Apologies readers for my last 4 or 5 days of inactivity. I’ve been dreadfully sick, but last week, before the sickness hit me, I had the unique pleasure of strolling into town, at around 7pm. I walked into a bar, and this bar had so much energy, fuelled by the customers; the atmosphere, the band. A band who’s known as Porcelain Coins, consisting of four, laid back, energetic and hilarious men who look as if they’re in their early twenties. As lady luck had it, I got a front row seat reserved to be able to see Porcelain Coins, who have previously supported major indie rock band, Bloc Party. Not only was I able to enjoy the musical genius that radiated from them, but I was blessed enough to get to interview Pablo, Sam, Ben and Gypo (Matt to his friends), throughout the evening!

M: What are your personal influences?
S: “‘In my opinion, my personal influences are Pearljam, Eleven and Led Zeppelin. Especially Led Zeppelin, the greatest band since someone said ‘hm, that sounds good, I’ll call it music’.“ Sam, who is a fan of the classic old-school rock legends, is the band’s bassist, and a killer one at that.

P: “Bernard Fanning, Powderfinger, I mean I like him in Powderfinger, but I love some of his solo stuff. Counting Crows, Cold War Kids, Simon and Garfunkle, Cat Stevens, and you can’t beat a bit of Bare Naked Ladies.” What sounds like a collection of obscurities from a teenagers life (apart from the Bare Naked Ladies!), actually proves to be a unique insight into what fuels vocalist and acoustic guitarist Pablo in his quest, which we’ll delve into later.

B: “The Pixies, Rage Against The Machine, Be Your Own Pet, Cold War Kids.” After talking to Ben in-depth about his influences and what it means to the band, he agreed that it’s generally about experiences, it’s a band where everyone brings something to the table. The electric guitar enthusiast’s tastes, along with Gypo’s (the drummer!) are slightly on the heavier side of things.

G: “It’s a tricky question, I mostly love things like Metallica, Chilli Peppers, and Rage Against The Machine.” Short and sweet, much like Gypo himself! But height related jokes aside, he had this to say, “Enjoyment comes through playing your instrument, but teamed with other people, it’s amazing.” It seems Gypo is full of words of wisdom, despite his crazy headache that evening, he ended with “Your creative side… It’s gotta get out somehow!” Hm, I never asked him if he was a Buddhist.

After a few drinks, and a couple of songs, the atmosphere was far chilled than it was since I had entered. And whilst we sat and enjoyed the performances of the stunning Jenny Reid (with an equally as stunning voice), who was performing solo that evening, despite her commitment to ‘The Penny Rogers Incident‘, we had discussed what they see themselves doing in five years time.

M: Where would you like to be in 5 years time?
G: “Still playing music, hopefully with bigger crowds! It’d be nice to reach more people, and it’d be great to experience some travelling” Big aspirations for a little man, who would’ve known. (Alright, it’s too tempting, sorry Gypo!), they may be big aspirations, but they’re certainly respectable.

B: “I see myself spending 6 months in a temple with my wife and kids, and spending 6 months touring with the band.” Ah, a family man, it’s nice to see someone who’s certain about their priorities, but being unsure isn’t always a bad thing!

S: “At The Rose Bowl! Playing to hundreds of thousands, that’s where I wanna be!” Well, there’s always one who truly appreciates their time in the limelight, Sam will be no exception. The rocking enthusiast has written previously for websites such as ultimate-guitar.com and has a pretty amazing taste in films!

P: “I’d love for us to get signed, it’d be a relief to have a good record deal. I’d essentially like to take the money from that and go to South America. I’ve always wanted to establish a community project, where everyone can benefit. Cafés, art galleries, that sort of thing, where people can get their work out and have a good time doing it. A self-sufficient system where everyone can escape the pressures which you and me do today.” I have to say, I loved Pablo’s answer, it’s one of those things which makes you stop and think about what you’re really doing. He’s a truly dedicated man, which was easily seen whilst he was on stage. His beautiful girlfriend, Zoe, seemed to agree  ”He’s one of the most driven and determined people I’ve ever met.” Watch out Zoe, his charms are pulling even me in!

