CACTUS JOE: Inspirado

Cactus Joe

Inspirado

© 2007 Joseph Leonard (634479681776) (format: CD-R)

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Old school rock-n-roll with modern hooks that will leave you humming. "Like Elvis Costello on steroids." Single songs available for download at amazon.com, iTUNES, Rhapsody, etc.

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Hi. I'm Cactus Joe and I live heart and soul to rock-n-roll for you. If that isn't enough for you to support my high octane, high quality music, then read on.

I assume you are here (CD Baby) because you enjoy good independent rock-n-roll music.

Maybe you are a little bit put off by the mass marketing of generic noise that passes for good music these days.

Good? Or just tolerable? Do we really need to settle for that? Will there ever be another Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, or Black Sabbath? I sure hope so.

I don't profess to equal those past masters. This is only my debut album after all. Even the Beatles sucked a little when they started out.

But these musical greats influence my modern day rocking. I try to incorporate that "I don't know what" that transcends music. What Jack Black of Tenacious D calls The Rocking. It's an abstraction...like love, or destiny. But it's real, even if you can't put a finger on it.

Does that help you understand why I do what I do? I only make enough money off this CD to cover it's manufacturing costs. My real income is from live rock shows (do come to one!) and working days for The Man.

I'd really like to reduce the hours wasted on The Man, so if you buy my CD you are contributing to me putting more energy into making the world more rocking.

If that still isn't enough for you, then the backstory and details of this album are depicted below. Just know that I love to rock, heart and soul, and I think it's a crying shame what passes for good music these days, over-produced and artificial. If you share my sentiment, then I made this album for you.

It's nothing fancy, just some heartfelt, rocking tunes. I tried to capture my live show energy. But nothing beats a live rock-n-roll party with dancing and fun. So, whether you buy this CD or not, I hope you will come to a show so we can have a good time.

Also, if you just want 2 or 3 of these songs, you can buy them individually at amazon.com, iTUNES, Rhapsody, etc. I have no problem with that. There is a lot of variety here.

Thanks...

The Making of Inspirado:
When Cactus Joe and his loyal sidekick, drummer MG Sherry, found themselves lacking a full band in early 2007, they decided to make good use of their usual Monday night practice time to make a bombassed record.

So in the middle of the cold Wisconsin winter, they set about laying down "live" drum and instrument tracks in Joe’s studio. By the end of the year, they had an album they loved. So they produced it just in time for Christmas.

Cactus Joe is a bassist/singer/songwriter from Madison, WI, best known as the energetic and entertaining front man of indie garage fun rock band THE GUPPY EFFECT (www.guppyeffect.info).

Cactus Joe believes in rocking for smart people who know and love good high energy rock'n'roll like they had in the olden days. He prefers the simple distilled essence of primal fun rocking that existed before the exploitation of the rock'n'roll medium for corporate gain (was there such a time?). "Inspirado" is the fruit of his sweaty, but otherwise relatively straightforward, effort. This is the people's music, and Cactus Joe will never sell out (CJ: "I promise..."). There are no gimmicks here. Just wholesome rocking all human-made on real instruments pushed to their physical limits.

Cactus Joe has been playing music for over 25 years, and he makes all his music income off entertaining live shows and the sale of CDs and goodies. His music is satyrical, with elements of revolutionary shock rock from the 60s and 70s, along with modern day hooks and themes.

His songs are about a variety of topics, politics, relationships, "The Man," etc. He adeptly contrasts lyrics and music to create thought provoking and entertaining energetic rocking. He uses over the top promotional slogans to gently mock mainstream corporate music marketing. Examples: "Thrice the rocking power of other name bands" and "SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: This music will rock your ass off." His music is intended for live audiences who want to party, but the songs work just as well for dancing to in your living room. Weddings? Maybe...

Cactus Joe’s influences include, but are not limited to, Black Sabbath, Medeski Martin and Wood, Kings of Leon, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Blondie, Culture, The Doors, Talking Heads, They Might Be Giants, The Ramones, Jefferson Airplane, Motorhead, and other good stuff. He is frequently compared with Elvis Costello, which he takes as a high compliment.

Cactus Joe likes making music that makes people think. Thought is not for everyone. But Cactus Joe's music isn't for dummies.

Cactus Joe would like to thank the following collaborators: MG Sherry (drums and constructive critique), Branden M (lyrics and laughs), Wes Columbia (guitar shredfests and quality control), Claire O'Leary (lyrics and "inspirado"), and the Dudleys (hospitality and pizza). Also everyone who supported him and his crazy schemes.

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  • Holy Cow!
    author: Joseph Leonard

    Wow, this is some good stuff. Bold lyrics.

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