it's been a strange week. anger coming at me and some synchronous strangeness involving appearing where I am needed, when I am needed. someone close is spinning out of control and it hurts my heart. much of this is kind of personal and I don't like to talk shit outside the 'classroom'.
my heart's desires seem galaxies away. brother and musiking cohorts do not call. last night I bought a bottle of Irish whiskey and put a good dent in it.
this morning on the way biking to work, a startled rabbit raced me for a ways. I could claim victory, but there was no clear winner. After all, my finish line was the end of a mop handle and his was the next tasty green morsel.
sleep continues to be difficult, vivid dreams that are somehow more reasonable than other dramas in the real life they reflect. perhaps aboriginal culture is calling.
listen:
Heartless Bastards - All This Time
Richard and Linda Thompson - Pour Down Like Silver
Smog - Knock Knock
view:
The Straight Story
write:
journal
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
smoke signals
still waiting for the smoke to clear away
listen:
The Band - Cahoots
Talking Heads - Fear of Music, Naked
Byrne & Eno - Strange Overtones
read:
What You Need to Know Before You Fall in Love - David Nicholson, Ph.D.
Transformation - J.G. Bennett
view:
eyes
listen:
The Band - Cahoots
Talking Heads - Fear of Music, Naked
Byrne & Eno - Strange Overtones
read:
What You Need to Know Before You Fall in Love - David Nicholson, Ph.D.
Transformation - J.G. Bennett
view:
eyes
Sunday, August 10, 2008
drummers rocking my world, changes
Last week was the week of bands with 2 drummers kicking it. Strange coincidence that I should see these percussive pairings in the same week. Funfunfun!
First was Sunday, a return of Melvins. Holy shit what an awe-inspiring show. The last time they were here I worked and didn't really get to listen to 'em although they made quite an impression. This time I lucked out and they played on my night off. They are described as 'stoner metal' but for me they are a rocking beast that don't really fit into any category. And those drummers, a righty and lefty sharing a bit of each others kits and cooking up some hellatious rhythms - Wow! This is a band I would never know about were it not for my job at the club, and I am a lucky dog.
Thursday was a trip to Chicago to see "The 40th Anniversary Celebration" of King Crimson at Park West. Just about a perfect day all round. In the company of bestest buddy Greg - we have had many adventures together on and in front of stages and this one was one for the books. Certainly one for the blogs. Got there plenty early and found some parking. Had a swell late lunch at Stanley's Kitchen and Tap. Black bean 'n' chicken chili, blackened chicken sammy. Greg had the pulled pork. We both enjoyed the sweet potato fries and tasty beverages. Got in line for the Gen. Adm. show, I picked the tickets at 6 just before the line began to move us in. Park West is an exceptional place to see a show. The staff are awesome, the seating comfortable and house sound system is damn fine. The new line up of Crim started right on time at 7:30 and proceeded to kick some ass for about 2+ hours. 2 encores (3 pieces) later I said like a young student "My brain is full, can I go home now" so we hit the road and was back in Madison shortly after midnight.
Friday at the bar sucked. In an attempt to not dwell on the negative, I'll leave it at that.
Sat AM up early, trip to to the Farmers Market for tomatoes, sweet corn, eggplant, beets, onions and a way overpriced but yummy cinnamon roll. Been doing veggie cooking for myself (sigh) and its all good. If I eat another piece of pizza this month it will be purely a desperate move. Changing my diet, changing my bad self into something better. We'll see.
The 'jazz trio' held forth in the squalor of TL's trailer Saturday afternoon. Music was good, but the future of doing this seems uncertain, for a number of reasons.
And tonight is the 3rd week anniversary of abstinence from a certain illicit substance which has been a vortex of wasted time and bad luck for too long. I feel good.
listen:
Peter Gabriel - Shaking the Tree, Passion
Heartless Bastards - Stairs and Elevators
Captain Beefheart - Doc at the Radar Station
RTQE
read:
Nat'l Geo
view:
blue skies
First was Sunday, a return of Melvins. Holy shit what an awe-inspiring show. The last time they were here I worked and didn't really get to listen to 'em although they made quite an impression. This time I lucked out and they played on my night off. They are described as 'stoner metal' but for me they are a rocking beast that don't really fit into any category. And those drummers, a righty and lefty sharing a bit of each others kits and cooking up some hellatious rhythms - Wow! This is a band I would never know about were it not for my job at the club, and I am a lucky dog.
