before everything else and to give the reader an idea of what kind of music enthusiast I am, I must mention that I listen to mostly classic rock (you know, those bands that live on Marshall amplifiers), punk, metal, and alternative or indie a la Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo.
what I look for in headphones is sound quality and high fidelity, not a specific sound signature or trait like high bass, treble, or mid, nope, it’s sound quality and fidelity for me. keyword, audiophile. however, I have a habit of looking to my music heroes for their endorsement. it’s alright if I don’t have the most audiophile-approved pair, it’s ok that it’s good enough for, say, Taylor Momsen.
when I hear the word audiophile, the first ones that come to mind are Audio-Technica and Sennheiser, but in this post, Sony will also be featured (for their sheer prevalence in the market which isn’t due to some gimmick, their overall quality is the real deal).
so, here’s a few videos I came across where Sony, Sennheiser, and Audio-Technica appear in quite old and recent studio performances.
1. Daughtry performs an acoustic version of No Surprise at HitMill studios in Zurich, 2009, featuring Sony
2. The Pretty Reckless performs an acoustic version of House on a Hill, Team Rock, 2014, featuring Sennheiser
3. Phoebe Bridgers and Noah & Abby Gundersen performs Killer and The Sound, Dead Oceans, 2018, featuring Audio-Technica
4. Phoebe Bridgers performs Motion Sickness in the KEXP studio, 2018, featuring Sennheiser
5. Metallica performs Enter Sandman, Howard Stern, 2018, featuring Sony (if it’s at Howard Stern, it’s Sony)
6. Clairo performs Bags for World Cafe, WXPN studios, 2019, featuring Sony
when choosing headphones, I’m like, if it’s good enough for them… yup, that’s it.
watch a Green Day video and I bet you the inevitable pair of Converse Chucks will make their presence known. case in point, a still from the American Idiot music video.
a still from the Know Your Enemy music video.
Billie Joe Armstrong wears them all the time.
Converse Chucks have been a go-to footwear for people in the alternative scene, i.e., punks, metalheads, skaters, you name it. it’s been that way for such a long time that Converse Chucks have become intimately linked to alternative music history. here’s James Hetfield in the Metallica documentary, Some Kind of Monster.
there’s something about the appeal of Chucks that draws in alternative musicians and fans. the Ramones and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana are some of the big names that are known to wear them. knowing this, and based on personal preference and taste, the first pair of sneakers I bought with my own hard-earned money from my first job was, you guessed it, a pair of high top black monochrome Chucks.
that was in the fourth quarter of 2019, around almost four years ago, and they’re still going strong. they are the only pair of shoes I’ve worn for weekends ever since, I kid you not. that is, until I bought my pair of black boots last week.
even in the local scene, in the last concert I attended (which featured a budding alternative musician), they’re everywhere.
honestly, I don’t know what to buy if they weren’t in the market, probably black Adidas Stan Smiths, but there’s no beating a high top Converse (particularly for someone like me who prefers full ankle coverage).
seriously, to my dearest Converse Chucks, you are a footwear superhero.
this would probably be one of, if not, the most sentimental posts in this blog. I firmly believe that if not for music, I wouldn’t be able to get through daily life with my sanity intact. I have music, rock and roll and its alternative forms in particular, to thank for getting through law school and now earning six digits before the age of thirty… and still getting me through daily life, in general.
late 2000s
I’ve always loved dark things, you know, Halloween-related stuff. that includes music. back when I was a teenager, I listened to Avril Lavigne, Green Day, and Three Days Grace.
early 2018
however, my love of rock music became serious and intense during my fourth year in law school, particularly during my internship. I was listening to Queen and David Bowie on my commute. bus rides and long walks were filled with Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, Killer Queen, and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, Life on Mars, Space Oddity, and so much more.
I was obsessed with watching music videos and live performances.
there was a time I painted my nails blue after I saw a picture of David Bowie with blue nail polish.
for Queen, I have no favorite album in particular. the songs which I love are scattered all over. favorite songs: Somebody to Love, Bohemian Rhapsody
for David Bowie, it has to be The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. favorite songs: Ziggy Stardust, Starman
March 2018
then, around March 2018, I came across a Youtube thumbnail of an interview of Billy Idol. I. was. hooked.
Billy Idol. god. I was obsessed beyond obsessed. I felt as if I stumbled on a gold mine or won the lottery. I loved everything about Billy Idol, his background, looks, voice, attitude, everything. he was the British punk, a true British punk to have come from the mid 1970s Sex Pistols scene, who took punk rock to MTV. he accomplished what the Sex Pistols could not, he made America fall in love with him (at that time, at least).
ah, Billy Idol, the boy who was cursed to be too beautiful for punk.
favorite album: Rebel Yell favorite songs: Rebel Yell, Flesh for Fantasy, Eyes Without a Face
my Billy Idol “phase” is unforgettable because it came at a time when I achieved many life milestones. I graduated from law school, prepared for the Philippine bar exam, passed the bar, became a lawyer, and got my first job. that said, all good things must come to an end. my obsession petered out after the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic and the first time I resigned.
then I became addicted to Metallica.
