I've Never Been Home This Early After Playing A Show.

This one goes down as one of the best damn shows that we've played together. Peppered among the unsuspecting, inappropriately-dressed cougars, were some of our superfans (who've heard these damn songs enough times that they know what the mix is supposed to be). The superfans (something like the SuperFriends) said that the sound was great. As far as "monitors," it was way sweeter than a certain sandstone amphitheater that I can think of. Actually, it was just like rehearsal, except not in a boomy concrete room, and with freaked-out-looking watchers. We're often much better at rehearsal because we're comfortable. Shania gets to experience the best versions of everything.

Apparently (I played virtually the whole set with my eyes closed), a little girl made her way to the "stage," and was looking rather stunned, according to onlookers. I hope that it wasn't during the "fuck" songs. We've been trying with these last few sets to build up to "Stealth" and "Blood Trail" since every BLC + unsuspecting public is an experiment. Apparently, they had some truly terrible shows before I joined the band (the Ogden; the burrito place). I really want to play a chicken wire country bar (there's a term for that, but I can't think of it) with this band, as well as a real juke (we'll have to go to 'sippi for that).

I did, however, have one missed note. A dude was doing flash photography (odd since the lights were on), and it totally got me for a beat. I had one measure of bizarreness on "Stealth" when the hands were doing their own thing for whatever reason (I was thinking about this leg/foot/ankle pain). I got right back on it, and I don't feel that bad 'bout it since the rest of the set was damn good.

Andrew Warner is my favorite drummer to play with, period. After all this time (starting in 2002 with the OG-RC), we generally play pretty damn well together, but tonight was really really special for me. The rhythm section was on like donkey kong, and I think that the rest of the band grooved (far out, man) on that. I love that guy. I can't imagine playing better with anyone else. I do indeed use him to make it sound like I'm playing with power. He's probably my best musical buddy. It was a trascendental set, rhythmically, for me. I hope that he gets that. Somehow, we were completely on the same wavelength for the fills [our art (improvisation) is in the fill, a la Ringo]. I love that guy.

Great fun tonight, for sure. I'm so done.

Wow.

This is a tremendous find on the YouTube. This is some creepy Turkish bootleg remix of In The Light, one of my favorite Zep tunes, off my favorite Zep album. That harpsichord shit is amazingly creepy. BLC might have to tap that shit.



This is the original version for y'all that aren't down:



In BLC news, we wrote a new one today. When we're all together, it just flows, even if we have to figure out how the song should end. Kelly is excited for us about the Nick Cave show, and thinking positive thoughts. She's hilarious; we had a good laugh together about what the sticky shit on the floor is in the dungeon. We ought to have at least one new one (hopefully two) for the next show.

I really feel like I've hit my stride with 'em, finally (only took a year). It's totally easy and natural playing, and I can improvise walks as I see fit. They'll let me play chords all day if I want. They all seem to trust my judgement, which is awesome.

Andrew and I get a lot of interplay going (doesn't that sound dirty?), which is what I missed most after not playing with him--most drummers don't really try to push back or play something interesting and changing. Playing against Andrew is like a stimulating conversation...that probably doesn't make sense, but remember that I'm not that good with metaphors.

Speaking of Andrew, if y'all don't have anything going on Friday, y'all should come to his opening (click to enlarge):

For Linda Ruth...

or others that aren't so into the Poison video-o-rama....

My Brother, Dr. E-dogg, was totally into the Poison. Our father trasheed all of those records because of the 'sex on the beach' from the 'open up and say ahh' record. Anyhow....here's the shit from él señor de amor a la roca:

Actually...it's all about 'talk nerdy to me,' LINDA. Think that I require a lime-green B.C. Warlock, really:




Indeed, I require a Warlock (and lots of cocaine);...is that the RATT or Randall sound?!? Priceless '80s video (love the Newman-lookin' father):



Overcasters require more choreography; certainly for the videos. 'F'J.N. certainly has enough banjos to pull off nonsense such as this:



Classic...I require some crazy brunette groupie (I love 12-string anything):

He Is Risen

I had to get rid of the hover bacon because now my friends are singing it. Thus, I un-drafted some posts and this one, for the easter. No, I didn't eat ham to slam Jews today. I ate an onion bagel with the vegetable cream cheese. John's family eats rabbits for easter, and apparently babies for christmas. Excellent...I didn't think that he had a funny bone in his body.

