December 3rd 2012 Los Angeles, California
After 9 months on the road pretty much straight (someone in our entourage did the math and deduced that we had a combine 3 weeks, in a day or two here and there, at home during those 9 months) I sit here feeling, well, depressed.
It’s funny how you see that light at the end of the tunnel just bearing down upon you and you welcome it. You try to ignore it knowing that you are a warrior and war is what you do. What is a soldier to do if you take him from the battlefield?
Admittedly I was more than ready for a breather. I have never been one to practice pacing. It is my belief that I don’t want to ease into the end like a warm bath. I want to crawl there, broken and beaten knowing that I gave everything I had.
I did. 2012 got everything I had. Every time zone imaginable, every corner of the planet, every language under the sun.
Now I’m broken and beaten and crawling yet rather than feeling comforted by a welcome and well deserved rest I feel like there is still war to be waged. There’s still a little fight left in these bones yet. Not a lot but there’s some. Another few weeks worth. Unfortunately, I think if I tried pounding out another couple of weeks I wouldn’t be getting back up again. It’s time for couch and TV and food and quiet and solitude. By February 2013 I will be back at 100%. God help you then, Planet Earth.
Today we start the 10 day countdown for the pre-order campaign through Pledge Music.
http://www.pledgemusic.com/artists/toddkerns/widgets/5284
I suppose I shouldn’t be feeling too bad about a break considering It is the day after the tour ended and I’m onto the next chapter already.
I had every intention of recording an acoustic cd as a thank you to all the people who have followed me all these years and also to all the new friends I’ve made these in recent years around the world.
People ask, ‘Why an acoustic cd?’ and I answer because I think it’s the most intimate thing I could offer. After all these years I feel if I’m going to put my name on something it’s going to be something from the heart to the people I care about.
The entire project was elevated by my time with Ginger Wildheart and his amazing manager, Gav McCaughey. Through them I was turned on to a whole other way to make records. All I wanna do is make music and get it to the people who want it. People say the record industry is dead and I say that’s partly true. I still believe there are a great many music lovers that find great joy in discovering new music. I just think that market place has become much more selective. We cannot rely on the casual music person to carry us. We are a community made up of die hards and lifers. I, myself, am a lifer. This has never been a casual affair for me. Music is everything. Sure I love Boardwalk Empire and Tarantino movies but ahead of it all is The Ramones, KISS, Cheap Trick, the New York Dolls and on and on and on. And it will always be this way until I crawl, broken and beaten to my eventual end.
There is a network of us all over the world from Australia to Japan to Europe to North and South America and onward that feel the way I do and nothing has lit a fire in me like Pledge Music has.
Music is alive and well. It has only morphed into something new. Something different. And me and my friends around the planet find great pleasure in seeking it out.
While the rest of the word has turned their attentions to the likes of the Kardashians we have made Ginger’s 555% one of the truly great stories in modern music. Music may be disposable entertainment to some but for the rest of us it is our lifeblood.
Ok. I’ll get off my soapbox now. Through the campaign I released a rare track as a free gift to those who’ve been following lo these many years, The song is called Little Grace and though I think a lot of people believe it to be from the forthcoming album, Hello Cruel World, it is not. Little Grace is a 10 year old demo that my brother’s and I worked up prior to the Static In Stereo sessions. I wrote a gazillion songs around this period and many of them are frozen in stasis seemingly never to be heard from again. When the Pledge Music people asked if I had anything I wanted to offer as a gift I went trolling through my past and came back with this dark little gem.
I’m overwhelmed by the attention the campaign has received and bowled over by all the positivity for a song that was for all intents and purposes forgotten altogether.
Hello Cruel World will begin it’s creation of the next few months. I will be predominantly the main offender but there will be a guest or two throughout. Though I refer to it as an acoustic record there will be other instrumentation throughout. I am constantly writing and have albums and albums worth of material but rather than give you quantity I am leaning towards quality. Always.
I’m extremely excited for this project and I hope you get as much out of listening to it as I will making it.
Check it out-
10 days from now, on December 13th we will be unleashing Hell! The campaign will explode and you will be able to pre-order any number of things. You are the record company now. Your money will make Hello Cruel World plus the accompanying EP, Near Life Experience. The EP is an added gift to my friends who’ve been with me from the beginning. I’m going to redo some of my old songs acoustically as I’ve always been asked to release the versions I do at acoustic shows. That’s going to be a lot of fun.
