{"id":7048002,"date":"2026-08-26T00:55:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T00:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/social-debris-detroit-stories-2021\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T00:55:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T00:55:09","slug":"social-debris-detroit-stories-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7048002","title":{"rendered":"Social Debris, Detroit Stories, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Detroit Stories<\/a> <\/em>is Alice Cooper\u2019s 21st solo album. It was released on February 26th<\/sup>, 2021, and it quickly reached the #1 slot on Billboard\u2019s Top Album Sales<\/em> Chart. Inspired by Alice\u2019s hometown, Detroit, MI, he states the record pays homage to \u201cthe birthplace of angry Hard Rock<\/em>,\u201d and it seems many critics agree.<\/p>\n

\u201cStylistically, the album is very gritty and follows the same punk, metal and shock-rock inspired sound of the earlier days of the Alice Cooper Group and the Detroit music scene.\u201d \u2013 <\/em>(Kory Grow, Rolling Stone Magazine, Feb. 2021)<\/p>\n

Contributing to the album\u2019s flashback appeal, \u201cI Hate You\u201d and \u201cSocial Debris,\u201d two tracks on the album that feature the original lineup, could have easily been included on any of the classic Alice Cooper (Group) records.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>The original band is still loved by many, and Alice has found a way to include Dennis Dunaway (bass), Neal Smith (drums), and Michael Bruce (guitar) in the creative process when possible. It\u2019s incredible to witness circles of fans that still follow and love this phenomenon even after 50+ years.<\/p>\n

One of those fans, Steven Crayn, was afforded the opportunity of a lifetime while recording Detroit Stories<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Steven, a lifelong fan and historian of Alice Cooper, was asked to lend his lead guitar skills to \u201cSocial Debris.\u201d Steven masterfully accomplished the task, recalling the style and attitude of the much-lamented Glen Buxton, just as Bob Ezrin, the album\u2019s producer, had envisioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn many ways, my guitar solo on Social Debris is a personal testimonial of my relationship with God and Jesus Christ. I recorded the guitar solo over two days in May 2020 at a recording studio at a hospital radio station in England, the same hospital I checked myself out of 2 months earlier, just before the Covid lockdown. <\/em><\/p>\n

Against Doctor\u2019s advice, I decided to put my faith in God after spending five days in a place I didn\u2019t want to be. On Saturday, May 16th, 2020, I got an email from Bob Ezrin asking if I could play a Glen Buxton-type guitar solo on an Alice Cooper track for his next album. I couldn\u2019t believe it, and of course, I said yes\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n

I had a couple of days to prepare, and when Bob Ezrin heard the solo, he said we needed a better ending which, even though it was only the last bar of the 16-bar guitar solo, was critical in making it work. He gave me great guidance on how he wanted the solo to end, accentuating on a high A note\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Working with Bob Ezrin and the inspiration I got from hearing (the band) \u2013 Alice\u2019s vocals, Neal Smith\u2019s drums, Dennis Dunaway\u2019s bass, and Michael Bruce\u2019s rhythm guitar (and with the spirit of Glen Buxton in mind), I managed to come up with something that was a sort of tribute to Glen (and old school Alice Cooper with musical references to that era)\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n

I tried also to put my own stamp on it, so it was more than just a musical tribute\u2026I really believe God must have been looking down on me for this to happen.\u201d <\/em>\u2013 Steven Crayn (lead guitarist, \u201cSocial Debris\u201d)<\/p>\n

Steven\u2019s solo is an excellent work of art and helps give the song that extra classic Alice vibe. Check out the concept and process behind his work on \u201cSocial Debris\u201d in the video below:<\/p>\n

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\u201cSocial Debris<\/a>\u201d is a fantastic tune. As mentioned in many interviews, it, like most of the tracks on Detroit Stories<\/em>, fits perfectly within the 1971-72 era of Alice Cooper. A new throwback to the past, it will undoubtedly become a Classick.<\/p>\n

While the music is pure Rock, the lyrics are just as poignant.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t commit; I just collide
I won\u2019t submit; I\u2019ll just decide<\/em><\/strong>
On where to run or where to hide<\/em><\/p>\n

I won\u2019t plug in to their machine
I hate the sound; I hate that scene
I sure ain\u2019t hip; I sure can\u2019t hop
I lost the script; I lost the plot<\/strong><\/p>\n

You said you\u2019d treat me but tried to delete me
You think I\u2019m tragic, but I know I\u2019m magic
Your eyes are everywhere
I see you spying there
At my face, at my hair<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I just can\u2019t cope with all this disease
Pushing down, down, down
Down on me
<\/em><\/strong>Look at me, look at me
I\u2019m social debris<\/em><\/p>\n

While Alice states the song is about the original band and how they were initially perceived as the outcasts of society or \u201cSocial Debris,\u201d another narrative also comes to mind \u2013 social media.<\/p>\n

It seems like the narcissistic nightmare of social media could apply to the lyrics and the way comments, hashtags, etc., might make others feel as well. When we don\u2019t agree with the latest narrative or have mixed feelings about hot-topic issues, it\u2019s as if we could be labeled \u201csocial debris<\/em>\u201d and \u201cdeleted<\/em>\u201d from society.<\/p>\n

In so many ways, we\u2019ve become enslaved by our storylines \u2013 fishing for likes and comments, or the opposite, trying to keep up with everyone else\u2019s feeds and photos. The \u201cLook at me, look at me\u201d <\/em>narrative not only pushes others down but does us as well.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t take this the wrong way; this isn\u2019t some judgmental rant about social media and posting things online. Everything has a purpose, and sharing information and experience has value. However, like all things in life, we must question our hearts and motives.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God\u2019s will is\u2014His good, pleasing and perfect will.\u201d <\/em>\u2013 Romans 12:2<\/strong><\/p>\n

We aspire to capture and live by His Design and Image as His children. We work to replace our thoughts with His thoughts and His Love. As we journey through life, we also hopefully begin to see His Light shining in and through us.<\/p>\n

Our presence on social media (and in society) is no different. A few things we should consider are the following:<\/p>\n