EgoAssassin.com - Music. Satire. Controversy.

The term ‘Ethio-Jazz’ refers to the genre of Ethiopian music (jazz) that first started appearing around the 1970’s with several Ethio-Jazz groups throughout Ethiopia. Mulatu Astatke, born in 1943, is known to have been the godfather of Ethio-Jazz itself. I did a recent post entitled “What is Afro beat?”, and interestingly enough, both Ethio-Jazz and the Afro beat style are similar in the sense that they are heavily influenced by a lot of American Jazz/Soul classics, but incorporate their own groove, flare, and cultural style to the music, making it even light years better than anything previously recorded, and for usually on less than half the budget than most of the previous big sellers of their day. What is interesting is the quality of these songs from Ethiopia are not at all produced like Motown records, but many times just recorded with one single microphone and a live band.

Most people would not have ever had the opportunity to hear this very lesser known and almost geographically exclusive form of music, but several songs from Mulatu Astatke as well as other Ethio-Jazz artists, where recently featured in the major motion picture entitled, Broken Flowers, starring Bill Murray. I found it funny that they felt the need, like most underground genres do, to promote the one mainstream connection to sell more of the music, as you will see in the picture above, they added “including three songs from the movie Broken Flowers”. This is for the ignorant Americans who can’t trust music outside of their top 40 chart, unless the music has been first “approved” by a familiar movie or television show.

But enough about that, there is a music series available entitled “Ethiopiques”, which is a compilation of hundreds of authentic Ethio-jazz musicians/bands from the era. I had read recently that they are still releasing music from the series, but I highly recommend checking out some of the first volumes available. My personal favorite Ethio-jazz song right now is from Ethiopiques Volume #1, which is an instrumental that is full of heavy sax lines, entitled Ewnet Yet Lagegnesh. Give it a listen!

It seems popular to take a strong position against any given religion these days, but I’ve noticed that this ‘religion bashing’ trend, similar to other routines in life, are nothing more than finely tuned facades. The attack on religion is another brilliant idea that is designed to appear anti-fascist, open minded, and “secular”, but the attitude in fact takes on the exact opposite of these traits. Protesting religions and/or belief systems allows a person to feel they’re involved in some epic battle that holds deep meaning, but this very attitude has become more of a misguided religion in itself than any other religious group out there. And the amusing detail about those who hold extreme stances against the freedom of religion is that they’re simply protesting the very freedom they not only expect, but are practicing by not having a religion themselves. That is the beauty of freedom, we get to believe what we want!

It’s especially painful to hear people wining about religions, churches, and spiritual traditions when the reality is that if they claim to have no religion themselves, they should be the last people on earth concerned with these issues in the first place. Honestly, why put so much energy into it? For example, you won’t find me going around town boycotting Santa Claus and you know why? Because I know he doesn’t exist! So why put your time and energy boycotting churches, the Koran, the Pope, Buddhism, Judaism, Taoism, or anything else “preaching” to you, when you know them to be delusional in the first place?

Let me be clear that I feel it absolutely necessary to protest any form of injustice, corruption, or criminal activity found to be caused by a particular group of religious or cultist psychos, period. But with that being said, remember that there are thousands of murderers, predators, thieves, and criminals on the news each day who all have one thing in common, they don’t kill in the name of religion. They may have destroyed others lives out of passion, jealousy, greed, lust, insanity, or any other list of emotions, but since we often have no religious group to blame for the atrocities, we will just get upset about these injustices and move onto the real perpetrators; religious groups.

What do you think? Do you think people should have the right to practice their religion? What would be the perfect solution to you? Would it be satisfactory for you to have all the churches shut down and any religious texts burned that are not to your liking?

I used to play with toys when I was a kid, and lots of em’. But my all time favorite was defintely G.I. Joe. And I’m not talking about the 1960’s doll versions that parents rave about, I’m talking about the good quality ones that surfaced around the 1980’s, where you could actually move every joint of the figurine, incluing the wrists, elbows, and knees (and they had the bootleg black rubber band holding the torso together).

