Machines always sound the best when they break.

2009-02-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

It has been established that I am going to spend next year at home.

Oh well. I'm happy I got the dorm experience, but I do understand that living 10 minutes from campus, and the economic situation right now DOES mean it's impossible.

Not much will change, except I'll move my bedroom down into the basement. Fuck around, I'd write all this nostalgia shit about how I had memories, but I really don't. Other than lying in bed around 12 telling myself how much 6th grade is horrible and I can't imagine school getting any better.

What this means though, I will put my turntable in position again soon, and just buy LPs probably exclusively throughout the next few years. And it's gonna be GREAT. Ironically my parents and I talked about this a few years ago. So, it's hardly new, but it just kinda fizzled out. I'm up for it. Fuck that, actually lets do it NOW. Fuck history, it means nothing.

In other news, I'm going to try and actually start standing up straight.

Yeah, I know.

Let's try something new and exciting

2009-01-08T21:44:00.000-08:00

I want to start off by saying that, next to Lightning Bolt and Mahi Mahi, which hold special places in my heart for being the first Providence bands I've ever seen live, at AS220, Sweetthieves might actually surpass them in terms of being one of my favorite bands, period. Because of the lengthy history I have with the band, I will interject now and again with some ancedote I have if I see fit, but this review is meant for someone with similar tastes to my own. While trying to be as fair as possible while obviously mentioning the rights as well as the wrongs...

On the same day of their last show, Sweetthieves released the new full length "Blood & Curses", almost 3 years after their debut "View From A Glass Tower". Comprised of Dave Martinka (Baritone Guitar/vox), Hilary Jones (Bass/vox) and on this release Michael Viera (drums), the three don't offer the standard Providence, or even rock band aesthetic of trying to blow you against the backwall with the power of sound. (Which so many, while doing it very, very, very well are guilty of.) Instead, the three offer themselves as individuals in their instruments, which is ironic considering that Dave's baritone guitar (which is tuned down from a normal guitar) is in almost the same range as Hilary's bass (which is actually tuned UP). But it's pretty clear when listening who is doing what. The guitar tends to offer subtle counter-points or harmonies to the vocal lines when present, and the bass lends itself very well towards going in the upper registers for a lead line, chordal accompanies or even (gasp) playing a very nice solid bassline with the drum groove.

On first listen, the album opens with the song "Bullet". An ode to what seems like an obidient lover, the track ends with Dave and Hilary singing in unison, "I would take a bullet for you, would you take one for me?" in a hesistant phrasing, which leaves the mystery if they are both trying to decieve. The tone of the album doesn't lighten up at all. "I Am With You As Your House Burns To The Ground" (which would make a great band name) offers up a very rhythmically dyslexic feel on 4/4 time, the basis for almost all western music post-war. "Anchor" is a love song (and a fairly happy one at that), which puts a spin on the old "Dark lyrics, happy music" trick by having "Happy lyrics, dark music". It might even be the first pro-love song in a minor key I've ever heard. The song then drops the lovey-dovey lyrics and kicks into a driving rhythm like a possessed car in the middle of the Mojave desert at 100 miles an hour. "Reactant", which might be some of the best vocal work I've ever heard, is a winner. Dissonance opens the song, with twists and turns by the band which shows that the instruments are free to play as they wish, and not everything in the band has to be connected to each other. And then, that driving rhythm comes back, just as the song seems to be going nowhere. One thing I will say about this record in regards to "Glass Tower" is there seems to be less singing on this than the other, maybe it's just more instrumental sections than I've noticed before, but there seems to be a very nice niche for the vocals to lay in a song, almost like a neighborhood in a patch of woods.

But, like all things, there are some slight flaws. The production is very dry, save for a piano track on "Phantom" which really opens things up, but this is almost like a tease. The guitars and drums are panned the same throughout the entire album, with vocals in the center. It's a reproduction of their live setup, and while I can see the Albini-esque production values, they already went for that on "Glass Tower". There's nothing wrong with adding some sonic depth to some tracks, and while I understand that sometimes things get complicated and you can't really DO anything with the recordings. The songs flow together almost immediately. There is really no room to breath on the album, except for where they make you breath with them, when they tell you to. It's a nice effect on the first listen, but after 5th or 6th track, the instinct to hit the pause button and catch your breath comes over. Luckily, the band is well versed in dynamics, where you never find yourself struggling to keep up with their pace.

"Blood & Curses" is in all-likely hood the major swan song for Sweetthieves, sadly. But, the album is nothing to cry over. All the songs are ones that people will kill to write. The driving rhythms and pounding dissonances giveway to breathtaking melodies and vocal delivery. But find yourself ask for a little bit more, in everything.

Rating: B+

2009-01-05T13:52:00.000-08:00

New post.

On break, been playing around with Da Troop (www.atroopofechoes.com) for a little while, it goes alright.

Tried to do battle today with my car, of course I just need to replace the battery, but with me it's never that simple. One busted ratchet and 2 failed attempts to start the car with the new battery in (I really, really, really hope it was just because the connectors were loose), I have to stop because there's not more I can do without the proper tools. It just really really frustrates me because the sooner I can get this car in semi-drivable condition the better it means for me. I need to go to the bank and get a bow for my double bass.

Oh, yes, my double bass. It's fine. My intonation is still iffy, but I haven't had a REAL lesson on it yet. Other than that I like playing classical pieces on it surprisingly more than jazz, which I hope changes soon or else it's major (pun intended) change for me.

Oh yes, the Sweetthieves show was two nights ago, how very, very sad, but they played about an hour and a half, playing almost all the songs they've written, except for two or three. It was great, not a big crowd (not the biggest I've seen) but certainly a good one. I was in the front and center like an idiot getting into it, but I guess it paid off because there were three other people behind me getting into it as well. Afterwards Chris grabbed the setlist for me, and I shook everyone's hand and told them the band means a lot to me and I hate to see them go, but it was a great show. Bought the new record, it sounds great.

Saw Slumdog Millionaire, blew me away, almost didn't go see it because I saw it out of sheer boredom. In Narragansett it's either get out of town or do drugs in the wintertime. I can see why some people pick the latter. Great great movie, go see it, it's worth the money.

Argh, I have 500 messages on my phone and I can't remember the security code to delete them all.

2008-12-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

I sit here in the Hope Commons dining hall of URI writing this on my laptop. I brought my laptop to say I was going to read overviews of Russian History as pregaming to my actual study session. (and I still might do that) but I've been listening to my ipod and reading my friend Martin's blog. I've recently come to the attention that all my life I've pretty much tried to go through with the least amount of effort possible, and it's biting my ass right now. I could skate through high school no problem, but that's because everyone knows in the modern infrastructure, high school is pretty much worthless in some respects.

Lately I've been figuring out the program Reason and feel like I am getting better at it. It's pretty much a lot of stuff I've wanted in a program, it's just a pain in the dick to program patterns without a keyboard, but in my history of breaking 2 of them in the last 3 years, I'm holding off on buying another one until I can find one used or one that is absolutely a perfect fit for me.

I would really like to add my programming to my current bands, but in one it would go against my minimalist views I hold for it, because the moment we start adding more stuff than we absolutely physically need for the song to work, it becomes overbearing an
d like THIS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT0IEOArHj0

I don't ever want to play that type of music. Ever.

On the other hand, another band I'm in (I'm in it like Jim O'Rourke was in Sonic Youth) doesn't really seem the best band to introduce electronic programming, but what do I know? Maybe they'd really dig it.

So what does this mean? I think I've added another instrument to my belt, I'll see if I can get a show at AS220 winter break and see what the fuck pops up.

I also really, really want to play music with people again.

I also need to stop being negative, and for god sakes stop slouching!

2008-12-15T10:37:00.001-08:00

Congratulations. You've just wasted your day.

http://james.nerdiphythesoul.com/bennyhillifier/

2008-12-07T13:23:00.001-08:00

This weekend:

I have managed to see Boris in a club they will never play in again most likely, at a crowd size I will SURELY never see again. Their guitars rumbled so much the sound was palpable. It was amazing and was so glad I saw it. The question remains will I see them ever again, if it means ruining the "picture perfect" filter my mind has placed on the show?

Picked up two new blogs to follow. Chris Curley's are 180 gram and A Duck Pond, while Sarge's is Circle The First. Also is Justin's blog, as you will see of course. I suggest Chris's first as he has just disembarked for Barbados on an all-expenses paid review trip (fucker).

Attending Peter Gilli's composition performance made me realize that I come from a productive, supportive but faux-rivalry group of friends. Talking with Astrid, reading Chris's blog, listening to Pete's compositions all make me want to practice or do some things better. They're all very supportive of me, but I want to be better than them. It's nothing personal, and sometimes it sucks because I know I can't be as such a good writer as Chris, but I still like blogging, isn't that what it's about?

On the other hand, I know I can be as good a musician as Nick or Pete. Looking at old etudes on my upright that I haven't looked at since I learned them for my lesson, it's almost faux-sightreading. And I'm playing them fairly well for only playing my upright for a combined time of 10 hours, and not touching it for almost a week. I guess it's just how much I apply my self.

Which is why I am now going to practice and return to this blog later.

And later is now.

That draft was saved at 4:39 PM, it's not 5:23. Having spent 40 minutes practicing, I'm still not getting use to hard pieces of music. I was a big fish in a small pond, and no one really challanged me in high school with music. But having to actually read music again? Fuck, it's hard. There are so many, and rhythms and my fingers can't take it.

On the other side of blogging, being a metablog such as BoingBoing or Digg,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ArlE9oP1l0&feature=related

If you're anything like me, you'll find it funny, but wait for the last one, and it's the payoff.

2008-11-26T20:28:00.000-08:00

I'd like to thank whoever ripped In A Roman Mood from their turntable, and the three people online tonight that made the torrent compile incredibly fast.

2008-11-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

You know what's hilarious to try?

Watching Jonas Brother videos on youtube with the sound off, and playing Joy Division or Talking Heads behind them.

It's so surreal to watch the video of Lovebug while "Love Will Tear Us Apart" plays in the background, or Camp Rock videos while "I Zimbra" is playing.

I love it.

I also would love the chance to go Eno on their little Disney asses.

"NO I DON'T CARE GET THE FUCK BACK IN THE CONTROL ROOM AND PLAY THAT FEEDBACK SYNTH PART DAMN IT. FUCK THE MONEY AND THE FANS, WE NEED ORIGINALITY"

2008-11-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

New blog.

Haven't posted in a while.

I have a fake radio show on the internet, but hopefully I should have a real one soon.

And I'm pretty much going to be posting the playlists on here.

Difficult Radio I: (Song/Artist/Album format)

Don't Come close The Ramones Road To Ruin

Catapult R.E.M. Murmur

Spoke Shellac Excellent Italian Greyhound

Piano Fire Sparklehorse It's A Wonderful Life

Hammond Song The Roches The Roches

Lose My Breath My Bloody Valentine Isn't Anything

Rest My Chemistry Interpol Our Love To Admire

Tremelo Mission Of Burma The Horrible Truth About Burma

Trap Robert Fripp & The League Of Gentlemen God Save the King

Sleeper Hold No Age Nouns

Beatown XTC Go 2 (Remastered)

Orange Is The New Black Sweethieves View From A Glass Tower

Avalanche Matthew Good Avalanche

Pyramid Song Radiohead Amnesiac

Mea Culpa Brian Eno & David Byrne My Life in the Bush of Ghosts

Exposure Robert Fripp Exposure

King's Lead Hat Brian Eno Before and After Science

Big Boys Elvis Costello Armed Forces

Sea Battle At Orkusuk Wizardzz Hidden City of Tarumond

Scissor Man (BBC Version) XTC Rag & Bone Buffet (Rare Cuts & Leftovers)

Yellow River Neptune Gong Lake

Six Lane River Banter/3.1 Medicinal Reverb

Coxcomb Red (Songs: Ohia) The Joe Beats Experiment Indie Rock Blues

Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home The Decemberists The Crane Wife

Everything That Happens David Byrne and Brian Eno Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Day To Day Simple Circus A Simple Paper Collage (1985-1998)

Pennies The Smashing Pumpkins The Aeroplane Flies High

Coast Road A Postmodern John July 4th Pool Party

Time Tom Waits Rain Dogs

Shine A Light Wolf Parade Apologies to the Queen Mary

The World Looks Red sonic youth confusion is sex + kill yr. idols

It Could Be Sweet Portishead Dummy

Spider and I Brian Eno Before and After Science

2008-10-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

I'm up way past my bedtime to wonder how to introduce people to artists

Pete: Has been wanting to get into Brian Eno's solo stuff for a long time, I feel that Taking Tiger Mountain might a little too quirky for him, but I'm going back and forth between Warm Jets and Another Green World, heavily towards Green World. (I'd like to stop this blog post to say the middle section of "Mother Whale Eyeless" with the organ and girls singing is fucking AMAZING and I must cover it).

Martin/Dad/Jon: I want to get them into the sweetthieves, I think they'd all really like them. My dad does already, but I really think Marty and Jon would dig them a lot. I think they'd also really dig some other bands. Oh god, Marty would fucking LOVE Arcade Fire and The Decemberists

I wanted to get Nick and Chris into the Residents, but I have no idea which album to give them, literally none.

2008-09-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

I skipped my first class today. yaaaay. I'm sick/have allergies, and needed to stick around the coffeehouse to learn how to close, so instead of feeling like shit and hauling ass at 7:55, I figured I'd feel less like shit and wake up at 9:30. Good plan, just need to study extra hard.

Weekend:

Friday-ToE show at the union. Good respectable crowd, but for a Musician's Guild show expected more, but what can you do. Got a weird vibe from the crowd, but Jon and my Dad assured me it was just in my head, and people seemed to enjoy it. Was pumped for Sick Electric but Jimmy had car trouble, got delayed. Jon and Dad split before they went on, too bad, they would have liked them but not the best show they've ever put on, maybe it was for the best. Was planning to go Julia's afterward, but ended up going to Kingston Pizza with Dan, went home and watched episodes of Harvey Birdman until some ungodly hour.

Saturday-Meccalily recording. Went with dad around 2, set up equipment, figured out the best setup for instruments/mics. Finally started tracking around 5-6. Had to drop Dad off at home and then get back to find that no one knows how to work the damn thing. I stay out of it as it's pretty jury rigged to begin with. Out of nowhere, my dad shows up again in the nick of time before people start getting angry. Fine going the way it was, but I really wish that in the future we could try the "build everything from the ground up" method, as I think everyone is competent enough to work this way.

Overall, went well. Started feeling iffy when I woke up, kinda got worse throughout the day, but got much much much better when Melissa made me huge water bottle of tea. Felt good. Hung around at Jon's until around 11. Jon mentioned before I left that everyone is really happy that I'm in the band and are really happy with what I'm doing. Still don't believe him.

Sunday: Up around 12, feel worse than before. More tea and medicines help me out. Go to the grocery store to pick up stuff for dinner. Listen to A Postmodern John, very relaxing and always puts me in a good mood. Back at home, nice homemade pasta, then to school for meeting at 193. Interviewed two nice girls. Both got the job. Stuck around for closing and...well yeah, that leads us to now.

Philosophy class in ten minutes. Have a shift tonight closing 193 from 9-12. Will try and close around 11 if not busy, which i don't plan on. I'm going to drink my body weight in tea and listen to ambient music all night. Hooray!

2008-09-11T17:41:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about doing a house of fire show.

I know I said I would stop it. But the main thing that was stopping me before was I felt sorta limited in just using guitar. I would revert to Frippertronic rip-offs. But I'm thinking of incorporating the moog and the laptop into the setup via the mixer, maybe sending the guitar through it too with an amp modeler or something, and hooking it up through the house PA system.

When I talked to Chris, Nick and Dean about this, I said that it's pretty much in the can for right now, but I'm getting that itch to do solo sets again. I said to them that I'm not really breaking new ground at every show, and some of the improvisations were actually just pieces I had rehearsed for 30 seconds to remember them, and just see where they go from there.

But Nick busted my balls about how I'm not breaking new ground every show. And I thought, why should I have to? I like playing them (sometimes, if the vibe is right) and I have fun (sometimes), so why should I beat myself over not sounding different every night?

2008-09-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

It's interesting that they Smashing Pumpkins have stayed with me throughout 3 schools. I got into them in 8th grade by happenstance basically. Went to an Evanscence or whatever they're called with Martin and Lily, and they did a cover of "Zero". My 14 year old brain goes "hey, wait, this is a good band that does this song". But most people know the story already.

But through out the winter of 2004, all I listened to was The Pumpkins and Sonic Youth. Not a bad combination. The thing is that I became a completist. Starting downloading boots and B-sides and imports that I could physically buy. This was back after the Zwan (who are still a good band) disbanded, and during the break of February, teh b0lly had posted a blog saying that he was working on a solo album which nobody noticed (before AND after it's release date). So they were well enough under the radar for a popular band that all their first singles and imports were not being re-released. So I got to downloading, spent money on all their albums I did, and got myself a nice little collection. And this stayed with me in high school. I still listened to them pretty religiously. But somewhere along the line they died out, midway through freshmen year, then sophomore. Did I really grow out of it? In some ways yes, in some ways no.

There seems to be a very common simile for relationships of a fan to a band, and a relationship between two people. In general, it's said that you can grow out of bands, and never listen to them again. The equivalent to breaking up with them. This is true with a band like Tool for me. Haven't listened to them since 2003, have no REAL reason to. They're a good band, but I guess I'll take king crimson. Not to say Tool copied Krimson, but Krimson is really just all over the place in terms of sound. Tool kinda sticks with the dirges. For all intents and purposes, Tool was a band I broke up with. Primus as well. I never listen to Primus anymore and once in a GREAT while I'll go "I need to listen to that again" but will never follow through.

