Paste Magazine has a feature running of 10 Killer Rock 'n' Roll Photographs, which you can peep here. These images come from a book called Who Shot Rock & Roll which comes out October 22. These 10 images aren't bad, the Ramones image is as honest as their music is. My favorite from the 10 photos is a picture of my favorite rapper of all time. What is more ironic than Biggy in a cemetery? As cool as those two pictures are there is one man in the entire history of rock 'n' roll, in all of music, that stands above every other artist in terms of their photographs. Perhaps one of the most iconic men in music it is fitting that his photos are so highly recognized and praised. Frank Stefanko a close friend to this legend was able to make an entire book about their photograph excursions together. Some of my favorite photos from this book are below. Enjoy!
So I just bought the domain jefflesser.com and I am not quite sure what to do with it. I will probably end up linking it to here. Or finding a way to aggregate all my social media into one place. In the mean time you can find me at the following places: twitter.com/jefflesser facebook.com/jeff.lesser myspace.com/hefe
I need to find a way to be more active with all this.
My roommate and I were talking while driving to go snowboarding and the topic moved onto top 5 CDs. I'm not going to get into any huge explanations or justification here, this is the 5 CDs that changed my life the most. 1. Saves The Day - Through Being Cool 2. Fall Out Boy - Take This To Your Grave 3. Converge - You Fail Me 4. Thursday - Full Collapse 5. Saosin - Translating The Name
It has been a while since I updated, busy working it. Anyway.
I wanted to post a blog that is relevant to all aspects of my life right now. There is a interesting dichotomy where one should always be consistent, but one should also be open to new things and open minded. I agree with both of these statements but if I was not previously open to new things how can I be consistent while I seek out a more adventurous existence. I have come to the conclusion that while in the ideal essence of being consistent and the ideal of being open minded something has got to give. I look at the people that surround and appreciate the times they are consistent more than the times they are open minded. I look at myself and appreciate my own open mindedness more than my consistency.
This made me think why do I hold my friends, family, co-workers and associates to a different standard than myself. The conclusion I can to was when the people that surround me are consistent it is safe for me, and when I am open minded it can only mean good things for me. Once I realized this I had the horrible option of what to do about it all. What did I do? Nothing. What will I do? Nothing. I realized it will all work itself out.
I value my friends for their consistency but in the true spirit of being open minded I will allow them to seek out new and awesome things. And probably even give those new and awesome things consideration to try out as well. I do believe in balance though and know that this is not black and white, consistency in many forms will still be crucial in my life. Especially when it comes to the people that surround me. Where does this leave me? Right where I started.
Race is bullshit. I find myself thinking of blogging about race often. The truth is that there are different races but there are no differences between them. I believe we need to recognize that people are different, and APPRECIATE them for that. Some people believe ignoring our different races will end racism, or make getting along easier, but I believe that recognizing that we are different from people of different races is the real way to end racism, so long as we recognize it in a POSITIVE manner. Yes, there is one race the human race, but it is like art, there are different types and should all be appreciated for their uniqueness. I am seriously sick of racism, end it. White people, stop saying the N word. This is not a joke. We truly need to recognize our oppressive forces and stop them. Even if people from other races use a slur, don't use it. Recognize the differences, the history, and RESPECT the people and what it could mean to them. I am directing this at white people, we have been the most negative force in history and it is up to us to reverse this, to make a change, and to put a stop to what we so wrongly began.
I briefly posted earlier on white privilege. In case the lyrics were not caught, I was quoting Dead Prez. By their own definition they see themselves musically as "somewhere between NWA and PE." That is pretty apt, although I tend to hold them in a higher respect than either of those bands because 1. NWA made great novel music because it is explicit and changed the rap paradigm, but they were in fact purely novel (proof: Ice Cube now) and 2. PE stood for something, something hugely important, and then quickly sold out (Chuck D, be sure to thank flvr flv for this one). So in my eyes Dead Prez is the only real political rap group that remains valid. Not only do they still hold integrity, but the music they made was so cohesive and pure, their message was never muddled.
Dead Prez is important to me because as a white person I am ashamed of our history and to appreciate Dead Prez and truly give thought to their cause means I'm miles ahead most other white people. If everyone considered their message, racism might actually end. And that is something that is long overdue and extremely important to me.
Wolves:
As an ending note, I want to point out a small piece of Americas structure. We are a country run by white male politicians, controlled by white male business men, and solely interested in whats best for white males. FUCKED UP!
Music: I say my favorite band is Saosin. The band that means more to me than any other band is Converge. I have Bane lyrics tattooed on my feet (only lyrics I have tattooed).
Bikes: I have 2 track bikes, one Uno Pista and one Tommaso Augusta.
Tattoos: I have what I would consider 7 different pieces with varying themes and styles.
Economics: My major when I went to school at CU.
The Internet: I have always been into computers and currently part of my responsibilities at my job include the oversight of the creation of our new e-commerce platform and it's features.
Being creative: Luckily my job allows me to be creative and put energy into marketing our brands in a unique and memorable way. I try to create art and express myself through writing as well.
Snowboarding: I've been a snowboarder since I was 6 years old and consider myself to be an excellent snowboarder, unless I'm in the park.
My Friends: My friends are my world and I am fortunate enough to have a large group of close friends to share my life with. While my friends are diverse they are all amazing.
As cool as those two pictures are there is one man in the entire history of rock 'n' roll, in all of music, that stands above every other artist in terms of their photographs. Perhaps one of the most iconic men in music it is fitting that his photos are so highly recognized and praised. Frank Stefanko a close friend to this legend was able to make an entire book about their photograph excursions together. Some of my favorite photos from this book are below. Enjoy!
