the moment I saw her on Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians feature with Lars Ulrich, I knew Phoebe Bridgers was sorta goth. from the skeleton onesie to the B.C. Rich guitars, Phoebe’s quirk is using metal imagery vis-a-vis her softer-than-Billie-Eilish sad girl music.
I mean, she was featured in a Guitar World article entitled “Phoebe Bridgers confirms pointy guitars aren’t just for metal with surprise BC Rich Warlock performance,” after all.
by the way, the skeleton-themed outfits? so Misfits. I respect.
going beyond the outfits and to the heart of the matter, what sort of music does Phoebe Bridgers play? indie.
she’s also done a collab with Taylor Swift. yup. this indie goth girl makin’ waves.
I find Phoebe’s choice of gear interesting. for electric guitars, she’s usually seen with her black and sparkly Danelectro baritone.
for acoustic, I love her parlor guitars. I think she digs Waterloo and Collings, but her choice of gear is pretty versatile.
she’s seen with a Yamaha JR in this favorite performance of mine.
what makes Phoebe special? well, to me, it’s the smart use of the contrast between metal imagery and her gentle music to maximum effect. I mean, who would expect that a band with this logo
would sound like this?
one last thing, she always wears black and white. cheers to another monochrome model to look up to.
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.
have time to burn watching Netflix after a hard day’s work? want a show to watch to while the weekend away? if you have no gig to go to, then you might as well watch these misfits (intentional use of the word misfits because I badly want to go to a concert with the original lineup of the Misfits, sigh).
1. Wednesday (2022)
2022 seems to be the year for goths and metalheads in Netflix. anyway, when Wednesday was announced, I was ecstatic. the OG goth girl finally has a series of her own.
Wednesday follows the horrific adventures of the titular “storm cloud” of a character, Wednesday Addams of the Addams Family fame, in Nevermore, a school reminiscent of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. ghastly events that transpire in the school make Wednesday want to play detective, earning the respect, and ire, of her peers.
Wednesday gives off a cold, emotionless vibe, all the while having morbid interests and tendencies. she plays a cello and is allergic to color, as expected from little miss monochrome.
2. Sandman (2022)
Sandman is an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s comic book. it stars the king of dreams, Morpheus, or his other moniker, Dream of the Endless, an anthropomorphic personification of the concept of dreams.
Death, Dream’s older sister, quite accurately described Dream in a scene where she was keeping him company while he was moping, or to put it in a more dramatic way (since Dream is such an emo drama king), in a period of contemplation.
I haven’t read the comics but I have watched the show and this scene was spot on.
if I had to use a word to describe Sandman the series, it’s intriguing. I don’t usually indulge in the fantasy genre but I decided to watch Sandman until the end and I must say, I was impressed. it’s mature, eerie, and so pretty it’s almost offensive. Dream is so pretty, period.
3. Girlboss (2017)
Girlboss is a snapshot of how the fashion company, Nasty Gal, started from a humble E-bay account to a garage store (more warehouse) to a multi-million dollar business. it was founded by Sophia Amoruso, a wild child diagnosed with ADD and depression in her youthful years, who never fit in school and couldn’t hold a job.
Sophia is quite the punk. she hates capitalism, corporations, and would rather dive in dumpsters than work for the Man… that is, until she becomes an established businesswoman herself.
comedic. rebellious. never takes itself seriously. Girlboss is sure to be a ride that’s always keepin’ it real (there’s a book, too. if you crave more Girlboss after finishing the show, the book’s worth a read).
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.
what is it about a metalhead that draws us in? is it their crazy ideas and antics, quirky way of being, the way they live life on their own terms, fighting seemingly losing battles, relatable outcast living conditions, penchant for getting in trouble, and just their all-over “stick it to the Man” attitude?
whatever it is, here are two young metalheads in modern media making us older (older, meaning me) metalheads, and other alts out there, proud.
Edward “Eddie” Munson (season 4, Stranger Things, 2022)
I don’t watch Stranger Things but Eddie Munson got my attention. apparently, he’s a breakout character, which means he became more popular than expected. I think we all know why…
It’s forced conforming. That’s what’s killing the kids. That’s the real monster.
Eddie Munson is the kooky, quirky, and perky kind of metalhead. on the surface, he may seem too much to handle, but he’s the guy you want to sit beside when the rest of the school (or the world you’re in) thinks you and your interests just don’t vibe with theirs.
based on Eddie Van Halen, of course, he can play a mean guitar, e.g. Master of Puppets.
I see them Hellfire Club shirts sellin’… make ’em sell.
2. Hunter Sylvester (Metal Lords, 2022)
Hunter Sylvester, on the other hand, is the one that’s too much to handle. obnoxious and no-filter, Hunter will confront anyone he thinks has a tiff with him. he doesn’t give a damn about what people think is right or wrong, if he thinks what you did to him is wrong, he will take it personally and will retaliate, no questions asked.
We are a metal band. We are not an indie metal band. We are not an alt-metal band. We are not a sort of metal band. We are a metal band.
(would love to claim that the idea for “sorta metal” came from him but it didn’t. “sorta metal” came from Phoebe Bridgers’ Facebook cover photo, a Toyota with a sorta goth sticker)
nonetheless, he’s an extremely loyal friend. he may come off as an asshole even to his best friend, Kevin, but there’s the history of him helping Kevin against bullies. there’s also a kid named Robbie who seems to idolize him, for what reason, I’m not sure I remember correctly but I think it wasn’t touched upon. maybe Robbie’s another kid he helped from getting bullied, probably.
also, he wrote this badass riff which I think is, on its own, reason enough to watch the movie.
Eddie Munson’s got the charm and charisma. Hunter Sylvester’s got commanding stage presence. whether you’re team Eddie or team Hunter, they’re both badass in their own right.
I’m gonna start off by saying something Taylor Momsen’s probably so damn sick of hearing, I first knew about her as Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl.
haven’t watched Gossip Girl yet? go watch it. it plays Billy Idol’s Dancing with Myself. that alone makes it cool in my book.
anyway, this post isn’t about Gossip Girl. so, who is Taylor Momsen? she was Jenny Humphrey… ok, now I’m just d/cking around. Taylor Momsen is the vocalist and frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, a hard rock band formed in the late 2000s. my impression of the band is that it’s Joan Jett meets Danzig meets Evanescence.
I’ve watched them in videos and if I’m not mistaken, they use Orange amps. Guild for their acoustic sessions. Taylor rocks a Fender Telecaster.
the best way to get to know a band is to listen to them. for notable albums, I’d say I love Death by Rock and Roll and Light Me Up.
here are five songs I recommend:
25
Witches Burn, has been called “Danzig-esque,” for its guitar tone, I guess.
Only Love Can Save Me Now
Got So High, reminiscent of Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.
Just Tonight, the good old Em-C-G-D chord progression in action.
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.