The Smashing Pumpkins and I never really broke up.

One thing I hear and read about The Pumpkins is that they're a good band, but they also allow people to get deeper into more bands. The similarites between My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless" and "Siamese Dream" all VERY obvious, but I don't know if I would have even gotten into MBV had it not been for The Pumpkins. One other band I would not have gotten into would be Slowdive. Siamese Dream was said to be influenced by Slowdive's sound.

But through all of the changes, one things that never slouches is the songwriting. Billy Corgan knows how to write a good song. I will say Zeitgeist is their worst album so far, but it's not a horrible record. I give it a 6.

But for from Siamese Dream to Machina II, everything in that period, b-sides included, is very, very good.

With that out of the way, today was alright. Did a so so audition today. First day of classes tomorrow. Scared shitless. I really hope I don't party so much and flunk out like my dad did.

2008-08-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

I am officially moved into the Gorham Hall, room 432.

And me and my roommate are spending our first hours watching TV and being on the internet.

The third one hasn't moved in yet. Hope there is enough room.

Also, no A/C.

Hanging out with Justin tomorrow, should be good way to cap off the summer.

Holy shit what a summer. I really can't talk about it because I think I've told everyone about it, anyone who would listen and on here.

But you all know what happened anyway.

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

2008-08-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, first off, I am not going to talk about the tour in here. Mainly because I wrote my feelings in a journal on the way there, but second of all because some of those were totally not true to how I feel now, and I was kinda a tool. That being said, it was fun. We made 197 dollars. We played to crowds that loved us and to no crowds at all.

Now, I am moving into college sunday.

And I am fucking scared.

Mainly for the course work and holy fuck I haven't picked a piece to play yet and have I fucked myself over?

But also, I'm going to college.

Now let me explain. I am an only child, so I have no siblings to break the "myth" of college. When I was 8-10 years old, my cousin Katie, who for all intents and purposes is like my big sister, was in college, so all I would hear were these stories. In high school, most of my good friends were at URI. I crashed in dorms for weekend shows, I was mistaken for a student more times than I can count, hell, I'm even in the fucking year book for 2006. But now i'm going to be an actual student.

And hopefully Justin is too. He's talked about going back to school and I'm behind him 200%.

That being said, the new Byrne+Eno record.

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT.

It's really good. 3/4 alt-country-gospel, 1/4 trip-hop-electronica.

2008-08-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

Who really buys an osciliscope? Who has one anymore? Do we really need them anymore? Didn't 15 dollar tuners become the norm?

2008-08-14T21:53:00.001-07:00

Meg and I basically had a big ass fight that I can't really summarize except the end of the argument was an ultimatum (as much as you can get). If I'm really causing you that much grief, then lets just not talk to each other. As far as I can tell, that proposition was 2 days ago. But, yesterday I was not around much online, nor was I today. Right now, her usual method of communication is IM. When we were closer, it was text message. She did not send a text.

I actually think I fucked this one up, which is interesting to me. If she really, REALLY wants to not see me again, fine with me, but it will make for a future of interesting run-ins. We come from the same circle of friends that ultimately, will want to see each other when college is out for breaks and such. If she really doesn't want to see me, the whole circle will have to revolve around opposite plans for us, and in the long run will basically piss everyone the fuck off.

Also, this is Narragansett. You do never "Not see people again". I'm going to run into her one way or the other.

But what does it mean to destroy a relationship so much that you can never have it the way it was again? First off, I have a knack for saying jokes at the most inappropriate times, especially on the internet, where emotion, empathy and sympathy are left at the door by the coat rack. No clues to pick up on if a person is sincere, unless you've been with that person long enough to notice when their mannerisms in speech transfer over to text. To say that I just annoyed her and was a jerk to her so much that someone really doesn't want contact with me again?

At least I got a reaction out of her. Which honestly was sometimes one of the reasons I talked to her. I knew I was going to get a reaction. Better one than none.

Radiohead last night. One of the best shows I've ever seen. At from the lawn at greatwoods no less! Great setlist, though no "Climbing Up The Walls" or "Pyramid Song". Oh well, still was worth it for "National Anthem" "Exit Music" "Videotape" and 20,000 singing "This is what you get when you mess with us" during Karma Police. Just great. Afterwards, tailgated and made some good burgers while everyone sat in traffic. Left around 1 am. Back home around 3.

Met Pete's new girlfriend. She's a total cutie. Way to go man.

2008-08-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

Why the fuck do I constantly exploit music as the only thing I'm good at? It's sickening. As proof of a family friend who I am going to name check, Bradley, having good music taste doesn't make you a good person.

And yet I continue to be a jerk with no self-esteem who judges people on wither or not they've heard of the residents or Brian Eno or it they've had an emotional experience at a show. I don't have any hobbies, it all relates back to music, and anything long lasting that gives me pleasure has to do with music or Neko Case laying down naked on a bear-skin rug while Liz Phair stands in the doorway to my lakeside mansion in her underwear, asking me where I keep the whipped cream in my fridge.

Maybe I'll just stop at that image.

2008-08-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

I have spent all day in my room with my macbook. I need a life. But it's gotten better. Explored garageband, not bad. Iphoto works with my camera, so I'm happy. I'm listening to Exile in Guyville, having a good time.

Luau went well. I thought the meccalily set went alright. First public perfomance on guitar. I definitely feel I'm a better musician on bass. Everyone else agreed it was one of the best Meccalily sets, if not the best. Alright then. Set with Dad went alright, some of my worst playing but who cares, no one was there and everyone that was, were drunk. Oh well, made an easier crowd to play to.

Packed up, then spent the rest of the night in a good feeling. Kinda over did it, but it was fine. Went out on the dock and was completely enamored with the lake. It looked like a perfect reflection, plus whenever I looked up at the sky, it seemed to be falling down on me, but not in "OH FUCK" but more of some sorta of weird mobile that got more and less slack in the string.

Was very cool, makes for a good birthday party. Woke up, still out of it from the last night. Lasted until 4-5 in the afternoon. Went over to Bills. He had a bouncey house from his graduation party. Blew it up and bounced around with Bonnie and Allie. Was a lot of fun.

Yesterday, saw Fiasco at AS220 which has Steve Buscemi's son in it. Talked with them for a while. Drove to Nick/Dean/Chris walked down before the show. Saw show, walked back and played pool, had a beer and listening to Captain Beefheart. Left around 1:30.

Tomorrow. Radiohead, need to go to walmart/the bank before hand.

2008-08-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Just got my new Macbook. So far, really nice. Can't wait to unlock it's potential!

Not much happened. Two days ago went up to Amherst to practice with the band. Practiced, got food and beer, came back to his house and just had a good time. Ended up with the smallest couch to sleep on. Not fun, until I had the dream with Liz Phair. Woke up and practiced again, left at 12. Back at 1:30.

Meccalily rehearsal went alright. Nothing special. Not that good either but not as bad as I thought.

Dad's rehearsal... wee-ow.

Lets just say that Wayne said he was embarrassed so much hes coming over to rehearse today after work.

While I am going to The Flobots concert tonight with Martin and Lily! Should be lots of fun, taking a risk here as I don't know either of the bands very well.

and, I am also seeing Radiohead on the 13th! hooray!

But for now, borderline-sexual-contact with my macbook will do just fine.

2008-07-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

Went to the final B/3.1 show. Good show, people seemed to enjoy it. Lots of comments from my friends how it was better than they expected. A lot of them bought Medicinal Reverb.

Rest of the show cool. Sacred Objects was alright. Almost busted a gut as this raver guy lost one of his glow sticks. His reaction just made me bust out laughing. But fine set from him anyway.

Controllar up next. Guy used a P5 NES controller glove with motion sensor technology hooked up to MAX/MSP to trigger sequencers/samples/filters, basically whatever he wanted, with it. It was nuts to watch. The singer had a completely beautiful voice. My only complaint is they didn't have a cd, and they picked the worst songs to put up on myspace.

Before that, discussion of meccalily. I will be playing with them. Some how I'm getting this feeling I should back out, but I know what it is and what happens if I follow through on it.

Part of it is also, this is my first time being a guitar player in a BAND. I don't know what to do with it in a band! I'm trying to find the right balance between Martin and Wayne and if I have to go low or high I figure it out, also if I should just double rhythm or if I should try and do leads that follow the vocals. Should I try and do something I've never done and actually write out all my parts and stick to then 100% with no improvisation? I'll have to see how it all goes at practice...

I'm also trying to figure out if I can quit before the luau, on like the 8th or something from my job. Will have to talk about it with my parents. From then on I only have 4-5 days where I'm not doing something all night (playing out). Hopefully I have enough fundage so this will support me. Just will have to ration my time and money. I would be happy as not to do it anymore.

Last night-Go to bills, go to Newbury Comics. Wanted to see if Pete was there and talk to him as he's the new lead singer of YavinFive and we're playing together, but to also pick up an impulse purchase or 3. Pick up Mission of Burma-The Obliterati and XTC-White Music and Go 2. I know my dad has them on vinyl but I thought it would just be easier to spend the bucks to have them on CD and not worry about conversation and all that stuff.

Today-Practice more meccalily, came up with some parts I hope go over well. Maybe they can give me some direction tomorrow.

In other news. I'm getting a laptop! A MacBook to be procise. I'm excited. Hopefully I can get a version of Pro Tools from Justin. I'm also looking at buying a Roland Micro Cube amp and bringing my guitar and my bass to my dorm room. Hopefully shouldn't be too much in the room.

Meeting with Wayne at 6. Sent him an email about what he wants to accomplish today. It's a bit crafty but I find it helps if I have a destination for a goal.

2008-07-27T22:55:00.000-07:00

Shitty day at work. Long story short around 3 PM I delivered to a house. He wanted 10 back, I only had 7. I felt bad and apologize, but he said "Fine we'll take the 7". He slams the door in my face (well, I was half-turned, but I knew it was a slam). I hear him yelling to the people there about how it's bullshit and I should go fuck myself. I like to picture him giving the finger and stampeding around the house. I drive back to the store, tell Dan what's going on. He says to let it go. Then 30 seconds later the guy comes into the store and starts yelling. Dan, being the trooper, is polite, as am I. He asks (yells) for change. I am happy to give it to him. Long story short Dan threatens to call the cop and he just says (in his final words, and I quote, these will not leave my short term memory) "I will not act like an adult... I will act like uh...uh... uh... a customer who's always right!"

Somewhere in between now he also yelled about our prices and wondered what the hell we were using for toppings. They ordered 3 large 3 topping pizza, with delivery comes to around 13-14 dollars a pop. 13x3 is 39 dollars. plus 2 dollars added for tip is 41 dollar.

At the end he said he would never order from us again. YAY!

Work work work get yelled at by Dan because I'm new and I don't know what the fuck I am doing.

5 PM rolls around and I'm suppose to be rolling out and Sonja is suppose to show up. Sonja doesn't show up. Dan calls her and asks what the fuck is up. She's not coming in because she's in Connecticut. Her car isn't broken down, but she isn't coming in... yay. Apparently she's done this for the past three shifts. And surprise surprise, she's a roommate of Ami. Fuck me running, I mean, this is Rhode Island, but I thought you were suppose to leave cronyism at the state house steps.

I'm out at 7:15, with a shit load of free food. I come home and...fuck, my parents ordered dinner.

and now I'm getting sick at the thought of going back there in two days.

ANYWAY

Yesterday was fine. Mixing took place for AbleArcher. After a few crashes I decided just to go back to the original session and fuck seperate plugins and all that stuff. Came out alright. Might have to remix the new song since we did a quicky overdub to it and it's a little louder than the rest of the song. Honestly I didn't have to do much. They were fairly ontop of their game. Makes it easy to have good source material.

Then afterwards got a text from Meghan, asking me to go to a Battle of The Bands at Tantric. They were going to support Jump Jump Juliet. A good band, but nothing special, full of nice people. But I declined, mainly, I felt meh on the whole situation. I checked most of the bands on the myspace. The promoters definitely are not going to be booking the next XTC or Stooges. Also, it was a 10 dollar cover. I only had 20 bucks in my pocket. Third, it was at Club Tantric. You might remember that from the Mahi/3d Mystery/Triangle Forest show I slept through. (Back from Orientation, went to nap, woke up at 9:30...fuck). The day after the show, I check and Triangle Forest added a new photo album to their myspace, the "Hall of Shame". In it is one photo, and it's this.

You know, I'm starting to grow a pair lately. I've stopped patronizing Cuban Revolution because they're expensive, and they're in cahoots with the people that threw out The Safari Lounge.

So why would I want to patronize a place that didn't pay 3 of my favorite bands?

(Update, while looking for this photo, he commented back. Apparently the owner wanted a payout last second and it ate up door money and could only pay Mahi... Who could have seen a show at Tantric going wrong?)

Anyway, I reply back with basically, that as a text message. I'm greeted by a warm hearted "whatever".

Later that night, I'm at Robbie, playing video games with Nick and Astrid and Robbie, and having fun, and talking about if I'm in the right in this situation. I say something off the tip of my head and it gets garbled, Robbie asks me to repeat. I do, and he replies "Oh, I thought you said 'They don't care as much about music as they think they do".

Which basically, is true. As much as I hate to admit it and it's fucking elitist, they really don't. I don't see any enthusiasm for local music shows or music in general, for finding out new bands or trying to see what's different out there. I'm sick of being the one who brought them the new music. Sure, they found a band that they liked, but it sounded EXACTLY LIKE SOMEONE ELSE THEY KNEW BEFORE.

That's all I know (right now).

2008-07-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

Meditations on Banter/3.1 and High School.

So Monday is (as far as both Justin and I agree on), the last Banter/3.1 show. It really feels like the end of a period of time that I feel attachment to. I know I'm not in the band, but I'd like to think that I at least had a small part (ok fuck that let's stroke some egos: a very vital role) in the development of the sound and style of Banter/3.1 I'd also like to point out that he started around the same time I went into high school, and heard him more or less around midway through my freshmen year. I think it's funny that for some reason this project is stopping as soon as I graduated. I guess no Banter for soundtrack to my college years. My High school years? Fuck me, I listened to "14 New Songs", "Songs of War and Gardening" and "Medicinal Reverb" more than I thought on those drives to school. I even had some kids like it! I remember driving Jamie and Melanie to our gig at the elementary school teaching Spanish, they both said "This is really good, in a really weird way". I had "Medicinal Reverb" on. I turned it low because I didn't want to freak them out. Too late.

Am I sad that he's stopping it? Yes. We talked about the progression of Banter and where it could go, but I guess that stopped in order for him to work on film, and that's just where he's going. In terms of walking up the steps to his study and sitting on the floor as he walks over and gives me a new cd every other month, I will miss that. (I don't think I ever paid for a Banter album, and certainly never got any copies of the album that weren't CD-Rs with black sharpie writing.)

But I can see if he wants to end it, it's his choice. It's sad I will never hear "Grape Crush" or "All Up In The CLUBBBBB" played live again. But I will say it was a total pleasure to watch the progession up close and personal for the last 4 years.

Now, with that out of the way.

Met with Wayne last night. Worked on some songs, he got the 90% of them fleshed out. Helped out with the other 10%, worked on bass lines and other ideas. Really coming along, feel like I'm not doing as much as I could be doing but we still need to figure out the dynamic/relationship.

Talked about things, including Meccalily doing a gig at the luau. Long story short, he called up martin, expressed intrested in an electric set, and also about me playing guitar for them. Will see what happens. I'd rather have them try me and find out it's not working than just not give me a chance. Talk about recording, talk about Dom on drums and how maybe I should just track everything I can with the new songs. Speaking of recording...

Recorded Nick's other band "Able Archer" Tuesday. Started off getting sounds, cue 2 hours of figuring out why the fuck Channel 1 on the Delta isn't working. Dirty contact and I can't waste an hour cleaning it. Call dad twice, we both agree to just patch the Behringer "tube" pre amp to the delta. Whew! That was close. This was after getting sounds. Dan (bass player) had to be at work at 4 so we were running on a time table. they tracked 6 songs in an hour. Never did more than 2.5 takes. Fine. Listening back, didn't get the best drum sound I could have. Fuck. They seem fine. To the Mews for pizza/dropping dan off/break. Then back to the house for vocals and 2 percussion overdubs.

Lotsa shit I should have done for vocals, but didn't think about. Got caught up in the social side of recording...

But, with Wayne's permission to record on "Tower of Destruction", this basically means I get to track things one at a time, which means I can fully mic the drum kit (CLOSE MIC'D! GASP!) and basically can experiment with shit with funky mic placements and stuff. I think I caught the bug.

2008-06-22T23:43:00.000-07:00

I am worried my job will never get better

I am worried that I will never do better

I am worried that my bandmates will become static and not evolve in their playing.

I am worried I am in the wrong band.

I am worried that Nick's new band will be ultimately better than ours, and it will be the band I've wanted to be in all along

I am worried about repeating ourselves

I am worried that we will not evolve in the right direction

I am worried that I am putting too much effort into a relationship that we have agreed upon to permanently remain at a fixed point

I am worried I will not stop thinking about her.

I am worried I will not be able to talk to new people

I am worried I will not be able to start a new relationship

I am worried that I might have ignored my real friends

I am worried that I haven't done enough.

And I'm worried I will never change.

2008-06-11T08:11:00.000-07:00

Welp, it's Wednesday. My last week of classes.

