I’m watching Neil Young on TV – on the Palladia Channel which has a boat load of live concerts. He’s playing the Glastonbury Festival last year and he is ripping it up! Burning through “Words” with his classic guitar work. Mr. Young looks stronger than I have seen in some time. On the last concert video I saw (for “Prairie Wind”), he looked really tired – understandably. His been through a lot. The last time I saw him live was when Sonic Youth opened for him a decade ago (the “Weld” sessions). Tonight was closer to that show for the 65 year-old Mr. Young.

After “The Needle and The Damage Done” – sung note for note by the VERY young audience – he and the band tear through “Rockin’ In The Free World”. It’s loud. It’s angry. It’s political. And it rocks hard. And all I keep thinking is – WHY CAN’T ANY YOUNG BAND DO THIS SHIT??!! I mean, Neil sings: “A thousand points of light for the homeless man/ We have a kinder and gentler machine gun hand”. HAS ANYTHING CHANGED? No – it hasn’t. Everything he is singing about is still where this country is. So where is the anger? Where is the passion – the desire? Every time I see a new band, they seem more interested in their clothes and cleverness than the good, solid raw emotion that this country needs.

Why is it always up to the old guys – like Neil and Bruce? Where are the balls?! When is punk coming back??

Be Sociable, Share!

•