July 2020
Metallica came at a… turbulent time in my life. there was Covid-19 and lockdowns everywhere. we barely left home, just to procure essentials like food, grocery, and medicine. I had just resigned and was going through my quarter-life crisis. I then signed up for quite an easy job that didn’t pay much. life was… sh/t.
whether or not my brooding and grim mood during that time was a big factor or part of the reason why I fell in love with Metallica and James Hetfield’s rhythm guitar skills, I’m not a hundred percent certain. however, listening to Metallica definitely helped tame the rage and hopelessness. I had been nurturing an internal black cloud that could lead to either an endless downpour or a violent thunderstorm.
the silver lining is that, so awed and inspired by James Hetfield I was that I started learning guitar. that’s why if I have to cite only one name who’s my main inspiration for learning guitar, it would be James Hetfield and no other.
favorite album: Ride the Lightning favorite songs: Of Wolf and Man, Fade to Black, Master of Puppets
my life got better around early 2021. I got a job that I loved and thrived in. after a year, I got promoted. after half a year, I got an even better job opportunity. when 2023 came, I was at such an all-time high that it was as if 2020 didn’t happen.
May 2023
well, life always finds a way… a way to f/ck you up. some things I’d rather not mention.
when you’ve flown so high, only to come crashing down and die, but still not be dead? that hits differently. that’s like post-death. it’s like, beyond numbness. it’s living after death. that’s the point in your life when you realize you need Glenn Danzig.
he’s always been there, you know, being promoted by Metallica and all that, friends with James Hetfield and whatnot, but something monumental, of biblical proportion, had to happen within me for me to appreciate him, his music.
my friends, to know how the gods kill, you really have to experience some f/cked up sh/t in your life. if I were a Danzig song, I’d be How the Gods Kill.
nonetheless, I love the dark. always have. it’s my normal.
and I never take myself seriously. it’s like my favorite Misfits song, I Turned into a Martian. like, how can you take that song seriously, right? you don’t. you experience it. you squeeze every ounce of enjoyment from it.
favorite album: Danzig favorite songs: How the Gods Kill, Am I Demon, Mother
I don’t take life seriously… because I’m dead anyway. lmao.
to emphasize, this is not a post about electric guitars. as much as I love electric guitars, I still prefer playing acoustic for convenience, portability, and reliability. I don’t need amplifiers and an electrical outlet to play.
as a fan of classic rock and roll and heavy music, my acoustic guitar and gear preferences are quite predictable, in the sense that I want a warmer, bassier, and fuller sound.
given that, most would advise me to get a dreadnought guitar, which is quite big for a 5’1″ girl like me. I did play a Yamaha FG800 but then, for a short while, sold it and replaced it with a much cheaper concert-body guitar.
so, where does a fan of rock, metal, punk, goth, or any kind of music start with playing guitar? I’m not here to give you a comprehensive guide but I could at least share information that applies to me. I began with learning punk and metal songs after all. feel free to correct me.
speaking of which, my itch to actually learn guitar came up one night in 2020, around when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, so I say I’m a pandemic guitarist. I was listening to Green Day and Metallica. imagine, I was lying on my bed with Enter Sandman playing on my headphones, listening to James Hetfield’s rhythm riff with tears streaming down my temples to my ears. sappy.
the day after, I just decided to get a guitar and start learning. so, typically, I bought a dreadnought Epiphone.
here’s a few info on guitars.
guitar body
I. guitar shapes
guitars come in many shapes, here’s an illustration.
general tip, the bigger the guitar, the fuller the bass. that’s why the stereotype is, if you play rhythm (a la James Hetfield and Izzy Stradlin), get a dreadnought. If you play lead/shred solos (a la Dave Mustaine and Slash), get a grand concert/concert, particularly with a cutaway.
II. guitar brands
some brands are prominent for a reason. there’s Gibson, Martin, and Taylor. Guild is a notable mention. for more affordable and reliable options, Yamaha and Takamine provide.
Gibson and Martin are more known for their warm sound, warm meaning earthy, woody. audiophiles and those who play vinyl records on turntables know what this means. Taylor is more for that bright, sparkly, modern sound.
Yamahas and Takamines are great options for the beginner to intermediate guitar player. I’ve owned both and I can’t quite describe their signature sound, I think it depends on the model, but these have been recommended as I’ve watched in Youtube and read in forums.
a. Gibson. everyone knows Gibson. from AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica, Gibson is everywhere. here’s Slash and Myles Kennedy rocking Sweet Child O’ Mine with acoustic Gibsons.
b. Martin. ah, the legendary Martin, the D-28 in particular. Kurt Cobain played a Martin in his unforgettable MTV Unplugged performance.