And I'm home. I woke up this morning and my mom asked me "...are you seriously going to do anything today?" since I planned to get in late today from playing AS220 last night. I said "Not really..."

"Well" she said, "Do chores for me and I'll let you stay home"

I thought about it, and fuck it! Sure. I'll stay home. I know I'm not doing shit. And not doing work! But it's before noon, so there's time.

Alright, where do I begin? I guess friday.

Long story short, my school set up a dance, but the catch is that every dance we set up, they book bands in the auditorium. All emo bands. And my band, because I go to school there.

I ran sound, it was easy, just vocals, but I was also house manager. People in bands are douchebags. Plain and simple.

We played a good set, but one of our shorter sets. I guess we realize we have to go from 0 to 10 in about 2 minutes and stay there for 30 minutes. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. Glad my friends saw us at the top of our game.

Martin's Party

Wake up at 10:30, move my shit from my car to Dad's car. Shower, double check gear and go.

Listen to Eno on the ride, discuss things with my dad, get JBLs from Jon B, talk with him for a bit, up and walking around from his hernia operation. Glad to see him and he's doing fine.

On to Lake Mishnock. Get there about 1. Talk with Matt Richter on the way there, told him to bring brushes because I forgot mine and was planning to drum for a few songs during my dad's set.

Roll up, see Martin mowing the lawn, apparently he just found out about 10 minutes ago. First words out of his mouth were

"You guys fucking suck"

And then hugged us. Had to get the PA out of the attic, not bad, but not the lightest, most portable either. Start setting up sound as people start to come in. Over complicated setups are our specialty. Dad makes me laugh as he puts on Post Modern John for house music/test music for the setup. My dad starts his set. It's alright, not a lot of people giving attention. I feel as though it might be a little disrespectful to people, but I can understand there's only so much attention you can give in a party situation like this. Did frippertronics stuff on a song. Was alright, atmosphere was all wrong, I'll get into that in a minute...

Matt hadn't showed up yet. No drums for me.

House on Fire was not as much of a dud as I thought, but I played a really really short set. I ended at the logical end point. I felt like I couldn't play my best since they were really there for me. Pack up, dad a little pissed I didn't play longer. Oh well. I feel that HoF needs to go in the closet. Is it fun? Kinda. The Robert Fripp thing gets kinda old especially because I am not Robert Fripp. I put the "pop" songwriting on hold to expand with HoF. Maybe it's time for them to swap places.

Hot as balls outside. I pack up, put my stuff off to the side. By this point, Dan, Robbie, Astrid and Nick have shown up, and we all go swimming/ boating. Cools us off and puts me back into a better mindset. Matt Richter's band has started by now. One thing I'm always impressed with is how GOOD the sound is out in the lake, it sounds amazing and I don't know why! It's like a natural mix that doesn't blow.

Matt Richter's band is your standard blues/rock cover band, but they're all great musicians, to the point where I would probably go out and see them if given the chance. I think the covers were a bit overdone. But they were nice to listen to, although I was hoping they would finish up because I was antsy about playing. They ended up playing 3 or 4 mini sets, so I was just chomping at the bit to go.

Pete, Nick, Dan and I go to the jeep to concoct a set list. Except for songs we've collectively thrown out of the pile, I think we've played almost every song we've ever written, I'm pretty sure. (There's one song we wrote that everyone forgot about, what the fuck ever happened with that one? It was pretty good, gotta ask about that) Set up with Nick, Me and Dan from left to right, with Pete out in front. I forgot my keyboard stand (I don't know where it is right now. I fear it's left at the Blackstone) so I used a barstool from the house. Talk to Martin before, asked him to play harmonica on LMS. He obliged.

We go on, good set, kinda a blur. Crowd was small but way into it which was good. Lots of friendly interaction. Martin came up one point during the new song and laid down some free-form vocals, it actually fit.

So, we pack up our gear, and along come this man, soaked to the bone with his dog, in full clothing. He is under the influence of something, says how he tripped and fell in the lake, and walked all the way over here to find out where the music is coming from, and we must play one more song... We oblige. We play "National Anthem" by Radiohead and then go into a jam, with Martin on harmonica again, it was good. Pack up, Band hit the road. I go swimming again. Go in, dry off, see Martin in his house playing some songs, grab a guitar and join him. Play through some covers and Meccalily songs. Leave around 1 AM.

Yesterday. School, shit, what are you gonna do. AS220. I feel we didn't play that well, made the horrible decision to have Dan on the stage and put us on the ground. There were tables and a lot of things that weirded me out. Pete, Dan and Nick make a deal out of the pay deal, not the money, but the fact we weren't told about the system. I don't know what they're angry about.

Oh well. Was nice to see Justin and Martin and Lily there...

2008-05-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

I passed my senior project.

Yesterday: Saw Mahi with Herra Terra + Czech Iz Your Master. Fucking great show. Might be a top 5.

Herra Terra were alright. Good songs, but I feel that they should have been louder, and maybe even get a real drummer. Seem to not be getting the most they could out of their equipment.

Czech...can't even begin to describe them.

Strobe lights!

Half Naked men with Anubis masks!

Hobo Theremin Players!

The only time I've seen AS220 turn on the lights to tell someone to stop!

Fucking awesome.

Mahi was great, possibly the best i've ever seen them. Great energy in the room. Bought a shirt.

2008-05-20T18:03:00.000-07:00

Senior Project presentations tomorrow...

I haven't practiced that much, but I know what I'm going to say. By the recommendation of my teacher, I'm going "Hi, my name is Harry Hartley and this is my senior project" and let the weird sounds commence for about 2 minutes.

Then it's an introduction about the project, what I wanted to do.

My mentor and who he is, then into the actual breakdown of the composition. I don't know if I'm going to get to the looping Gamelan section. Probably though. I should do a runthrough after I finish this.

Then talk about my paper, how I found that in 100 years, everyone in electric instruments were looking for new sounds, and all succeeded.

Then just say thank you and hope to God they don't think that I'm pulling their leg by sticking screwdrivers in guitars and saying it's a senior project.

2008-05-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

School stuff monday through wednesday... Half day Wed. meant yard work and more rehearsal with Justin. It went alright, took a little while to settle in. I liked the mixer in the setup with feedback loops, but I think I need to tweak the level of the output on the delay. Overall, good set. I need to listen to the rec. he made of Sunday and write down what the fuck I'm doing in my notebook for tomorrow. Was thinking about it an hour ago, I like Cockslap, I like playing in it, but I really couldn't ever make it my main project. I need some emotional content. Which is why I think Battles could never really be my favourite band of all time. Yes, they are fucking awesome, but there comes a point where if you put a gun to their collective heads and told them to write a love song, they might not be coming up with the most luscious melodies and lyrics ever.

Anyway: Today, not so bad. Didn't really feel like a complete day. Jazz band at 6:30. 3 other people there. They talked about theory and why notes can be moved around to form scales. Was sorta boring for me. Just did blues progressions the whole night. Ended at 8, talked to Dan Healey about the state of the band, told me he trusts me in a manner of speaking with stuff I don't want to disclose ever here.

Blogging, internet, listening to the new sweetthieves song which YOU SHOULD ALL LISTEN TO ON THEIR MYSPACE RIGHT NOW, shower then bed.

2008-05-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

Friday: Saw Sick Electric, 14 Foot One, YavinFive at a Firehouse XIII show. Nice venue. Was a reception for a photo show so there was free food! 14 foot one was pretty good. YavinFive sucked and I didn't stick around for their set. Talked with Sick Electric outside, then went back in for their set. Played some new stuff that was cool, they didn't play Laundry Vs. Laser though, which kinda sucked. A lot of people remembering me and asking when the band is playing next. Home around 12, up for a little while then to bed.

Yesterday: Up at 10, reminded I had to rehearse with Justin at 11. Shower, pack and rush over. Practice goes well, feeling a little too limited in my setup, but I'm going to bring the mixer and incorporate that at the show. Show add an element of surprise. Also booked as House On Fire. Should be nice to just do another one-off show. Thankfully Justin is bringing the minivan so we can take our gear with us. Back home, lunch, watching Indiana Jones, yardwork. Then back in, cleaning up the study, preparations for the party. Shower, eat dinner and more Indiana Jones and then off to the Party around 9:45. Show up fashionably late. Party is swinging, although not as many people before. Didn't even get a real dance party in. The girl I was trying to pick up for about an hour had a boyfriend. Shit. Fun times, playing wii and mingling. Bed around 4-ish.

Wake up this morning to a mystery pair of jeans and girls underwear.... And we have no idea who's it is. Help clean up, play wii a bit more, leave at 11:30. Home, going up to my Grandma's in an hour in a half. I like it there. Must shower and walk dog before that. Right now listening to Meccalily set from 2005. Tomorrow, meeting with Wayne, must bring notebook, ebow, slide and recorder.

2008-05-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

Sweet jesus it's been a long time.

Jay left for NO for the summer yesterday. Went to her send off on Wednesday. Went to India in The Bucket/ East side for food, back to her apartment for good times before I'm off, taking her TV for the summer. Listen to Simple Paper Collage.

last night, Wayne calls me up with plans for our project. Says he tried the drummer and he's bad. Oh well, we press on. Says also he does not want to do any Meccalily songs. Oh well. I am disappointed but if that's what he wants, then it's fine with me. Went to Jazz Band only to find out it wasn't happening. Drive back by the beach. At least it's a lovely ride. See Jon walking by the sea wall, didn't have a chance to say hi.

Speaking of Jon, a couple of weeks ago I was listening to PMJ and this great hawk was circling over head during " Nuclear Meltdown, Family Style". Thought it was really cool and fit the music perfectly.

Backtracking:
The Bonfire at Jon's was great. Nick and Astrid showed up, they had a good time. Wayne showed up too. Some other people I don't remember showed up and a good time was had by all. Broke out the guitars, did versions of "Learning Russian", "Heroin", and a couple of Sufjan Stevens songs. Eventually Matt Richter came and said he brought drums after all the guitars were put away, but I grabbed the 12-string and told him to grab his drums. Great time, especially dropping the guitar to my secret weapon tuning, D-A-D-F#-B-E, using a capo to help change keys. Pete eventually drops by and the three of us jam. Good times. Cut short after Dad gets a call from work on his actual cell phone. Shit hit the fan and he had to go back home. Make the decision to go back on my own, only Jon and Matt are left, but we talk for about half an hour more. Definitely worth it in the long run to go back over there. I always really enjoy his bonfires.

Today is Martin's 50th birthday, sent him a happy birthday message, hope it wasn't too creepy I found out through his blog. Told him his birthday present was The Troop playing this years luau.

Tomorrow: Plan is to rehearse with Justin, go to Slaughterfest to see Hircine and a newly reformed Hogg play, then to Astrid's to party.

2008-04-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

Jesus christ, today was bad. One of the worst I've had in years.

For the past years, I've never had a day like this. It was just the weather and the fact that I could have come into school by 12 and not missed a THING just depressed me.

I need the trigonometry project like I need a hole in my head.

Digital photography was alright, I basically was working with Katie Truchon and the show for the block party with the band line up. I offered to do sound, and suggested the cafeteria as

A.) The auditorium is under construction, and as the rest of the project has been behind schedule I'd assume this would be too.

B.) It seems to be a better room. Small, tiled but some stuff on the ceiling and wall to absorb the sound.

Hopefully should be fine, can't really see a problem, and if I'm soundguy, I get to do my own sound for my band! yaaaaayyy. And also play house music. Aw yeah.

Band sucked for all the wrong reasons. Could not find the JBL Eon speaker I use (used ever since the school's bass amp long story short was tripped over.) nor could I find the other one. Apparently Mrs. Lopes borrowed it for the junior prom and has yet to return it to the music room. So I spent the period practicing runs and dexterity as I couldn't play amplified. I'm going to be incredibly pissed if come thursday it is not back.

Dressed up for Civics, for them to make sure we have the proper clothes for our presentation. Wasn't bad, looked good and was semi-comfy. We also had to have the stuff for our actual presentation, which meant dragging my guitar and amp and all various knick-knacks I needed. I volunteered to go first, because I didn't want to drag in all this shit just not to go, plus I worked on my outline last night. Started out kinda iffy, but got better as it went on. Glad I went first because it means I'm receiving feedback quicker. Which also means I can improve this presentation quicker. To my surprise, the class loved it. Especially the gamelan section where I looped a 5/8 phrase that I composed, and the drumsticks. Glad to see that if they liked it then I won't have to worry so much about what to say, and it definitely cleared a lot of crap out of what I don't have to present. Barely made it to 12 minutes, I had so much stuff I wanted to say again but couldn't. Maybe I'm just elongating what doesn't need to be elongated.

Home: Nap, walk to Mission Of Burma, home, get dinner, but not before trying to get gas for my car. My debit card is declined so I just take $15 out of my wallet that I put aside for lunch money and used that. Bought me about a quarter of a tank. What the fuck. Get home with the food. Chinese from Bamboo Garden. They fucked up my order (and just mine) and instead of General Tso's they gave me Chicken Fingers. God damn.

Went to URI's open mic night, last one of the semester and year for Astrid. Saw her read two poems. They were good. Also saw Jay read three poems, loved the second one, other two were pretty good. Split afterwards, home, blogging, showering, bed.

2008-04-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Last night:

Pete's recital. Very good, although some pieces were better than others. His original was the best of the night. Was amazing to hear it in full context, as he's only played bits and pieces of it to me for the past year.

Got together with Bill, Bonnie, Joe and Allie. Went to Applebee's for dinner, only because we gave up and were too tired to let our brains rack anymore places in South County that were tasty and affordable. Applebee's was... one of the two. It was tastier than we thought, though.

Afterwards, back to my house where Allie picked up her boyfriend. Nice guy, but he didn't want to hang around my house. Talked and just listened to music. Walked around the neighborhood.

Eventually everyone filed out and it was just Joe, Bill and I watching "Spun". Good movie, hadn't seen it in a while. Drove Joe and Bill home, not before scoping out the Rite Aid at 2 in the morning, nothing worth buying.

Today: Up, play some stuff on the stereo, in particular "Milo's Song" by Martin, since it was another dull, gray day. Parents home by 12. Listened to the Human Sexual Response tape Justin gave me. Don't have a real usable tape deck so I had to break out the four track. I really really like it, although it is weird how Meccalily changed sections of "Anne Frank Story" when they cover it...

Out to Thayer St at 7 listening to Irreversibly Whacked on the way up, meet Jay, Austin and Jay's Yale friends. Go to Nice Slice for dinner, good stuff. Then to Johnny Rockets for a milk shake w/ Austin. Meet Jay and co. at Roba Dolce, talk more, then eventually back to her house. Give Austin a ride to his house on the way there so he can drop off his Ipod for his brother.

Back at Jay's house, fun fun on the Wii, talking with Corriene, and how there was a lost ToE gig that we just remembered about at the Blackstone in May. Talk about recording her and maybe collaborating. Seemed to be trying to put me down gently for collaborating.

Leave at 10, back at the house by 10:30, listening to "A Simple Paper Collage". Listening to "The Cutting Edge" when I realize it might be one of the best pop songs I've heard in years. Was about to send Martin an email saying this until I looked at the credits and neither him nor Wayne wrote it. Oops.

Home, collecting laundry, blogging, shower, bed.

2008-04-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, haven't blogged in a little while. General goings on

Talked to someone I shouldn't have, tried to get a relationship back off the ground, second party was not going for it. Which is good in the long run.

The other thing in my mind, re-reading "Our Band Could Be Your Life" is making me realize than I REALLY need to get off my ass for promotion. I've completely ignored college radio stations. I think I might email Ian Mackaye and just ask for advice. He does have our shitty EP. I wonder if he ever listened to it. He probably did. Wonder if he liked it.

And that's about it.

2008-04-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

Not much this past week. It's been beautiful outside, so I've been reading on the porch. It's amazing, and when I come in I get freaked out at all the carpentry and walls. A good sign that I'm getting out more.

Last night was Jill's 21st birthday party. Was fun. Went expecting to leave by 12, since I wasn't that into it in the beginning. Showed up relatively early, a few people, but good time. Dean snapped at me when I asked for something, was a little put off, but he had just had a seizure a few days ago, when he was going to get his driver's license, I'm sure he was just not very patient. Fun party, didn't drink as I was driving, but got to be socialable by midnight, mingling with people. Good fun. Drive back at 2:30, because Astrid, ever sloshed, would not let me leave. Came back at her by making her laugh until she fell over, although I'm not sure how much it was my doing...

Home at 2:30, parents still up. They're still troopers. Bed at 3 after interneting. Today, work, decompressing. School tomorrow. Have to finish a handwritten copy of my score by tuesday. I can do it.

2008-04-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

H'okay, so...

Wake up at 8, with my shit already together, but there is a branch pruning tree the state seemed to decided to put perpendicular to our driveway. Leaving us with barely a car's width of space to back out THREE cars onto our lawn. Thanks a lot, guys.

Leave for Amherst around 8:30. Take 295 to 146 to mass pike. Listen to REM "Document" and XTC's "Oranges and Lemons". No bad traffic at all. Get stuck behind a tanker on the backroads to umass. Oh well.

From there, Dan drives down I-91 to the Merrit parkway. Listen to a collage of stuff such as Television's "Marquee Moon", a Banter/3.1 compilation disc, and XTC's Drums and Wires. Listen to Drums and Wires twice as it's that mood of "HOLY SHIT WE TOOK A WRONG TURN" in the city and just can't be bothered to turn it off. Merrit parkway is just beautiful, art deco bridges and scenic forests. Definitely will take the route again.

