However we live is some disturbing times and things seem to be heating up as the far corners of our world grow closer and closer, and unalienable rights are seemingly evaporating before our eyes. Therefore I am examiing more and more the importance of Music as a DIRECT vehicle for social change. A collegue recently sent me to a website that examines this exact paradigm; it's called Music For Democracy. 

In their own words:

The digital age has opened up an area of tremendous potential for positive change and education at the interface of music and politics. While politics has always played a role in socially-conscious music, politicians have often engaged musicians and their fans only in shallow, self-interested ways. To many young people now, musicians are the cultural leaders of our time -- acute observers outside of the "game" of politics who can be trusted to articulate their own authentic vision of the way things are.  At the same time, however, the corporate music industry has played a role in discouraging musicians from expressing their political views if doing so might alienate potential audiences and buyers for their products.

If this strikes a "chord" and you want to learn more check it out: Music For Democracy 

http://www.myspace.com/justinnozuka

* Lyrics about the Hard Part of Rocking so Hard
* Slow Tempo, Semi Ballad (This is serious and important)
* Missing Family Shots (Hey man we’re not orphans, if so we’d be in a punk band)
* Boarding Private Airplane Shots (This is how we roll)
* Hysterical Fans Weeping Shots (we make women swoon / bare breasts/ and men raise their fists / bump chests)
* Pyrotechnics at the Song’s Climax (duh)
* Sweat from all the Hard Work (Don’t let the smiles and repetitive high-fivin’ fool ya; It’s hard work, and all those CRAZY cool lights are f&*ckin hot!)
* Contemplative Limo Shots (hey man it’s lonely out there)
* Mustached Roadie Passing Out Towels and Opening Doors Shots(they’re our Boyz!)
* Stretching, Shadow Boxing, Jumping in Place (It’s just like goin’ 15 rounds EVERY NIGHT)
* Drummer Drumming a Chair / Couch Backstage (You do what ya can to get fired up, it’s hard bringin’ it EVERY NIGHT)
* Booze, Lots and Lots of Booze, (it’s crazy hard out there and sometimes you need to unwind)
* Sunglasses, Preferably Mirrored (hey man it’s bright out there. I’ve been up all night and I don’t want people to see my bloodshot peepers, in fact don’t even try to make eye contact with me)
* Lots and Lots and Lots of Contemplation (We think hard)
* Slapping Hands with Fans from the Stage (hey, they paid big bucks to be up front, or they’re hot)
* haunting repetitive piano / semi acoustic guitar lick w/ a little finger picking (Hey man we can play; not everyone can play this part; it’s hard)
* Hotel Rooms, they all look the same (you probably don’t know this; we are on the road a lot, so we stay in lots of hotels, we figure we’d show you what we do in them)
* Looking out the tourbus at the long stretch of road / horizon/ mountains (we tour nationally, and some places look differently than other places, sometimes it’s hard to remember where you are)
* Girls, Chicks, Groupies, etc (hey we rock and chicks are the reward if you rock this hard)
* Check out the Arena When it’s Empty, to Get a Feel for the Stage (It’s not just about Showtime, you gotta put in some hard hours)
* Silhouette Shots (Sometimes it’s dark sometimes it’s light, but it’s always hard)
* YOU MUST HAVE LONG HAIR (It takes Commitment to Rock this Look, and Commitment is Hard)...............................................................................................................................

Although entertaining, the first few rounds proved unsuccessful for any darkhorse upstarts, which paved the way for some real heavies to dance into the final four.

Representing the North East Conference: Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive”

Representing the Midwest Conference (Via Detroit): Bob Seger’s “Turn The Page”

Representing the Southern Conference (Via Detroit): Kid Rock’s “Only God Knows Why”

Representing the Western Conference: Journey’s “Faithfully”

This week is “Faithfully” vs “Turn The Page"” and “Wanted Dead or Alive” vs Only God Knows Why”

All votes will be tallied so please do you part and show your support through the comment section below

enjoy