band website has been purchased, and el is working on content - with suggestions from all of us, I will probably be writing the blog for it, mainly because I do enjoy writing about the band and the music. We have a twitter feed for the group, and its an exciting time because a website is a definite step further than tgme, and to be honest, I am glad that tgme had a limited profile, not that I wasnt proud of some of the work, but we were unfocussed and in denial of the issues that should have been resolved, which ultimately destroyed it. TGME was a sullen democracy, SL is a cheery dictatorship in so much as El and I drive things, but even that is changing as the others all have valid ideas and bring into play textures that make the music better.
Textures, which El uses, is a good way to define what SL is about, in terms of the writing and concept, not so much notes as sounds and emotions - we're not huge theorists, but there is enough general knowledge of it to provide a framework so that it sounds good to the ear. I use chord progressions, scales and such for my bass playing, even if I stay on a single chord, or even a single note I consider the possibilites of where it can go.
I will continue to post here, need to go practice and wait for the skip to arrive so i can get the garden sorted.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Hip Hop
Like the Erykah Badu song, its probably the love of my life. From NWA and Public Enemy, to The Roots, MF Doom and Saul Williams, I have always been drawn to the rhythm and the noise, let alone how it can be elevated to the rarefied heights it has in recent years.
I love the repetition of it, the structure and how it can be both organised and yet seeming to be random scraps of other instruments, vocal sounds and other ephmera. I love how it incorporates so many other genres, and makes them its own. I love how it allows for chrome stadium grandstanding and avant-beat poetry, and I love how it makes your heart race and your mind delight.
I have my favourites, and there is as much safe and uninvolving hip hop as there is in any music form, but it is a form of music as valid as jazz or classical. Its DIY origins came from necessity, from hunger and that informs greatness, without argument.
I love how it works with live instruments, both as a listener and as a musician, it seems to have something although I doubt I will ever approach the depth and genius of Jay Dilla or Danger Mouse, but I reach for the best Surge Lounge I can, the one that lives in my head.
I love the repetition of it, the structure and how it can be both organised and yet seeming to be random scraps of other instruments, vocal sounds and other ephmera. I love how it incorporates so many other genres, and makes them its own. I love how it allows for chrome stadium grandstanding and avant-beat poetry, and I love how it makes your heart race and your mind delight.
I have my favourites, and there is as much safe and uninvolving hip hop as there is in any music form, but it is a form of music as valid as jazz or classical. Its DIY origins came from necessity, from hunger and that informs greatness, without argument.
I love how it works with live instruments, both as a listener and as a musician, it seems to have something although I doubt I will ever approach the depth and genius of Jay Dilla or Danger Mouse, but I reach for the best Surge Lounge I can, the one that lives in my head.
Bass
I constantly reach with my bass playing, but in terms of making it groove. I like to work on a chord, or a fitting chord sequence, and with the metronome on, work it over and over, constantly reaching for that sequence of notes where it does what it needs to do, and from there, can evolve without breaking the back of it.
My influences tend to come from a number of sources: hip hop, and not necessarily the live stuff, although the approach tends to inflect what I do, Motown for Jamerson, because he was fearless, inventive and yet in complete control of the low end(thats not to discount Babbitt, who was equally powerful) and the funk, or at least the idea of funk, that lives in my head.
I know it when I hear it, sometimes its simple, sometimes its intricate and melodic, but when I hear it, I repeat it over and over, until I kind of go away, listening with all of my attention but feeling it, until I can register the precise set of sensations and emotions. It has to be music, I am tough to please when I practice alone. Oddly with El, I tend to make my choices even simpler, sometimes locking in with the kick is all I need, to the point that sometimes El wants me to go crazy, which by that point, I am grateful to do.
I practice chords and scales, but not as much as I should because I tend to get more developing my ear, but that will change from now.
