Wes Scantlin......We Fucking Hate You.

Dear Wes,

There comes a time in everyone's life when they have to face facts and own up to their own stupidity.  I mean, we can't all be like OJ and pretend we did nothing wrong when we know we did.  I'm here to tell you that your time has come.  Although once a fairly popular and well-liked guy, your fans have watched you transform into some sort of prima donna that makes Axel Rose look like Mother Theresa and Kanye West look like Ghandi.  What a shame.

We have put up with your antics in the past, but recently your attacks have become personal.  Throwing microphones at fans, stopping shows because your thong needs adjusted, attacking promoters and club owners because you didn't have your four o' clock nap.......At this point, we are all confused as to whether you're an accomplished rock star or a toddler throwing a tantrum.  Your fans feel unsafe around you, which I guess really doesn't make them fans does it?  Those people showing up to your shows?  They aren't fans, they're gawkers.  Much like people gather around to witness the aftermath of a train wreck, people gather just to see if you will go ballistic John McEnroe style or just drop dead on stage.

You claim that "the internet can make anyone look like a fool", but what you fail to understand is that, while you are right, the internet has to get the information from somewhere.  When you're caught on video doing something only a person with two brain cells and a death wish would do, it isn't the internet that's making you look bad.  It's you.  You are bad.  You are a wasted, washed up, has been who is trying desperately to stay in the public eye by any means necessary.  You seem to believe that you are respected in this industry, when in all reality you are nothing but a joke.

You had what?  Two semi-successful songs?  Wow.  You had one song that stayed at #1 for a whole week?  Wow.  Your song "She Hates Me" is easily your most memorable, and yet never made it past #13 on the American charts.  Color me impressed.  Let's see.......Justin Bieber's song "Boyfriend" debuted at #2........"Mean" by Taylor Swift debuted at #11......Ummmm........"The Macarena" stayed at #1 for 14 weeks, as well as The Black Eyed Peas hit "I've Got A Feeling".  Now I know, those aren't on the rock charts, but you claim to be such a god in this industry that I can only assume that you also believe you are better than anyone else in the industry, regardless of genre.  Clearly that's a delusion.  It's probably the crack.....or whatever the drug of the day is.

I read in another interview where you said that you were "tired of hearing people call you a woman beater".....well, here's a tip.  Stop hitting women.  It's not the internet that's reporting it, it's the various police departments that are.  Your police reports ARE public record, in case you weren't aware that being a "celebrity" doesn't change that.

You are a disgrace to this industry.  A scourge.  A plague.  A waste of everyone's time and money.  I have more respect for toilet paper than you.  While I'm sure that this is nothing you haven't heard before, I feel the need to let you know that there are hundreds of thousands of people out there who roll their eyes the second that they hear your name, and it's not because they dislike your music.  It's because they fucking hate you and everything you represent.  You were brought to this point by the fans that you now verbally and physically attack, and we feel that it is time to let you know that, as the old adage goes, we brought you into this world and we can take you out.  You would be nothing without us, and unless you clean your act up, you won't be given the time of day.

Not only are your fans tired of you, but so are the promoters, booking agents, and venue owners.  If you think your fans and the internet can make your life miserable, wait until you piss off enough of those guys.  You'll be lucky if you can find an apartment in the projects of Detroit by the time they're done with you.  MC Hammer's bankruptcy is less embarrassing than you, and the list of people who want nothing to do with you grows by the second.

You better sober the fuck up and take a long look in the mirror boy.  YOU are the cause of your own demise, and unfortunately you're bringing your band mates down with you.  If I were them, I'd have kicked your ass a long time ago.  You're headed down a path that even Courtney Love would say is too much.  Get your fucking head in the game dude.  It's either buck up and face facts, or find a new job, and I'm guessing with all of your many skills, "do you want fries with that" is probably in the job description.