James Hetfield always plays a Martin when Metallica goes acoustic.
c. Taylor. I’m a big fan of the Taylor GS-Mini. I’d love to get the mahogany version, staying true to my preference for a warmer tone. Taylor Swift plays Taylors (just a coincidence) and Gibsons.
here’s Ben Phillips of The Pretty Reckless, too.
d. Guild. I don’t know much about Guild but I do know they’re quality guitars. if they weren’t, then Billie Joe Armstrong wouldn’t be caught playing them.
e. Yamaha. at the beginner to intermediate levels and at lower price points, there’s no better deal than Yamahas and Takamines. as for sound, it’s a matter of preference. for Yamaha, I know Phoebe Bridgers played a Yamaha JR in her Tiny Desk performance.
Julien Baker, too. if you don’t know who Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker are, check out Boygenius.
f. Takamine. what I like about Takamine is that they offer a 3/4 guitar called a Taka-mini that’s obviously smaller than a full size guitar without compromising sound. most of their acoustic guitars come with pre-installed pickups, too. Bon Jovi is known to play Takamines.
III. guitar woods
there are only two guitar woods I’m familiar with, spruce and mahogany. spruce is for a balanced tone, mahogany leans warmer.
getting your first guitar is a very personal experience. brand doesn’t matter. what’s important is that the guitar makes you want to play. when the guitar motivates you to practice, you know you’ve got a keeper.
guitar strings
now that you have an idea on guitars, I’m now going to talk about guitar strings.
I’ve only used Ernie Ball Earthwood light .11 strings so I have no idea how Elixir or Fender strings sound. why do I use Ernie Ball? because James Hetfield, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Tim Henson (Polyphia) use Ernie Ball. yes, I am that shallow, but Ernie Ball also advertises their Earthwood line for its warm tone.
guitar picks
next up, plectrums, more commonly known as picks.
I. pick thickness (or thinness… if you will)
picks can be thin (lower than .73) or thick (1.00 and up). they say thin picks are for strumming and thick picks are for plucking. that’s the general rule, but I use 1.00 picks for both. I started with .73 and since I craved more force in my strums, I settled with 1.00.
II. pick brands
yes, picks have brands. if I had to name one, you have nowhere else to look but Dunlop.
picks also differ in sharpness. I use only the standard Dunlop tortex picks so I really don’t know much about sharp picks. they say it improves accuracy. I’ve tried Dunlop tortex sharp but it makes me feel as if the point snags on the strings. hence, I stick to standard Dunlop tortex. feel free to experiment on which picks work for you (note, guitarists also have signature picks. keep your eyes peeled when you watch performances and videos).
there you go, that’s all you need to start learning guitar. an actual guitar, strings, and a pick. last tip, focus on fundamentals and never forget to have fun.
picture a male CEO. is the image in your head either a man in a three-piece suit or a Silicon Valley whiz in a t-shirt (or a turtleneck) and jeans? do you agree with me that he’s definitely not a guy wearing a Metallica t-shirt? you do?
the makers of Billions do not. Robert “Bobby” Axelrod, a Wall Street mogul, is the CEO of Axe Capital, a hedge fund that plays with money worth too many zeros,
who still has time to attend his favorite band’s concerts.
Bobby is not just the everyman’s rags-to-riches underdog fantasy, he is the metalhead’s rags-to-riches corporate underdog fantasy.
what do I mean? well, you don’t see many fans of metal, punk, or goth music represented in American-work-culture-based shows like Mad Men and Suits, right? thank God, or the devil, that a show like Billions and a character like Bobby actually exist. though he may be known for his ruthless and remorseless tendencies in conducting business and making power plays, I can’t deny that his underprivileged background and his “never grew up” looks and attitude make him awfully relatable.
who wipes the floor with executives, directors, and lawyers alike while rocking a metal band t-shirt? Bobby fucking Axelrod, that’s who.
Bobby is a one-of-a-kind metalhead who leads in a show about money, power, and greed in corporate America. he has a no-fucks-given attitude about how he has no intention to hide his true nature, that is, dangerously hungry and will do absolutely anything to get what he wants, either by brute force or by more calculated means.
it’s the way he looks, moves, talks, thinks, and executes that make up the awe-inspiring, indelible, and unapologetically original Bobby Axelrod swagger (kudos to Damian Lewis for bringing this metalhead to life).
quotes:
“I should, but then again, what’s the point of having fuck-you money if you never say fuck you?” episode 1, season 1.
“I am a monster. A carnivorous fucking monster.” episode 2, season 5.
“Asked him to go against the DNA which is telling you to be greedy, yes, be hungry, subjugate, and conquer, ’cause that’s who we are, that’s what we are.” episode 3, season 5.