Music therapy

Joe Zippo Throws a Party

by Bill Brenner October 17, 2010 Music therapy

Some thoughts on the benefit show last night for Joe Zippo… Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbr2PxWUMLM&fs=1&hl=en_US] The best part of the night was meeting Joe’s parents. It was an honor, really. You can really see Joe’s personality and heart in them. It was great to see so many old friends. I saw Christian Campagna for the first time since we worked at Rockit Records. We’ve kept in touch through Facebook, but it’s not the same as seeing…  [Read More]

Rock It For Joe Zippo

by Bill Brenner October 15, 2010 Gratitude

Rarely do I use this blog for an announcement like this, but Joe Zippo was a special guy and he’s worth the exception. Tomorrow is the Joe (Kelley) Zippo Memorial Show in Salem, Mass. I usually avoid Salem this time of year because of all the touristy Halloween mania. But for him I’m going in. So should you. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpMt_YqVbhw&fs=1&hl=en_US] All of the show’s proceeds will go towards Joe’s headstone and plot. Details: Time Saturday,…  [Read More]

The Devil’s Music

by Bill Brenner September 29, 2010 Faith

Some readers suggest my Faith and love of heavy metal music are an odd combination. Some of the rock crowd think my religious beliefs are at odds with the spirit of metal culture. Some of my church friends think metal is the devil’s music. You’re both wrong. Mood music: You’ve heard my story. Faith has been central to my recovery from OCD and addiction. Metal was there for me as a confused, tormented kid, wringing…  [Read More]

Sept. 11, 2001

by Bill Brenner September 10, 2010 Depression

Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on Sept. 11, 2001. Here’s my own account. Mood music: I was assistant New Hampshire editor at The Eagle-Tribune and I arrived in the newsroom at 4:30 a.m. as usual. I was already in a depressed mood. It wasn’t a sense of dread over something bad about to happen. It was simply my state of mind at the time. I wasn’t liking myself and was…  [Read More]

The Mood Swings Low

by Bill Brenner September 8, 2010 Depression

For reasons not immediately clear to me, I’m in the midst of a mood swing. The day started off well enough, so as a little exercise I’m going to bang on this keyboard and see if I can figure out what’s what. Mood music: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYUm5T8uQIY&fs=1&hl=en_US] I woke up at 4 a.m. tired but happy. I was out late last night at one of the planning meetings for a weekend Catholic retreat I’m on team for…  [Read More]

The Ballad of Joe Zippo

by Bill Brenner August 20, 2010 Gratitude

Back at Salem State College there was a friend I would smoke cigarettes with outside the commuter cafeteria. We’d talk about everything from politics to Nirvana, his favorite band at the time. This was back when Kurt Cobain was still alive. He eventually picked up a guitar and teamed up with my friend and fellow journalist Greg Walsh, forming the band Zippo Raid. Mood music: I lost touch with him after college, but I’m thinking…  [Read More]

God and Metal

by Bill Brenner August 7, 2010 Coping tools

Those who read this blog know two things by now: I’m a devout Catholic, and I have a passion for Metal music. Both have played a central role in my recovery from OCD and addiction. But the spiritual part has been getting the shaft lately. I’ve been leaning hard on the metal lately. Earlier I spent two hours burning the most searing music in my iTunes library onto discs for tomorrow’s 12-hour trip south. I’m…  [Read More]

Get Up and Live: A Playlist

by Bill Brenner July 24, 2010 Coping tools

Treat this post as a media player. The playlist is made up of songs that to me are about seizing life by the throat. Enjoy. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJDDxHIaaVk&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFG820EwvUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn8vzTsnPps&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVXIK1xCRpY&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdTiZB0wjs0&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WkJ-ZB–G0&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7eRiAnZt24&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6_C4rV7x-Y&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhfRUYUkq_0&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2dI_a3GpS0&hl=en_US&fs=1]

Songs to Knock You Back on Your Feet

by Bill Brenner July 17, 2010 Coping tools

When life seems overbearing and unmanageable, the following songs help me regain my footing. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDRopoYh144&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErvgV4P6Fzc&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7eRiAnZt24&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFG820EwvUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVXIK1xCRpY&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rer-B4g6TPc&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka_sHy9cVH0&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks8xhbNQw4g&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByR0wVIYkU&hl=en_US&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIP1okixlfE&hl=en_US&fs=1]

Coping With Tired: Tools of a Reformed Addict and OCD Case

by Bill Brenner July 13, 2010 Coping tools

Several writings about how the author copes with exhaustion. Mood music for this post: “I’m So Tired,” from The Beatles White Album: Someone who saw my “songs to play when tired” post asked what I do about being tied besides music and coffee. People with addictions and mental disorders are often tired — even when in recovery. These writings cover how I keep exhaustion at bay: Rest Re-defined The author finds that he gets the…  [Read More]

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