Punk Music and Fashion

Music is definitely something that most people incline towards for relaxation and unreeling periods from their fast and disciplined life. But unfortunately these expressive styles of music are not in season every time. Different type of music has their own musical era that completely depends on the each type of musical preference by the listeners.

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Punk Music and Fashion

By: Bivan Jhon

Music is definitely something that most people incline towards for relaxation and unreeling periods from their fast and disciplined life. But unfortunately these expressive styles of music are not in season every time. Different type of music has their own musical era that completely depends on the each type of musical preference by the listeners. The listeners are the main and the active participants that play a significant role in pushing the particular type of music in a season. Along with the musical influences the type of clothes and appearances also come into play. Though appearances are totally secondary and only become identified once live performances or the better-known medium of spreading the punk music get recognition in various parts of the world.

Music preference also depends a lot on individual behaviors. Some go for the soft and some would prefer loud ones. Those who consider themselves loyal towards any particular type of music will always try to follow the certain musical genres and generally they are the followers of soft and melodious music whereas the party goers would usually go with what people are verbalizing about and often it is something that would entirely depend on which music or artist has been actively performed.

Musical artists now believe that ‘Identity’ is very important to get oneself recognized among the crowd at a glance in a same profession. Punk fashion would go along well with their musical masterpieces. Hairstyles, hip clothing, brass or chain linings and jewelry, awkward-looking make-ups, body piercing, tattooing and facial designs are only some of the characteristics that are thought to have some intimate relationship with punk rock artists and performers and the combination of tunes delivered in a unique and different way different from that of other artists prove to be the touchstone for most solid performances.

Common people following different fashion becomes an item of criticism anywhere and are look down upon as weird creature but when a hit song comes out and the same fashion is followed by the performer it has a totally different insight. Even the criticizers start following the same suit and also consider getting a similar suit of their own. There are a number of notable sensational artists who are easily identified with punk and rock music that are not only making waves in the music industry but also raising storms in the world of fashion. Especially teenagers like to take inspirations from these rock stars and pamper them with such ideology.

How to Connect Guitar to Computer ?

So many players want to record guitar playing on their computer. Digital recording is more popular than ever for pros and amateurs alike. But there are some things to be considered when you connect a guitar to a computer; mostly how you want to connect the instrument, and the quality of the recording you hope to capture.

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How To Connect A Guitar To A Computer

By Brad Finley

So many players want to record guitar playing on their computer. Digital recording is more popular than ever for pros and amateurs alike. But there are some things to be considered when you connect a guitar to a computer; mostly how you want to connect the instrument, and the quality of the recording you hope to capture. The type of guitar computer interface you choose will greatly affect the sound of the electric guitar through the computer and the overall recording you can expect.

While it is possible to play guitar through a PC just by plugging it in, this basic approach is likely to be fine for most though many players don't like sacrificing a good sound for the ease of quick setup. Electric players need a ‘high impedance' input to get their electric guitar to connect to a computer, and though most computer soundcards come with high impedance inputs, these inputs are usually not strong enough to get a good guitar signal or in the long run, for recording guitar effects for PC. This lower ‘impedance' can cause noise problems too. A player can avoid all this of course by plugging the guitar into a ‘line-in' jack, instead of the ‘mic-in', but then the all-important preamp is needed.

Almost any one attempting to connect a guitar through their computer or familiar with recording a guitar into a mixing consol should be familiar with a preamp. The preamp does exactly what its name implies, it "amps" the signal before it goes into the plug-in. Therefore your guitar's signal will get that extra boost it needs when you record guitar on a pc...or into any other device that is not an amp. There are plenty of external interfaces that combine computer soundcards with a preamp. Or if you like more components to you set-up you can always buy a preamp separate from your sound card. There are a lot of stand-alone vintage preamps out there that will not only boost your signal, but warm your sound before it goes into the ‘cooler' digital domain of your pc.

It's not only the pristine quality of digital that makes recording guitar on a pc so much fun, it is also portability. With very little equipment you can put down a riff (or an entire song actually) into a laptop! And added to all this wonderful technology is the fact that there are so many recording guitar effects for pc now on the market, a player can access different amp sounds and settings, effects. Well after you have wrestled with how to connect a guitar to your pc and have recorded a strong signal, you can call record guitar effects with pc during recording or in post-production.

