With my recording software currently malfunctioning, my own efforts to create musical fusion are on hold. So I've been writing a lot lately and damned if I haven't found myself listening to "jam band" tracks to sample extended bass lines. This got me thinking about jam bands and the people who claim to love them.
I hasten to add that I've never really liked jam bands. The notable exceptions, bands I've always liked very much, are (of course) The Grateful Dead, The Black Crowes and, more recently, The Word which features two of my favorite artists: Luther Dickinson of NMA and 13-String Pedal Steelist, Robert Randolph, who I believe is super-human.
To me, jam bands were all filler and no killer. I've always considered myself a blues guitarist and always preferred a 2-minute, 12-bar Son House diddy about low-down women and the effects of drinking smoke-stack lightening to a 17-minute arrangement of brightly-colored jazz chords by the likes of Rusted Root, Dispatch or (the dreaded) Phish talking about...well I never really knew what they were talking about. Ben and Jerry's, some place in Vermont with really green grass?
I'm not saying these bands aren't talented, but to me they've always seemed like a cheap rip from ICONS like Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers' Band. There is a difference between being influenced and being an imitator, America. I remember listening to Garcia's "Old and in the Way" with my dad when I was in grade school, so don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about, Wendy.
I'd never paid much attention to this sort of music. My parent's were too busy making sure I appreciated Steve Winwood and Steely Dan. So, when I arrived for my freshman year of college with a CD case full of Clapton, Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, and The Doors; I was automatically shunned by the cool crowd in my dorm for liking lame music. What? What to you mean Hendrix is too heavy? He's brilliant! I was gobsmacked.
So, I did what any insecure freshman does, smoked a joint, tried to fit in, and tried listening to Blues Traveler. When I became violently ill, I assumed it was the THC. Once I got straight, I listened to some Phish and discovered that it wasn't the contraband...it was THE band because this time I came down with a mild case of scurvy.
A buddy on my hall (who now writes for a living) was a huge DMB fan, and tried in vain to get me to listen to Everyday with him and I just wasn't that blown away. So we drank a few beers and listened to something we could agree on: Springstein's "The Rising." That was right before we knocked over Danny's beeramid, Jeff. I simply wasn't getting this obsession with jazz-fusion that was now "jam" music.
It seemed like any girl I would talk to about music said she liked the same bands: The Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews' Band (who, ironically, HATE being called a "jam band"), Pat McGee, Dispatch, and Blues Traveler. They ALL said the same thing.
I became very suspicious. It was at this point, I did some detective work: I had a few people hanging out in my room one night and I put on a cassette (NOT a CD) of some Winterland 1973 stuff that one of my first babysitters had given to me. I played it and I waited. And (completely validating my musical snobbishness) one of the so-called, hardcore GD, hemp-wearing, fan-girls asked: "Who is this? Its keeeeewwwwllll." AHA! It all became clear to me at that very moment. These little punks didn't like The Dead...they probably had no idea who Pigpen or Mountain Girl was/is (respectively), they claimed to like these bands because it was the cool thing to like.
Now I certainly know a few people who legitimately like and listen to My Morning Jacket, The String Cheese Incident, or Disco Biscuits. But shame on those who liked/still like it because its the cool college-hippie-pseudo liberal thing to do.
You people are no worse than the suburban white kid trying to be Lil Wayne. The only difference is you don't rock Fubu, you chill in birkenstocks and $90 polo shirts made to look like they cost $5. Shame on you...we've figured you out and we're coming to burn your house down with three-chord, over-driven power riffs from Jack White and vocals from Mick Jagger that will make you crap your corduroys.
Long live rock n' roll.
Matt
p.s.
Matty 305 and The Two-Timers are officially recording. Get pumped America.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sigh of Sorrow
Hi. I know, its been months. BUT I have a few excuses (thanks to those of you that asked where I'd been)
Excuse #1 I've been writing creatively more and have therefore been putting poems, songs, etc. on the other blog.
Excuse #2 Everything is crap in the entertainment world right now and I don't want to use words like "ass-sucking garbage" and upset my younger readers, or Shannon anyway.