It ain't JC Superstar, but funny, and only semi-blasphemous (I heart the Gloria Gaynor; I'm so gay; who were those producers?):



I still dig the JC Surferstar. That version of "Overture" is pretty boss. It's like they doused the guitars in spring reverb and called it surf music, though.

"Heaven On Their Minds" is probably the best track from that show--I dig the stutter guitar/bass lines. I'm convinced that Judas was doing dude a favor by turning him in to the man. This has some lame costumes, but the sound is decent:

Show Post-Mortem; Gear Gripes

It wasn't horrible, but not perfect, either. I was fucking stunned when some people thanked me during dinner with my sweety (across town) later in the evening. That was really strange for me. I think that I maintained my coolness and was pleasant.

I had a moment of unfocus during "Love, It's Not Working." I was getting far too into it. The tempos were agonizing on some of 'em. It made the BLC feel like speed metal. A guitar player missed a few critical pickup notes on a solo (put on your surprised face). I missed loud drums a lot, seriously. All in all, though it wasn't too bad for two full practices and one power trio practice (that one sounded great).

Three shows in the last month or so with three different bands...that's pretty good in my book (the rules).

Post-shows gear gripes:

My SWR 1x15" sucks (we all knew this). That one is relegated to practice cab status. I don't even trust it to deliver after it fucked me on that recording session. I hate that. I can't hear it on stage.

I can't bitch about the electric grandmother too much. She's served my dumb ass well for years. I ought to check the speakers, though. Kurt wanted to do that a while back, and since they're the originals, it might be a good idea. I hate my lame tolex repairs. It's a little lacking in the low end, but kicks like a mule. If I replace speakers, I think that I'll put a couple of different kinds in there.

My Acoustic Control Corp. 406 (that ugly ass 2x15" that used to be in PMFS) sounded really smooth and nice with a little string noise; just how I like it. Apparently it was shaking clothes 20' out (just how I like it). I might transition that one into the OC when no one is looking. It needs work, so I'm moving that up in my projects list. Many of the bass players on the lists seem to be doing the Line-X thing for durability. I can dig that. Tolex gets hurt too easily, and Ozite isn't even an option if you have pets (although I've fired cat junior, feline number one is still here, for a time). The sound guy, Don, accused me of being "one of the loudest bass players in Denver." Also, he said it was a "killer rig." Awesome.

My Booger was solid, although I need to get it into a shop to fix those 4-ohm outputs and punch it up with some 6550s (probably while the mighty Tarmints are out conquering the west coast). It's not loud enough for the OC, and I'm so not into solid state sounds. If I can eek out 50 more watts, I'll be cool, at least until some damn fool guitar player gets a bigger amp or a new booster pedal. I really could get a couple of big amps going just for the OC.

My Orange One needs some help--American made is too weak for my playing, apparently. She's going to get a new brass nut, a new bridge, and new pickups (duncans or rio grandes, most likely) when she's not looking. Okay for BLC, awesome for the OC, but it wasn't the right bass for 4 a.m. because the g-string is too bright. I should've turned down the treble, but I wanted crunch for the loud part. Ah, hindsight....

I need to get a bypass box for the tuner. I've seen schematics on the internets. That pedal is a little tone-robbing asshole, and the output jack is all fucked up (too much beer).

Got some bass projects, for sure. That'll keep me amused on the cheap for a month or so.

Locked and Loaded

On the eve of our debutante ball, things are going quite well. It appears that at least some people are as excited as we are to do this thing:

1401 Zuni, denber, 9-1-07, 21:00 sharp

I found a nice little write-up for the show over here (worth clicking). I know fucking nothing of the alleged myspace nonsense:

Father Guido suggests you go to the Tar-shack Saturday night for Overcasters, Mothership, and Pee Pee. This super group has been practicing and rehearsing and probably learning karate and making evil robots and unlocking the key to enlightenment, I don't fucking know, but they've been behind closed doors for what feels like forever.

They've been making hilarious claims on myspace, posting bulletins that say "Knife-throwing exhibition" and "THE CALL OF CTHULHU." Good God! It sounds exciting.

Tyler Jacobson is DJing! Artwork by Monofog's Doug Spencer! Gah!

The tension is killing me! What will you sound like, Overcasters?!

Another one:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1: TYLER JACOBSON DJs THE OVERCASTERS, MOTHERSHIP & PEE PEE SHOW

Tyler DJs Overcasters, Mothership & Pee Pee show

The night that the Overcasters are unleashed on the world, Tyler will be providing the soundtrack to the in between times. 3 bands, 1 DJ and 1 art show. Be there to say you were there.