Thursday was a trip to Chicago to see "The 40th Anniversary Celebration" of King Crimson at Park West. Just about a perfect day all round. In the company of bestest buddy Greg - we have had many adventures together on and in front of stages and this one was one for the books. Certainly one for the blogs. Got there plenty early and found some parking. Had a swell late lunch at Stanley's Kitchen and Tap. Black bean 'n' chicken chili, blackened chicken sammy. Greg had the pulled pork. We both enjoyed the sweet potato fries and tasty beverages. Got in line for the Gen. Adm. show, I picked the tickets at 6 just before the line began to move us in. Park West is an exceptional place to see a show. The staff are awesome, the seating comfortable and house sound system is damn fine. The new line up of Crim started right on time at 7:30 and proceeded to kick some ass for about 2+ hours. 2 encores (3 pieces) later I said like a young student "My brain is full, can I go home now" so we hit the road and was back in Madison shortly after midnight.
Friday at the bar sucked. In an attempt to not dwell on the negative, I'll leave it at that.
Sat AM up early, trip to to the Farmers Market for tomatoes, sweet corn, eggplant, beets, onions and a way overpriced but yummy cinnamon roll. Been doing veggie cooking for myself (sigh) and its all good. If I eat another piece of pizza this month it will be purely a desperate move. Changing my diet, changing my bad self into something better. We'll see.
The 'jazz trio' held forth in the squalor of TL's trailer Saturday afternoon. Music was good, but the future of doing this seems uncertain, for a number of reasons.
And tonight is the 3rd week anniversary of abstinence from a certain illicit substance which has been a vortex of wasted time and bad luck for too long. I feel good.
listen:
Peter Gabriel - Shaking the Tree, Passion
Heartless Bastards - Stairs and Elevators
Captain Beefheart - Doc at the Radar Station
RTQE
read:
Nat'l Geo
view:
blue skies
Thursday, July 31, 2008
spinning wheel, got to go 'round
My humble stretch of E. Main St. is receiving a total makeover this summer and will soon be a real passable street again. New sewer and water service is done and all the concrete is poured. Soon the sound of beep-beep-fucking-beep will be heard no more! The end of - WHAAAM - at 7AM, road crew playing twiddly-winks with manhole covers. The foot of my driveway has a really nice new curb and gutter. Unfortunately there is no actual road to drive on yet - it ends in a sharp drop off down to gravel. Car is going to be sitting in the driveway unless I get all Evel Knievel. Started gathering wood for a ramp from the garage yesterday, but there just weren't enough big pieces. Hoping for asphalt soon, or one of those flying cars we should all have by now.
Plans afoot to see a longtime favorite noisy combo next week - King Crimson. They are at Park West in Chicago for 4 nights celebrating 40 years of beauty and mayhem. Thursday is a goer. Greg's gonna motor us down, bless him. My craptastic vehicle could never make it. Greg and I have shared some unforgettable experiences and this promises to be another. In September Gregory and I will have another chance to make with our super-fine duo on a stage again. More on that when it gets closer.
listen:
Melvins - Stag
Talking Heads
Fripp
müm -finally we are no one
Dub Trio, Czarbles live
the relentless sound of roadwork
read:
Milan Kundera - The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Tape Op
National Geographic
view:
Tideland
Mr. Show seasons 1 and 2
PBS Nature
Plans afoot to see a longtime favorite noisy combo next week - King Crimson. They are at Park West in Chicago for 4 nights celebrating 40 years of beauty and mayhem. Thursday is a goer. Greg's gonna motor us down, bless him. My craptastic vehicle could never make it. Greg and I have shared some unforgettable experiences and this promises to be another. In September Gregory and I will have another chance to make with our super-fine duo on a stage again. More on that when it gets closer.
listen:
Melvins - Stag
Talking Heads
Fripp
müm -finally we are no one
Dub Trio, Czarbles live
the relentless sound of roadwork
read:
Milan Kundera - The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Tape Op
National Geographic
view:
Tideland
Mr. Show seasons 1 and 2
PBS Nature
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
McCain for President?
