My ADD or A Love of WW2 Games

 

I spent a good portion of my nite/morning, watching highlights of the up and coming Brothers In Arms: Highway To Hell video game from Gearbox Software.

A singing endorsement maybe but the fact is my admiration of this part of history comes form a long standing love of stories from that time from my grandfather who served in the 28th Armored Brigade, part of the 4th Armored Division in WW2.

Mike “PAPA” Kirby as we called him would tell us only short stories of the shit he went through during his service in Europe and in England. Only little glimpses of what he could actually tell. Fascinating & equally terrifying, it created a desire in me to learn more throughout my childhood and even more so when he passed away, to learn more about what he did. 

This in turn lead my already huge love of video games to turn into a love of WW2 based games, Call of Duty, Brothers In Arms etc and an avid re-watcher of A Bridge To Far and Band of Brothers.

So what the hell does this have to do with ADD…

Well, part of this downtime I’m in while at home, part of being back means I have to write, I just HAVE to, this is the only time I feel like I can, in between work and seeing friends and living a normal life. But what the hell can I contribute by writing, what do I say, what do i have to share when someone like PAPA, reagardless of your perspective on war, seems to have done so much more in his service during WW2 then I feel like I could do in a lifetime?

So, when I feel like writting and then as usual get stuck in a thought, I turn to my video games, my distractions that for the most part put me in the mindset of, though I may have not done much, I can at least see what it is I DID NOT have to do in my lifetime. 

Now there are always wars to fight. But I think what I’m aiming for here is that regardless of how insignificant I think my life may be at times, or we as people think at times, we have all made a decision to do what it is we do. regardless of historical impact.

I don’t ever mean to downgrade PAPAs choices to become a soldier. As he told me that, all of his friends were going, everyone was a part of it. And when I look at my own life, all of my good friends are doing music, all of my friends want to be a part of it. And conversally, my cousin Jeff, who currently is serving with the Canadian Armed Forces could probably say the same thing. 

Now its not to say we dont have free will and we only do what are friends want or do. But that based on our surroundings, we do what we think is best for us. And best for what we think we can contribute to this world.

I found that on tour this last time I lost any and all belief in some sort of God or supernatural being. Luck is the only thing I think contributes. A chance, circumstance. I’ll save you the reasons why I think religion is all a farce because these are my own beliefs and as a human I have them, but the fact remains, we will all do things we believe to be true and believe we can have an impact on. 

I play WW2 video games because I believe that these individuals, at that time, knew only that being a part of a war so international, was the only way to help. They believed so strongly in what they fought for that it could only be the RIGHT thing they were doing. 

Regardless of torment and efects after, they did it because a pation in them stemmed so deep from there surroundings they knew they had to. 

And this is why I do what I do. As much as I question its validity and purpose or lack of effect. I love expression thorgh music and making a change through music. So I will forever be this. 

Papa never got to watch me play. I always thought he wouldnt be able to bear it as I was in a rock band then. But he always wanted to. He never thought less of what I might be contributing, as he did during his youth. All I think we ever wanted was to make some impact on this world.

I hope, at some point when I get past whatever it is this self doubt is doing I can do something as significant as he did during the war. I hope its not in vain. And I hope its for the right reasons.

I’m gonna go play Brothers In Arms now.

Cheers

Kirby

The Disappearance / Reappearance of Me or How to Kill Your Liver in 6 Weeks

Me and The Boys of Blind Mule

 

 

 

So Where Have I Been?

 

 

Well if you checked out Kirbysings.com this summer you would have noticed the poster for the Blind Mule Kirby Tour. 6 weeks across Canada. 6 Weeks in a tiny MPV Mazda MiniVan with 7 people. Cramped quarters, yes, but also a lesson in fun and awesome. 

 

My original plan, when this tour came about, was to have this killer stage performance with a video screen and some other fun, coupled with some bitchin props. Alas, 7 people in a tiny van doesn’t leave much room for anything, let alone props.

 

In the end I left from Blind Mules home base in Hamilton on a sweltering July afternoon with a bag, guitar and some merch. Off on the road we go.