My influences tend to come from a number of sources: hip hop, and not necessarily the live stuff, although the approach tends to inflect what I do, Motown for Jamerson, because he was fearless, inventive and yet in complete control of the low end(thats not to discount Babbitt, who was equally powerful) and the funk, or at least the idea of funk, that lives in my head.
I know it when I hear it, sometimes its simple, sometimes its intricate and melodic, but when I hear it, I repeat it over and over, until I kind of go away, listening with all of my attention but feeling it, until I can register the precise set of sensations and emotions. It has to be music, I am tough to please when I practice alone. Oddly with El, I tend to make my choices even simpler, sometimes locking in with the kick is all I need, to the point that sometimes El wants me to go crazy, which by that point, I am grateful to do.
I practice chords and scales, but not as much as I should because I tend to get more developing my ear, but that will change from now.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Neglectful
Been lazy lately, am itching to get something done, got the jazz gigs on sunday, but with El mid-move, its been slow on getting the band together, so sundays and my practice sessions are the only playing I get done. Am reinstituting the blog as an outlet, will be posting stories and opinions, and general rants about my home life!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
THE FUNK
Next to hip hop and r'n'b, funk has been a formative influence on me as a bassist. It is prominent in the mix, it combines and assimilates so many influences, and it has influenced so many different acts. My favourite artists are:
1. Prince. Not known for his funk as much as his general stew of influences, he knows the funk - live, his band blows out some intense displays of rhythm, its a mix of Apollonian discipline and Dionysian bacchanal, and he still has it, in spades.
2. Parliament-Funkadelic. Certainly more Dionysus, and it has this anarchy and grit through it, were it all seems to overwhelm you, as much a training ground as a playground, it unleashed some insanely great musicians into the world and added so much to the vocabulary of music.
3. James Brown. His concept that every instrument is a rhythm instrument tapped into something deeper, his discipline and dedication coupled with his personal flaws and tragedies make him enthralling to listen to, even now.
But the main thing about funk is, it makes you move. I cannot, not do it, even when I am copping the bass part, I still need to interact with the groove.
1. Prince. Not known for his funk as much as his general stew of influences, he knows the funk - live, his band blows out some intense displays of rhythm, its a mix of Apollonian discipline and Dionysian bacchanal, and he still has it, in spades.
2. Parliament-Funkadelic. Certainly more Dionysus, and it has this anarchy and grit through it, were it all seems to overwhelm you, as much a training ground as a playground, it unleashed some insanely great musicians into the world and added so much to the vocabulary of music.
3. James Brown. His concept that every instrument is a rhythm instrument tapped into something deeper, his discipline and dedication coupled with his personal flaws and tragedies make him enthralling to listen to, even now.
But the main thing about funk is, it makes you move. I cannot, not do it, even when I am copping the bass part, I still need to interact with the groove.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
My Band
First band was, actually, called Suncolour, and it was a few rehearsals, competent but little to no chemistry. Guitarists's gf played keyboards and it fizzled out without too many repercussions. Still, always nice to have that moment where you dream of conquering the world.
Second band was actually Surge Lounge, no vocalist, but same guitarist and the greatest drummer I have ever worked with. El kicks so much ass on the drums, on top of that he is a genuinely great man, but due to lack of a singer, we went on an extended hiatus..
The Green Monkey Experience. Huge learning curve, but intense. Technical yet sprawling, we tried so hard but when it came down to it, there were fundamental differences of opinion, also it divided into two camps, El and I, Chopper and Ash. It died in its sleep, but as it was in its death throes, El and I went back to..
Surge Lounge, this time we are doing hip hop, we have two great MCs, one of whom is doing guitar, we are looking for other musicians, and have gigs lined up. Life is good.
Second band was actually Surge Lounge, no vocalist, but same guitarist and the greatest drummer I have ever worked with. El kicks so much ass on the drums, on top of that he is a genuinely great man, but due to lack of a singer, we went on an extended hiatus..
