of the album (to be released later this year), or if you feel like giving a little more, there are some super sweet exclusives that you can't find anywhere else on the planet, including a vial necklace containing actual liquid gold... And not only that, for every ten of those necklaces sold, Mat plans on donating a pint of blood to the American Red Cross. (And 5% of proceeds after the initial goal is reached goes to them as well!). Oh! and of course, there's a free gift of a song download in it for you: a special track called "Falling in Love will kill you" featuring Gerard Way!

"The title of my new album, Gold Blooded, is a phrase that symbolizes the spirit of youth, and to me, the greatest way to maintain our youth is to face the things that scare us, and to continuously defy the tendency to hide inside our comfort zones."

If you've been searching for a way to "pay it forward", please consider supporting an independent artist, because making a living in this manner is hard enough as it is. I pledged some last night, because I hope to someday be able to be my own boss and make a living from doing what I love to do.  

Check out the project page by clicking right here
 There are 58 days left until the goal is reached!!

And if you feel like it, please share who some of your own heroes are, and why. I'd love to know.

Until next time,

G.









 

May Death Never Stop You

This Saturday marked a year since my favorite band My Chemical Romance announced that they were breaking up. I still remember the emotional roller coaster the news threw me on, how shocked, saddened, and in disbelief I was. MCR was one of those bands whose music, once I discovered it, I was instantly hooked on. And while at that time when I first heard them I was also into a bunch of other bands that changed my life in some form or another, MCR was the only one that kept changing me.. It was almost like we literally grew up together. Aside from the catchy tunes, the one thing I always appreciated was just how personable, down to earth, and relatable the band members were, particularly the lead singer Gerard Way. One of the first songs they became famous for was "Helena", named and written for Gerard (and bass player brother Mikey)'s late grandmother. And the album that single appeared on (Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge), was a dedication to her as well: a bittersweet tribute to somebody that clearly meant so much to the Way brothers. Somebody that they really missed and never wanted to forget..

But even though I knew of the back story when that album was first released, as the teenage fan that I was, I (fortunately) had not yet experienced the loss of a loved one. The raw emotion behind that album's creation is now more intensely clear to me today. I can now say that I truthfully understand the pain heard in Gerard's voice when he belts out the line "so long and goodnight".  You see, two weeks ago I lost my grandfather...

That was incredibly hard to type. I'm still kind of in disbelief about it.

I find myself riding on an even crazier sentimental roller coaster at this time, this year. My favorite band died last year, and my grandfather this one.I've always believed that music can heal, and even though they don't work together anymore, My Chemical Romance's music will always hold a special kind of power. And although the sadness behind Three Cheers and the following album, Welcome to the Black Parade, is magnified, its also therapeutic. I listened to both albums this weekend, sang along to every word, and was comforted. If Gerard Way was able to get through the heartbreak of losing his grandmother, (and make wonderful art because of it), then I know that I'll overcome my own heartache, one day.

The photo at the top is my own rendition of the cover art for Three Cheers, (drawn by Gerard Way). It's just a quick sketch I did in my art journal, while thinking of My Chemical Romance, and of my grandfather. I used a ballpoint pen. My grandfather was a bit of an artist, himself, (and he only used a ballpoint pen). I can still clearly remember the night he pulled me aside once, when I was very young, and told me he was going to draw something for me. Using only a pen, he quickly sketched out what magically transformed into a realistic looking dog, and I can remember being so amazed at how wonderful it looked. Today would have been his 85th birthday... I'd like to think that I inherited at least some of his talent. And of course, these days Gerard Way is known more for being an artist, and I know he's mentioned in the past that it was his grandma Helena who first put a pencil in his hand, too.

Cherish your favorite musicians, and cherish your elders.

Until next time.