… a blog post from Chairman’s Corner.

Hey there music lovers. This week, we’re going to focus our attention on a couple of music’s greatest assets: the inspiration that it provides, along with the healing power that we’ve all felt while listening to our favorite artists and tunes.

A couple of weeks ago, I went out to see a band that has been a huge inspiration on me for a very long time now: hard rock veterans Living Colour. I was even fortunate enough to briefly meet (and take the above picture with) their legendary guitarist/band leader Vernon Reid (one of my all-time rock’n’roll heroes). LC’s timeless smash hit “Cult of Personality”, which currently has 85 million views on YouTube, has now been heard by various generations (with help from both the Guitar Hero video game series & pro wrestler CM Punk, who uses it for his theme song). Not only has the song’s message remained relevant, but it has (in my view) been proven to be more and more accurate over time. The song discusses a dangerous dynamic: the way in which many leaders use propaganda and charisma to manipulate their followers into seeing them as infallible. It’s a message that just about all of us can relate to. Watching the band rip through this blistering 80’s tune was not only a beautiful blast from the past. Considering the chaos of current news cycles, seeing LC play this song (which ultimately denounces unquestioning worship) in 2025 was…downright therapeutic. Of course, it’s rather ironic that “Cult of Personality” happens to be the song that made Living Colour famous (and that irony is not lost on the band).

Watching bands perform is uplifting for most of us – whether it be a beloved band that’s been around for a long time (such as Living Colour), or a band that’s playing its very first show. Personally, I become even more excited and inspired when the band I’m watching is able to convey messages that are pertinent in today’s insane world. I admire all of the folks who have the courage to put themselves out there in front of an audience – let alone the bravery it takes to be outspoken while doing so!

When times are tough, music helps us to SURVIVE. Creating music helps us to take our inner emotions (positive and/or negative) and express them. When we create music (or other forms of art), we practice reflection and develop a sense of community. A really great piece of music or art can make you feel like you’ve seen the world in a whole new way.

Here at Spinney Media, we encourage all of you to keep creating and inspiring. And we love you for it.

Cheers,

Jeffrey “Chairman” Couch

Music lover, creator & collector

chairman@spinneymedia.com

Chairman currently enjoys freaking out & creating panic with his spastic rock band Nasalrod, which is based in Portland, Oregon. He created this blog to share his serious love of music, the arts, and physical media.