The Genre Breakers

[Since I'm clearly losing my momentum with this blog writing thing, I might as well break from my much delayed timeline and write the post I bugged other people about.] [Finally publishing after six months. Hahahah....] 

I went to Warped Tour for the first time ever this year, and it was a feast for the blog making. I went with my main concert going buddies [meaning that they drive me, I manage to ditch them, and met back up when it's time to go home without any hard feelings] but since Warped Tour is not the place to wander aimlessly alone, I stuck with them, and I'm glad I did.

I love my best friend since she'll stop for bands I'd never bat an eyelash at; and she's totally fine with me muttering in her ear about the bass on stage. The first time she did this at Warped Tour was at a this neat little bread trucking looking/not camper thing that was plastered with the brand of guitar strings I buy. This bazaar-o truck had a pop out stage. The cause of my friend's attention what that the band on the stage had horns. The part that made me right a post about it, is the fact that the bassist was playing a sixer like a true metal bassist.

I'm in the obnoxious yellow hat. 

I've only read about six string basses on TB, never have I seen one played live; much less used well [actually using all the strings, and playing it as a bass, not just a large guitar]. So to clear this up, the band had a metal bassist and a horn section, thus a total genre break, which happened to totally work. This is why I love music.

After the show I was so impressed that contacted the band via Twitter, and they were more then willing to answer some questions. [This is were I admit that I'm writing this to appease my guilt for taking six months to write this, yes I'm writing this off a six month old memory.] Two things really stood out to me about my conversation with the bassist: He played one of the cheapest sixers out there, and I [who have seen a few concerts in my day] had no idea. It sounded great, and it's clearly connected to his skill as a bassist. The second item is that he was ashamed that he was playing a low grade instrument, yet as I said before he could rock it like any high end bass.    

Dog Days

I have a problem [honestly I have several problems with my bass playing] that needs to be addressed: I only bother to write down my riffs when they are inspired by dogs.  

This lovely pup is Fable, and when she comes to greet you she brings so much joy. It seems to be a crime to at least try and capture her movements the best [by best, I mean most fun] way I know how.  

This would normally where I'd end this post, and totally forget about this riff as I move on to whatever gets my attention, but Fable's owner had to go and ask for a recording of the song I was working on. [Okay I called it a song first.] That means I had to rediscover other instruments I own, work with other people, and actually record myself for the first time in ages. It's so annoying having other people making me move forward, when I've clearly plateaued and unintentionally help me without being asked. [I really need to open up and let people in.]    

New Artists

For all my stage hopping at Summerfest one band notable piqued by interest. Moonrise Nation was another local-ish [Chicago based] playing relatively early in the day. They'd actually been opening for a band out of upstate New York, so I think that bumped them up the status list.

The band consist of two sisters, a friend, and some dude on drums I didn't get the connection of. Ever the fan of off beat [not the best use of words here] instruments, I found the cello was a lovely touch. Even with the distractions of Summerfest I hung out until the end of the set.

Even when I got home I found myself seeking out their music. After afew listens of their [entire] ep on youtube, I decided to be an honest listener and buy the CD. The problem was there was no CD, the official website told you to get it on itunes [and I don't do itunes]. Instead of saying "oh well, on with the internet piracy" I decided to contact the band. Trying to make an educated guess, I emailed the name under PR. Must of been the right person [makes sense since PR stands for public relations] because I got a email stating that the ep was available on Amazon, and in physical CD!!! Now to rake up $35 wroth of Amazon goods...     

Jack White

If there's one Youtube rabbit hole I fall down on a consistent basics, It would be Jack White's. The White Stripes, The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs, and his solo career; he's got a resume of a legend, and I've never been a fan.

I was never into The White Stripes because they had no bassist [shocker] and I kept mixing them up with The Plain White Tees. Jack White's solo act has gotten enough buzz online to get my attention [the phrase 'the last of rock and roll' will do that]. He kept my attention: white guy deeply inspired by the blues, from a city known for having it's musical golden days behind it, brilliant mind when it came to using gimmicks, and I'm not gonna lie, I could relate alot to the Catholic background.

All this said, I generally have a love/hate relationship with his music. I hear Punk influence when he talks up the Blues legends, the Whites Strips music just sounds unfinished to me, and every time I listen to him, I get the urge to pick up my bass. This is where I see how this love/hate relationship is totally backwards. I love the fact that his music inspire me to pick up an instrument, and I hate the fact that I can't listen to his music for hours on end.

He's coming to a venue near me, and I am completely torn on whether or not to go see him. [Holy crap, Ian Anderson, flutist of Jethro Tull, is coming to my area!]            

Room Cleaning

I overhauled my room after Milwaukee; I can see my entire floor, and the only things under the bed are my instruments [in their cases]. I found alot of things: sheet music for House of the Rising Son, my original fretboard poster [which suddenly makes sense, thank you dyslexia].

I also found the lost plastic strap lock I posted about ages ago.     

The Skilled Ones

Alice Cooper was technically the special guess of the headliner at Summerfest; and with that said, I just considered Montey Crue another band. It is there last tour [supposedly] but I've never been a huge fan of 80s rock.  