I will do what I can to flip conservative family members and acquaintances to support and vote for Barrack Obama for the Presidency. Whatever it takes. We want our country back!
The thought of this war-mongering, flip-flopping tool of the militaryindustrialcomplex McCain having any chance of being elected makes me ill. But there is hope, my countrymen and women. Talk to your kinfolk and especially veterans (I am one, there's shock and awe for ya) about how McCain has not supported any pro-vetran bill before him in the last 10 years and most recently was a no-show on a vote to reinstate GI bill benefits for Iraq/Afghanistan vets. The bill passed despite his ambivalence. He most certainly will, if elected to office, (like that tool Bush) have our poor boys and girls fighting in godforsaken corners of the world and then they'll be discarded once they have served. Any veteran or those whose lives have been touched by war should be made aware of the folly in electing this man.
The thought of this war-mongering, flip-flopping tool of the militaryindustrialcomplex McCain having any chance of being elected makes me ill. But there is hope, my countrymen and women. Talk to your kinfolk and especially veterans (I am one, there's shock and awe for ya) about how McCain has not supported any pro-vetran bill before him in the last 10 years and most recently was a no-show on a vote to reinstate GI bill benefits for Iraq/Afghanistan vets. The bill passed despite his ambivalence. He most certainly will, if elected to office, (like that tool Bush) have our poor boys and girls fighting in godforsaken corners of the world and then they'll be discarded once they have served. Any veteran or those whose lives have been touched by war should be made aware of the folly in electing this man.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
bad things this last week, yikes
As I'm sure you've seen, on the news or up close, lotsa flooding going on throughout the mid-west. Not much of it has affected my life directly, many have lost their homes or struggle to keep them safe. The Rock River in Southern WI is due to crest this week, and I'm sure it's already bad down there. Locally the bike path under major roads near the Yahara (just completed last year) is underwater but prolly still navigable. Glad I don't have to drive anywhere for my job - road closings abound. Hear this morning the the trip to (or is it from) Milwaukee goes via Beloit effectively doubling the distance. We should have more sunny days this week, to dry things up a bit, unless you are at the end of watersheds.
In other news, I was personally quite saddened by the passing of Tim Russert this last weekend. He was one of the great TV journalists of our time. Fair and yet not cowtowing to anyone - he could put both dems and republicans on the hot seat with equal aplomb. His personality was a welcome presence and is one of those people you can't imagine being replaced. One of a kind.
Light work week, catching up on domestic stuff, branching out further on the 2-wheeler and getting back to some gear-building projects: battery operated stereo mic preamp, one good kick drum pedal from two broken ones, put new heads on the floor tom tom, and I'm sure there's more! Hope to jam with some friends soon so gotta get the drum kit humming.
Listen:
Scott Fields Freetet - Bitter Love Songs
Joey Baron - Raised Pleasure Dot
California Guitar Trio - Rocks the West
View:
Bill Bruford DVD
Read
NY Times
gear manuals
In other news, I was personally quite saddened by the passing of Tim Russert this last weekend. He was one of the great TV journalists of our time. Fair and yet not cowtowing to anyone - he could put both dems and republicans on the hot seat with equal aplomb. His personality was a welcome presence and is one of those people you can't imagine being replaced. One of a kind.
Light work week, catching up on domestic stuff, branching out further on the 2-wheeler and getting back to some gear-building projects: battery operated stereo mic preamp, one good kick drum pedal from two broken ones, put new heads on the floor tom tom, and I'm sure there's more! Hope to jam with some friends soon so gotta get the drum kit humming.
Listen:
Scott Fields Freetet - Bitter Love Songs
Joey Baron - Raised Pleasure Dot
California Guitar Trio - Rocks the West
View:
Bill Bruford DVD
Read
NY Times
gear manuals
Friday, June 6, 2008
A flower?
Summer's here, finally. Wisconsin actually had a reasonable Spring this year. The weather has been great, and the rampant hormonal race of Spring is beginning to ebb. Mother Nature is kicking in with her flora 'n' fauna hugely.
