The IS*GM was a group or society that met at the famous Viper Room in 2001 in Hollywood, California on the Sunset Strip. Many bands played that shared the below views. I saw Wiskey Biscuit, Chris Stills, the Counting Crows, the Warlocks, the Flash Express, John Frusciante, and Ryan Adams among others.

I wanted to see if you people like this idea. I believe it is very good and relevant for 2008. What do you think? Please leave a comment and spread this thing around. Send to your friends!!

Jim Guittard April 2008.

Here's the 2001 writings:

The Manifesto

Music is the most beautiful, genuine, powerful and direct form of expression known to mankind. This expression is used and interpreted in various ways to help form and change the culture and society in which we exist. In the hearts and minds of many, the state of civilization in this current period is at its culturally darkest point. Popular culture has been replaced by corporate direct mass marketing. Change is necessary, and the task before us is nothing less than challenging.

In today’s society, music that celebrates gratuitous violence, hostility, greed, shallow mindedness, selfishness and ignorance are not only popular, but also respected, highly publicized and then marketed for profit to the young and impressionable. The evolution of mankind and civilization as a whole is being compromised. In our opinion, this is not only heartbreaking, but also dangerous and unhealthy for the consciousness of our present culture, and for the generations that follow. This is not to say that the honest expression of any artist is detrimental in and of itself, or that people having a participating interest in music are wrong or unhealthy. An imbalance exists that must be fixed.

Today, the potential choice one may have to discover something truly important, inventive, meaningful and original is severely limited. Many great artists are overlooked and under appreciated due to the fact that they don’t fit into today’s corporate marketing strategies. This has resulted in the creation of a massive void. What if the Clash, Bob Marley, Kraftwerk, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith or even Beck were starting their careers in the year 2001? The terrifying fact exists that they might never be heard.

The primary purpose of The International Society for Good Music is to offer positive and balanced solutions to fill the existing void, and to create a thriving environment in which artists and fans alike may flourish. By exposing people both in and outside Los Angeles toward the music of artists whose work is, genuinely inspired, thought provoking, original, and articulate to one’s heart and soul, we hope to unify and promote an interesting and diverse musical community. This proposition to many carries with it an exciting, joyous and meaningful purpose. We aim to use everything within our means to build and connect with a community interested in helping to achieve our goals. With this, we will make a meaningful difference by inspiring others to discover their freedom of choice and to advance the notion that appreciation for the beauty and power of music is of significant value to society, culture and civilization. A value, upon which, no dollar amount can be placed.

We hope you will join us.

-- The International Society for Good Music

Welcome to the IS*GM By Pete Weiss

"They tell me that’s its evolution, well you know...You better free your mind instead."

John Lennon

The International Society for *Good Music would love to welcome you. We are a group of people with varied lives and interests who have banded together in support of a mutual concern; the freedom of music. We know music plays a large part in our lives and if you too feel this way we believe you may want to join us on our quest.

"Getting rid of the albatross." Public Image Limited

We are music lovers; but then again isn’t everyone? From the cradle to the grave music is an extricable element in culture and society. It defines us as we define it. The International Society for *Good Music believes that music is being taken away from the people. After years of institutionalization and codification our access to music is being limited. Whether it be by design or misplaced intention, the ability to discover new and *good music has been severely curtailed. We propose a solution.

"God bless the child that’s got his own." Billie Holliday

We believe we can no longer sit idly by and have our passion usurped. We must do for ourselves what no one will do for us. You can help. Through the orqanization of the International Society awareness and offer concrete suggestions on how to revitalize our world of music. Through the dissemination of information, the presentation of musical events, and a network of like-minded individuals we plan to take our cause directly to the people and bring down the musical status quo as it exists today.

"Any club that would have me for a member I wouldn’t join." G. Marx

There is but one qualification to be a member of the International Society for *Good Music and that is a desire to foster *good music in any way you can. Your participation will only be limited by your passion for the cause.We believe that awareness is the key to our mission. To us our mission is of the utmost importance and through the strength of our membership we will find the resolve to persevere and change will come.

