Duff McKagan: You Can't Fall From the Floor
I woke up on the bus last Friday morning after a great night of well-deserved sleep. The previous night in Wantaugh, Long Island marked the end of an eight-in-a-row run that took Loaded from Detroit and weaved us through to the Northeast. Often, it's the THINGS and PEOPLE I see on the road that make for much more interesting stories than the common backstage view.
Duff McKagan's column runs every Thursday on Reverb. Follow him on Twitter @Duff64.
As I stumbled out of the bus, I found myself in the parking lot of a quaint bayside hotel called the Freeport Inn and Boatel. Sound familiar? This is the one-and-the-same place where Joey Buttafuoco and his "Long Island Lolita" Amy Fisher had their much-publicized daytime trysts back in the early '90s. But it wasn't this experience alone that made that day interesting for me.
Coming around the back end of the bus was a man who, obvious to me, had something to do with the hotel. He introduced himself as the general manager and commenced to show me to the café to get some coffee. Joseph Creamer, 29, spoke with rapid-fire excitement about what he was going to do with this hotel and the things he hoped to do for the community to help bring it back around from this latest recession. He also told me of his new position as vice president of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, and the problems he was having with the old-guard mayor and his ilk.
Right on the bay in Freeport, there sits an ugly and dilapidated two-story building used only once a month by the Fire Department for exercises. Around this building, and in fact in the whole waterfront area, the shoreline seems dominated by industrial storage units and an old electrical plant. Basically, nothing like the waterfront settings we enjoy around Seattle in places like Lake Washington, West Seattle, Magnolia, etc. I'm sure most city planners would salivate at the chance to redo Freeport's waterfront into an attraction rather than an eyesore.
Joseph Creamer has just this sort of thing in mind, as he is presently applying for alcohol permits for the Freeport Inn and Boatel. He sees a hip, trendy, and ultimately upscale restaurant row in his town's future, creating a revenue stream for the city through higher property taxes and alcohol licenses and creating service and marina jobs. He wants to turn the Fire Department building into a big catering hall, and in turn rent a space in neighboring Hempstead for the F.F.D. Both towns would win.
Freeport, and Long Island as a whole, has seen some of the worst unemployment rate increases in the country. Forward thinking and job creation are the exact thing this area needs, with people like Joe Creamer to lead us up and out of this recession. Young people who see a light at the end of the tunnel instead of cronies to appease.
I've spoken here before of the book The Forgotten Man by Amity Shlaes. This book not only tells a thorough economic tale of the Depression, but also highlights the missteps and triumphs that got us out of that financial woe. The amazing thing to me about this book is the uncanny parallels that we now encounter. There's a great quote from 1929, just prior to the first stock-market crash, by Nelson Rockefeller: "I knew that the market was over-inflated and run by amateurs when the man shining my shoes one day gave me a stock recommendation. I went back to the office and sold every holding that I owned." Didn't we all in fact get a little too cocky with our perceived stock-market prowess and using our houses as personal ATMs? Guys like Jim Cramer and his Mad Money are indeed much of the problem and very little of the solution.
As we wrap up this U.S. tour, I have been honored and enriched to play little places like Allentown, Pa. and Huntington, W.Va.. In towns like these, they have long gotten used to the short end of the stick, so pulling themselves out of muddy and dark places like these economic times is almost commonplace. These will be the towns that have the fastest recovery, in my opinion, because they did not get so caught up in economic hoopla in the first place. They have long since learned the lesson of humility, and have a resultant forthrightness and strength.
27 comment(s)
Ameilia says:
Whoa, I might be first? Maybe everyone took you seriously last week when you said you might leave. But, you did get a lot of positive feedback.
I LOVE that Rockefeller quote. It's a good one. I am studying for the level II CFA exam right now and as much as this has taught me it has taught me I still only know less than 1% of what there is to know about finance. It's a complicated subject, and people don't realize that and get over cocky.
At the same time, some people know all of the numbers but have no common sense and don't think about the fundamentals and whether it really makes good sense to do something. So, we get into these messes and do have to use creative thinking and innovation with a combination of the fundamentals to get ourselves out.
At the same time, my parents didn't go to college but they did manage to keep the same jobs for 30+ years (Dad was firefighter, Mom was a surgical tech,) before retirement. It was a kind of "buy and hold" policy on their futures. And it worked. There is definitely something to be said for that, too
And, I explained to my Dad that he shouldn't play the market and he listened to me and got an advisor.
It takes all kinds to make up this diverse country and to keep it going. The book smarts and the street smarts.
I thought that was a good point in your article.
And, I am glad you are still writing!
Sorry if this wasn't as well written as I meant it to be but like I said, I am studying my behind off right now for a very difficult test upcoming in 1 1/2 weeks; so I am a little frazzled right now!