Here's the thing, here is the fucking thing: I can barely turn on my tv anymore without the overwhelming urge to hurt people and small woodland animals. Its turned into COMPLETE garbage across the board. Most notorious? MTV.
Used to be, the way you found out about new bands was: you watched MTV. People say there aren't any good bands like Nirvana anymore. Well, there'll never be another Nirvana, but there is plenty of good stuff out there. You'd never know though because MTV is too busy following the exploits of over-sexed, over-tanned, over-served, under-fed, and over-spoiled American Eagle robots 24 hours a day with cameras.
Do you remember when you could count on videos all day long? Headbanger's ball, Yo MTV Raps, Unplugged and music video after music video until Cindy Crawford's House of Fashion came on. Glorious I tell you. The only "shows" MTV had back then (1990-1999 RIP) were good too. The State, Beavis and Butthead, hell even The Real World had substance back then!
Of course, the paradox is that, well, maybe music was better then and it was worth showing videos by Nirvana, NIN, Alice in Chains, Wu Tang, and Beck. I simply remember the constant talk going something like: "Did you see that new Live video? I'm going out and buying that album." Now its probably something like: "Hey, Tyler, I was watching The Hills last night and that really skinny girl, no the other one, was listening to the new Usher on her iPod. I'm so gonna download that right after I shave my chest and hit up Starbuck's." For shame.
The saddest part is...its gone forever. The minute Dan screwed Melissa and that other chick in the shower on Real World: Miami, I knew it was over.
ON DVD: If you don't already, please go get The Beyond special edition. For God's sake, its probably the best zombie gore fest in the history of Italian zombie gore fests ever. And that's quite a tough market to corner. Its one of Lucio Fulci's trilogy, complete with a (very) young Catriona MacColl, and pre-staff infection David Warbeck.
Music: Black Crowes (with Luther Dickinson on slide) is hot. Shelby Lynne's newest, still hot. Steve Winwood has a new album coming out. Should be hot.
And now, Paris Hilton with our weather: "Its Hot."
I'm back. So be careful, listen and watch wisely. Don't go see Good Luck Chuck type movies (Dane Cook should be strapped to a rocket and shot into the sun), go see Diary of the Dead or No Country for Old Men type movies. You may learn something...like, what good movies look like and that nickel-plated shotguns with silencers are the coolest form of weaponry known to man.
I won't make it such a long time next time.
Excuse #1 I've been writing creatively more and have therefore been putting poems, songs, etc. on the other blog.
Excuse #2 Everything is crap in the entertainment world right now and I don't want to use words like "ass-sucking garbage" and upset my younger readers, or Shannon anyway.
Here's the thing, here is the fucking thing: I can barely turn on my tv anymore without the overwhelming urge to hurt people and small woodland animals. Its turned into COMPLETE garbage across the board. Most notorious? MTV.
Used to be, the way you found out about new bands was: you watched MTV. People say there aren't any good bands like Nirvana anymore. Well, there'll never be another Nirvana, but there is plenty of good stuff out there. You'd never know though because MTV is too busy following the exploits of over-sexed, over-tanned, over-served, under-fed, and over-spoiled American Eagle robots 24 hours a day with cameras.
Do you remember when you could count on videos all day long? Headbanger's ball, Yo MTV Raps, Unplugged and music video after music video until Cindy Crawford's House of Fashion came on. Glorious I tell you. The only "shows" MTV had back then (1990-1999 RIP) were good too. The State, Beavis and Butthead, hell even The Real World had substance back then!
Of course, the paradox is that, well, maybe music was better then and it was worth showing videos by Nirvana, NIN, Alice in Chains, Wu Tang, and Beck. I simply remember the constant talk going something like: "Did you see that new Live video? I'm going out and buying that album." Now its probably something like: "Hey, Tyler, I was watching The Hills last night and that really skinny girl, no the other one, was listening to the new Usher on her iPod. I'm so gonna download that right after I shave my chest and hit up Starbuck's." For shame.