The build-up is getting to me a bit.
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Now playing: The Cure - Secrets

Put On Your Surprised Faces, Busy, etc.

Andrew's ride cymbal ate shit at practice. It cracked and made bad sounds. I wasn't terribly surprised, because that fucker is a primary cause of my hearing loss. After 17 years with it, he was quite upset (said that he wanted to cry). Apparently it's some big, expensive, turkish-made Zildjian. $400-800 for another. OUCH. I could pick up another bass for that. My eyes are open for a replacement.

Greg hooked me up with some pickups. I'll have to cannibalize black covers, because white ones are hokey.

Dinner with LRC and her girls tonight was quite tasty. Truck stop cuisine isn't all it's cracked up to be. If I see another slim jim, I might lose my shit.

I slept about 20 hours after getting home. I'm only now beginning to feel human again. I have new tales to regale with, though.

Until very recently, I'd forgotten about the Pigface. The only time I remember hearing 'em was 1991 or so, at that heroin 'party' with people shitting themselves in Boulder. It's not too bad, really.
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Now playing: Pigface - Kiss King

Getting My Fix

I get terribly bummed out Tuesday through Friday because I'm having music withdrawal. With the OC on summer sabbatical, I've been despondent for too long. It's amazing that I haven't shotgunned myself in the face.

Tonight was the first time in three (!!) weeks that the OC has convened to rockpractice (tm). We actually sounded really decent (better than some bands at shows). No one had forgotten the songs. It was great to have the kaptain back up on his feet, although he looked quite wobbly at times. His voice is back and mad as hell after being all cooped up for months. I know nothing about singing, but doing so with a cramped diaphragm has to double the effort. It would be like me using a foam mute or something.

However, the drums seemed muted to me, as was K's guitar. I'm convinced that he needs more speakers for better dispersion amongst los bastardos de amplificadores. Mabe the sound is a lot better on the other side of the "stage." I think that we need to turn up the drums.

More adjustments on the menace have improved string to string balance, and I'm starting to get really comfortable with the instrument. Maybe the satin neck is easier than the black ho's gloss one? The black ho definitely has more tightness in the low end (I'll refrain from full-blown innuendo here). On the journey home I decided that I might be able to regain some of that black ass by using the elusive "bass shift" switch on the Booger.

My schedule has eased at work. Thus, I can now do twice a weeks with the OC again. Mondays are still feeling ridiculous, but Wednesday is new and improved with a second driver, even if I though it was a horrible idea. I'm fucking stoked about that. It means no more Wednesday night is "date night," though. Maybe LRC can see the OC sometime, though. I hope that she likes/understands what we're doing. This feels more like "my band" than any of my previous (or the other current) band(s). Once I'm established in the BLC (work on the 15 new songs), I'm sure that I'll feel more ownership there.

After listening to us tonight, I'm completely convinced that we need to record a 7" (at least) for release soon. I'll bet that we could get it done pro bono, or at least low fee, from our friends. If I hadn't donated the eight track to the "i have no ideas" kids, I'd totally do it, although I'd have to purchase microphones (mine have all been stolen, except for that Shure 55sw, which I'm going to fix and gift to someone soon). Even if we just did a live thing, it would be pretty fucking good. K managed to get a couple of great musicians to play with us. This band needs to get into a studio and spread our weedy vibe soon.

Maggots Are Back!

My twelve-hour day today can only mean one thing: summer is right around the corner!

Good:

1. School's out, so the Starbucks on university hill is easy to drive into;
2. Rockshows;
3. The summer haircut;
4. Motorbikes!
   

Bad:

1. Wondervu is beautiful this time of year, although the recent precipitation means that the "roads" are soft enough to gobble up trucks;
2. Tomorrow, I'm laying tile all day in a steel building--Sweatyman rides again;

Ugly:

The three yards of rotting meat that I had to deal with at four o'clock.

Shattered, Friends

The Over Casters' song-writter/singer 'o doom/guitarist almighty, Kaptain K, has sustained serious injuries from a fall. If y'all know Kurt, give him a call/text/photo o' support.

I'll be in serious trouble because of that ghost photo that i took at last year's SP festival.

Also, it appears that our 'real' debut will be delayed because of his injuries. I'm not heart-broken about this development. I just want my friend to heel (I'm horrible), really. He's one of a handful of people that I love.