Keep up the good work. Sorry I didn't turn in to see you on Fox news, but hey - it was Fox news.
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 2:29AM
duygu says:
Hi!
Just a question, what was on Fox news?
thanks
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 3:57AM
MB says:
@duygu: Duff appeared on "Red Eye" with Greg Gutfield on Wednesday morning. You can watch the video here.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120846
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 4:16AM
MB says:
Thanks for spotlighting an individual that I unfortunately feel is in the minority in my peer group (and those younger than me) who has the drive, motivation, and initiative to improve his COMMUNITY.
There are too many people these days with an air of entitlement who expect to be spoon fed everything through life and then have the audacity to be pissed off when (though they have taken NO steps on their own) things don't "go their way."
People today are so unwilling to think outside the box, or even think about people other than themselves, focusing only on how to further THEIR agenda that will benefit them, which is a sad statement.
Hard work, persistence, determination, drive, motivation, and initiative never killed anyone, though it seems that some people seem to have developed an allergy to those important and necessary character traits.
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 5:33AM
Hugo says:
Hey Duff, Glad to "see" you here!
Just wanted to say that it´s that kind of person that our City´s and Country´s need to get us of this recession!
Not "kissing ass" here, but very cool writting, a mixed of some highlights of your last gigs (days), and at the same time some cool words about persons that have the vision and the ambition even in this dificult times...
Peace
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 6:52AM
Elizabeth says:
Hello and Happy Thursday.
Duff--
I'm glad to see that you are not bagging it with your column. :-)
A couple of thoughts--
MB comments about the pervasive sense of entitlement that is part of "our" collective psyche (and I presume s/he means in America, specifically). I am the same age as Duff and I think that my generation is/was probably the worst ever about feeling entitled. We came of age in the era of Reagonomics and our collective selfishness remains rampant.
However, I am lucky enough to be able to interact with many people who are younger than I am; I am constantly amazed at the general sense of communitarianism and the ethos of kindness that I see. There are so many high school kids and young adults who volunteer--and these are people who don't generally have that much extra time on their hands. To be clear--some of the high school kids I know who volunteer do not intend on going to college, so they are not volunteering just to bolster college applications. I am very encouraged by these worthy people.
I do have to take a tiny bit of issue with you, MB--I think that we have to be VERY careful that we don't completely buy into the Horatio Alger myth. While the US may be more egalitarian than many other societies, it would be very dangerous to fool ourselves that we are a flawless meritocracy. Not that you said that, exactly; I just worry when people take those sentiments to the next level.
Also, Duff, you quote Nelson Rockefeller saying, "I knew that the market was over-inflated and run by amateurs when the man shining my shoes one day gave me a stock recommendation. I went back to the office and sold every holding that I owned." I understand what you're saying about over-inflated markets, but haven't you said that you are writing your Playboy column so that the average person can have a chance at understanding investing and financing? I, for one, would like for shoeshiners to have enough knowledge (and enough cash) to invest in the market.
Finally, thank you for playing the little hamlets that scatter our country. Loaded doesn't have to do that, but you do. Besides that, you and your boys have a reputation of being very gracious to your fans. This makes the world a better place.
Okay. Done for now.
E--
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 8:11AM
Hugo says:
Hey again, You´re coming to Zaragoza on the 20th of June??? Cool! I´m gonna try to make it... It´s the best oportunity I will have to see Loaded and Mr Duff McKagan!
Peace
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 8:18AM
Josephine says:
Hi Duff, how's it going? It's past noon here in nyc, and raining. I guess I can say good afternoon.
I truly enjoy reading your posts, because there so inspiring, and Im sure im not the only one that feels this way. Pretty please do not leave. Sometimes, just have to go with the intincts and gut feelings when somthing dont feel right in the mix. Follow that instinct, and do what your heart desires man.
The gramercy show in NYC is still ringing in my head, it was fuckin great, u guys got up there and killed it. I was so honored to meet you. Dude, may I ask how tall are you? =). Nyc def. needed some loaded. pls Come again soon.
And yes there should be more ppl like Joe, thats out there with a vision and insight to do somthing good, and make things go foward for the communitys and neighborhoods etc... in these rough eco times.
I don't work for a big company, firm or corporation its just a medical office and a group of MDrs. In the last several months friends and co-workers of mine have been let go. Its very hurtful, because you dont know whats gonna happen next, and it could be me or anyone at this point. Its really hard now a days, and even some of my favorite local stores have been shutdown cos they cant keep up finacially or what ever the reason maybe. Man, I hope walmart n target dont close, there way to cool. Just gotta keeps our head up high, stay focused, and make the most of it.
Im a Brooklyn native, and theres many waterfronts out here, and one historical landmark that does come to mind is "ConeyIsland". Im just amazed as to how it has improved throguh out the yrs.
