Comments for Official Skafish Blog http://skafishblog.skafish.com Skafish speaks... in his own words - raw and uncensored... Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:32:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 Comment on Hindsight isn’t 20-20 – it might need bifocals… by Skafish http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-60 Skafish Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:44:19 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-60 Ewolf -- Chicago has been one of, if not the worst major city regarding reporting or documenting the punk scene correctly. People veil and hide their opinions under the false guise of historically accurate, when it is a popularity contest, and what is considered acceptable punk to the people "documenting' the history. I have made the commitment to getting the truth out there, and continuing to set the record straight. You're right, punk has been way too conformist. I knew that back then in 1976, and refused to limit my expression to what could "work." Thanks for your insightful comments! Jim Skafish Ewolf — Chicago has been one of, if not the worst major city regarding reporting or documenting the punk scene correctly. People veil and hide their opinions under the false guise of historically accurate, when it is a popularity contest, and what is considered acceptable punk to the people “documenting’ the history. I have made the commitment to getting the truth out there, and continuing to set the record straight.

You’re right, punk has been way too conformist. I knew that back then in 1976, and refused to limit my expression to what could “work.”

Thanks for your insightful comments!

Jim Skafish

]]> Comment on Hindsight isn’t 20-20 – it might need bifocals… by Ewolf http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-59 Ewolf Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:08:51 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-59 I can't speak for Chicago but I learned that, in spite of the freedom punk was supposed to represent, the scene was at times very conformist. If you didn't copy the style of another band or didn't spawn a dozen imitators, you may as well have not existed. It's too bad these "journalists" are treating as a popularity contest, rather than noting how things really came together. I can’t speak for Chicago but I learned that, in spite of the freedom punk was supposed to represent, the scene was at times very conformist. If you didn’t copy the style of another band or didn’t spawn a dozen imitators, you may as well have not existed. It’s too bad these “journalists” are treating as a popularity contest, rather than noting how things really came together.

]]> Comment on Hindsight isn’t 20-20 – it might need bifocals… by Skafish http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-58 Skafish Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:24:06 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-58 Greg -- I remember the vision I had of something radically new beginning to take shape by 1973. I met you, Karen and Mark Winner by that time. I already knew David Prochazka and had been playing music with Larry Mazalan since 1970. I wanted to create art that was completely unique. I am so honored that you were there and for your irreplaceable contributions along with the rest of the band. Of course it was overlooked, as things that are different often are. But what we shared was priceless. I've thought of making it all into an opera or a musical! Let's see where the ride goes and thanks so much for everything! Jim Skafish Greg — I remember the vision I had of something radically new beginning to take shape by 1973. I met you, Karen and Mark Winner by that time. I already knew David Prochazka and had been playing music with Larry Mazalan since 1970. I wanted to create art that was completely unique.

I am so honored that you were there and for your irreplaceable contributions along with the rest of the band.

Of course it was overlooked, as things that are different often are. But what we shared was priceless.

I’ve thought of making it all into an opera or a musical! Let’s see where the ride goes and thanks so much for everything!

Jim Skafish

]]> Comment on Hindsight isn’t 20-20 – it might need bifocals… by Greg Sarchet http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-57 Greg Sarchet Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:10:24 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-57 Jim-I apolgize for not posting to your blog until now: I have been reveling in your compilation cd since it was released, assessing my feelings and being reminded of all of the details that have been obscured in my memory. I have been enjoying being 're-awakened' to these details, which I am repeatedly surprising myself saying, "Oh, yes, that IS true, that DID happen", and "Wow, listen to THAT!" More importantly, an astute friend of mine enjoyed listening to What's This this eveining, and asserted the music would make an incredible rock-opera, rock-musical, "Disgracing the Family Name", (music by Jim Skafish). With "Rent" and "Jersey Boys" out there, why not a period piece about the 70's', about "Everyman" Jim Skafish? Autobiographical music, yet everyone can relate to it. There is a continuity in the compositions, tailor-made for Broadway, with the original compositions from the 70's. Just thought I would throw that out at you, Jim, however, I did respond that it is entirely possible that others would see the same potential , (and, need, if I might.) Thank you for compiling the recordings, adding your commentary, and sharing with the world. It was an extraordinary time, extraordinarily personal expression on your/our part, and an important and over-looked facet of pop music history, I again assert, playing music with you was among some of the finest music-making I have ever participated in. Literally. Thank you and best to you always, Greg Jim-I apolgize for not posting to your blog until now: I have been reveling in your compilation cd since it was released, assessing my feelings and being reminded of all of the details that have been obscured in my memory. I have been enjoying being ‘re-awakened’ to these details, which I am repeatedly surprising myself saying, “Oh, yes, that IS true, that DID happen”, and “Wow, listen to THAT!”

