Page 53 - Black Velvet Issue 88

BV88 pg53 column_BV88 pg53 03/04/2016 18:54 Page 1

BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 53

A (Musical) Note From...

ACEY SLADE

oe Strummer said, ‘The Future is Un- pride, having visas from places spanning five is unwritten. And all we have is this moment.
Jwritten’. It’s one of my favourite quotes. continents. Each stamp a show, a party, lover I’ve been asked a few times if I’ve thought
Someday I want to make a Joe Strummer or broken heart. Always a memory though! about writing a book. Admittedly I’ve lived a lot.
quote book or quote-a-day calendar. Another Over the years the visas and stamps pile up Shit, in a five year span I was in a Rock And
idea that will have to wait till I’m semi-retired, and start to make the little book look less Roll Hall Of Fame inducted band, and gradu-
living on an island in Asia or something. But for charming and more a reflection of a small ated both cosmetology school, became a
now, I’m busy doing and saying things that cramped world. Amazing how small you can Teacher’s Instructor at one of New York City’s
maybe will inspire someone to write a book make your world with an identity that gives you best photography schools and found out that I
about me, or quotes of mine. The Joe Strum- the keys to the world. The caged bird does had a sister two years my senior living in Ger-
mer quote came to mind today as I opened my sing. With each new destination and terminal, many that I never even knew existed! That’s
passport to check that I have enough pages a little more worn. The ink all blending together just the past five years! Yet, somehow I still feel
left for visas and that it hasn’t expired before to make illegible lines like a broken map where like I’m in the middle of writing this story. To do
my visit to the UK on my next tour! It’s a newer all the roads lead back to the same place. an autobiography would, to me, seem like I
one, but still, better safe then sorry. I have had Like a once great tattoo that stayed in the sun was putting a cap on life and retiring or some-
the unpleasant experience of having to expe- too long. You don’t regret that you got it, you thing. That being said, I have seen and done
dite official documents with the US embassy, maybe just wish that you had thought it some pretty crazy shit. If you wanna hear the
and it’s not fun! Anyway, I’m sad to see the old through a bit more and maybe didn’t let it get good stories make sure you come out to my
one go. But it’s leaving ended up being an un- infected. So now it’s scared and faded and the tour this April. I’ll play stuff from Dope, Murder-
expected gift. The real gift was the joy of clo- ink’s bled. It has had its glorious moments of dolls, Trashlight Vision, Joan Jett and the
sure to so many parts of my life. What prideful display, but now just reminds you of Blackhearts and my latest album, and tell
freedom to look at new blank pages! What re- what you used to be. For better or worse. some anecdotes between songs. I swear, you
lief to compare the photo from 10 years ago to There are times I have let myself be defined WILL sing at the top of your lungs and laugh
the new one and see that I’ve held up pretty by just a band name. That’s letting yourself be out loud. It isn’t lost on me that without you,
good, haha... I remember when I got my first defined by as little as four letters. Looking these stories wouldn’t exist; thank you!
passport. I was on tour with Dope and I had to back, I never want to be described by just one Acey Slade
pick it up at the Passport agency in Seattle be- word, let alone a four letter word! Now, I have
fore we headed into Vancouver, Canada. I re- 28 blank pages to paint, scream, cry, laugh, Visit www.facebook.com/aceyslademusic
member thinking I was in heaven when I love or hurt with. I hope this one is filled a little for more info and catch Acey in the UK in April.
walked out of the office. There were, literally, slower and with more care. With richer memo-
four Starbucks there - one on EVERY corner! ries that are worthy of my time and attention. I Photo By Kevin Wilson
No lie! Why you need four Starbucks on each hope that I am present enough to watch the
corner, I have no idea but, God hail the God of customs official’s arm come down in slow mo- In a band? Want to write a one-off col-
Java… I’m actually drinking coffee as I type tion and let the thud of the stamper sustain in umn for Black Velvet? Get in touch. Email
this… at 1:00am on a Sunday night. my ears forever. To be present for each mo- editor@blackvelvetmagazine.com.
I have always carried my passport with ment as it happens because after all, the future

ACEY SLADE