It was by this point that the evening was drawing closer and closer to an end, with not only performances by the talented Jenny Reid, but also by another rising local band; At Last, who has an awesome vocalist. Porcelain Coins got up and stage and wowed the audience with one of their better (in my opinion!) songs, The Redemption of John Doe! If you’re a lover of Counting Crows, you’re bound to appreciate the edgy, unique flair which is personified by Porcelain Coins themselves. A group of aspiring, talented, young men who are truly dedicated to music and even through the ups and downs, still remain concrete on the idea of making it big. A well deserved idea, at that.

M: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians out there? Any regrets?
G: “Listen to drum, I mean really listen to it, focus on nothing but the drum, listen to different styles, and be confident to try new things, don’t be afraid.” Grand, solid advice from Gypo in regards to drumming, he then told me about regrets “I’ve been playing drums for 7 years, I taught myself. My only regret would probably be not starting earlier, I love it!“

B: “Feel it.” Was all that Ben could muster after his amazing performance on electric guitar that evening, but it’s true, you can’t be a good musician unless you feel the music inside of you. “I have no regrets, because life is too short.“

S: “Perseverance is the key, keep at it and you’ll get there“ sound advice which is only surpassed by the sounds this crazy murdock was making all night with his insane bass and harmonica skills. “I haven’t got any regrets man, whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, right?“

P: “Never give up, one of the most important things as a musician, or as a band is to talk to your crowd, involve them. Do it because you love it, a job is something you can give up, this is a lifestyle. Keep at it, because the hardest thing to do is usually the right thing.” The ever wise Pablo shed some of his philosophies to newcomers, and there are some crackers in there, believe me. “My only regret is taking it so head on, it’s pretty physically draining, but it’s a learning curve, approaching it slightly slower would’ve made a little less pressure.”

And so concludes my interview with Porcelain Coins, an upcoming local band who I predict will be rising to stardom pretty darn soon. If you’d like to know more about them, or hear some of their music, you can join their facebook group here, myspace here and bebo here. I recommend Panama Guitars and He’s Got a Gun (loving that harmonica!)

Krist Novoselic — Born May 16, 1965 is Croatian Bassist who plays for NIRVANA.  Born with birth name Krist Anthony Novoselic.  His now active with Politician carrier in Croatia.

Hey, wats up?

I’m Dennis. I’m going to be the  bassist for the band Black Vendetta. I’m pretty well rounded. I can play slap, with a pick, and with my fingers. I prefer finger playing though. I like to expiriment with a lot of different riffs. I’m into just about every genre of music, I  trule just love it. I love making the sound of music.

I  just wanna keep this short; just a little info about me, I’m going to be a fellow writer for this site. So this is who I am….

thanks all for the support!!! Jan 6 is the launch date, spread the word  ….

Driving a couple hours north today to see one of my favorite bands and then stay with a girlfriend. No hanky panky - dammit! Sucks because the bass player and I have obvious sexual chemistry. I think he’s what started my whole lust for other men and wanting to be a cougar. He’s a 22-year-old half Italian and half Phillipino; not much going on upstairs though. Gorgeous and he knows it. Even my husband expects to walk in on us going at it one day. He just sent me a message saying he can’t wait to see me two weeks when I take my overnight trip south. Yeah, I already picked my toy for the night, but for a hot lil bassist, I’ll flake out! The problem is, he know and is friends with my husband. That makes it a bit tougher.

Ok…it has barely been three weeks since the public announcement of the Julianne Hough/Chuck Wicks breakup.  Chuck was noticibly upset about it on the red carpet of the CMA’s.  He said they had some talking to do.  Well…evidently..that will be a one-sided conversation since Julianne has been spotted numerous times with KINGS of LEON Bassist Jared Followill…check out PEOPLE’s account:

Three weeks after her split with country singer Chuck Wicks, Julianne Hough was spotted with Kings of Leon’s Jared Followill at a Nashville bar.

The pair cuddled at the Lipstick Lounge Tuesday night after hitting Whiskey Kitchen, another city hotspot, earlier in the evening. They were part of a group that included country singer Holly Williams.

