LOL! Hello, all, this is my first attempt at a musing, somewhat similar to Muffit's style. I hope you may find it evocative, or relative....or perhaps just downright amusing....so here goes.
My band...and BSG.
Well, I was in a killer rock band a few years ago called "Hazer." We played all sorts of rock, from some 70's and 80's classics, to tunes that were so up to date, that many people who came to see our shows found themselves looking like deer in the headlights. "what was that they just played?"
Well, after some power plays by our bass player at that time, I was fired from the band. He wanted to be the lead singer all along...and did things to make sure that that happened.
So, for a couple of years that seemed like an eternity, I had played in a couple of other bands. As good as they were, I just wasn't making the money I was used to. Being off the road...I found myself missing the things I enjoyed the most: To go out, make music, meet people, see the country, and get paid while doing it.
I found myself living back in WV for a couple of years. I reformed a band I was in before, and it broke up two months later, because of some "felgercarb" that the drummer had engaged in. The other band I'd joined soon after was a killer band that played mostly originals. I enjoyed playing in that band, but the reality was, I just wasn't doing a lot of the other things I loved so dearly....and the money just wasn't there.
I kinda sorta sent up a distress signal to a friend who had been a friend of both Hazer, and a new band that had formed in its demise, like a Phoenix from the flames. She passed my signal on to House O' Hair. As it turned out, they were having trouble with their lead singer at the time, and they immediately asked if I would like the gig. I immediately said: "Yes! Let's do this!"
It was a long month as I turned in my one month notice to my band in WV. There would be several days that would go by that I did not hear from the band I was getting ready to rejoin. When they would call, it was like a tremendous weight had been lifted off my shoulders..and I got a renewed spirit again.
Then, the day finally came, and they came down to pick me up from WV. It was as if reality were starting to take baby steps reentering into my mind. The memory of hanging around these guys again (thank GOD they did not have the bass player from Hazer, the new guy is much cooler) was settling in. We even went and jammed at a bar in WV where the band I was leaving, played. Another memory set in...just how good these guys were.
So, we took off that night to go back to Michigan for a couple of days, then proceeding on to Minnesota. During my brief stay in Michigan, I got to do things that I'd not done in quite a while...like eat really good meals, see some old friends, jam yet again in a bar that I enjoyed playing in, see places that I used to marvel at as we passed. More reality had settled in, and I was feeling even better.
Then we went to Minnesota, and I met our bass player for the first time. The next day we started on a solid week and a half of practice. This band is good. More reality set in. We were getting ready much quicker than any of us had anticipated.
Then, we went out and played our first gig. We rocked. I turned out being much more of a frontman than my drummer and guitar player remembered. They were asking, "Who is this guy, and what has he done with Steve?" :laugh:
The full reality set in. We were a band again, and I was getting ready to do the things I loved. As we continue to tour, the reality never ceases to settle in.
Now, visit Battlestar Galactica. Here was a show that had captured my imagination as a kid. I was taken away to an epic war story across space every week. I was happy to have "Star Wars" on tv every week on Sunday at 7:00PM.
Then, after a year, the show went off the air. There were power hungry people who wanted to take over the show, and make it more to their vision, thus the weakened scriptwriting, and lower budgets, and overused stock footage special effects.
I got my fixes when and where I could, growing up. Reruns anytime I could catch them. I may not have had new episodes, but at least I was still being taken away to that epic war story across space.
Then Galactica 1980 comes out. At first, I was thrilled. The simulated Cylon attack looked pretty cool. When I saw a Cylon raider punch a hole atop a domed stadium, I thought WOW!
Alas, the show just wasn't what I remembered from Classic Galactica. The stories quickly lost my interest. As a result of a collective loss of interest, the show was mercifully cancelled. At least it went out with a bang: "The Return of Starbuck!" The best episode ever written for G80. "Not Cylon, Not Human! Brothers!" That line moved me almost to tears.
