This photo was taken by Tracy Kennedy during our last gig at Tone House Music. I like to take the liberty of photoshopping pics other people take. In this one I am playing my Airline H44 DLX that I’ve dubbed the “Little Red Machine” made by Eastwood Guitars. It’s a replica of a 1954 Harmony only with 2 mini humbuckers. It is a fantastic guitar for a cigar box guitarist. The small body is about the size of most of my cbg’s and the fat neck is perfect for slide.
Archives
All posts for the month August, 2012
Been trying to teach myself claw hammer banjo lately. I play this old Kay from that was made in the 60’s. The other day I wanted to do some art or put a cool qoute on the head like Pete Seegers “This Machine Surrounds Hate and Forces it to Surrender”. So decided to draw my version of the Gadsden Flag, with 13 stars for the first colonies that became states.
A little history, the source of the flag itself is unknown, but is believed to have been modeled from a satirical cartoon that Ben Franklin drew calling on unity of the original 8 colonies during the French and Indian war. He drew a snake cut into 8 pieces, from a superstition of the time that if you cut a snake into pieces but put them together before midnight, it would become whole again.
It later became the symbol of independence from the crown. Ben Franklin once wrote that he felt that the rattle snake was a better symbol for America. Being that it is indigenous only to this part of the world. It has keen eyes, representing vigilance. It will only strike an enemy in defense, which is why you should be careful not to tread on one. Franklin thought that the eagle was not the best choice to symbolize America. That it was a bird of “bad moral character”. I am sure it was Christian influence that swayed the new America from the snake to eagle in symbol. The eagle representing God and the serpent the devil in biblical imagery.
To me the Gadsden snake represents my anarchist roots in political leanings. Not trusting in either democrat or republican agendas, and remaining vigilant against a government who, even with good intentions, can oppress with policies.
On Saturday Aug. 11th 7 Hills Stomp will be playing live at Tone House Music in Northside, Cincinnati, Ohio as a part of “2nd Saturday” when folks come out and support local business. Tone House Music is the local music shop with strings, picks, used instruments and gear. Come out and check out the shop, say Hi to Tim the owner and listen to some primal punk blues!