The Green Monkey Experience. Huge learning curve, but intense. Technical yet sprawling, we tried so hard but when it came down to it, there were fundamental differences of opinion, also it divided into two camps, El and I, Chopper and Ash. It died in its sleep, but as it was in its death throes, El and I went back to..
Surge Lounge, this time we are doing hip hop, we have two great MCs, one of whom is doing guitar, we are looking for other musicians, and have gigs lined up. Life is good.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Brit Awards
Its awful, on every level. When Ferne Cotton was stood in front of a caravan interviewing Jamie Oliver and Jamie Cullum, my bones vibrated with rage, when Take That emerged from the UFO dressed like gay porn stars doing a Kraftwerk tribute act or when Coldplay limped around the stage, I wondered where the terrorist cells were, and why didn't one of them do the world of music a favour. I wanted Joe Calzaghe to punch holes in James Corden's head, and I felt ashamed for those people I do like(KoL, Pegg and Frost, who looked faintly embarrassed) Dignity had no place tonight, and we got Duffy.
Duffy, Duffy won every award possible, with her cheap Taiwanese Barbie features and voice like a cat with leukaemia. She is engineered to be the Aryan clone of Amy Winehouse, because you know the inoffensive soul diva is an affront to humanity. When Marvin Gaye was contractually obliged to release an album, of which all royalties were to go to his ex-wife, he released Here, My Dear(I learnt that from Something Awful) which was a killer album full of lacerating lyrics. Billie Holliday sang about black men being lynched. Duffy is a mustard burp who has coasted into fame on the back of a Bernard Butler production that resembles a Motown production devoid of the blue collar innovation that raised a production line song factory into raw genius.
The TingTings are a fucking joke, pop music that sounds like instruments given over to chimps. I can appreciate innocent music, but this is calculated artless shit, disguised as sneering indie cool. They make Miley Cyrus sound like Janis Joplin.
Pet Shop Boys were just cringeworthy, relics of another age.
What I hate most is the self-congratulatory tone the whole event takes, from the shitty presenter gags(Craig David, is that the best they could come up with?), to the nonentity award presenters(Natalie Imbruglia, Jamie Oliver) to the limp performances(KoL were a notable exception but they seemed to have traded their edge for acclaim, not that I blame them). The whole thing made the Mick Fleetwood/Sam Fox debacle look like high art, not in terms of competence but in terms of spirit, this was as cynical and lifeless as a prostitute pretending to be a corpse for cash.
However Girls Aloud were great: they're all gorgeous and their music has a certain quality control that makes them entirely palatable. Although I mainly like them because they are bloody lovely to look at. Never said I was a saint, baby:-)
This is what happens when my drummer is in London, I post bad things
Duffy, Duffy won every award possible, with her cheap Taiwanese Barbie features and voice like a cat with leukaemia. She is engineered to be the Aryan clone of Amy Winehouse, because you know the inoffensive soul diva is an affront to humanity. When Marvin Gaye was contractually obliged to release an album, of which all royalties were to go to his ex-wife, he released Here, My Dear(I learnt that from Something Awful) which was a killer album full of lacerating lyrics. Billie Holliday sang about black men being lynched. Duffy is a mustard burp who has coasted into fame on the back of a Bernard Butler production that resembles a Motown production devoid of the blue collar innovation that raised a production line song factory into raw genius.
The TingTings are a fucking joke, pop music that sounds like instruments given over to chimps. I can appreciate innocent music, but this is calculated artless shit, disguised as sneering indie cool. They make Miley Cyrus sound like Janis Joplin.
Pet Shop Boys were just cringeworthy, relics of another age.
What I hate most is the self-congratulatory tone the whole event takes, from the shitty presenter gags(Craig David, is that the best they could come up with?), to the nonentity award presenters(Natalie Imbruglia, Jamie Oliver) to the limp performances(KoL were a notable exception but they seemed to have traded their edge for acclaim, not that I blame them). The whole thing made the Mick Fleetwood/Sam Fox debacle look like high art, not in terms of competence but in terms of spirit, this was as cynical and lifeless as a prostitute pretending to be a corpse for cash.
