Tag Archives: Peace

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 166 (2020-14) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

Posted on by
2

I hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July holiday. To my Canadian friends, I hope you had a terrific Canada Day. Normally, I would be celebrating America’s birthday, but it is difficult to celebrate America’s success when we are in the vortex of a disaster of our own creation. As COVID-19 numbers cross the 50,000 new cases per day threshold and a Federal administration that has fully given up talking about or doing anything about the senseless deaths, the signs for America’s future look a little bleak right now. However, there is still hope. America can reclaim its place as the greatest democracy by taking small individual and collective steps designed to unite one another for a common purpose. That purpose I would offer is to heal and protect our communities from threats from within. If July 4th is to remain a marker for the celebration of our culture and our nation – past, present and future – then action to preserve our democratic way of life must start with us. If we fail to take action to reverse the rivers of division threatening to drown our democracy then we are lost. The fight for a society where all persons are created equal is a good place to start. Black Lives Do Matter. Register to vote. Participate. Be a positive force for change and not just a critic.

In California you can register to vote here: https://registertovote.ca.gov/

As for Tales From The Drop Box Episode 166, it is definitely a hodgepodge of old and new. I think you are going to love a number of these tracks which might have passed you by during the past couple of months as social issues predominate attention and time. You’ll also get some insight into one of my guilty pleasures, San Cisco, including why I feel guilty, along with the usual mix of new music that you should be listening to right now.

Here is what you will find in Episode 166:

  1. Hinds – “Waiting For You” (The Prettiest Curse)
  2. Tuff Sunshine – “We Seal Every Deal With A Kiss” (Dig Deeper, Peanut)
  3. Rusty – “Tricker Tricker” (Dogs Of Canada)
  4. Animal House – “Modern Romance (feat. Lucy Sheehan)” (Premium Mediocre)
  5. All The Wasted Years – “Ship Going Nowhere” (I’m Fine)
  6. Disq – “D19” (Collector)
  7. Honey Lung – “Getting Off” (Post Modern Motorcade Music)
  8. Raveslut – “Insanity” (No Escape)
  9. Jeff Rosenstock – “Leave It In The Sun” (No Dream)
  10. Pretty Thrills – “Scarlett” (Pretty Thrills)
  11. San Cisco – “On The Line” (On The Line – Single)
  12. Silver Sun – “Needle In The Ball Pit” (Switzerland)
  13. Terry Sharp – “Put In Bay Ohio Death Bird” (The Death Choir Sings)
  14. The Skids – “The Saints Are Coming”
  15. Bad Cop/ Bad Cop – “Breastless” (The Ride)

I gave you time in crowded places gave you love in empty spaces waiting for you . . . Don’t let me know all the reasons that it probably shouldn’t work or let me know all the things I’ll never do.

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 164 (2020-12) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

Posted on by
Reply

A Father’s Day edition of Tales From The Drop Box amidst continuing national unrest in the wake of a growing number of police shootings of Black Americans following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, increases in COVID-19 cases across America, and the release of the John Bolton book confirming what the nation suspected about the corrupt unhinged troll living in the White House. I wish this was a world created in a fantasy novel but, unfortunately, we are living this fantasy as reality. We must not lose the plot though. The fight for change is a daily struggle. It is much like fatherhood with some challenges scattered among the many joy filled days. When we look back on the challenges we are now facing I hope that enough time will have passed that these troubling times are but a blip on a road filled of hope and joy. For those of you are fathers, I wish you all a very happy Father’s Day as our children are truly our greatest blessing.

Episode 164 of Tales From The Drop Box is yet another banger filled with upbeat melodic music guaranteed to free you from the doldrums you might be experiencing from the past couple of months. It should be obvious at this point, but you need to turn up the volume, eh?

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 164:

  1. Impulsive Hearts – “Melody” (Cry All The Time)
  2. Je T’aime – “Fuck Me” (Je T’aime)
  3. Chemtrails – “Uncanny Valley” ( The peculiar Smell Of The Inevitable)
  4. Names Without Numbers – “Middle Ground” (Silos & Smokestacks)
  5. Kiwi Jr. – “Swimming Pool” (Football Money)
  6. Coriky – “Clean Kill” (Coriky)
  7. Spanish Love Songs – “Beach Front Property” (Brave Faces Everyone)
  8. Heavenly – “Mark Angel” (Operation Heavenly)
  9. Pixies – “Catfish Kate” (Beneath The Eyrie (Deleuxe Edition))
  10. Mush – “No Signal In The Padlock” (3D Routine)
  11. Johnossi – “Hot Thoughts: (Torch//Flame)
  12. The Animen – “From The Get-Go” (Same Sun/Different Light)
  13. Screeching Weasel – “Brain In A Jar” (Some Freaks Of Atavism)
  14. Greg Kihn Band – “Valerie” (RocKihnRoll)
  15. Amyl & The Sniffers – “Control (Live)” (Live At The Croxton)

She reached out a cup when the next she showed up replacement asking what’s been going on she says “Not very much” but she’s seen a lot of action . . . When I’m not with you, I jump in my car and drive to the place that I think that you are if you’re not there, I might just park
And dream about your face in the dark …

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 162 (2020-10) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

Posted on by
Reply

Black Lives Matter.