Got in NYC. Had to make a couple more turns than I would have liked but we get there. Find a parking spot but talk about it and spring for parking, good thing too, because everyone was getting ticketed. Oh well, would rather pay money to know I'm not gonna get a ticket, and my car is safe.

Kill some time in NYC by walking down Broadway. Dan and I just kinda admire the girls. And oh boy, where there a lot of them. A lot. Eat something, get back to the club where Pete, Nick, and Hannes are waiting. Walk around some more, grab dinner and then back to the club for a soundcheck.

Then the devil's playtime, the time between soundcheck and the set. Kill time, try to network with other bands, doesn't really work that well. The main stage is a crust punk/metal show, tap room is a band that was suppose to go on at 10, but ended up going on at 8, so we had conflicting times, damn. Mac showed up, and his friend Tom, as well as Pete's Mom, sister, aunt and uncle, which was very very sweet.

Get up there, opened with Providence Public Defender. It goes well. New song, I have fun playing it, well, not really. It's weird.

Can't remember the setlist, as I've seemed to have lost it, but it WAS written on a napkin. Overall, the set was alright, B, B+. The stage setup was sorta weird, and you couldn't see the audience, like always, which is weird, I don't do well if I can't see the audience. To date, the first and only show I've done with earplugs in. Dan's new hi-hat just completely obliterated all the highs up there, and while I couldn't here Nick, I'd gladly sacrifice that instead of my high-end. It's was alright, not our best, but not our worst.

Hannes and Caroline Pook were really really good, bought his last CD. Hope he comes back to America.

Drive home, take FDR to 289 East to 95. Fine until we hit 95 north. Traffic due to some dickwads closing two of the three lines on the highway due to construction, fine, but it was like midnight on a Wednesday. What the fuck.

Smooth sailing, listening to Laurie Anderson's "Big Science", Girl Talk's "Night Ripper", Hasidic New Wave's "Truth and the Abstract Jew" and Sufjan Steven's "Illinoise". Drive through Connecticut AGAIN, only with Dan and I giving it some not-so-nice-names. Drive for a couple of hours before letting Dan take over so I can eat and we can make good time. Driving through 95 in RI is really weird, because I never have to use it except going to providence. Anything south of Warwick on 95 is just too weird for me to comprehend.

Was mildly amusement for some reason (probably because I had spent 9 hours in a car) at the fact that 95 has signs for North Kingstown and West Greenwich, but I remembered West Greenwich is just a big industrial park. Dan took some back road to NK, which I actually remember because we had to go down that way to get to 95 when we played New York the first time. Funny, going the opposite way at the opposite time of night.

Drop Dan off, take over. Drive back home, getting that weird feeling I get whenever I take a road trip. Your home is not your home, it's just a series of walls and 90 degree angles that house your shit. It's weird to think that someone might pass by my house in the same way I just pass by someone else's house, on the Merrit, for instances.

Do an internet check, bed at 2:30.

Now it's work for me all the rest of the weekend...fine by me.

2008-04-15T10:54:00.001-07:00

Last blog was a week ago.

So fuck the past week. Nothing of importance.

Except last night. Went to Banter/3.1 show. His best show to date. Wish he showed a little more energy or at least made it LOOK like he was doing more with his keyboard. Talked about this. After the set was a little alienated by hanging around with Jon, my dad, and Martin, although I'm sure it was all in good fun. I guess I would be a little worried if I wasn't alienated. Oh well.

Stuck around for the rest of the show. Daniel Ouellette was up next. Saw him once before, he was better then. Did more a performance art thing, although I think it might have been due to the number of people in the audience. Left about half way in, just wasn't that into it, listened from outside while reading the Phoenix.

Next was James Amoeba, noise set. Was cool, did it with MAX/MSP. Bought a CD, but didn't want to. It was 5 bucks though, and I helped him feed himself. Oh well. Didn't go from the start. Was talking with people and then excused myself because I liked what I heard coming from the stage. But not before tipping Jon's glass over with a milli-liter of beer in it . Oops, at least it was just a drop, still felt like an ass. I'm always my most klutzy around them. It's like some poorly written sitcom, except with everyone trying to one-up each other with music.

Mystery Palace was next, and felt kinda bad, no one stuck around to see their set. So they allowed free admission, and including me there were about 8 people in the audience. Not a bad show, following my old rule of "If there are more people in the audience than on stage, it's a good show". They were alright, all the songs sounded the same after while,

Intro: glitched circuit bent keyboard, drumbeat, then bass.

repeat for every song in their set.

Oh well. I got on the guest list for Banter, so I got to see it for free!

Ride back with Justin, talking about various things. My conversation skills are pretty shitty, I'm learning. Well, at least with Justin and the ring of friends are my dad. Guess they'll never be my friends like well, my ring of friends. As long as they play music with me, whatever.

Have to do preperations for the car before I leave for NYC tomorrow. I am nervous, but it's more for the road trip. Looked over directions from 9A to the Knitting Factory. The only hard thing will be finding long term parking.

Before I made a fool out of myself in front of Martin, he mentioned he might come down to the show, which would be great for me, some encouragement from some local people would be just what I needed. We've done all the promotion we can do just short of being in NYC, which isn't much, but hey it's something.

Have to talk to dan about what time I have to leave and all that crap. If we want to be in the city for 4, I have to leave by 10:30-11 at the least. Must shower and do all the shit I need to do tonight. There's an ICON parking garage a block from the club. Might park there...

2008-04-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

Holy shit, my last post was a week ago! Let's make this quick.

Thursday, band festival. We play and (later found out) we placed 3rd over all. Not bad for the little band from Narragansett. Note: Don't play a fucking suite in a band festival, let alone TWO. I'm looking at you Burrillville. Took notes on the bands (cuz I'm a nerd). Ponagansett had some good numbers and players. Woonsocket was all flash, and really didn't stand up to their appeal at all. Was happy that I got to hear "The Inferno" by Robert W. Smith. It's a bitchin tune. Honestly, I think we had the best collection of songs out of everyone. And if I hear another version of "Variation on a Korean Folk Song" I'm probably going to shoot someone.

Back at home, alone, since parents left that morning and we boarded the dog the night before. Do homework, done by 5:30. Listen to "Thursday Afternoon" on ...Thursday afternoon. How quaint.

Friday: School, then Sweetthieves!

Get to as220, pay our money, see The Butcherings first. Not great, not bad either though. Mention their drummer moving south after this show. Sad. Hopefully they'll continue going places. They had a fog machine behind the drummer, forgot about it during their last song, wondered if someone's amp was on fire!

Sweetthieves next. Good set, if eerily similar to the last time I saw them. Again, plop myself in front of Hilary. Oh god she is so pretty.... uh, anyway. After the set talk to her about shows and bass gear and all that. Offer to help load their gear out, she declines but seems thankful. Think about putting a show together with them and Mahi Mahi in the summer. Also, I got recognized by 4 people that night. I'm moving up in the world of the Providence Scene.

Denimvenom. Didn't stick around for their set. Couldn't take the prog. Went to Nice Slice on thayer with everyone after. Home, with Julia and Pete sticking around to hang out. Pete leaves and Julia and I just hang out listening to music and talking. She crashes here and I go to bed.

Saturday: Up, hang out with Justin for a little while. Conversation is minimal but I really don't care. It doesn't feel forced so why be bothered by non-forced conversation?

Home, then decide to go to Lindsay's party. Hang out there after Google Maps dumps me in fucking west side of providence, where I have no idea where the fuck I am. Hang out there for a little while. Jay's there, Pete's there. Lindsay and Corriene are there (NOT having sex! What a surprise!) We talk and party. Corrine is the first person I know to listen to Moxy Fruvis outside my and my parents. Damn. Home, then sleep.

Sunday: Not much except for cleaning up and dinner with Grams (my grandmother). Lovely conversation, lovely dinner. Glad I did it. It was a great end to a great weekend.

Yesterday: Eh.

Today: Eh. Met with Wayne about music things. We jam on some stuff and it goes pretty well. Got to play his Rickenbacker the entire night. Work on some new songs and it goes pretty well. Eventually we talk and it gets on the subject of the Luau. Wayne asked if there even was one this year, and I said yes. He replied back that "He wasn't even invited". In a joking way. I say that Martin honestly just probably forgot since he was working with the porch so close to the party. Hope there isn't any bad blood between the two, just some falling away with work and family. Jamming seems to go well, if a little awkward. (This was the musical equivalent to a first date...) Think it might go somewhere. We shall see. At least we had a promising beginning.

Home, internet, dinner, bed.

2008-04-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

It appears that I've been Rickrolled twice today already.

Up, didn't want to get out of bed. Listen to "Medicinal Reverb" B/3.1s new album. It's good, I would just do a few tweaks before it's release, and I'll talk to justin about this sometime.

School, schooly. Nothing really to say.

Home: raining, internet, Off to Nick's Recital at 7.

Great great performance by him. Not a major scale the entire night. He played a Monk piece near the end that just was transcended. Closed my eyes and thought of the best landscapes. Afterword, talk with him and everyone else, laughter abounds.

Home, interneting, blogging, shower then bed.

2008-03-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

Today:

Up, listening to LCD Soundsystem, last minute grab of stuff.

AP psych, alright, did some of the packet will listening to Schroeder, liked it, think I'll continue doing it that way. See how it works on the next test.

Spanish: The less said the better. I've gotten a new system where I place a tic-mark down on a piece of paper every time Mrs. Mac does something that annoys me. She got 17 today.

English: People are stupid and bombed the quiz, so she had us make collages on symbolize pertaining to the book. (Don't look at me, I got an 85, and I don't think I wrote more than 12 sentences total!) I finished mine in 40 minutes because I didn't care. Easy enough.

Lunch, talking about the party saturday and the aftermath, which is apparently Bonnie's parents taking a strong disliking towards Bill. Not just for the sex comment, but for the swearing. We have the same opinion as to her parents being a little too demanding, especially of Bonnie and us as being her friends. No swearing? I understand that not everyone has the mouth of a sailor that I do, but considering some of the things I've heard come out of Bonnie's mouth, she's about on average with me.

Physics, do a lab, manage to fuck it up (I don't think I've done one lab properly in this class the entire year), although it's not my fault. Oh well.

Home, raining so I don't take the dog out, homework, work on the composition a bit more, fixing sax rhythms and cello parts and all that. Internet, definite date with Wayne for jamming. Good practice session on drums today. Retuned kit sounds really good, snare might need to be a bit tighter though. Starting to get back in the rhythm (sorry) of it.

Internet, showering, blogging, bed.

Edit: Thank fucking GOD that today is the last day of March. What a soul-sucking month.

2008-03-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Jesus, seeing my last blog was on WEDNESDAY. What the fuck.

Nothing to report from then until Friday. Stayed in Friday, big whoop. Oh, I got my RIEPS Graduation Portfolio done, huzzah! I can get that fucking thing off my back. Even if it gets handed back for "revisions" it's done, effectively.

Saturday was Bonnie's Party.

Original plan was going to the URI Pool, but Bonnie had forgotten to check the times and realized they closed at like 4 PM. Oops. A quick call to everyone and she's set up everyone to go to Lazergate at 8:30.

I get to the house around 6:40, clearing out my car beforehand because I said I would volunteer driving people. The thing about Bonnie's house is that it's... pretty tacky. Like, REALLY tacky. It has this whole Nautical theme, and it's filled with useless crap EVERYWHERE. It really reminds me of the old house at Emma G Lane, because it's just so fucking small, I wonder how she can live in it sometimes. But we cram in there, some how.

Walking towards her house I see a bumper sticker on a silver SUV that says "Big Bang Theory: God said 'BANG' and the universe was created!". Her parents are very religious, which is fine, but it's borderline the creepy religious parent kind. Still... nice people though. We eventually all roll out, not before her mom worrying over the directions (figures. It seems my parents are the only people that don't get worried that their kid is ALL THE WAY IN PROVIDENCE OR FURTHER! Well, they might be worried, but not for the same reasons as the other parents I know). I'm in the car with Kevin Northup, Bobby Mulligan, Bill Wilson and Joe Brennan.

In retrospect, I'm REALLY surprised we didn't get pulled over.

So, we're on the highway, driving along. The directions say to get off at exit 7. So we do. What we neglect to remember is that once you cross state lines, the exit numbers start again. Oh boy.

We end up in Barrington. You know, now I see why all those kids have nothing to do but drink. It helps.

Drive down Barrington for a good 10 minutes before we realize "OH SHIT" and turn back around. Get back on the highway towards where we wanna go. We're here! Fall River! There's the exit going RIGHT PAST OUR CAR.

Kevin failed to get into the exit lane in time.

No problem, we'll just take the next one and just go as straight as possible south.

Oh sweet dear God, no.

One half-hour and "Fuck me we just went around in a motherfucking circle" later, we get back on the highway, at Lasergate. At 9:30.

Welp, there goes our slot.

But we manage to get the 10:20 slot, and go to McDonalds for dinner (I did not eat as I was not hungry).

We play one game of lasertag, one game. And I came in last place. I was expecting 2 more for me to find my groove. Shit.

The ride home is much more fun than the ride up. We end up listening to WRIU, making fun of the DJ who sounds like he's pressing the "cough" button in order to do bong hits, and sing along to The Beatles and Simple Minds. Very very good ride home, and we were considering pooling our money and buying Bonnie a vibrator for a gift. Although, personally, even as a gag, I'd rather she'd just get some use of it than have it collect dust. Gotta keep that hysteria away!* (name the allusion for a gold star!)

Back at her house, where one of the funniest moments I've ever witness in my life occurred, no hyperbole.

We're sitting around her living room, talking, telling stories, when Bill brings up the time he and Bonnie tricked me into thinking they had sex on their trampoline. I was like 14, liked her (still do. I don't care, she doesn't read this blog, I don't really think anyone does except for one person. New idea, if you read this blog, leave a comment!) And basically I really didn't think they would lie to me. It was a dick move then and still is kinda a dick move now, but, this is neither here nor there, it is important for the backstory.

So I'm sitting there, sulking and smiling, picturing myself punching Bill's lights out, because he deserves it, just a little. Now, Bonnie's dad comes in, hanging by the doorway (with no door) just to see how it's going, I think.

Keep in mind Bill is sitting with his back towards the doorway, and his hood is up, so he has no peripheral vision at all.

He's near the end of the story, and we're all trying to shut him up, giving him cues such as "Aw good story man!" and "Man that's so funny". Bill proceeds to throw all these cues out the window and end his story with the quote "And then Bonnie and I made sweet love".

Two feet from the father in the doorway.

I have never seen a bigger, more terrified expression of Bill.

Karma is a bitch, but only to the people that deserve it.

Home, listening to "The Flaming Lips" because I've made it some weird tradition that if I go to southern MA, I have to listen to that record. I don't know why. Although I don't know why I thought "Sleeping On The Roof" was a bad song, ever. Staying up until 4, listening to music. Good times.

Today:
Up at 10, internet, dog walk to "Oranges and Lemons"

Just general relaxing for the weekend.

Got an email from Wayne, we're semi confirmed for next sunday to try and see if we can work something out between us. I hope it goes well. I'd really like to work with him (Although I'd really like to work with Meccalily, but something tells me Wayne and Martin had something of a fall out a few years ago). Oh well, I think we're going to run through some songs of his that I know and see where it goes.

Retuned my drum kit today. I think it sounds much better as a whole now. Hope to play it on my dad's little cover version of "Wall of Death" along with bass, just to try it out.

Blogging, Flaming Lips and XTC before bed.

2008-03-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

Jesus what a long day. I hardly remember tuesday.

Up, listen to "The Velvet Underground"

School-eh. What can you expect? Math was boring, but Dig. Photo made me laugh my ass off thanks to Brendan and talking about the portfolio. Band was alright. Detail work today, hardly played the whole class. Wondered if there was something with Matt, our bell player. He seemed to be messing up way too much for someone with a sucky playing style. I'm wondering if he has a learning disability. It certainly would explain some things. Civics, gave my speech, meh. Worked in "Taking Tiger Mountain" (the play) in there, went over better than I though it would.

Teaching at the elementary school. They all did really well this lesson. Though Bennett was his typical "acting out" self, and Sam... well. I was kneeling to help Sidney through the worksheet, and all of a sudden I feel someone rubbing my back. Not like a brush, but a circular motion. I turn my head and see Sam...

"Uh, Sam? What are you doing?"
"Massaging your back"
"Well... uh, thank you Sam, but aren't you suppose to be doing that activity over there with the other group?"
"Yeah..."

And he continues for a good 4 seconds because the idea is not getting in his head.

"Sam, go play with the other group."

And then he runs along... I had no idea what to say to that...

Meet with Mike about comp. He likes it. I made him smile today, that's a first. Saw Dan Healey on the green playing football, didn't want to say hi because that would be weird... Saw Pete and Nick while waiting for Mike. Oh boy, everyone is just out in force today.

Home, 2 hours of AP psych. Urgh. Barely finish, then summative reflection... Shower and off to bed...

2008-03-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

This is my 30th post! Hooray!

Up this morning, no music, didn't feel like any, listened to NPR. Story on the 4,000th soldier to die in the Iraq war. A little depressing but put it in perspective.

School: Schooly. Didn't really do a lot today but that's fine by me. Managed to scooch out of giving a presentation in civics by literally SECONDS. Bill gets down from the podium, teacher looks at me, I look at teacher, bell rings and I give high-fives. I wouldn't have minded giving it, but it's the principle of the thing. Driving home, "Talk of The Nation" on NPR had the same story on the 4,000 dead soldiers. A wife giving her testimonial on how her 4-year old daughter is coping since she never saw her father, and never will. Almost couldn't handle it. The fact that I have actual physical real-life friends over there (shout-out to my main man Joe Parker kickin' it in Iraq) makes it all the more real. I fear that one day I'll be reading over the obituaries and find his name. Hopefully not.