The music industry is a beast, and you are living proof that it will eat you alive.  Clearly, you have cracked under the pressure, no pun intended.  You're too strung out to even clean your damn swimming pool.  Instead your lazy ass just laughs it off and calls it your "swamp".  What a loser.

I mean, my god man, get it together.  We know you're semi-talented, or used to be anyway.  I guess your future is yet to be determined, but in the past, yes, you've shown signs of some talent.  You're getting old though, and time is ticking down.  The young guns in the game are pulling ahead of you and starting to show you up.  Perhaps that's why you feel the need to drag other musicians down by insulting them.  Truth be told, most of those whom you have insulted are far superior to you in both terms of talent and personality.

Rehab could be a viable option for you, but I'm afraid that once you sober up and realize how many brain cells you've burnt up, it may mean the end of your career......Of course, not cleaning up will probably be the end of your career too.  So, it sounds to me like it's time to seek out more viable options for employment.  Your drug use, your insane behavior, your personal diatribes, your violent streak.......all of these have caused your downfall.......well, that and what I believe is a lack of personal accountability.

Continue to blame the world for your problems, and you will continue to careen downhill.  You aren't funny.  You aren't clever.  You really don't appear to be intelligent.......You say hearing negative things about yourself gets you down.....Good.  It should.  The truth hurts.

The worst part of all of this is that you are bringing a stigma to your genre that shouldn't exist.  Not all rock singers are ridiculous cunts like you.  Most of the people you spend your time insulting via photos on Facebook have worked harder than you could ever hope to.  You deserve nothing that you don't work for, and it's clear that you don't feel you need to work for fans or appreciation.  Now it's time you realize that you do.  If you don't want to work for it, then we want nothing further to do with you.

It is very possible that within one year, no one will have a clue who you are.  Oh what a wonderful world that will be.  I mean, it's not even like you're relevant anymore.  You haven't had a hit since the early 2000's.  You should ask Fred Durst how all of this works.  He slipped into non-existence quietly.  Maybe it's time for you to do the same, rather than going out in a blaze of glory.  The rock gods are ashamed of you.  The industry is embarrassed by you.  Your fans are fed up with you.  If rock bottom ever existed, this is it.

Also, since you and your lone friend see the need to do this to other musicians who are more talented and well-liked than you, I made you a gift.

I hope one day karma fucks you in the ass with a cactus, but until then simply knowing that your career is about to be flushed down the toilet will have to do.  Fucking worthless piece of shit........

Love,

Red Lolli

Change of Plans

Good Lord Robb Wells is fantastic!  Sorry.....I was trying to find some random photo for this post and have settled on this delightful hunk of man meat.  Are any of you Trailer Park Boys fans?  My husband and I are obsessed......

Anyway.....on to the point.  I had a topic all picked out for this week, and I could write the post, but I have chosen to wait until next week.  So if you're looking for "The Lost Art of Cover Art", it isn't here yet.  Next Friday.

This week, I want to take the time to do something I haven't really done in the past.  I want to ask you readers what YOU want to read about.  What gets YOUR juices flowing?  I know I have tons of readers.  I'm very anal retentive about keeping up with my analytics.  So....I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE!  However, I rarely hear from you guys, and if I do it's usually because I'm running a contest on Facebook.

So here's the thing.....I could pull topics out of my ass all day long, and I could write about whatever I want to my heart's content, but that wouldn't do anyone any good.  If we really want to get to the meat of these issues, I need feedback folks!  Now's the time!  TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT!

I've had some thoughts as the re-vamp is happening about things I would like to do.  Maybe tell me what you think?  Add to the thoughts?  Anything!!  So here goes:

1.  I've thought about adding a weekly Battle of the Bands post on Wednesdays.  Now, this won't be your typical BOTB.  Each month, there will be a set genre (i.e. Folk, R&B, Rock, Metal, Country, Gospel, etc.).  Each week, I will choose two bands based upon your suggestions to go head to head.  The winners will challenge a new band the next week, and this will continue for 4 weeks.  Once I have cycled through 6 genres, I will have a championship month where each genre winner will go up against another genre.  Then once a year, those two winners will go head to head with each other and the winner will be crowned champion!

