If there’s one thing that most musician’s want beside the fame of being a rockstar, it’s generally the cool gear that one can get access to to act like a rockstar. Yesterday was the start of what is the biggest crack candy store for musicians. It is known as NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants). There’s actually two of them, but the winter one is THE big one. I can already hear people scratching their heads collectively as your reading that. You’re saying to yourself, ya so, and exactly what is it?
NAMM is where all the major and not so major manufacturers showcase their new goods to the world of music stores. However, what ends up happening is that these makers who endorse famous musicians (and not so famous ones, eh hem) and get them to come perform using their products. This is supposed to entice the store’s buyers to come be interested in their product. There is never really a time when you get more rockstars convened in one place (except for major award shows) and they’re just milling about (unless they’re performing) talking about gear they use and meeting people.
It’s like a jolt of tripple espresso with a double shot of sugar. It’s essentially where I’ve made all my connections for all the endorsements I have. It’s also where I go to make decisions on what I’d like to buy for my studio. Gear envy, it’s probably worse than penis envy – if you have that sorta thing.
NAMM is also where I get to see friends that I don’t get to speak to very often. Mostly because they live somewhere other than a music epicenter. Or they’re out on the road to often. Where I’m working on being this year. It’s also where you can see aging rockers. There are certainly some time capsules walking around. It’s all good though. See I remember a couple of years ago seeing one rocker who is truly the epitome of rock from it’s heyday in the 70’s. His name is Gene Simmons. Chances are you know him, of him, or love him, or had sex with him (if you’re a woman).
When I saw him, he had two women on his arms all done up to the 9’s. He himself was walking around with that air of importance that he always seems to have. To see everyone turning around and going dude look its Gene is quite a site. If I end up seeing him this year, I’ll ask him a question of whether or not he has a picture of his face without makeup with a miniature of his former rockstar character in full regalia in front of it – done in airbrush. See my dad was once hired (by their manager) long ago when I was tiny, to paint some pictures of each of them. One of them didn’t like theirs (not Gene) and so my dad gave it to me some years later.
Anyway, I’m off to the madness that is NAMM where people actually do Rock and Roll All Night and Party Every Day. If you don’t actually own this song – what the hell is wrong with you? This is a classic party song. A classic hard rock song. A classic! You gotta own it. Now go buy it.