This war is all kinds of fucked-up.

Home, internet, taking the dog out. Listen to "English Settlement". Alright, not amazing, not bad either and at least it's warm out. Home, no homework except study. Have to re-write my english reflection for the portfolio as Ms. Tarasevich graded it but lost it. Not really a good teacher academically. We don't do dickity-shit in that class but at least it's a rest period for me from spanish and B-days in general. Pick up pizza from Junction (oh my god all the way in North Kingstown), take the scenic route and listen to Meccalily. Speaking of...

Wayne Belanger emailed me saturday asking how everything was going. Long story short, he's asked me to faux-audition for his band. He mentioned he has scrap of songs, and I do this a lot online, taking scraps of songs and putting parts over them, pretty much like Brian Eno, without being Eno (Remember, Justin is the fourth deadly finn). Honestly I think I'm usually better at this in a pop-songwriting environment than on my own. He's invited me to his house to put my grubby mits on his instruments to see which combination work out the best. We shall see....

Oh great, and now I've blogged myself away from studying. Well, time to go rectify this...

Easter Theater

2008-03-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

Woke up saturday, showered, did normal things. Relaxing until about 4 when we head up to NH. Get a copy of my score done. One down, one to go. Got to put it into overdrive this week. Hopefully can meet with Mike., and this in gear. But, other things right now. Go up there, was introduced to Kate and Tim's new dog Sarabi. Sweet little thing. General good happenings commence. Easter dinner loaded with animal products and carbs. Ate till I was full, had a Guinness with dinner, not a bad thing at all. Then played poker with the family, did better than expected, came in third. Not bad for my 5th time playing ever. Stay in until 2 AM where sloppy playing and going all-in on a hand I was sure was fine as Tim was half bluffing his way through the game. He had a flush, I had three of a kind (or Three Of A Perfect Pair, I kept calling it). I was out. They kept playing for about an hour. I blew up my mattress in the living room and watched Adult Swim. Venture Brothers, NOVA and some other shows kept me up until about 3:30.

Woke up at 9:45 to my mom, my aunt and my cousin waking me up. I contemplated going into the bed my mom was in, she offered it, but I knew I was just going to sleep until noon and I won't feel very good if I sleep in that late, as I was pretty well rested to begin with.

Home, relaxing, checked my bag and realized tomorrow is an A-day, so I have no homework tonight! YAAAAAAAAY! Absolutely beautiful out. Gromit gets back from the kennel, take him out listening to XTC's "Apple Venus Vol. 1" and absolutely great. Sun beating down on my face as "Easter Theater" plays and "Knights In Shining Karma", just absolutely great. A brief two days of peace in an absolutely horrible month. Home, some TV and internet. More relaxing. Watch Futurama, check up on my internet after leaving it for 2 days, I managed to cope, somehow. Currently listening to A Post Modern John at the 2005 Luau, and listening to monitor it's status as I dump it to my computer to digitize it. I don't WANT to go to school tomorrow, and I might turn in early (How many times have I said that and gone to bed at 11?)

2008-03-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

I really need to be better on blogging.

Thursday: Don't remember alot from school. Probably nothing important... Jazz band is good. Dan the drummer is a freshmen and it shows in his playing. We have to do Birdland (crappy arrangement) and he's sorta dragging. I can tell he's tensing up from playing fast, so I tell him to just relax. He does, gets it better. Work on blues jams for everyone. Take a few solos, do fine. Try not to wank out with a solo. Afterwards get a call from Bill saying he wants to go to Mahi Mahi. Pick him up and head to Dans. Lots of fun, talking, then eventually heading out. Somehow I end up driving, oh well...

Drive up, we get there early. Head to AS220 for something to eat and to warm up. Finish and head to the club. Almost get denied because the bouncer read my ID wrong. See the drummer, say hi. Says that he could have gotten me on the guest list if I emailed him. Guess I'm moving up in the world. Great show. The new tunes are good and the old ones are getting more revamps. Bill seemed to have a deer in the headlights look to him, as to be expected. Drummer broke his stick and threw it out. Caught it but gave it to Bill... Was good to see Jay. Get out of there after Mahi's set and head to Denny's. Get off at the wrong exit (too early) but was going to go down Route 2 to get there but it was closed off due to a big accident. Get there, see the company, get a milkshake, talk for a while. Give Kate and Bill rides home. Home, dicking around, bed at 3.

This morning, get up at 12. Dick around, restring my noise guitar, using HEAVY HEAVY strings. Tune it to C-G-D-G-B-B using 2 Gs for Bs but it won't stay in tune, too much tension. Swap them out for 2 regular Bs and it's fine. Usually those aren't the problems anyway. Chores, took a 2 hour nap at 6 PM, woke up at 8, pretty shabby. Get a call from Pete saying Matt is putting together a house party tomorrow and wants to Troop to play, taking top priority. Call my parents frantically trying to see if I could work something out. Talk to Justin for like 2 hours about all things. Hope his detox is going well, although he was getting progressively buzzed as our conversation went on, but not horrible. Internet...

Parents get home, and "negotiations begin" although honestly they aren't negotiations. I left them a message explaining the situation, so they know whats up. I explain that we get first priority over all other bands. My dad says "It's a house party" and I say that it's not partying, but the chance to play, and I've never heard a faster "no" in my life. Some negotiations. Not to turn this into a "RARRRRGGH PARENTS" angst filled rant, but she really didn't even all me to give my full argument. I knew nothing was going to help though, so I just stood cross armed and stared silently at her while she talked. I just hope there will be other shows, and tomorrow I'm not just stuck listening to music by myself. Which will probably be the case...

2008-03-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

Up in the morning, yogurt for breakfast. It's raining out, decide to take the third VU record as it fits the mood.

School, schooly. Have an assembly on drunk driving that take out a good portion of civics, so yay for presentations. Typical story. Harmless kid taken away by a drunk driver. Heartbreaking, but honestly good to get the story out there. A few kids were talking and the presenter whipped them, with good reason. If they are the people I think they are, then maybe a little cleaning on their side of the gene pool would not be a bad thing... I don't wish death, but jesus christ I hope they grow up, or at least keep their offspring the hell away from me and my own if I have any.

Home, still raining. Internet, short dog walk. Finish uploading the Meccalily 2005 set. Next is the PMJ show, but I think that won't happen until next week. Oh well, they've been sitting on minidiscs for 4 years, it can probably wait on their for a few more weeks. Talk to Dan, apparently the rest of the week is out with schedules so we can't get a practice in. At least we got another song done!

Tomorrow, last day of school before long weekend, woo hoo! Think I shall my camera and my music score with me to keep my occupied for the NH trip, but I might get nothing done. Who knows how this goes? Also, Mahi Mahi! yaaaaaaay.

2008-03-18T19:02:00.001-07:00

Up again, at a "normal" time where I have time to get myself ready! Who knew? Grab Sonic Youth (first album) for the ride until...

I hit a squirrel. Not 50 feet from my house. It came out, I swerved, it swerved with me. I feel it go under the car and look back, and see it flip over and then lie still in the middle of the road. I feel bad about it all day, but getting over it now. It totally wasn't intentional...

School is... well... Last friday in AP Psych we took a quiz and Mr. Schroeter was absent. Long story short we can't find the plans, but find the quiz. Take quiz with books and in groups. We find plans 20 minutes before the end of class saying that it's suppose to be a regular quiz. He finds out and is pretty pissed. Decided to not make the quiz count. Oops. Oh well, as long as he doesn't completely hold it against us for the rest of the year...

Spanish was interesting. Everyone was gone for teaching, so we only had about 8 students. Ms. Mac just let us work on our homework for the class. Eventually it gets towards the subject of prom, and she went around the room asking who we would go with. I replied that I was probably not going to go. She seems visibly upset. I asked if I went to my junior prom. I said I did not. For the record, I was out seeing a What Cheer Bridge and Slavic Soul Party show at AS220 that night with Pete and Jay, and you can bet your ass I had more fun there than I probably would have at the prom. Probably more fun than some of the people that actually went. Anyway, she says that this prom is different, it's local, no limos, just nice and low-key. I can see where she was coming from, but those aren't the reasons I didn't go. I barely can stand being in school with most of these people, I'm probably going to be worse outside of school (well, I'll be polite outside of school...)

English... eh, faked it.

Physics, do a lab on Pulleys with Joe and Kevin. Get one result that doesn't seem correct. In retrospect we probably measured wrong, but we didn't have time to redo it.

Home, internet, dog walk listening to Matthew Good's Avalanche. Homework... and then an experiment.

For reasons unknown to myself, I decided to test how long I could listen to 92.3 PRO-FM. For those of you that don't live in Rhode Island, this is the Top 40 station. I started somewhere around 6:30, and stopped around 8. What I found was two or three good songs amongst a sea of clunkers. I finally pinpointed what I hate about mainstream hiphop. It lacks funk. Old school hip-hop (Afrika Bambaataa, LL Cool J, Ice-T, NWA, Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five) was taken from MCs spilling rhymes over funk and soul records and breakdowns. And those things had FUNK to them. Or at least what this white boy knows of da funk. Listening to mainstream hiphop, all of the funk is gone. I don't know why, but the drum programming completely lacks funk. It might be a funk line, but there is no funk to it at all. That and the same damn 6 synthesizer settings. I really, honestly, felt a little sick after a while. Like tension was filling my stomach. I don't know if it was something else, but it might have been an actual physical reaction towards something I dislike.

In an afterthought, after playing along to Sonic Youth (Oh my god that felt good), I turned on the radio back to 92.3 to see if I could stomach a little more. They were playing the same song I had ended on an hour earlier. AN HOUR EARLIER. As in, they probably have a music library bigger than my house, and they played the same damn song they had played AN HOUR EARLIER. I knew right then I had to stop.

And in order to heal my ears, I'm listening to XTC's "Knights In Shining Karma" right now. Oh Andy, don't ever stop...

Ok, really, my mp3 player on shuffle, but still, it's better than that shit on the radio.

And I feel I can honestly say that having listening to a straight hour and a half of it.

2008-03-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

Up at a reasonable time today! like 6:40, only hit the snooze button once! Hooray! Grab Yo La Tengo for the ride, it'll do.

School, schooly. Mrs. Burke liked most of my shots for Photography, which is good. I think my portfolio for final exam will be shows in Providence. Going to AS220 for credit! Band was alright, my playing was a little off, but a combination of the bass and my technique is so finicky. Some days it will be great, others it will be not-so-great... Sub in civics, in the library, spend the time with Bill looking up crazy people in the Westboro Baptist church (You know, the GodHatesFags people?) Fred Phelps, their headpersons, was a civil rights lawyer. Let me make this perfectly clear. This man who tells us that 9/11, the mine collapsing in West Virginia, and soldiers being killed in Iraq are all because God is trying to punish us for our TOLERANCE towards homosexuals, was a FUCKING CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER for black people against people who ...would not tolerate black people... My head felt like it was going to explode. Then Steve saw someone banging on the emergency door, and opened it. Despite big large print signs saying "STOP" and "NOTICE, THE DOOR USED FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY". Celia said he probably has ADHD up the wazoo and just never got the proper diagnosis for it. Makes sense, but he sure is dumb as a stump. Bill and I then contemplated getting a shovel for a few whacks at the back of the head to level us out into the bell curve of intelligences. Being smarter than the general public is really, really frustrating sometimes.

Home: Dicking around on internet, dog walk. Watch a little bit of a documentary on 70s film making, very interesting considering how so many movies were considered "low-budget" and were swept under the rug until these directors did amazing things with them.

Get a call from Dan asking 6:30 practice. Do my homework, talk to mom. Fill up my tank o gas and get a gallon of skim in the process. Not before grabbing the compilation of Chris's music for the ride. Listening to it, he is a very good songwriter, although the recordings are lo-fi as fuck. Some of the keyboard parts the keyboard player is playing don't really fit the song, and I wish he had another sound besides the annoying Faux-fasa organ. But the songs still stand up. I feel a little connection with him as best as I could.

Practice: Fine, a little slow going at first. I was kinda just coasting along and being in and out of it, which made Nick a little frustrated. But we get going and I like some parts I've come up with, although I've noticed I'm very more a chord progression player rather than a riff player... again, have to work on that.

Out, home again before picking up a pizza. Internet, shower, blogging, to bed.

2008-03-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

I originally started this post a few minutes ago, but Frippertronics and the thought of new sheets had enticed me, and when I came back, the post was not here anymore...

From the top

Went to bed at 4 AM last night, woke up around noon. Putted around for an hour before getting an email from the man about the guitar. 30 minutes later I'm a guitar lighter and 180 dollars richer, which goes to paying towards my new bass rig. I only have 16 dollars left to play, so this is good. Back home, grab some lunch, lovely oven friend chicken with beans and rice and greenbeans. Scarf it down and then bitch about lilypond which is fucking up my score... Print out what I have and talk to Mike. He likes what he sees, I think. Although the piece is far more tonal than I had originally thought... We talk, listen to music. I let it slip I'm in a band called "Cockslap". He grins and goes "Oh great" sarcastically. I don't really think he knows the depths of the weirdness of my music, but whatever. Probably going to meet Wednesday or something.

Back home, homework, watching Penn and Teller's Bullshit for a few episodes. Laughed and almost didn't get the work done. More dicking around on the internet. Talk to Justin, laid a new piece on me, it's great and only 60 seconds long. Might see if I can get that or "Here Come The Warm Jets" to be my ring tone for my phone.

Started dumping the lost Meccalily Luau 2005 set to digital today. Tomorrow I will cut it up and hopefully export it. Then APMJ Luau 2005. Speaking of Meccalily, got a message from Wayne via myspace. He's in a new band that looks interesting. Hopefully will check it out one of these days when they play around here.

Watching a Frippertronics performance has made me think that honestly, I do not play notes. I play patterns based on what i think will work FOR the music, but I really don't hear parts in my head and then play them. I must work on this and fix it. Although sometimes I play in places where I can not hear myself think.

Now, sheet changing, shower, and to bed.

2008-03-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

For some reason I don't know why I decided to note this, the said new song has a section called "Fripp" because it sounds like Fripp has just walked into the room and decided to play Nick's guitar without asking.

2008-03-15T23:57:00.000-07:00

Friday: Don't remember much about friday... I listened to Meccalily for ride music, worked pretty well, although I'm just used to it my own lead guitar parts behind it for some of them... Do remember that Ayla in physics was crying as Olivia was confronting her about something. I later learned it was because that she was spending time with her boyfriend instead of her. I heard the phrase "We use to be inseparable!" and I had to roll my eyes...

Up real late, practice bass for three hours (no kidding) and watch Jaco Pastorius videos on youtube for some inspiration. Feel like I'm really improving on bass. Bed at 3 AM.

Today: Up around 11. Shower, clean up my area. Fix rosegarden problem I had, and I finished my composition today! Hot shit. Out with dog, listen to Eno compilation I grabbed from downstairs. Get home and finally talk to Nick about band practice. We agree for 7 and I warm up/get my stuff ready. I decided to bring my new amp rig for shits and giggles, and see how it sounds. Sounds great, ballsy, and LOUD. A little more than I need actually, which is good, as I hope to use this rig for all kinds of situations. Jam a little bit to warm up. Start to work on a song which we had scraps from last year. Goes alright. Decided to work on wrangling the 18 minute beast that is "Cockwaffle" down to 5 minutes. Was not happy at first. Kinda wanted to play through old material, like 2 or 3 songs just to get our bearings. We ran through Little Bird kinda half assed at the beginning, but I wanted more. Nick brought up that we didn't have any shows coming up, so why run through the material? I see his point I wanted just to make sure that there was enough lubrication in the gears in order to get the machine running. Felt my playing was pretty good for the first half. I kept reverting back to "boxy" patterns for Cockwaffle, but it's basically a stoner rock jam in E, so I felt that playing jazz licks that I've learned the past couple of months really couldn't apply. Alright practice though. Want to bring up the two songs we worked on before the break and see where they go. We tend to work on songs and record them, but they end up in the black hole that is Dan's laptop and our minds. I'm sure there are 5 or 6 sketches of songs that we have 50% done and just moved onto another thing that interested us... Hopefully I can get a new practice in tomorrow if meeting with Mike doesn't take up a assload of time...

Afterwards, meet up with Dave and go to get a bite to eat at Gregg's, where we proceed to act like children. Some context to a conversation I can't remember leads to Dan saying "Speaking of cumshots" right as the waitress walks out to take our order. We all have to retain our composure while ordering. As soon as she walks away we all just lose it completely. So many offensive things were said that I can't remember them all.

Talk with Pete and decided to hang out at his house afterwards. See a paper lying on the counter, with all my friends who are starring in "The Foreigner" this weekend. Feel bad as I said I would go, but as I made plans last night I thought it started at 7:30, looked at the clock and realized it started at 7 actually, so it was too late. Tonight I was busy, and I was banking on a matinée. I just hope they don't hate me. Talk about the theater program and how I'm a theater-nerd-by-proxy as I've done pit. It's a good time, and honestly I wish they did a musical this year. It would have been fun, it always is if you get a good director.

He played me a bit of his concerto for sax and piano. I almost made my ears fall off. Having to subject myself towards Dan's cymbals and Pete's high "C" on alto sax almost made my eardrums burst.