More importantly, an astute friend of mine enjoyed listening to What’s This this eveining, and asserted the music would make an incredible rock-opera, rock-musical, “Disgracing the Family Name”, (music by Jim Skafish). With “Rent” and “Jersey Boys” out there, why not a period piece about the 70’s’, about “Everyman” Jim Skafish? Autobiographical music, yet everyone can relate to it. There is a continuity in the compositions, tailor-made for Broadway, with the original compositions from the 70’s.

Just thought I would throw that out at you, Jim, however, I did respond that it is entirely possible that others would see the same potential , (and, need, if I might.)

Thank you for compiling the recordings, adding your commentary, and sharing with the world. It was an extraordinary time, extraordinarily personal expression on your/our part, and an important and over-looked facet of pop music history,

I again assert, playing music with you was among some of the finest music-making I have ever participated in. Literally.

Thank you and best to you always, Greg

]]> Comment on Hindsight isn’t 20-20 – it might need bifocals… by Skafish http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-56 Skafish Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:11:03 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-56 Aaron -- Thanks so much for your insights. They are intelligent and appreciated. I always thought that people would differentiate between opinions and facts in the most obvious sense: like a date when something happened, or a place where something occurred, versus whether someone likes something or not. But if one can distort the facts as it suits them, they don't have to look like it's their opinion, which of course, can be refuted. If it is presented as factual truth, then there's more of a likelihood of people getting away with whatever. Jim Skafish Aaron — Thanks so much for your insights. They are intelligent and appreciated. I always thought that people would differentiate between opinions and facts in the most obvious sense: like a date when something happened, or a place where something occurred, versus whether someone likes something or not.

But if one can distort the facts as it suits them, they don’t have to look like it’s their opinion, which of course, can be refuted. If it is presented as factual truth, then there’s more of a likelihood of people getting away with whatever.

Jim Skafish

]]> Comment on Hindsight isn’t 20-20 – it might need bifocals… by Aaron http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-55 Aaron Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:41:00 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-55 It's a revisionist world now, where people just cherry pick facts and dates and assemble them to suit themselves, assuming nobody will care enough to check it out. It's a collective modern social disease. If our leaders can lie so egregiously, they must think, then what IS truth? It's a slippery slope, and it's really caused a lot of problems, because nobody knows where to turn for reliable information anymore. And this whole "wiki" concept is for the birds, too, because anybody CAN just add any old thing they want, with no credentials. They should at least have to provide sources to be able to edit those things. It’s a revisionist world now, where people just cherry pick facts and dates and assemble them to suit themselves, assuming nobody will care enough to check it out. It’s a collective modern social disease. If our leaders can lie so egregiously, they must think, then what IS truth? It’s a slippery slope, and it’s really caused a lot of problems, because nobody knows where to turn for reliable information anymore.

And this whole “wiki” concept is for the birds, too, because anybody CAN just add any old thing they want, with no credentials. They should at least have to provide sources to be able to edit those things.

]]> Comment on Hindsight isn’t 20-20 – it might need bifocals… by Skafish http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-54 Skafish Tue, 27 May 2008 17:45:19 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-54 Justin -- Your words are much appreciated. I have always tried to keep it real! Jim Skafish Justin — Your words are much appreciated. I have always tried to keep it real!