“They were very affectionate, just hanging out at the table,” says an observer of Hough and Followill, the bassist for Nashville-based band. “They stayed for about an hour and enjoyed karaoke. None of them sang, but they just hung with their group. Only a few people noticed she was even there. They didn’t make a spectacle of it.”
It’s the second time Hough, 21, and Followill, 23, were seen out on the town together recently. On Nov. 23 they reportedly hung out at Whiskey Kitchen with Williams and her husband, drummer Chris Coleman.

A rep for Kings of Leon says: “They are friends and have been hanging.”

Earlier this month, Followill’s brother Nathan, the drummer for the band, married singer Jessie Baylin in Brentwood, Tenn.

Day 75 – The Answer rock Wolves: This is Mickey Waters, bassist with Northern Ireland’s finest band – The Answer.  Tonight they played Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall and I was there to cover it for Birmingham Live and to chat to Mickey for the Daily Dust.  The band put on a great show and it surely won’t be long before they’re huge.  Mickey was a top bloke as well – happy days!

Letzten Dienstag war ich auf dem Placebo-Konzert in der SAP-Arena in Mannheim.

Anfangs hatte ich noch die Befürchtung, dass es nicht so gut werden könnte, weil die SAP-Arena einfach so groß ist und das letzte Mal auch keine gute Stimmung aufgekommen ist.

Diesmal wars aber einfach nur saugeil!

Die Stimmung war super! Placebo hat ne tolle Show geliefert! Brian war super drauf. Auch der neue Schlagzeuger war gut. Und Stefan Olsdal war einfach wieder nur saucool!  *grins*

Und auch, wenn er wohl lieber mit meinem Freund als mit mir heimgehen würde…. ich find ihn trotzdem cool.

Kein anderer sieht so cool aus wenn er Bass spielt.

Wir haben gesungen, getanzt, geschrien, sind in die Luft gesprungen, haben Spaß gehabt und ich wär fast in Ohnmacht gefallen… Nicht wegen der Aufregung, sondern wegen der Anstrengung… *grins*

Am nächsten Tag war ich total k.o.

Ich freu mich schon aufs nächste Mal!

I’ve always hated that Donald Trump appropriated “For the Love of Money” for his show, The Apprentice. Written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Anthony Jackson, the song is a rebuke, with lyrics derived straight from the bible, against the evils of greed and materialism. Trump used it as a celebration and an affirmation of the love and worship of money. Ugh… Reminds me of how right-wingers flocked to Bruce Springsteen and his “Born in the USA” for all the wrong reasons.

I hope the right people still own that song…

If you wanna know who was the genius behind that opening bass guitar riff throughout this song, it is this guy, Anthony Jackson, now 57, based in New York City. Here’s what Wikipedia had to say about how that sound actually came about.

Jazz bassist Anthony Jackson performing bathed in blue light; it is his bass riff that sounds throughout the iconic O'Jays' song, "For the Love of Money" (Courtesy: Epifani.com)

Anthony Jackson played bass guitar on the song. One day during fall 1973 (when Jackson was 21), producer/keyboardist Leon Huff was leading the members of the MFSB rhythm section and Jackson through a rehearsal. Sigma Sound Studios owner/engineer Joe Tarsia noticed that Jackson had a wah-wah pedal attached to his Fender Precision bass. Tarsia decided to run Jackson’s bassline through a phaser, giving it a swishing sound and later mixed in echo. During the final mixing of the track, Kenny Gamble impulsively reached over to the echo button and added echo to Jackson’s opening riffs.

Even though “For The Love of Money” is over seven minutes long, it was given heavy airplay in the early Seventies, both long and short versions, on black soul as well as white stations. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard R&B list and at No. 9 on the Billboard Singles chart in 1974. It is included in the O’Jays’ Ship Ahoy theme album, which charted No. 11 that year on the Billboard 200.

[...] The second single, “For The Love of Money,” is a protest against materialism with a groove that Rolling Stone described as “downright orgiastic”. The song was written around a bass line composed by Anthony Jackson, which in 2005 Bass Player Magazine described as “landmark.” Bass Player went on to note that the song has “become one of the most recycled singles ever, sampled continually by rappers, and appearing on over 75 compilation CDs, numerous movie soundtracks…

In other words, Anthony Jackson’s bass line for “For The Love of Money” ranks with that of Motown Funk Brother Robert White’s easily recognizable bass track for “My Girl.”