Anyway, it’s a big day. The tour is over but the acoustic CD is starting its birth. On top of all that I will be back with my Sin City Sinners on the 14th of December. It has been so long. I’ve been playing bass so much this year that it’s going to be refreshing brushing off ol’ Jonesy, my ’82 Les Paul Custom that has been with me since the beginning. Come on out-The Railhead in Boulder Station Casino on December 14th. Gonna be a blast.
I owe everyone a blog of the South American tour and I promise you it is on it’s way! I was so diligent in Europe getting blogs in when I had a day off here and there but the only blog from the South American tour I did was from Mexico where I sat in scalding Jalapeno juice trying to enjoy a James Bond movie. That experience in no way defines our experience south of the border. Let me just say that it is no secret that the audiences in South America are some of the best in the world. Perhaps THEE best in the world.
They show up in droves at the airport to welcome you. They hang out at the hotel waiting to say HI! They sing every note and every word. Literally every note. They sing the guitar riffs and instrumental bits. It is awe inspiring.
I promise to have the South American blog up within the week. It was important to say a little note of appreciation to everyone for such an amazing tour which ended last night in Los Angeles.
It was an amazing night at the Wiltern Theater where your humble narrator may have been feeling those 9 months on his back before the show but was lifted by the opening chords of Halo to new heights previously unimagined.
Mike Judge, who happens to be one of my favorite creators was filling me full of praise and I was like, ‘hold on a second! You’re Mike Judge.’ He’s the creator of Beavis And Butthead, King Of The Hill and writer/director of an amazing piece of work called Office Space. We had a great chat. I’m such a fan I have the red Swingline stapler. For the uninitiated that doesn’t mean a damned thing but those in the know can appreciate that.
In the film the props department painted the stapler red to stand out in scenes. When the show became a cult hit Swingline started getting orders for red staplers which simply didn’t exist. They have since started releasing ‘collector’s item’ red staplers. I have one. Yes, I’m crazy but it came in handy when getting a chance meeting with the film’s creator.
Charlie Sheen was in full effect! Charlie’s mythos is bigger than he is these days but I hold him in high regard as a very gifted actor in pieces like Oliver Stone’s Platoon and Wall Street. Both amazing films. Charlie was full of love and brimming with positivity. Rock and/or Roll will do that to ya!
Our producer, Eric Valentine, who you may remember from all those blogs while making Apocalyptic Love came with his lovely, better half, Dana. My bro, Trevor Whatever from the making of Apocalyptic Love was present. One of my favorite people in the world. We hope to reassemble this incredibly successful team in late 2013 for another go around the sun. Eric Valentine is an unbelievable talent. Just truly gifted.
Getting to reunite with good friends was really nice. It was the perfect way to end the tour.
Now I’m here in Los Angeles talking about seeing Aerosmith and Cheap Trick at Staples Center tonight. We saw Rick Neilsen at the hotel yesterday. He is always such a character. It will never not be weird to me that people like Rick are just part of our casual social circle now. Life is so weird.
It’s my birthday in 2 days and I have to say how thankful I am to reach another year on this planet being so blessed to be doing what I was born to do. Getting to do it for people that are simply the greatest. As I said I will be doing this until they drag me screaming from the stage. Which they will never do so I guess I’ll be doing it forever. I plan to be still doing this when you all turn old. You’ll be like, ‘he’s still going?’ There’s no grace in Rock and Roll. I will be doing this long after it’s become unfashionable. Long after I have become an embarrassing mess. Luckily I’ll be completely out of my mind and won’t know any better. I hope you enjoy my train wreck.
Thank you for another amazing year on this planet. I plan to share all the ones I have left with you.
See you on the 14th in Vegas.
Go to Pledgemusic and join me on the Hello Cruel World adventure. It’s gonna be a blast.
Your loyal and humble servant,
Todd Dammit
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Sounds like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Wow, what an emotional and honest blog, brought tears to my eyes as the reality of the end of an amazing year has finally hit home for all involved, fans and musicians alike.