However Girls Aloud were great: they're all gorgeous and their music has a certain quality control that makes them entirely palatable. Although I mainly like them because they are bloody lovely to look at. Never said I was a saint, baby:-)
This is what happens when my drummer is in London, I post bad things
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Just rediscovered...
..this blog when my wife googled my name! So I am going to resume blogging once again, it will be more about music, as for the last few years I have gotten into playing bass and it has replaced comics in my estimation. I will talk about what I play and what I listen to, and also will talk about the films that I love/hate am looking forward to.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Resolutions
1. Get into college again and really work at it.
2. Get submissions done and posted off
3. Sort out finances and house.
4. Sort out weight problem and tone/build up
5. Get published.
New idea:
Cold Mountain in space
2. Get submissions done and posted off
3. Sort out finances and house.
4. Sort out weight problem and tone/build up
5. Get published.
New idea:
Cold Mountain in space
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Hey lady, he's not real you know
It could stand to be said, for a lot of reasons.
http://www.screamifyouwantit.com/mambo/content/view/73/27/
If they wanted to make him a post-operative trans-sexual who renounces his activism in favour of a new career as a lingerie designer, they can, because he is a creative property, not a person.
http://www.screamifyouwantit.com/mambo/content/view/73/27/
If they wanted to make him a post-operative trans-sexual who renounces his activism in favour of a new career as a lingerie designer, they can, because he is a creative property, not a person.
The Byrne board weigh in
With their reaction to the Cockrum Call-Out, but Byrne manages to make it all about his pain, again.
Paty managed to take offense when I said Dave's work was "gorgeous". I think that puts everything in perspective, no?
But Gary Hart soars in with the insight-bomb of the topic
Is Paty Cockrum the Latoya Jackson of the Comics World?
Paty managed to take offense when I said Dave's work was "gorgeous". I think that puts everything in perspective, no?
But Gary Hart soars in with the insight-bomb of the topic
Is Paty Cockrum the Latoya Jackson of the Comics World?
Jewish Comics Conspiracy
Here is Patty Cockrum, proving why thyroid problems and comics don't mix. Millarworld, respond in a thread started by OMAR. Yes, the meta-troll, who Baker_Baker dreams of being. Bendis responds here.
But Marvel aren't anti-semitic because Moon Knight, Kitty Pride and The Thing are jewish, so there!
But Marvel aren't anti-semitic because Moon Knight, Kitty Pride and The Thing are jewish, so there!
Monday, October 17, 2005
Artists
Not a rant, but more of a surprised reaction to the talent that is coming through after a well-placed ad on Digital Webbing. I believe in what I am writing, and that powers me as much as it entertains me.
My bronchitis still hurts like fuck, but this makes me feel a damn site better on a Monday morning!
My bronchitis still hurts like fuck, but this makes me feel a damn site better on a Monday morning!
Friday, October 14, 2005
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Wisdom from the Engine
The Engine is Warren Ellis' forum, a place for non-superhero writers and creators, with a side order of general Ellis-ness and whatever grab=bag of cliches you might assign to him. But it is bloody useful for aspiring creators: this is from Matt Fraction, a writer and creator who has some notable books behind him
http://www.the-engine.net/forum/index.php?webtag=ENGINE&msg=453.12
http://www.the-engine.net/forum/index.php?webtag=ENGINE&msg=453.12
Rules and Regulations
From Robert Heinlein, via James Coppervale
1. You must write.
2. You must finish what you write.
3. You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order.
4. You must put the work on the market.
5. You must keep the work on the market until it is sold.
1. You must write.
2. You must finish what you write.
3. You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order.
4. You must put the work on the market.
5. You must keep the work on the market until it is sold.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
The Download
Name: Matthew Brian Blissett
D.O.B.:08/28/1976
Occupation: Retail Team Leader
Influences: COMICS: Grant Morrison, Warren Ellis, Alan Moore, Frank Miller
FILM: David Fincher, Robert Rodriguez, Ridley Scott, Joss Whedon.
