Just Listen – An Xperience Column

Just Listen – An Xperience Column – by Rob Skane.

Clem Burke, may he rest in peace, was a great drummer in a great band – Blondie. I know you know this, but if you don’t, then look for their LP “Parallel Lines.” It’s a good one and it’s a master class in rock’n’roll drumming of the New Wave variety. Clem might have been the fashion plate of the New York New Wave too. He looked very “mod” – in the coolest sense of the word, and the way he hit the drums was powerful, exuberant, and timeless. He played like he loved the tunes: all in, matched grip, and seemingly combining the most memorable bits of Keith Moon, Ringo, and Hal Blaine. Check out the first two songs on “Parallel Lines” – just sayin’. Clem drummed in some other really cool groups too, and his big beat loveliness will be missed. We all know that he rocked, but most importantly, there was the roll – which some will argue is more important, because… it is. Just listen to the Blondie records, you’ll know what I mean. I hope. If not, then we need a heart-to-heart over coffee where I gently explain that, it’s not me – it’s you.

Robert Quine. All I can say is that every time I heard him play the guitar, I was mesmerized. I still am. He may mostly be known for his time with Lou Reed – but he’s played with countless others, including Richard Hell, and he’s featured on the Matthew Sweet LP “Girlfriend.” Sunglasses on, cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth, wearing a suit jacket, snare drum side of the stage. He was the epitome of “disheveled coolness.” Single coil skronk blaring out of a Fender Super Champ, every note perfect, the Albert Ayler of the electric guitar? Kinda. The Lou Reed LP, “Live in Italy,” is mind-numbing on many levels. Quine just slays on that one and on “Girlfriend” too. Again, go and listen – I’m not sure if anyone does that anymore. But, would it kill you?! Quine isn’t with us anymore. It’s a sad story, but he left behind a legacy that many find influential.

Pro tip, kids. When we listen to music – we don’t talk, for example, while the music is playing. Everything stops, and we listen. Because music is important. It can take us away, for a bit, from the burdens of being upright, so to speak. Oftentimes, it’s fun to listen with friends, and sometimes it needs to be a more personal and introspective experience; it’s your choice, kids. Either way. Just. Listen. You’ll hear things on the 30^th listen that you didn’t catch on the first 29, and it will be worth it. “Dude, the shaker couldn’t have come in any earlier than 11 minutes and 38 seconds – I’m telling you!! Let’s go back and listen to it!”

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