Jackson continues to perform singly and variously with other jazz musicians. He started out on the piano and worked his way to the bass guitar. He plays bass and his own invention, the six-string, or contrabass guitar. His influences are Motown mainstay James Jamerson whose performances made him pick up the bass; Oliver Messaien, the French composer, and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane. Of Casady, Jackson said to Bass Player Magazine, “Casady, whom I’d first heard on Jefferson Airplane’s Surrealistic Pillow album in late 1966, had a big, rich, metallic sound with a full bottom and a curious, guitaristic way of playing that I was immediately drawn to. When I saw him perform live, I was struck by his dignity and serious mien.”

Hmmm. Those psychedelic types do have presence, I guess.

The O’Jays are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame–almost all of them: Walter Williams, Bobby Massey, William Powell and Eddie Levert. Unfortunately, their induction wasn’t all that appreciated by the surviving members of the group–I believe they were introduced by Justin Timberlake, of all people. In addition, one of the original members, Bill Isles, was not inducted at the same time, but the replacement for the deceased William Powell, Sammy Strain, was. Very strange. Very, very strange. Some people may not be getting things right.

They are a trio now: Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, and Eric Grant. They still perform live; their last album, Imagination , was produced in 2004.

Enjoy…

A selection of some of my favorite experiments from the New Model Army show last month. I love the lighting at Radio Radio… its moody technicolor really suits the “pretty blurry” style I am developing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
			     AGAIN - Flyleaf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tabbed by Simon Campling

I suspect that this song is actually played with guitars tuned to CGCFAD,
but this still works, and if your bassist is playing a 5 string then they can
get that low C in the last few choruses.

INTRO
Guitar 2:
   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:/15------/13------|------------------|
B:------------------|/15------/13------|
G:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|
A:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|x3

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:/15------/18------|/20-------/22-----|
B:------------------|------------------|
G:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|
A:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|

Guitar 1 [in after 2 bars]
   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|------------------------|
B:------------------------|------------------------|
G:------------------------|------------------------|
D:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-|
A:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-|
D:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-|x2

VERSE 1
Guitar 1:
   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2 + 3 + 4 + 5  6
E:------------------|---------------------|
B:------------------|----6-6-----6/8-8--8-|
G:------------------|---------------------|
D:------------------|----3-3-----3/5-5--5-|
A:------------------|---------------------|
D:------------------|---------------------|

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2 + 3 + 4  +  5  6
E:------------------|------------------------|
B:-8\---------------|----1313----13/15-15-15-|
G:------------------|------------------------|
D:-5\---------------|----1010----10/12-12-12-|
A:------------------|------------------------|
D:------------------|------------------------|

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2 + 3 + 4 + 5  6
E:------------------|---------------------|
B:-15\--------------|----6-6-----6/8-8--8-|
G:------------------|---------------------|
D:-12\--------------|----3-3-----3/5-5--5-|
A:------------------|---------------------|
D:------------------|---------------------|

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2 + 3 + 4  +  5  6
E:------------------|------------------------|
B:-8\---------------|----1313----13/15-15-15-|
G:------------------|------------------------|
D:-5\---------------|----1010----10/12-12-12-|
A:------------------|------------------------|
D:------------------|------------------------|

   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:------------------|
B:-15---------------|
G:------------------|
D:-12---------------|
A:------------------|
D:------------------|

Guitar 2:
   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:(22)-------------6h8p6h8|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|----5-5---5-----5-5---5|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:-----------------6h8p6h8|-----------------------|
B:-----5-5---5------------|----5-5---5-----5------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:-6h8p6h8----------------|-----------------------|
G:-------------5h7p5h7----|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|8---8-8-----8---8-8----|
A:------------------------|--------8-----------8--|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:-6-6-6-6-6--------------|-----------------------|
G:-----------5-7-7-7-7-7-7|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:-15---------------------|
B:------------------------|
G:------------------------|
D:------------------------|
A:------------------------|
D:------------------------|

CHORUS 1
Guitar 1:
   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
A:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
D:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|x2

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|
A:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
A:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|

