Track Marks is a weekly music questionnaire for people who make and / or love music. The people change but the questions remain the same.
This week we check in with Mark Goldstein, a Milwaukee web designer whose distinctive graphic design work has graced rock show posters locally and nationally and whose music blog Seizure Chicken sifts through the modern music landscape. As Goldstein puts it, "It serves as a daily cherry-pick of the new music we all listen to and a way for us to go to concerts for free."
OnMilwaukee.com talked with Goldstein about seeing mosh pits and pot for the first time, the amazing live energy of Call Me Lightning and the laundry list of new tunes he's listening to.
OnMilwaukee.com: What was the first tape/CD/record/8-track you ever owned?
Mark Goldstein: I remember, when I was really young, stealing my parents "Stand By Me" soundtrack on vinyl and playing that all the time. I actually have the same copy now and still listen to it a ton. The first album I bought myself was Weezer's "Blue Album."
OMC: What was the first concert you attended?
MG: My older cousin took me to Metallica, Jerry Cantrell and Days Of The New. I'm pretty sure it was Metallica's Load tour. I don't really remember much about the show itself but I remember seeing mosh pits and smelling pot for the first time. I was pretty jazzed.
OMC: What was the last concert you attended?
MG: Disappears and Call Me Lightning at Cactus Club. The place was packed and it was a really great show. I'm trying to make it a point to not miss any Call Me Lightning shows.
OMC: Who is one popular musician or music act you just can't understand?
MG: Sufjan Stevens. I haven't spent a whole lot of time trying to though.
OMC: Musically, what are you into that you're embarrassed to admit to?
MG: Neil Diamond. Not that I'm embarrassed but that seems to give me the most "You should be embarrassed" sort of looks and responses. I could see rolling up to a red light blasting "Gitchy Goomy" might not be the dudliest thing you can do, but it's just such a great song!
OMC: What are you listening to right now?
MG: A ton of stuff, new and old: Smith Westerns' "Dye It Blonde," Kurt Vile's "Smoke Ring For My Halo," Radiohead's "King Of Limbs," Jay Reatard, Ty Segall, J Dilla, Fleetwood Mac, "Illmatic," Ghostface Killah, Tallest Man On Earth, Shabazz Palaces, Yuck's self-titled, parts of the Toro Y Moi & James Blake '11 releases, Outkast's "Aquemini." "A Ghost Is Born," Sat. Nite Duets, Cloud Nothings, Cotton Jones, Queens Of The Stone Age. A relatively eclectic mix of stuff that is helping with the thaw. Looking forward to hearing the James Pants self-titled coming out on Stones Throw in April. The single that I've heard, "Alone," is pretty awesome.
OMC: What song do you want played at your funeral?
MG: T Rex's "Life's A Gas"? Rolling Stones' "Out Of Time"? I don't know. I think these song choices might not be appropriate.
OMC: What artist changed your life and how?
MG: Probably Jackson Pollock the most, but in terms of musical artists, Bob Dylan or Thom Yorke. Both have lead incredibly interesting lives and, to me, are the epitome of authenticity.
OMC: If you could see anyone perform past or present who would it be?
MG: I'd have to say Zeppelin or Nirvana.
OMC: If you could spend one day with any artist living or dead who would it be?
MG: Marc Bolan or Keith Richards.
OMC: If you were stranded on an island with one record for the rest of your life what would it be?
MG: The Beatles' "White Album." Being a double album it's got the most bang for the buck.