As mentioned in the last episode, COVID-19 was replaced last week as the topic du jour by a resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the tragic execution of George Floyd by a police officer. After two weeks of protests, yesterday’s demonstrations in support of change in police use of force policies disproportionately impacting Black Lives were the largest of this current cycle. Peaceful demonstrations in cities and towns worldwide to support changes to systemic race based policing policies which disproportionately impact Black Lives are an important first step in creating an environment for change. Perhaps now is the time for actual change that matters. Talk – Action = 0. Real change to race based police brutality and disproportionate treatment will take both persistence and new leadership. The divisive incompetent in the White House must go. Register to vote. Then vote. Vote for candidates who will lead us out of the darkest period of our modern history. Not since the Civil Rights era of the late 1960s does America have a chance to right historical and systemic wrong and stand against police brutality. It is not enough to stand against racism. The real conversation is about what we stand for as a nation. Do we stand for good, fair treatment of all people and for all nations? Do we stand for equal justice under the law? How can you help?

Do Something!

As for the music, Episode 162 of Tales From The Drop Box marks a slight departure from prior episodes. This week is filled with mostly new music but for kicks I’ve included a block of oldies that may be slightly unfamiliar to you. Classic well known bands bust different versions of songs that you might be familiar with. A small change for sure, but as noted above we all need change, so I am modeling a little bit.

I have been on this planet long enough to know that it is going to take a number of small changes to tip the current equilibrium from unjust to just. When the shift in equilibrium happens – and I truly believe that it will – there will be some turbulence and chaos before that new equilibrium is achieved. There is never a convenient time for revolution when the battle is truly for this nation’s soul. I hope that the worldwide peaceful demonstrations are sufficient force to create the change we need for our country and the end result of this turbulent time is a country where all persons are created equal and all are equally respected by the law. #Black Lives Matter

Here is what you will find in Episode 162:

  1. Mrs. Piss – “M.B.O.T.W.O.” (Self Surgery)
  2. The Howl & The Hum – “Love You Like A Gun” (Human Contact)
  3. Joyce Manor – “House Warming Party” (Songs From Northern Torrance)
  4. The Dears – “Heart Of An Animal” (Lovers Rock)
  5. Of Good Nature – “Fade” (Everything Turns Gold)
  6. Skuldpadda – “Summer In The City” (Commitment)
  7. Taking On Water – “How The West Was Won” (20 Years Too Late)
  8. Gold Key – “Human” (Panic Machine)
  9. Heads – “Nobody Moves & Everybody Talks” (Push)
  10. Household Names – “Famous (For Losing You)” (Picture In My Head)
  11. It’s For Us – “The Fight” (Malax EP)
  12. The Buzzcocks – “Tranquilizer” ( The 1991 Demo Album)
  13. Magazine – “Look What Fear’s Done To My Body (Because You’re Frightened)” (The Complete John Peel Sessions)
  14. The Jam – “Burning Sky (Demo Version) (Setting Sons (Super Deluxe Edition)
  15. Penny Diving – “Shotgun, She Said” (Big Inhale)
2020-06-07 EP 162Download

How are things in your little world? I hope they’re going well, and you are too Do you still see the same old crowd? The ones who used to meet every Friday? . . . You love me because you’re frightened and I’m falling in love with you because I’m getting frightened of the things you somehow make me do…

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 161 (2020-09) The Pandemic Episodes

Posted on by
Reply

Sad week in America. COVID-19 deaths are increasing, George Floyd’s senseless death, and violent protests against police brutality exposing a systemic failure of leadership and a nationwide culture of racism. All this is against a backdrop of civil unrest, looting and destruction in many cities across America demonstrating just how thin the line between good and evil is in this country. The politics of outrage will not be a satisfactory response to the wounds of racism ripped open this week and then poked at by the occupant of the White House. Regardless of your political affiliation, you should certainly be able to see the injustice perpetrated against Black America and institutionalized in the militarized police force against all persons of color. Certainly you should be able to recognize that George Floyd’s death was morally wrong. He was murdered by a police officer and three others watched and failed to intervene. Black lives do not matter to the police as currently constiuted in cities across the nation. The data is shocking and disturbing. Police violence is not isolated.