Decide to watch "Pet Sematary" with Pete. Wasn't familiar with the story beforehand, was a good flick overall. Nothing real deep. MST3k it the entire time, so it was a good time. Drive home, internet before bed, blogging, A Post Modern John.

2008-03-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

Got a call from Bill last night as I was about to shower, asking for a ride into school this morning. No problem. I'd pick him up at 7:05. Get up at 6:20, slowly get out of bed and just go have a nice talk with him.

Wake up, open my eyes.

It's 7:08. FUCK. Literally throw on the first shirt, jeans and sweatshirt I find, rush out the door with a cereal bar and frappwhatchamacall it. Pick him up at 7:10, doesn't seem too pissed. Make it school on time.

School? Schooly. I got called to Guidance, they said I should look for my musical director and send him an email regarding the hours I spent in pit band the past two years than do it all over again. Was refreshing to hear that. We also went over my graduation portfolio, and found I have more than enough entries to graduate! Huzzah! So that's off my mind, which is good.

I wasted time in civics. Well, not waste. I just spent the period looking up Coltrane, Fred Frith, Peter Gabriel, Derek Bailey and other free jazz artists and tearing my hair out that I will never be as good as them. Made me want to listen to Ascension again when I got home, but I forgot. Oops. Was nice to be home on regular time for once. Jamie stopped by with the finale spanish poster, which is good. I need to finish the worksheets tomorrow but eh I don't care. One is done...

Jazz band tonight. Small number, so we just work on improvising on a Bb blues scale. Some take quickly to it, some have a little trouble. For some reason on the call and response section, I keep spilling over into a 3rd bar, don't know why. Not really happy with my solos tonight, but they're just for educational purposes. It's pretty obvious Dan Labove has never really had practice time behind a kit. This kid Christian asks to try out my bass. I agree, just saying not to break it. He plays "Smoke On The Water" and pretty well too, for not really being a bass player. I was impressed. Jazz band ends relatively early, Mr. Healey, Kevin, Christian and I talk about band, and the way things are going. We are all really impressed with him and hope it'll keep going this way. Talk to him about Narr. Wind ensemble he invited me to. If he can get a double bass from URI and I spend a month on it I will join (Oh jesus christ those poor poor souls...) Seems like a good time to improve my musicianship.

More Brian Eno before a shower and to sleep. (With my alarm set this time).

2008-03-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

Up this morning, listen to Mike Celleme on the way in. Borrow dress shirt and pants from my dad as mine were accidentally thrown in the was by me. Oops.

AP psych interesting. Watch "Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex But Were Afraid To Ask" scene about ejaculation to tie into motivation and sex. Very funny. Spanish is a complete bore and I worry about Mrs. Mac bitching for no reason. Manage to snag a pass to the library and work in there for the rest of the period in silence. Watch "Little Miss Sunshine" in english. Good movie, wish I saw it earlier. Although everyone in the class talked through it, I managed to enjoy it. Well, they were quiet for some scenes, not others. I have a feeling they didn't quite "get it". Physics, next. Pray that i didn't fail the test. Go to my car for the dress clothes and then off to the elementary school.

Teaching was fine. Way easier than last time as we knew what to expect. Jamie still took a long time with the name tags, but oh well. We were actually semi-on time! The velcro posters she made are great. I noticed this one boy "Sergio" (his spanish name given to us) who is very overweight is new (he was absent last class) as well as other new faces. We start reviewing, and call everyone to sit down on the rug. Samuel is very eager to the point where I almost accidentally step on him! I ask him to move back and he complies. Everyone is a little bit rowdy today but we manage to calm them down. I notice Sergio and Benito have a scuffle. I almost wanted to talk it out but they seem to fix it within 5 minutes using words which is good.
They end with coloring and we get the hell out of there, with straight 4s across our rubric. Huzzah.

Home: Short dog walk, homework. Procrastination on composition again. I know I know it's killing me but I just want a night off...

I'm looking up anything I can find regarding Chris. For those that don't know, he died August 12, 1995 in a car accident. From what I know, he was in a road trip to see the largest whirlpool in the world, and was sleeping in the backseat without a seatbelt when the car hit the middle of the road with an oncoming RV. I have no idea how old he was, he must have been 20 or 21, very young. I don't honestly remember a lot except him making me laugh all the time when he was around, and the fact he had two albums by two different bands under his belt. I remember playing them at my request at my grandmother's house. I'm sure he was embarrassed, because that's how I feel now whenever someone plays my EP in front of family...

What is making me look up stuff about him? I found a video on youtube of some high school kids from 1997, making trouble and basically doing what high school kids do. Honestly, it was almost like my friends, and I guess that I want to think that my high school experience is different, because my high school is small and shitty, but a lot of high schools are small and shitty. Doesn't change a thing. Most of my older friends though picked fucked up whacked out music though, and they're in pretty cool places. I guess I'm doing something right/wrong. Hopefully it's right to the right people, and wrong to the wrong people.

I miss him, what I remember about him. I know there is a portfolio of his things downstairs I looked at one day, including a list of indie record labels... The more I think I about it, even if I do go to college, I will make a career in music. Part of this is that list of record labels, for some odd reason. I don't know if it inspired me, or what. But I think I will, for better or for worse, become a musician. On my own terms, of course ( would you expect nothing less from a member of bands called Troop of Echoes, House On Fire and Cockslap?).

Looks like I will be sleeping in the living room next Easter. I don't mind. It means I'll probably just listen to my Brian Eno albums and look at the ceiling all night, or the stars if I really feel bold. Not a bad way to end a night if I do. Or hopefully Tim and Katie will take me out somewhere, or we'll all do something as a family.

Speaking of Brian Eno, I have been listening to "The Big Ship" for quiet possibly 20 minutes now, on repeat. You should probably all do the same at least once every 5 days.

Meeting with Mike Sunday, should give me enough motivation to work my ass off until then.

Shower then sleep. But not before listening to The Big Ship one more time...ok maybe two...

2008-03-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

Whew, ok, lets begin.

Sunday: Adrian Belew kicked ASS. Major major amounts of it. Set list was the same as "Side Four" except "Theela" was replaced with "Neurotica" which was fucking AWESOME. Our seats were on the side of the stage looking straight on, perpendicular towards "normal" seats. Which meant that we couldn't see Julie, but Adrian 60% of the time and EVERYTHING Eric did. His right foot was fucking amazing to watch. It was like getting kicked in the ass. I made a comment after they came on for the Encore to him about real men not drinking water. He posed for me to make us both laughed, and that's when Adrian decided it was a good idea to shine a spotlight on him and introduce him! Oops, sorry bout that Eric. Andre of Project/Object and Don Preston's Ensemble was Adrian's tech, said hi to him briefly, he remembered me! Cut it short because Adrian had a cold and wanted to get out of there, can't blame him. Had a lovely ride with my dad on the way up and back, good conversation although I might have stretched it. Oh well.

Yesterday: Not much, school blows, I composed more, that's about it.

Today: Not much. Dan Stone accidentally opened the door and jammed my middle finger on my right hand, it still hurts, but getting better. Oh well, just keep it cracking and under hot water. Overheard a conversation in Digital photo about a kid driving from CCRI to his house at 115 MPH. And he was drunk. What a grade A fucking moron.

Mr. Healey's Professor Mr. Cardene was in as a guest conductor. He was excellent and made the band sound amazing. I'm realizing rather than bitch and bitch about how wind instrument exercises don't apply to me, I'm adjusting them to my stringed instruments, and finding breath control exercises actually DO help me with my technique. Who saw that coming? It's to the point where they don't even address the fact I'm not a wind instrument anymore, which is good.

Home: Dog walking, homework (although studying for Physics will suck), must dress up tomorrow for teaching, but after that I'm done for 2 weeks! Hooray!

Talked with my parents. Apparently we're going up to NH for Easter to see my cousin and aunt and uncle. Haven't been to that house in years. Last time I was there was possibly between 7th and 8th grade summer, I think. So that makes it roughly 5 years. I remember watching the reports of the iraq war and how we just started to invade, thinking "God damn, I hope this ends soon"... and it's 5 years later.

Apparently Katie (cousin who is a light tech for Porgy and Bess) is going to Russia in the summer, and trying to get me an intership for lightning or orchestra. They would use the Orient Express as a means of transportation. I would be ecstatic if I got it, but I also have obligations at home that are once in a life time as well. Who knows what will happen to A Troop of Echoes after this summer. I honestly don't know. To keep on going would be amazing, but I don't know what Nick is up to. He's mentioned going to Montreal, so there is a chance this is the last summer for The Troop. And the intership would be 6-8 weeks which would be prime recording and show time in the summer. I don't know. I would love an intership but I secretly hope that it might fall through... I look forward to going up there, although I need to brush up on my poker if Tim is there and expecting to play...

Speaking of Troop, our show friday was cancelled. Fucking building managers in Providence... It was going to be a great show, and I have literally been jonesing to play out. One for the sake of my musicianship, two for my new rig needs to get out of the house...

Had to go out and pick up some yogurt for mom, as I ate the last one that was in the fridge for weeks, only to find out tonight she was going to bake brownies with it. D'oh! Try Rite-aid, CVS and Cumberland Farms, nothing. Reach a compromise and go to Stop and Shop getting yogurt for baking and myself to eat, and breakfest foods and I've had to steal "weight watcher" bagels in order to have something in the morning. A few times there was nothing for breakfest food in the house, so I just gulped down juice and waited until Lunch... Glad that won't happen this week. Had a feeling I would see a teacher in Stop and Shop, just hoped it wasn't one I hated. Feeling was true, as Mr. Cannon comes up to me in the checkout line. We talk about senior project and goings on, he's fine, I'm fine, polite small talk. The woman behind the counter rings up my purchase as a Stop and Shop Super Saver when I didn't have a card. I realized on the way home I don't think I said thank you, and felt a little bad. Oh well.

More dicking around on the internet, some bass here and there but today was small due to the finger jam and the rehearsal today. Shower then bed.

2008-03-08T12:03:00.000-08:00

Last time I updated was Tuesday, so I guess that means time for a quick recap

Wednesday: Teach the class of second graders. I oddly take command and find out I'm pretty good around kids. Who knew? The lesson has a few bumps because we really didn't prepare, but next time we'll do better since we know what to expect.

Thursday: Mrs. Mac continues to chew all of us out and shows that she is generally not a very good teacher by not telling us standards for things until she starts grading them. I can take criticism, especially on a project like this, but she goes past the point of criticism almost into degrading comments. I stand there and take it, because whatelse can I do? I later talk to Meagan and find out she is starting to hate her, so it's not just me. I really don't know a single person who thinks she is a good teacher. Mediocre teachers can at least have the saving grace of being nice. My math, english and civics teachers come to mind. Not the best, but they at least have their strong points of personality and being understanding and fair graders.
Meet with someone about buying the guitar.
Meet with Mike at the FAC. He kicks my ass talking about my composition, as he should. We listened to compositions such as Ives, Glass and others... Listening to the Glass violin concertos makes me change my perspective on him. He's amazing now, but please keep him the fuck away from the synthesizer, thank you.

Go home and change my thinking on the composition. Sleep

Friday: Not much, but a very very good day. Not as shitty as the rest of the week. Listen to "The Velvet Underground" for the ride. Get some sweet pleasure out of blasting "Venus In Furs" while driving by the ocean, especially in the hazy fog that morning had.

Home, start working on composition. Take a break to run out and buy bass strings. Listen to "Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima" on the way up and the way back. Daddy's Junkie Music was oddly quiet for a friday night, but it was nice, if only for a second.

More composition when I get home. Get near bar 50, feel tired. Take a break and change my strings while watching Futurama. Never start the composition again.

Wake up this morning, start into the composition, 2 hours pass and get very far, another 50 bars and very happy with the results. Again, another break until tonight.

Adrian Belew tomorrow! Tickets are sold out. Looking forward to it.

When it rains, it pours...

2008-03-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

Urgh, what a day.

Wake up, do the old "I'll shut my eyes for a second" and then notice that I'm dreaming. Oh joy... wake up with 6 minutes to 7, throw on some jeans and a shirt and grab Smashing Pumpkins "Gish" for the ride in. Step outside to warm up my car... and it's 50 out. Well ain't that somethin!

School is slowly breaking me down...

In Spanish Mrs. Mac has become so irritating, so abrasive and so rigid in her ways that I'm really getting tired of it. This whole "Teaching elementary school kids spanish" is really making me nervous... We split the work up threeways which is fine with me. Tell Mrs. Mac that we start tomorrow, she is noticeably ticked, but we needed to start early. Honestly, for some reason her words tend to be forgotten the most out of my teachers... But what can you do. It will be nice to have a week off in the middle as J is on vacation.
J is nice but I don't know, there's something about the fact she never really wears properly fitting clothes, or a belt, that kinda makes me wonder, but I think I might just be prying into her life too much...

English class consisted of a debate. I kept quiet mostly as I realized my class is full of cocky assholes who take competition way too far.

Physics was alright. Mrs. Krous did a demonstration with a Troll doll and remarked it was cutest butt she'd ever seen on the doll, then turned it around and asked me. Joe from the back said "It's lose-lose!".

Had to stay after school for 10 minutes, check in with "After school hours" for senior project. Felt bad considering I didn't really have anything to give them but they couldn't dock me for it...

Got home, internet, took dog out on short walk (on account of the rain) listening to 3 Tom Shields songs, forgetting how good they all. Homework, then out to meet with Mike.

Except I forgot my senior project folder, and I have to turn around and get it. Leave a notice on Mike's voice mail apologizing. Get to FAC and basically wait for him. Get a call from him and he tells me he had a dress rehearsal for a gig that he forgot about. I'm pissed but understand. Not angry at him, at the day, but I was looking forward towards it. Get dinner at The Pizza Pocket, which is under new management. Was kinda iffy. I missed the old look of the place. The chalkboard walls and the checked tiles was it's charm, especially the really nice kid behind the counter. Slow, but funny. Always let me have free bottles of water and soda considering Pete and I would always walk in around 2 AM. I guess I have to wait and see what happens next time I'm on campus and if I want to eat there or not.

Back home, a little veg time, but then work on name tags for the class tomorrow. Watch Family Guy. Then a little guitar. My soloing is still sloppy and not as tight as I'd like, but I feel like I'm improving, which is nice with out any actual practice.

Internet, blagging, then shower and bed...

Tomorrow is the worst, and final, day of the three part hell...

2008-03-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

Whoooo boy.

Friday: Not much to say except I was glad the weekend was here. Stayed at home and just vegged, played a lot of bass. Tested out the DI in the head, pretty damn good. Was nice to just stay in...

Saturday: Again, nothing until night. Parents went out to dinner, I went out to meet up with Jay so we could grab food and then go driving into the great unknown. Drive through Route 44 and then through god knows where. Hit Pascoag, Burriville and then went into a "neighborhood" which was really semi-paved roads through the backwoods of northern rhode island. 2 hours later we decided to hop on the highway, and then see signs for "Providence, 15 miles". Apparently were were a good 15 miles into Massachusetts, my guess, but god knows how long we were ACTUALLY there. It was fun though. Listen to a bunch of Zydeco (Jay has a bunch on her computer, gotta ask for a mix, it's great stuff), ironic hip-hop, classic indie and pop, and then The Soft Bulletin on the way home. See the lights of Providence coming south to "Sleeping On The Roof" with the stars visible in the sky was just amazing. Listened to A Post Modern John on the way up and the way home, the Macfest disc. Startled at how good of an album it is. Honestly, axing two songs (that i think were just not going well live anyway) and it would be a great first LP for APMJ. Which leads us to...

Sunday: Finally, picking up the One-celled-Hammond-Organism from Jon. Went over to his house around 1:30, he first played us a new piece he recorded. I had heard it before from past Luaus and shows, but it was nice he finally had something archived and ready to be recorded. Then got the Hammond organ ready for transport. It now sits in our basement waiting to be cleaned so we don't burn dust, but my is it sweet... Can't wait to learn to play the thing.

Later in the evening, Justin came over and we jammed. It sure felt good to play music again, and what we did was I think the best stuff we've ever done. Tonality ahoy! Certainly doesn't have to be a bad thing. He heads home, I have dinner and go to bed.

Today: The one good thing about having math early in the morning is that the room is located so that the sun slowly moves across my seat and warms my legs... Not a bad way to start the day. Things are fine until around Digital Photo where it's clear I am one of three people paying attention. Erin Moone sits next to me and is not paying attention. Fine, not that I care. She plays solitaire on the computer. Teacher sees, asks her to close it. She closes and then turns to me and Brendan to bitch about. Saying how she was so sweet freshmen year and then she doesn't have her for 3 years and she turns into a bitch. I replay saying how it couldn't have been anything she could have done, and she just replies with a "pssh, whatever". Yes, because it is never your fault. Ever.

The "I hate people mode" lasts throughout lunch where Bill cheers me up by throwing Arcade Fire on. It gets me back to where I need to be.

Stay after school with Jaime and Melanie. We work on posters for Spanish project and make some headway. I run to CVS to buy posterboard. Stay until 3:10 until we head towards the elementary school. Touch base with Mrs. DeLuca, she seems fine our lesson plan, says all the kids are eager for this... Oh boy, way to make me feel nervous...

Day one of the three day hell fest is over at school...

Home, then short dog walk. Homework, then some composition/transferring/copying. Hopefully will get this done by the end of the week. Also, Dad ordered tickets to Adrian Belew (FINALLY) and there were apparently only 5 left! So we're on the side, but it's a small venue. I won't mind...