The saddest part is...its gone forever. The minute Dan screwed Melissa and that other chick in the shower on Real World: Miami, I knew it was over.
ON DVD: If you don't already, please go get The Beyond special edition. For God's sake, its probably the best zombie gore fest in the history of Italian zombie gore fests ever. And that's quite a tough market to corner. Its one of Lucio Fulci's trilogy, complete with a (very) young Catriona MacColl, and pre-staff infection David Warbeck.
Music: Black Crowes (with Luther Dickinson on slide) is hot. Shelby Lynne's newest, still hot. Steve Winwood has a new album coming out. Should be hot.
And now, Paris Hilton with our weather: "Its Hot."
I'm back. So be careful, listen and watch wisely. Don't go see Good Luck Chuck type movies (Dane Cook should be strapped to a rocket and shot into the sun), go see Diary of the Dead or No Country for Old Men type movies. You may learn something...like, what good movies look like and that nickel-plated shotguns with silencers are the coolest form of weaponry known to man.
I won't make it such a long time next time.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Guitar Geeks
Hi All. I apologize for the long absence (I actually got e-mails asking when the next article was coming...so eff you, I have readers) but I took a break for the holidays (all of them) and have been extra busy with the job search. Which is looking up. But I digress.
My friend Paul, who is a phenomenal guitar player asked me (in an angry way) why the only person I talk about is Clapton...why don't I talk about Jimi??? My pal maintains, and he's correct, that as far as skill and creativity, there is Hendrix, then everyone else. So I decided to write a little informative piece on Hendrix, his sound and how YOU TOO can sound like Jimi. This bit took me a little while to put together...I read lots of tab and listened to Electric Ladyland and Are You Experienced several times each day while job hunting. Here goes:
First thing: You need to realize that Jimi was one of the first (not THE first) to uses feedback, distortion, etc. as part of his sound. Most musicians found this type of sound undesirable.
How to sound like Jimi:
Note: some of this stuff is basic...but not all my readers are familiar with electric guitars
1. KNOW your guitar.
If you have a strat, know what each pickup (treble, bass, and bridge) sounds like. Most all strats have a 5-way pickup switch that allows you to alternate between which pickup (or combination thereof) that you'll use. Try not to think of the pickups as "bass" or "treble." Think of them as dark or light colors if you will. I say this because Electric Ladyland sounds like the colors on the album cover...whoa man. Jimi used the tremolo arm (whammy bar) in conjunction with his effects pedals to create a unique sound. More about effects pedals:
2. Jimi used 4 main effects pedals.
A. Wah-wah pedal - emphasizes bass notes when you toe back (for rhythm playing) or treble
notes when you toe up (for soloing)
B. Fuzz Face pedal - is an extreme distortion pedal that, you guessed it, distorts the sound
by creating an overdriven effect (like your amp is too loud) and creates a fuzzy sound.
C. Octavia pedal - While common now, these were especially made for Jimi in the 1960s. This
effect pedal takes notes you play and projects them thru the amp at a higher octave (that
is, eight notes higher than the note you play on your guitar) allowing you to hit higher notes
than the fret board will allow.
D. Univibe Pedal - its a modulation effect pedal that produces a pulsating sound. The best way
to clearly hear this effect is Jimi's performance of the National Anthem at Woodstock. This pedal, along with liberal use of the whammy bar, creates his famous British Siren sound.
3. Jimi used simple chord voicings.
Meaning, he used 2 or 3 note chords and would often fret the low E string with his thumb,
leaving his pinky free to add sharp notes. Listen to The Wind Cries Mary to get an idea.
A MAJOR exception to this is Jimi's favorite chord (often called the Jimi Hendrix chord): E7#9.
The chord is actually, very simple:
1 - E is the root,
2- G# the third,
3- B the fifth,
4- D the flattened 7th (normally this would be a D# in the E-major scale but just trust me here),
5- then we add #9...9 notes up from E on the scale which is F#. Since we're adding a sharp 9, it technically becomes a double sharp F (Fx) or (drum roll) G. SO NOW, you have G and G# in the same chord, giving you a nice clash of major and minor tones.