2.  How do you feel about polls?  They could be topical......a poll based around the week's topic??

3.  I'm going to start doing cash giveaways regularly in hopes to gain some attention.

4.  My normal personality is fairly bitchy, and sometimes something irks me so bad that I just want to tell the world.  I'd love to start doing a Terrible Tuesday rant of some sort.  Most people are entertained by my bitchiness, so you might dig it, and it might start some good arguments.

5.  I'm thinking about also adding in a video every week.  I'll select a band that I think is under-appreciated, and share a video with a quick review.  We don't want to lose Hidden Gems all together do we?

Well.....there are a few from me.  Now it's your turn.  Tell me what you want to see, read, watch, do......It's so important to me that you guys come back!  Feel free to comment here, add me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or shoot me an email.  I can't wait to hear from all of you!  You have no idea how much I appreciate you reading!  From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU ALL!!

Here's all of my Social Media info:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/redlollimusic2014
Google +:  r.mcdaniel72707@gmail.com
E-Mail:  bharriss1985@fullsail.edu
Twitter: @redlolli2012
Instagram:  j.b.mcdaniel

And......I guess I'll leave you with a video of this song I'm seriously digging right now!!  It's called "Tranquilize" by Finish Ticket

When Groupies Become Girlfriends!!

So......what do an over-the-road trucker, a traveling musician, a soldier, and a traveling salesman have in common?  Well....not much unless you ask their significant others.  None of these have very much in common at all, if anything, as far as a job is concerned.  However, if you spoke to the other half of that couple, you will quickly find that loneliness is a common denominator.

I have so much respect for the men and women who are frequently separated from their partners, all for the good of others.  It takes absolute selflessness to do something like that, and I'm going to be honest.....I couldn't do it.  I lose my shit if my husband works an hour late.  In my relationship, it doesn't work if we aren't together.  We enjoy each other's company more than the company of others, and we have a lot of similar interests.  Not to mention we are crazy about each other! ;) ;) ;)

I have always considered having so much time to spend with my husband to be a luxury, because I've always been aware that this isn't the case for every relationship.  Naive as I was, I assumed that everyone understood this.  

Then I experienced my very first teenage groupie....

You know the type.......they dress like little whores (or worse as seen above) to get the attention of one of the band members.  Usually it doesn't matter which one.....Hell, half the time as long as you're a roadie you're considered "in the band".  It's shameful.  If these were my daughter's I'd ..... well I don't know what would do, but trust me it would be extreme.

And not only do they DRESS like whores, they ACT like them too which makes this even worse.  I mean, for all you know the girl in the photo above could be 15 years old.  Does that make the photo creepier?  If not, have your head checked.  

I want this post to serve as a lesson to these unfortunate girls.  Ladies, this is not how you should ever behave in public, especially if you're hoping to "bag a rockstar".  If you want to know how to get a true, honest, intimate connection with a musician read on.  If you want a one night stand and a walk of shame, step away from the computer, adjust your g-string, and go to the nearest live show.

If you're still reading, congratulations.  You're learning, and that's step one to a better you.

Another thing that young groupies do in order to "bag a rockstar" is assume that this person wants you to love everything that they love, eat all of the same food they eat, do all of the same shots they do, dress the same as they do, and so on, and so on, and so on.  

Girls, this is not what they want.  I've had the pleasure over the last week to interview four very special ladies who all happen to be dating musicians, each of whom are at different stages in their careers.  These aren't old women as you will see at the end of this post.  These are 18-23 year old young women who have made a conscious choice to get into, what I feel, is one of the most difficult types of relationships to get into.  These ladies all have different perspectives, but from them I was able to gather up some suggestions for you band wives in training.

