Random Flotsam and Jetsam of My Mind

One reason I was in the metal closet for many years is that my mom’s credo used to be that rock music was “stupid music for stupid people”. She’s mellowed her stance over the years–developed likings for music as diverse as Depeche Mode and late Neil Young. But she’s never held metal musicians in any esteem. Especially in the hair metal heyday of the 80s, when she would point out the inanity of some of the more popular “heavy” music. So tonight she surprised me with a question from the deep, deep grass of unexplored left field.
“What’s the name of Marty Friedman’s most famous band?”
“Marty Friedman?”
“Yes, do you know who he is?”
“Yeah, he used to be the guitarist in Megadeth.”
“Megadeth?”
“Megadeth.”
“Huh. Dumb name.”

Turns out Marty Friedman has been living in Japan for the past few years and made an appearance on NHK this week as a panelist. My mom was deeply impressed by a) his Japanese, saying he spoke like a native, and b) his coming across as articulate. “He said he even debated in high school…”

I gave my mom a very brief overview of the impact of Metallica and Megadeth on mainstream music in the 90s and briefly touched on the diversification of “heavy” metal in the past twenty years. I also tried to mention other virtuoso metal guitarists like Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Steve Morse and the like.

“I’m sixty-five,” my mom said, “and I’m learning about heavy metal.”

I don’t think she’s ready for Cannibal Corpse or even Iron Maiden, but I may play her some Apocalyptica at Christmas, and she may be able to better appreciate my Amon Amarth. And I hope to get her doing the metal horns. \m/ Because I have the Most. Metal. Mom. Ever.

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized