Heavy Metal Sunday goes back to the beginning!

How do you define the start of a musical genre? Who was the first glam artist, or New Wave band? Since styles and trends in rock seem to evolve out of older styles it's difficult to see the moment when one thing becomes another. Such is the case with heavy metal. While any number of bands were experimenting with the new power of their amplifiers by giving the bass guitar more lead work and freeing up the guitarist for exploratory solos, that went in a dozen different directions.

So, who was the first heavy metal act? There are dozens of contenders, but one strong one is Blue Cheer. Blue Cheer came out of the same San Francisco music scene that produced the Haight-Ashbury sound, but they played a harder, more driven style of music. Their songs were also miles from the message being given out by the hippie bands! Blue Cheer lasted through the early seventies before breaking up, but has reformed twice and is currently touring with two of the original three members.

Turn the way back machine to 1967, and enjoy Blue Cheer covering Summertime Blues in what might be the first televised metal performance.

Oh, for a spy camera right now.

The Ongoing Domestic Disturbance next door is moving out (and fairly quickly, they've only been here a few months) and I'm hearing various bangs and thuds as they take things out. Just heard this through the wall.

bang!

bang!

bang!

'Oh, no..."

bang! bang! bang!

"FUCK!"

Wish I knew what was happening.

Final tune up and season prediction.

San Francisco Giants: 3
Los Angeles Dodgers: 1

The regular season is underway as I type this, with Atlanta leading the Philies 2-0 in the 1st inning.

So, how do the Giants look? It's going to be interesting.

If Randy Johnson and Barry Zito have .500 seasons, and the other pitchers get some run support, we should have the strongest rotation in the majors. Tim Lincecum is showing the form that won him the NL Cy Young already, Matt Cain looks good, and Jonathon Sanchez seems ready to prove that he's a legitimate threat. Our bullpen is a lot a stronger than last year's, and Brian Wilson is settling into the closer role nicely.

Around the infield, we have a lot of question marks. Travis Ishikawa is starting at first, with Emmanuel Burriss at second and Pablo Sandoval at third. Edgar Renteria replaces Omar Vizquel at shortstop. This is a very young infield. Good bats, good speed, but defense is going to be interesting.

Our outfield is a bit more established. Fred Lewis patrolling left, Aaron Rowand in center, and Randy Winn in right. We have good depth in the outfield.

A big question mark is at catcher. Bengie Molina is our starter, but we're not carrying a back-up on the 25-man roster. If Molina goes down or needs a break, Sandoval moves from third to the dish. This would put Juan Uribe at third. I expect that before the All-Star break we'll demote a bullpen pitcher and bring up a second catcher.

I really think this year the Giants are going to have, at least, a winning season. We might even take the division. We have the pitching, we just need to start manufacturing runs.

GO GIANTS!

Attention Lenore, Kylie, and Regan:

This is what I expect from y'all.

Watch on YouTube

It's the giggle at the end.