Alex Skolnick - Latest Comments

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:29:37 -0000

It seems that if you go into politics in any country, it is assumed and even expected that one will lie. How ironic that we're told not to lie in school and encouraged to look at our Presidents, Prime Ministers etc...as the ultimate 'model citizens.'

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:27:23 -0000

Thank you for the wonderful comments. David Gilmour and Pink Floyd have together created some of my favorite music and though some stands out more than others, it's always honest, truthful and reflective. It's interesting to hear from folks like you and Claudia that it is not just a US problem. Although we are unfortunately responsible for the Kardashians. Kudos to the "The Dictator" (actor/comedian Sasha Baron Cohen) for dumping powder all over Ryan Seacrest (The Kardashian shows' creator) at the Academy Awards.

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:22:25 -0000

I think this kind of talk scares some people. Some may realize they've been going about things all wrong and can still change their behavior. There are many levels and not everyone who does it is necessarily an unempathetic person by nature. As Angry Metal Guy points out below, behavior can be learned and modified (in some cases). However, there are more of those
out there than we care to admit and they must be watched out for.

Thank you/Toda and Mazeltov!

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:16:57 -0000

That's what it's all about. For anyone who missed the post about the album "Veritas" the title of which is Latin for "Truth" http://www.alexskolnick.com/sk...

" Here is a universal truth: life is too complex to be labeled or put into
neat little boxes. The same is true of anything in life that has
substance, not just style. Music, like other art forms, is no exception
to this truth."

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:10:40 -0000

Whoops. Pardon the silly mistake - momentarily forgot that "Stevie" is one of those co-ed names. And by all means, it is great to hear about you and how you relate to the topic at hand. I've already written about my own experiences in the post, I'd much rather hear about my readers.

We all battle laziness. It is a form of resistance. Author Steven Pressfield (definitely a 'he') ;) has some great insight about this in his book "The War of Art"

“Instead of “The Force Be With You,” it’s “The Force Be Against You” anytime you
try to achieve something positive. The self-sabotaging force we all
seem to have. Resistance stops us from living our dreamed-of life.
Resistance is particularly strong in creative and business people. The
person that dreams of writing a great novel, starting a great business,
losing weight or breaking away from corporate boredom to serve a greater
cause, all struggle mightily with resistance.” – Steven Pressfield

Re: The Fake Brigade

TravisWoyen — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:52 -0000

A big part of the issue is that "facts" have become as malleable as "truth" in the minds of modern Americans. People misrepresenting themselves to get what they want is as old as humanity. I think the trouble we have right now is that it's not just shysters that do it. A wide swath of the population has determined that it's worthwhile to misrepresent the facts in order to support a given position. The position one holds becomes the item of value rather than truth, fact, or reality.

As far as it goes with musicians, I've tended to notice that the better the musician, the less likely they are to be completely self-aggrandizing. At least that's the local climate here. It's in the middle that the jibber-jabber exists. A lack of actual confidence seems to result in either silence (appropriate) or massive levels of compensatory behavior. Confidence tends to result in either silence (fine) or some level of dignified humility.

Re: The Fake Brigade

Angry Metal Guy — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:57:29 -0000

I would love to do research on the acquisition of empathy. I have a gut instinct that part of the problem with TV and video games is that people aren't learning empathy. Even when you think about the games that children played 20 or 30 years ago, much more of that was about giving and taking and learning each other's boundaries. When you consume a ton of media, are not interacting with your peers and are also learning (from achievement parenting) that you are the most important person in the world, I think it's possible that empathic learning takes a hit. Combine that with the behavior we witness and I think there are serious social problems that arise from this.

In Canada they were doing some research on dealing with bullies. What they figured out? If you bring babies (for real, babies) into a classroom and you get kids to interact with them, they actually increase in empathic attitudes towards each other and bullying behavior decreased. What this shows is that empathy is not only learned, but can be taught in order to improve mutual understanding. American society could stand a bit more empathy these days. But that runs counter to this "win at all costs" kind of mentality that leads to this sort of dishonest behavior. Man, I don't sound like an Angry Metal Guy at all. I sound like a Dirty Fucking Hippy... :P

Re: The Fake Brigade

Kimberl — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:42:26 -0000

Taking people and what they say at 'face value' has new meaning these days. Set in a new age of reality shows and instant information, technology has impacted the pace and face of things where reality is formed fast and we want to believe all and all want to be believed right away and without doubt,. To get ahead at all costs, making some with insecure egos, fear lack of confidence/talent and choose to lie or inflate to impress and fake it to the point of undermining their ethics with behavior for a better position in whatever realm they are striving to exist in. Imposters are out there. Good to know what lies within, ourselves and others. Sad, many don't value Truth or feel the need to stretch it for gain, living in a prison of their own pretense. Many live selective truths either by giving them in fabrications or by accepting them without question like Yahoo and others. Faking exists at all levels and a concern for truth should be on the agenda of all persons and businesses that run best if filled with genuine truths. Lying and cheating are deal breakers for me and character flaws that diminish credibility and collapse integrity, damaging others and society. These days, more than ever, we need to stay aware and recognize what is actually true, not just believable and build coherent stories of our own that keep us moving ahead, being reliable sources that keep our culture from unraveling in deceit. Alex, thank you for telling your story with truth and originality that is much enjoyed and appreciated!

Re: The Fake Brigade

Letitia — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:06:32 -0000

I sympathize with you Josh.

