From the Song Witch

ESSAY

Ghosts

So this one time I was reading a book by Corey Taylor…

Technically, I think the book is about reconciling a belief in the paranormal with a belief that there is no “God.”  The name of the book escapes me right now so I’m going to use my tiny hand computer to look it up while I type on my all-powerful larger computer because for some reason I don’t want to open a new tab.  *Stand by*…Okay, there was a reason I couldn’t remember it.  It’s called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven: (Or, How I Made Peace with the Paranormal and Stigmatized Zealots and Cynics in the Process.)  It’s online for all prices ranging from $2.25-$60 because Amazon is the true ruler of men.  Highly recommended.

I very much enjoyed Corey’s philosophies and conjectures on paranormal events, but I think my takeaway was far more literal than philosophical.  I started thinking about spirits and why they might appear to some and not others and what it must be like to be someone who is “followed” by such a phenomenon.

Anyway, this is not a book report, but I bring up the book because the more I think about ghosts, the more I consider non-paranormal “ghosts.”  They are just as haunting, and often cause far more damage to the psyche.  I had thoughts from the book on my mind a lot when I wrote lyrics for our newest song “Ghosts,” which I shared below.

It’s been heart-breaking and yet somehow energizing the last few weeks to see victims of sexual abuse speak out against somewhat beloved, definitely iconic persons in positions of great power.  I know that it hurts to find out that your favorite celebrity abused kids or degraded women, but its nothing compared to the pain of feeling powerless to defend yourself against these villains.  

Growing up in the rock world, I saw and heard so much gross nonsense that suspending disgust became like breathing.  Then, as I grew up and my spine matured and hardened, I was able to stand up for myself and others, or remove myself from ignorant situations without the fear of judgement.  There are many reasons why victims stay silent.  For those that are too intimidated by their abuser to speak out, often the ghost they live with laughs in their face, haunts their every waking thought, and makes them feel unworthy of love.

Pretty much every friend I have has some story of being manipulated by a person they respected.  They range in severity from shitty to shattering.  One theme remains constant–its an energy you carry on with you.  Much like how Corey talked about people moving out of haunted homes and the energy following them, victims of abuse often find it hard to get a fresh start.

My wish is that everyone out there who has been hurt by a person they trusted could find a way to exorcize that ghost.  Even if you can’t tell the public, tell a friend. If you can’t tell a friend, journal about it to yourself.  Acknowledging that you were victimized, accepting yourself and your hurt, allowing yourself to grieve…these are all exercises that will help you heal.

Tonight I’m sitting by the fire about two hours outside of Charlotte.  Tomorrow starts our first date of the Seether “Poison the Parish” tour.  We’ll be playing this song in the set.  I hope it reaches out as another voice saying, “you’re not alone.”  Much LOVE to any that suffer tonight with ghosts of past abuse.  Please know that you are not remotely alone in your pain.  Hopefully, the more we can all talk about it, the more the needle will move.  

Goodnight, my friends.  Be good to each other.

#dead corps#the dead deads#seether#ghosts#abuse#emotional abuse#sexual abuse#physical abuse#corey taylor#feminism#equality#love

ESSAY

The Long and Winding Road

Thoughts from the road…row-ads…rooods… Somewhere near and passing Omaha, Nebraska

Thirty years or so ago I was listening to The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road,” and as art often does, it was resonating with the older person inside of my child-mind. I’d never experienced anything remotely like a lover’s heartbreak, and yet this song made me weep.  I’d sing it to myself on walks in the woods, tears welling in my eyes, imagining loving a person for a lifetime.  

Now as I sit here in this wonderful home on wheels driving through Nebraska with my band-mates, the road stretches out long and winding (especially in Colorado) before us.  I am reminded of that tune again.  I hear every note of it as if the lacquer were cut in my heart.  The words are just as I remember, but they take on a new meaning now.

I wasn’t born to be an artist any more than anyone else was, I don’t think, but the combination of art and education I was exposed to at a young age combined with the opportunities I was given, directed my steps down my own path of musical exploration/torture/glory.  For those of us who believe music is bae, the addiction runs deep, doesn’t it?  That passion only intensifies when you realize that drug is yours to create, capture and somehow own.  THEN, the idea of sharing it comes to you—even more absurd!  This is powerful shit and its in our hands.  This is love.  This is life.  (No, I’m not on any drugs right now.  Yes, Colorado was awesome, but we’re in Nebraska now, as I mentioned.)  Long drives like this just give me time to think, to be grateful…really just to be amazed at what music can do.

No matter how many times being an artist has broken my heart, it always calls me back in the most sensual, powerful way.  I mean, The Dead Deads?  Who would have thought that right now, at this point in my life I’d be getting to play music like this all over the country?  It’s so satisfying to play whatever the hell we want and have people relate.  My soulmate muse is like, “Get your shit together and touch one thousand hands every night.  This band is my gift to you.”  I bow to her.  

As always, I want to thank all of our fans for your continued support us. Many times I’ve tried…many times I’ve cried, but this road will never disappear. It always leads me here.  Lead me to your door.

This is me sitting with Page Hamilton of Helmet, in the glorious NRG studio in Los Angeles, listening to our music we’ve been recording while sipping whisky and being present.  On this long and winding road, this is a section of the trip that’s really blowing my mind with its ultimate tiiiightness. 😉

Photo Credit: Pete Thorn

#the dead deads#nrg recordings#nrg#page hamilton#helmet#the beatles#the long and winding road#tewerlyfe#deadcorps