Of course information about how to connect your guitar to a pc and the wonderful wide world of effects is available through an on-line pc guitar tutor and websites devoted to digital recording. You can even purchase a computer guitar tuner (some programs include a free computer guitar tuner) so everything you will ever need is self-contained in your rockin' pc! Some players are even recording parts, then downloading and sending these pieces of tunes to musician's half-way across the world.

The possibilities really are unlimited for the guitar player who says: "I want to connect a guitar to my pc"; he or she will be amazed at the varied and easy results they can achieve when they simply start recording guitar on a pc.

MUSIC MATTERS: ROCK 'N' ROLL ITEMS BIG HIT AT AUCTION

By Rosemary McKittrick

"Calling out, around the world, Are you ready for a brand new beat?"

Remember that song from Martha and the Vandellas?

A snare drum from the Grateful Dead, costume pieces from Madonna’s Blonde Ambition Tour, John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” Frank Zappa concert posters.

Sounds more like a nostalgic stopover in rock ‘n’ roll utopia than an auction. Hocus pocus maybe from the burial grounds of rock legends?

Just like on stage, these rock, pop, and soul legends command big dollars in the auction room. Nearly $280,000 of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia went to the highest bidders in Butterfield and Butterfield’s Sept. 9, 1996, sale in Los Angeles.

It was all there, from gold records and played instruments to Elvis childhood photographs and Elton John belt buckles.

What’s the fascination here? Things, or something more intangible?

“People are passionate about rock music,” said Michael Schwartz, director of entertainment memorabilia at Butterfield’s. “An opportunity to own a handwritten lyric from Lennon or a stage costume from Elvis brings you closer to that person. People are collecting artists that were important to them growing up.”

Rock ‘n’ roll is also purely American, the first music voicing the notes of a smoldering youth culture. “From black America came the rhythm, from white America the musical form,” said Richard Carlin in his book “Rock and Roll 1955-1970.” “It’s also a unique tribute to the power of integration.” A power that covers every emotion from ecstasy to desperation.

A scan of the auction room in Los Angeles revealed mostly baby boomers, people who grew listening to the keyboard sounds of Stevie Wonder and the voices of ‘60s recording artists like The Who and The Stones.

There was a buzz in the room and the energy shifted as John Lennon items came on the block, Schwartz said. Lennon turned out to be the top-selling recording artist. His handwritten lyric for “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” 1967, expected to bring $15,000-$20,000 sold for $48,300 to an overseas collector.

Paul McCartney’s handwritten (partial) lyrics to “Hey Jude,” released as a single in 1968 realized $20,700.

“Lennon rises above the other three Beatles in desirability because he’s dead,” said Schwartz. “Lennon items are hot right now.”

How much do you think a dress worn by Madonna in the music video “Like A Prayer” brought? Brown with a lace bodice and spaghetti straps, the outfit came in a hard plastic case with a color photograph of Madonna and realized $8,625.

“There are different types of collectors in this field,” Schwartz said. “Some look for classic rock items from The Beatles and The Who. Others look for older groups like Buddy Holly and Elvis.”

His advice to beginning collectors: “Buy what you really love. Don’t buy something just because someone tells you to. Use your gut experience to guide you.”

“In this type of auction,” Schwartz added, “Everyone goes home happy.”

Q. I’m enclosing two pictures of items left to us by my husband’s aunt. They’ve been in the family for generations and I don’t know anything about them and would appreciate any information you can provide. Mrs. Richard Moore, Pittsburgh.

A. Your first item is a bride’s basket. Victorian ladies received these baskets as wedding gifts and they were popular. The glass inserts, made by both European and American glassmakers came in a variety of soft colors. Your peach-blow basket with enameled floral decoration is a classic example.

The glass inserts usually rested in silver plated holders. Some were plain; others featured cherubs, flowers and animals. Pairpoint and Wilcox were two notable makers.

Tastes change and after the turn-of-the-century bride’s baskets fell from favor. Schroeder’s Antiques Price Guide lists baskets like yours at $150-$250.

Your second piece is a Mary Gregory pitcher. Gregory worked for the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company for two years in the mid-1800s. Whenever you see these fine colored or crystal decorated pieces with figures of children in white enamel they’re called Mary Gregory.

They were popular from the mid-1800s until the turn-of-the-century. Mary Gregory glass originated in Europe and was copied by American glassmakers. Pieces with all-white figures are generally considered to be the American examples. Schroeder’s lists similar pitchers at $150-$200.