Guitar 2:
   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:/15------/13------|------------------|
B:------------------|/15------/13------|
G:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|
A:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|x3

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:/15------/18------|/20-------/22-----|
B:------------------|------------------|
G:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|
A:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|

VERSE 2:
   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2 + 3 + 4 + 5  6
E:------------------|---------------------|
B:------------------|----6-6-----6/8-8--8-|
G:------------------|---------------------|
D:------------------|----3-3-----3/5-5--5-|
A:------------------|---------------------|
D:------------------|---------------------|

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2 + 3 + 4  +  5  6
E:------------------|------------------------|
B:-8\---------------|----1313----13/15-15-15-|
G:------------------|------------------------|
D:-5\---------------|----1010----10/12-12-12-|
A:------------------|------------------------|
D:------------------|------------------------|

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2 + 3 + 4 + 5  6
E:------------------|---------------------|
B:-15\--------------|----6-6-----6/8-8--8-|
G:------------------|---------------------|
D:-12\--------------|----3-3-----3/5-5--5-|
A:------------------|---------------------|
D:------------------|---------------------|

   1  + 2 +  3 +  4 + 5 + 6 +
E:-10p8-10-------------------|
B:--------10/12--------------|
G:-------------10/12----12---|
D:---------------------------|
A:---------------------------|
D:---------------------------|x3

Guitar 2:
   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:(22)-------------6h8p6h8|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|----5-5---5-----5-5---5|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:-----------------6h8p6h8|-----------------------|
B:-----5-5---5------------|----5-5---5-----5------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:-6h8p6h8----------------|-----------------------|
G:-------------5h7p5h7----|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|8---8-8-----8---8-8----|
A:------------------------|--------8-----------8--|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:-8-6-6-6-6--------------|-----------------------|
G:-----------5-7-7-7-7-7-7|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|8-8-8-8-8-8-108-8-8-8-8|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:-------------------------|
B:-------------------------|
G:-101010101010101010101010| [10, not 1 0 !!]
D:-------------------------|
A:-------------------------|
D:-------------------------|

BRIDGE
Guitar 1
   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-0---0---0---0---0---0--|5---5---5---5---5---5--|
A:-0---0---0---0---0---0--|5---5---5---5---5---5--|
D:-0---0---0---0---0---0--|5---5---5---5---5---5--|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|
A:-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|
D:-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-0---0---0---0---0---0--|5---5---5---5---5---5--|
A:-0---0---0---0---0---0--|5---5---5---5---5---5--|
D:-0---0---0---0---0---0--|5---5---5---5---5---5--|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|-----------------------|
A:-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|-----------------------|
D:-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8|-----------------------|

Guitar 2:
   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:-6-6-6-6-6-6-5-5-5-5-5-5|3-3-3-3-3-3-5-5-5-5-5-5|
B:-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6|6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|
A:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:------------------------|-----------------------|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +  1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:-6-6-6-6-6-6-5-5-5-5-5-5|/22---------------------|
B:-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6|------------------------|
G:------------------------|------------------------|
D:------------------------|------------------------|
A:------------------------|------------------------|
D:------------------------|------------------------|

3 CHORUSES to end:
FIRST & SECOND CHORUSES:
Guitar 1
   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
A:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
D:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|x2

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|
A:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5|
A:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|-----------------------|

Guitar 2:
   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:/15------/13------|------------------|
B:------------------|/15------/13------|
G:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|
A:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|x3

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:/15------/18------|/20-------/22-----|
B:------------------|------------------|
G:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|
A:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|

THIRD CHORUS [half time drums]:
Guitar 1
   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
A:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|
D:-5-5-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-8-8-8|3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3|x2

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|-----------------------|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|
A:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|8-8-8-8-8-8-3-3-3-3-3-3|

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
E:------------------------|-----------------------|
B:------------------------|-----------------------|
G:------------------------|5----------------------|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|5----------------------|
A:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|3----------------------|
D:-1-1-1-1-1-1-5-5-5-5-5-5|-----------------------|

Guitar 2:
   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:-13/15----18------|-20-------15\13/15\|
B:------------------|-------------------|
G:------------------|-------------------|
D:------------------|-------------------|
A:------------------|-------------------|
D:------------------|-------------------|x2