Re: The Fake Brigade

Letitia — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:04:01 -0000

You're so right Alex. I also had a couple of teachers in college that were fakes. I've also noticed that the phoniest people often have the biggest egos (though not all people with big egos are fake). Deep down inside, I think most phonies probably feel inferior and have low self-esteem, and their facades (and big egos) are a defense mechanism.

Re: The Fake Brigade

Borja — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:51:19 -0000

Here, in Spain, there are many politicians with faked c.v. (even in the government) If you ask me this have more to do with mediocre shameless people from every country than just with the United States.

Re: The Fake Brigade

Maria — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:09:00 -0000

Thanks Alex. This is a great post.

Re: The Fake Brigade

DougK — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:25:34 -0000

Unfortunately, lies and manipulation has been a way of getting ahead of one's neighbor since the dawn of time. I've seen it in the workplace my whole life and it's always bothered me when people want me to be anyone or anything else than what I am. Lies are around us all day, every day. Isn't a lie when (insert celebrity here) tells us how amazing the (insert product here) is? Infomercials are manipulations of people with typically sub-par products.

I can honestly state that I'm a so-so guitarist, a darn good rock band guitarist, a less than average golfer and have hung out with Alex Skolnick several times! (along with everyone else who bought tickets to the same shows)

Keep up the good work sir!

Re: Mail Call

lawofattractioncommunity — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:59:09 -0000

Nice to share and stay connected with your audience in life. To be successful and create a good one involves skill and soul, an emotional awareness of oneself and surroundings, as guitar played with skill and emotion has more impact and sincere hold on the listener that can leave a lasting impression and unique fingerprint/style all their own.

Re: The Fake Brigade

Abraxas — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:43:33 -0000

I can't agree more; I'm from Venezuela and I can tell you that this is not an US only problem, this is part of the society we've created, where we put so much pressure on our kids, maybe indirectly we push them to these bad behaviors where they create these fictionals stories just for the sake of fit and be accepted....going back to your point, a society that look up to a celebrity like Kardashian....

By the way, I got VERITAS and I can say that you Sir, you're an honest Musician creating simply AMAZING music and I know that you're not looking for that, but I really hope that you get the recognitio you deserve....for me, since the great David Gilmour, I haven't listened to a guitar with more feelings like yours....

Re: The Fake Brigade

Beth D — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:41:49 -0000

I couldn't agree more with everything you said! It's like you have been listening in on family discussions we have been having in our house recently :) Although our conversations haven't been about the music industry more about life & how it all applies! For Noah's Bar Mitzvah he chose the Jewish value of humility to discuss for his service so it is just so weird that this is the subject of your blog! You are a very wise man Alex Skolnick!

Re: The Fake Brigade

Steve — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:29:24 -0000

Great blog entry Alex, your writing is filled with the TRUTH

Re: The Fake Brigade

StevieN — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:24:52 -0000

This has no immediate relevance whatsoever to the original theme of your post, but I feel compelled to tell ya...I'm not a dude ;-)

And also, I apologize if I sounded "I /me/ that's great, Alex—back to me." I guess what I was feebly trying to say was that your post really hit a nerve because of my background, geographically & professionally. And it resurrected my inner conflict about why I condemn the fake, yet keep gravitating back to it in my work? Laziness, maybe. It's a lot harder (as you said) to stand up to it. Obviously way more rewarding to rebel, but I get a lot of looks that clearly say "Who let the pasty chick cross the state line?"

Re: The Fake Brigade

Claudia J — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:20:31 -0000

Trust me, I've travelled a lot (just like you) and it's everywhere. What happens is that you are more aware of it because you live in the US. Me, living is Portugal, I would say it's even worst here. Just different perspectives.

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:27:36 -0000

(Get this guy out of here! Advertising? Music journalism? Kidding)... Very insightful post I'm hearing from a lot of people who relate in different ways.

At least professional advertising is that it's exactly what it is - a billboard, brochure, TV spot or whatever is designed to sell a product and make it sound as appealing as possible. There is an underlying understanding that the product may or may not be what its cracked up to be but the ad says its great and its up to the consumer to find out. It's business - you win some, you lose some.

But products are different than people. And people shouldn't use the same tactics to make themselves sound more qualified and appealing than they are.

Focusing on the fact that the Theme Park does encourage happiness(whether it's the 'happiest place on Earth' or not), is a great thing. If you are able to find truth and beauty, even in the land of Hummers, fake tans, wrestling and strip clubs, that is what's most important.

Glad you like.

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:10:24 -0000

It's not that one shouldn't have a great bio and a great resume. One should. Excellence is a worthy goal to strive for. But it has to be REAL! That's the problem, too many want these credentials, but don't want to put in the actual work.

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:04:45 -0000

Thanks!

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:04:34 -0000

It's true. And with more and more people raised on television, it's probably gotten worse. At least we used to have shows that were clearly fiction. Now there is 'reality TV' and people are growing up watching these troubled, dysfunctional reality stars and thinking that's how to behave. And of course, it's always the most anti-social behavior that gets all the attention on TV and sometimes gets rewarded in real life.

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:59:59 -0000

Again, I'm sure it exists worldwide but have a feeling it is especially bad here in the US.

Re: The Fake Brigade

AlexSkolnick — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:58:50 -0000

Those Texas beer joints, like those in downtown Nashville and New Orleans, are the real deal. There's a lot of character in these venues and the music being played and appreciated gives one hope for America and what it has to offer. A place has to be earned on that stage. Even though many of the guys have day jobs, like yourself, the 'pro' quality is still there, in some cases on a higher level than those who do it full time. "Pretenders don't last long and I'm wary of anyone who starts off by
telling me who they've worked with. Don't tell me, get up here and show
me." Good strategy and attitude.