Drive Like (There is No Tomorrow) Jehu
The loss of Rick Froberg / #230 - Bull Gervasi / 704 - American Football Day
I was up late on Saturday night, easing into a long weekend ahead. I had put down a book to do one last doom scroll. John Reis’ Instagram post popped up immediately. Being on the west coast of the United States, most friends were asleep and I sat there thinking about this moment. Slowly seeing the night owls share their stories about Rick’s music, art, and as a person, I wanted to find the right words to convey how I felt. Earlier in the day I had a conversation about how there’s so many shows coming up and picking to see this or that. It was like a field day again and you forget it could be the last time you see that band or song performed live. I had that still in my system and wrote out this quickly.
Go see your heroes every chance you get. You never know if that’s the last time you’ll see them perform. No matter the amount you saw them live or how worn the record grooves got, it never seems like it’s enough when they’re gone. Rest in Peace, Rick. #rickfroberg #drivelikejehu
This happens but you’re jolted back to that feeling each time someone like Rick leaves us without warning. I am happy to see all the coverage and support for him and especially Drive Like Jehu, they are not forgotten in the slightest when mentioned amongst other indie legends. The issue is that we all find our photo with them backstage or the live show and post and move on. Maybe that’s it or we all mourn in our own ways privately. What’s also hard is for all the accolades, 100 people saw them at a Coachella performance and they didn’t give two fucks and played the hell out of that because that’s just what you do. I’m fighting with myself right now because I remind myself about all these things too. I’d just wish accolades came down more for things before they go and we are left with the digital pieces of dust. For me, it shot back feelings of motivation to go to more shows this month and not think about going alone, the traffic, my hearing loss, and just go.
I wake up to the rattling of the door and a sharp jolt. Just a little earthquake to shake you up a little more about life. I felt ready this time. Aware of what’s happening, and repeat to myself that I’m ok.
Send that email, take that walk, call that friend, or just enjoy silence. It never seems like it’s enough when it happens like a loss or a quick baby earthquake to jolt you back into line.
If you want to learn more about Rick, start here at this great NPR piece.
#230 - Bull Gervasi (Policy of 3, Four Hundred Years)
This week on the podcast, we welcome Bull Gervasi. I was blown away when I saw Policy of 3 in the late 90s and have coveted the 7” I got that night. It was equal parts power, chaos, and emotion that is something I still remember each time I listen to it. Bull and I connected and was honestly starstruck to talk to him about this bands. What I found out was his DIY/punk ethos was alive and well still to this day. An amazing listen to hear him avoid saying emo and his honestly about how he feels about the world today. Listen wherever you get podcasts or WashedUpEmo.com
704 - American Football Day
Yesterday was July 4th. Celebrating wasn’t in order this year for me due to a number of things. Leading up to yesterday a lot has been talked about with the American Football house. Remembering the address and the shirt I did years ago and have up on the Polyvinyl site if you want. Oh wait, 704 is the date of July 4th, let’s just call it American Football Day. Happy 704 to you and yours.