Gas up my tank, made and agreement with my mom that if I spend money i was saving for gas on pizza for the family she'd let me use her ATM for gassing up my tank. Aaaah, I forgot how satisfying a full tank of gas is.

Play bass along to Tom Shields. I'm realizing that as much as I talk about the band, I was not perfect, or at least not part of the problem. I never practiced, but the idea that it was all "roots-rock" made me feel fine like I could fake it, so I would make the same mistake on the same songs in rehearsals. I should have practiced more. Honestly at that first gig it seemed like it was going fine, fuck, this might actually work! Until Tom busted a string and didn't have an extra. Oh well. I should email him and tell him I was sorry, and keep me in mind for future projects.

Internet, relaxing to Martin Bradburn, The Flaming Lips and Gavin Castleton.

Shower and then bed.

2008-02-28T19:01:00.000-08:00

Up, with now 5 more minutes to spare! Find the last Nut bar and go for it. Don't see frost on my car's windshield so I assume it's fairly warm out, and don't have to heat up my car. Nope, and I'm sitting in my car freezing for about 5 minutes. Bring "White Light/White Heat" for the ride. Finish side one when I get into the parking lot of the school. I love when that happens. It was especially nice when John Cale talks about Waldo's head being punctured in "The Gift" and how the blood pulsates in the morning sunlight, and I was just driving by the beach with the sun coming up. Ah, the simple pleasures.

School was not bad. That's really all I can say.

Met with Mike about the composition. Discussed how it was going to go, and how sometime next week I was going to finish (or at least start) on the master score. We talked about going the "In C" route, and ultimately it's up to the performers when they would like to start the piece. I hope this all works out.

I haven't met 5 mentoring hours, and I haven't met a product goal. Oh well, they can deal with it, as long as I give my parents a heads up a head of time I'm sure they'll be fine. I could probably get away with it because my product is more towards the creative process, saying that I've done 5 hours of composition, but I just chose to show my mentor when I was done, or something like that.

Get home, dick around on the net. Decide to lay down for 20 minutes, which turns into 2 hours. God damn it. Get my stuff together, walk Gromit. It's ball-freezing-cold out with the wind. Listen to XTC's "Skylarking" which honestly was a totally inappropriate choice, for the weather and my mood.
Gromit is very annoying, pulling me everywhere. Semi-frustrated by the end, just happy it's over as the cold and music selection were just not as cohesive as they were yesterday.

Still no word about anyone wanting to play with me or my dad... No word from Martin, or Jon on the show (but I honestly wasn't expecting anything back.), No word from 4 (FOUR!) People that have asked if my guitar was still for sale (I replied "Yes, it is" to all of them). I guess this is different from 2 weeks ago where I literally checked my email every hour and had a new message. Oh well. Things go in cycles.

Good practice session today. For go stretching and dive right into finger exercises. Work on part to "New Breath" at 120 BPM, working my way up to 145 or abouts. Ascending and descending major scales in 3rd in all keys. Will work minor in tomorrow... Play along to Meccalily stuff that doesn't have (or sometime has) basslines. Being a little bit cocky here, I think one or two of the basslines I came up with are better than the ones Wayne wrote (one of them being Haiku).

Hopefully someone will come through tomorrow and I can play...

Oh well, if not there's always that Dukes of Stratosphere cover I'd say I'd do. (Well, I also half finished "I'd Like That" but I think a slot on an actual XTC tribute disc might make me finally finish it).

2008-02-27T19:43:00.001-08:00

Didn't sleep very well last night. Kept waking up every 2 hours or so, but fell back asleep with relative ease. Up in the morning, listen to Velvet Underground's "Loaded" on the way in, gives me some perk and joy to hear Lou Reed sing "Despite all the complications, you could just dance to the rock'n'roll station".

School is schooly. Not really anything to note other than I hate it and I think public education is really on the whole becoming a joke (one exception to this rule is AP Psychology, but part of that is because Mr. Schroeter is awesome and the only teacher I can discuss Frank Zappa with, plus he spotted out my Sigur Ros and Flaming Lips shirts, plus the subject is very interesting). Give Bill a ride home, spout how it was bullshit that the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame didn't give Doug Yule a spot in the Velvets introduction, and how it was bullshit that Lou Reed was given credit for all of his songs. He may have written them, but he sure as hell never told Cale to string up his viola with guitar strings, or have Maureen play with just a bass drum and toms toms or Sterling how to play bitchin, soulful leads. He probably wasn't listening. Also, about a month before he was really really confused at how I was praising and pretty much slobbering over The Velvet Underground in a discussion. Turns out he was confusing them with Velvet Revolver. That's pretty much Bill in a nutshell, musically.

Home, dick around on the internet. Mike still hasn't called back, left another message. Start to get tired, but
bring out the dog while listening to Mummer, I feel daring, so I sing along the entire walk, and it's a great workout for my voice. Talk to dad when he gets home about his job, how things are going. Amused us both that the new piece of the backup server was expected to be up and running by the end of the day, when the tape on the box wasn't even ripped open. Talk to him about organizing some music for friday, also about an idea I had. A group called The California Guitar Trio are a trio of guitarists (duh) that met through Guitar Craft. What's important is that they usually play as a trio. (again, duh) But they also have one or two albums where Tony Levin and Pat Masteletto join them for rhythm section duties. I've been thinking about doing this with A Post Modern John material. I talked to Dan and he seemed very enthusiastic towards the entire. I guess it helps when you're gigantic fans of the band already. Will pitch it to Jon at a bonfire, or maybe when the weather warms up, whichever comes first.

Play a whole lot of bass today, great day for ear training. More dicking around on the net, shower and now to bed. Hope I'll sleep well...

2008-02-26T17:06:00.000-08:00

Wake up, off to school, but actually get to have breakfast while the car is warming up. Inconceivable! Listen to M. Ward on the way in, but I make it a block from my house before noticing this girl. I put the car in reverse and ask her if she was going to the high school. She says yes. The time is about 7:10, 10 minutes after the bus arrives. She says yes and hops in. I understand if it was a bit creepy, but I introduce myself, and we start talking. She says she's new and moved from North Providence. We talk about the senior project and how she wants to do something with teenage mothers. She mentions, very nonchalantly that she is adopted, which surprised me. Turned out her dad plays bass in a blues band.

School is just sucking the life out of me more and more, it's ridiculous. Today just pushed me over the edge. In Civics we were made to read J. Saunders Redding's "Being a Negro in America". A beautiful, fluid and well-written essay about the struggles of the civil rights movement and the history of one of it's supporters. And we were to interpret it into IM speak. I am not fucking kidding. It was single-handedly the worst assignment I have ever had to do in my educational career. No amount of busy work could have amounted to this. This beautiful example of text in the english language was to be stripped away, watered down, and given the syntax that the ignorant use for day to day life. I have not used "IM" speak since I was 12 years old, and even then, one day I said to myself "...This is completely stupid." I have typed text messages, IM, emails and almost everything else in the proper format of the English language as close as I can. I'm not a perfect writer, but damn it I bet I can write better than some of the students in my own grade. I could just not believe that the social studies faculty approved this to be a proper lesson.

After that, I tried to regain some composure in my mind, and managed to see some natural light, which was marvelous. I gave Bill and Cameron rides home, and popped in the new Neptune album for Bill. He seemed impressed, but I can never tell with him.

Home, dicking around on the net, more PMJ binging. Maybe this will stop one day? Maybe not. Homework, call Mike Karikas in a hope to meet him with the composition...

I feel like I'll go to bed early...

2008-02-25T19:17:00.000-08:00

Alright, I'd apologize for the delay but I really haven't had anything to write about. I've pretty much just been listening to A Post Modern John pretty damn heavily for the past 3 months (Actually more like 6, which is what prompted me to organize a show with him). I got my bass head, a Gallien-Kruger 700 RB-II. Got it at Guitar Center for 599 even, checked back at the house and found I could get it at a third party distributor for like 540, d'oh! Oh well. I already registered it to the company for the warranty so I couldn't return and buy the other one...

I feel like I've been in a rut. Maybe it's because of my laziness, my procrastination. Maybe I'm just getting tired with my scenery, I feel like that's the main reason. I need to play music with people. Desperately. Preferably bass, but I need to play. I need to create and interact and all that stuff.

I've figured out the niche genre that A Post Modern John "fits" into. Worldgaze. A fusion of shoegaze and world music. It was just a joke to myself when I came up with it, but more and more I realize it's very fitting.

I heard on NPR that your entire high school experience is comprised of 2 million minutes. I felt like I wanted to cry. 2 million minutes I ultimately could have spent creating something of my own, or socializing with intelligent people, or actually learning something on my own that isn't made to be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. I always get depressed around this time of year, but later actually. I don't hit this slump until March usually.

I applied for a job at Bonnet Video. During the application the clerk changed the movie in the DVD player, and 2 minutes in I recognized it as Blade Runner by the soundtrack alone. One of the questions was "Do you have any sort of artistic ability?" I wrote down none in video, lots in music. Turns out that Bonnet Video is a front for the guys production company and ultimately is making some small budget movies. We started talking and I let it known that I know my way around an audio editor. We talk some more and he gives me his email address. I also mention Justin to him briefly. I need to talk with him (The clerk) and if it doesn't seem like I can get the time for it I'll recommend Justin, as he literally has just finished on a course on this stuff.

To jump back to saturday, Nick and Astrid had a party at their place. It was fun, I had fun, but I don't think I'm going to party that hard for a while. Just didn't feel right for some reason.

Composition has been going alright, not has smoothly as I wish but I guess that's partly my fault.

I need something to occupy my mind.

Also, as I type this I am listening to quite possibly the best A Post Modern John track-"Stormy Sea". It's a shame he really decided not to keep going with the spoken word stuff, at least in the studio.

2008-02-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

So, I apologize for not updating this in the past few days. Not a lot has happened. Picked up my synth from B-Sharp, got my cabinet, dropped off my dad's old Ampeg tube amp at B-sharp. I haven't really composed yet, so come hell or high water, by the end of the night I will have gotten two hours of composition done. I will not go to bed until I have SOMETHING written.

Unfortunately the printer is acting up and I really don't want to scribble sheet music for myself. So I shall wait until the night, which is when I feel the most productive anyway...

Today, going off to Daddy's Junkie Music to try heads, and also see if my cab works. Since my combo is bi-amp I was only allowed to feed it low signal, so it sounded like I just cut all the highs out of it. Fuck. Oh well, this gives me a good excuse to get out of the house...

Saw the lunar eclipse last night with my dad and our friend Jon Buser. Was very fun and a good time had by all. On the way home my dad mentioned how I'm good company, sometimes I don't feel that way, but I guess I think I tend to ramble on a bit when conversing and always lose my point when I reach it. I need to be more pithy I guess.

Also holy shit it's thursday, where did the week go?

2008-02-17T22:52:00.000-08:00

Up at noon. Nothing big to speak off. Clean up, do some car maintenance. Practice bass for 30 minutes, but not really anything accomplished. More of a dicking around than a practice. I didn't even stretch. Killed some time before heading up to Providence to AS220. Original plan was to just get something up there to eat, but this was not the case. Got in around 8:30, and saw the Taqueria was closed. I forgot it was sunday. Well, that ravioli I had for dinner seemed an even better idea in retrospect. Also, I was going to save 5 bux. Who am I to argue with finances?

The show at AS220 was

The Glass Shivers
The White Mice
Lazy Magnet
Neptune

Glass Shivers kicked things off with a fade-in. Their ambient glitch/noise-scapes were rich and dense, but felt like they were holding back a bit. Some people talking during the crowd, kinda detracted during the quiet parts. Everyone could have turned up. Loud parts were not as loud as they should have been for effect. Talk to Ken, he recognized me after my haircut. I stumble over my words at first but quickly sort them out. Talk to Scott, also in the band, we talk about gear and what they use, and what I use. He says that Ken saw A Troop of Echoes play, I think I remember that show, probably the one with Wizzardz. Also saw the bass player from Xerxes tonight, although I couldn't remember it and had to ask him where he was from. Oops.
The White Mice were next. I saw them at Machines With Magnets and they blew. Hard. I was really worried that they were going to take a nosedive into shit, but they pulled up at the last minute (I guess). Whoever they had on laptop is gone, and in his place are a guitar player and a electronics man, running a Boss rhythmmachine into a sampler and both of them into a Kaoss pad. Sounded great, although it was not as loud was the MWM show. Mid-way through the bass player cranked the electronic guy, and I think the guitar turned up as well, and the sound balanced itself out. In songs he wasn't a part of, the electronics guy got in the pit. It was a good time. Got in the pit 4 or 5 times (don't worry, I brought a glasses hardcase. Why I didn't do that before is stupefying. I can still have glasses AND be in the pit! It's amazing!) Also, the electronics guy has a bunny head on, as opposed to a mouse. Wish I could get one of the mice masks. Would be bitchin to wear that sucker around for a day.
Up next was Lazy Magnet. Sorta like a shoegaze Magnetic Fields. I thought they were alright. Walked out half way in the set, just couldn't get into it. Bought a White Mice shirt and the new Neptune CD as well as a shirt from them. Total came to 27, I only had 25 left. Thankfully they just said no problem. Still feel kinda bad.
Then was Neptune. Jesus christ, I have never been to a show more intense. It was like they were staring you down in the face for 40 minutes, hands pressed against your head. Although I was a little miffed as the second guitar player spent 10 minutes tuning his "guitar". For those that don't know, they make their own guitars out of junk metal, and their own synthesizers out of schematics. What sucks though is that the guy doesn't write down, or even KNOW his tuning. Seeing them at the Machines With Magnets show, I asked him what was the tuning on his guitar. He just showed me chords he plays in the songs.
So, he spends 10 minutes tuning his guitar to a variety of whack-assed-2-octave-spanning-tunings. He finally gets it "right" and they go into the first song. Of course, there is not a hint of tonality anywhere on the guitar, so you really can't notice. After the song he says "I GOT IT!" and proceeds to tune back to his "standard" tuning. And then he snaps a string. "I probably need that, but who cares?" he says. And they proceed to be Hell's premier dance band. Strangely danceable songs to atonal music. Amazingly intense music, and show. End of the set, they're saying thank you while the crowd is eating it up. But we wanted more. We give them some suggestions to appease us. One of these options was to improvise, or "MAKE UP A SONG" as it was suggested. They're not going anywhere, and they damn well know it. The swagger back to their positions, the drummer yelling "Alright, you guys asked for it." And proceed to make us dance/mosh even further. I should note that I was on the left side of the stage, right up front, the entire time (I had to take my cell phone out to give the guy a light, as he was plugging in pedals and changing settings through the set) and I was headbanging and jumping up and down but I didn't engage in the pit, until this moment. I jump, literally, into the pit and instantly start shoving, pushing, pogoing, and swarming myself around the circumference of a four foot circle. Thank god I didn't do it for the whole set, I was exhausted by the end of the "song". But, at least no one could say I didn't get into it. They stop. We cheer. They say they have no more material, and this time we believe them. The lights come up, everyone shuffles out and I say my goodbyes to Ken and Neptune, thanking them for the show and everything.
As I come out, it's raining, but I really don't care as I'm sweating and very hot. I clutch my jacket and walk down the block coming towards the little alley of Matthewson spilling out onto Empire. This woman I pass by just looks and says "WOOOO PARTY ON DUDE" to me. I keep walk, briskly, just to get to my car to collect my head, and my thoughts. On the way home, a stationwagon with it's front all smashed to pieces almost cuts me off. All I can see if the license plate and the front of the car. The plate reads "PARDY" and I drive. I drive and think that I really really hate clubbing scum bags. Drive home listening to the new Neptune record. It sounds great (musically and production wise), although I wish it was a bit longer.

The trio of shows is now over with, what am I going to do to occupy myself for the next week? Compose? Looks like I might have to...

I'm not sure if I actually like YES, or if I never want to hear another YES song as long as I live...