The original Nathans,and the cyclone is still up and running. Casinos might be put there in the future, more $$$ to waste in my opinion.
Longisland is very cool, I have many family n friends who have moved there for aforadable reasons.
Wow, Joey B and Amy I remember when that shit was all over the news. Now if you had gone a little further past Wantagh,LI ya probally would've ended up in Gotti's territory. Yikes!
Have fun and be safe for the rest of the tour. Kik some ass. Im really sorry for this long post/rant the coffee has me on a roll.
Josephine.
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 10:44AM
KATIE says:
DANG I HATE WHEN THESE COLUMNS ARE SMART AND INSIGHTFUL....I NEVER HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY.
AND FOR THE LIFE OF ME I CANT FIND THE CAPS LOCK BUTTON TO GET ME OUT OF ALL CAPS....JUST SO YOU KNOW IM NOT YELLING, IF ANYTHING ITS A HUSHED WHISPER.
3 DAYS UNTIL LAZERFEST IN GOOD OL' INDIANOLA, IOWA......
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 11:16AM
MB says:
@Elizabeth- You have broadened the intention of my comment. What I meant by "air of entitlement" is on a much smaller scale. I'm in the decade behind you and Duff and for the most part I think the 30somethings worked for and earned what they have.
Just bc you are of driving age does not mean you are ENTITLED to a car. Just bc you graduated from high school doesn't mean you are ENTITLED to go to college. Just bc you have a job doesn't mean you are ENTITLED to have your dream house. You want a car? Get a part time job and get the money to pay for it. You want to go to college? Again, get a job, look for scholarships, take out modest loans (that pay for the essentials). You want your dream house? Save your money, don't buy new clothes, shoes once a month, don't go out to the bar every weekend, don't take 2 week vacations to Mexico. EARN IT!
I also think that the entitlement mentality got a lot of people into trouble with credit card debt-I want it now I'll worry about paying for it later.
Too many parents today (and kudos if they can) pay their children's way (the argument being that their parents couldn't). That's all well and good but they are making it "easy" for their kids and stunting their motivation. "My mom will cover me" doesn't bode well when trying to teach a child financial responsibility.
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 11:21AM
Tom says:
Hey dood can u check this out please im pretty sure you'll enjoy :)http://www.youtube.com/warmachinerocks
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 11:27AM
Kris says:
Best wishes to Mr. Creamer; here's hoping that his vision helps to bring about success for the entire community. Waterfront ideas always make me a tad nervous, having grown up in Tidewater, VA. I’ve watched Waterside and Harborplace…good things can happen, but, well, it’s easy to miss the boat too, as it were. Nevertheless, his ideas seem sane.
@Amelia: Best of luck on your coursework!
@ MB & Elizabeth: Generational thoughts: It seems to me that it is far too easy to castigate both the old guard and the whipper-snapper set for failures in their community response. Yes, millennials do seem to be more self-absorbed than preceding generations, but it's too early to write them off and, after all, my gen was heralded as then great-slacker-generation-of-doom, and we seem to be turning out okay (I can’t bring myself to believe we’ve matured. Nope. Not going to do it). I look forward to seeing the millennials mature, even if I do occasionally find myself banging my head on the desk over students right now. Then again, I see some amazing glimpses of community-centered folks running around too; students who see problems and get curious enough to try to solve them. I see those glimpses in the eyes of my friend, Chris, who spearheaded a community garden and has sought to create community in every situation he encounters—and he’s damn good at it. Better—he’s taught that art to the kids around him (and not just a few Gen Xers and Boomers, too); the people he works with respond to his calls to action with delight, as if they were waiting for someone to open the door and show them in. Time and again I hear them describe their response in terms of satisfying a hunger—they needed the community work to feel whole.
Communities are altered by (and economies recovered by) the work of individuals, not stereotypes of generations—individuals with creativity and tenacity. Better when those individuals happen upon one another and begin to build together. The Ghost Map, by Steven Johnson, entertains this notion pretty well, if you happen to have a stomach strong enough to read detailed descriptions of cholera deaths. Or look toward the many folks like Chris and the scores of students I have who do the very same thing—who want little more than to alter the world they inhabit for the better. Sometimes, they just need someone to show them how.
And there is the mile-wide streak of idealism showing again.
Thanks for the thoughts here, Duff, and the glimpses into a changing Americana. Frightening as situations might be, I am excited about the possible answers to “now what?”
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 12:47PM
Luke says:
Hey Duff,
Love reading your column, im in the UK so im glad its online. Looking forward to seeing you play at Download Festival, hope to see you guys at a smaller gig one day too. Loving the new album too, keep it up!
