DISCLAIMER
Please note, I'm not trying to favor one type of musician or the other, I'm just examining the beauty in variety. I honestly consider myself a blend of music theory nut and ridiculous punk-rocker, and my purpose is to learn from musicians who resemble both sides and everything in between.
In my last post, we met Harvard Graduate and professional Orchestra Conductor, composer, and college professor, Dr. Jim Stopher. His musical identity is one of academic expertise, centered around his ability to read music, interpret scores, and properly conduct his musicians so that he can achieve the full potential of his music. For Jim, he finds beauty in the technical nuts and bolts of music as well as how it touches him emotionally.
MEET THE PUNK
Miguel Chen is bassist of Wyoming punk quartet Teenage Bottlerocket. Their latest effort "Freak Out!" is out now on Fat Wreck Chords. Let's dig in.
"I have been playing music basically all of my
life. I started with guitar lessons in 2nd grade, then played saxophone in
middle school and high school. I started playing in punk bands when I was 13
years old."
Our Maestro, Dr. Jim Stopher described his musical identity as "analytical."
Let's dig into Miguel's identity.
"I think I wound up being a "play what
sounds good" type. As mentioned I did have lessons, starting with classical
guitar in 2nd grade. Then Saxophone from 5th-11th grade. I even took more
classical guitar lessons around age 14. None of this ever really stuck or is
applied to what I do however. The most useful thing I ever learned, was a power
chord. Once I started playing punk rock, all music theory pretty much went out
the window."
If you just smiled, keep reading. If you just turned your nose up because Miguel praised the power chord and dropped theory, maybe read something else.
Wondering why power chords get a bad rap? I'll explain that in detail and link it soon. In a nutshell, power chords are a quick fix, they only require the guitarist to use 2 fingers, (see chart) and the grip can move all over the neck with virtually instant results.
I for one absolutely adore the power chord. In my teaching, I've seen power chords build confidence in young players. Not to mention, they just sound awesome.
-The Punk Dream Come True-
"I knew I needed music when I first discovered punk rock. My friends
and I all started getting into bands like NOFX and Agnostic Front, lots of Fat
Wreck Chords and Epitaph stuff.
I knew that was where I belonged.
I didn't ever
really think I could do it for a living, but I knew I wanted to be in a band
and play for people. Now more than half my life later, I'm still here, still
playing punk rock and actually making a little bit of money. It rules. All of us had wanted to be on Fat Wreck Chords and tour with NOFX since we were teenagers.
When it finally all happened I was so happy I actually cried.
Really all of us had a dream, worked toward it and finally got to make it a reality. Somewhere between hard work, persistence and luck we ended up getting to live really cool lives. We are very thankful."
So, Miguel has a theory and instrumental background, but his attraction to punk rock and the instant gratification that came with learning the power chord took over his early exposure to the basics of notation and theory fundamentals. So what happens when Teenage Bottlerocket gets together and writes songs?
"I really don't think too hard about it. It's a pretty honest,
short process. It's either, does that suck? Or would I listen to that and get
stoked? I would have to say it's more feeling than being excited about what
chords or tempos or whatever else.
TBR pretty much goes off of what sounds good
to us and beyond that we don't think too much about it."
(Miguel is on the right)
My 2 Cents
As someone who has studied advanced music theory and actually enjoyed it, I find this comment refreshing. As much as I love analysis, borrowed chords, etc, I sometimes let that cloud my judgement when composing, and I get blocked up or the feeling suffers. We have to remember that it just feels good to play, and enjoy it for what it is.
What was one of your most memorable musical “Ah-ha” moments?
"I remember in my first band one of
the members showed me palm muting. Blew my damn mind. I had heard it in songs,
but couldn't ever figure out how they got the guitar to sound like that. One
day John walks in and tells us we have to check something out. He picked up a
guitar and palm muted and completely blew us away."
Check out TBR's video for "Bigger than Kiss." At :19 seconds, you can observe palm muting at its finest. Oh, and they are palm muting POWER CHORDS by the way!
My 2 Cents. Again...
This was the first song I ever successfully palm muted!
Talk about a breakthrough for a young guitarist!
The Punk's Pick
"Every single person on earth should
listen to the Decline by NOFX. If you don't like that, then we probably don't
have a lot in common musically and we know never to talk about it again. If you
do like that then we probably have a lot more in common than just music."
Here's a link to NOFX performing "The Decline," (all 18 minutes) live. It is the real deal. Buy the studio version here, it's a masterpiece.
What is it with Punks and dubstep?
Describe your least favorite song, genre, or artist. Don’t
hold back!
"Dubstep. What is that shit?"
"The Reaganomics are a
great band. I wish you'd all quit your jobs and tour!"
Thanks a lot to Miguel for taking the time and for his in depth responses. He, like many punk rockers, plays what feels good, which has it's pros and cons, but ultimately I find this approach just as admirable and pertinent as the more analytical musical approach of orchestral conductor Jim Stopher.
By comparing Dr. Jim Stopher and Miguel Chen's responses, I have found value and relevance in both of them, because while on the surface they are virtually opposites, they share a passion and adoration for music, and they absolutely love what they do, which is good enough for me.
I hope you take these musician's stories and learn something from them in your life and in your musical journey.
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