Johnny

I was listening to some Johnny Cash today on BART on my way back from the mechanic. and Sunday Morning Come down played. and I thought about his movie Walk The Line (cover art by Shepard Fairey btw) and how he really kind of spent most of his life high or drunk, but probably mostly high. and it makes me kind of puzzled, sad and wonder what his music would have been like if most of his songs were written if he had been clean. Would have been even better? More detailed and elegant? Or more dry, conservative and afraid?

I am listening to Nine Inch Nails right now, trying to find a song that I'd like my dad and mom to read the lyrics to, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I am thinking of a different song. Trent Reznor is another great artist that has recently become "clean". That makes me wonder what his music would be like if he had been sober all this time. His new music, With Teeth and Year Zero is much harder, more complex, faster and louder. But also, there is a political undertone in the material and marketing.



I think his best work was The Fragile. A two disk set released 5 years after the previous album. I think every aspect about it is great, and probably the best thing rock and roll has heard since The Wall. It goes all over the place, but its easy to follow. It reminds me of swimming, maybe swimming in the dark. I don't know how else to put it. Lots of concept put into practice.

Anyways, since he's not doing drugs or drinking now, he's much more fit and buff. I suppose that is a common thing for people recovering? I have never been good at bulking up.

But I digress. Making art while living the life of a druggie or wino. Does it induce feelings of creativity that would be locked down otherwise? Or does it limit those who are already creative and bring them tumbling down into a wreck. Hitting rock bottom, losing your focus and becoming someone who only has the energy to stay on the straight and narrow with no room for anything other than Taking it One Day At a Time?

When I drink I open up, I talk and joke more and have a good time. Its nice, I am relaxed. But I can't really be motivated to write or draw. I've never done acid so I can't really say I've experienced tripping while painting or whatever the typical thing is that people do when they do that. I guess it works for some people.

I have been listening to Clem Snide's song "Bread" a lot lately. Its a great song to take a nap to. Possibly the best.