Looking like the ghost of Jerry Garcia, Joaquin Phoenix announced, via backwards knuckle scrawl, that he’ll be leaving acting to pursue a music career.  Hopefully that idea will last as long as the ink on his hands, or he might wind up in MySpace band obscurity like Russell Crowe! Although, Joaquin certainly is talented, has a handsome voice, and we could watch him swagger all day. However, we’re worried the “Walk The Line” Oscar nom went to his head.  It’s easy to feel like a successful musician when you’re pretending you’re Johnny Cash, but will the Phoenix be able to rise as a rock star?  It remains to be seen.  But is he really picking a better life for himself?  Let’s help him see the light with a face off: rock star vs. actor!

Dudes in bands: They’re creative, laid back, they’re hot, they have great music collections, they’re sensitive, and very often, they’re funny without being as damaged as comedians. What’s not to like? Let’s discuss.

There was the Luke Skywalker look-alike who drummed for so many bands I couldn’t keep track of them all. (Although, as a drummer, does he really count as a musician? Wocka wocka!) Practices and shows took priority over time with me, so I was competing with an unknown amount of other rock dudes probably numbering somewhere in the dozens, and decidedly losing that competition. The drummer boy flaked out on me. He reappeared to apologize profusely for his disappearing act, we had a great discussion over dinner about us, and how we were going to start over and do it right this time because both of us really understood where the other one was at. Then he promptly flaked again. He’s now married to another musician who, it turns out, has also flaked on me.