2009 April | newdilemma.com

Apr 30

Posted by Administrator in General, Music on 04 30th, 2009| | 6 Comments »

Fine, thanks for asking! I know there hasn’t been a real quality guitar oriented post in a while. (Has there ever been?) I have been a little busy looking for work. Then there is my personal guitar practice, anytime I start to learn something new from a book or a DVD, my playing becomes a little unraveled until I figure out how to incorporate the new stuff into my own music.

Then there is the cover band. I don’t even know what to say about it. Sometimes I am extremely happy to be in something that seems to be progressing well. Then I have days when I hate it. This is not where I want to be musically. I would so prefer to be working on my own original music. Then there are the songs. Most of them are not of my choosing. So far we have:

Credence – Fortunate Son
Led Zepellin – Whole Lotta Love
Motorhead – Stone Dead Forever
Godsmack – Keep Away

The problem is I don’t listen to any of that stuff. Sure, I smoked a few joints listening to Led Zep, and occasionally heard Credence while riding around with my hippy ex-girlfriend. Motorhead was of no interest to me and to be honest, neither was Godsmack.

I just came up at a different time I guess. I was a little more Faith No More, Sonic Youth and dare I say Nirvana. I enjoy My Chemical Romance and Mindless Self Indulgence. Hell I even like Evanescence. Megadeth. Check! System of a Down. Check! Reliquary (let’s see if you really read this blog Suriel). Check! L7. Check! Alice In Chains, Deftones, Dream Theatre. The list goes on and on.

Now how is it that I am stuck playing/singing songs I really don’t listen to? Anyway, there is a glimpse of what’s going on. Have fun and C-ya!

Apr 28

This One Is For You!

Posted by Administrator in General, Music on 04 28th, 2009| | No Comments »

Somewhere at the end of a hospital corridor a guitar gently strums some notes. Somewhere in a hospital bed the sheets are vibrating at roughly around 440Hz. Nurses within earshot to this guitar strumming visitor are beginning to have their very nerves frayed at hearing scales repeated so much. The guy in the room above threatened leaving before his illness is cured, after hearing chord progression after chord progression. The lady in the room below woke up from a coma about an hour ago because she thought she heard angel harps from the angels coming to get her, and she wasn’t ready to go yet.

Mr. Vestal, I’m talking about you. For those that don’t know, go to Rosegarden Music and read his blog. He is in the hospital at this moment dealing with the problems created by his diabetes. Many of us readers (and you know who you are) would turn into total wussbags, including myself. Bitching and complaining about how unfair life is. Not Mr. Vestal. He has his RockHouse Method DVD and his guitar and is happily practicing away. It was not lost on me sir. For that I write this, a humble blog post to you, since I can’t send flowers or visit.

I admire people like you, because you do what you do for the love of it. Don’t ever let that go. The way I see it, some say life is Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll. Mr. Vestal, you for sure have 2 out of 3 of those right now, and that ain’t too shabby. Rock on!

Apr 27

Not A Music Monday Meme, Just A Feeling.

Posted by Administrator in Music on 04 27th, 2009| | 3 Comments »

This is how I feel today, so click play on the video and sing along with the lyrics!

In The Garage (3:55)

I’ve got the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
I’ve got a 12-sided die.
I’ve got Kitty Pryde
And Nightcrawler too
Waiting there for me.
Yes I do, I do.

I’ve got posters on the wall,
My favorite rock group, KISS.
I’ve got Ace Frehley.
I’ve got Peter Criss
Waiting there for me.
Yes I do, I do

[chorus]
In the garage, I feel safe.
No one cares about my ways.
In the garage where I belong.
No one hears me sing this song.
In the garage.

I’ve got an electric guitar.
I play my stupid songs.
I write these stupid words
And I love every one
Waiting there for me.
Yes I do, I do.

[chorus]

In the garage. Neaarrah!

[chorus]

In the garage, I feel safe.
No one laughs about my ways.
In the garage where I belong.
No one hears me (x4)

No one hears me sing this song.

:-)

Apr 24

What To Wear On Stage. Or Not.

Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized on 04 24th, 2009| | 3 Comments »

I have been giving some thoughts to what to wear on stage when I finally do go. Do I want to be all pimped out like Kid Rock with fur coats and what not, or punkish with no shirt on and just cut the hell out my chest with a razor blade? Clearly the way you look can help you connect with the crowd, unless your name is Susan Boyle. (never been kissed, yeah right, we did it in the back of my car in 93, but that’s another story)

But while researching this I think I have come across some things that I simply could not wear on stage. Lets have at look:

Louvered Sunglasses

While it is true that Kanye West did wear these on stage, I am of the firm belief, that as a guitarist you should refrain from wearing these on stage. There may come a moment where you may have to look at your guitar, and imagine your shock when you only see your 1st, 3rd, and 5th string. Traumatizing. Unless you are PUSA.

The “Big Daddy” Four Finger Ring

The need to let the world know that you keep your pimp hand strong and your ho’s working long can be overwhelming for anyone. I often times find myself surrounded at social gatherings explaining the importance of this prophetic pimpology. But alas, wearing your Big Daddy four finger ring on stage can prove challenging. It can be done, but all your guitar playing must stay within four frets of each other. Very limiting indeed.

The Beer Hat

Ok, I don’t even know why this is on this list. As a guitarist I say this is a most handy invention. Being able to drink from two beers at the same time while shredding away is AWESOME. What is that you say? Oh, well I guess it could eventually lead to singing Sweet Home Alabama while extremely intoxicated. Ok, we’ll keep it in the list for now.

The Shocker Foam Finger

I am absolutely positive I don’t have to explain the awesomeness of shocker shaped foam fingers. But I really don’t know how long one could play a D# minor chord before the crowd gets tired. Maybe they will be entranced by the wonderful symbol of our times, maybe not.

That’s all I can think of right off the top of my head. Can you guys think of any others?

Apr 23

Media

Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized on 04 23rd, 2009| | No Comments »

So you bored enough to listen to the maniacal music productions that I have made? Very well, simply keep in mind, none of these songs are finished products by any means.