I must have had every single last one of these G.I. Joe figures, including a grip of the vehicles and accessories. I also loved the TV show and the movies, just good stuff. My favorite character, just like every other dorky guy, was Snake Eyes. Now he went through a few different costumes, but he always looked like a bad ass. I had been hearing that they were making a motion picture of G.I. Joe (set to come out in 2009), and was at first pretty disappointed since Hollywood without fail has successfully destroyed any classic comic book and TV show remake. However, I did just come across these photos released of the new ‘Snake Eyes’ from the new motion picture, and I must say that it looks damn cool. I hope they don’t ruin this film or have Paul Walker in it. Well I read that Dennis Quad is in it, so I know that’s bad enough. And remember, “knowing is half the battle”!

Below is a picture of just one of the old ‘Snake Eyes’ versions (toys):

Mike Park is a well accomplished and independent musician, activist, poet, and entrepreneur that has helped spawn several bands, record labels, and revolutionary ideas for over two decades. Some of the productions he has been involved with are Asian Man Records, Dill Records, The Chinkees, The Bruce Lee Band, Skankin’ Pickle, The Plea for Peace Tour, and Ska Against Racism tours (just to name a few).

I first was introduced to Mike’s music and record label back in the early 1990’s when I moved back home to California after living overseas for several years. My personal interest in reggae influenced bands such as the Specials and the Selecter, mixed with my love for playing the sax, got my ears open to the independent, horn heavy, and upbeat focused music scene that was continuing to grow throughout the U.S. after the late 80’s (I make it sound ancient). But anyways, Mike Park was one of the innovators behind much of the ska-punk movement throughout California and eventually the world, and the amazing thing about this era was the sense of community and brotherhood that was felt by fans and bands alike. It had nothing to do with being rich, famous, respected, or acclaimed, but about relating to the normal people just like you that enjoyed raw and original music (not just overproduced pop). Needless to say, Mike Park and his ideas paved the way for many bands and independent minds to be heard and he continues to greatly contribute to the D.I.Y. spirit.

But enough of my own perception of Mike’s history, I will let him speak for himself, so here is my interview with Mike and I would like to thank him very much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Interview Date: March 29, 2008:

Ego Assassin: Mike, when did you realize that you had a passion for making music? (how did this happen?)

Mike Park: When I was about 13 my dad bought an acoustic guitar and I started fiddling with it. I learned a power chord and I started writing songs right off the bat.

Ego Assassin: What are the major influences on your sound and style? (doesn’t have to be music)

Mike Park: I’m influenced by the DISCHORD RECORDS philophy of punk ethics. Seeing a label try not to become a big label is something I find admirable. You often wonder why it is that people need to constantly strive for #1 when it comes to capitalism, but it’s rare to find entities that are able to survive modestly.
This is what I try to accomplish. As far as music goes, I’m influenced by a lot of stuff. But I grew up listening to the punk rock sounds of 7 SECONDS to BLACK FLAG, then to the 2-tone sounds of the Specials, Bad Manners and now I listen to everything from Suzanne Vega to Bruce Springsteen.

Ego Assassin: Can you share the most discouraging event that has happened in your career/or life? (even what you learned from it?)

Mike Park: Hmmmm… Well, I guess I’m pretty blessed. I can’t really think of anything that’s really been discouraging to the point of wanting to just give this all up. Sometimes the work load can be overbearing or dealing with parents ordering for their kids. They don’t know the ethics of the record label I run and are raging mad if we screw up their order. But overall things have been pretty amazing.

Ego Assassin: How many record labels have you started and are you currently running any labels or projects right now?

Mike Park: I started DILL as a collective amongst the members of SKANKIN’ PICKLE, but ASIAN MAN is the only label I’ve done on my own 100%.

Ego Assassin: In your view, what’s the biggest problem within the music industry today?

Mike Park: I guess it’s the age old situation of people making money off each other. It’s a cut throat business whether it’s the record companies, booking agents, managers, tour managers, etc.. Everyone is an asshole cause they feel that’s what you have to do to get your way, but it sucks. I don’t want to be
part of the music business. What I do is completely seperate from that bullshit. Everything is done 100% DIY. I book my own shows, put out my own records, order my merchandise, book my travel, etc..

