Metal fan? Watch the head and neck injuries

BMJ: Research: Head and neck injury risks in heavy metal:

Young people at heavy metal concerts often report being dazed and confused, possible symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury. Little formal injury research has been conducted on the world wide phenomenon of head banging, even though case reports indicate the inherent risks in this activity, especially in head and neck injury. Head banging is a violent activity associated with hard rock and various subgenres of heavy metal. Over the past five years hard rock and heavy metal have contributed to about 30% of all record sales in the United States1 and, as of 2002, rock albums have outsold pop albums.2 The second highest selling album of all time is AC/DC’s Back in Black, which has sold about 42 million copies worldwide.3 Two slightly more recent albums, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet and Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction, have each sold about 28 million copies.4 5 Though exposure to head banging is enormous, opportunities are present to control this risk–for example, encouraging bands such as AC/DC to play songs like “Moon River” as a substitute for “Highway to Hell”; public awareness campaigns with influential and youth focused musicians, such as Sir Cliff Richard; labelling of music packaging with anti-head banging warnings, like the strategies used with cigarettes; training; and personal protective equipment.

I… umm… I…. ummm…

Panos Panay: “The Internet has been like the French Revolution for the music business”

It’s the same story in any form of media publishing: WSJ: Musician Finds a Following Online:

“The Internet has been like the French Revolution for the music business,” says Panos Panay, founder and CEO of Sonicbids. The aristocracy “has faded” as the “cost of distribution, production and even getting connected has come down.” Now, he adds, anyone with “a niche and devoted fans can make a living.”

It’s a Uke world, we just live in it

I have some links to share about ukulelies today. Scroll to the end of the post for why 🙂

Metafilter Thread: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performs the theme to “Shaft” (SYTL). Really, is any description needed?

YouTube: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – Shaft

YouTube: Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – The Good the Bad the Ugly

Philly.com: Tiptoeing no more – A revival of the sweet-sounding ukulele is stimulating Philadelphia’s music scene, with classical, jazz and even rock sounds.

YouTube: Ukulele weeps by Jake Shimabukuro

YouTube: Sci-Fi Ukulele: Doctor Who Theme

YouTube: Run to the Hills, Iron Maiden (on ukulele)

We bought Emma a Uke almost a year ago and she strums along while I play guitar or to just about any music playing in the house, but sometimes she just rocks out 🙂

Song of the day: Living Colour – “Cult of Personality”

MTV.com: Living Colour – Cult Of Personality

Look into my eyes, what do you see?

Cult of Personality

I know your anger, I know your dreams

I’ve been everything you want to be

I’m the Cult of Personality

Like Mussolini and Kennedy

I’m the Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality

Neon lights, A Nobel Price

The mirror speaks, the reflection lies

You don’t have to follow me

Only you can set me free

I sell the things you need to be

I’m the smiling face on your T.V.

I’m the Cult of Personality

I exploit you still you love me

I tell you one and one makes three

I’m the Cult of Personality

Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi

I’m the Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality

Neon lights a Nobel Prize

A leader speaks, that leader dies

You don’t have to follow me

Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune

You gave me fame

You me power in your God’s name

I’m every person you need to be

I’m

The

Cult

Of

Per

Son

Al

Ity!