Jim Skafish

]]> Comment on Hindsight isn’t 20-20 – it might need bifocals… by Justin C http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-53 Justin C Tue, 27 May 2008 12:37:13 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/05/19/hindsight-isn%e2%80%99t-20-20-%e2%80%93-it-might-need-bifocals%e2%80%a6/#comment-53 Jim, I always enjoy reading your entries and hearing what you have to say. You are one of my all time favorite artists. You crack me up and I always learn something new from you when reading your blog. It's such a great opportunity to get to know the artist. I wish more artists were as kind and sharing as you are. I can't thank you enough for your generosity. It is much appreciated. As I always say, "Good music should not be ignored" Jim, you tell it like it is and was and you are not doing it to fit anyone's fancy! LOL Thank you, Justin Jim, I always enjoy reading your entries and hearing what you have to say. You are one of my all time favorite artists. You crack me up and I always learn something new from you when reading your blog. It’s such a great opportunity to get to know the artist. I wish more artists were as kind and sharing as you are. I can’t thank you enough for your generosity. It is much appreciated. As I always say, “Good music should not be ignored” Jim, you tell it like it is and was and you are not doing it to fit anyone’s fancy! LOL

Thank you,
Justin

]]> Comment on Jimmy, did you really push Joan down the stairs? by Skafish http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/03/08/jimmy-did-you-really-push-joan-down-the-stairs/#comment-52 Skafish Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:12:21 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/03/08/jimmy-did-you-really-push-joan-down-the-stairs/#comment-52 I'm glad that you got the point of the song. It was extreme because my experience was extreme. It was so easy to write, as it was what happened to me. Many people take a lyric literally, as if their is no irony, metaphor, symbology, or alternate meaning to it. Often, as you know, there are many meanings for a song, not just what is on the surface. As I stated before, I always put myself in the role of the persecutor in certain songs, hopefully to have more impact. With the discomfort you experienced at your shows, my heart goes out to you. I'm sure it was not pleasant to deal with! With appreciation for your thoughts, Jim Skafish I’m glad that you got the point of the song. It was extreme because my experience was extreme. It was so easy to write, as it was what happened to me.

Many people take a lyric literally, as if their is no irony, metaphor, symbology, or alternate meaning to it. Often, as you know, there are many meanings for a song, not just what is on the surface. As I stated before, I always put myself in the role of the persecutor in certain songs, hopefully to have more impact.

With the discomfort you experienced at your shows, my heart goes out to you. I’m sure it was not pleasant to deal with!

With appreciation for your thoughts,

Jim Skafish

]]> Comment on No April Fools Joke Here! by Skafish http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/03/31/no-april-fools-joke-here/#comment-51 Skafish Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:05:02 +0000 http://skafishblog.skafish.com/2008/03/31/no-april-fools-joke-here/#comment-51 I made the point in my spoken commentary on the new CD that every time we would record a song, I would try and change it, for a sense of evolution and new meaning. When I recorded my first LP, Miles Copeland allowed me to do anything I wanted. So the "dirty" words were not censored. The song, as you so clearly pointed out, went more political / social and less personal. The "dirty" words weren't left out on purpose -- the new version just evolved naturally that way. Now, for my second LP, it was a different matter. When I turned it in, in its original form in November 1982, Miles Copeland refused to release it, because it was too shocking for him and the record label. It was more "out there" than the first LP... Thanks for your comment - Much gratitude, Jim Skafish I made the point in my spoken commentary on the new CD that every time we would record a song, I would try and change it, for a sense of evolution and new meaning. When I recorded my first LP, Miles Copeland allowed me to do anything I wanted. So the “dirty” words were not censored. The song, as you so clearly pointed out, went more political / social and less personal. The “dirty” words weren’t left out on purpose — the new version just evolved naturally that way.

Now, for my second LP, it was a different matter. When I turned it in, in its original form in November 1982, Miles Copeland refused to release it, because it was too shocking for him and the record label. It was more “out there” than the first LP…
Thanks for your comment -
Much gratitude,

Jim Skafish

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