Ego Assassin: Are there any current bands making music that you think promotes truth, substance, or meaningful messages to the listeners?

Mike Park: Yes, go to asianmanrecords.com and every band on that roster kicks ass.

Ego Assassin: Can you give a quick history of the ‘Plea for Peace’ tour?

Mike Park: The tour was provided to give music a kick start in terms of blending sounds with a message. We have been inactive for over 4 years now from touring, but we are on the threshold of opening our first music based youth center.

Ego Assassin: Did you get any negative reactions from the name of your label entitled ‘Asian Man Records’?

Mike Park: None. The only negative reactions I got were from my band the CHINKEES. All from Asian Americans. I understand their dismay, but the band was created strictly to confront racism in our society.
Ego Assassin: Do you still play the sax? (How long have you been playing anyways?)

Mike Park: I haven’t played in about 3 years now, but will dust it off for a memorial concert honoring my friend Lynette Knackstedt who played with me for 7 years in Skankin’ Pickle.

Ego Assassin: If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?

Mike Park: Living? Well, I’d love to spend time with Mr. Obama. Especially now.

Ego Assassin: Any tour plans coming soon?

Mike Park: I just returned from EUROPE on a month tour. Now I’m only going to play spot shows around the US.

Ego Assassin: What’s the most important message you have in your heart to tell the world today?

Mike Park: Just the simple message of peace. It seems like a novel idea right? But man, we’ve got some tough guys in the world who thrive on violence and anger and road rage and arggghhh…

Ego Assassin: What brings you joy in life?

Mike Park: My family.

Ego Assassin: Last question; Remember Degrassi Jr. High?

Mike Park: Of course. I still watch it religiously.

Ego Assassin: The End. Thanks Mike, your time is much appreciated. Good luck with making positive change!

Make sure you check out and support Mike’s latest projects at: asianmanrecords.com
www.mikeparkmusic.com and www.pleaforpeace.com

Are you someone that works five days a week for a modest wage and spends more time confined within office walls than with your own family or friends? Now think about your living circumstances and ask yourself, in addition to this, are you an individual who’s basic living expenses greatly outweighs your earnings (leaving you with no money or in debt)? If this sounds like you, there’s a good chance you are one of the lucky people who can call themselves the working poor. This term is used to describe people that are constantly employed full-time, but although they work at the same or even higher pace of that as a successful management level worker, they are in poverty due to their low income and high level of expenses (living paycheck to paycheck or worse). According to Wikipedia, in the United States, the official definition of working poor is defined as individuals who spent at least 27 weeks in the labor force (working or looking for work), but whose incomes fell below the official poverty level. Many individuals said to be classified as “working poor” have negative net worth and lack the ability to escape personal or economic problems. The truth is that many people who fall into this category actually are well below the poverty level and are many times just poor (and vice versa).

The real problem with this increasingly growing class of people worldwide is that not only is it becoming common, but it is becoming accepted. In fact there is a good possibility that you, the reader, considers yourself to be or have been in this same category. What most people don’t realize is that the class of ‘working poor’ individuals is the major group of people actually making the world turn around (usually in a good way). These souls are the ones not only working to keep food on everyones table, but they are the ones who are the most socially, politically, and environmentally aware. I don’t mean aware as in publicly concerned, extreme, or agenda driven, I mean that these people are forced to remain the “common man” most of their lives, which gives them no choice but to deeply analyze the tough realities surrounding them and the problems they are faced with. Unlike many privileged people who have a false reality, and on the other side, those who flat-out choose not to work and hold the attitude that they are entitled to success.

What category are you in? And does it matter? And furthermore, what will you do to help others get out of this rut?

One of my favorite reggae artists of all time is Augustus Pablo (Lived from 1954-1999). He is a roots reggae genius, a one of a kind creator, and he was unlike anything you would expect when it comes to a lead man for reggae bands. He played an instrument that most people don’t know about, the all mighty melodica. Rest in peace Augustus and thanks for the tunes. This is my video of the week, enjoy.

Am I the only one who thinks that is odd? Looks like the guy just went in his pants.