2006-03-30 She Bangs The Drums!

Kyle got given the go ahead to get some drums, half of which will be paid for! Nice one!

Our session, a week ago Wednesday, went well, and we banged out the songs. What we need is a target now, and a bass player. I sent out a few ads today, and an email to a bassist to see what he is up to. I tried to contact 2 bass players, but I caught both in an unfortnate predicatment - one of which picked up the phone, and just listened until he heard me say something, then hung up - hmmm, strange...

Steve was still coming up with some great guitar riffs, and if he keeps that up, the songs will sound wicked!

Teigan had a go at a few of the songs, and also sang them through, so that would be great to have some backing vocals, and a pianist.

• Street Spirit
• Closedown
• Weapon Of Choice
• Am I Close
• Burn
• Advice
• Don't Lose Your Nerve
• Warm

Problem songs are still Burn, and Closedown, but they are close to being nailed.

We do need to learn the songs off by heart, and I will keep pushing for that to happen - perhaps next week by removing the song sheets - that will test all of us! Especially after a break when I wasn't very well.

We're getting there though, and the enthusiasm is still there.
Keeping up the momentum, in any band, will be a challenge. New songs, learn songs by heart, and get into a studio.

2006-03-20 Magic Hour

Well, I didn't expect a session like this to come for a while, but it seemed to me that we really started to click! We went through the main 5 songs several times, and by the time we got to the last quarter, when we went through each song without any breaks, it actually started to sound very good, and very different in a good way!

It was out first session in Kyles room, and it was such an improvement, and it had some ventilation! Man, was that a relief! We started off with Nice Dream and Waterfall. Kyle didn't know either song, which was a shame, but hope he will have an idea next week.

The outstanding songs of the evening were:

• Am I Close
• Weapon Of Choice
  
• Warm

Burn and Closedown are starting to sound good, but can sound a lot better that they are at the moment.

Dumb was not a favourite of Stephen's or Kyle, so that is good. Didn't particularly like it, and it can be put in reserve.

I must start on the bass player, as Kyle did not manage to recruit his mate.

Compared to last week, I really feel that this is the start of something good. We were all enjoying playing, and we relaxed.

New songs that we agreed to learn:

• Advice
• Don't Lose Your Nerve
• I'm Not Holding Back

Exciting!

2006-03-13 Kosmic Thing...

Went into Kosmic on Saturday to find out about how I could use my Mackie and my yet to be Sonic Maximiser in a live setup. Man was that a mistake! Can a person not go in to a music store and ask a simple question about some cheaper equipment, and NOT get a complete sales pitch about all the most expensive equipment?! Man, the guy I spoke to was a total git, recommending that I get a new 24 channel mixer, new amp, the most expesive Mackie speakers, and saying I need to spend at least $30,000+ to make a good live setup. Do I have huge amounts of bling dangling from my neck or dollar signs gouged into my forehead? I said, apprehesively, as by this time I was fed up with the guy, that $30,000 may be a little on the expensive side, and he said "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't recommend you the best equipment, would I!?". And it is any wonder why people hate going to music stores, to be confronted by arrogant know-it-all musos. I left feeling deflated, but determined to get a live set up for a fraction of what he said. He may turn out to be right, but there was no need for the attitude, man. Git.

2006-03-10 Drummer Like Me

Had our second jam on Tuesday, this time with Kyle. First time we have all met each other, and it seemed to go pretty well! We got through a fair number of songs, mainly Closedown, Burn, Weapon of Choice, Am I Close, Warm and a little of Dumb.

Kyle put us in the basement room, which had no ventilation, and within 5 we were all dripping with sweat! We marched on though, and got through a majority of the songs. We need to begin to learn the songs outside of the jam sessions. We may have recruited a synth player in Teigan, but we will see how we get on.

I think the main thing is that we all seemed to get on, and we had a bit of a laugh, which is all you ask when no one knows each other. It will be great when we begin to learn the songs, as we will all be able to relax even more.

2006-03-02 The First Time We Opened The Capsule

Had my first jam last night with Stephen in Thrall Street office - slightly hot!

Went through:

• Am I Close
• Burn
• Warm
• Weapon of Choice
  
• The Bends
• Closedown

Very enjoyable! Excellent first jam! Just hoping it is the start of something long term!

Both came away very positive (I think!), and hope that we can hook up with Kyle, and gig in 3 months! Bit ambitious, but heck...