Backlog video post

I posted a bunch of stuff on YouTube of late. Here are some links. Share and enjoy.

Body Piercing Mandatory

The Road's Home

Haven No More

Location:Wherever

Kitchen Sink Post

The band continues to hump along. I've written another song, called The Cult Magnetic. I like how it's shaping up pretty well. With that on the list we have 15 or 16 songs to work with. About 9 of them fit the theme I have for a record called Serenity is Far Away.

I am thinking of another one called Villains. There are at least 3 songs I've written with the band that work along that theme as well.

I've also got a few ideas in the bag for some slower, solo work. Maybe acoustic. We'll see how that goes. I might try to save up an EPs worth of material and record it in my brother's basement, as he has a rad little home studio to work wonders on my mediocrity.

We skipped originals practice this week to focus on covers. It was not great. Weirdly, whenever I feel I'm absolutely killing a song the band inevitably feels their own parts are turble. I think we might just need to gig and deal with it. I'm sure we will rise to the occasion.

I will anyway.

I want to get our home recording nonsense going so we can at least make our own stuff happen. I know it's too late for stardom but I at least want to stop howling at the void alone, with nothing to show for it.

-Merlin

It Lives!

It's been a busy time. Static Factory is attempting some basement recordings of our many originals (we have about 14 songs). Right now we are trying to iron out Guy's bass drum sound for the basic tracks and we will then layer our parts over his drums.

We aren't playing to a click track, so we will see how good it works in the end.

The Ugly Americans have solidified some set lists and we are going to try and set aside some weekends for focused cover practice. Hopefully we can get things up to speed. I feel fairly confident myself.

We played at an open mic in flushing at a place called Little Clifton's Corner. It has a nice stage and our sound seemed pretty good. The video is hit and miss however.

I did finally start a YouTube channel for Static Factory. Hopefully people dig our stuff.

http://youtu.be/b_tt0I7rza8

-Merlin out

Been a Long Time

I've been busy of late, but the music plods on. I'm learning Wherever I May Roam by Metallica, Little Sister by the Elvis, and working on most of Sweet Child O Mine by GNR. Shesmovedon is okay, and I'm also relearning the Radiohead song Exit Music (for a film).

That's okay. Originals-wise, Static Factory is doing what we do, plodding along and writing a new song every few weeks. We've got about 12 now. Lazarus (Pits) is finally where I want it.

We've been trying to record but my cohorts are all human, and this is slowing us down. We will persevere.

-Merlin out

Vacations and Practice

I was happy that while taking The Big Family Vacation this year I managed to keep playing guitar. There was two days I either missed practice or played for only a few minutes. Those are the only two days this year I haven't played guitar for 45 minutes.

That's pretty rad. I'm hoping I can keep it up all year. I feel I'll be a decent guitar player when it's all said and done. I'm looking into some kind of music lessons for my son as well: piano or voice. He's got quite a bit of natural talent that I feel we don't tap into enough. He could use the outlet for his energy.

The band. . .I'm not sure what they did in my absence. Robb said he wasn't feeling well and Guy had scheduling conflicts. They were supposed to start recording our stuff. I'd like to get some recordings done, so that at the least we can see what it would sound like to get our stuff out there.

I've been learning new songs, but I'm not sure the guys will like them. I've been leaning toward learning some acoustic numbers and trying to hit some open mics. Maybe if the band can't get rolling I can get a gig on my own to get some extra cash.

-Merlin out

Catchup Post

I'm not sure that I blogged about music last week. It's been going pretty well for me at least. Robb and I have managed to play acoustic twice, which is great for working on vocal harmonies.

Practice itself wasn't great. I was pretty stressed out that day, and I was a half hour late, so not as much got done as I'd like. There are a lot of little things getting in the way of me being more efficient in musical productivity.

For instance, Robb finally got me some song sketches from Static Factory practices so I can work on lyrics and vocal melodies, but iTunes has ceased functioning on my laptop. It's been a pain reinstalling it.

Then I went to practice again, and it went fairly well. Static Factory went through our entire catalogue. The guys were wondering just how many songs we have. Let's see. . .

E-tuned guitars a half step flat:
The New Gods
(Promethean) Halo
Stutterstep

Drop-D a half step flat:
The Operative
My Companion
Payroll
Lazarus (Pit)
The Road's Home
MAD
Body Piercing Mandatory
The Truth is a Virus

Drop-B guitar (half step flat?)
Blow the Lid

We are also working on several other songs. Hopefully Haven No More and All Mighty Dolla' will be fleshed out next week. That's a decent catalogue.

I also want to write a song called Those Left Behind, but I haven't heard the music for it yet. I did just get some more stuff from Robb.

We'll see what comes of it.

The Ugly Americans are focusing on a handful of songs to do a series of videos in an attempt to do a gig. We've chosen a song from each decade from the 60s to around now.

Here Comes the Sun
American Band
Jessie's Girl
No Excuses
Then either Show Me How to Live or This Love

We also played some new stuff that I learned behind everyone's back. Robb was all pissy about that, but it's also his disposition to be vinegary, so whatever. One day we shall play a porcupine tree song. . .

-Merlin out

The Week in Music

My week in music revolved around the song I wrote on Friday. It's called "All Mighty Dolla'". I wrote a basic guitar line with some blues influences and came up with some words and a theme on the spot. I set a basic recording down in Garage Band and I sent it out to Robb to check it out.

He liked it. We tried to play it at practice tonight, but it's going to take some time to figure out the weird rhythms I tend to write.

Practice was truncated due to schedule changes and tardiness, but it still felt good to play. I feel we were still productive.

The Ugly Americans have settled on a set of 5 songs to play at an open mic night somewhere in an effort to get some YouTube videos online. That will help us get gigs. All the clubs I've called want some proof that we don't suck. We'll do what we can.

Personally I've been focused more on writing my own stuff instead of cover practice. Cover practice went well tonight anyway.

-Merlin out