 

I learned so much about myself on this past tour and without getting into too much blah blah blah, I can honestly say my perspectives and assumptions on life and people have changed. I felt so young on this tour, in mind and body.  I spent my 26^th birthday at an amazing festival called ArtsWells ( http://artswells.com) that help contribute to a lifestyle I am apparently now living. The touring Musician. I’ve let go or at least tried in ernest to let go of the apprehension surrounding what it is I want from life, tried to feel less timid. Though thoughts like that always persist. Being around this positive energy at that festival was something unknown to me before and frankly never knew exsisted. Some called it magic that weekend, but whatever it was, I’m now changed because of it.

 

I met too many amazing artists to name though I do encourage you to check out:

 

Corwin Fox: http://www.myspace.com/corwinfox

The Gruff: http://www.myspace.com/thegruffband

James Lamb: http:// www.myspace.com/jameslamb

Miss Emily Brown: http://www.myspace.com/missemilybrown

Don Alder: http://www.myspace.com/donalder

Wax Mannequin : http:// www.myspace.com/waxmannequin

Now, as for the lack of communication while on the road.  I made a decision about a week into the tour that I would try as little as possible to contact anyone, or let anyone know exactly what I was up to. A chance for some self discovery, self reflection…mostly just SELF stuff. Self-ish… a little. But I cant remember a time when I’ve ever had a chance to do that.

There are tons of pictures from tour, though I only have a few and more stories from many a sorted nite drinking too much booze, swimming at 2am and sleeping on trailers in stead of in the van. More stories and more will come in future posts.

Good to be home.

JUNE 28th Show CANCELLED…..

Hey guys,

I’ve had to back out of the June 28th show in Toronto. 

My uncle Tad, one of the greatest people I’ve even known passed away recently from Leukemia. 

I met Tad for the first time many moons ago at, from what I can remember was a family Christmas or Thanks Giving at my Aunt Linda’s. Being new to the family, Tad showed us kids(6 of us) some hokey magic tricks and introduced us to a game called “Barn Yard Snap”, a game for which he will, at least in my eyes always be remembered for. 

I never really got to know the full story of his life though I knew he gave our family a great change, one that can’t be specifically explained but one that was felt by all of us.

I will miss him terribly.

If you feel so inclined a donation can be made to support Cancer Research Here.

Thanks to all of you for your condolences and support.

I will see all of you in Toronto on July 15th at The Boat for the Kirby and Blind Mule West Coast Tour Kick Off.

Cheers

Kirby

 

The last day on the Road…

We we’re back in Sudbury for our final road show of the tour. 

Ashleys back has gone into a spasam so shes napping and applying A535 LIBERALLY. 

I’m sitting here at The Townehouse for the second day after another long ass drive in from Thunder Bay. Our show at Arcadia was unknowingly cancelled so we headed the 3 extra hours down to Nickletown and we’re lucky enough to crash here for an extra nite.

Walked around Sudbury today, grabbed some strings and have mostly been hanging out in the bar.  All my friends thought tour was going to be this crazy non-stop party, but all its been is playing and driving.

Granted we’ve had some awesome nites with some killer people. But the fact remains that the road is work, and for the most part, unappreciated work. Sure theres a few people who get into you, and yes EVERYONE at EVERY venue we have played has been beyond awesome. But your first time out, for me anyway, has been a lesson in what this life is really like. 

I’m stoked I have almost completed my first jaunt into a life I have wanted to experience since I was 16. I’m excited to be heading home to do the C&B Records stage, a stage that has only been possible because the crew at C&B are amazing. But I know that if I am to make anything of this music career, I will be back out here on the road for a long time.

I love it, but I’m delirious most of the time, tired and cant seem to let go of this apprehension of “Do people even like this shit?” 

Hope everyones doing well. See you guys in Burlington tomorrow.

Kirby

Saskatoon to Thunder Bay Caffeine Caffeine All The Way!!!

Sitting here in one of the many Thunder Bay Starbucks Coffee Houses… exhausted from our 14hr+ drive from Toon town back to good ol’Ontario. 

Lydia’s Rocked in Saskatoon, again solid cats at the venue and hands down the most interesting band room ever… they had an orgy room… enough said.

Just gearing up for our show tonite at Black Pirates Pub in Thunder Bay, Sloggs and I are heading over to the radio station to do a quick in studio interview then off to the venue…man my eyes are sore.

 

Cheers

 

Kirby