TIME TO ADMIT SOMETHING

We live in a dangerously nostalgic age. I think since the lockdowns in 2020, people had no choice but to revert back to their past, and dig up old photos/videos. We all reminisce, and that’s okay. It’s proof we’re still alive and breathing. But to stay in the past?

No thanks.

But I am going to admit something right now that I resisted for years…

I wanted to be popular in the 80s and never got that wish.

When you’re a unique person, in a sea of cookie cutters especially in high school, you’re going to be branded as “weird”, “strange”, and “I don’t get you, man.” I drift back to when I was in high school (not that I want to go back) and think “If I had the long hair, the popular local metal band, the cool clothes…man I would have been so loved.”

Or would I?

I had short hair in high school, looked like a Q-tip with ears. I had funky guitars though! I had a cherry red Guild Madiera Strat-copy and a Guild Burnside Blade in neon pink. Even my dad told me, “You better be REALLY good to play a pink guitar, or you’ll get your ass kicked.” I would see local bands, and they all had the look DOWN cold, and I stood there like “That will never be me.” I was destined to forge my own path, but at the time, I wanted to be like everyone else.

Good thing that never happened, right?

I never ever fit with the times. Ever. Either I was too weird in the 80s, or too 80s during the pretentious 90s grunge/alternative era. I even told myself “The 80s are over, put them away” and I did. Maybe?

I’m not for an 80s revival at all. Everyone going on the Monsters Of Rock cruise, going to various hair metal festivals…that’s not me, never will be. My fave part of 80s was the thrash metal scene and funk-metal as well. But damn it, I had to see Steve Vai’s neon JEM guitars as a teenager, huh? Screwed me up for life. I still want one.

I always had a penchant for funky guitars, amps, pedals, sneakers. Yet I look so plain jane. I resemble Geddy Lee if he was a roadie for Metallica. I stand out but not because I’m gorgeous, but rather my choice of gear. Oh and the way I play. Which is very good, whether you agree or not.

So I think I’m on my fourth mid-life crisis. I admit that but am not about to act like I’m youthful or that I will be this behemoth guitar god. That ship sailed. I am lucky to still look decent for a 55-year-old dude. I am VERY lucky to have nice gear, thanks to my endorsers. I take none of these for granted, ever.

And while I have no desire to go back to the 80s, I can do some things to make people identify with me. Hence the photo above. I’ve had that Ibanez RG7420MC since January 2001 and everyone knows the story behind my daughter calling it Pinkie. I was inspired to finally trick the guitar out but adding green knobs/pickup selector. And of course, Aurora Strings to bring out more of the 80s aesthetic. But make no mistake, I do NOT want to recreate the past. I can honor it but still look ahead.

I still wish I looked like this back in high school.

Ah well.