Still I seat through them, and I must say, I was impressed. I honestly didn't think they could follow Alice Cooper, and I was wrong. I knew who Nikki Sixx was because of TB, so I knew I wasn't going to be blown away musically; but the fact that he's the composer on just about every [or maybe it is every] song is awesome.

I also missed the fact that Tommy Lee is the drummer, but after the first few songs it was clear, and it was a hell of a treat. He broke a snare during the second song, [and he apparently broke the kick drum the show before] and this was the second night of the tour. I'd never heard of the Guitarist before, but his skill was phenomenal. I'm pretty sure he was tripping on something since his fretting hand kept going even after he took it off the fret board, but hot damn, that was lightening fast, well honed skill.

There comes a time when you just have to be in awe of the fact that you are in the present of a master of a craft, that is your passion.    

Alice Cooper

Sixteen years and countless concerts later, I can honestly say I been to the best concert of my life. [For perceptive, the dude in the top hat is like seventy.] The music, the spectacle, the morbidity, I loved it all. As in, I, who wants nothing more then to not copy anyone ever, would be honored to be in an Alice Cooper tribute band.  

No one stopped, ever. There was an act with every song, and the band was so stellar that you didn't even notice when the singer ran off stage to prepare for the next act. 

To put this in another light, I paid $150 for the tickets, and it was worth every penny. I also bought the tickets before seeing Wayne's World, and being the history buff that I am, Alice Cooper's part was the absolute best.  

 [I feel like this post needs more text because I want to use all these images, but I've run out of things to say.]

Summerfest

I started out as a concert goer, and I'll die a concert goer. That's why I traveled eight hundred plus miles to spend the Fourth of July weekend in Milwaukee. Summerfest, do you see those dates? It spans almost two weeks, and has [pardon me while I fact check] damn, twelve stages.
The mornings are all local bands, and Milwaukee has a solid music scene. I didn't see one band that I would classify as a 'garage band' [who need to spend more time woodsheding].

It's in a fair sized park, but with the number of stages, I consonantly found myself being distracted by the band at the next stage over. This was worst during the headliners, when there are a minimum of three bands you want to see at the same time slot. The crowds [in number] were horrendous during the evenings, but [as people] they were the most amazing people ever.

[This is were I say I love you Midwest! If anyone would like to offer me a doctorate program/job/spouse, which would allow me to relocate, please let me know!]

I had my [wheel] chair with me, and running into metal footplates is not fun for anyone involved. The most common response is normally a death glare and a few expletives; here it was a "sorry" or "sorry, hey! Move out of the way!" Even when people didn't bother notice the fact I rammed into their calves, other people apologized for them.

The range of music here was pretty cool as well. I saw Ziggy Marley [Bob Marley's kid] I wasn't too excited about it, but I figured I'd see some respectful slapping for a change. That didn't happen, since there was a amp stack in the way, but it was an experience: On the way to the handicap section [which was the most awesome thing ever, seriously, go Summerfest!] I nailed this stoner with my footplate, and he promptly offered me his joint.

I've listened to Bob Marley's music before and it didn't float my boat, but it was awesome seeing so many people of different ethnic groups, religions, and ages, dancing and having a good time. [I saw an eighty year-old woman dance for an hour.] That was also the first concert I'd been to where the audience was the smoke machine.                        

Battle of Apps

I got a smartphone, and along with the joy that comes with being able to carry the internet anywhere without fear of being struck by lightening; I have unleashed the fury that is musical apps. [It's wildly underwhelming.]

First thing first, guitar related apps that don't work with basses are the majority. While it is nice to be able to tune both Lula [the acoustic] and Demon [the electric] with the same device; I wish I could use the same app with my basses without having to pay.

The apps that are bass related wreak havoc with my dyslexia. None of them have a flip over/left handed option, so whether or not they make sense depends on the day and my mindset. Most involve the entire fretboard and scales. There is one that teaches you the tabs for loads of songs. [My disgust of tabs hit the wall when I found the Addams Family theme.] I do really enjoy the guitar game that is Guess-the-Chord, but sadly, there's no bass version of it. [No, I have no idea what it would do.]    

  

There's a Hole in the Wall Now.

I plan on moving after college [bachelor's degree] so of course I put a fair size hole in the wall of my bedroom, but it's for my instruments. Demon now has a place [that isn't my top bunk] and it's working out quite well.

It's been up for about two months now, and as stable as anyone would want it. It'll hold Igor without complaint, but I've found it's rather hard to grab Igor one handed-ly. There's also his weight, and his higher position on the wall [farther from my center of balance] which makes him more accessible on the stand.

I don't live in an earthquake prone zone, but I went for one without locks, and I haven't had a problem with slipping/falling

Ace Ring

This is my ace ring. Sign of my sexuality [or utter lack there of, if you wish] and silly token that makes me smile; it's been along time coming and I happy to have it.

One of several superficial reasons I put off getting one is my playing. I'd heard from the internet [TB] that wearing a ring could get in the way of playing. For every person who claimed this, there seemed to be two people who called it BS. After getting the ring, I'm with the later [while I realize wearing a ring and playing is totally personal taste].

