I’ve been listening to this song by RUFFIAN DICK called “Cemetery Nights”; on repeat. I had no idea they actually sounded like a 1980’s era glam rock band mixed with a 1970’s era glam rock band.
The amazing thing is listening to the song and watching the video makes me feel very emotional. Obviously, I am not going anywhere near Boston anytime soon but I can imagine that when RUFFIAN DICK plays live that it is a super-cool experience.
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for honest Glam Rock.
I think what I’m trying to say is I love music that makes me feel something. This band RUFFIAN DICK makes me feel something.
I have no idea who’s playing the instruments but they’re making one hell of a great rock and roll song.
But this kid Aaron, who is the singer, he’s sort of One of a Kind these days. I’ve known him since he was maybe 16 years old. I think I first met him in 1995. That’s 31 years ago.
I try not to think about who I would be if I didn’t lose 28 years of my life to family secrets and lies, so when I watch this video I can imagine Maybe who I would have been if I was free all those years.
I’m glad I escaped with my life when I left the United States; but it’s hard. Too many people did not understand so they thought I was crazy; but they are wicked stupid. So fuck them! Truth be told, this has been more difficult than any words could express. So I choose love and try to do good things and that makes every day of my life a little bit better. It has been 8 years since I ran away, so I could have a chance. I never felt like I had a choice and I would never feel safe returning; but if I did go back; I would want to see RUFFIAN DICK play a gig.
There was this guy I knew from Jamaica Plain whose name was Joe something and he was a high school teacher and an old school punk rocker. He once said to me something like, and I’m paraphrasing him here; people come and go or people change but a good punk rock record will always be a good punk rock record.
He is correct and he is wise and I speak of him in this blog because this song by RUFFIAN DICK, ‘Cemetery Nights’ will always be a good song. It is important to acknowledge the truth when it is staring you in the face.
Thanks to Aaron and RUFFIAN DICK and all those kids back in the mid-90’s who contributed to making the Boston Punk scene as unique, messy, wild, and ultimately, as special as it always has been.
Mail-order ‘Punks in Recovery’ Anthology Storybooks here.
Craig Lewis
Crusty Craig “Gregorio” Lewis is a longtime contributor to IDIOTEQ. Gregorio is a punk rocker from the United States, living in México, and after traveling to forty countries around the world giving talks and workshops on how he has Survived the Impossible, both professionally and for the Punx, he has been living in his mountain pueblo for more than six years. Contact Gregorio directly at [email protected] and check out his numerous published books, at Sanity is a Full-Time Job at sanityisafulltimejob.org