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:-13/15----18\13---|-15/20----15\13/15\|
B:------------------|-------------------|
G:------------------|-------------------|
D:------------------|-------------------|
A:------------------|-------------------|
D:------------------|-------------------|

   1  2  3  4  5  6   1  2  3  4  5  6
E:-13/15----18------|-20---------------|
B:------------------|------------------|
G:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|
A:------------------|------------------|
D:------------------|------------------|

Schweinerei. Hannibal hat die Schweinegrippe. Am vergangenen Wochenende verunsicherte er die Besucher eines Gospel-Konzertes dadurch, dass er während des Gigs anfing, kräftig mit den Knien zu schlottern. Zunächst schaffte er es, es so aussehen zu lassen, als würde er heftig mitgrooven. Schließlich wurden die Schüttelfrostattacken aber zu stark. Die Band (nicht TTG!) hörte schließlich auf zu spielen, als Hannibal vornüber auf sein Gesicht fiel. Einige der Chormitglieder dachten erst, es sei der Heilige Geist. Aber ein herbeigerufener Arzt stellte hohes Fieber fest. Hannibal hielt ihn für seine Mutter und dann für einen Stammesgegner. Jedenfalls kommt auf unseren wackeren Bassisten noch eine Schmerzensgeldforderung zu. Hannibal geht es mittlerweile deutlich besser, er hat nur noch 40 Grad Fieber und trinkt bereits wieder sein tägliches Pils um 13 Uhr. Gute Besserung!

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the “Forums” section of the band’s official web site:

“It has been harder thank drinking a twelve-pack of Meisterbrau and not going pee than to keep this tour info [referring to the upcoming 'American Carnage' tour featuring MEGADETH, SLAYER and TESTAMENT] inside. And now you know and I can relax!

“It is true, as I said in my posts and columns, and as you can see . . . all of the clues were there. All that is left is sending positive vibes Tom’s [Araya, SLAYER bassist/vocalist] way to assist in his rehabilitating his back, and then, as I like to say, this one ain’t over till the fat lady dies!

“Let us remember also that we are out with a very exciting package for just this short, very short run, and we are specifically coming to these less traveled cities to bring MEGADETH metal everywhere we can, and we wanted to see you and you to see us before the end of the year. We have Bay Area heroes MACHINE HEAD out with us, and this tour is really intense. As you can hear at Megadeth Radio, MACHINE HEAD has some fantastic metal songs and some of the heaviest stuff we play on Megs Radio.

More here: DAVE MUSTAINE: I Have Some Massive News About A Music Project For Me And MEGADETH - Nov. 17, 2009

Bay Area thrash legends TESTAMENT are taking the stage once again in support of their 2008 release, “The Formation of Damnation”, TESTAMENT will be touring as special guest with fellow thrash legends MEGADETH and SLAYER. The tour will feature the classic lineup of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Greg Christian, and drummer Paul Bostaph and will mark the 20th anniversary of these major players taking the stage together on the same stage as MEGADETH and SLAYER.

“The Formation of Damnation” will be reissued just in time for this amazing tour with SLAYER and MEGADETH with a bonus CD that contains live renditions of the classics “The New Order”, “Practice What You Preach” and “Souls Of Black”. The tracks will also feature enhanced video clips recorded in Alcatraz for their MTV special “52/52″ campaign feature as well as the music video for “More Than Meets The Eye”. This special album re-release with bonus material will be in stores on February 23. TESTAMENT will have the tour reissue available on all of the dates of the upcoming “American Carnage” tour prior to it hitting stores.

More here: TESTAMENT: ‘The Formation Of Damnation’ To Be Reissued With Bonus CD - Nov. 17, 2009

A couple of years ago, I wrote a short story for an academic scholarship prize. It made the short list, and the short list was then sent to Ian Rankin to decide a winner. I didn’t win, but I remain immensely proud that my weak attempt at fiction has been read by one of the UK’s top authors. So here it is:

The rise of

COSMIC GRAFFITI

Joe strummed lazily at his Gibson before trying out a few chords then the first few bars of Smoke on the Water. He was vaguely aware of the indistinct chatter of the 3 other members of Cosmic Graffiti behind him. He yawned, stretching out as far back as the cold plastic chair would allow. Joe hated these uncomfortable chairs, they reminded him of school. He looked around him. The room, apart from the three other members of the band and the hall’s caretaker, was empty.

