The Chronicles of Michael Christopher
Links to writings. Musings on life. Photography. Travels. Skulls.
Back in February Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli released Random Desire, his eagerly anticipated first official solo album. Reviews were off the charts and a tour from one of the most enigmatic frontmen to break out of the grunge era with a unique spin on rock and soul next lined up a tour which was... Continue Reading →
Pop icon Madonna came under fire this week after she posted a video to her official Instagram account featuring Dr. Stella Immanuel, the Houston, Tex. based physician who has made controversial claims that she has successfully treated hundreds of patients suffering from COVID-19. “The Truth will set us all Free!” the singer wrote in a... Continue Reading →
Following on the heels of last week's Rush roundtable, I sat down with some of my esteemed colleagues over at Ultimate Classic Rock to talk about Metallica. Specifically, we broke down whether the band was better in the '80s or the '90s and why. Both periods had their merits, with the Cliff Burton era coming... Continue Reading →
At the time it would’ve been one of the biggest moments in rock and roll. Instead, The Rolling Stones waited 46 years to release their collaboration with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, “Scarlet,” which landed at streaming services and radio in the wee hours of the morning this past Wednesday. The rocking number, which can... Continue Reading →
Earlier this week I took part in a prog-rock throwdown between Rush of the 1970s and Rush of the 1980s. Who were better? Was the addition of keyboards in the '80s a smart move? What was their most underrated LP of each decade? And which version of Rush were better to see live? Sitting down... Continue Reading →
Chris Cornell should've turned 56 today. Not "would've" - should've. Crippled by depression, he took his own life three Mays ago at 52. It was so incredibly unexpected, heartbreaking and brutal. That day sticks with me like the JFK assassination does for boomers. Seriously - it was that intense and I'll never, ever forget the... Continue Reading →
President Donald Trump isn’t the first politician to offend performers by using their music at campaign events, but he might be the most maligned due to his enduring audacity to play whatever he wants during them, despite the often very vocal calls to cease from the song’s composers. Recent weeks have seen the “Trump 2020”... Continue Reading →
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony originally slated to take place May 2 was moved to November 7 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Now the entire spectacular has pretty much been abandoned altogether, with organizers opting instead for an “exclusive special” televised on the latter date on HBO. “Due to ongoing... Continue Reading →
The closer we move to a summer without live shows to experience in person, it becomes more and more likely that the second half of the year will follow suit. The past several days has made that certain with the cancellation and postponement of some of the biggest musical events of the year, and final... Continue Reading →
The idea seemed like a good one at the time. Members of the music industry at large joined a “blackout” this past Tuesday, one where they would halt operations in favor of reflecting on issues of social justice spurred on by the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody and other recent victims... Continue Reading →