I did feel my ring digging into the back of Demon's neck as I hung him [a post on that will come] up, but this is oddly not an issue with Igor. Otherwise I feel like the ring helps with my playing in a way. The ring is a large by the sizing of the store I got it from, maybe it's because of this, or just the fact I'm not a custom to wearing rings, but it makes me spread out my fingers more.  

Hello Old Friend

It's been far too long. I should apologize, I need to to apologize, not to the internet, but to myself. I took time away from this to focus on school, and it didn't get me far. [It's only a dramatic statement if you don't realize my high standards.] I kept my paper log up for awhile, but even that became neglected. I'm still playing, I still want to take lessons but I'm not sure that's financially possible.

   

CP Awareness Month

March in Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. In a weak attempt to acknowledge my ascribed status [not in the mood to go into it, just Google it] I am making this post [and hopefully posting it before April].  

A statement that always grates on me is "I hope they find a cure for CP". Beyond the fact that the more likely path is that science will stop kids from getting CP (and leave those who have it to just have it [me] will just die out) if I was given a cure I'm not sure I'd know how to function. People see my limp, they don't know that my eyelids are uneven, that I burn energy like I'm running 24/7, that almost everything that my nervous system touches is effected. And it's been effected since I was born, and this is my normal. Imagine that people randomly started telling you, don't chew food correctly [I'm just going to apologize now for that one person who has been told/has difficultly chewing/whatever and finds this analogy offensive.] you thought you were chewing along just fine, but you give it a try. You find it takes you longer to eat, and you're generally uncomfortable, and it's mainly to make others around feel more comfortable. You don't see the worth in it, why bother? [FYI doing stuff solely to make others comfortable sucks.]

Now how this imaginary cure business would affect my bass playing: Tone is in your fingers, or as I'm inclined to believe, your nervous system. With a cure I'd lose my tone, because the way I move upset others. Yes, my CP wears on my joints, but no cure will take away the damage that has been done. In the end I'm happy with my body, others will have to look at it for a moment, but it's the only body I have for life.

[This is only my thoughts, as someone with mild CP. If you want to know what someone else with CP thinks, ask them. Not their caregiver, them.]       

Types of songs

The recharged mp3 player is bring me face to face with my tween music taste, and I have to say I had good taste.

It's surprising considering all the stupidness one accomplishes during the middle school years [ages 11-13] that I can point to either really good [read understanding my teenage angst] lyrics or rather complicated basslines.    

Bass vs Vocals

While using the mp3 player I've found that I prefer to play over the lyrics. There could be loads of reason why, I know the lyrics of the songs best [that's what I get for speaking English fluently] or they are just easier to play over, compared to the other instruments.

Either way, it's something I'll have to get over. But it's so fun to play like that, it can't be totally harmful to play like that for a little bit... 

Power Cords

[That is a misleading title.] My headphones came with a double jack ended cord. My amp has the ability to act as an amp and mp3 player speaker at the same time. Sadly I can not use my mp3 player and my headphones at the same time, so it will be a treat. More on what I'm learning from this new tool is coming later. 

BRR

An epic arctic cold is gripping my region, and my basses are reacting as I expected. What I didn't count on is the roundwounds ripping up my fingers. No matter how often I reiterate the effects of weather on materials to myself [and the great internet] I still find myself surprised by the results.

I've called roundwounds cheese graters before [somewhere, I'm too lazy, take my word for it] but now I'm wondering if I'm biased by the cold weather. Cold makes your skin dry and flaky [or maybe it's the dry air making your skin dry...] so maybe I should give them another go in the summer.    

MIA

My metronome has dropped off the face of the earth, I thought I had set it up on my amp, and it might of tumbled backwards, but I looked behind said amp, and no luck. It seems that the metronome is just as trilled with practicing as I am. But it's not in any of my other places for music stuff [and I have a grand total of two].

I also learned that I should not mindlessly reach behind my amp while holding Igor. My knee is not enough to hold Igor upright.   

Melodic

Going off the interpretation wave, my noodling has become alot more melody like. I'm not sure if it has to do with all the Paul McCartney listening I've been doing [guitarist turned bassist have a more melodic approach to basslines, I think it has something to do with the different head space].

I guess it's just hit me that I'm just playing with myself, and I have space to fill, so why not? No one is here to hear. It's taken a load of my shoulders, it's good to have some no pressure fun. I need to remind myself that.       

For the Birds

In honor of the birds that made me aware of my ability to tell pitch, I decided to listen to The Beatles' Blackbird obsessively. Farther inspired by chat with my uncle, I decided to not look up sheet music [or the how-to videos, that youtube keeps suggesting for me] and just go by my ear.

The result was me finding two of the notes on the fretboard. Like what I said before, the note duration is clear in my head, but the actual notes were a crap shoot. But I relaxed and I'm 90% sure I got at least two notes right.

[I should point out here that Blackbird doesn't have a bassline, so by doing this, by dissecting the song, and interpreting.]