#modernlovers

[punkrockhistory]

Happy Birthday to Jonathan Michael Richman, songwriter, guitarist and founder of the influential proto-punk band Modern Lovers, born on this day in 1951, Natick, Massachusetts, US

Photo by Jeff Albertson

[getbackvassifer]

[urapunk2023]

The Modern Lovers: A Punk Paradox

The scene is set in Cambridge 1971, where a young Jonathan Richman seeks out film student Jerry Harrison to join The Modern Lovers. A city rich in tradition, wealth, and higher education is not exactly where you would think to find these so-called “punk pioneers.” However, Massachusetts suburbia is exactly what inspired Richman’s songwriting.

While the band was said to be born out of Boston, Richman grew up in Natick, Massachusetts, a suburb just outside of the city. Amidst the post-war affluence provided by government funds to American veterans, suburbs began expanding their populations in the 1950s. This socioeconomic shift translated to the increasing cultural desire among families like Richman’s to seek a sense of safety that domestic life seemed to promise. Meanwhile the shipping and manufacturing industries that also upheld Boston’s economy for decades began to collapse in the 1970s, and as families left, young creatives moved in. Richman often alludes to his suburban upbringing in his music, simultaneously idealizing and mocking the nationalist attitudes surrounding suburbia’s mundane nature.

“That shines down on Bolyston Street And I love the USA … We'll share a modern love Under suburban rain. And me in love with the USA now. And me in love with the modern world now … Well, out on route nine Well, it's bleak and nearly dying … With me in love with the USA now”

Richman looked to escape to the city as often as he could with nothing but the local radio and a $10 guitar at home tying him to an emerging punk subculture. Richman was later drawn to clubs like The Boston Tea Party at the age of 16, where he first witnessed Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground. Obsessed with their sound, Richman eventually moved to Manhattan for 10 months to follow Warhol the band until he found his way back to Boston to start his own.  Noted as his greatest inspiration for The Modern Lovers, Richman even admits to copying The Velvet Underground along with other proto-punk and classic rock bands such as The Stooges, The Rolling Stones, and The Who.

In 1971, Richman had formed The Modern Lovers with Jerry Harrison on keys, Ernie Brooks on bass and David Robinson on drums. Inspired by the work of Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, Richman was said to have a produced a new philosophy of music for his bandmates, dependent on being confrontational with the audience and creating a sound based on the feeling they put into their music, rather than technique: “I knew I couldn't sing or play like the other guys but I didn't want to. I figured I had feeling and that was enough. I knew I was honest” (Maloney 2017).

Richman had a revolving door of members join him in The Modern Lovers as his sound and performance style evolved. Former keyboard player Jerry Harrison notes that despite his initial obsession with The Velvet Underground, Richman had a distaste for the dark energy that a lot of proto-punk bands radiated. Richman sympathized with the anti-war movement and the Cambridge Mayor’s war on hippies and began drifting from the original proto-punk sound of harsh guitars and punchy drums to softer rock.

By 1974, The Modern Lovers as known with Richman, Jerry Harrison, Ernie Brooks, and David Robinson had broken up. John Cale would later release their original demo collection in 1976 as a debut album after Richman already revived the band with all new members. The “Roadrunner” demo became revered within the punk scene, covered by icons like Joan Jett and the Sex Pistols.

The hit contained the combined inspiration of proto-punk sound and simple joys found in his monotonous suburban upbringing. The two-chord, upbeat, minimalist piece acts as an ode to driving through Massachusetts as both an appreciation and an escape. Richman’s balance between his two worlds of proto-punk influences with promotions of peaceful lightness creates a paradox – despite The Modern Lovers’ renowned influence on the punk subculture, their front man never fully encapsulates the rebellious or often ugly nature of the scene that musicians such as Iggy Pop or Darby Crash embodied. Their keyboard and bass players graduated from Harvard. Richman wrote a song about being anti-drug in the peak age of psychedelics (“I’m Straight”). Their lyrics while liberating were never crude. It seems the only essence of “live fast, die young” resides in the band’s revolving door of members, most only lasting a few years.  

The Modern Lovers’ punk image was cultivated out of an almost evolving pureness from Jonathan Richman. He follows the punk ethos of protest lyricism, unique sound stemming from a lack of instrumental technique, punk inspirations and a desire to escape conservative suburbia. Yet as he becomes older, he begins to deny the darkness he associated with acts like The Velvet Underground. This paradox is what sets them apart from their punk counterparts. While the original band was short-lived, this contrast set The Modern Lovers up for a long-lasting legacy. 

[labgrown-diamond-ring]

Oval engagement ring with hidden halo 💍 https://www.etsy.com/shop/PureStarDiamonds?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=48330517

The Allure of Oval Engagement Rings with Hidden Halos 💍

When it comes to selecting the perfect engagement ring, the options can seem endless. If you're searching for a blend of timeless beauty and modern sophistication, an oval engagement ring with a hidden halo might just be the ideal choice. Let's explore what makes this design so special and why it could be the perfect symbol of your everlasting love.

The Elegance of Oval Engagement Rings

Oval engagement rings have a distinct charm that sets them apart. The elongated shape of the oval cut not only enhances the finger's appearance, making it look longer and slimmer, but it also offers a larger surface area. This means that an oval diamond often appears bigger than a round diamond of the same carat weight, providing more brilliance and sparkle.

The Secret Sparkle of the Hidden Halo

A hidden halo is a subtle yet impactful design feature. Small diamonds are set beneath the main stone, just visible from the side. This addition enhances the overall brilliance and adds a layer of intricate detail that makes the ring even more captivating. The hidden halo is like a little secret, adding an element of surprise and luxury to the ring.