LITERATURE: Brett Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, John Connolly, Cormac McCarthy, George R R Martin.
Comic Projects: George(with Damian Street)
Undisclosed projects at various stages
Monday, October 03, 2005
Freeing Oneself
Having, almost shamefully developed Mr Forbidden, I am now developing other science heroes for my own gratification and a desire to explore the myths and themes inherent in those concepts.
THE ORB.
Page 6:
A translucent, luminous orb, floating in the darkness of space, as wide across as a city.
Caption: IT WAITS, PATIENT AS BUDDHA, DRINKING IN THE GLORIOUS SONG OF STARS, AS IT PREPARES TO GIVE UP IT’S ONLY SON FOR SOME DISTANT PROMISE…
Cut to a close up of a fingertip, wrapped in a metallic liquid.
Caption: …OF SALVATION.
Pull back to reveal THE ORB(a rejuvenated and modified Kevin), an athletic male human physique clad in a suit of liquid metal that accentuates and diminishes (no nipples or genital bulges!) The only features on the face are a pair of ovoid reflective lenses that are a shade darker than the rest of the suit. He stands before a translucent column of light, one hand resting upon it.
Kevin: SELF IS READY TO RE-INTEGRATE INTO NOT-SELF STREAM.
Orb-Mother: CO-ORDINATINATION IMMINENT.
Medium close up as Kevin turns his head to one side.
Kevin: WHAT WAS THAT?
Page 7:
Pouring through a shimmering rift in space, a column of black, green and blue sludge, which contains within it, humanoid shapes struggling to become distinct amidst the entire structure. Imagine reality as a body, this is the infection that is killing it slowly, manifested as the seeping pus that you get when you infect a wound. This is the MALIGNANCY, humanity’s lowest point - a soldier-virus that corrupts and recruits whatsoever it touches.
Caption: THE MALIGNANCY. SOLDIER/VIRUS/GOD, INFECTS AND CORRUPTS ENTIRE REALITIES IN IT’S QUEST TO RECYCLE THE UNIVERSE.
Have this panel be tucked away in the bottom-right corner.
Kevin’s face-mask contorting to reveal the fear and confusion within.
Kevin: WHAT DO WE DO?
Page 8.
The Malignancy, swarming, suffusing the Orb as it gives off flashes of disinfecting light in an attempt to ward off the aggressor.
Cut To: Inside as Kevin has the column of light wrapped around his left arm as the interior of the Orb has quickened to a dismal gray.
Kevin: TELL ME WHAT TO DO, IS THERE ANYTHING MORE I CAN DO TO HELP?
Orb: CANNOT COMPLETE DOWNLOAD AT THIS TIME…MISSION PARAMETER DOWNLOAD 38% COMPLETE…
Drop the angle so that we are looking up as a tendril of Malignancy has penetrated the Orb and hangs there, dripping ichor as it looks upon Kevin.
Orb: LISTEN TO ME…YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM DOWNLOADED TO COMPLETE THE MISSION, BUT IT’S TOO LATE…
The tendril striking towards us, in a blurred motion.
Page 9:
Kevin, leaping away, arms parallel by his sides and legs straight as a column of zeroes and ones emerge from the soles of his feet as the tendril penetrates the ground.
Caption: USING THE INFORMATION THAT COMPRISES THE UNIVERSE TO TRAVERSE INFINITE DISTANCE, MEANS THAT THE ORB IS CAPABLE OF GREAT FEATS OF PHYSICAL PROWESS.
Kevin, turning, arms outstretched with his palms facing out as beams of light punch out of the center of each one, the back blast illuminating his cheekbones.
Caption: CONSTANT ABSORPTION OF AMBIENT FORCES THROUGH HIS EXOSKELETON ALLOWS HIM TO REFRACT AND LAZE LIGHT AS PART OF AN EXTENSIVE ARMOURY.