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 3:00PM
Ed says:
Duff:
When you mentioned small towns that you played in like Allentown...would you ever consider a tour with King's X? Think that'd be awesome!
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 3:24PM
Ameilia says:
MB - thanks for the link. Also, thanks Kris!
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 3:32PM
Davis says:
Thanks for sticking around Duff!
Posted On: Thursday, May. 28 2009 @ 4:12PM
Andrea says:
Your story should be on This American Life...
Posted On: Friday, May. 29 2009 @ 12:25AM
Duff says:
Hi Kris
I understand your concerns re waterfront developement. As it stands right now though, having developement there in Freeport may just bring some pride to the shoreline and in turn spurn on not just business., but also a cleaner and greener future for the area.
Duff
Posted On: Friday, May. 29 2009 @ 6:20AM
Lynn says:
Hey! Where's AxlReznor?!? His responses have become almost a tradition around here. This time, he's not only not the first to respond, but there's no response at all! I feel cheated, somehow! :)
Posted On: Friday, May. 29 2009 @ 9:13AM
Kris says:
Hi yourself, Duff. FWIW, I do agree with you--the potential is enormous and, as I mentioned, his ideas seem sane. Just the heebie jeebies with the "waterfront development" line...images of Norfolk's great gray whale of a building dance in my head. *shudder* But, such development can be done beautifully and can make a world of difference to an area, too. Here's too successful and green ventures.
Posted On: Friday, May. 29 2009 @ 12:09PM
AxlReznor says:
Hi Lynn,
I'm around... I just only say something when I have something to say. And let's just say American business isn't something a british guy with minimal interest in money has much to say about.
Posted On: Saturday, May. 30 2009 @ 1:20AM
Sophia says:
It's really great that there are people like Joseph Creamer out there who are striving to make a difference. Where I live, there's a really big Hispanic population. I go through town every week, and there are always at least 10 Hispanic men waiting for jobs near the train station. Since the economic crisis has happened, that number has doubled, and now there aren't just Hispanics on that corner. It's something I see almost every day, and it's something that reminds me that we need to really step up to the plate and try to pull ourselves out of this rut.
Reading these comments, I've been seeing some talk about the generation gaps. I'm part of what you'd call the computer generation, and yes, we do have it easy. I mean, Internet? TV? Nintendo DS? We're always plugged in. If you ask a regular 15 year old about the ecomony, they won't know anything. True they're always watching TV, but I'm pretty sure they're watching Family Guy instead of 60 Minutes. As a teen, I know what it's like. It's stressful, there are final exams coming up and some of us are heading off to high school. I was picking my electives for next year, and there were so many choices, even for a freshman. So I chose my top 5, gave it to my mom, and she sent it to the school. I started thinking about one of the options on the list - Introduction to Business. To a 14 year old that's boring. But when I went into the living room and my parents were watching CNN, with all the stuff about people losing their jobs and their homes, I started thinking about my choice. Sure business seems boring, but it will definantly help you later in life. If people in my generation don't start taking these classes and educating themselves, then once we're in out late 20's, there won't be anymore social security or healthcare benefits. We're trying to sell our house right now, and believe me, it's also a constant reminder of how hard this is. The people of my generation might not be feeling the brunt of it, but if we don't educate ourselves, we soon will.
Posted On: Saturday, May. 30 2009 @ 5:43AM
Nevermind says:
That sure is alot of specific personal information about someone else, coming from someone who wants to share less of his personal life…
Nevermind The Bollocks
Posted On: Saturday, May. 30 2009 @ 9:42PM
Anonymous says:
hi mr.mckagan,i'm brazilian,i don't know speak in english,sorry some mistake,i really love you and your job,i love your band,i love your songs,i love your column,i know you have very job,but please answer my e-mail it's very important.
liza_rose_mckagan@hotmail.com
Posted On: Sunday, May. 31 2009 @ 11:46AM
liza says:
hi mr.mckagan,i'm brazilian,i don't know speak in english,sorry some mistake,i really love you and your job,i love your band,i love your songs,i love your column,i know you have very job,but please answer my e-mail it's very important.
liza_rose_mckagan@hotmail.com
Posted On: Sunday, May. 31 2009 @ 11:48AM
Dave Cromwell says:
Hey Duff,
Love your column and all the fan comments here as well.
I've written a feature about Loaded's recent show in New York.
Everyone can check it out here:
http://www.thewaster.com/MAIN/Concert%20Reviews/Duff%20MaKagen/051909/051909.html
I've got a bunch of videos from the show up on YouTube as well.
Thanks again for such a great show, Duff.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 2 2009 @ 9:55AM
susan says:
Nice job Duff! So true, everyone should get a clean and lovely waterfront like Seattle has- we are so lucky!
Love you,
Su
Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 3 2009 @ 9:13AM