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A Wet Bolt?

This is a weird fastener that is virtually impossible to find. Easy enough to fabricate, but I didn't really want to.

More Equipment Lust.

I frequently lust for big, beasty (usually old) tube bass amps. It seems like one's always in the shop, though. Check out this beauty. I didn't even know such a thing existed. I've been impressed with Matchless amplifiers for wicked loud wicked tone, even if they're like a ship's anchor. I can't even imagine what 200 watts of Matchless bass amp could sound like. The dude is askin' $4,500. I won't be getting it, but it stokes my jonez for more 200-watt tube bass amps. I really need to find something in a 100-watt machine for BLC. Maybe an Ampeg V4B?

I did pick up a new distortion box that's pretty wild, even if it's totally digi. It's actually a lot more evil (in a good way) than I thought. I've dialed up a couple presets (it has six available slots) for use this Friday at practice. I found it online and totally had to pick it up because there's nothing else out there that's really innovative--everything's either Rat-based, Muff-based (bad luck with that box; it's being fixed though), or TS-based, it seems. I wanted a clean blend and a noise gate, and I got it. I wanted a flexible eq, and I got it. Programmable and MIDI and morphing and multi-band and foldback and octave was just gravy.

We all know how much I love gravy--just ask my arteries.

Shutter Island

I heard that this was supposed to be a decent movie from listening to Coast to Coast AM. Dude said that it had a twist, so I was ready to be totally disappointed (a la Memento--probably the biggest piece of crap ever). Since it's a Martin Scorsese film, I figured that it might be well done. Indeed it is. Totally worth the price of admission, even if I thought that I had it figured out. I actually did by the halfway point, but I second-guessed myself, so it was worth the wait through to the conclusion.

The cast includes some heavy-hitters: Leonardo DiCaprio (I couldn't remember his name...thus, he's "Capicola" to me), Ben Kingsley; and Max von Sydow. I liked Michelle Williams from the gay cowboy movie. Ted Levine completely vibes me out, still. I was convinced that De Niro was in there, too, but it's actually Elias Koteas done up to look like De Niro in that Frankenstein movie.

It's actually decent, although I can't deal with Capicola doing older roles--he's only two months older than me and hasn't oxidized as much, so he looks about 10 years younger. He couldn't convince me that he was Howard Hughes, and I'm still holding it against him.

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Now playing: Psyche - Goodbye Horses

Awesome

I love imported toys.

Garbage Trucks Say The Damnedest Things.

Seriously, like I even know what's going on.

I'm Interested.

Since the Bass Big Muff took a shit at COJ practice on Friday, I'm still in the market for a fuzz. I'm convinced that EHX has a gnomes problem (certainly a big quality control problem). The Black Finger turns itself on and off randomly, and this one suddenly went microphonic on me. Lame. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong? It Sounds pretty fierce:



I'm still lookin' for one of those Fender Sublime Bass Fuzzes to check out.

It's a perfectly sane food to eat.

I don't eat hot dogs, but maybe I should. They seemed to be making news today. The "twinkie cheese dog" sounds like it could be a true test of my cholesterol medication:

Remember Fifth Third burger? Take our poll on what should be next West Michigan Whitecaps delicacy - MLive.com

Surely hot dogs are a subversive food now that Michelle Obama is combatting childhood obesity. The way I see it, the final solution to this fat kid problem is to kill 'em with hot dogs:

Pediatricians push for hot dogs to get warning label; 'kid-friendly' food poses choking hazard

Seriously, though...I warning label?!? It's my belief that all food should have a warning label regarding the choking hazard.

Spinal Tap Recording

Yesterday we did drums for three songs. We've devised a technique to allow overdubs, while keeping a "live" feel (especially for the drums sake). I have no doubt that we could each chug through to a click track solo. It's a lot better to record drums, one guitar, bass and vocals in one pass. It seemed to work out for "Stevie Johnston", so we've kept it up. The next couple of weeks means overdubs of violin, vocals, bass, cymbals and several guitars. I really enjoy working with everyone in the studio because it's all about teamwork and everyone does their part for the art. After we finish up, it actually feels good; like we've accomplished something.

My orange one's new pickups seem to sound pretty nice. The Fralins are definitely more aggressive than stock. I actually used the Sansamp (check out the new and improved model) as intended instead of using a Radial DI. Greg commented that it's nice because it compresses quite a bit, so I don't have to be so careful. I still think that the damn thing sounds too bright, but it actually sits in the mix (very rough at this point) pretty well. It's not as crunchy as my amps, but it'll work for the overdub sessions for everyone. Apparently, that bass has a lot more sustain than I thought it did. It was out-ringing cymbals and Josh's Reverend. We're all standing around looking at each other at the end of each song, waiting for the bass to stop. It was a lot like this:

Organ Parts?

Today I got asked if I'd like to play organ on a friend's upcoming record. Apparently, the word is out, and Jeremy Paul Jones rides again. I replied that I'd like to, but I can only give an Oklahoma guarantee as far as the quality of my performance goes.

¡Más de YouTube!

From one of the saddest records ever.

This Sucks.