\m/
Looking forward to a new chapter in Mr Kerns’ life, may 2013 be as big and better and beautiful for you. See you in Blackpool in March!
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Happy early B-Day!! Dec the 5th!! Enjoy your couch and tv shows while it last. About South America, boy it’s all good!!
Hope the jalapeño juice did’t permanently harm anything, for the wellbeing of the human race! Ha!
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:37 pm
We always will be worrying about you from all of the places of the world, specially from Chile…
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Hi Todd. I gotta admit I just discovered you thru Slash and the last dates on Argentina (missed it last year, REALLY regret that). And I cannot explain how glad I am to be able to experience such shows and finally see you on stage. Man, that was SO much fun!
Aftewards, I had to listen to you more, discovered the songs and your voice (has a wierd-but-good calming effect on me nowadays) and I will surely check the acoustic ones.
Thank you (and the rest of the band) so much for such amazing shows and for giving us over two hours of pure joy. You will be always welcome!
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:39 pm
You are truly an example to be followed. I think we should all quit doing what we love only when we are “crawling, broken and beaten”, but few people actually do that, and that’s amazing and reassuring.
I would like to thank you for being so dedicated to your fans (or friends, as you put it). And we are all giving such a response to your new project because you are a very talented and seemingly wonderful person, so thank you again for sharing all of that with us.
So keep rocking. But rest a little first. The new Dexter episodes are great, and if you didn’t catch up on them you totally should.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Congrats on such a successful tour! Loved meeting you in Detroit, and being in front of you during the concert, it was a thrill! Enjoy your break, you truly deserve it! Looking forward to seeing you on the next go around! Happy Holidays, from a fellow Canadian fan:)
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Looking forward to seeing you in Vegas with the Sinners again, Todd!
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Get some rest darling….we miss ya here….
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Don’t you worry, man. We will be supporting you until we are grey and old, because you’re totally one of a kind. Every time I read this blog I can not believe how wonderful person are you. Have a little rest, gain energy a have an awesome time with Sin City Sinners. After that, I will have the biggest pleasure to welcome you for the first time in my country, Poland. It’s gonna be awesome! Can’t wait to share this musical experience with you.
I’m honestly proud to be a fan of yours.
Love,
Magda from Poland.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Amazing tour, Amazing shows in Argentina…Waiting anxious the new material…We miss you Mr Dammit!
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Hy Todd!
This is for you:
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B|——-5—-8-7———5——8—————–8—7——————8–10–8–|
G|-7-7—–7———7-7—7——–7-7——————9—————————|
D|—————————————————————————————-|
A|—————————————————————————————-|
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Kisses & Hugs!
Thanks for those news!
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:05 pm
well… I’m a fan of Slash for over 20 years,I was very anxious to see him again …you guys are amazing.
I will never forget that night. I took his pic, my gift… I will keep with great care. Come back … many times as you want. You´re awesome!!!
bjs!!
Andréa Gomes from São Paulo-BR
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:31 pm
well… I’m a fan of Slash for over 20 years,I was very anxious to see him again …you guys are amazing.
I will never forget that night. I caught your pick, my gift… I will keep with great care. Come back … many times as you want. You´re awesome!!!
bjs!!
Andréa Gomes from São Paulo-BR
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:45 pm
I admit I am a new Dammit fan since Sept 25th in Indianapolis, but I have done a good job of exploring everything about the whole band since then. I really love the making of Apocalyptic Love DVD. It shows the love you all have for music and how well you all mesh together. I have never really wanted to meet ‘rock stars’, but I would love to just be around the bunch of you. Best wishes in all that you do. I’ll be listening!
December 3rd, 2012 at 7:22 pm
I TOTALLY forgot to mention how much I loved your singing, in addition to your playing. I guess you already knew that…Thanks you Mr. Todd Dammit Kerns!!!
December 3rd, 2012 at 7:26 pm
I really love these blogs Todd, your enthusiasm and energy are contagious and you sound like such a cool and genuine guy. I discovered you through Slash, but over the last couple of years you’ve become one of my very favorite musicians. I particularly enjoy your stage antics …it’s like you become this spinning, hurtling, unstoppable force of ROCK…a musical Juggernaut, ha ha! I hope you never stop rocking (or writing blogs). Love and best wishes for your continued success from the Heartland!