Here's a diagram of the chord http://www.guitarconsultant.com/chords-e7s9.html
the third pattern is the one Jimi most used.
4. Jimi was a master of r&B and rock rhythm
Jimi was very accomplished in r&b rhythm guitar (think Curtis Mayfield and Ike Turner) and rock rhythm. The difference is the r&b rhythm is lighter (more treble) notes versus rock (more bass) heavier notes.
Those are some of my observations on Jimi. I hope all you guitar geeks enjoyed it...I know I did.
Until next time.
My friend Paul, who is a phenomenal guitar player asked me (in an angry way) why the only person I talk about is Clapton...why don't I talk about Jimi??? My pal maintains, and he's correct, that as far as skill and creativity, there is Hendrix, then everyone else. So I decided to write a little informative piece on Hendrix, his sound and how YOU TOO can sound like Jimi. This bit took me a little while to put together...I read lots of tab and listened to Electric Ladyland and Are You Experienced several times each day while job hunting. Here goes:
First thing: You need to realize that Jimi was one of the first (not THE first) to uses feedback, distortion, etc. as part of his sound. Most musicians found this type of sound undesirable.
How to sound like Jimi:
Note: some of this stuff is basic...but not all my readers are familiar with electric guitars
1. KNOW your guitar.
If you have a strat, know what each pickup (treble, bass, and bridge) sounds like. Most all strats have a 5-way pickup switch that allows you to alternate between which pickup (or combination thereof) that you'll use. Try not to think of the pickups as "bass" or "treble." Think of them as dark or light colors if you will. I say this because Electric Ladyland sounds like the colors on the album cover...whoa man. Jimi used the tremolo arm (whammy bar) in conjunction with his effects pedals to create a unique sound. More about effects pedals:
2. Jimi used 4 main effects pedals.
A. Wah-wah pedal - emphasizes bass notes when you toe back (for rhythm playing) or treble
notes when you toe up (for soloing)
B. Fuzz Face pedal - is an extreme distortion pedal that, you guessed it, distorts the sound
by creating an overdriven effect (like your amp is too loud) and creates a fuzzy sound.
C. Octavia pedal - While common now, these were especially made for Jimi in the 1960s. This
effect pedal takes notes you play and projects them thru the amp at a higher octave (that
is, eight notes higher than the note you play on your guitar) allowing you to hit higher notes
than the fret board will allow.
D. Univibe Pedal - its a modulation effect pedal that produces a pulsating sound. The best way
to clearly hear this effect is Jimi's performance of the National Anthem at Woodstock. This pedal, along with liberal use of the whammy bar, creates his famous British Siren sound.
3. Jimi used simple chord voicings.
Meaning, he used 2 or 3 note chords and would often fret the low E string with his thumb,
leaving his pinky free to add sharp notes. Listen to The Wind Cries Mary to get an idea.
A MAJOR exception to this is Jimi's favorite chord (often called the Jimi Hendrix chord): E7#9.
The chord is actually, very simple:
1 - E is the root,
2- G# the third,
3- B the fifth,
4- D the flattened 7th (normally this would be a D# in the E-major scale but just trust me here),
5- then we add #9...9 notes up from E on the scale which is F#. Since we're adding a sharp 9, it technically becomes a double sharp F (Fx) or (drum roll) G. SO NOW, you have G and G# in the same chord, giving you a nice clash of major and minor tones.
Here's a diagram of the chord http://www.guitarconsultant.com/chords-e7s9.html
the third pattern is the one Jimi most used.
4. Jimi was a master of r&B and rock rhythm
Jimi was very accomplished in r&b rhythm guitar (think Curtis Mayfield and Ike Turner) and rock rhythm. The difference is the r&b rhythm is lighter (more treble) notes versus rock (more bass) heavier notes.
Those are some of my observations on Jimi. I hope all you guitar geeks enjoyed it...I know I did.
Until next time.
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