"Scream about it, shout about it." New York Dolls

Your voice is important. Let us be your amplification. One voice alone is beautiful but the many make a chorus. We need to hear from you. Your voice must be heard. Collectively we can affect the change you so sorely desire. Stand up and be heard and we will stand with you. The challenge before us is real and we need to be united in order to succeed. Join us.

"News of the world." The Jam

One way in which we will spread

Society for *Good Music newsletter. This newsletter is a forum for your ideas and concerns. Submissions from members are not only welcomed, but encouraged. We will document our current affairs, we will include the latest updates concerning the music industry as it effects our right to choose as well as columns in appreciation of *good music both present and past. The newsletter is available both in print and online.

"Going to a party, meet me .. school." Cheap Trick

Although the business at hand is serious that does not mean that we are a dour bunch. Music is a celebration of life and we love to celebrate. Starting on April 3, 2001 we will begin a series of Tuesday night shows at the Viper Room on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood California. Our first show features Chris Stills, Ryan Adams and Bob Forrest, all members of the ISG*M and each, great artists. Every week, we will present artists performing under the ISG*M banner and in so doing start what we hope will be the beginning of a worldwide revolution. The ticket price of $7.00 includes membership in the ISG*M and subsequent shows are only $5.00 for ISG*M members. We have a roster of special artists performing in the coming weeks so we implore you to attend and get involved.

"Any way, any how, any where I can." The Who

GOOD* MUSIC? By Pete Weiss

There has been great discourse within the ISG*M concerning the usage of the word ’good’ as it relates to what we term ’good music’. It seems and rightly so, that each person has their own concept of what ’good music’ is. Where one person’s personal taste may run to Country and Western another’s may lean to Bubble Gum Pop. Who is to say that one is good to the exclusion of the other. In our eyes both can be right.

When looking to the dictionary for a definitive definition of the word ’good’ you will find that there is none. There are a great many definitions and to the ISG*M that is perfect. Like personal taste there are a great many types and styles of music and to a degree each has characteristics of goodness. We understand that music in of itself is a good thing. What we choose to concern ourselves with is not the music per se but the intent behind the music. Some of the definitions of the word ’good’ that strengthen our case
for ’good music’ are as follows.

Good (adj.)

1. being positive or desirable in nature
2. not spoiled or ruined
3. worthy of respect
4. beneficial to health
5. valid or true
6. genuine or real

We are not here to tell you what is ’good music’ and then again what is not ’good music’. We of the ISG*M are concerned that almost all of the music that is being released to the public through the corporate music machine is music that does not behold to any one of the definitions listed above. That was not always the case but sadly it seems to be the rule of the day.

It is not the music that we feel is good and then conversely bad, it is the intent behind the music. To the corporate world music is seen as a product, a construct used only to sell expendable consumer goods.

An artist imbued with any of the qualities listed above has but no chance in the current corporate musical climate and that is not a ’good’ thing.

All manner of music that comes from a real and honest perspective, whether it be Death Metal, Folk Music, Polka, what have you, can be interpreted as ’good music’. Music that is created and whose primary purpose is but to sell records and follow trends are to us the antithesis of ’good music’.

As the word ’good’, as used by the ISG*M, is inherently nebulous by design,we will, as frequently as possible, look to our members for their own definitions. The asterisk you see in our name will lead to a reference by one of our members or supporters, giving voice to their individual understanding of the word ’good’. We feel by doing this, our name and our mission will remain fluid and vibrant, growing with each new definition.We welcome all views supportive and dissenting.

Good Music Explained by Bob Forrest

Good music. What is it? How do you define such a subjective thing? Well I’m gonna try to here in my own personal way. Good music is music that is impassioned, purely and honestly, straight from the artist’s soul. It dramatically effects, influences and inspires the listeners perceptions, emotions and thinking. Good music is the glue that holds the listener together. Take the Who for instance. Their music has a spiritual and intellectual effect on me. It transforms me. I remember seeing them at the Los Angeles Forum in 1979 and during the song "We Won’t Get Fooled Again," I started crying, pouring tears. I couldn’t stop. I didn’t know why I was crying or why I couldn’t stop. I had not cried for years over anything. Not my father’s death, not over failed relationships, not over any number of things worth crying over. But here I was, weeping, in the middle of a basketball arena. That music had effected me in such a profound way that it opened my closed off floodgates. I think that is one of the many ways to definitively explain the profound power of Good Music.

