Global Music Excavator – Arizona Turk

I guess my love of music started when I was young because there are pictures of me at 11 months trying to look into my parent’s stereo to watch the record player spin. I was introduced to the Beatles, Elvis, and many other oldies when I was just a kid. A good background until a fateful day in 1980, when I was at my friend’s house and I came home with a mix tape that probably changed my musical interest forever. His cousin who was 17 at the time gave me a tape I wish I still had with Bowie(Lodger Era), the Psychedelic Furs (1st album), Lene Lovich, the Plasmatics, The Residents, Adam & the Ants, Laurie Anderson, The Specials and more. I instantly became the coolest 10 year old ever in my own head. I wish I still had that Apex tape, but it warped and snapped somewhere in the mid 80’s. I officially put away my Kiss, ELO, and Michael Jackson Off the Wall record and started to listen to music the masses didn’t respond to. Don’t get me wrong, I still sneak in some classics and have to listen to mainstream (when my wife makes me), but I love finding the new band and making them part of my life forever.

I still remember taking the 34D Bus down to the Vinyl Solution in San Mateo because I was 14, could not get a ride, and had to get the first Hunter & Collectors album and the Cult’s Dreamtime which I had heard a little bit of on the QUAKE (KQAK FM99.) The latter, soon became my favorite band and I have hung on to them ever since, sometimes by the thinnest of threads. I make no excuses for what I like and neither should you. If you want to listen to Britney Spears I am not going to stop you, unless you are in my car or in my house. You only live once and I’d rather listen to Spiritwalker instead of Toxic.

I grew up just outside of San Francisco and the city was a great place to see, hear, and buy music. Growing up, Tower Records is where you could find me along with a few used little shops that could get the imports I craved. Only one out of four bands play in the AZ desert, so if you live in a great environment for culture and music…abuse it. The internet has kept me alive because I still buy the actual CD or LP. The occasional trip to LA or SF fills the need for quality shows. (Radio Dept. in FEB 2010)

I always supported the bands, live shows, t-shirts, the import 7”s and all the CD singles I could get my hands on. I still remember the lead singer of Adorable cutting his hair and handing it out to the crowd at Slim’s as they tore into Sistine Chapel Ceiling. At the same club I saw such brilliant acts as Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Kyuss, the Verve (Storm in Heaven era), Boris, and Doves. The same Doves show that My Morning Jacket opened. A band to this day that I can’t figure out and the creator of NBD loves. That is what makes this site so important. I hope my new daughter eventually likes some of the stuff I send into NBD. I hope you do too. No matter what, just keep listening because that is what I do every day.

Top 10 Gems 2011 From AZ Turk
Top 10 Gems (Songs) 2010 From AZ Turk
Top 10 Gems (Albums) 2010 From AZ Turk