2008-02-17T09:29:00.001-08:00

Nothing really of note except the show last night. Your Move with the New England Guitar Circle. Around 4 went up with Matt and Tom (?) Richter to go up to Cambridge, ended up picking up a friend (Ted, I think his name was) and swapped rides for a big ass diesel Suburban. Was amazing for the trip. It was very interesting to here the three of them talk about friends they use to hang out with, and what they would do for fun as they grew up on Aquidneck Island. Minor SNAFU happens when we're on the MassPike and Matt takes out his wallet and notices he forgot the tickets. Oops. Park our Chariot into Cambridge (almost causing a major accident first) and grab Indian food from a couple of blocks from the venue. Great great food, and great company. Matt decided to book it to the venue before we ate and figure out if we could work something out. He talks to the keyboard player and all is well. The venue is the theater for a YMCA, and is very very nice acoustically and aesthetically. Sit down in the balcony for The Circle. Very nice performance for all. Calliope, Lark's Thraak and Eye of the Needle were very very good. They debuted three "new" pieces, one of which was Intergalactic Boogie Express. Very nice playing from everyone, a few missed notes, but they're only human, even if they don't want to be human. Noticed flash photography (how could you not?) during their set. Talked to Martin before and he said (in a manner of speaking) that they do not want flash photography. Almost went and talked to the photographers, but they were done in a manner of seconds. Drummer from Your Move was in the balcony, and had to take a phone call. I'm not perturbed about the phone call, but instead of immediately exiting the auditorium he sat in his chair for a good 10 seconds before getting up and walking out of the auditorium, while still talking! Did take me out of the moment, but not the performance. Last piece they played was absolutely beautiful, but I forgot the name of it. Burned three Troop of Echoes samplers as I needed to give one to Glenn (of Church of Flying Dreams) and was planning on giving one to Martin and Lily. Remember I already gave Martin one, so I have an extra one sitting in my pocket. Talked to him about Guitar Craft after, he recommended going up to a Circle rehearsal with him one night. Maybe I'm just looking to play with more people and my efforts are misguided. Also talk to him about the idea that at a show such as the Circle, Robert Fripp stated the only person he was sure of that were "listening actively" were Crafties. What bullshit. To say that I can't have the same musical experience and emotional impact than the 40 year old IT consultant who shelled out 700 dollars to sit in a forest somewhere and eat oatmeal with Fripp? I'm just being angry here... But it still turned me off. I've found in my short 18 years on this big-ass sphere of molten rock with an outer layer of dirt, my "inactive listening" has done me just fine.
Your move is up next, and while I've actually never really listened to Yes (except for Roundabout, possibly their only good song, and I'm talking about the single edit). I still find myself enjoying the first set. They bust out some Genesis (although I couldn't really tell. All british prog bands sound the same, which I guess is why Peter Gabriel had to dress up like a flower. And I am not including King Crimson because, frankly, anything post In The Court of The Crimson King and pre Lark's Tongue sucks. Big time. You know it deep down in your heart it does. But anything after that is not fucking prog rock. Sure, they play in 7/8, but it's the "We're-gonna-beat-your-head-in-and-then-go-home-and-fuck-your-girlfriend" 7/8) and some Rush. Rush wasn't bad actually, and it was Limelight. They could have done a fucking Neil Peart song and it would have all been over. After Limelight I notice Justin had called me, so I find this an opportune time to show myself out and have a nice chat with him. Although he does bend my ear a bit at times. We talk about Banter/3.1 ending and how he's almost turned into a completely different band. I honestly think setting a "sell-by" date to his project was bullshit to begin with. If you're putting an expiration date on a project, it probably wasn't good enough to begin with. Banter/3.1 wasn't bad by any stretch of the means (although his songs needed a little more variety and to be more succinct) but if he was moving this out of the way to work on bigger things (his original intentions if I remember right) there's no reason he can't call a "indefinite hiatus" to his work. I stopped writing "pop" songs to work on House On Fire, albeit off and on.
Although I guess that he's been thinking that B/3.1 is almost over officially as a concept, and needs to move on as a new band and a new band name, which makes sense. B/3.1 original aim was to make dance tracks. That really didn't happen. Now, he's REALLY make dance tracks. His drum tracks are still a little rudimentary, and need more drive and pulse in order to really be dance tracks, but he's working his way up there. I think in his mind he knew he had to evolve. He just didn't know how he would get there.

Ok, enough about Justin (hey buddy, I know you read this. I'm being very passive aggressive about the whole thing.)

Where was I?

Oh, yes, the tribute band.

I dunno, I really didn't think they were anything special. The only saving grace was that they were all excellent musicians and watching them play was fun, but live is really the only time it can happen, and it got old quick. They did two sets, which I really feel was not necessary. Oh well. After the show, find Glenn and give him a disc, talk about doing some shows and all that stuff. Help the circle lug out some gear with their PA.

Lovely ride on the way home, although once we got in the car, a woman knocked on the window and said "Your SUV is polluting my air quality". Was very funny, as she was literally RIGHT next to 2 taxis who were putting out exhaust like there was no tomorrow. Fine ride back. Stopped for Milkshakes at a Burger King. Matt got a large shake, as he said it was like 40 more cents, and "Life is too short for that shit". Pull into Ted's driveway, walked out and almost got run over as I walked directly behind the car. D'oh! Ride back to the park n' ride where I ...parked... with Matt and Tom. Matt said on the way home how Martin is looking to get a group together, since I guess Meccalily is officially over. (Awww). Hopefully something can come of it and I can at least be a part of it.

Home at 2, dicking around on the internet until 2:30, bed. No practice today.

2008-02-15T21:24:00.000-08:00

Up "late" again today. Grab a banana and Battles for the ride and I'm out the door after putting the garbage out. School is boring. Last day before vacation, so time just needs to pass for me to be happy. Jaime comes up to me in lunch, I needed to retrive a group project off of her USB drive, but she tells me the Spanish Project is in trouble. We need to get a teacher to teach an elementary class some spanish. All teachers are taken and we need to go after school. We arrive at the Elementary School and receive the last teacher... Thank god, we were almost out of luck. Go to Brewed Awakenings, have a smoothie and sandwich to kill an hour. She gets various calls from her boyfriend as they have plans. Long story short he starts accusing her of cheating, and has suspicion that I am in on it. It all gets straightened out but not before I have to roll my eyes at the situation.
On the way home we talked. I said things I honestly should not have said. That's what I get for being an open book, at least from my point of view. But I trust Jaime and hope she will not tell anyone.
Afterwards, get home, surf the web. Had to upload the spanish project to the RIEPS system. Was late towards the due date by 1 minute. Fuck! I need to manage my time better. See a white flash outside the corner of my eye. Don't think anything of it until I recognize the white blur with a black patch on it. Ask mom where the dog is. She said out on the porch. Uh-oh. Retrieve the dog but not after cutting through 2 backyards. Take him out on a walk, listen to "English Settlement" by XTC. Rejuvenating and refreshing. Get back home, put in a quick bass practice, 30 minutes, before leaving for the show. Very nice, worked out descending in major 3rds pattern in G at 16th notes. Happy with the brief time. Go to get gas and then pick up Bonnie for the URI show.

On the bill were
out of the blue
Phil n Crew/Bed Of Knives
Industrial Sonic Echo
Math The Band
POW!!!
Mahi Mahi

Paid with Bonnie, heard Out of the blue. Didn't stick around, just sorta wandered and talked with Bonnie. Phil n Crew was excellent, very tight, nice set length and set order. Industrial Sonic Echo intrigued me, almost like the second coming of The Residents, minus eyeball heads and instead white jumpsuits with homemade guitars and mesh bug helmets. Totally wrong venue for them though. Would have been better at AS220 or an art gallery. Audience filed in, some talking, but around halfway eventually settled out. Still some light conversation, but overall respectful for a scene like this. Talk to one kid afterwards what he felt of it. He couldn't really say, but respected them for doing something different. A fair cop. Math The Band, fun as always. Kinda wished I remembered to switch out of my Doc Martins and into sneakers for this one. Danced through the entire set. POW!! was way better than I expected. Very good grooves and musicianship, although the bass player's rig was acting up. Horrible farting sounds as if he blew his cab. Don't think this was the case, a bad cable perhaps? Didn't detract from the music though as I was wearing earplugs and didn't hear the bass a lot. Noticed a shitload of people jam packed into the coffeehouse for that one. Mahi Mahi then came on after. Great great show from them, a new song was played! Hooray! Now I'll get sick of this one in 2 years too... Excellent crowd, all dancing and having a good times, no douchebags. Although a couple did seem to smuggle in some Pabst Blue Ribbons and were drinking them throughout the evening. I can kinda see for Mahi, but I thought it was stupid. Although one incident with the man taking the mic during a break in the music during Mahi's set, they were well behaved. Danced and tried to get Bonnie more into it. She seemed to really really like it though, so at least I can drag her to more shows. Get home around 12 after dropping her off. Now bed.

2008-02-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

Up and with (not much) gusto. Find a banana to eat on my way to school. Take disc one of "Left of The Dial" boxset. REM, The Cure, The Jam and Dead Kennedys wake me up on my way to school. More and more I'm noticing that I've had some startling mediocre teachers over the past year. My Spanish teacher being one of them. Her "My way or the highway" method has gotten old, to the point where she will not make a compromise. Not even educational, but just with dealing with students. It gets old very fast and it's clear she only puts students into black and white groupings (not literally, but you know what I mean). Watched the South Park "SHIT" episode in AP psych. Excellent way to start of my day. Proceeded after a while to English, where my monologue which I literally spent 10 minutes on "won" me a cupcake. While I think the teacher is nice, she really doesn't expect much from her students, but I don't understand how anyone can fail that class. Some people just honestly don't care about school work. I don't care about busy work. I'd like to think there's a difference. It's getting hard to find the difference between the two.
Last period put me in a snotty mood. The girls I sit in front of just will not be quiet, and must discuss every aspect of their social lives in the completely vapid tone of the socialite. I was not that happy was the day ended. Gave Bill a ride home, and Mission of Burma, X, Husker Du and Black Flag put a smile on my face on the way home. Very cathartic. Notice that a school bus's turn signal is right in time with Wall of Voodoo's "Back in Flesh". Home, time on the internet. Relax. Take the dog out. Release that my mp3 player was not plugged in for the last 2 days, so run back in and grab the CD player (kickin it ol' school) and bust out the Daydream Nation. Home, homework, then practice. Opposite of yesterday. Skill improvement section not very good, but improvisation/transcription/play along goes smoothly. Play along to The Who, Joy Division, Pink Floyd...
Have thought about taking a beginning Guitar Craft course. Rethinking, I'm not so sure, but I at least agree with some of their points. Hopefully I can talk to Martin or a Crafty and see if I can learn a stretch or sitting technique. Replaced the broken e on the 12, now to just get it in tune.

2008-02-13T17:41:00.000-08:00

Up at 6:30 (EARLY FOR ONCE!) to chisel off the ice and snow that accumulated on my car since last night.
Go outside to warm it up and see it's raining. Well, so much for that. Still warm the car up and go inside to find myself eating a chocolate granola bar as I don't want to pour a bowl of cereal for myself. Brush my teeth and I'm off to school. Listen to Sweetthieves in the car. School has been, well, schooly again. Vice Principal sat in on Band, hope it's not because of complaints against Mr. H. He's a nice guy and a very good teacher.
Told Bill I was not able to do sound for the play as I made plans that might fall into place, and I just would not be able to do both at the same time.
Absolutely raining buckets outside, so no dog walk. Play guitar to Meccalily songs, busted an e string while playing the 12 string danelectro. Considering stringing up my SX beater in new standard tuning for a change. Waste time and energy on the internet (A lot of it) until I decided to kick my own ass and practice. Practice for about an hour today, with the transcription/improvisation part not going as well as I thought it would. I need more material to play along to. Exercises and technique improvements seem to be going well though. Still on the lookout for a head, no luck yet.
Mom comes home early, doesn't go to class as she already presented her project. Dad still out with co-worker Josh, who apparently is getting a divorce.
Wasted the rest of my day on the net. I need to start composing. This vacation will hopefully do me good.
Not really looking forward towards tomorrow, but tomorrow is thursday, which is one step closer to this week being over.
Dad just walked in through the door.

Also, I have the intense urge to play music with people. Have been half considering joining a cover band...

2008-02-12T17:23:00.000-08:00

Woke up again at 6:30. Decided to hit the snooze button a good number of times. Backfired, of course, so I woke up out of my snooze filled trance at 10 to 7 again, repeating the steps as I always seem to do. Started up the car, drank some juice and shoved two granola bars into my pocket. Picked out "Souvlaki" by Slowdive for the ride. Some nice Brian Eno produced Shoegaze to start my day off with. Took the highway since I was late. Got me there on time but didn't get the coast road view. Oh well.
School has been, well, bland, but what else is new. I think for the past two days I've done probably an hour of actual real work. I guess that's just the way it's going this week. Asked Bill about doing sound in the play. It's not a musical so my usual position is not available (bass player). So looks like I'm outta luck for that. Shame. But it looks like I'm not going to do it, as other plans are being made.
Usual when I came home. Wasted time (and energy) on sweet sweet internet. Checked status of all my favorite websites, nothing to write home about. Walked Gromit, listened to World Inferno Friendship Society as I forgot to charge my mp3 player. Was cold, but fun. Honestly, the cold doesn't really bother me. I might say things for humor but I can take it, especially if I have a coat.
Back, homework for a period of time, then practice broken up by dinner. Practiced for around 40-45 minutes all together. Then more dicking around on the internet. Still looking for an ampeg head. Have a feeling that's going to be the theme for a little while.

Now Playing: Brian Eno-In Dark Trees

2008-02-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning, 10 minutes to 7. Didn't have time to eat breakfast nor did I want anything, so I slug back some juice and but some granola bars in my pocket for later. Grab "The Velvet Underground" (the third album) for the drive to school and back.
Got to school. Last night I noticed I didn't have my math notebook, and did an assignment approximating the right one. Don't know if I got any credit, really didn't even try. Typical day. Was bored out of my mind in the last class. Overall nondescript day.
Got home, did the usual. Dick around on the internet until I take my dog for a walk. Get a message back from Martin saying how the Guitar Circle does not allow photography or recording. This is fine. What interests me is the fact that the ensembles (plural, as this is part of the Guitar Craft that Robert Fripp runs) also adopt this rule, and they say it takes the audience members out of the show. It seems to me while this very understandable (I taped a show once, and it took me out of the experience completely to be honest), it seems as though this rule does more harm than good. Trying to get people to stop recording causes people who try to get the people recording to stop brings MORE people out of the show. Photography is understandable without explanation (flashes annoy the shit out of you when you need to concentrate). I think I would be more harsh towards Fripp and Co. if Fripp did not record and release his soundscape performances for purchase and download. I guess since I have seen no problem with taping shows (even if it's just people I know for archive purposes), and thus can't really see the other side of the fence even thought I see the and respect the argument against.
Took my dog out, listened to Wilco-Sky Blue Sky. Better than I remember, but not a winter album, more spring/summer. Came home, did homework. Practiced for about a half hour or so. Going to try and do it every day, part of the reason why this blog came back, so I can have "proof" if I practice every day or so. Hopefully I'll practice the right things and become a better player.
Also, ordered the cabinet today. Also talked to my dad who is getting a new Delta 1010 for free, as it's busted but he (might) know the problem with it. Something with busted capacitors in the power supply. Getting it for the cost of shipping, so hopefully this will allow the studio downstairs to gain more "clients" (read: Martin, Wayne, John, Me, and whatever cast of musicians drifts through our lives at this point).
Sat down to dinner a little while ago. Suddenly became nauseous and had to go downstairs. Have no idea what it was but a glass of water later I feel fine...

Thinking of turning in early tonight. In the meantime, Meccalily recordings and Ampeg Headhunting for me.

Epilogue

2008-02-10T18:37:00.000-08:00

I decided to go with the avatar 212, and I'm going to search for a used ampeg head.

I still need to do some things before bed, but it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Also listening to a Post Modern John show I found from 3 years ago. I love listening to these shows, I don't know why.

That's it for tonight.

New Beginnings

2008-02-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's a new year, although it's been almost a month and a half into it. I originally just started this account so I could comment on Adrian Belew's blog, but I guess the blogging bug got a hold of me again. Maybe we'll see what happens this time since I'm starting a new one.

So, right now I'm in the middle of a purchasing a new bass guitar amplification setup. My old amp sounds great, but is too big and bulky, not to mention underpowered, for transportation. I found some deals on craigslist, but ultimately I'm shooting for 300-400 watts at 4 ohms. I've looked at Ampeg, trying to replace my combo as it sounds amazing, but it's too out of my price range. I have also looked at Avatar speakers, which use Eminence PA speakers which have a nice frequency response to bass guitar, as they're recommend on the site. I was not very open to speakers I had never heard before, but I found someone selling one on craigslist. I made an appointment to come over to his house and try it out. I found I liked it even if the head was probably not what I was going to buy. It was a good approximation of my sound with my current amp, but getting home and plugging in my current amp revealed it was not as "Growly" or "bassy" as I wanted it to be. I have a feeling this was with the head and the fact it was a 2x10. My current amp is a 15 with a 8 for a tweeter. Very nice. I feel as so if I go with avatar I will probably purchase the 2x12 though to make up for the 15.
So this morning I receive a notice from the seller saying that the buzz we found in the Avatar 210 was infact a blown speaker. He says he's only gigged with it for about a year, using it for reggae gigs. But I guess this is now a question of reliability for the cab, but I think I'm going to have to ask this question of everything I buy.
The question with the head is do I ultimately try and strive as close as possible to the wattage? I did some research (read: Someone told me) that said when pairing a head with a cab, try to get it as close to the watt rating as possible, as heads when clipping will send out square waves which are bad for the speaker. I think If I get within 50 watts I should be fine. I've been looking at ampeg and GK heads, and hopefully I will sell my ovation soon so I have a little more money towards all this.
Hopefully I am happy with whatever choice I make, and I'm not throwing money into a pit.

On to something less esoteric, a trio of shows are coming up. Which is good news for me. Friday is the Project Venue show at URI, with Mahi Mahi, Bed Of Knives (Formally Phil N Crew), POW!!!! (Next Haven Members), MATH the band and a few others. Should be good, although the last time I saw MAHI at a project venue show I was entirely pissed off at people that thought it would be funny to try and sway the crowd. Maybe I just shouldn't get in the front anymore. I have seen then 14 times...

Saturday is the New England Guitar Craft with Your Move who are performing Closer To The Edge in it's entirety. Eh, not too crazy on that, but I have not seen the Craft in a long time, and I feel as though I need to support Martin in his musical en devours as they're usually always good. Although ironically I always end up disliking them, then giving them another listen, then ultimately liking them. Going to see if recording and/or photography is allowed, since this is the Craft...

Sunday is Neptune, White Mice, Lazy Magnet and The Glass Shivers. Hopefully The White Mice will not suck as much as they did last time at the Machines With Magnets show. It's Neptune's record release show, so hopefully I can go and score a copy of the album if I have enough money. The Glass shivers should be a good time, I've enjoyed their album.

Hopefully I can also find a job within the next month or so. Not having a job is kinda cool but not having money is not fun at all. :(