As this week’s George Floyd protests have spotlighted, police violence is endemic and it is multi-generational. NWA’s “Fuck tha Police” (August 9, 1988) was not the only song pointing out the obvious 32 years ago, the Dead Kennedys, eight years earlier than that identified the police as a criminal gang in “Police Truck” (May 1980). “Police Truck” was inspired by an incident in Los Angeles in the late 1970s in which two police officers performed illegal activities such as drinking on the job, beating up drunks, and raping prostitutes. A similar incident was documented recently in 2017. Obviously, I do not have the answers but I have to believe that answers do exist and are out there to be adopted. A recent report issued by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights entitled “Police Use of Force: An Examination of Modern Policing Practices” might be a good place to start.

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 161 seems a rather insignificant offering in light of the protests, but perhaps you can reflect, as I am, about what we can do to stop the violence. Perhaps it is something simple such as giving support to peaceful protestors who were arrested exercising their freedom of expression and rising up against wrongdoing, such as protesting the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and Ahmaud Arbery. You can contribute to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, Louisville Community Bail Fund, Columbus Freedom Fund, Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, and Los Angeles’ People’s City Council Freedom Fund.

Here is what you will find in Episode 161:

  1. Retirement Party – “Compensation” (Runaway Dog)
  2. The Detectors – “Opportunities To Grow” (Ideology)
  3. Duncan Reid and The Big Heads – “Your Future Ex-Wife” (Don’t Blame Yourself)
  4. Boat – “So Many Reasons Your Hair Turns Grey” (Tread Lightly)
  5. Ethyl Ether – “Cold Black Soul” (Chrome Neon Jesus)
  6. One Dollar Short – “Board Game” (Unforgotten Songs)
  7. 999 – “Statue” (Bish! Bash! Bosh!)
  8. All Time Low – “Bottle And A Beat” (Future Hearts B-Sides)
  9. Moses – “Basically” (Almost Everything Is Bullshit)
  10. Rocket Surgeon – “Lich King” (Flash Fiction)
  11. Melenas – “No Puedo Pensar” (Dias Raros)
  12. The Luka State – “[Insert Girls Name Here]” (Feel It)
  13. Public Practice – “Cities” (Gentle Grip)
  14. Stiff Little Fingers – “ A River Flowing” (Tinderbox)
  15. Answering Machine – “Bad Luck” (Bad Luck)

Judgment man on the bench again telling me what I’ve done wrong . . . what can you do if you feel that way so many reasons your hair turns gray…

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 159 (2020-07) The Pandemic Episodes

Posted on by
Reply

Episode 159 of Tales From the Drop Box is a no-frills affair. As will become evident to you at some point in the program this episode is just the usual assortment of awesome music packaged into about an hour. I do think you will find some ear-worms in this episode that will make their way into your soul.

Upon reflection, that is the simple goal for this program – to find some ear-worms – a song or two each episode that makes a connection with you in some manner. Simply put, finding music that alters your perspective about music, life, and where you fit in the world. Tales From the Drop Box is a form of mind control. Over the past couple of years, I have attempted to influence your musical tastes by subtly mixing tracks together that would not be found together in any contemporary musical program. Instead I have tried to use the music presented as communication with you. Music is immersive and if it makes you move or connects with you emotionally  – regardless of the way you characterize or organize that music in your mind –   then I have accomplished my goal for this program. Keep moving, make connections with others on an emotional level (keeping 6ft apart!) and good things will flow from those efforts. This is probably good advice for the pandemic – keep moving forward and things will flow.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 159:

  1. Worriers – “End of the World” (You or Someone You Know)
  2. Blank Spaces – “My Heart Skips” (A Home Away From Home)
  3. Car Seat Headrest – “Hollywood” (Making a Door Less Open)
  4. Mr. T Experience – “More Than Toast” (MTX Forever)
  5. Wares – “Survival” (Survival)
  6. Boston Manor – “Playing God” (Glue)
  7. Kyle Forester – “Strange Vision” (Hearts in Garden)
  8. The Men – “Breeze” (Mercy)
  9. Man-eaters – “Baptized in Spit” (Gentle Ballads for the Simple Soul)
  10. Mando Diao – “One Last Fire (Acoustic)” (BANG (Acoustic Versions))
  11. Circa Waves – “Wasted On You” (Sad Happy)
  12. The Anxiety & Tyler Cole – “Poolside” (The Anxiety)
  13. Serious Fraud Office – “Uptown” (15 Pieces of Flair)
  14. The Partisans – “17 Years of Hell (Single Version)” (1981-84)
  15. Caveboy – “I Wonder” (Night in the Park, Kiss in the Dark)

Call off the dogs, I can see through the fog and I’ll kill ’cause I want to call off the dogs or I’ll keep playing God . . .Pushing me too hard can’t believe what they’re saying they try to make the wrong seem right pushing me too hard with the games they keep playing . . .

KFR