Step 1:  Don't dress like or act like a whore.  Boobs are a dime a dozen, and believe me, the band has seen both better and worse than yours, so don't feel like you're special.  You're not.  As a matter of fact, even if the band member bangs you in the bus at the end of the night, it's guaranteed that you will be a joke the second you leave the bus.  You will just become another "Remember that one drunk whore I banged" story.  You don't want that, do you??  These guys aren't looking to tie themselves down to someone like that for more than an hour.

Step 2:  Don't pretend to like things you don't just to impress them.  These musicians aren't going to care if you like every single thing that they do.  In fact, according to my sources, they prefer some mystery.  Be yourself, because in the end the real you will come out regardless.  You may as well be honest about your Britney Spears obsession up front.  If you don't like sports, don't pretend you do.  If you don't like The Walking Dead, don't pretend to.  

Step 3:  Don't be jealous.  According to my lovely interviewees, this is the #1 killer among long-distance relationships, especially those where one party is in the public eye.  You need to be ready for the fact that one day, whores like you are going to be all up on your man when you aren't around, and you're going to have to put all of your trust into knowing your relationship is real.  You have to trust your partner explicitly.  Without this step, you're doomed.  You might as well hit up a Wet Seal sale.

Step 4:  Don't expect perfection all of the time.  You may have fallen in love with the band because of their latest hit single, but you didn't hear all the fuck ups they had to go through to get there.  You need to understand that often times you will hear the same track get fucked up for hours on end.  You will hear every missed note, wrong word, off beat.......everything.  Also, most of the time you're hearing them fuck shit up, they're in their underwear.  Although, if you take a step back, you'll realize that you are one of very few people in the world who gets to see them in such a state.  Count yourself lucky for those wrong notes, because at least it was YOU there to hear them.

Step 5:  Don't plan anything then count on it actually happening.  Just like regular life, touring musicians run into issues on the road all the time.  Be it a broken down bus or a last minute booking, the girlfriend of a musician needs to understand that things can change at the last minute.  More importantly, they can't take it personal.  What you should do instead is to appreciate every second that you get with your love while you have it, because odds are they'll be away from you soon and it could be months before you see them again.  Don't let it get to you that your plans fell through, laugh it off and adjust accordingly.

It comes down to this:

Loneliness is a way of life for these people.  It's sheer loneliness sprinkled with moments of delusional happiness.  A happiness that they wouldn't trade for anything.  I am privileged to know some amazing couples that go through this daily.  If you want to get into a serious, long-term relationship with a traveling musician you have to be both physically and mentally prepared for it.  You have to look for the very best in every moment, and trust with every fiber of your being.  A soldier's significant other, an over-the-road trucker's significant other, a traveling salesman's significant other........they'll all tell you the same thing.  Granted each one of those occupations have a plethora of different hazards, the loneliness remains the common denominator.  It's a lot of work, but the rewards are great.

All four of my interviewees closed their interviews with the same sentiment, and I'd like to share it with you.

Nothing is better than seeing your significant other for the first time in months, beaming on stage, doing what they love, and knowing everyone in the room loves it too.  

And they all want you to know that you can't "bag a rockstar"....all you can do is intrigue them.

Jess, Anna, Sydney, Brittany.....Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being so candid.  

Jake Smith (Former drummer for Shot 2 Pieces, Current soldier in the US Army) and girlfriend of three years Sydney McDaniel.

***Sidebar:  Sydney, I love you and I spaced out when I was writing.  You were so prompt with your response that I had time to forget about you, and for that I am ashamed.  I have to tell you that out of all of my interviewees your story was by far the most important.....I mean a musician turned soldier.  Mad respect to you girl, and I hope you forgive me!!  <3 <3 <3

Heath Fields (Drummer for Shallow Side) and girlfriend of three years Jess Rollinsworth

Bobby Smith (Guitarist for KillinoisE) and fiancé Brittany Miller (Together two years)

Justin Smith (Guitarist, Free Agent) and girlfriend of one and a half years, Anna Tolliver