Ahh, 6 days straight attending to the maintenance requirements of the bar are now behind me.
Isthmus Jazz Festival happening, Saturday is a rare concert on UW campus with Joan Wildman. Hopefully we won't be stuck with the Rathskellar as a venue for the free offerings. It's not a room for music, for most groups.
Drummer Roy Haynes (who is 92!) is playing the big theater, but I cannot attend cuz it's pricey.
Brother Hal is passing through town on Monday and we will 'do lunch'. He's between tours, finishing a week with Moody Blues Sunday. Next up is Tom Waits merchandising! He seems very excited too, going to Europe and many shows have multiple dates in the same city, time off to hearseesmelltouchtaste the sights.
Things have been quite interesting around work lately. What else is new?
A personal goal: trying to slack off from the drinking until the wee hours and not being physically and mentally drained the next day. And there's plenty of work, business is OK, for summer. So I am a lucky guy then, he typed with no irony intended.
Otherwise, life is good. The weather is finally allowing the car to be left at home. Biking around almost exclusively. I love biking, always.
Starting up a project with pal Jack helping him tame technology, or at least watching his struggles, eventually to write and perform some of his very sharp music yet this year. A slow cooker to be sure, but I am learning some things I want to dig into (latest Mac stuff for playing samples, with that *old school* MIDI). We'll get there. My trio of yore with Jack and Jon rehearsed for sumpin like a year before playing out.
And thank god for Mother Fools, or I'd seldom get to play drums in public. That's par for the course when it's the 'difficult listening hour' kind of stuff. I told Nicole the other night 'I don't want to play experimental music (anymore). I want to play successful music.' Time to leave the avant guard to others and rock out or something.
Listen:
Adrian Belew - Side One
Ouija Radio - OH, NO... YES! YES!
The Bears
Gateway Trio live 1982
Joni - Night Ride Home
Nels Cline Singers
The Mic 92.1 Madison
WORT-FM
Read:
Sound on Sound mag (thanks Greg!)
National Geographic
J.G. Bennett - Energies
Tape Op
View:
A Scanner Darkly
lots of PBS
Ahh, 6 days straight attending to the maintenance requirements of the bar are now behind me.
Isthmus Jazz Festival happening, Saturday is a rare concert on UW campus with Joan Wildman. Hopefully we won't be stuck with the Rathskellar as a venue for the free offerings. It's not a room for music, for most groups.
Drummer Roy Haynes (who is 92!) is playing the big theater, but I cannot attend cuz it's pricey.
Brother Hal is passing through town on Monday and we will 'do lunch'. He's between tours, finishing a week with Moody Blues Sunday. Next up is Tom Waits merchandising! He seems very excited too, going to Europe and many shows have multiple dates in the same city, time off to hearseesmelltouchtaste the sights.
Things have been quite interesting around work lately. What else is new?
A personal goal: trying to slack off from the drinking until the wee hours and not being physically and mentally drained the next day. And there's plenty of work, business is OK, for summer. So I am a lucky guy then, he typed with no irony intended.
Otherwise, life is good. The weather is finally allowing the car to be left at home. Biking around almost exclusively. I love biking, always.
Starting up a project with pal Jack helping him tame technology, or at least watching his struggles, eventually to write and perform some of his very sharp music yet this year. A slow cooker to be sure, but I am learning some things I want to dig into (latest Mac stuff for playing samples, with that *old school* MIDI). We'll get there. My trio of yore with Jack and Jon rehearsed for sumpin like a year before playing out.
And thank god for Mother Fools, or I'd seldom get to play drums in public. That's par for the course when it's the 'difficult listening hour' kind of stuff. I told Nicole the other night 'I don't want to play experimental music (anymore). I want to play successful music.' Time to leave the avant guard to others and rock out or something.
Listen:
Adrian Belew - Side One
Ouija Radio - OH, NO... YES! YES!
The Bears
Gateway Trio live 1982
Joni - Night Ride Home
Nels Cline Singers
The Mic 92.1 Madison
WORT-FM
Read:
Sound on Sound mag (thanks Greg!)
National Geographic
J.G. Bennett - Energies
Tape Op
View:
A Scanner Darkly
lots of PBS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