The tendril, evaporating where the blasts impact it.
An outpouring of Malignancy is encroaching on Kevin in the foreground.
Orb (no tail): TIME TO GO PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS, KEVIN.
THE ORB.
Page 6:
A translucent, luminous orb, floating in the darkness of space, as wide across as a city.
Caption: IT WAITS, PATIENT AS BUDDHA, DRINKING IN THE GLORIOUS SONG OF STARS, AS IT PREPARES TO GIVE UP IT’S ONLY SON FOR SOME DISTANT PROMISE…
Cut to a close up of a fingertip, wrapped in a metallic liquid.
Caption: …OF SALVATION.
Pull back to reveal THE ORB(a rejuvenated and modified Kevin), an athletic male human physique clad in a suit of liquid metal that accentuates and diminishes (no nipples or genital bulges!) The only features on the face are a pair of ovoid reflective lenses that are a shade darker than the rest of the suit. He stands before a translucent column of light, one hand resting upon it.
Kevin: SELF IS READY TO RE-INTEGRATE INTO NOT-SELF STREAM.
Orb-Mother: CO-ORDINATINATION IMMINENT.
Medium close up as Kevin turns his head to one side.
Kevin: WHAT WAS THAT?
Page 7:
Pouring through a shimmering rift in space, a column of black, green and blue sludge, which contains within it, humanoid shapes struggling to become distinct amidst the entire structure. Imagine reality as a body, this is the infection that is killing it slowly, manifested as the seeping pus that you get when you infect a wound. This is the MALIGNANCY, humanity’s lowest point - a soldier-virus that corrupts and recruits whatsoever it touches.
Caption: THE MALIGNANCY. SOLDIER/VIRUS/GOD, INFECTS AND CORRUPTS ENTIRE REALITIES IN IT’S QUEST TO RECYCLE THE UNIVERSE.
Have this panel be tucked away in the bottom-right corner.
Kevin’s face-mask contorting to reveal the fear and confusion within.
Kevin: WHAT DO WE DO?
Page 8.
The Malignancy, swarming, suffusing the Orb as it gives off flashes of disinfecting light in an attempt to ward off the aggressor.
Cut To: Inside as Kevin has the column of light wrapped around his left arm as the interior of the Orb has quickened to a dismal gray.
Kevin: TELL ME WHAT TO DO, IS THERE ANYTHING MORE I CAN DO TO HELP?
Orb: CANNOT COMPLETE DOWNLOAD AT THIS TIME…MISSION PARAMETER DOWNLOAD 38% COMPLETE…
Drop the angle so that we are looking up as a tendril of Malignancy has penetrated the Orb and hangs there, dripping ichor as it looks upon Kevin.
Orb: LISTEN TO ME…YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM DOWNLOADED TO COMPLETE THE MISSION, BUT IT’S TOO LATE…
The tendril striking towards us, in a blurred motion.
Page 9:
Kevin, leaping away, arms parallel by his sides and legs straight as a column of zeroes and ones emerge from the soles of his feet as the tendril penetrates the ground.
Caption: USING THE INFORMATION THAT COMPRISES THE UNIVERSE TO TRAVERSE INFINITE DISTANCE, MEANS THAT THE ORB IS CAPABLE OF GREAT FEATS OF PHYSICAL PROWESS.
Kevin, turning, arms outstretched with his palms facing out as beams of light punch out of the center of each one, the back blast illuminating his cheekbones.
Caption: CONSTANT ABSORPTION OF AMBIENT FORCES THROUGH HIS EXOSKELETON ALLOWS HIM TO REFRACT AND LAZE LIGHT AS PART OF AN EXTENSIVE ARMOURY.
The tendril, evaporating where the blasts impact it.
An outpouring of Malignancy is encroaching on Kevin in the foreground.
Orb (no tail): TIME TO GO PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS, KEVIN.
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