John, the bassist, approached him tentatively knowing how bad a mood Joe would be in by now. The rubber of his trainers squeaked loudly on the varnished wood of the floor and the sound echoed around the desolate hall.

“’Mon mate, no one has shown up so far and I doubt they will now”

“Just five more minutes” Joe snapped “plenty of folk could still come and we’d be halfway to dismantling the rig, how would that look?”

“We’ve been here for two hours now as it is. If anyone was coming they’d be here already” John reasoned.

Joe gave a theatrical sigh and heaved his considerable frame from the seat. It creaked in protest. He ambled towards his amplifier, muttering oaths under his breath.

This was bad; this was the third gig in four weeks where no one had turned up. Last week, three old dears sat through the entire first set before asking, what had happened to the flower arranging class? Turns out they had come a week early and they went away grumbling about how they had wasted almost an entire hour of their night.

Like it mattered Joe thought to himself. What were they going to do instead? Sit in their own piss, surrounded by cats and watching crap TV game shows while smoking endless El Cheapo fags?

Joe’s disgust for the elderly stemmed from his own fear of growing old. He might be on the wrong side of 45 but he liked to think of himself as young and trendy. He still sported the same long hair as he had as a teenager, even if it was thinning a bit on top, and he could still fit in the same pair of jeans that he bought in 1974, that is if he left the button and fly undone. He still liked the same music too, which was why he had formed the band from a selection of old school friends. He didn’t think they were that bad but obviously the general public disagreed.

Joe made to remove his guitar lead from the amp. As his fingers closed round the end he knew something was wrong. His arms and hands spasmed and his fist clenched up on the maple neck of the guitar. He felt an excruciating pulling sensation that made him feel as if the back of his head was coming off and he was shaking violently. It felt as though some one had tried to ram a knitting needle up each nostril straight into his brain, without anaesthetic. It seemed to last an eternity, and then it was over. Joe was lying on his back, the faces of John, Jim and Jack swimming languidly in and out of focus. They were yelling something; Joe caught the word “ambulance”. He opened his mouth to say he didn’t need one but no sound came out. “Stop making such a fuss”, he thought grumpily. To his astonishment everyone started to ignore him and went back to dismantling their kit. Not only did that annoy Joe, it unnerved him as well; they had all done exactly as he had wanted them to do at the exact moment he had thought it.

“Coincidence. It must be.” he thought, but then they had left him on his own after a serious electric shock which is not something most sane people would do. Joe picked himself up, dusting himself off and feeling the sparks and hearing the crackle of static electricity under his fingertips as he did so. That would be excellent; if he really could influence other people and their actions. “World Domination, here we’d come! Wayhey.” he mused, “onward and upward, we’d all have it made.”

Cosmic Graffiti would rival The Spice Girls and Take That in the popularity stakes if Joe were to have his way, every gig would be sold out with touts reselling the tickets to the numptie who would pay the most. He mentally listed what he would put on his hospitality rider and started imagining a queue of birds a mile long waiting outside his dressing room. Good looking ones mind, absolutely no mingers allowed.

Joe indulged in his fantasy for a while; he was in no hurry to help with lifting the heavy gear out to the band’s waiting van but, eventually, he decided he’d better help out or, shock or no shock, there’d be hell to pay and to be frank he couldn’t really be arsed with that.

He began lugging his amp outside, wishing in the process that it had wheels, and huffed and puffed his way to the van. Jack was loading his last high hat into the back. He slammed the van door and made his way back towards the hall, ignoring Joe in the process. Joe was too red in the face to protest but he swore mentally. “You git! Open the bloody door again, or is that too much to ask”, he muttered. Jack suddenly did a pirouette that would have shamed even the most proficient Prima ballerina and rushed to the van door, holding it open like some sort of butler/hobo doorman. Joe grunted in acknowledgement and thanks while at the same time feeling rather scared. Twice, that was twice other people had done what he wanted them to do!