Tonight’s Tribute, The Replacements
By Roky Manson

Tonight, the ISGM is paying tribute to a band that epitomizes everything that is "good" about music, the Replacements. At the end of Chris Stills’ set, some of the other artists from tonight’s show, and maybe a special surprise guest or two, are going to join the band on stage and play a few of their favorite ’Mats tunes. This is definitely a night that will bum you out if you leave early. So what if you are falling asleep behind your desk tomorrow morning. You are always going to remember this show, not the lecture you’re
gonna get from your boss.

When I was a teenager in the mid ’80s, the Replacements were "my" band. No one else at my high school had ever heard of them.! tried to make everyone listen to them. Before I got my driver’s license, the senior year jock driver of my carpool reluctantly let me play the "Tim" album on the car stereo. Not being a typical jock, the only music he’d ever play was Billy Joel. Naively thinking that I could open his mind, I started with "Swinging Party." Halfway through the song, he ejected the tape, tossed it out the window and said, "the Replacements should be replaced." Once again, I was quickly subjected to "Piano Man" for zillionth time.

When I was 16, I had been to a good number of concerts, all in amphitheaters or arenas. I never once had good seats. In the summer of ’87, the Replacements changed my entire perception of live rock and roll. "Pleased To Meet Me" had just been released and Mr. Westerberg and company were starting the North American tour at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA, a small bar/restaurant only 20 minutes away from where I lived. I was going to get to see my heroes up close and personal!

Most of the concerts that I had been to were from either typical slick ’80s new wave or heavy metal bands that put on real "productions." I knew the Replacements weren’t a big production, but standing at the front of the stage, my perception the rock concert experience was forever changed. It blew my mind that Paul and Tommy each within my reach, that I was actually hearing Chris Mars’ drum and Paul Westerberg’s, Tommy Stinson’s and Slim Dunlap’s amplifiers (not a giant sound system), and that I could see exactly what chords they were playing. But craziest of all, throughout the entire show. Tommy kept giving me shit for not trying to put the moves on this incredibly beautiful girl standing next to me. (She was supermodel gorgeous, I was 16 and a geek, no chance in hell.) For the first time I was seeing what rock and roll was really all about. To this day, this is still the greatest show I’ve ever seen.

Through the Replacements, I got turned on to another band that has ended up being just as important to me, L.A.’s very own Thelonious Monster. Their main songwriter and lead singer Bob Forrest is opening our show tonight here at the Viper Room, and he was kind enough to take a few minutes and tell me what Paul Westerberg and the Replacements meant to him.

"I first saw them live probably in ’83 at Cathay De Grande. At that time, only cool people played music, David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. Not people like me, Not geeky people. The punk rock scene in Los Angeles, Tomato Du Plenty, John Denny (Weirdos), John Doe and Exene, they were even cooler than Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. I was not a cool person. But when I went down to Cathay De Grande and I saw Paul Westerberg, it changed my whole perspective of whocould play music. The passion he sang with is exactly how I thought music should be sung. On top of it, he was obviously not cool, not a John Lydon, good personality, charismatic, sexy type person, like how all people were to me that played music up until that time. It was the biggest revelation."

Bob didn’t think he could be in a band and make music before he saw the Replacements. Good music has the power to change the way people think and inspire someone to overcome the impossible.

"Thelonious Monster was really a fine example of people that should not be on stage playing music, technique-wise and looks-wise (laughing). The first original line-up of Thelonious Monster was Chris Hanson, Bill Stobaugh, Pete Weiss, John Huck me, we all five of us wore glasses. We were not the most handsome squad on earth. But with the passion that I saw when I first saw the Replacements, I thought this is like Neil Young, this is like Bob Dylan, this is like how the music that I love is. Even though they played punk rock music, they played it with a passion and with a style that is more like music that I liked. I wasn’t a big beach punk fan. I copied them so much in so many ways.

The Replacements never achieved the commercial success that they deserved. But somehow, they had a profound effect on the lives of each and every one of their fans.

Source: from pamphlet given out at IS*GM meeting in 2001 at Viper Room