So, again, the void expanded. Occasionally I would be lucky enough to catch reruns, but my desire for new Galactica was insatiable.
Over the course of 25 years, I'd heard whispers and rumblings of a Galactica revival project. A few years ago, I even had the pleasure of meeting Herbert Jefferson, Jr, and Anne Lockhart. They were two of the coolest sci-fi personalities I had ever had the honor of meeting. I even got to escort Anne's kids to the pop machine while she continued to sign autographs. I remembered wishing Anne and Herbert both much success for their efforts in reviving Galactica.
Then I'd heard about Richard Hatch's personal efforts. I am saddened that I did not get to see the trailer he and his people created for the "Second Coming" movie. I was further saddened when I'd heard about supposed infighting between Mr. Hatch and Mr. Glen A. Larson. I didn't know how much stock to put into that. Alas, like sand in the wind, the project was nixed. I was saddened deeply.
I'd heard nothing about the DeSanto/Singer project until there was mention of a new version of Galactica being made for the Sci-fi channel. Over the course of a year, I had read many differing views, some of them downright hostile as Galactica fans seemed divided, almost on the brink of war. I feared for Galactica fandom, even stating my own views that I favored some aspects of the new show. I even got some nasty replies, despite my civility, even to the point that I had been accused of being a "clone" of someone else. Thus, the "Clone Wars" had been underway for sometime. I could not believe what was happening to my beloved Galactica. Fans were going to "flame war" over this icon. Many TOS fans I could understand, making their points placidly, and with great lucidity, like Muffit, Malkyte, Amberstar, BST, Dawg, Two-Brained Cylon, and others.
I read some stuff for myself about the new Galactica, to see if I could further understand the fervor and division about this new Galactica. I started developing some concerns about how the new show was starting to turn out. The best thing I could do for my own peace of mind though was to just wait and see what was going to happen.
As with my reuninon with my old band, the realities were gradually starting to settle in. I was going to see Galactica return to television. For the most part, I was happy. Now, I just had to weather the storm of bad blood that seemed to be tearing Galactica fandom apart at the seams. I even made efforts to try, along with several other people from both sides of the fence, to help peace efforts amidst the fandom. I'd like to think that our efforts were part of the healing process.
Then, I started writing "Dark Exodus" two months before the new Galactica was going to air. I wanted to get this story ready, to help satiate the desire of many loyal TOS fans to see a true Galactica continuation story. It was a long labor of love, starting in September of 2003, and finishing in February of 2004, just a couple of months after the new Galactica's airing.
But enough pimping of my story. The new Galactica had aired. I was blown away! I loved it! For me, and for many others, Battlestar Galactica was back. But I was also sad. For many of my friends that I had made in the various major Galactica boards, Galactica had not returned at all. An unclaimed bastard son had emerged from the darkness to claim rightful succession to the name Galactica. My heart was torn! Was the BSG fandom indeed in danger of dying a quick and dishonorable death? It seemed to be, for a time.
Thankfully, it was a very short time. Galactica fandom seems to be solidifying, regardless of where one stands on the Galactica fence. Peace seems to be breaking out in leaps and bounds. Fans of both sides seem to be genuinely reaching out.
Once again, Galactica is back for myself and many others. And now, there is greater news! It sounds like the classic Galactica may be seeing the light of day in a continuation effort. Now, there is Colonial Fan Force, by far the most active contingent for the resurrection of the original Galactica. Fans of both persuasions of Galactica are actively contributing to the cause.
Once more, the reality seems to be settling in. On the day that the classic continuation is made, I will rejoice. I will be twice as happy, for I will have two Galacticas.
This epic journey for the revival of Galactica is as strong for me as my epic reunion with my old band.
I hope both continue for a long time.
Well, thanks for your attention, and I hope that you find this worthy of some "Muffit-ry."
Respectfully to all, LONG LIVE BOTH GALACTICAS, and ALL GALACTICA FANS,
Martok2112
My first musing for the library...