Combining Classic and Contemporary

An oval engagement ring with a hidden halo offers a perfect blend of classic and contemporary design elements. The oval cut brings a timeless elegance, while the hidden halo adds a modern twist. This combination results in a sophisticated and unique piece that stands out without being overly flashy.

Customization for Personal Touch

One of the great advantages of this design is its versatility. An oval engagement ring with a hidden halo can be customized to reflect your personal style. You can choose from various metals such as white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum. Additionally, you can select different settings for the hidden halo to add a personal and unique touch to your ring.

Symbolizing Your Unique Love

An engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewelry; it's a symbol of love, commitment, and a shared future. An oval engagement ring with a hidden halo beautifully represents a love that is both timeless and unique. It's a perfect symbol of a bond that is elegant on the outside and deeply intricate on the inside.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an engagement ring is a significant decision, and finding one that resonates with your personal story and style is essential. An oval engagement ring with a hidden halo offers a blend of classic beauty and modern sophistication, making it an excellent choice for today’s bride-to-be. This exquisite design promises to captivate and be cherished for a lifetime, much like the love it symbolizes.

If you're considering an engagement ring that combines elegance, uniqueness, and a touch of modern flair, explore the enchanting world of oval engagement rings with hidden halos. You may find that this stunning design is the perfect reflection of your love story.

Feel free to share your thoughts or ask any questions about oval engagement rings with hidden halos in the comments. We'd love to hear your engagement ring stories and inspirations!

[jimmy-the-neck]

new hair :)

[trevlad-sounds]

The Meld Well 001

My new mix show is available for your listening pleasure on Eternal Fusion Radio

[mjj-nostalgia]

Thank you to @chrissymjstan for the tag!!

RULES: When you get this you have to put 5 songs you actually listen to, then tag 10 people!!

1. Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson (this is my favorite MJ song, I will never tire of it and I will always jam out to it LOL)

2. Follow You - modernlove.

3. thoughts i have lying in bed - The Maine

4. NY to LA - The Hunna (this band is incredible)

5. Eyes Closed - Bearings (this band is also incredible lol)

Tagging (no pressure at all because I don't wanna bother y'all LOL): @jacksonista @jhericurldrippin @youarenotalone-michael @lovesyousave @babybemine @mjsloveslave

[luludog3-blog]

Just a heads up to anyone thinking of getting prime video to watch THE HOUR, UTOPIA or MODERN LOVE.....be careful. These shows actually belong to subsidiaries: you don't get them free with your subscription 😡 you have to pay EXTRA to get them or subscribe to mgm or paramount or something 🤷‍♀️. 🖕🖕🖕that. Talk about a damn rip-off.

As GREAT as each of these shows are, I'm not paying a monthly subscription to NOT be able to access them. 🖕🖕🖕prime AND amazon.

[cacauscorpioni]

#ModernLove https://www.instagram.com/p/CpaclrWuhLN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lolgen792]

Modern Love, V-Day & waiting for my turn

[eric-sadahire]

And then the male liked all the females' posts, in this way he shows his interest in mating.

[ramimalekbrasil]

Esses sim, são mitos!!! 🤩🤩🤩 Rami Malek para a @voguemanarabia - outubro de 2022 e Lucy Boynton para a @ellecanada - novembro de 2022 - . #RamiMalek #LucyBoynton #amsterdam #Openheimer #elliotalderson #Mrrobot #Bohemianrhapsody #Notimetodie #safin #jimbaxter #Needforspeed #borhap #Lyutsifersafin #Thepacific #Thelittlelhings #Theipcressfile #Chevalier #Whydidnttheyaskevans #Thrpolitician #modernlove https://www.instagram.com/p/Cki4yFRspPt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[shoujoofthenight]

Dear Signal

"Love", what a nuisance. [Love Allergy] a.k.a. Lovesickness Symptoms: Heart-shaped rashes appearing on the body, dizziness, heart palpitations Cause: A reaction to feelings of love Treatment: ... ??? After his heart skips a beat at the sight of his childhood friend, Haname's smile, Arashi somehow awakens in a hospital bed...!? His body is covered in countless heart-shaped rashes. In order to suppress the effects of the allergic reaction caused by feelings of love (a.k.a. Lovesickness), he was prescribed heart-shaped pills to control his love. Since that day, "love" was stolen from him... He can kiss and have sex, but he doesn't know how to love...!? Pay attention to the heart-shaped rashes! Childhood friends restrained from love by a love allergy -- this is their heart-patterned, pure love-sick love! Includes the backstory of the pair's assigned doctor, Miyoshi-sensei.

Dizzy rating: 💫💫💫💫 4/5

[elle-lewis]

Choosing the perfect jeans

I love a pair of Levi’s or Wranglers or Raw Japanese denim. High quality and thick. I love the way they reflect our culture and the longevity in which they last.Beaten up, stained and faded,they still last.I buy my boyfriend’s jeans.I pick out styles for him,and I make him try every shade.He tries them on and shows me them one by one as if my opinion is more important than the mirror’s.I judge…

[jenforjustice]

Modern Love: Mastering the Art of Dating in the Digital Age

In the age of digital connectivity, dating has evolved significantly. The advent of dating apps, social media, and changing societal norms has transformed how people meet, interact, and form relationships. Navigating this complex landscape can be daunting, but with the right approach, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Here are some essential tips to help you succeed in the modern dating…

[bip-olar]