He had to make sure if his hunch was right. Across the road, he spotted an old biddy walking one of these awful shoe-brush style dogs they seem to adore so much, the ones done up with ribbons in their over-long, ratty fur. This was his chance; the woman had to be in her eighties at least. He watched as the woman picked up her dog, her handbag swinging wildly from her elbow, and drop kicked the mangy furball over the trees.

“Three points” thought Joe, a slow and evil smile creeping across his face; this was going to be fun.

Former HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe has issued the following update:

“I’m still working away on new material and it’s coming along quite good. I’d rather take my time as there’s really no point rushing the creative process. Like I often say, better to wait than to have nothing much to wait for.

There’s been some speculation amongst people about Sami Yaffa [ex-HANOI ROCKS bassist] and me working together and I’m very happy to confirm that yes, Sami Yaffa will indeed be the bass player in my new band and on the new record. We’re also writing some songs together and so on.

“We’re both really excited about this new project, especially because it’s definitely coming together as a band, as opposed to me and some backing musicians, even though the name is Michael Monroe.

“The rest of the guys will be revealed to you in time. All I can say right now is that it’s gonna be a really cool band with a great bunch of guys.”

More here: MICHAEL MONROE Collaborating With Ex-HANOI ROCKS Bassist SAMI YAFFA - Nov. 16, 2009

Deilig å være på konsert igjen, men ting blir jo aldri som før. Evt.; ting er akkurat som før…
Jeg kom til å sende gitaristen (eller var det bassisten? (det er faktisk litt kjipt å være langt under 1,70 på konsert)) i hovedbandet et par rimelig onde blikk før de entret scenen, men det var før jeg visste hvem han var… WHOOOOPS. Såh… på tide å surfe litt mer på google bilder, skjønner jeg, så slipper man slike pinligheter. Gjett om det ble fnising fra bakerste rad…

Quite a while ago Ben showed me this video as some form of solo work inspiration and I was super impressed! This is “Eulogy” by Ben Kenny. Most people would know him as the bassist of Incubus. I hope you enjoy it.

Cover

Band: Troiano
Release: Fret Fever
Style: Rock
Year: 1979
Chatham Connection: Chatham’s Bob Wilson played bass guitar on this release.

About Bob: Bob is well known for his days with local bands ‘Friends’ and ‘Quadrant’, spending roughly two years in each group. He began his early days playing at Tecumseh High School with friends. Bob joined Troiano 2 years ago, just after their second album ‘The Joke’s On Me’ was released.

Members
Bass – Bob Wilson, Pauline Wilson
Drums – Paul DeLong
Guitar – Domenic Troiano
Keyboards – Dave Tyson
Percussion – Paul Delong, Bob Wilson, Dave Tyson
Vocals – Domenic Troiano, Roy Kenner, Bob & Pauline Wilson, Bob Wilson,

TRACKS
1 South American Run
2 Ambush [Instrumental]
3 We All Need Love
4 It’s You
5 It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
6 Give Me a Chance
7 Your Past (Is a Part of You)
8 Fret Fever
9 Brains on the Floor
10 Victim of Circumstance [Instrumental]
11 Achilles [Instrumental]
12 End [Instrumental]

If Video does nor appear, watch it here.

__________-

I find him widely attractive.
I think the Followill boys were gifted with the really hot genes.

Joshua Budich 'Stefan' Edition of 100 Size: 18 x 24 Inches $40ish

Here are the details of a new release from one of my fave artists, Joshua Budich. This dude NEVER disappoints!! This release is part of his DMB Series and this is their bassist Stefan Lessard. This is a 3 colour including metallic copper 19 x 25 inch screen print with an edition size of 35, comes signed and numbered for $40ish! There will be only 35 available on his site, the rest are spoken for through Dave’s fan site members. This print will be available on Thursday October 22nd at 3pm EST crisp!

Check it out HERE

Roger Tomhave, Steve Graham and Dan wrote a song called The Bassman’s Lament. It’s a tongue-in-cheek look at the plight of bass players everywhere. New Day, Roger and Steve’s band, took the idea and ran with it. They developed it into a skit.

Here’s a video of it, performed at the Roger and Friends CD Release concert.