December 3rd, 2012 at 7:44 pm
I think I’m gonna love your songs.
There’s so much more to each conspirator… Touring with Slash is great, but all that time away from what’s yours is too much IMHO. Not anybody’s fault, it’s just the enormity of what that kind of tour will always need to be. I think it’s important to make your own art priority, or go nuts. I know you know this
and with all the gravitational pull of Slash, you are getting your songs out – not an easy feat. He seems a good guy, and he understands all this. He just is going to still want to keep you too busy anyway 
, and that is a problem…
Music suffers these days, so many artists we can’t hear. You are one of the few who can put some real music of your own heart out at this time in your career. By doing this you encourage others.
I won’t tell you to relax, only because I know that causes you stress. You see, I understand these things. But you have to take care of that knee – you’re gonna have to put time into learning how to move on stage differently
It’s not that easy to change, but you will be so grateful.
December 4th, 2012 at 1:27 am
Glad your home having enjoyed the tour and as I wish I could see you with the sinners on the 14th ill be saving for after my graduation to fly over and see you. It will be a present to my self! Looking forward to your return here to the uk in February! Good luck with recording the album I’m so excited to add it to my collection! Take it easy, enjoy your birthday and the holiday season and we shall hear from you soon!!
December 4th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Thank you again for the wonderful music you bring to us and for the passion you put in it. It’s every time grateful to hear you singing and playing. Your music leads me through my life, makes me happy in bad times and grateful in good times. Stay as you are. I wish you a wonderful birthday tomorrow with the people you love.
December 4th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Your journey was our journey too. We all, who reading your blogs, looking for tour dates, listening to your music, and so on, well, we’ve been in your back pocket and saw everything what you saw through your words in the last 9 months.
Thanks for the special experience!
Hurry back to Europe,
take care and be (not too) good!
December 4th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
I just “discovered” you at Phoenix Slash & Co show! You are truely a gifted musician, vocalist, songwriter, etc etc. I feel your pain about end of tour. It’s hard to go full blast and be surrounded by people for so long, then all of a sudden, you are on your own, alone much more than you are used to. It’s normal to feel melancholy! After all, you are a fellow Sagitarious. Just think how great it will be to spend time with
your family!! Can’t wait for accoustic album and solo tour u will HAVE to do for it!!
December 5th, 2012 at 12:04 am
Dear Todd,
happy birthday to youfrom Germany with love.
I hope all your dreams for the next year of your life will come true. Health, joy, contentment, fun and of course rock’n roll.
Now after touring around the world the last nine month more and more people know your name and become fans. Also here in Germany you are not longer unknown. At Cologne I have seen some people wearing Dammit-shirts and TK-army-buttons just like me. And next time -I hope it will be soon- there will be many more I promise.
That you have played Revolution Televised with Ginger Wildheart was great and helped them very much to get closer to the audience. Also the crowd has loved you singing the Todd Dammit set.
Thank you for this amazing show.
Definitely the acoustic cd will be a blast. I am looking forward to it.
Stay as you are. Footgrounded, thankful, honest and full of joy.
And now a little advice, next time you get too close to juice of jalapenos put it on your tweaked back…there it can help much better…heath can be so healthy.
A big hug, yours Eva
December 5th, 2012 at 11:44 am
A soldier who is taken away from his battlefield is getting depressive because he probably builds up his whole identity on it. He has to recognize that he is a human first and then a soldier. This doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t follow his vocation to come true (because that`s why we are here) but it`s important that he focus his attention on his inside from time to time to discover his true identity.
I wish you that you will always be able to follow your vocation because music can show us the right way to ourselves .On top of this I wish you that your new project will be a great success all over the planet. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG HUMAN/ROCKST…oh sorry MUSICIAN!!!!!!!!
December 8th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
All the people before me have said so many nice things about you that I get ashamed of only saying that I love the way you write and I follow each and every post from you! Big fan, never got tired of saying that!
I do hope you check these comments, so you can see how much people love what you do!
Thank you for being such an adorable musician and a great human being!
You’ll always be remebered by me as “the most handsome and gifted bassist I’ve ever known’!
I wish you read and maybe answer these posts!
Love, Magda (from Rio de Janeiro)